Following Legislative Victory, Suction Mining Reform Proponents Focus on Strong Regulations
Today, 55 conservation, recreation and wildlife organizations, faith leaders, local businesses and other stakeholders around Washington sent a letter to members of the Commissioners of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Washington Department of Ecology. The letter urges both agencies to adopt strong regulations pursuant to the recently passed legislation prohibiting the practice […]
Governor Jay Inslee Signs Suction Dredge Mining Reform Bill Into Law
Today, Governor Jay Inslee signed legislation that would ban the harmful practice of motorized suction dredge mining in stream segments designated as critical salmon habitat in Washington State. This was a hard-fought and long-awaited victory for protecting the billion-dollar investment in salmon recovery from federal and local governments, Tribes, and conservation groups. The law […]
Washington Wild Joins 325 Conservation Groups in Opposing Efforts to Weaken NEPA
Washington Wild joined hundreds of conservation groups from across the U.S. to file formal comments today with the Trump administration opposing its plans to gut the rules that govern the landmark National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The letter calls on the Trump Administration to abandon this rulemaking effort which would jeopardize healthy air, water, and […]
Bill to protect critical salmon habitat from suction dredge mining passes Senate
Today, a statewide coalition of more than 160 conservation, recreation, and wildlife organizations, local businesses, electeds, and Tribes celebrated the Washington State Senate’s vote to approve legislation that would ban the harmful practice of motorized suction dredge mining in stream segments designated as critical salmon habitat. The reform legislation (ES HB 1261) passed by a […]
Local Media Highlights Need for Mining Reform to Protect Salmon, Orca Whales
A coalition of more than 150 conservation, recreation and wildlife groups, faith leaders, and local businesses are working to pass meaningful reform of motorized suction dredge mining in Washington rivers and streams. The legislation is focused on protecting critical habitat for salmon and downstream endangered Southern Resident orca whale populations. Local media attention on the […]
Washington Wild Executive Director Testifies in Olympia in Support of Skagit Headwaters
Today, Washington Wild’s Executive Director testified in Olympia before the House Rural Development, Agriculture, & Natural Resources Committee in support of a SJM 8014 which Requests that British Columbia work with the city of Seattle and the Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission to prevent logging and mining in the donut hole of the Upper Skagit watershed, […]
Bill To Protect Salmon Spawning Streams from Suction Dredge Mining Passes State House
Today, the Washington State House of Representatives voted to approve legislation that would ban the harmful practice of motorized suction dredge mining in stream segments designated as critical salmon habitat (HB 1261) by a vote of 60-35 with bipartisan support. The bill was supported by a statewide and diverse coalition of more than 160 conservation, […]
Support for Reform of Motorized Dredge Mining in Washington Rivers Grows
Today, 142 conservation, recreation and wildlife organizations, faith leaders, outdoor industry companies and other stakeholders around Washington sent a letter to members of the Washington State Legislature calling for common sense reform of the practice of motorized suction dredge mining on rivers and streams statewide. The letter represents a 70 percent increase from a similar […]
Controversial Mine near Confluence of Illabot and Skagit Rescinded
Today, a coalition of conservation and recreation groups, Tribes, and government agencies celebrated an announcement that a mining permit application near Marblemount, WA was rescinded by Kiewit Infrastructure Co. The proposed granite quarry would have occupied 79 acres near the confluence of Illabot Creek and the Skagit River, both designated as Wild and Scenic Rivers. […]
