|
Northwest Straits Commission receives $1.56 million in funding
posted 01/04/2008
Senator Murray secured $1.56 million for the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative in the federal spending bill that was signed by President Bush last week.
"This funding is leveraged by countless hours invested by local citizens and proves that our shared goals for a healthy Puget Sound can be achieved by working together," Senator Murray said.
Clallam, Island, Jefferson, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties all participate in the Northwest Straits Initiative through marine resources committees made up of local citizens. The Northwest Straits Commission serves as an umbrella organization to provide oversight and help broaden the impact of local projects to a regional scale.
"This funding for the Northwest Straits Initiative ensures that local citizens are able to participate in the restoration and protection of the marine environment. It will make lasting improvements to our marine resources," said Ginny Broadhurst, interim director for the Northwest Straits Commission.
The original funding for the Initiative was secured by Murray with the requirement that after five years an independent panel would evaluate its progress. In 2004, a national evaluation panel of experts chaired by Bill Ruckelshaus found that the Initiative "has been a successful experiment in engaging a broad range of citizens in marine stewardship and in accomplishing research and restoration projects that reflect local priorities and contribute to broader marine conservation goals".
The accomplishments seen by that panel have continued to impress participants and observers. "Volunteers need to know their time is being well spent. By participating on the Northwest Straits Commission I’m able to make a real difference," says Phyllis Kind, chair of the Commission and representative from Island County.
Ongoing work of the Initiative includes projects such as shoreline restoration, native oyster seeding and derelict fishing gear removal. More information about the accomplishments of the Northwest Straits Initiative can be found on their web site at www.nwstraits.org.
Murray Secures $1.4 Million for Northwest Straits Commission
posted 06/23/05
PRESS RELEASE: U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.)has secured $1.4 million for the Northwest Straits Commission in the Senate Appropriations bill. Murray helped launch the innovative grassroots approach to marine protection seven years ago and has secured over $4 million for the restoration efforts in the past six years.
"I am pleased to have secured this funding for the Northwest Straits Commission. This is exactly the type of grassroots, collaborative effort needed to restore salmon runs, protect marine environments and increase environmental awareness," Senator Murray said.
In the late 1990s, Washington communities were divided over how to protect marine resources in the Northwest Straits; an area in the northwest part of Washington from the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Northern Puget Sound to the Canadian border.
In 1997, Senator Murray helped found the Commission, bringing opposing stakeholders together, to create an advisory commission that would address local issues. At a time when few thought the experiment would work, their coordinated efforts created an innovate model of restoring and protecting marine habitats. As a result, the Northwest Straits Commission was created a year later as the best approach to restoring the marine resources of the Northwest Straits.
Murray secured funding for the Northwest Straits Commission with the requirement that after five years an independent panel would evaluate its progress. In April 2004, a national evaluation panel of experts chaired by Bill Ruckelshaus declared the program worthwhile, encouraging Congress to continue supporting the Northwest Straits Commission. "They have used local ideas and sound science to come up with useful, effective accomplishments," said Ruckelshaus.
"The success of the Northwest Straits Commission proves that when our communities come together to protect our environment, the result can be extraordinary. This federal funding will help to continue these impressive efforts," Murray said.
The funding will now go to the full Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
Senate approves funding for NW Straits and whale research
posted 01/26/04
The Ominbus Appropriations funding measure passed by the U.S. Senate last week includes $750,000 for the Northwest Straits Commission. The bill also includes $1.5 million for whale research by the National Marine Fisheries Service. These funds will fund research into vessel impacts, year round distribution of the population, year round studies of prey resources and the effects of pollution on the Southern Resident killer whale population. The bill now goes to President Bush for his signature.
PRESS RELEASE
Murray Secures Economic Development, Environmental and Public Safety
Funding for Northwest Washington in Omnibus Appropriations Measure
Senator leads effort to pass Omnibus
and save Washington state initiatives
posted 01/26/04
United States Senate adopted the Omnibus Appropriations funding measure to fund seven appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2004. Senator Murray joined with Democrats and Republicans to break a filibuster and approve the final appropriations measure for the fiscal year that began almost four months ago. The Omnibus now goes to the White House for the President’s certain approval.
"Like many, I had serious reservations about several provisions in the omnibus appropriations bill. The fight to overturn the attack on overtime and other issues is not over. But I know what’s at stake here and it is time to move on," Senator Murray said. "I voted to fund our federal responsibility to education, health care, job training and veterans. And I voted to help our state as it seeks to move forward with job creation and economic development."
Senator Murray is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. The omnibus appropriations measure funds numerous Washington state economic development, environmental and public safety initiatives championed by Senator Murray. "I am excited about these projects because they were brought to me by local officials and all of them have an economic development component," Senator Murray said.
Senator Murray’s economic development, environmental and public safety projects for Northwest Washington are listed below: NORTHWEST WASHINGTON
Northwest Straits Commission (CJSJ)
$750,000
Senator Murray created the Northwest Straits Commission with legislation in 1998 in response to growing concerns about the declining health of marine ecosystems in the Northwest region of the state. This grassroots effort involves representatives from county, tribal, state and federal governments, non-profit organizations and volunteers who are working together to protect and restore marine resources in northern Puget Sound. These funds will enable the Northwest Straits Commission to continue its cooperative work throughout the Puget Sound area.
WSU Extension Service Beach Watchers
$250,000
The WSU Beach Watchers Program is a volunteer driven organization focused on protecting and raising awareness about marine resources in Island County, Washington. Beach Watchers is managed by the WSU Cooperative Extension Program. The program’s emphasis is stewardship education, but volunteers have also gathered near shore habitat data for use by local planners. This funding will allow expansion of this program into Clallam, Jefferson, Snohomish, Skagit, San Juan and Whatcom Counties.
