2007 issue# 7 bird's eye view newsletter washington audubon society

8/8/2019 2007 Issue# 7 Bird's Eye View Newsletter Washington Audubon Society

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/2007-issue-7-birds-eye-view-newsletter-washington-audubon-society 1/8

2007 Legislative Newsletter April 22, 20

Olympia – March 28, 2007

Washington is the second state in theNation to establish a carbonemissions standard. SB 6001 - avisionary climate change policy, ison its way to the Governor’s desk.

This measure prohibits utilities from

entering into long-term contracts withcoal-fired power plants that produceexcessive greenhouse gases. Audubonworked hard with environmentalists,utilities and industrial companies toarrive at the compromise that isexpected to be signed by theGovernor.

New coal-fired power plants are onlyallowed under the new law if they are

able to inject greenhouse gases (e.g.carbon dioxide) into permanentunderground reserves.

with the FarmBureau—the leadproponents of I-933. For more onthis win-win seepage 3.

Audubon has alsodelivered on ourpost-933 promise through ourforestry policy priorities. Audubonlead the charge to address the famiforesters top priority—the convers

moratorium.

“The Washington Farm ForestryAssociation has great appreciation

(Continued on page 6.)

Audubon worked hard to defeatInitiative 933 last November becauseit would allow rampant, irresponsibledevelopment of our farms and forests.

Throughout this campaign Audubonand others promised to work hard onreal land-use regulatory issuesimpacting viable agricultural andforestry. This session we delivered onthat promise.

Audubon was instrumental in thepassage of SB 5248 as negotiated

Utilities are prevented fromcontracting with out-of-state powegeneration plants that cannot meet same standard of 1,100 pounds permegawatt hour or less.

Two currently proposed coal-firingplants are permitted, if they cannotmeet their emissions underground,they can mitigate or offset theiremissions by purchasing and closinanother high-emitting power plant there is no net gain in emissions.

The measure also establishes in (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 News

Policy Director’s CornerPage 1

Audubon PrioritiesPage 2-3

Priorities for a Health WAPage 4-5

Budget PrioritiesPage 5

Other Issues and PrioritiesPage 6

Chapter Spotlight

Page 7

Advocacy in ActionPage 7

BREAKING NEWS—Historic Climate ChangePolicy Passes!

Post-I-933 Protections forWorking LandsHeath Packard, Policy Director

The Governor signs SB 5883!



April 22, 2007

Audubon leads and coordinatesthe forest conservation lobby.These Audubon forest policypriorities have passed!

SB 6141 Forest Health

Current Activity: Signed by theGovernor!

Successful negotiations with thetimber industry, Department of Natural Resources and theconservation community resulted in a decent ForestHealth bill that increases science-based decision making,and recognizes ecologically uncharacteristic fuels build-upor infestations as priorities for Department of NaturalResources intervention.

SB 5461 Forest Health Contract Harvesting on State

Lands

Current Activity: Signed by the Governor!

This bill allows the Department of Natural Resources tocontinue to hire contract harvesters to do silviculturalpractices on state forest lands. This allows the state togenerate revenue from its trust lands while reducing risksof catastrophic fire and pest infestation. Our minoramendments clarified priority sites and ecological aspectsof “forest health”.

SB 5883 Forest Conversion Moratorium

Current Activity: Signed by the Governor! (See picturespage 1.)

The Washington FarmForestry Associationpoints out that becausethe current moratoriumrestricts limited orpartial conversions toliquidate some landvalues while still

maintaining most of theforests as working land,it prompts more familiesto sell off their entireforests! This billprovides family foresterwith moratoriumflexibility at the same time increasing environmentalreviews.

Audubon’s efforts on this effort were appreciated by m

including Representative Ed Orcutt, (R-18) who said“Represented by Miguel Perez-Gibson, AudubonWashington and other conservation groups were integrato developing SB 5883 & HB 1408. Together we

addressed issues necessato keep working forestsviable while maintainingand enhancingenvironmental protectionTheir participation wascritical in developing thi

policy to protect forestlafrom development. It wa pleasure to be a part ofthis cooperative process

Legislative Hotline: 800-562-6000

Thank your legislators for conservingWashington’s forests!

