Vashon-Maury islanders place a high priority on protecting the environment and addressing the climate crisis.
Last fall, a number of Vashon-Maury environmental and climate leaders joined together to identify policy goals in anticipation of the 2023 regular legislative session. A survey was conducted to help refine top legislative goals.
Nine legislative outcomes were developed and on Feb. 16, Vashon-Maury Community Council approved this Vashon Maury Climate Agenda. Our state legislators, with community support, advanced 11 related bills.
The Agenda fared well this session, with the passage of five of our supported bills. These included the following legislation.
Plastic pollution
House Bill 1085 requires that new buildings constructed with water fountains also contain bottle filling stations; phases out the use of small plastic containers, wrappers and packaging for personal care items like shampoo or soap by hotels and other lodging establishments; bans soft film-wrapped floats and docks; and mandates a study of hard-shell foam-filled floats and docks.
Orca vessel protection
Senate Bill 1145 requires both whale-watching boats and recreational vessels to stay 1,000 yards from the endangered orcas. The distance is new to recreational vessels that have been allowed to view southern residents from a distance of 300 yards.
Planning for climate change
House Bill 1181 requires all comprehensive plans to include a climate change and resiliency component that shows how jurisdictions will create the green, accessible infrastructure needed to respond to our warming planet. The plans must specifically look at greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, the region’s largest contributor to climate change. In the past, the only time plans mentioned “climate” was to talk about improvements to our business climate.
Derelict aquatic structures
Senate Bill 5433 grants our state Department of Natural Resources the authority to address derelict structures like unused piers, pilings, marinas, tire reefs and more, including four large industrial sites like Dickman Mill in Tacoma, all accelerating habitat restoration, and improving nearshore marine habitat.
Marine Shoreline habitat
Senate Bill 5104 requires our state Department of Ecology to conduct and maintain a baseline survey, by June 30, 2024, of Puget Sound marine shorelines using new technology to capture 360-degree on-the-water imagery. The on-the-water view would be similar to Google Street view, with private information blurred. These data will be used to help identify restoration sites and structures in bad condition, assist with orca recovery and assess shoreline changes over time.
In addition to the legislation, there were several budget successes.
The legislature approved funding for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Accountability and Reform Study. Part of a $23 million biodiversity package, this study will examine the agency’s ability to respond to climate change and biodiversity loss. In addition, it will examine potential changes to the department’s mandate, funding model, and governance structure and recommend improvements to achieve greater transparency and accountability.
The final 2023-25 Washington State Transportation and Operating Budgets funded planning to transition the energy, transportation, and irrigation services currently provided by the four aging dams on the lower Snake River.These plans are the concrete next steps to recover salmon, restore the lower Snake River and maintain clean energy and agriculture in the region.
Five of our legislative bills did not pass. These included the WRAP (Washington Recycling and Packaging) Act to improve Washington’s solid waste management outcomes — although the WRAP Act budget proviso (SB 5187) did pass and will fund two studies: one looking at recycling, reuse, and source reduction targets; and the other to get community input on the state’s recycling system. So stay tuned for some surveys and opportunities to share your thoughts on this.
Another bill that did not pass pertained to electronics repair that would allow the fair servicing and repair of digital electronic equipment. One bill to promote fair access to community solar, and another concerning on-premises energy generation, also did not pass.
In all, the 2023 session produced policies that will benefit our community. But we have more work to do. This fall, our environmental and climate leaders will again gather to look at regulatory and legislative priorities for the 2024 short session.
If you’re already a Vashon-Maury environmental and climate advocate, start thinking about your 2024 session priorities.
Or if you’re concerned about climate change and interested in this bigger policy approach, let us know and we’ll plug you in.
The 2024 Climate Agenda is a joint project of the Whole Vashon Project, Indivisble Vashon and the Vashon Climate Action Group. You’ll hear from us in the fall.
For more information, email Kevin Jones at kevin@indivisiblevashon.org.
— Lynn Greiner lives on Maury Island and is active in various island organizations, including the Whole Vashon Project. Find out more about the organization at wholevashonproject.org.
