2006 issue #5 bird's eye view newsletter washington audubon society

8/8/2019 2006 Issue #5 Bird's Eye View Newsletter Washington Audubon Society

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URGENT ACTIONLegislative Hotline:

1-800-562-6000

Ask Governor Gregoire tosign these bills into law.

2006 Legislative Newsletter March 7, 2

Olympia Tuesday, March 07,2006. Several priority bills forAudubon Washington are on theirway to the Governors desk.

Toxic Lead ShotOn Friday SHB 2958 Penalizingpersons who violate rules requiring

the use on non-toxic shot, passedthe Senate 39-10. This bill createsa zero tolerance enforcement

ESHB 2910which passed theHouse 79-19 andthe Senate 41-4.

Speaker Chopp(D-43),RepresentativesSullivan (D-21),and Buck (R-24) made the surfacemining program improvements inE3SSB 6175 a priority last week.Previously Senators Doumit (D-1Hargrove (D-24) and Fraser (D-2moved E3SSB 6175 through theSenate to ensure a solvent SurfaceMine Reclamation program at DNR(related story on p.3).

Senators Doumit, Hargrove andRepresentatives Kessler (D-24) aBuck are ensuring investments innature tourism and bird-watchingindustries as well.

Thanks to the bi-partisan majorityworking hard on Audubonslegislative priorities!

hammer for the WashingtonDepartment of Fish and Wildlife topenalize willful violators of the Fis

and Wildlife Commissions rulesrestricting hunters use of toxic leashot (related story p.2).

(Continued on page 6.)

Audubon Washingtonbelieves in balance and

responsibility, findingcommon ground,andinvolving all citizens in

protecting the natural worldand our quality of life.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Breaking NewsPage 1

Policy Directors CornerPage 1

Audubon PrioritiesPage 2-3

Priorities for a Healthy WAPage 4-5

Budget PrioritiesPage 5

Other Issues: CleanEnergy InitiativePage 6

Chapter SpotlightPage 7

Hot Tips for AdvocacyPage 7

BREAKING NEWSAudubon Priorities enroute to Governor

Friends of AudubonHeath Packard, Policy Director

As we wrap up legislative sessionspecial thanks goes out to the

following legislators for includingAudubons agenda in their end-of-session priorities.

Senators Jacobsen (D-46), Oke(R-26) and Doumit (D-19),Rockefeller (D-23), Eide (D-30)and Brown (D-3) wereinstrumental in ushering SHB 2958non-toxic shot through the Senateto a 39-10 vote. Previously

Representatives Sullivan (D-21),Buck (R-24) and Blake (D-19)ensured unanimous passage this billto deter hunters from illegal use iftoxic lead shot where prohibitionsexist to protect birds (see p.2).

Senators McAuliffe (D-1),Schmidt (R-44), Eide (D-30) andRepresentatives Quall (D-10) andTallcott (R-28) lead the charge in

support of environmental education,


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March 7, 2006 Page 2

Current Activity:Audubon Supportsfunding for two counties to host specificvoluntary, market-driven projects thatdemonstrate how a transfer of developmentrights program can be used to conservenatural resource and habitat lands.

Representative B. Sullivan (D-21)

championed a TDR budget proviso in theproposed House budget. Senator Doumit (D-19) isassisting Sullivan in ensuring this language is maintainedthrough the budget conference and sent to the Governor.

Background: More than 130 of the State's 317 birdspecies reside in forests. Of 93 vulnerable bird species inWashington, most rely on our forests.

Forest conversion, fragmentation, and degraded forest

health are the leading causes of forest habitat loss/degradation. Between 1970 and 1992 over 2 million acof forests were lost to permanent conversion.

Washington's private forestlands account for virtually aconversions and 76% of our annual timber harvests.Meanwhile, Washington's bird populations continue todecline despite 30 years of increasing state regulations

focused on water quality for state and private lands.To stabilize Washington's Forest Bird Populations, wemust curb the loss of habitat on State and private lands

Current Activity: SHB 2958, Penalizingpersons who violate rules concerning theuse of nontoxic shot, passed the Houseunanimously, and passed the Senate with39 yeas, 10 nays, on March 3rd and isexpected to be signed by the Governor.

Background: Of the 44,000+ waterfowlhunting licenses issued each year, WA Dept. of Fish andWildlife estimates 8% repeat offender noncompliancerate. This equates to nearly 3,500 hunters annually whoare using toxic lead shot over wetlands.

A substantial proportion of the global populationaround16,000 birdsspends the winter in the Puget Soundlowlands.

In NW Washington/British Columbia since 1999, at least

1,200 Trumpeter Swans have died of lead poisoning froingestion of lead shotgun pellets when while foraging fgrit to aid digestion. A single pellet can kill a full-growswan in 30 days or less.

