Oral history interview with Daniel J. Evans

Collection

Identifier: SR 2756

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This oral history interview with Daniel J. Evans was conducted by Michael O’Rourke in Seattle, Washington, from February 29 to March 1, 2000. The interview was conducted as part of the Northwest Power Planning Council Oral History Project, which documented the history and purpose of the Northwest Power Planning Council, now known as the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. The interview was conducted in two sessions, and a transcript is available. Session 2 begins partway through Tape 3, Side 1.

In the first interview session, conducted on February 29, 2000, Evans discusses his family background and early life in Seattle, Washington, including his involvement in the Boy Scouts, and his education. He talks about his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War, and about his marriage to Nancy Bell. He speaks about his service in the Washington State House of Representatives from 1957 to 1965. He talks about some of his fellow legislators, and about some of the legislation he worked on, particularly regarding electrical utilities. He discusses his 1964 campaign for Washington governor, and talks about serving as governor from 1965 to 1977. He speaks about energy issues in the state during the 1970s, particularly focusing on the Washington Public Power Supply System and attempts to create a Columbia Valley Authority. He also discusses serving as president for The Evergreen State College in Olympia.

In the second interview session, conducted on March 1, 2000, Evans discusses his role in passing several pieces of environmental protection legislation in Washington, and talks about the passage of the 1980 Northwest Power Act. He talks about representing Washington on the Northwest Power Planning Council from 1981 to 1983 and acting as its first chair. He describes the first council meeting, talks about the other first members and staff, and speaks at length about his work on the first fish and wildlife plan. He talks about working with Native American tribes on the fish plan, particularly with Tim Wapato of the Yakama. He then discusses his work on the first power and conservation plan, and talks about opposition to both plans. He briefly speaks about serving in the U.S. Senate from 1983 to 1989. He closes the interview by talking about the activities of the NWPPC since his departure.

Dates

2000 February 29-March 1

Creator

Evans, Daniel J., 1925- (Interviewee, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Joint copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society and Daniel J. Evans. Use is allowed according to the following statement: In Copyright – Non-Commercial Use Permitted, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-NC/1.0/

Biographical note

Daniel Jackson Evans was born in Seattle, Washington, in 1925. He attended the University of Washington, and joined the V-12 Navy College Training Program in 1943. A short time later, he was transferred to an ROTC program at the University of California, Berkeley. After his discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1946, he returned to UW, and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1948 and a master’s degree in 1949, both in civil engineering. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War, from 1951 to 1953. In 1953, he and Nancy Bell were married; they later had three children. From 1957 to 1965, he represented the 43rd District in the Washington State House of Representatives as a Republican, and was minority leader during his final two terms. He then served as Washington governor from 1965 to 1977. After leaving the governor’s office, he served as president of The Evergreen State College in Olympia. He represented Washington on the Northwest Power Planning Council, now known as the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, from 1981 to 1983, and served as the council’s first chair. After the death of U.S. Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson in 1983, Evans was appointed by Governor John Spellman to the vacant seat. He served in the Senate from 1983 to 1989.

Historical note

The Northwest Power Planning Council is a four-state regional planning body formed by Congress through the Northwest Power Act of 1980 to develop and maintain regional conservation and electric power plans and a fish and wildlife program. The council is composed of two representatives from each member state: Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The mission of the council is "to preserve the benefits of the Columbia River for future generations." The body was originally known as the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council; the name was shortened to Northwest Power Planning Council in October 1981, and in 2003, the name was changed to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (6 audiocassettes (5 hr., 2 min., 7 sec.) + transcript (117 pages))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Oral history interview with Daniel J. Evans conducted by Michael O'Rourke from February 29 to March 1, 2000, as part of the Northwest Power Planning Council Oral History Project. Evans served as the first chair of the Northwest Power Planning Council, now known as the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, from 1981 to 1983.