Working to Preserve and Protect Our Environment

Representative Kilmer believes we have an obligation to be responsible stewards of our lands and waters so that the pristine beauty and diverse wildlife of our nation can be maintained for future generations. That means protecting Puget Sound, our parks, and our natural assets throughout the Olympic Peninsula.

• Puget Sound is a treasure in the Northwest and the second largest estuary in the country. The Sound is an essential part of our regional economy, with its waters supporting our fisheries and shellfish industry. Representative Kilmer joined together with Representative Denny Heck to establish the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus devoted exclusively to promoting Puget Sound cleanup efforts. The Caucus has been active in providing local stakeholder feedback to key environmental leaders including EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy who came to Puget Sound to see recovery projects first hand. 
   
• In order to protect the remarkable assets of our region, Congress should take significant steps to address stormwater runoff, ecosystem restoration, and ocean acidification. As founders of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus, Representative Kilmer and Representative Heck released the Puget Sound Caucus White Paper that details how the caucus can gain national recognition of Puget Sound and improve critical environmental issues that affect the health and vitality of Puget Sound.
   
• In recent years, ocean acidification has emerged as a significant threat to coastal communities and industries across the United States. On the west coast, the shellfish industry experienced significant production failures in recent years because of a shift in ocean chemistry. This is why Representative Kilmer teamed up with Representative Jamie Herrera Beutler to introduce the bipartisan Ocean Acidification Innovation Act. This legislation would create prize competitions to develop creative ways to research, monitor and mitigate the effects of ocean acidification. Representative Kilmer believes it is vital to our environment and economy that we protect our oceans and waterways.

Outdoor recreation is simply a way of life in the Pacific Northwest. Having the ability to hike in the Olympics, bike local trails, explore beaches and visit the Olympic National Park is a key part of what makes the Peninsula special for the people that live and travel here. Protecting our wilderness and investing in our outdoor industry benefits both the environment and our regional economy. That is why Representative Kilmer has introduced legislation to protect some of the most environmentally vulnerable areas of the peninsula and has supported funding for the Legacy Roads and Trails program, the Land and Water Conservation fund, the National Park Service, and a variety of other programs that work to protect and provide access our natural treasures.