Using lead shot for waterfowl hunting in the U.S. has billegal since 1991. Exactly where swans are ingesting leis unknown. State/Federal agencies and The TrumpeterSwan Society are researching lead contamination toinstruct future clean up.

Legislative Hotline: 800-562-6000

Thank your Legislators forsupporting SHB 2958!

Editors Note: For questions, comments, or concerns with this newsletter please contact

Audubon Washingtons Policy Office at 360-786-8020 ext. 201 or email [email protected].


Ask your Legislators to work with Audubonreduce permanent conversion of working

forests.

Audubons 2006 Legislative PrioritiesCONSERVE WASHINGTONS FORESTS

Audubons 2006 Legislative PrioritiesREDUCE TOXIC LEAD SHOTSHB 2958 PASSES!

Pileated Woodpecker

Trumpeter Swans


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Current Activity: Good news for Watchable Wildlife isthat both the House appropriations committee and theSenate Ways and Means committee included full fundingfor the Olympic Loop of the Great Washington StateBirding Trail. We expect this proviso to be included in thefinal supplemental budget sent to the Governor forapproval.

Background: Economic incentives to conserve wildlifecan help support thelong-term financial health ofWashington. How? Wildlife equals nature-tourism dollars.Research shows that 71 million Americans watch wildlife;46 million say theyre bird watchers. Over the pastdecade, bird watching has become the countrys fastest-growing form of outdoor recreation.

Wildlife tourism in Washington ranks seventh in thenation with prospects for growth enhanced by 2003

legislation to promote sustainable rural economicdevelopment through maintaining wildlife diversity. In2005 Audubon Washington, CTED, WDFW and StateParks agreed to develop and market wildlife watching iWashington.

In many rural communities, non-profit organizations an

private landowners cooperatively organize wildlife-watching festivals, which generate tourist dollars. Thesfestivals and The Great Washington State Birding Trailsupport Washingtons rural economies.

Current Activity: Audubon supports E3SSB 6175,Revise Surface Mine Act to sustain this essentialprogram. This bill passed the Senate unanimously andwas amended in the House with technical improvementsand passed 72-24 on March 4th. Audubon and ourgrassroots network were instrumental in defeating a last

minute amendment to strip local SEPA jurisdiction fromcounty control. This bill awaits a concurrence vote by theSenate.

Background: Because of obsolete fee structures,Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) mining programis about to go bankrupt. Renewing enabling legislationand providing interim funding is critical to ensureappropriate reclamation of gravel mines.

Sand and gravel are necessary for our roads, homes and

office buildings. Demand for such minerals grows with

Washington's burgeoningpopulation.

Mining for sand andgravel occurs in open-pitsurface mines that due to

Washington's geologicalhistory are located in oradjacent to river, stream,riparian and wetland habitats. How these mines are"reclaimed," returned to habitat or other subsequent usecan further impact to birds and wildlife.



Ask your Senators to concur onE3SSB 6175!


Thank the Legislators from the 19th, 24th35th, 22nd, and 20th legislative districts fo

requesting this funding!

Audubons 2006 Legislative PrioritiesPROMOTE WATCHABLE WILDLIFE

Audubons 2006 Legislative PrioritiesENSURE SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION


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Current activity: Audubonsupported HB 1458 to improveseptic system management inmarine areas. Despite last minuteefforts by Senator Sheldon (D-35) tokill this bill under the weight of 54

floor amendments, our coalition was successful in

ensuring that HB 1458 passed the Senate 28-15 onFebruary 28th and will be signed by the Gov.

Background: Nutrient loading from failing septics iscausing low dissolved oxygen and ecosystem crashes thataffect birds and wildlife. We must Clean Up Puget Soundand reverse the loss of critical habitats for birds andwildlife. More than 100 species of birds inhabit PugetSound; 42 of these are considered vulnerable, and 29 arelisted as Species of Greatest Conservation Need in WAsComprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy.

Species like the western grebes suffer a 95% populationdecline, an indicator of the health of Puget Sound. Onethird of our shorelines have been damaged, with one-thof our eelgrass meadows and 75% of watershed wetlandestroyed.

Governor Gregoires Puget Sound Initiative aims to

cleaning up Puget Sound by 2020. Audubon supports h$42 million supplemental budget proposal for PugetSound clean-up.

Current Activity: Here is the statusof land use and growth managementrelated bills which survived theMarch 3rd cut-off.

SHB 2917-Agricultural lands(accessory uses). Negotiated

amendment adopted on the Senatefloor. On the concurrence calendarand expected to be approved by theHouse.

ESHB 2984 -Affordable housingincentive. Negotiated amendment adopted in the Senate.On the concurrence calendar and expected to be approvedby the House.

ESSB 6427 - Comprehensive plans (timelines). The

version we supported passed the House. On the

concurrence calendar and expected to be approved by thSenate.

