Message from Ecology director, Jay Manning

On April 22 we mark the thirty-eighth anniversary of Earth Day. The first Earth Day, in 1970, was billed as “a national day of observance of environmental problems, a nationwide environmental “teach-in.” At that time, the environment simply was barely on the national political agenda. There was no Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), no Clean Water Act, no Superfund law. At the state level, SEPA was brand new, the Shoreline Management Act was a ballot proposal and our waste management laws did not exist.

And yet, 2,000 colleges and universities, about 10,000 primary and secondary schools, and hundreds of communities joined in for that first Earth Day. It is believed that some 20 million people took part. My brother and I took part by walking the four miles to Marcus Whitman Junior High in Port Orchard. Lowering our carbon footprint was a worthy goal even then.

Do you know the Washington state connections to that first Earth Day? The first announcement about Earth Day was made at a conference held in Seattle in 1969, by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson in September. The coordinator of that seminal event, Denis Hayes, grew up in Camas. Since 1992, Denis has served as president of the Bullitt Foundation in Seattle.

Earth Day is now an international event. Due to enormous interest and the number of activities planned around these celebrations, Earth Day has been expanded to Earth Week and ultimately to Earth Month. (Here is a sampling of events taking place this year across the state.)

This state's environmental agency, the Department of Ecology, also began in 1970, created by the state Legislature with the support of then-Governor Dan Evans. From a small start 38 years ago, we have become a sophisticated, effective agency with formidable resources and incredible expertise. Without a doubt, Ecology is one of the most effective environmental agencies in the country.

And yet, we still share so much with our predecessors. Like them we are committed to protecting Washington's environment and, like them we believe our work makes a difference. Like them, we work hard to find solutions that work for people and fulfill our mission. Over the years Ecology has been associated with many environmental firsts, among them:

• Ecology was the first truly multi-media, multi-program environmental agency in any jurisdiction in America. It even pre-dates EPA.
• Ours was the first state to establish a Coastal Zone Management Program.
• In 1986, Ecology was one of the first governmental entities to prohibit smoking in agency buildings and state vehicles. Ecology has been a smoke-free workplace for more than 22 years.
• In 1989, Washingtonians showed national leadership by passing a citizens initiative – known as the Model Toxics Control Act – to direct the cleanup of toxic waste sites in the state. This citizen-based law included petroleum-based sources of pollution (such as underground storage tanks), that weren't part of the federal Superfund regulations.
• Washington was the first state to ban Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) chemical flame-retardants in mattresses, residential upholstered furniture, televisions and electronics.
• Ours was the first state to develop Persistent Bioaccumulating Toxin regulations.
• Ecology inaugurated the first storm-drain stenciling program to engage citizens in preventing stormwater pollution prevention. This technique is now used across the country and around the world.
• Washington is one of the first states to establish a program that requires manufacturers of computers, TVs and monitors to be responsible for recycling old products at no additional charge to consumers.
• Washington's new climate-change legislation puts the state in the forefront of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating the new green economy.

Much of what we have accomplished for Washington's environment has been achieved through collaboration and not confrontation. Letting go of long-held positions and concentrating on practical solutions has helped Ecology and its partners meet big environmental challenges and creating job opportunities at the same time.

At the Washington Department of Ecology, we like to say that every day is Earth Day, because here that's true. Every day Ecology people are in the field taking samples and making inspections. Every day Ecology people are working with businesses to reduce waste and pollution and increase productivity. Every day Ecology people are involved in cleaning up and protecting our land, air and water. Every day Ecology people are working to ensure that Washington's natural beauty and resources are maintained for enjoyment, for a sound economy, and for the future. Every day Ecology people are raising awareness in the community about new challenges we face, such as climate change and multi-point pollution sources like stormwater.

On behalf of the Ecology team, I want to take this occasion to salute all the many agencies, tribes, businesses, communities, citizen groups and others who are working to sustain the quality of life that we all appreciate in Washington. And I encourage you to seek out these organizations, find out what they are doing and be involved at the local level. Together we can make every day in Washington an Earth Day for everyone

Jay J. Manning, Director,
Washington Department of Ecology