Saving Puget Sound

Washington State Department of Ecology

RELATED ECOLOGY PROGRAMS

Puget Sound photo banner, photo courtesy of www.flickr/worldofarun

GOOD NEWS FOR PUGET SOUND AND THE PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON IT

Skagit Valley farm with driftwood in the foreground, source: Washington State Conservation Commission

Many efforts are underway to protect and restore Puget Sound. Here are some examples:

Grant saves Puget Sound wetland habitat – Ecology secured $5.7 million in federal grants to help protect 960 acres of marine wetlands, connected habitat areas.
EPA grants awarded - $6.3 million to communities to protect and restore Puget Sound watersheds
Shellfish Initiative - protects and restores shellfish, creates jobs
Clean Samish - a model for cooperatively improving water quality and shellfish beds
Controlling toxics in Puget Sound - more complete data about sources, loading, pathways, and hazards
Puget SoundCorps - employing young adults and veterans to help clean up Puget Sound

The time to act is now

Puget Sound is in trouble. In many areas, its seemingly clear, pristine waters actually contain a soup of noxious and poisonous chemicals. Every time it rains, thousands of pounds of toxic pollutants flow overland, eventually winding up in the Sound. Hundreds of toxic cleanup sites ring its 2,500 miles of shoreline. Critical habitat has been lost to development. Even in its deepest spots the Department of Ecology finds contaminants, some banned for use 30 years ago, in its underwater sediments.

However, by working together we can help reverse what seems a downward spiral. We all want to leave our children and our grandchildren a Puget Sound that’s clean and safe and alive. Ecology is committed to do all we can to help Puget Sound be a healthy ecosystem by 2020.

What we're doing about it

Ecology is bringing to bear our best science and research resources to understand the challenges facing Puget Sound and help find solutions. We have a duty to restore, protect and preserve the Sound using the regulations, permitting requirements, and mandates set by the Washington Legislature and Governor Chris Gregoire. We have an obligation to help our citizens, our neighbors, our businesses and industries, and our families understand what’s at stake – and what everyone can do to help save this national treasure.

In December 2005, Governor Gregoire and the Legislature launched the Puget Sound Initiative, a comprehensive effort by local, state, federal and tribal governments, business, agriculture and environmental communities, scientists, and the public to restore, protect and preserve Sound by 2020. Ecology is a hard working partner in this effort. Saving Puget Sound and the $20 billion of economic activities the Sound generates is among the Department of Ecology’s five Strategic Priorities.