2007 issue# 2 bird's eye view newsletter washington audubon society

8/8/2019 2007 Issue# 2 Bird's Eye View Newsletter Washington Audubon Society

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URGENT ACTIONAsk your legislators to funthe Wildlife and Recreatio

Program at $100 Million antell them what will be funde

in their district.1-800-562-6000

2007 Legislative Newsletter January 19, 2

Local Audubon members and theirland conservancy partners rememberwhen they saved the small wetlandsnear Spokane --Reardons AudubonLakes -- from development.

These chapters met the challenge andraised part of the money to buy theproperty. Audubon Washingtoncontributed its lobbying expertise toget more money into the state budgetfor the Washington Wildlife andRecreation Program (WWRP) tocomplete the Reardon Lakestransaction.

All Audubon celebrated the day when

the property became permanentbirding site near Spokane! It is agreat tourism draw and the localgovernments love the added tourismrevenue.

This is theleading propertyrights issue forthe WashingtonFarm ForestryAssociation(WFFA). Thecurrent law goessomething likethis. If a forester acts on forestpractices application (FPA) (i.e.harvests timber), a 6-year moratoriis triggered on conversions to non-forestry development. According WFFA, financial pressures and themoratorium actually encourages th(Continued on page 6.)

Maintaining our environmentalprotections and negotiating ways toprotect Washingtons working farmsand forests from being sold todevelopers is harder than it sounds.Sometimes it requires lots ofresources and patience. But it can bedone despite philosophicaldifferences and the outcome givescredence to the clichd win-win.Take the so-called Moratorium Billintroduced last session.

Imagine what we can accomplishwith $100 million for habitat for biand wildlife! exclaimed Nina CarExecutive Director for AudubonWashington. Every month I get cafrom Audubon members asking hothey can save a small wetland or aforest or a farm in theirneighborhood. Those places are hoto their favorite Ruby-crownedKinglet or Cedar Waxwing flocks.Id like to tell them that $100 milliis available from the WWRP so thecan save those special places.

(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 Health WAPage 4-5

Budget PrioritiesPage 5

Other Issues and PrioritiesPage 6

Chapter SpotlightPage 7

Hot Tips for AdvocacyPage 7

BREAKING NEWSImagine a Future with$100 million for Wildlife,Birds, Farms and People!

Protecting Working Lands/Common Ground is HardWork!Heath Packard, Policy Director

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:LOBBY DAY, Feb. 14, 2007!Go to www.pugetsound.org/index/lobbyday.


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January 19, 2007 Page 2 of 8

Audubon leads and coordinatesthe forest conservation lobby.Several issues are priorities forAudubon and theenvironmental caucus.

HB 1122 Forest HealthContract Harvesting on State

LandsPosition: Support withminor amendment

Current Activity: Hearing held in House Agriculture andNatural Resources Committee, Thursday 1/18.

This bill allows the State Department of NaturalResources (DNR) to continue a practice of hiring contractharvesters to do silvicultural practices on state forestlands. This allows the state to generate some revenuefrom its trust lands while reducing risks of catastrophic

fire and pest infestation. With a minor amendment toclarify priority sites and ecological aspects of foresthealth Audubon supports this bill.

HB 1045 Board of Natural Resources Management FeePosition: SupportCurrent Activity: The DNR is responsible for managingthe states trust landsforest managed primarily forrevenues for schools, universities, and rural cities andcounties. The current return on investment to the trusteesis about 75%. Management costs are increasing as DNR

aims to increase harvests levels, revenues as well asprotections for Northern Spotted Owls and riparian areas.Audubon supports these increases as negotiated through a

settlement agreement over the Board of Natural Resourand DNRs 2004 sustainable harvest calculation.

Forest Health (Not yet introduced)Position: Needs workCurrent Activity: The Forest Health Strategy WorkGroup (FHSWG), established in 2004, held publicmeetings in 2006 regarding a revised forest health bill (

a 2006 legislative appropriation). We weighed in on thmeetings and have provided consistent feedback on ourneed to see forest health legislation acknowledge theecological importance of fires and insects in healthy forecosystems. FHSWG incorporated a limited set of ourrecommendations and Audubon and others are workingadditional provisions that are reasonable, ecologicallyholistic and necessary for our support of a forest healthbill.

HB 1408 Forest Conversion Moratorium

Position: SupportCurrent Activity: Current law prohibits, for six years, conversion (development) of a forest parcel that has beclear cut under a Forest Practices Permit.

The WFFA points out that because the current moratorirestricts limited or partial conversions to liquidate someland values while still maintaining most of the forests aworking land, this prompts more families to sell off theentire forests!

A compromise bill has been successfully negotiated thafocuses on imposing the moratorium only on bad actorsforesters who intended to cut-and-run, to harvest,develop and dodge compliance with the moratorium.Family foresters who find themselves in dire financialstraights, but are in full compliance with their FPA andother permits, are granted permits to develop their landwithin the six-year moratorium window thereby helpingthem keep some of their forest in forest.

Legislative Hotline: 800-562-6000

Ask your Natural Resource Committee Members tosupport Audubons positions.