Similk Beach Community Sewer System Improvements
Skagit Valley Public Utility District (VA-HUD)
$750,000
This State Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG) funding will fund 117 new connections to the community’s sewer system to eliminate failing septic systems as well as allow the commercial and sport shellfish industry an opportunity to recover. The project will eliminate the source of a documented health and environmental hazard. Many of the beneficiaries of this project will be elderly and low-income residents who can least afford significant increases in utility bills.
Southern Resident Killer Whale Research
$1.5 million
The Southern Resident population of killer whales, which consists of three pods, resides in Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Georgia Strait from late spring to early fall. The rest of the year they travel along the west coast, but their activities during this time are not well understood. The population of Southern Resident killer whales has declined 20 percent from 1996 to 2001, from 97 whales to only 78. These funds will fund National Marine Fisheries Service research into vessel impacts, year round distribution of the population, year round studies of prey resources and the effects of pollution on the Southern Resident Killer Whale population.
STATEWIDE
Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, Public Building Mapping System
$250,000
During a school incident, such as the one that occurred at Columbine High School in Colorado, first responders need access to school floor plans, known hazards and evacuation plans. In 2001, the Washington State Legislature appropriated funds to facilitate a building mapping system for various schools in Washington state. It has been very successful. Its success, however, has caused state and local government leaders to request a building mapping system for all public buildings, not just schools. In order to initiate the public building mapping system, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) must first establish the central site. The funds provided by Senator Murray will allow the project to go forward.
Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
$350,000
The Washington State Tribes and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Coordinated Water Quality Program, an EPA/Tribal partnership, has provided a forum for continuous and meaningful communication between tribes, state and federal agencies. It has generated successful state/federal partnerships to improve water quality and has helped fulfill the federal government’s trust obligation to tribes.
Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery
$90 million
The Commerce Justice State appropriations bill fund the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery program at $90 million. This is the same as current year spending and the same as provided by the House in its FY 2004 bill. The Senate allocates $26 million of this total for Washington state, with an additional $8.5 million going to Pacific Coastal Tribes, and $2.5 million going to Columbia River Tribes. (Other allocations are $26 million for Alaska, $11 million for Oregon, $11 million for California, and $5 million for Idaho) The Washington state funding goes to the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SuRF Board) which then works with groups around the state to advance Salmon recovery projects.
Methamphetamine Program for Washington State
$2 million
Washington state is combating the meth explosion through an intensive and pro-active approach to attack the meth problem at every level. This funding will assist the effort conducted by several counties and cities throughout Washington state. The Washington state program includes the following components: intelligence, enforcement and prosecution, investigation and forensics, public health and ecology, professional training, community education and prevention, and family treatment services.
Murray: Funding could be used for Neah Bay Tug
posted 07/30/01
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Senator Patty Murray has included $1.6 million in the
Senate Transportation Appropriations bill for oil spill prevention efforts in
the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The funding in the Coast Guard's budget could be
used to help the State of Washington pay for a rescue tug at Neah Bay.
"One of the most significant obstacles to providing increased protection against
oil spills in the Strait of Juan de Fuca has been money," said Murray. "This
federal appropriation will remove that obstacle. Now the Captain of the Port
has the resources and can use his judgment to focus on how best to protect those
waters."
Murray wants to ensure that strong protections are in place to prevent oil
spills caused by tankers and cargo ships approaching the Olympic Peninsula and
passing through the Strait of Juan de Fuca on their way to ports in Puget Sound
and Canada. Tankers are only required to have tug escorts once they reach Port
Angeles.
"Like many people in Washington state, I strongly support protecting the
pristine beaches and abundant wildlife in this beautiful region," Senator Murray
added. "The State Legislature has provided $1.4 million for a dedicated tug at
Neah Bay next winter. The $1.6 million I am providing to the Coast Guard
continues the federal and state partnership to prevent oil spills from accidents
involving marine vessels in the Strait."
In 2001, the State Legislature provided $1.5 million for tug to be stationed at
Neah Bay during winter months, and the previous year the state spent $1.65
million on the effort. It would cost about $3 million to have a dedicated tug
stationed there year round. In 1999, Senator Murray helped secure $1 million
from the federal government for the tug to be in place from December of 1999
until June of 2000. The state provided $100,000 and an additional $400,000 was
available from damages from the Tenyo Maru oil spill settlement.
Feds give $1.2 million to Northwest Straits Commission
Murray secures 71% increase over last year to restore, protect marine
environments in North Puget Sound
posted 07/17/02
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) has secured a $500,000 increase in funding for the Northwest Straits Initiative, which represents an increase of seventy-one percent in funding compared to last year. The Senate fiscal year 2003 Commerce, Justice, State and the
Judiciary bill includes $1.2 million for the Initiative.
"The Commission is doing outstanding work to protect and restore fragile
ecosystems," Murray said. "I am proud to have secured this increase in
funding to strengthen the ongoing efforts to protect our environment."
In 1998, Senator Murray and former U.S. Representative Jack Metcalf (R-Wash.)
convened a citizen's panel to study ways to reverse environmental degradation of
the Northwest Straits. Based on the panel's findings, Congress authorized the
Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative the same year.
The Northwest Straits Commission consists of 13 appointees: one from each of
seven counties involved, along with appointees made by the Governor and the
Department of the Interior. Each county has created a Marine Resources Committee
(MRC) to draw input from local government, tribes, conservationists, scientists
and business. Over 100 people are participating in the seven MRCs to protect
and restore marine resources in North Puget Sound.
"This is exactly the type of grassroots, collaborative effort needed to restore
salmon and other declining fisheries while improving Washington's pristine
coastline," Senator Murray added. "This community-wide effort continues to
illustrate the tremendous results that can be achieved when we work together to
solve environmental problems."
|
