DON’T FORGET: ACT BY TUESDAY! Whatcom Conservation District election, North Cascades Grizzly Restoration.
WCD ELECTION: Drop off your ballot or vote in person (at WCD’s office at 6975 Hannegan Road, Lynden. Polls will be open between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm) for District Board Supervisor by Tuesday 3/14 at 6pm the Whatcom Conservation District Board Supervisor election. In case you missed our post about the candidates, we have more information here.
GRIZZLY BEARS: Have you had a chance to submit written comment to support the Draft Grizzly Bear Restoration Plan/Environmental Impact Statement Alternative C? Public comment ends Tuesday. More information from an earlier post here.
CARBON TAX: Support Clean Energy by Creating a Carbon Tax (HB 1646/SB 5509)
**From Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy, Washington Environmental Council, Sierra Club (edited). Despite a federal government that refuses to acknowledge climate change, Washington state can and must step up as a leader and a beacon of hope for equitable climate policy. How can you help?
- If you can, attend the hearing (House Committee on Environment) in Olympia on March 14 at 1:30pm (policy briefing and activist training starts at 10:30am). Click here to RSVP and arrange carpools.
- Watch the hearing, and host a virtual watch party in the RC Facebook group.
- Contact your legislators offices directly.
- Submit comment online.
- Legislature Hotline: 1-800-562-6000
- Suggested script: Washington State can and should join the growing number of countries and regions acting to reduce carbon emissions and build a clean energy future. Please support HB1646, which the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy believes is the most effective and equitable carbon reduction policy to date for transitioning to a clean energy economy.
PUGET SOUND: Stand Up for Puget Sound
Alarmed at the news that the Trump administration plans to dramatically cut funding for Puget Sound protection and restoration? The Washington Environmental Council has identified five ways to stand up for Puget Sound. We’d like to highlight and elaborate on just two of those:
- Talk to your state legislators about why we must adequately fund Puget Sound protection and recovery at the state level. State support for natural resources programs as a whole and Puget Sound protections specifically has declined dramatically over the past several years.
- Contact your legislators offices directly.
- Legislature Hotline: 1-800-562-6000
- Suggested script: I am a constituent of [insert legislator name], and now more than ever, it is important that we take action to protect and restore Puget Sound and the Salish Sea. Please support funding for important Puget Sound Protection and Restoration programs, including toxic cleanup and prevention (Support HB1663/SB5501), sound floodplain management (“Floodplains by Design” program), and habitat protection and restoration (“Puget Sound Recovery and Acquisition Fund”).
- Thank the Congressional Puget Sound caucus for championing our region at the national level. They have their work cut out for them, and saying “thank you” is important. Click here to remind them that you have their backs.
FAIR CHANCE: Call/Comment: People who have served their time deserve a fair chance.
The Fair Chance Act (Substitute House Bill (SHB) 1298), which would prevent employers from asking about arrests or convictions until after an employer has determined that the applicant is qualified for the position, was voted out of the House and is now in the Senate committee on Commerce, Labor and Sports.
- Contact your senator’s offices directly.
- Legislature Hotline: 1-800-562-6000
- Comment: https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1298
Suggested comment:
“One of the biggest problems facing people convicted of a crime is “the box.” Job applicants who answer that they’ve been convicted of a crime, even something rather minimal, are less likely to get hired. People who have served their time deserve a fair chance. Please vote for SHB 1298″.
SAVE THE DATE! 3/21, 7pm: Whatcom County Council public hearing on Cherry Point moratorium and Comp Plan Amendments.
**From ReSources for Sustainable Communities. Come speak out in support of extending the moratorium on fossil fuel exports and strengthening policies in the Comprehensive Plan protecting Cherry Point. See here to RSVP and for more information.
From the Calendar
15 March 2017. Eric Hirst to speak on “Water in Whatcom County, and Why We should Be Concerned”, 7-8:30pm, Carl Cozier School, 1330 Lincoln St., Bellingham.