Worst Budget News Since the Early 1980’s!
Vol. 1, Issue #6
This week’s news about the budget was very difficult
for the Legislators and the environmental community.
In December we knew the revenue shortfall and
spending would put the state in a $1.2 billion shortfall,
but with February’s revenue reports we found that the
state will be in the hole by $1.6 billion. State Treasurer,
Mike Murphy, stated flatly that we have a cash flow
problem and it needs to be fixed this year. Plus, the
state will need to continue fixing the budget problem
through the next 2 years.
On February 21, the environmental community met
with both Senate and House Legislators to re-state
our original position about the budget shortfall: close
tax loopholes that benefit a few business and start
charging fees for environmental services (permits,
water rights) that will pay for the programs.
Legislators are taking our revenue ideas under
consideration, but they also wanted to know about
which environmental programs to cut. We reminded
the Legislators that all of Washington’s environmental
programs only receive 1.6% of the state’s budget and
that reductions should take that fact into consideration.
Audubon specifically stated that the Puget Sound
Ambient Monitoring Program’s funding for shorebird
monitoring must NOT be cut. (In early December, it
was proposed to be cut, then it was resurrected,
but by early February it was back on the chopping
block.) This week Audubon has also talked with
Fish and Wildlife Director Jeff Koenings about the
proposed cut to the shorebird monitoring
program, but he has assured us the program will
not be completely eliminated. We want to make
sure our Legislators know we want to keep the
shorebird monitoring funds intact.
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The second message to Legislators was that
Audubon did not want some of Fish and Wildlife’s
February 22nd, 2002
regional offices eliminated. This proposal has
been offered as one of the budget cuts. We believe
it sets a bad precedent for habitat protection
because many Auduboners work closely with
WDFW field biologists on habitat conservation for
birds and wildlife. Eliminating WDFW field offices
will weaken our partnerships with WDFW field
biologists, and the agency’s ability to maintain
good habitat conservation.
Check the Bird’s Eye View next week for the latest
inside scoop on how the Legislature plans to raise
revenue and which programs they plan to cut.
The Senate budget will be out next week with
more details.
 Transportation: Will the Public Be
Given a Choice ?
Vol. 1, Issue #6

Unfortunately, this week was not great for the

transportation budget either. If you recall, the
Legislators decided not to take a vote on
transportation, but instead asked you, the voter,
to decide whether or not you want to increase
the gas tax for transportation. This issue will be
on the ballot soon. Before that ballot measure is
presented to you, the Legislature is trying to craft
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the “Package” that you will vote on. Environmental

groups and Transportation Choices have worked
hard to get that “Package” to include money in
February 22nd, 2002

the transportation budget for public transit, bus

service, intercity rail, passenger-only ferries and Wildlife Conservation and Natural
commuter trip reduction. These are choices
Science Education
people need to have available in order to get out
of their car and help reduce congestion, air
SSB 6598 will be heard in the House Education
pollution, and eliminate the need for more and
Committee next Tuesday evening at 6:00 pm. This is
more roads. We wanted 1/3 of the transportation
a bill Audubon supports and has worked with the
package funds to go towards these choices for
Woodland Park Zoo to explain to Legislators why it is
alternative transportation. But, on February 21,
important to give kids a chance to get outside and
the House voted to dedicate 88% of the Package
experience nature, birds, and wildlife. The bill will set
toward new road construction and only 12%
up a grants program for non-profits to use to educate
toward choices. In real dollars this means that
students, families and neighborhoods about their
more money will go for one road project ($800
surrounding natural environments, wildlife and habitat.
million for I-405) than will go for the ENTIRE
Katrina Weihs from our Tahoma Audubon Center, along
state budget for transportation choices. This is
with several other educators, will testify in favor of
an issue you should call your Legislator
this bill.
about and ask for: “1/3 for Transportation
Choices!”
Ghost Nets

