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Friday, December 6, 2002

Environmentalists ask leaders for money to protect Sound

By LISA STIFFLER
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Seven environmental organizations are calling on the governor and Legislature to support programs important to the cleanup, restoration and protection of Puget Sound.

A letter sent yesterday urged state leaders to remember the damaged marine environment when working on the 2003-05 budget in coming months.

"We are well aware that there is a budget 'crisis,' " the letter states. "But there is a Puget Sound crisis as well."

	A five-part special report about the effects of pollution on the waters of Puget Sound. - Part 1: Polluted waters - Part 2: Extinction or bust - Part 3: Ruinous runoff - Part 4: Maritime mess - Part 5: Turning things around - Further developments - More stories - Join the forum Read the transcript of a live chat with reporters Robert McClure and Lisa Stiffler.

The letter cites a five-day series published last month in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that investigated the health of the Sound.

It revealed that the waterway is polluted and at risk for a major oil spill, and that populations of numerous marine organisms are in dramatic decline.

The groups call for:

• Funding for local governments to prevent stormwater pollution.

• Money for a rescue tug stationed at Neah Bay to aid ships in trouble.

• A stringent plan for reducing the amount of mercury released into the environment.

• Adoption of new Shoreline Management Act guidelines that add restrictions to development near beaches and rivers, plus funds to help local governments update their plans.

The letter was signed by People for Puget Sound, Audubon-Washington, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, Washington Conservation Voters, Washington Environmental Council, Washington Toxics Coalition and the Washington Public Interest Research Group.

Protection of the environment is one of the governor's top 10 budget priorities, said Ed Penhale, spokesman for the governor's budget office.

"There is money in the budget to protect the state's natural resources, including Puget Sound," he said.

P-I reporter Lisa Stiffler can be reached at 206-448-8042 or lisastiffler@seattlepi.com

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