Speeches

Governor Gary Locke’s Remarks
Everett Bill Signing of ESHB 1933
May 15, 2003


Good afternoon.

Thank you for joining us.

I would like to acknowledge:

·Paul Isaki, who couldn't be here today

·Martha Choe, who couldn't be here today

·Martha’s CTED staff, including Susan St. Germaine, who is here today

·Tom Fitzsimmons, who also couldn't be here today, and his staff at the Department of Ecology

·Rep. Jean Berkey, D-Everett, prime sponsor, Sen. Aaron Reardon, D-Everett and other legislators who made this happen

·Pat Jones and his staff at the Washington Public Ports Association

·The City of Everett, especially Mayor Frank Anderson

·The City of Mukilteo, especially Mayor Donald Doran

·Snohomish County Executive Bob Drewel

·King County Executive Ron Sims

·Pierce County Executive John Landenberg

·The Snohomish, King, Pierce and Thurston County Economic Development Commissions

·The Boeing Company

·Don Brunell, AWB

·Rick Bender, head of the Washington State Labor Council

·Mark Blondin, Machinist Union

I also want to thank the Port of Everett, especially Executive Director John Mohr and the port commissioners, for hosting us here today.

House Bill 1933 reflects a key priority of my administration.

That priority is more certainty and clarity in our environmental laws through clear standards for environmental protection.

This allows business to make decisions with a much better understanding of government expectations.

Today’s global economy requires that businesses react quickly to the changing marketplace.

Companies must be responsive to customer needs.

Suppliers must be ready to provide product quickly.

Government must also do its part to enhance economic opportunities without compromising our environment.

We can do this if we work from two key principles:

First, government at all levels should review regulations on a regular basis.

Such reviews will show whether we are still achieving our environmental goals, and whether economic development opportunities are being hindered.

Our environmental laws should reflect the latest ecosystem knowledge and science.

Outdated laws don’t even assure environmental protection, and can hinder development.

Second, government at all levels should coordinate efforts.

This will reduce duplication of effort, minimize delays, and streamline processes.

Coordination will allow a unified approach to environmental protection and economic development.

That’s why we are moving quickly to establish the necessary network of local, state, federal and tribal governments to coordinate review of the proposed Port of Everett project.

The goal is to provide thorough environmental review earlier in the process.

House Bill 1933 is a critical piece of this review process.

Here with us today is the sponsor of the bill, State Representative Jean Berkey and Senator Aaron Reardon, with a few words about this new law…

Thank you to all of our speakers today.

This bill has been commonly referred to as the “Everett Fix” bill.

But this new law will help all cities, counties and ports.

It will deliver the certainty needed for development on our shoreline.

I commend the city of Everett for its leadership in being the first jurisdiction in the state to update its shoreline plan using new state guidelines.

In addition, Everett is the first jurisdiction to test the integration of the SMA and the GMA.

But going first also has its risks.

And the city found this out when the plan was appealed.

When Everett wrote its new shoreline master plan, it was with the reasonable assumption that it should follow the state’s Shoreline Management Act, which allows for development on the shoreline but with environmental protections.

However others believed the shoreline should be deemed a critical area under the Growth Management Act, the effect of which would be more restrictive of development along the shoreline.


This bill resolves this confusion by stating that development in the shoreline area is to be guided by the Shorelines Management Act, and non-shoreline critical areas are to be guided by the Growth Management Act.

For Everett, House Bill 1933 will provide more certainty that its approach in updating its shoreline plan is proper, and will withstand an appeal.

The bill allows the continued application of shorelines law in ways familiar to cities and counties.

Everett will have more certainty in its planning for shorelines, whether it’s the dock near Mukilteo or the redevelopment of the downtown waterfront.

And some added good news.

Yesterday I signed into law Senate Bill 6012.

This bill establishes new timelines for the update of local shoreline master plans.

Under this bill, Everett will not have to review and update its new shoreline plan until 2018.

This combined with the exhaustive review of Everett’s new shorelines plan, will provide the city, businesses and residents with certainty far into the future.

Our economy has changed from the early days of our state.

We remain a maritime economy, but we also have businesses that need to use these sites.

The new law will allow us to plan for these sites, provide certainty for development, and offer clear environmental expectations and standards in advance.

Thank you.

I will now sign House Bill 1933.


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