The Kitsap Audubon Chapter has been following SB

6313, which would allow the public to report sightings
of abandoned fishing nets (“ghost nets”). It would
also require the state to develop guidelines on how to
haul in huge abandoned nets that continue to trap
birds, fish, marine mammals and even recreational
divers. This week the bill was heard in and was voted
out of the House Natural Resources Committee; it is
now in the Rules Committee. If you are interested in
this bill, please call your Legislator and ask them to:
“Get the bill out of the House Rules
Committee!”
Migratory Bird Stamp Natural Area Preserves. The management plans
could include some public access as long as the
natural values of the preserve were still kept intact.
2SSB 6353 increases the fee for the migratory bird

Vol. 1, Issue #6
An example of public access to such an area is
stamp from six dollars to ten dollars. This bill helps
the trail and interpretive signage at the Mimi
preserve bird habitat and may be used for over-
Mounds Natural Area Preserve in south Thurston
wintering feeding programs. The Senate passed this
County. The public is still allowed onto the
bill 37-12; those voting against the bill were Senators
property, but in a very limited way. This bill
Benton, Hewitt, Hochstatter, Honeyford, Johnson,
requires DNR to develop plans, on a case-by-case
McCaslin, Morton, Roach, Sheahan, Sheldon, T.,
basis, for each of the 45 Natural Area Preserves.
Stevens, and Zarelli. The bill is now in the House
This week, the bill was heard in the House Natural
Natural Resources Committee and we hope will come
Resources Committee and will most likely be voted

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up for a hearing next week.
out next week.
Making the State a Leader in Clean
Getting Us To Think Beyond Single-

February 22nd, 2002

Energy
Species: Statewide Biodiversity
E2SSB 6718 passed the Senate with a 45-3 vote and it Strategy
is now in the House Technology, Telecommunications
and Energy Committee for a hearing on Tuesday ESSB 6400 creates a temporary committee to
February 26 at 10:00 am. This is a good bill and willdevelop recommendations to the Governor and
the Legislature on how to create a statewide
require the state to purchase energy efficient vehicles,
biodiversity conservation strategy. The committee
increase its energy conservation and set a good example
of using clean energy. will examine complex ecosystems and not just
focus on existing single-species or single-resource
Natural Area Preserves protection programs. The bill was voted out of
the Senate 39-9 with Senators Hale, Hewitt,
Hochstatter, Honeyford, Horn, Long, McCaslin,
SSB 6575 is a partnership bill between residents of
Morton, and Sheahan voting no. The bill will be
Gray’s Harbor County and the Department of Natural
heard in the House Natural Resources Committee
Resources. The bill would require DNR to work with
next Tuesday, February 26 at 10:00 am.
local citizens to develop management plans for their
 Bills That Audubon Suports
Vol. 1, Issue #6

Keeping Families Healthy and Moving

—Bill Id#— —Title— —Status— —Date— —Sponsor—
E SHB 2359 Regional transportation Senate Transportation 02-04-02 TR (Fisher)
E HB 2440 Transportation/land use plan Senate Transportation 02-19-02 Romero
SB 6420 Organic food products House Ag & Ecology 02-17-02 Rasmussen
E SSB 6619 Climate & energy center House Ag & Ecology 02-17-02 EEW (Poulsen

Healthy Neighborhoods, Smart Kids, and Clean Technology

—Bill Id#— —Title— —Status— —Date— —Sponsor—
2SHB 2697 Growth management/economic development Senate State & Local Goverment 02-18-02 APP (Reardon)
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E SSB 5748 Transportation/land use plan House Transportation 01-17-02 TRAN (McAuliffe)
SSB 6284 Air pollution/vehicles House Transportation 02-17-02 EEW (Jacobsen)
E SSB 6400 Biodiversity conservation House Natural Resources 02-17-02 NPS (Jacobsen)
February 22nd, 2002