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].

Audubons 2007 Legislative PrioritiesCONSERVE WASHINGTONS FORESTS

Cassins Vireo


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January 19, 2007 Page 4

Current activity:The GovernorsBudget request is$70 Million.

Audubon willcontinue to educate

and lobby legislatorson the importance ofthe WashingtonWildlife andRecreation Program

(WWRP). Many legislators are still unaware what projectswill be funded in their districts. This can be easily viewedat www.wildliferecreation.org.

Background: WWRP provides funding for local and stateparks, water access sites, trails, critical habitat, natural

areas, riparian and urban wildlife habitat, and farmlandpreservation.

Since beginning in 1990, the program has awarded near$452 million for nearly 780 projects statewide.Ourrequest of $100 Million will preserve 130 places for parand wildlife across the state. As our states population

grows, so too does the need for recreational opportunitiwildlife habitat, and farmland. We have an opportunity2007 to protect those places that make Washingtonspecial.


Ask your legislators to fund the Wildlife andRecreation Program at $100 Million and tell them

what will be funded in their district.

Priorities for a Healthy Washington$100 MILLION FOR WILDLIFE ANDRECREATION PROGRAM

Current activity:Audubon supportsHB 1374 / SB 5372.This bill, whichwould create thePuget SoundPartnership agency,

is the first step in theprocess to createaccountability underthe Governors leadership. We view the bill as a startingpoint and will continue to make accountability animportant and necessary issue to recover Puget Sound by2020.

Background: Puget Sounds water and wildlife are introuble. More than 100 species of birds inhabit PugetSound; 42 of these are considered vulnerable, and 29 are

listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need inWashingtons Comprehensive Wildlife ConservationStrategy. Species like the western grebes suffer a 95%population-decline.

The inland marine waters and estuaries of Puget Soundare among the highest priorities for conservation action

Washington. These habitats support a complex food chavital to our wildlife resources. One-third of our shorelinhave been damaged, with one-third of our eelgrassmeadows and 75% of watershed wetlands destroyed.


Ask your legislators to Save Our Sound and suppHB 1374 and SB 5372.

Priorities for a Healthy WashingtonSAVE OUR SOUND

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Western Grebe


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Earlier this monthGovernor Gregoirereleased her proposed20072009 budget. Shewas quoted as saying, Bychanging government andmaking strategicinvestments that offeropportunity, predictability,

accountability and security, we will provide

an environment where families can thrive.Below is how her budget stacked up againstAudubons budget priorities.

Capital BudgetInteragency Committee for Outdoor

Recreation

Increase for Wildlife and RecreationProgram

Audubons Request = $100 MillionGovernors Budget = $70 Million

Watchable Wildlife Site ImprovementAudubons Request = $500, 000

Governors Budget = $0

Operating BudgetDepartment of Natural Resources

Natural Heritage Increased CapacityAudubons Request = $700,000Governors Budget = $0

Upland Wildlife AssessmentAudubons Request = $1.5 MillionGovernors Budget = $790,000

Urban & Community ForestryAudubons Request = $100,000Governors Budget = $0

Small Forest Landowner ServicesAudubons Request = $3,170,900Governors Budget = $2,590,000

Aggregate Resource MapsAudubons Request = $626,000Governors Budget = $0

Department of Fish and Wildlife

Technical Assistance for Wind Power,Renewable & New Energy Tech

Audubons Request = $540,000Governors Budget = $0

Eco-tourism Infrastructure InitiativAudubons Request = $500,000Governors Budget = $0

Orcas RecoveryAudubons Request = $350,000Governors Budget = $0

Puget Sound Bird MonitoringAudubons Request = $290,000Governors Budget = $0

Puget Sound Burrow-Nesting SeabiAudubons Request = $150,000Governors Budget = $150,000

Citizen Science and Education forPuget Sound


Office of Superintendent of Public Instruct

Environmental Education &Community Connections



Priorities for a Healthy WashingtonSupport Clean AirClean Fuels Eliminate Toxic Flame Retardants

Audubons 2007 Budget Priorities

HB 1303 Encouraging the use of cleanerenergyPosition: SupportCurrent Activity: An omnibus bill thatwill help Washington develop a cleanenergy economy by providing marketincentives for clean fuels and vehicles,Washington-grown biofuels crops, and

cleaning up dirty diesel school buses.

Background: Washington can become a competitiveleader in growing the clean fuel industry. The 2007 CleanAir/Clean Fuels package encourages energy independenceby providing incentives for Washington farmers toproduce the most promising new biofuel feedstocks;reduce fuel consumption and costs for state fleets; andprotects our kids by cleaning up dirty diesel.

SB 5034/SHB 1024 Phasing outPBDEsPosition: SupportCurrent Activity: These bills arecurrently moving fast and arebeing scheduled for floor actionin the house and committeeaction in the Senate.

Background:Serious health concerns - for children and wildlife- arelinked to industrial chemicals used as flame retardantsknown as PBDEs.

