The Nature Conservancy Wrap-Up

Jeff Compton has worked for the Washington chapter of The Nature Conservancy for more than nine years and currently serves as its outreach manager. He coordinates field trips for conservancy members, works with a small team on legislative matters and public agency partnerships and coordinates a modest advocacy group.

The Nature Conservancy approached the 2006 Legislative session with an ambitious legislative agenda. It was a “short” session this year, lasting only 59 of the authorized 60 days, but it was a fast-paced, productive one. The following is a summary of what happened.

The highest priority for The Nature Conservancy this year was the “clean up Puget Sound” campaign, initiated by Governor Gregoire. This was also a priority for the broader environmental community—see Priorities for a Healthy Washington below. The first installment of this effort to clean up Puget Sound by 2020 was a $56 million appropriation in the state budget and the passage of House Bill 1458, sponsored by Nature Conservancy board member Rep. Sam Hunt. The money will be used for a variety of early actions to clean up the sound, including grants and loans for homeowners to fix failing septic systems, new sewer systems for state parks adjacent to the shoreline, removal of toxic waste in Bellingham Bay and Port of Tacoma, removal of creosote logs, oil spill prevention equipment and restoration of salmon habitat. HB 1458 requires the 12 counties surrounding Puget Sound to develop plans by 2012 for identifying and fixing failing septic systems within what are called marine areas of concern, where septic systems are significant contributors to violations of water quality standards.

The Legislature approved the creation of the Washington Invasive Species Council. The Nature Conservancy has been coordinating with a variety of partners on this effort for two years through the Washington Invasive Species Coalition. The council, with membership representing state, county and federal agencies, must develop and periodically update a statewide strategic plan for addressing invasive species issues, including agency coordination and both prevention and detection of invasive species. It is also charged with coordinating its strategic plan with the Washington Biodiversity Council (with which the Nature Conservancy is heavily involved) and cooperating with tribal and private organizations. The Invasive Species Council has six years to complete its work.

Last year the Legislature provided $50 million for the wildly successful Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program. The Nature Conservancy suggested that they provide an additional $10 million this year, which would have allowed half or more of the 30 recommended habitat protection and recreation projects that were left out last year to move forward. The Legislature approved only $800,000 to purchase shrub-steppe land in the Skookumchuck watershed in Kittitas County.

Nutria, large rodents originally from South America, have invaded Skagit County, destroying vast swaths of marshes and wetlands and threatening infrastructure. Last fall The Nature Conservancy provided matching private funds as an emergency measure until state money became available. The Legislature did approve $75,000 for nutria control. They also approved additional funding for the control of the highly invasive marine plant Spartina in Gray’s Harbor.

The Washington Natural Heritage Program collects and distributes information about native and rare species to prioritize conservation actions across the state. This state program is a regular partner of The Nature Conservancy in conservation planning efforts. The Legislature approved the requested $200,000 to enable the inventory of native species on state lands, a necessary step in prioritizing native and rare species recovery.

There is not an adequate supply and variety of seeds from local, native plants for restoration efforts in Washington, including many projects involving Nature Conservancy staff and volunteers, as well as public agencies. The conservancy recommended state funding to help develop a market and support in-state growers of native plant seeds. The Legislature did not approve any funds, but we believe a good discussion has been started about this issue.

For the fourth year in a row the state’s conservation community, consisting of 18 different organizations, selected four proactive proposals to bring to the Legislature with the hope of protecting our quality of life. This year three of the four community priorities passed the Legislature.

For more information, visit The Nature Conservancy Web site: http://nature.org/washington. §