Protecting Washington’s natural resources now and into the future is the aim behind a trio of bills that cleared the House this week.  These bills help reduce pollution in our waterways and place our state ahead of the curve in oil spill response planning.

-HB 1186 incorporates lessons learned from last year’s BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico so that a similar disaster doesn’t occur here.  It puts new responsibilities on oil companies for the safe travel of oil tankers through Washington’s waters. 

 

-HB 1489 protects our lakes and rivers by limiting the sale of lawn fertilizer containing phosphorous.  Other states that have restricted phosphorus use in fertilizer have experienced a noticeable reduction in toxic algae blooms.

-HB 1721 makes Washington the first state in the nation to ban coal-tar pavement sealant.  The sealant contains toxics called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are linked to cancer and the destruction of fish and aquatic wildlife.  Runoff from pavement using coal-tar sealant poisons streams and lakes, endangering humans and animals alike.

All of these bills have moved to the Senate side for hearings. You can subscribe to his newsletter HERE. There are two Legislative Town Hall meetings in Spokane next weekend. Senator Lisa Brown, Representative Timm Ormsby and Represenative Billig of the 3rd Legislative District will be there. The meetings are on Saturday, March 12 at 10 a.m. at the Northeast Community Center at 4001 N. Cook, and at 2 p.m. we will be at the MAC, 2316 W. First Ave. And then there's "On The Town with Lisa Brown" at nYne Bar and Bistro at 5pm on 232 W. Sprague. RSVP HERE.
 

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