For more information abouteach of these priorities visit:

www.environmentalpriorities.org

Bald Eagle


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Join the states leadingconservation groups andhundreds of citizenlobbyists to push for thepassage of the Prioritiesfor a Healthy Washingtonlegislative package (see

pages 4-5).

During Lobby Day youwill hear from legislatorsthat are championing the

Priorities for a Healthy Washington legislation, receive atraining on how to lobby from top environmentallobbyists, and have a chance to meet face to face withyour elected officials.

And dont forget to stop by the legislative reception thawill be happening from 4:00 - 7:00 pm at the WomansClub of Olympia - 1002 Washington Street SE

To register go to http://pugetsound.org/index/lobbydayor contact Rein Attemann at [email protected] (206) 382-7007.

(Please note: we are also scheduled to roll out the

Olympic Peninsula Birding Trail map during the

afternoon, stay tuned for more details.)

Once again Audubon has a chance tosave birds and their habitat by askingfor more funding in the WWRP.Governor Gregoires budget allocated$70 million for the WWRP. But, thereare over $130 million in projects

waiting to be funded.

Twenty six Audubon Societies and18,000 members are asking the stateLegislature to approve $100 million forWWRP to save farms, forests, wetland,and special places, like ReardonsAudubon Lakes. Call your legislatorstoday and ask for $100 million inWWRP - 1-800-562-6000.

sale of some familys entire tree farms to developers instead of limiteddevelopment and continued stewardship by the family.

The rate of sprawl and permanent loss of working farms and forests todevelopment is one of the greatest risks to bird habitat statewide. So we amotivated to resolve any legitimate issue that is accelerating that loss of bihabitat.

The bill, as introduced in 2006 went too far, completely eliminating themoratorium and the environmental protections it intended. Audubon andothers opposed this approach but committed to working to find commonground. Since then, Audubon spent dozens of hours negotiating a bill thastakeholders have agreed to. This bill actually strengthens the environmenprotections while relaxing the restrictions on foresters who are in fullcompliance with their FPAs, but need to liquidate some of their forest landThis is a win-win worth celebrating.

We at Audubon are eager to assist others willing to table ideological

differences, roll up our sleeves and find more win-wins.

Other Issues and Priorities - 2007 Priorities for a Healthy Washington Lobby Day

Breaking News contd. Audubon Votes Count in November contd.

Please join us at this years2007 Lobby Day

February 14, 2007


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Many Audubon members

are busy with careers,

families and local volunteer

work, yet want to influence

their legislators.

In our growing efforts to

facilitate relationships between Audubonmembers and their elected officials, we have pulled

together the following Primer. This should set you on

your way to tracking and influencing the legislative

issues you care about.

What are the best ways to influence my legislatoron a specific legislative issue?In descending order of effectiveness:

1. Generate dozens of individual phone calls, lettersor emails from voters in your district

2. Meet with your legislator between sessions

3. Make a personal visit to Olympia during session

4. Make a personal phone call

5. Write and send a personal letter/email/fax

6. Leave a message on the toll free legislativehotline: 1-800-562-6000.

What should I include in correspondences to mylegislators?

Name of the legislator Your name and address How does this issue personally effect you Why is it important to you What do you want them to do Thank the legislator

Keep in mindLegislators know a little bit about a lot of issues, if noone takes the time to educate them about the issues,they may slip by. Dont rely on other people to

advocate for things that are important to you!

North Central Washington Audubon Society is a small tomedium sized chapter that covers the territory fromWenatchee up to Okanogan, to the Canadian border. Theconservation team is currently celebrating the completionthe Wenatchee River and Entiat River Watershed Plans(special thanks to hard-working NCWAS members Mark Oswood,

Rachael Scown, Phil Archibald, Kim Lohse, Tim Crosby, and the lat

Marvin Hoover to whom the Entiat Plan was dedicated), and isworking on the proposed land swaps by the Department oNatural Resources.

We attended a publicmeeting for a significantexchange of public andprivate lands, thisNovember in Wenatchee.These public lands aremanaged by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW

State Senator Linda Parlette, other 12th district Legislatoand Chelan County Commissioners, have received tons opressure regarding four sections of DNR land in the Stehbasin in Chelan County from farmers/irrigators, hunters, snowmobilers. They were adamant that the four sectionsNOT be turned over to private ownership. The latest newreports are that they will not be part of the trade.

The question then becomes: what other lands might replthese, so critical habitat can be blocked up for managemcloser to the agencies missions and capabilities? The NaConservancy hopes to protect important shrub-steppe habnear their Moses Coulee project area. These and similar amust be kept in the swap!

At the WSACC meeting on December 9, Auduboners agrto follow the land trade proposal activities closely and givcoordinated input at hearings this spring. So, let yourlegislators know of your chapters interest and concernstoday. For more information go to: http://www.dnr.wa.gohtdocs/amp/transactions/exchanges.html.

Advocacy in Action -Effective CommunicationLisa Remlinger, Field Coordinator

Chapter Spotlight -North Central Washington Audubon Socie


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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 Staff:

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

2007 issue# 2 bird's eye view newsletter washington audubon society

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