Pacific Coast governors vow to improve ocean conditions

The low oxygen "dead zones" along the Pacific Coast in Washington and Oregon this summer showed no regard for state borders. Now the governors of those two states and California are vowing to reach across state lines to improve ocean conditions.

Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced an agreement Monday to lobby the federal government, spur research and pool efforts for ocean health.

"We know that isolated local efforts cannot adequately address the breadth of degradation to our oceans," Gregoire said in a statement.

Problems facing the ocean environment include water pollution, declining fish populations and climate change, according to the agreement.

The governors vowed to oppose offshore oil exploration, though it is already banned on the West Coast. They also said they will jointly call on President Bush and Congress to boost funding for research, conservation and anti-pollution efforts.