Reducing Threats to Orcas. Washington State LWV Position

Reducing Threats to Orcas. Washington State LWV Position

The LWV of Washington recently signed on to a letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) requesting that the U.S. Navy reduce the threat to southern resident orcas during weapon system testing and training proposed in this orca habitat. Orcas are the largest dolphin species, and the southern residents live along the Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia coasts.
Position In Brief: 

By Martin Gibbins, Water Issue Chair, LWVWA Lobby Team

The League takes action on environmental concerns as well as democracy and voting issues. We often testify in the legislature in favor of preserving our environment and reversing the damage already done, actions that improve both human and natural health and address climate change. In recent legislative sessions, we have supported bills to reduce water pollution; preserve the health of rivers, streams, and shorelines; and restore our natural salmon stocks. Many of the bills also help protect and restore the health of our southern resident orcas, an iconic species in our state, which are regrettably in decline. 

Yet the orcas face threats beyond our state government’s influence. The recently proposed Navy plan for testing weapon systems in the orca habitat will disrupt orca feeding, movement, and reproduction. The NMFS made a preliminary determination that this testing would have a negligible impact. The plan was also subject to public comment. The Seattle Aquarium drafted a letter to the NMFS objecting to its determination and outlining the science and data around the anticipated effects and disruption to the orcas. The letter also recommended ways to minimize and mitigate the disruption. 
 
Issue chairs on the LWVWA Lobby Team assessed the letter for accuracy and alignment with League positions and past advocacy and recommended that the League sign on. Because the letter was sent to a federal agency, we also obtained concurrence from the LWVUS. Positions taken by the LWVWA and LWVUS clearly call for democratic participation in environmental issues, and this is one way we participate. The Seattle Aquarium and the League are members of the Environmental Priorities Coalition, along with other organizations that promote legislative action to reduce pollution and improve environmental quality.
 
Links to more information:

Issues: 
Educating Voters
League to which this content belongs: 
MASON COUNTY