Governor Gregoire Signs Legislation to Protect and Restore Puget Sound

For Immediate Release: May 7, 2007

Governor requested bill sets clean up goal of 2020; Bill Ruckelshaus appointed as chair of the Puget Sound Leadership Council

DES MOINES - Governor Chris Gregoire today signed into law a measure she requested that will protect and restore the Puget Sound. The bill creates the Puget Sound Partnership to oversee the clean up and restoration by 2020 of the environmental health of the Puget Sound.

�In Washington, we are fortunate to be blessed with breathtaking natural beauty and an unparalleled quality of life. Our environment not only gives us access to tremendous recreational opportunities, but serves as a foundation for our state economy,� said Governor Gregoire. �If we want to keep it that way, we have more work to do to protect the jewel of the Northwest - Puget Sound. Today, it looks beautiful on the surface but beneath that surface, it is sick and in some places dying. Indeed, today we�ve heard news of another endangered species listing � this one for our Puget Sound steelhead. It�s time to act.�

�This is a historic day in moving forward with an aggressive plan to clean up Puget Sound,� said Congressman Norm Dicks. �I want to commend Governor Gregoire and many others for improving our opportunity to expand the ongoing federal partnership on this vital region-wide effort.�

The Puget Sound Partnership, led by a citizen council, will integrate the work of state, local and federal governments, as well as local watershed planning and salmon recovery efforts. Governor Gregoire today appointed Bill Ruckelshaus chair of the council and will appoint the remaining members within the next month.

�He served our country as the first administrator of the EPA, acting director of the FBI and Deputy Attorney General. I am humbled to ask him once again to serve � and am extremely proud to announce that Bill Ruckelshaus has agreed to chair the Leadership Council for the Puget Sound Partnership and lead us with his experience, wisdom, humor and commitment to restore the health of our beloved jewel � the Puget Sound,� said Governor Gregoire.

Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5372, sponsored by Sen. Phil Rockefeller (D-Bainbridge Island), passed the Senate with 43 votes and passed the House with 86 votes. The bill takes effect July 1, 2007.

Additional Bill Action Today

Governor Gregoire today signed the following bills into law:

• E2SHB 1303 - Relating to providing for the means to encourage the use of cleaner energy thereby - for healthier communities by reducing emissions. (Partial veto, section 306)
• 2SHB 1488 - Relating to protecting all of Washington's waters by enhancing the state's oil spill program.
• 2SHB 1656 - Relating to establishing a Puget Sound scientific research account. (Partial veto, section 2)
• SHB 1929 - Relating to authorizing utilities to engage in environmental mitigation efforts.
• SHB 2049 - Relating to Puget Sound marine resource committees.
• SB 5552 - Relating to discharges of oil.
• ESSB 5894 - Relating to clarifying regulatory authority for large on-site sewage systems.
• E2SSB 5923 - Relating to aquatic invasive species enforcement and control. (Partial veto, section 11)
• E2SSB 6044 - Relating to derelict vessels.

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