Legislative Session Opens--Here's Our Priorities
Building Abundant, Affordable Housing: Washington is in a statewide housing crisis, with big implications for working people and the environment. Outdated land use policies that restrict the types and quantity of housing in urban areas are driving sprawl and boosting climate pollution. We need to pass legislation that allows more affordable, climate-friendly housing - like triplexes and fourplexes - in our cities and neighborhoods.
Protecting Stream Flows for Salmon: Due to rapid climate change, Washington State is facing historically low levels of stream flows crucial to keeping waters cool and allowing fish to spawn. Currently, applicants seeking new water permits must ensure that new developments do not reduce stream flows. We anticipate the introduction of legislation supported by developers that would weaken these requirements and create devastating environmental effects.
Preserving Mature Forests: Preserving public lands is key to functioning ecosystems and mitigating climate change. To stem the rapid loss of natural places and wildlife, more land and ocean habitat must be protected. Washington's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages over 3 million acres of forest land, most of which is managed exclusively for timber sales. This year, we are working to secure $25 million in the state budget for the Trust Land Transfer program to preserve a small, but ecologically important, fraction of these lands.
Restoring Endangered Salmon and Orca: Across the Northwest, wild salmon populations are either endangered or in deep decline. Scientists and key public officials agree that removing the four lower Snake River dams and restoring 140 miles of free-flowing river is the West Coast's best opportunity for salmon recovery. However, in order to move this process along, the legislature needs to provide funding for it.
Put February 16 at 7PM on your calendar to hear from the Sierra Club's Washington Legislative Chair, Barbara Boyle, on how you can support environmental action during this year's legislative session. RSVP here:
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Help, the Planet is Drowning in Plastics and Trash
Lawmakers in Olympia will also be considering a series of proposals to cut down on waste and increase recycling efforts. One important bill in this regard is the Washington Recycling and Packaging Act (SB 5154 / HB 1131), that, among other benefits, will reduce plastic waste and require producers to pay for the full lifecycle costs of their packaging products. You can support this bill by checking the "PRO" box on the legislative bills comment form. It only takes about one minute:
1. Choose PRO under the "Position" drop-down menu
2. Enter your contact information
3. Press "Submit"
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Help Save Miller Peninsula State Park from Development
The Washington State Legislature is back in session and hearings on the Governor's budget were held by both houses of the legislature. Washington State Parks (WSP) is asking for $600,000 to promote development plans for Miller Peninsula State Park in Clallam County, despite overwhelming public support for keeping the park natural. Citizens have sent nearly 1000 petition signatures to WSP in support of preserving this park. In November 2022, 300 people showed up at a public hearing and told WSP its development plans were not consistent with preserving the park's legacy forest and ecologically sensitive habitats.
This caught Governor Inslee’s attention. While retaining the budget request, the Governor instructed Parks to work with the community. Despite this, Parks has not reached out to the community, nor has it acknowledged the petition signatures.
Tell our legislators to remove any funding for developing this wildlife-rich habitat, particularly now when preserving these unique treasures is critical to halting the decline of global biodiversity and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.
Comment on these bills here:
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Conversation with the Olympic Coast Sanctuary Superintendent
January 24, 2023, 5PM
NOAA is sponsoring a conversation with Kevin Grant, the superintendent of NOAA's Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, on the upcoming Management Plan Review for the sanctuary and other current topics. Designated in 1994, this marine protected area encompasses nearly 3,200 square miles off the Washington coast, extending from Cape Flattery to the mouth of the Copalis River. Significant natural and cultural resources include 29 species of marine mammals, as well as large populations of nesting seabirds and some of the last remaining wilderness coastline in the lower 48 states.
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Join the North Olympic Salmon Coalition January 28-29 and February 18-19 to Plant Native Vegetation on the Dungeness River
This past summer, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe approached the Salmon Coalition to assist in revegetating the site of the newly constructed Caldero side channel on the Dungeness River. The site was acquired by the Tribe in 2017 and the side channel project creates nearly 1,000 feet of off-channel habitat for both spawning adult and rearing juvenile salmon. Side channels such as the one at Caldero are critical refuges for salmon during flood events. This is particularly important for juveniles who can be easily overcome by heavy flows. Off-channel habitat can also be important spawning areas for returning adults.
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Your Votes Made the Difference for WEAN
With over 9000 votes, Whidbey Environmental Action Network (WEAN) was awarded the Boeing Employees Credit Union People's Favorite grant award of $40,000. The overwhelming support for WEAN validates Marianne Edain and Steve Erickson's decades of work, including keeping Navy training out of our state parks, protecting wetlands and forest lands, and generally ensuring that Whidbey Island remains a special place. The award makes it possible for WEAN to hire staff and take on more projects. |
Also In The News
Cooke Aquaculture and Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe Sue DNR to Continue Net Pens: In November, the Department of Natural Resources issued an order to ban commercial fin fish net pens, citing contamination and environmental harm. In December, Cooke Aquaculture and the Tribe filed appeals to continue net pens in Port Angeles Harbor. One issue is whether the ban is inconsistent with HB 2957, passed during the 2018 legislative session in the wake of the catastrophic Cypress Island net failure.
Wild Olympics Fails to Cross the Finish Line: A long-standing proposal to expand wilderness areas on the Olympic Peninsula by more than 125,000 acres and designate 19 new federally protected Wild and Scenic Rivers on the peninsula fell short of the finish line as the 117th Congress came to a close in December. Like the long suffering fans of a favorite baseball team that comes up short year after year, it's "wait until next year" once again. Kudos to Senator Murray and Congressman Kilmer for their unflagging support over the years.
Port Townsend Paper Corporation Fined $56,250 for Air Pollution:
The Department of Ecology (Ecology) issued a $56,250 penalty to the Port Townsend Paper Corporation (PTPC) for exceeding particulate matter permit limits from its recovery furnace. The recovery furnace particulate matter emission limit is in place to limit emissions of metals, which are hazardous air pollutants. Sensitive groups like children, adults over 65, and people with respiratory issues are particularly vulnerable to these types of pollutants. |
Let us know how if you have any suggestions or if you want to volunteer to help protect the Olympic Peninsula's environment. We promise to keep you busy!
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The North Olympic Group's website contains a blog that's updated to reflect current environmental issues and events. Members are encouraged to periodically check it out.
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