11/20/2007: "County Gains Some Important Support For Priorities"

The WSAC Legislative Steering Committee has voted to endorse San Juan County’s legislative priorities to improve ferry service; renew funding for the “Salmon Recovery Lead Entity Program”; support funding the year-round operation of the Neah Bay Rescue Tug; and may support legislation providing state protection for Orca Whales.

Four out of six is not bad. For the past year the County Council has debated what should appear on a list of “County Priorities” that could be presented to the state legislature in hopes of gaining some state support.

The County Councils decision that what was needed was a list of legislative priorities took then off on debate of what should be included, and what not, that has been an on going topic for the last year, and now, at last, some success in gaining support from the Association of Counties (WSAC) Legislative Steering Committee, which has voted to endorse at least some of the items on the list.

The list has been dynamic, starting off in January with Salmon Recovery, streamlined sales taxation for internet sales at the point of delivery, mental and public health issues, Lopez Hill, and Capron funding. Holding the top spots.

Over the year the list lost, gained and retained items, including Orca protection and ferry “issues”.

By April, some of the Council members (Rosenfeld, Lichter, & Peterson) had traveled to the mainland for some face-to-face meetings with at the state capital testifying on behalf of the county; and it has now started to pay off.

What the final outcome will be is yet to be decided, and while San Juan County may be “the jewel of the state”, it does not have much worth in buying support from the state legislators; but hope springs eternal.

The WSAC Draft 2008 Position Statements are:

FERRIES

Position: Develop a predictable and sustainable source of state funding for ferry operations. Involve impacted local governments in important decisions that impact our communities.

Discussion: Ferries are not a convenience for the coastal communities that depend upon them, they are a necessity. Many coastal communities, such as those in San Juan and Kitsap Counties are a self-contained economy that pays a penalty for the transport of goods and services. These communities are also home to some of the largest senior demographics in the state, but often have limited healthcare available locally and difficult senior transportation issues. The impact of fare increases also falls disproportionately on our working class. While the image of many coastal communities is one of general affluence, the average net earnings in San Juan County for instance, per worker ranked 26th and average wage per job ranked 36th out of Washington’s 39 Counties.

The recent ferry funding study identified a large number of needed capital improvements. The state should be careful to improve the ability of facilities to safely transport and receive passengers.

Action Needed:
1. Fund an independent economic analysis of the relationship and impact of ferry fares on ferry served communities.
2. Provide a “seat at the table” for local governments in the creation of alternatives and solutions to address the WSF shortfall.

SUPPORT LOCAL LEAD ENTITY PROGRAM FUNDING

Position: Support the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife $400,000 Supplemental Budget Request for the Salmon Recovery Lead Entity Program.

Discussion: The Salmon Recovery Lead Entity Program is nationally known for successfully implementing ESA recovery on a local level by developing watershed-based, locally supported salmon recovery plans. Lead entities continue to play a critical role in effective implementation of recovery plans statewide, which has become a significant increase in their workloads. Lead Entities receive from $40k to $80k annually through WDFW to execute their responsibilities. Since the inception of the Lead Entity Program in 1999 by the Washington State Legislature under the Salmon Recovery Act (77.85 RCW), contract funding for the statewide lead entities has remained status quo. In a recent lead entity survey conducted by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 90% of the lead entities reported a substantial increase in time and resources over the past five years in supporting regional and statewide salmon recovery coordination. In addition, 50% of the lead entities reported substantial resources spent on facilitating local processes for project funding requests. In addition, lead entities are being asked to play a role in coordinating regional and statewide prioritization processes and may need additional expanded financial capacity to do this work.

Action Needed:
1. Ask the Governor to include in her 2008 Supplemental Budget the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife $400,000 request for the Salmon Recovery Lead Entity Program.
2. Ask the Washington Legislature to support the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Supplemental Budget request for the Salmon Recovery Lead Entity Program.