SSB 6598 Natural science/wildlife education House Education 02-19-02 EDU (Kohl-Welles)
E2SSB 6718 Clean energy consumption House Technology, Telecommunications & Energy 02-19-02 WM (Fraser)

Supporting Washington Farmers, Salmon, and Outdoor Recreation

—Bill Id#— —Title— —Status— —Date— —Sponsor—
E HB 2288 Environmental mitigation Senate Transportation 02-11-02 Fisher
SHB 2648 Capital budget applications Senate Ways & Means 02-18-02 CB (Murray)
HB 2657 Ag products/state facilities Senate Ag & International Trade 02-19-02 Hunt
SHB 2758 Ag conservation easement Senate Ag & International Trade 02-16-02 AGEC (Quall)
SSB 6257 Contract harvesting/timber House Natural Resources 02-17-02 NPS (Jacobsen)
SSB 6313 Derelict fishing gear House Natural Resources DP 02-20-02 NPS (Oke)
SSB 6553 Invasive aquatic species House Natural Resources 02-17-02 NPS (Poulsen)

Bills that Audubon Opposes

—Bill Id#— —Title— —Status— —Date— —Sponsor—
E SHB 1005 Public utility rights-of-way Senate Economic Development & Telecommunications 02-18-02 TTE (Morris)
E SHB 2305 Shoreline management Senate Natural Resources, Parks, & Shorelines 02-20-02 LGH (Hatfield)
SSB 5107 Rural counties/growth management House Local Government & Housing 02-15-02 SLG (Sheldon, T.)
SSB 5292 Public energy projects House Technology, Telecommunications & Energy 02-11-02 EEW (Sheldon, T.)
E SSB 6665 State route 167 House Transportation 02-19-02 TRAN (Johnson)
 Follow the 2002 Legislative Session

Vol. 1, Issue #6
With the *EH@\I-OA8EAM
You can follow all the action in the Bird’s Eye View newsletter. Each week you will read about recent activities of the
legislature and its committees, learn the details of complex legislation, and track bills through the process. Also in the
Bird’s Eye you’ll receive action alerts so you can provide your input to key decision makers. You’ll find out what’s
happening in Congress, keep track of state and federal agencies actions, and learn about National Audubon Society’s

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national campaigns.

And all of this can be yours for the low, low price of $20.00 per year! We’ll even send it to you via email so that

February 22nd, 2002

you can receive this critical information even faster! To subscribe, complete this form and mail it with a check for
$20.00 made payable to “National Audubon Society” or “NAS” to:

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P.O. Box 462
Olympia, WA 98507
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How to Contact Your Legislator

Vol. 1, Issue #6
Find your district and your elected's contact info online at: http://www.leg.wa.gov Washington State Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000

If you wish to send mail to a member of the House, For the Senate, address as follows:
address it as follows:
Representative's Name Senator's Name
PO Box 40600 PO Box 404[Leg. Dist.]
Olympia WA 98504-0600 Olympia WA 98504-04[Leg. Dist.]
(For example - 43rd Leg. Dist.: PO Box 40443, Olympia WA 98504-0443

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Olympia Office Location Key:
JAC John A. Cherberg Bldg. JLOB John L. O'Brien Bldg. INB Irv Newhouse Bldg. LEG Legislative Bldg.

February 22nd, 2002

§ Always include your name and address and those of the official on all mail and E-mail communications.
§ Limit faxes to three pages and always include the name of the legislative recipient on the cover sheet.

To contact your legislator by email, use the following formula:

First 8 letters of the last name, underscore, first 2 letters of the first name followed by @leg.wa.gov
(For example, Sen. Bill Finkbeiner: finkbein_bi@leg.wa.gov or Rep. Pat Lantz: lantz_pa@leg.wa.gov)

P. O. BOX 462
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(360) 786-8020

Mission of the National Audubon Society

To conserve and restore natural ecosystems,
focusing on birds, other wildlife,
and their habitats for the benefit of
humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.