The fact that what did get put forward in the legislature this year did get passed is good news. Other bills that were important died in committee, some with very little help from even their sponsors (such as the bill allowing the banning of net pens that was sponsored by Representative Kevin Van De Wege and lightly supported by him). However, the rubber will meet the road in Olympia, this week and next, as the budget tries to get through. All these bills’ funding is stalled in the Senate, which, with a small Republican majority, is blocking a final budget. If you are so inclined, call your Representatives and Senator and tell them to get this done. Kudos to NGO’s such as Washington Environmental Coalition, Puget Soundkeepers, Audubon, and companies such as Taylor Shellfish, who have stepped into a leadership role fighting Ocean Acidification, along with many others who championed these bills.
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Gov. Jay Inslee has signed into law all of the Puget Sound priority bills. Most recently, partners celebrated the signing of bills that prevent derelict vessels (ESHB 1245), prevent aquatic invasive species (SB 5702), strengthen the management of our coastal resources and protect Washington waters from the effects of ocean acidification (SB 5603). Attention remains on the budget, where little progress is visible toward bridging the significant impasse between the House and Senate.
Filed under: Climate Change, Government, legislation, ocean acidification | Tagged: derelict vessel, government, invasive species, Jay Inslee, legislation, ocean acidifcation, ocean acidification |
It’s a step in the right direction. A small step, but a step. Expect more from the legislature next year.
After reading the comments on a recent News Tribune article on state government attempts to study ocean acidification, I was pretty pessimistic about the ability of the state government to do anything constructive about deteriorating ocean conditions. The support just wasn’t there. At least todays post is positive.