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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Governor Signs Bill To Protect Orcas From Vessel Harassment
3/28/07 HB 2514 signed into law to protect whales
Olympia, WA Mar 28, 2008
3/28/08
Governor Christine Gregoire today signed into law legislation that further bolsters efforts to protect threatened resident orca whales.
The new law (HB 2514) establishes a 300-foot zone around orca whales that vessels must avoid. The law provides the Department of Fish and Wildlife with enforcement tools to better protect the endangered Southern resident whales.
“Thanks go to bill sponsors Sen. Harriet Spanel and Rep. Dave Quall and to San Juan County Commissioner Kevin Ranker for their hard work on getting this legislation passed,” said People For Puget Sound policy director Bruce Wishart.
“The state has done a good job in stepping up in orca protection when the federal government hasn’t,” said Wishart.
Better orca protection, along with state funding of a year-round rescue tug to be stationed at Neah Bay beginning in July 2008, made this year’s legislative session a good one for the whales.
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Contact Bruce Wishart, (360) 754-9177.
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