Editor’s Note: For questions, comments, or concerns with this newsletter, please contact

Audubon Washington’s Policy Office at 360-786-8020 ext. 201 or e-mail [email protected].

Audubon’s 2007 Legislative Priorities—CONSERVE WASHINGTON’S FORESTS -PASSED

Cassin’s Vireo

Pileated Woodpecker



HB 2212 Agricultural

Activities / SB 5248

Agricultural Lands

Current Activity: Off toGovernor’s Desk!

"I appreciate the ability of

the environmentalcommunity to work with the agricultural community on anissue that is so important to farmers. The ‘time-out’ andthe discussions at the Ruckelshaus Center will provide anopportunity to address how best to protect both theviability of agriculture and the environment. It is my hopethat we will come out of this process with broad supportfor proposals that will allow farmers to keep farming."said Senator Brian Hatfield (D-19) when asked about ourcollaboration to protect Washington’s working lands.

Farms and forests provide essential habitat to resident andmigratory birds that winter, forage, breed and passthrough Washington. Audubon prioritized policies thatcurb sprawl and protect these working landscapes.

Farmers fear regulations might impose buffers and takesome of their farmland out of production. Audubon knowsbirds rely on our working farm land. If it is sold todevelopers, we loose farms and birds alike!

This is why the Farm Bureau, Counties and

conservationists all supported this negotiated bill HB 2212

which passed the House 79 – 17 on March 13 and wasamended onto SB 5248 for final passage by theLegislature.

John Stuhlmiller, Director of State Affairs at the FarmBureau said "Our joint efforts resulted in negotiatedlanguage and a commitment to work together at theRuckelshaus Center to find new and creative solutionsaimed at engaging farmers through voluntary programsprovide environmental benefits while ensuring thatagricultural operations in Washington remain viable. Ware hopeful that the working relationships establishedduring this legislative session will help us attainpermanent solutions for our family farms."

Rep. Simpson (D-47th) added "After a very contentiouinitiative campaign, it was great to see those thatsupported and those that opposed Initiative 933 work together during the legislative session to find a mutually

acceptable way to develop public policy. I believe theworking relationships that developed during thenegotiations on SB 5248 will help the agriculturalcommunity and the environmental community, withassistance from the Ruckelshaus Center, find permanenways to address the conflict between protecting criticalareas and protecting a viable agricultural economy in thstate."

April 22, 2007

Legislative Hotline: 800-562-6000Thank your legislators for keeping

working lands safe from sprawl.

Audubon’s 2007 Legislative Priorities—KEEP OUR WORKING LANDSSAFE FROM SPRAWL - PASSED

Trumpeter Swans

BILL TITLE STATUS DATE

HB 1311 Sm farm assist Del to Gov 4/13/07SHB 1458 Eminent domain Gov signed 4/17/072SHB 1636 Development rights H Spkr signed 4/18/07EHB 1648 Agriculture H Spkr signed 4/18/07SSB 5108 Farmland pres. office H Spkr signed 4/18/07SB 5248 Agricultural lands S Pres signed 4/18/072SSB 5883 Forest land Del to Gov 4/12/07

Audubon also supported the following bills that have passed the Legislature:



April 22, 2007

Current activity: On 4/21all of our hard work paidoff as the WashingtonWildlife and RecreationProgram (WWRP) wasfunded at $100 Million inthe capital conference

budget.

A big thanks to all thechapters that wrote letters and sent messages! Withoutyour support this program may not have receivedadditional funding. At the $100 million level, the WWRPwill now fund an additional 135 projects throughout thestate. Over 70 of these projects correspond with sites onthe loops completed for the Great Washington StateBirding Trail.

Background: The WWRP is a state grant program thatfunds protection of wildlife habitat, creation of outdoorrecreation areas like parks and ball fields, and preservatof working farms. The WWRP has granted more than$450 million and leveraged an additional $315 million fund nearly 800 projects, encompassing over 250,000acres of outdoor recreation and wildlife habitat in cities

towns and rural communities across the state.

To see more detailed information of what projects will funded in your area go to: www.wildliferecreation.org.


Thank your legislators for funding theWashington Wildlife and Recreation Progra

at $100 Million!

