Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Rally draws thousands to state capital

Yesterday, thousands gathered at the Washington State capitol in favor of protecting budgets for clean water, health care and education.

Fearing an "all-cuts" state budget, citizens spoke out in support of revenue raising strategies, including the Working for Clean Water legislation that would raise the tax on polluters to fund stormwater infrastructure projects.

Clean water legislation to tackle stormwater pollution is one bill that Surfrider Foundation is working hard to pass this session. Others would establish a Marine Spatial Planning blueprint for WA and provide for the safe collection and disposal of unwanted medications.

Marine Spatial Planning in WA, SB 6350
This past weekend, this bill passed the Senate 44-2. Spearheaded by ocean champion and longtime Surfrider activist, Senator Kevin Ranker, this bill initiates a local approach to marine planning that would engage ocean users in a process to minimize impacts from new and emergency ocean uses.

Secure Medicine Return, 2SSB 5279
Up for possible Senate floor action this week, this bill creates a statewide medicine return program provided by drug producers. Harmful medications often get flushed down the toilet and into our marine waters where they threaten marine species and human health.


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