Nelson introduces two laws to protect environment

January 27, 2009

OLYMPIA -- The controversy swirling around a local gravel mine has led Rep. Sharon Nelson (D-Maury Island) to write two proposed laws, both aimed at protecting the environment from damage.

House Bill 1708 would establish new protections for the aquifer on Maury Island and require that any large mine cease operations if there is damage to the island’s aquifer, which is the sole source of drinking water for residents of the island.

"It would be impossible for the families here to find another source of clean drinking water," said Nelson. “This bill is about protecting the only viable source of water from being depleted or lost to a Big Dig.”

House Bill 1289 would clean up the campaign laws regarding who can contribute to campaigns for state Lands Commissioner.

"Our state insurance commissioner can't take donations from the insurance companies that he regulates," Nelson said. "After what we saw last year with the Lands Commissioner race, I believe it's time to reform our state laws so that the Lands Commissioner doesn't take campaign checks from the industries that office oversees."

Nelson said the bill is important in light of former Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland's decision -- after he lost the election last November -- to give a 30-year state lease to a mining company for a controversial project on Maury Island.

In October of last year, Glacier Northwest contributed $50,000 to a political action committee formed by timber and mining interests to support Sutherland's re-election. Glacier also donated $2,800 to Sutherland's campaign directly.

"I believe citizens deserve better," Nelson said. "The insurance commissioner and lands commissioner perform similar jobs, focused on specific businesses. It's different than other state offices like the attorney general or secretary of state. This reform has worked for our insurance commissioner and it could do a lot to rebuild trust in the oversight of our public lands, which belong to the taxpayers, not the industries that profit from them."

 

Rep. Sharon Nelson (D-Maury Island)

360-786-7952

nelson.sharon@leg.wa.gov

 # # #