SOUTHERN RESIDENT ORCA WHALE PROTECTION

Position: Secure passage of state legislation creating interim protection measures for the Southern Resident Orca Whale population based on the Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest “Be Whale Wise” guidelines and funding for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Enforcement.

Discussion: With the encouragement of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), in the summer of 2007, San Juan County passed a local ordinance to protect the endangered Southern Resident Orca Whale population from boaters that harass them. The San Juan County ordinance is based on the well-known “Be Whale Wise” guidelines developed by the Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest and the Whale Museum Sound Watch Boater Education Program. County marine enforcement can now issue citations for those boaters harassing the whales.

The County ordinance is meant to serve as an interim protection measure until the Federal Recovery Plan is completed as part of the recent Federal Endangered Species Act listing. Regional staff for NOAA have expressed that it appears that the Federal rule-making will take a minimum of two years with possible implementation by late 2009. If this aggressive schedule were maintained it would still allow for two more summer seasons with no protection measures in place. Scientists and Washington State residents alike believe that waiting two years to provide any protection for these magnificent endangered creatures is unacceptable.

While San Juan County has passed a local protection ordinance, it is understood that this is really a statewide issue. The Endangered Southern Resident Orca Whale pods (J, K and L) are not unique to San Juan County’s waters. The whales of the Southern Resident Orca Whale population spend time in the waters of all 14 Washington State coastal counties during a given year.

Further, the Southern Resident Orca Whale population serves as an important symbol, cultural icon and economic driver for Washington State. While it is San Juan County that is most frequently perceived as the “home” to the Southern Resident Orca Whale population, these whales are a Washington State treasure and should be protected as such.

Action Needed:
1. Identify and cultivate sponsors for state legislation;
2. Introduce and pass state legislation creating statewide interim protection for the endangered Southern Resident Orca Whale population;
3. Pass a funding package to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife marine enforcement of the regulations.

FUND THE YEAR-ROUND NEAH BAY RESCUE TUG

Position: Support the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2007; Support State Funding for the Neah Bay Rescue Tug if the Federal Legislation looks as though it may fail.

Discussion: It is essential that Congress pass the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2007 with the federal budget language supporting the permanent year-round rescue tug at Neah Bay.

The quality of life in Washington’s coastal counties, substantially resides in the health and biodiversity of the marine ecosystem. The Washington State Association of Counties recognizes the importance of aesthetic, recreational, educational, economic and scientific resources provided by a healthy marine ecosystem. Additionally, historic tribal and cultural practices and our local and state economies are dependent on the protection and preservation of a healthy marine ecosystem.

The risk to this quality of life is high. Washington’s open ocean coast, Straits of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound represent over 3,000 miles of incredible saltwater shoreline and over 8,000 square miles of biologically diverse marine waters. These precious resources are also home to some of the more active international shipping lanes on the West Coast serving three major commercial ports and two oil refineries.

Several conservation plans, including the San Juan Marine Stewardship Area Plan and the Federal Recovery Plan for Southern Resident Killer Whales, identified the potential for catastrophic oil spill, one of the greatest threats to the marine ecosystem. Additionally, the Puget Sound Partnership and the Washington State Oil Spill Advisory Council determined that sustained funding for a year-round permanent rescue tug at Neah Bay was one of the best defenses against a catastrophic oil spill recognizing that the Neah Bay tug has made 34 'saves and assists' since being on part-time duty since 1999, the last save coming on the day it was taken out of service in 2007.

The Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2007 includes key measures to protect the marine ecosystem from a catastrophic oil spill, including requiring a permanent year-round rescue tug at Neah Bay. Washington Governor Christine Gregoire and the Washington State Legislature must ensure that the Neah Bay Rescue Tug is fully funded with or without Federal support.

Action Needed:
1. The Governor and State Legislature should use their influence to prioritize these important issues with the Washington Congressional delegation making sure action is taken on the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2007 that includes year-round funding of the rescue tug.
2. The state must be prepared to fund a year-round rescue tug at Neah Bay, if it appears the Federal Legislation could fail.