Governor Gregoire signs bill to improve oil spill response programs

Today, on the one-year anniversary of the Gulf Oil Spill, Governor Gregoire will sign into law House Bill 1186 to strengthen Washington oil spill preparedness programs.

The Gulf spill was a sad reminder that these catastrophic events happen and that it is essential to be prepared, especially in Washington State where over 4000 vessels transport oil in and out of Puget Sound and along our coast every year.

HB 1186 will expand state programs to train volunteers, require regular oil spill drills and equip commercial fisherman to be first responders so that we are prepared in the event of a major oil spill. The bill also tasks the state Department of Ecology to improve requirements on oil tankers and other vessels traveling through state waters to stockpile state-of-the-art oil spill response equipment.

Huge thanks to Surfrider chapters and activists who generated letters, emails and phone calls to the legislator. And to People for Puget Sound who lead this initiative and have been a longtime champion on oil spill policies for Washington. This bill never would have moved without champions in the legislator – Rep. Christine Rolfes (Bainbridge Island), Rep. Zack Hudgins (Tukwila) and Sen Kevin Ranker (San Juan).

"Bag It" Playing In Bellingham

Bag It Bellingham, a local effort to reduce single-use bags, are proud to present a Premiere Community-Wide Screening of award winning film, "Bag It" tonight on the PAC Main stage from 7-9 pm. Please visit our Surfrider table there!

Check out the event on faceboook.

WWU Performing Arts Center
Friday, April 1, 7-9pm doors open 6:30 pm.
Reserved Pay lot parking in 14G and 11G available
$7 for Adults, $3 for Students, Seniors, Kids

Find us on facebook at: www.facebook.com/bagitbellingham
Read updates at: www.bagitbellingham.blogspot.com

Surfrider Foundation Japan Update

Dear Chapter Leaders,

We have been in contract with Hideyasu Kato from SF Japan to ask how we can best support them. He told us that things are changing and evolving so rapidly at this point that it is not clear how we can help. He did imply that there is going to be work to do for many years so our support might be better served once the initial disaster settles down. We'll continue to maintain regular contact with our friends in Japan and provide updates regarding future support in conjunction with their efforts. For the time being the best thing is for us to keep them in our thoughts and they all appreciate your concern throughout this horrific tragedy. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Edward Mazzarella
Director of Chapters
Surfrider Foundation

Mega coal terminal threatens coastal waters

Proposed coal terminal threatens sensitive ecosystems, public health, and coastal waters. Please read and sign onto RE Sources' position statement regarding the coal export facility proposed for Cherry Point in Ferndale, Washington.

read more:
Bellingham Herald
People for Puget Sound

Oil spill bill passed the House with bipartisan support

HB 1186 to strengthen Washington's oil spills program passed out of the House by a vote of 62-35. Huge thanks to legislators championing this bill and to everyone who contacted their representatives and asked for their support. Now the bill is in the Senate and again, we will need your help to let Senators know how important this bill is for Washington's marine waters.

Sponsored by Rep. Christine Rolfes, from Bainbridge Island, HB 1186 bill will:
• Improve funding for the Department’s Oil Spill Program, which is currently running a multi-million dollar deficit.
• Strengthen requirements for stockpiling appropriate spills response equipment to ensure that we are ready for a large spill in Puget Sound and on the coast.
• Expand spill response “drill” program to test assumptions made in our spill response plans and to better train responders.
• Train, equip, and drill commercial fishermen for oils spill response to increase the region’s response capacities.

500 advocates went to Olympia for the environment

For Environmental Lobby Day, 500 activists traveled to Olympia to tell legislators that clean water, air and land are priorities for Washington.

Get the full story in the Seattle Times, Citizen lobbyists rally to protect environmental progress.

Activists lobbied on behalf of the four 2011 environmental legislative priorities, including the 2011 Clean Water Jobs Act to tackle stormwater pollution.

You can take action on behalf of clean water too, right from your computer, just click here for the priorities website.

Should public be allowed to walk across private tidelands?

On Watching Our Water Ways, Christopher Dunagan is asking this very question with a poll. Learn more and give your answer at Watching Our Water Ways.