Priorities for a Healthy Washington—$100 MILLION FOR WILDLIFE ANDRECREATION PROGRAM (WWRP) - FUNDED

ESSB 5372 Creating the

Puget Sound Partnership

Current activity: Withstrong bipartisan support,the Legislature has createdthe Puget SoundPartnership, a new agency

to ensure the recovery of Puget Sound by 2020.

The measure is on its way to the Governor, who isexpected to sign it within 20 days. The legislation wasrequested by the Governor and sponsored by Senator PhilRockefeller and Representative Dave Upthegrove.

The creation of the new agency was recommended in late2006 by the Puget Sound Partnership, the blue ribboncommission empanelled by Governor Gregoire in 2005 to

help guide her Puget Sound Initiative.

The legislation establishes strong recovery and protectigoals, an independent science advisory committee,priority for funding Puget Sound cleanup projects, andother important accountability measures to make sure sfunding delivers action and results for the Sound’srecovery.

Despite these advances in Puget Sound protection thelegislature failed to pass a law to permanently protect thMaury Island Aquatic Reserve.

Background: Puget Sound’s water and wildlife are introuble. More than 100 species of birds inhabit PugetSound: 42 of these are considered vulnerable, and 29 arlisted as “Species of Greatest Conservation Need”.


Thank your legislators for passing

the Puget Sound Partnership!

Priorities for a Healthy Washington—SAVE OUR SOUND - PASSED

Sharp-tailed Grouse

Western Grebe



One of the final actions of the legislature is send the budget bill to the Governor’s Desk. We are pleased to reportthese gains for Audubon’s funding priorities:

Agency Item Request FinalTop 2007 Budget Priorities

WDFW Wind Power guidelines & New Energy Technologies $600,000 $540,000

DNR Natural Heritage Program $700,000 $600,000

DNR Forest Practices Board Wildlife assessment $1.5M $397,000

WDFW Nature Tourism Infrastructure Initiative $350,000 $280,000

Parks Outdoor Education & Recreation Grants $2.5M $1.5M

Other Audubon Funding Priorities

DNR Small Forest Landowner Office $2.591M $1.9M

DNR Forest Health –SB 6141 $2.9M $1.273M

April 22, 2007

Priorities for a Healthy Washington—Support Clean Air—Clean Fuels - PASSED Eliminate Toxic Flame Retardants - PASSED

Audubon’s 2007 Budget Priorities—The Final Numbers Are In!

E2SHB 1303 Encouraging the use of

cleaner energy

Current Activity: On 4/13 the Senatepassed the bill off the floor, but the Housedecided not to concur with the Senate’samendments. After lengthy discussionsthe Senate amendments were approvedand the bill is now off to the Governor for

her signature.

Background: An omnibus bill that will help Washingtondevelop a clean-energy economy by providing marketincentives for clean fuels and vehicles, Washington-grownbiofuels crops, and clean school buses.

ESHB 1024 Phasing out PBDE’s

Current Activity: The first Priority topass this legislative session, theGovernor signed this bill on 4/17!

The Washington State Legislature is nowthe first in nation to ban toxic flameretardants!

For more information abouteach of these priorities visit:

www.environmentalpriorities.org

Bald Eagle


Contact your legislators and thank them for theirsupport of Audubon’s 2007 Budget Priorities!



April 22, 2007

Audubon and other conservation group’s efforts in supporting S5883” said Rick Dunning, Exe. Dir. WA Family Forest Assoc.“This legislation will help family forestland owners continue thland use while maintaining strong resource protection in WA.”

Audubon also helped to broker an agreement on Forest Healthlegislation. “Catastrophic fires are on the rise impacting publicsafety, forest ecosystems, fish and wildlife habitat and the timbeindustry. They compound global warming while costing taxpaymillions of dollars” said Mark Doumit, Exe. Dir. WA ForestProtection Assoc. “The prioritization of this common threat byforest landowners and groups like Audubon has ensured carefulcrafting, passage and funding of SB 6141 which establishes animportant new program to promote healthy forests for our citizeforesters and wildlife.”

Once again Audubon’s balanced approach ensures real solutionreal problems that impact birds, wildlife and habitat.

