The Blog

Governor Chris Gregoire Governor Chris Gregoire

07/29/08

One of Washington's greatest treasures is our marine waters. Our waters provide us food, serve our economy through our ports and waterways, and infuse our heritage and our culture.

Today, I stood on the banks of Puget Sound and was proud to announce a historic agreement with California and Oregon. I, along with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gov. Ted Kulongoski, signed the West Coast Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health.

This unique agreement commits the three coastal states to work closely with the federal government to develop solutions to preserve our irreplaceable marine waters. We must protect this legacy for our children and our children's children.

Now more than ever, our waters are threatened by pollution that we can see and that which is hidden deep below the water's surface. This is why I am so pleased with our joint action plan. I know Gov. Schwarzenegger and Gov. Kulongoski share my passion to protect our West Coast waters. We are committed to carrying out this plan and creating a sustainable future for one of our most treasured resources.

To view the entire West Coast Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health, please visit www.westcoastoceans.gov.