Maury Island Aquatic Reserve bill fails

The Washington State House today failed to pass SSB 6011, which would have created the Maury Island aquatic reserve. The Chairman of the Select Committee on Puget Sound Chair, Rep. Dave Upthegrove, released this statement.

"The Speaker of the House and local legislators were heroic in their efforts to pass the bill. In the end, however, the Republicans used every trick in the book to successfully block passage of the legislation. I'm disappointed we fell short, but it was not for lack of effort. Regardless of the outcome of the legislation, Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland should not lease our public aquatic lands for industrial barging activities in a Puget Sound aquatic reserve."

We're once again reminded that the GOP has little interest in environmental preservation and protection. Very, very disappointing.