June 25, 2008

Rep. Dicks, Sen. Cantwell Introduce Puget Sound Bill

Press Release: Congressman Norm Dicks and Senator Maria Cantwell introduced the Puget Sound Recovery Act of 2008 today, which will establish a distinct office within the Environmental Protection Agency to coordinate the expanded efforts to address pollution impacts on Puget Sound.
“As the nation’s second largest estuary, Puget Sound has a regional impact affecting four million area residents and sustaining a broad array of aquatic species,” said Dicks, who serves as the Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee. In that post Rep. Dicks has spearheaded a new effort in recent years to increase the funding for research and remedial actions around Puget Sound, in coordination with the State’s newly-formed Puget Sound Partnership. 

"Puget Sound is one of the most important waterways in the United States and is critical for the health of Washington's economy and environment," said Sen. Cantwell.  "However, the declining health of the Sound is putting this at risk.  By taking this step to help protect Puget Sound, we are helping the four million Americans who benefit from recreational and environmental opportunities, supporting $20 billion in economic activity annually," she added. 

In addition to establishing a Puget Sound office that will have oversight responsibility for the cleanup actions on the Sound, including the development of a comprehensive action plan, the bill authorizes grants to local communities to study the causes of water quality problems.  In addition, it authorizes grants for targeted remedial actions to counter these threats, as well as grants for sewer and stormwater discharge projects. 

Building upon Puget Sound clean-up efforts already underway at the local and State levels, the increased Federal response authorized by the Puget Sound Recovery Act will be a model of scientific integrity, coordination between Federal, State, local and Tribal governments, and demonstrable achievement that is transparent and open to public scrutiny. 

Area congressional representatives from the Puget Sound region – Reps. Jay Inslee, Rick Larsen, Brian Baird, Jim McDermott, Dave Reichert, and Adam Smith  – all have joined as original co-sponsors of the legislation in the House, and Senator Patty Murray has co-sponsored the Senate version of the bill.

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