Join Us At the Following Events:Wenas Creek Campout Flying Critter Housing & Habitat Tour

Breaking News cont’d. Post-933 Protections for Working Landscont’d.

statute, goals that systematically reduceWashington’s greenhouse gas emissions -- thesame goals Governor Gregoire set forth in aFebruary Executive Order to reduce emissions to1990 levels by 2020; to 25% below 1990 by

2035; and to 50% below by 2050—also 70%below 2050 emission projections.

This Executive Order also sets forth a process todevelop comprehensive plans and policies tomeet these goals. Audubon has been appointedto work groups focused on the role of forests andeducation in achieving these goals.Recommendations from the Governor’s ClimateAdvisory Team are due in time to craft morelegislation for the 2008 legislative session.Audubon also supported the Clean Air Clean

Fuels Bill - HB 1303 (see page 5).

WHEN: May 25-28, 2007

WHERE: Wenas Creek Campground - SW of Ellensburg

WHAT: For over 38 years Audubon families have beencamping at the Wenas Creek Campground officiallynamed the Hazel Wolf Wenas Creek Bird Sanctuary.

The free, primitive campground along the north fork of Wenas Creek has exceptional opportunities for birding,botanizing and enjoying spring in the eastern foothills of the Cascades.

There are organized fieldtrips, natural historyworkshops, and old-fashionedcampfires. For more info visit:www.wenasaudubon.org.

WHEN: Saturday June 16, 2007 - 10:00 am—3:00 pm

WHO: South Sound Farm Forestry Association - hosteby Ken and Bonnie Miller on their 40-acre tree farmadjacent to Millersylvania State Park.

WHAT: Anytime between 10 and 3 you may assemble

your own Bird/Bat/Bee/Duck nest boxes. Supervisedchildren and grandchildren are welcome to participate -everyone gets at least one free nest box or feeder.Donations will be requested to help cover the costs of thlarger nest boxes.

In addition to learning about andhelping our winged friends, we wishto share our common love for theforests. There will be educationaldisplays and tours can be arranged.



April 22, 2007

Advocacy in Action -Saying “Thanks”Lisa Remlinger, Field Coordinator

Legislators are rarely thanked forwhat they do. An easy way to startbuilding relationships isto thank legislators when theysupport Audubon’s agenda.

Below are some champions of the Audubon agenda thissession.

Issue: SB 5883, Concerning conversion of forest land to

nonforestry uses.

1. Sen. Fraser (D-22)2. Rep. Orcutt (R-18)

Issue: SB 6001, Mitigating the impacts of climate change.

1. Sen. Poulsen (D-34)2. Rep. Dunshee (D-44)

Issue: SB 5248, Preserving the viability of agriculturallands.

1. Sen. Fairley (D-32)2. Rep. Simpson (D-47)

To find contact information for your legislators go to:

www.leg.wa.gov or call 1-800-562-6000.

Chapter Spotlight -Yakima Valley Audubon

Yakima ValleyAudubon Socie(YVAS) membbring extensivelong termknowledge of bspecies and

habitat in YakiCounty, as welan appreciation

the current threats to those species posed bydevelopment and habitat degradation.

We’ve been able to share that expertise with partnersthe basis for assembling large tracts of land forpreservation. A prime example is the Tieton RiverCanyon just east of Yakima. There, the NatureConservancy tied up land options to prevent

development of vacation cabins. The final result ispublic ownership and protection of 20,000 acres of endangered species habitat. YVAS is currentlycommenting on sensitive species habitat protections Yakima County, challenging cattle grazing plans onwildlife areas, and supporting the DNR / Blixseth lanswaps.

As conservation chair for YVAS I have a knack forgathering and synthesizing information and see my ras letting members know in a clear, accessible way

what’s going on, and what needs our attention andaction. When I feel overwhelmed, I ask myself -- if don’t protect these birds, who will?

One of YVAS’ recent successes was the creation of professional Yakima Area Wildlife Viewing Guidewith easy to use maps, directions to each area withhighlights of birds to be seen and what seasons are bfor viewing. In addition, we’ve inserted a membershcard inviting participation in YVAS. We’re very proof the Viewing Guide, and hope it expands

participation in Audubon as well.

Tieton River Canyon



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 Society

To conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing onbirds, other wildlife and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.

April 22, 2007

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# 7 bird's eye view newsletter washington audubon society

Documents