Rather than run ads on this web site, I ask anyone that wants to donate money to support this project to donate it to People For Puget Sound. For 19 years, Kathy Fletcher and the team has fought to protect the Straits, Sound and Hood Canal, now known collectively as the Salish Sea. Many success’ have occurred. Just this year, sixty thousand marine acres around Protection Island and Smith & Minor Islands were designated aquatic reserves, which protects these bird sanctuaries from industrial use by tidal energy projects, while not affecting fishing. The proposals for this protection was drafted and submitted to DNR by People For Puget Sound.
But more directly, we were key to a 10 year fight to get a rescue tug stationed at Neah Bay. Our citizen based campaigns, teaming up with Fred Felleman, tribes like the Makah, and others were the reason that this issue was brought to the front of the legislative agenda over and over again until it was finally championed by the Olympic Peninsula’s State Representative Kevin Van de Wege and the San Juan’s Kevin Ranker.
We have trained hundreds of teachers in environmental issues at our “Storming the Sound” workshops. We have enchanted thousands of people, young and old, at our “Pier Peer” nights along the Sound. And we have ran “Environmental Lobbying Day” in Olympia for years, enabling any citizen to come and get the environmental message out to their legislators.
In other words, People For Puget Sound gets things done. In this era of partisan bickering at most levels of government, we bring people together, forge alliances, and get the hard work done. But now, more than ever, we need your support. As I’m sure all of you know, the economic downturn has hurt all non profits. While we are strong financially, we too have seen donations drop. So if you are thinking of donating this week, please consider part or all of your donation to go to People For Puget Sound. You can link to www.pugetsound.org/donate
Thanks for your continued support, and see you along the shores in 2011!
Key Accomplishments of People For Puget Sound recently:
• Protection of a full mile of unspoiled Maury Island shoreline, saved from a destructive gravel mine and loading dock
• Protection of 60,000 acres of marine habitat near Protection and Whidbey Islands in two aquatic reserves
• Permanent year-round tug stationed at Neah Bay to prevent oils spills, paid for by the oil and shipping industries
• 1,200 miles of Puget Sound shoreline protected through improved local ordinances
• 48 miles of shoreline restored, working with over 2,000 volunteers
• Low-impact development standards in storm water permits
• State phase-out of copper brake pads
• 300-foot buffer between vessels and orcas
• Goal to achieve a healthy Sound by 2020 in state law
• Toxic free toys legislation
• Phase-out of toxic flame retardants
• Seattle Styrofoam container ban
Al Bergstein
Editor/Publisher – The Olympic Peninsula Environmental News
Board of Directors, People For Puget Sound – Port Townsend