||| FROM WA STATE SENATE DEMOCRATS |||
OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee today signed legislation to conserve and restore the plants that are foundational to the state’s marine ecosystems.
Senate Bill 5619, known as the Kelp Forest and Eelgrass Meadow Conservation Initiative, was sponsored by Sen. Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes) at the request of the Department of Natural Resources.
“It’s no secret that Washington is home to the most beautiful natural environment in the country, but our ecosystems are facing an existential crisis at every level,” said Lovelett. “Kelp and eelgrass are a crucial resource in our fight against climate change. They work to effectively sequester carbon in our oceans and are a vital part of our ecosystem.”
Recent analyses show a decline of more than 90% in bull kelp in the south and central Puget Sound in the last 150 years, along with similarly disturbing trends among other kelp and eelgrass species. These plants are the critical foundation of our ocean ecosystems and key in salmon recovery. SB 5619 will conserve or restore 10,000 acres of these forests and meadows by 2040.
“Today I am grateful to see our state prioritize policies that ensure every species is protected for generations to come,” Lovelett said. “Thank you to Rep. Sharon Shewmake for her ardent support of this legislation!”
The bill goes into effect on June 9, 2022.
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In the 20 years I’ve been kayaking the waters around Orcas Island, the eelgrass and bull kelp have declined almost everywhere, with the noteworthy exception of upper Eastsound. They provide habitat for small forage fish like herring, Dungeness crabs and other mollusks. I hope this bill helps lead to their revival. Citizen involvement in their preservation and restoration will help, too.
I hope there are monies geared toward helping Fishing Bay. I am worried and concerned about all the storm water from the Prune Alley Road Project that is going to be piped into Fishing Bay. The constructed wetland on the west side is having issues at the two ponds by Outlook Inn garden; the one pond is choked with algae and the other pond is starting to see the same effects. We have to do more to protect Fishing Bay!