Residents voice environment concerns
Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, December 16, 2003
EVERETT — Almost 30 people showed up to a confab with three state legislators Tuesday night to talk about which environmental issues should get high priority in 2004.
The bulk of the questions focused on alternative energy, water rights and managing state forests.
State Reps. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish; John McCoy, D-Tulalip; and Mike Cooper, D-Edmonds, answered a set of prepared questions read by longtime Everett activist Sue Adams, followed by general questions from the audience. The evening was part of a statewide effort by the Washington Environmental Alliance for Voter Education.
Water was a recurring theme. The three Democrats were dismayed by two bills that passed this year that they said expanded water rights for property owners and city utilities at the expense of fish.
"I’m praying we’ll have the strength to beat it back," McCoy said.
McCoy said at least three new, competing water bills will be introduced by Democrats and allies, including one he is introducing to deal with federal and American Indian issues, as well as one from environmental groups and one from Gov. Gary Locke’s office.
The three legislators said they support using "best available science" to determine the minimum levels of water necessary in streams for fish.
Roxanne Husmann asked the legislators to better define that kind of science. She worried that new restrictions could put undue economic burdens on companies.
"There are people who don’t want us to use the best available science," Dunshee said. "And I say, ‘OK, what year would you go for? 1940? 1960?’"
Adams asked the group what they would do to protect 800,000 acres of trees older than 150 years on state lands. Dunshee said he would support legislation requiring the state Department of Natural Resources to stop cutting such trees, at least until they can be mapped.
Cooper added that additional revenue would have to be found for the state’s educational trusts if those trees are removed from the cutting rotation.
The three lawmakers also said they would support diversifying the state’s "energy portfolio" to include more use of alternative energies such as wind, solar and methane.
Reporter Scott Morris: 425-339-3292 or smorris@heraldnet.com.
