Tougher Rules Aim To Save Salmon Habitat For The Good Of Puget Sound Orcas
read on
It might soon be more difficult to build a seawall on Puget Sound.
The state legislature is considering a bill that aims to help southern resident killer whales by protecting shoreline salmon habitat.
Single-family homeowners who want to build a seawall could face a longer permit process under the bill. The Department of Fish and Wildlife would thoroughly review every proposed seawall for its potential effect on salmon habitat.
The bill would also give the agency the authority to issue stop-work orders as well as civil penalties of up to $10,000 to property owners who don’t comply with the law.
“We’ve got good laws on the books,” said Margen Carlsen with the department. “Let’s make sure that the agencies that are trying to implement those laws have all the tools they need to help people come into compliance and stay in compliance with that law.”
The bill has passed the House and is up for consideration in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Monday.
You can follow the progress of HB1579 here.
Copyright 2019 KUOW
Related Stories:
Draft Federal Plan Recommends Keeping Lower Snake River Dams In Place
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation and Bonneville Power Administration laid out a range of six alternatives in a draft environmental impact statement. The most controversial measure would have been to remove or alter the four Lower Snake River dams. Continue Reading Draft Federal Plan Recommends Keeping Lower Snake River Dams In Place
Dams Vs. Salmon: Workshops Aim To Get Past ‘My Study Can Beat Up Your Study’ On Snake River
More than 300 people showed up to hear speakers talk about why it’s important to either keep or alter the dams. The panel stems from a Washington state study that will guide the state’s position on dam removal. Continue Reading Dams Vs. Salmon: Workshops Aim To Get Past ‘My Study Can Beat Up Your Study’ On Snake River
Public Invited To Clarkston-Pasco-Vancouver Workshops On Question Of Snake River Dams
Upcoming public workshops will examine a draft report that gauges how people in Washington want to deal with the fate of the dams. At the workshops, officials will present the report’s findings, followed by a panel discussion. People can submit written and online comments on the draft report through Jan. 24. Continue Reading Public Invited To Clarkston-Pasco-Vancouver Workshops On Question Of Snake River Dams
