SEATTLE (AP) - The Puget Sound Partnership is considering ways to help the sound's resident killer whales in its plan to clean up the region.

The agency wants to increase the distance between the endangered animals and vessels, direct its cleanup efforts first to areas where the whales travel and work to increase salmon runs.

Pollution and dwindling Chinook salmon stocks are thought to play a role in the decline in the orca population.

David Dicks, the partnership's executive director, said Wednesday the situation is urgent and requires both immediate and long-term action. The agency will present its overall sound cleanup plan to the Legislature on Dec. 1.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.