EXECUTIVE ORDER 04-01
PERSISTENT TOXIC CHEMICALS
WHEREAS, persistent, toxic chemicals, such as mercury, dioxin, and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), are toxic in small amounts, remain in the environment for long periods of time, and build up in humans, fish and animals; and
WHEREAS, persistent, toxic chemicals are passed from one generation to another in the womb and through breast milk; and
WHEREAS, persistent, toxic chemicals have been linked to birth defects, reproductive failure, cancer, learning and behavioral problems in young children, and other health problems; and
WHEREAS, hundreds of water bodies in Washington fail to meet water quality standards for pollution, including persistent, toxic chemicals; and
WHEREAS, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and local health jurisdictions have issued fish consumption advisories for 13 water bodies because of high levels of toxic chemicals; and
WHEREAS, DOH has issued a statewide advisory for mercury in bass and other fish; and
WHEREAS, persistent, toxic pollution harms fish and other wildlife, including Puget Sound orca whales, which have become one of the most contaminated marine mammals in the world, in part because of PCBs that have concentrated in the Puget Sound food chain; and
WHEREAS, the state of Washington has developed a groundbreaking strategy to phase out existing sources of persistent, toxic chemicals, clean up historical sources, and prevent new sources; and
WHEREAS, the Governor’s Sustainable Washington Advisory Panel has recommended that the state phase out the purchase of goods with persistent bioaccumulative toxic (PBT) materials; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Ecology has developed a plan to reduce and eliminate sources of mercury pollution in Washington;
NOW THEREFORE, I, Gary Locke, Governor of the state of Washington, declare my commitment to phasing out persistent, toxic pollution in Washington State and hereby order and direct the following:
This executive order shall take effect immediately.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the State of Washington to be Affixed at Olympia this 28th day of January A.D., Two thousand four. | |
GARY LOCKE |
|
BY THE GOVERNOR: | |
Secretary of State |