OLYMPIA – Rep. Steve Tharinger (D – Sequim) introduced a bill today that creates jobs, restores Puget Sound, and streamlines government.
House Bill 1294 would consolidate the Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) program, which is currently administered by four separate state agencies, into the state Department of Ecology. Within the WCC, a “SoundCorps” would be formed to focus specifically on projects to restore, protect, and preserve Puget Sound.
“Rethinking government means looking for ways to create savings and increase efficiencies,” Tharinger said. “At the same time, we need to stay on track with efforts to restore the health of Puget Sound. This bill is good for jobs, the environment, and Washington’s bottom line.”
Tharinger’s bill will not cost the state anything, but it creates an opportunity for Washington to leverage more federal funding for Puget Sound recovery efforts. It also generates more job opportunities for veterans, youth, and the unemployed through the “SoundCorps” program. The WCC would work together with the Veterans Conservation Corps to provide veterans an opportunity to work on “SoundCorps” crews.
The bill was requested by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Ecology. As a major goal of the DNR Strategic Plan: 2010-2014: The Goldmark Agenda, the Puget “SoundCorps” will help achieve the goal of cleaning up and resorting Puget Sound.
“Puget SoundCorps will consolidate four state programs into one, leverage federal dollars and create jobs,” said Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark. “We can help clean up Puget Sound while reducing the burden on the state’s budget. I am grateful for Representative Tharinger’s leadership on this legislation.”
Tharinger’s district, the 24th Legislative District, includes the northern tip of Puget Sound near Port Townsend. It depends heavily on a clean and healthy Sound for economic activity, from fishing to recreation and tourism. It is also an area that has been hit particularly hard by the national recession, making job creation a high priority.
“SoundCorps” activities would support the Puget Sound Action Agenda, which aims to clean up Puget Sound by 2020. Crews would undertake projects such as identifying and removing fish passage barriers, controlling invasive species, and restoring habitat along streams and shorelines.
The measure has bipartisan support, and Tharinger is optimistic about its prospects in this year’s legislative session.
“It costs nothing. It actually saves money and could possibly bring in money. It puts people to work and cleans up our waterways. What’s not to like?” Tharinger said.
HB 1294 has been referred to the House Environment Committee.