Subject: Fwd: HOUSE PLAYS POLITICS TO SEND PUGET SOUND DOWN THE DRAIN
Date: Mar 5 16:00:06 1996
From: MWKG at aol.com - MWKG at aol.com


Tweets,

Thought this might be of interest:

Mike Waller
WP Zoo
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Forwarded message:
From: wk01931 at worldlink.com (Mike Sato)
Sender: owner-activist at futureinfo.com
To: activist at futureinfo.com
Date: 96-03-05 10:45:54 EST

March 5, 1996

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
For more information: Mike Sato, People For Puget Sound (206)382-7007

HOUSE PLAYS POLITICS TO SEND PUGET SOUND DOWN THE DRAIN

The State House of Representatives late Monday voted along straight
party lines against concurring with a Senate amendment to continue the
protection of Puget Sound's health by the Puget Sound Water Quality
Authority. The House vote on the Senate amendment to ESHB 2875, which passed

the Senate last Thursday on a strong bipartisan vote, means the 11-year old
state agency will go out of existence on June 30.

"House Republican leadership and Puget Sound House Republicans have
chosen to make protecting and restoring the fish, shellfish and communities
of Puget Sound a partisan, political issue," said Kathy Fletcher of People
For Puget Sound, a member of a coalition looking at a marine waters
protection citizens initiative on the fall ballot. "People don't want
partisan politics when it comes to clean water, their seafood, the health of
their communities, and their children's futures."

According to Fletcher, the marine waters protection initiative
coalition, in issuing its legislative agenda at the beginning of the 60-day
session, called upon the legislature to do its job for the people of the
state. The coalition called for legislative action to protect and restore
salmon and shellfish habitat, fully fund and carry out marine waters
protection plans, and protect marine waters from oil spills.

"Last year, the legislature showed us they were willing to throw away
Puget Sound, the seafood industry, and people's right to enjoy and use the
state's marine waters," said Fletcher. "This year, it's the same old story
and the House's failure to reauthorize the one small agency that's been
dedicated to protecting the Sound is indicative of how far removed they are
from what people really want."

A bill permanently banning oil and gas exploration and development
off the Washington coast passed the Senate but was defeated in the House. A
bill to provide property tax reductions to landowners who protect or restore
salmon habitat died. Also dead are bills to provide stable and adequate
funding for marine waters protection by closing the loophole that refunds the

oil shipment tax for oil shipped out of state and by fairly taxing oil
transport that puts the land and waters of Washington state at risk. Still
unresolved is the need for the House to concur with the Senate budget to pay
for the state defending its oil spill prevention safeguards in court against
international shipping interests.

"Clean water for our fish, our shellfish and our communities should
be a top priority of those we elect," said Fletcher. "If they can't or won't

do their jobs, like they've shown by voting to let Puget Sound go down the
drain, then it's up to the people to do their jobs for them."

"We ask the House to reconsider its vote not to concur with the
Senate amendment," said Fletcher. "We ask the Senate to hold firm in its
resolve."

The coalition, which includes groups representing commercial and
recreational fishing, shellfish growers, tribes, environmentalists, and good
government groups, will meet this week to discuss the next steps in the
initiative process.

# # #

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Mike Sato, People For Puget Sound
1326 Fifth Ave. #450
Seattle WA 98101
PH: (206)382-7007
FX: (206)382-7006
EM: wk01931 at worldlink.com
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