Background: Washington's burgeoning populationgrowth (approx. 100,000 residents/year) requires newroads, septic systems, housing, office buildings, factoriretail centers and parking lots. The Growth Manageme

Act helps local governments develop comprehensive plto manage urban growth, minimize sprawl and protectcitizen from landslides. The plans also protect birds andwildlife from uncontrolled urban and suburban sprawl.


Thank your legislators for voting for this bi

To see how they voted go to: www.leg.wa.gov, tyin 1458 and click on role call.


Ask your legislators to defend Land Use Protectioby voting only for land use bills approved by the

environmental community.

Priorities for a Healthy WashingtonCLEAN UP PUGET SOUNDHB 1458 PASSES!

Priorities for a Healthy WashingtonDEFEND LAND USE PROTECTIONS

Western Grebe


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The Senate and House have now releasedtheir supplemental budgets, with theconference committee busy preparing thefinal version for release today.

Here are some highlights Audubon hasbeen tracking and how they breakdown in

each budget: (Note the Senate version is more pleasing

than the House.)

$96,000 Nature Tourism to support development of theGreat Washington State Birding Trail.Senate: $96,000House: $96,000

$851,000 Surface Mining Program necessary toimplement SSB 6175 concerning the regulation ofsurface mining.Senate: $851,000

House: $0

$250,000 Transfer of Development Rights - toimplement a minimum of two demo projects.Senate: $250,000House: $0

$397,000 Wildlife Habitat Assessment determininghow private, public and tribal lands contribute to habitaSenate: $397,000

House: $0

$300,000 Environmental Education Grants to getstudents outdoors learning about ecosystems, wildlife,forestry and agriculture.Senate: $300,000House: $0

$15,000 SPI Environmental Education Study -necessary to implement EHB 2910 - requiring the studySenate: $0

House $15,000


Current Activity: Support HB1488, Rep. Hunter.

HB 1488 - this bill did not make coff, but proponents are working to if there is a way to pass the bill asnecessary to implement the budget

Stay tuned for more info next issue

Background: This will remove theuse of chemicals penta and octa, by2007, and Deca by 2010.

Current Activity: Support SB 6428,Sen. Pridemore.

SB 6428 - PASSED on March 2nd!

Background: A comprehensive e-waste recycling program willdramatically reduce the amounts of

lead, mercury, and other chemicalsdumped into our landfills andexported to developing countries.

Manufacturers will establish and payfor the collection, transportation andprocessing system throughoutWashington, and retailers, charitiesand local governments mayvoluntarily participate.

Current Activity:Support SB 6508,Sen. Rasmussen.

SB 6508 - PASSED on March 1st!

Background: We need to reduceWashingtons dependence on foreignfuels and provide a new market for

Washington crops building a biofuelseconomy in our state.

This legislation will grow a newbiofuels industry by including aminimum percentage of biofuels inthe statewide fuel mix, replacing2.5% of gasoline with ethanol and 2%of diesel with biodiesel.

For more informationabout each priority visi

www.environmentalpriorities.o

Priorities for a Healthy WashingtonPromote Renewable Fuels Launch Electronics Waste Recycling Eliminate Toxic Flame Retardan

Audubons 2006 Supplemental Budget Priorities


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Washington State is taking an excitingstep toward securing more cleanenergy for its citizens. YES! on I-937,a broad coalition of environmental,business and labor organizations, haslaunched an initiative for theNovember 2006 ballot. This initiative

will ensure Washingtons largestelectric utilities purchase 15% of theirpower from clean and renewableresources, like appropriated sited windand solar, by 2020 and help consumers save on utilitybills by improving energy efficiency in homes andbusinesses.

Everyone in Washington will benefit from investmentsin clean and renewable energy because it: Protects consumers from the volatile price swings

associated with fossil fuels, providing long-termrate stability.

Reduces hazardous air pollution and globalwarming emissions.

Wind farms and other renewable energy projects

will be appropriately sited in areas that avoidnegative wildlife impacts.

Creates thousands of family-supporting jobs inengineering, construction and building design.

Benefits family farms and local economies.Farmers hosting wind projects earn up to $5,000year per wind turbine.

To qualify the clean energy initiative for the Novemballot, volunteers must gatherover 160,000 signatures fromWashington voters by June 30,2006. Volunteers are neededfrom across the state to collectsignatures to ensure thatWashington voters have theopportunity to vote YES forclean energy on November 7th,

2006. Please call (206) 283-3335 today to volunteer ormake a donation and visit thecampaign web site at www.yeson937.org for more information.

