Natural Resources Lobby Action 2027
The October 14th Natural Resources Committee meeting focused on environmental policy updates and legislative priorities for the upcoming Olympia session. Ann Murphy, Environmental Issue Team Lead for the League of Women Voters of Washington, introduced this year’s State League Green Team and acknowledged LWVWA Ann Aagard’s long vigilance on matters relating to the Shoreline Protection Act. Ann Aargard, of course, spoke to the new guidelines for the Shoreline Protection Act being finalized by the Department of Ecology to be implemented in local jurisdictions. The LWVWA Environmental Issue Team includes Ann Murphy, the team chair, oversees solid waste issues; Kate Lunceford, Forestry; Phyllis Ferrell; Agriculture; Martin Gibbins, Climate and Energy; and Karen Weickert, Water. Not enough acknowledgement can be awarded to these League members who will act as our voice in the legislative debates.
Shoreline Protection Act:
Ann Aagaard presented on the Department of Ecology’s proposed rulemaking for Shoreline Master Program guidelines, emphasizing the need for a clear definition of buffers. She highlighted two key areas of focus: sea level rise and storm severity, and no net loss and riparian protections. The most important issue she emphasized was the need for a clear definition of buffer within the 200-foot shoreline jurisdiction, specifically requiring the buffer to account for allowed clearing, uses, structures, and impervious surface measures to protect wildlife and riparian ecosystems. Ann encouraged attendees to participate in the Zoom public hearing on October 22nd and to advocate for these buffer requirements with Ecology. The Department of Ecology is advocating for greater funding for adequate enforcement!
Overview of Top Environmental Priorities 2027:
Ann Murphy, chair, provided an overview of the Green Team’s issue areas and the Environmental Priorities Coalition’s priorities, which include protecting climate and environmental health funding, data center accountability, the Bottles and Cans Recycling Refund Act, and the Accelerate Safer Products for Washington Bill.
Waste and Recycling:
Ann Murphy reported specifically on several returning environmental bills. These include the Bottles and Cans Recycling Refund Act (Bottle Bill) championed by Senator June Robinson and Representative Monica Stonier, which would implement a 10-cent deposit system for beverage containers. She also mentioned a related single-use plastic bag bill and a new toxics bill called the Accelerate Safer Products for Washington Act. This last seeks more transparency in product ingredients such as those in cosmetics. Ann and Karen Weickert also touched on the 6PPD quinone issue. This is an ingredient currently used in tires, which degrades into runoff. The ingredient is toxic to salmon. In lean budget times, Ann stressed the need to protect environmental funding from the Climate Commitment Act as this past legislature diverted funds into the General Fund.
Climate and Energy:
Martin Gibbins discussed the climate and energy portfolio, highlighting the need to protect the Climate Commitment Act, improve transmission, and regulate data centers regarding grid reliability, water use, and transparency. He echoed Ann Murphy’s caution to protect funding for environmental priorities from Climate Commitment Act revenue. Diversion delays progress on emission goals. Martin discussed the ongoing challenges with data center legislation, highlighting key objectives including ensuring grid reliability, covering costs for large loads, protecting water quality, and compliance with clean energy requirements. He emphasized the need for transparency in the data center development process. He also pointed out the new Data Center Affinity Group and noted the cost-effectiveness of emission reductions from CCA investments, citing a return of $322 per metric ton of CO2 equivalent saved.
Forests:
Kate Lunceford addressed forest protection, expressing disappointment with Commissioner Upthegrove's revised executive order, which now protects only 55,000 acres of mature forest instead of the originally-planned 77,000 acres. Kate discussed DNR's funding challenges and proposed solutions for forest conservation, including ecosystem services bills and Natural Climate Solutions funding. Some new tools for funds may be in carbon markets and trust land transfers to fund forest conservation. She mentioned that although the public stepped up with out-of-pocket money to buy back the Elwa legacy forest scheduled for harvest, this is not much of a long-range solution.
Water:
Karen Weichert shared updates on water-related issues, including the Water Futures Initiative, watershed restoration funding, and the Department of Ecology’s updated permit and rule for Hanford. She emphasized that many of the water issues related to data centers lies in the importance of wastewater treatment and toxic waste recycling,
Other:
The conversation ended with announcements about upcoming lobbying efforts, including evening webinars in November, a Legislative Action Newsletter starting January 10th, and a League Lobby Day on February 9th in Olympia. Martin noted that the League opposes three initiatives on the ballot, including the initiative to roll back the millionaire's tax. This meeting held a powerhouse (90 minutes) of information and will be available on the League YouTube webpage under Natural Resources Committee.
NEXT MEETING: November 20th, 10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M., Zoom. Guest speaker, Kristin Kelly, advocate for Futurewise, will update us on their ongoing goals within our county and in the legislature.