Other Issues - Signature Gatherers Needed Now for Clean Energy Initiative

Audubon Priorities en route to Governor contd

Invasive Species CouncilESSB 5385 Creating the Washington Invasive Species

Council, passed on Saturday. We are optimistic that theGovernor will sign the bill into law creating a Councilwithin the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreationuntil the end of 2011 to provide policy level direction,planning, and coordination for combating harmfulinvasive species. This will curb a growing threat to birds,wildlife, habitat and Washingtons Biodiversity.

Forest HealthWith passage of ESB 5179 last Wednesday the ForestHealth Strategy Work Group is charged with vetting forest

health policy recommendations statewide. Audubons

conservation leaders weigh-in at these meetings andlegislative action is anticipated in 2007.

Environmental Education StudySHB 2910 Studying Environmental Education, passedweek ago and was sent to the Govenors desk yesterdayThe Office of the Superintendent of Public Instructionmust provide empirical evidence, exemplary models, anrecommendations about how environmental educationhelps career development, service learning, graduationrequirements, reach underserved youth, and provideprofessional development for community-based serviceorganizations or state and local agencies.


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Legislators are rarely thanked forwhat they do. An easy way to startbuilding relationships with them isto thank them when they supportAudubons agenda .

If you want to know how your legislator voted on a

bill just visit www.leg.wa.gov. In theBill Search areatype in language from the bills title or the billnumber. Scroll down to the bottom of the page andunderRelated Files it will sayRole Call votes. Clickon that and it will bring up the yeas, nays, absent andexcused.

Below is a listed of Audubons champions for thissession. (Please note that some bills have not passedyet, and more champions will be added to this listafter session.)

Issue: SHB 2958, Penalizing persons who violaterules concerning the use of nontoxic shot.1. Rep. B. Sullivan (D-21)2. Rep. Buck (R-24)3. Rep. Blake (D-19)

Issue: ESHB 2910, regarding environmentaleducation.1. Sen. McAuliffe (D-1)2. Sen. Schmidt (R-44)3. Sen. Eide (D-30)

Hot Tips for Advocacy - Saying ThanksLisa Remlinger, Field Coordinator

Issue: E3SSB 6571, regarding a solvent Surface MiningReclamation program at DNR.1. Sen. Doumit (D-19)2. Sen. Hargrove (D-24)3. Sen. Fraser (D-22)

And special thanks to Lynn Kessler (D-24)for ensuring investments in nature tourismand bird-watching industries.

Vancouver Audubon is the ClarkCounty Chapter of NationalAudubon Society with over 800members.

Instrumental in the creation of theSteigerwald Refuge over 30 yearsago, the chapter is helping torestore a riparian area and remove exotic and non-nativespecies that have taken over in the past years.

The goal is to create a diverse habitat corridor usingpollinator and wildlife preferred native plants to help keecommon birds and wildlife common.

This project is part of an overall plan to open some of thRefuge to the public and expand the wildlife watchingopportunities of this area. The project should be completFall of 2006.

More information about Vancouver Audubon can be fouat http://www.vancouveraudubon.org/.

Chapter SpotlightVancouver Audubon tackles invasive species.

East from the berm & Mt. Ho

4. Rep. Quall (D-10)5. Rep. Talcott (R-28)

4. Sen. Oke (R-24)5. Sen. Jacobsen (D-46)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

1. 2. 3.


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Audubon Washington is a partnership of the Washington state office of theNational Audubon Society and Washington's 26 independent Audubon Chapters.

Audubon Washington Policy Team:

1063 Capitol Way S; Ste 208Olympia, WA 98501(360) 786-8020

Mission of the National Audubon SocietyTo conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing onbirds, other wildlife and their habitats for the benefit ofhumanity and the earths biological diversity.


Admiralty Audubon

Black Hills Audubon

Blue Mt. Audubon

Central Basin Audubon

Discovery Coast Audubon

East Lake Washington Audubon

Grays Harbor Audubon

Kitsap Audubon

Kittitas Audubon

Lower Columbia Basin Audubon

North Cascades Audubon

North Central Washington Audubon

Olympic Peninsula Audubon

Palouse Audubon

Pilchuck Audubon

Rainier Audubon

San Juan Islands Audubon

Seattle Audubon

Skagit Audubon

Spokane Audubon

Tahoma Audubon

Vancouver Audubon

Vashon-Maury Isle Audubon

Whidbey Audubon

Willapa Hills Audubon

Yakima Valley Audubon

Heath PackardPolicy Director(360) 786-8020 Ext [email protected]

Lisa RemlingerField Coordinator(360) 786-8020 Ext [email protected]

Miguel Perez-GibsonPolicy Consultant(360) [email protected]

Share BEV with your friends and legislators by directing them to:wa.audubon.org/conservationpolicy_BirdsEyeViewNewsletter.html

Or sign-up for a free electronic version of BEV at:www.capitolconnect.com/audubon/myregistration.asp

2006 issue #5 bird's eye view newsletter washington audubon society

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