In 1990 and 1991 LWVWA convened a broad-based group of business, environmental, government, and community leaders who successfully proposed amendments that influenced the development of the 1991 growth management legislation. Since that time we have lobbied vigorously against weakening amendments and for full funding of the Growth Management Act (GMA).

In the fall of 1992, LWVWA co-sponsored a major conference on the interface between the Growth Management Act and the State Environmental Policy Act. In 1992 and 1993, LWVWA provided advice, assistance and support to local Leagues monitoring and shaping action by their local governments in planning under the Growth Management Act. In 1993, League successfully supported an amendment to the GMA, which extended the deadlines for comprehensive planning, created a new deadline for designation of interim growth areas, and gave additional authority to the Governor to impose sanctions on local governments for noncompliance.

The 1995, the Legislature enacted I-164 into law. Proponents of I-164, an initiative to the Legislature, claimed it was needed to protect the property rights of citizens whose property lost value through the effects of regulation. League and many others opposed this initiative because it would have severely restricted governments' ability to regulate land use by requiring governments to pay for ANY reduction in property value brought about by regulation, no matter how beneficial the regulation to the community. Believing that the public should have a right to vote on this measure, League joined with a variety of groups to file Referendum 48, and gathered sufficient signatures to place the measure on the November 1995 ballot. League then campaigned actively against the measure and it was very soundly defeated. During the latter part of the 1990's League fought efforts to weaken the Growth Management Act while supporting practical modifications to make it more workable. Most cities and counties required to plan under GMA have made tough choices and laid a solid foundation for future decisions. In 1997 League sponsored a program of growth management awards, bringing public recognition of many successful actions taken by local officials and citizens to implement GMA.

In December 2000, the rules were adopted by Ecology and appealed to the State Shoreline Hearings Board by business and development interests. League joined with other organizations and private individuals under the leadership and legal representation of Washington Environmental Council (WEC) as intervenors in the lawsuit. In August 2001 the rule was remanded to Ecology largely on procedural grounds with the substantive portions of the bill affirmed by the State Board. The guidelines have now been appealed to Superior Court with League again joining the WEC and other intervenors. Negotiations are in process to resolve the appeal with a League representative on the negotiation team headed by WEC and in conjunction with the Department of Ecology.

Another aspect of shoreline protection is the state's aquatic reserve system. Established in 1971, the Commissioner of Public Lands is given authority for certain of the state's aquatic lands that have special educational, scientific, or environmental importance to be withdrawn from conflicting uses. Responding to challenges to the continuation of the program, LWVWA wrote letters in 2000 and 2001 supporting its continuation.

A drought in 1987-88 and a drop in the snowpack gave notice that water resources, so long considered plentiful in the state, were threatened. Three measures became law: Safe Drinking Water, Waterfront Sewer Systems, and Water Use Efficiency. The last measure requires new construction and remodeling to use more efficient plumbing fixtures starting in July 1991 and raises the requirement beginning July 1993, to 1.6 gal/flush toilets and 2.5 gal/min faucet and showerhead flows. The Department of Ecology was directed to develop an efficient water use public education program.

A constitutional amendment on water conservation was passed by the voters in November 1989. Local governments were to be permitted to finance from public money or credits derived from the sale of water, the acquisition by private persons of water conservation materials and equipment. No tax dollars would be involved and the program would be limited to the purchase and installation of cost effective equipment, plumbing fixtures and systems.

At the League Convention in May 1989, a two-year study of water use was passed. This resulted in a new position on "Water Use Efficiency" in 1991.

In 1991 LWVWA received a grant from the LWVUS and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a ground water project that included workshops in Thurston County as part of "The National Conference on Aquifer and Well-head Protection." This project also saw publication of Speaking of Ground Water . . . In 1993 LWVWA and several local Leagues participated in an EPA sponsored conference on ground water held in Couer 'd Alene, Idaho. Several recent State Supreme Court cases have demonstrated the inadequacy of current state water policy to address the complex issues of growing communities and the increasing demand for out of stream water use while maintaining instream flows for the needs of endangered fish and other natural system needs. The recent summer droughts and record low water levels on both Eastside and Westside rivers of the state as well as the uncertainties of climate change have intensified these issues. The Governor has committed his office to addressing the water problems in the state, focusing on instream flows, growing communities, relinquishment and water storage. The 2001 legislative session began this effort with the passage of the Omnibus Water Bill.

State action on national issues affecting state natural resource management has included support for reauthorization of the Clean Air and Water Acts, continued Superfund authorization and appropriations and reauthorization of the Coastal Zone Management Act to protect funding for local shorelines programs. We also testified for passage of the Washington Wilderness Act and for establishment of a Columbia Gorge Scenic Area with National Forest Service management authority. Delegates to state convention in 1997 adopted a new study of forest issues in Washington, reviewing current forestry plans and practices as governed by state and county regulations.

A forest position resulted from consensus reached on the state League 1997-1998 study, "Washington's Dynamic Forests", and was adopted by the board May 14, 1999. The position was approved by the 1999 State Convention delegates. The League of Women Voters of Washington supports laws and policies to insure that forest management is carried out in a manner that will sustain healthy forests, streams and habitats.

Delegates to the 1999 State Convention adopted the study, "Washington's Dynamic Forests: A Study of Forests and Forest Issues, Phase II, which examined pressures on Washington State forests that diminish our ability to pass on to future generations all the benefits of healthy forest ecosystems.

This portion of the consensus was sent as an advisory letter to the LWVUS Trade Taskforce:

• The World Trade Organization (WTO) must not be given authority to supercede our national or state priorities, especially legally enacted environmental protections.
• Trade agreements must go beyond economics to include conservation, environmental protection, impact on climate change, sustainable forest management, endangered species and wildlife habitat protection.
• An appeals process should be available and transparent.

The LWVWA supported the Northwest Ecosystem Alliance campaign to protect forests by purchasing (July, 1999) 25,000 acres of mostly roadless virgin forestland in the Loomis State Forest located in North Central Washington. The 134,000-acre Loomis State Forest provides important wildlife habitat for lynx, grizzly, marten, fisher, wolverine, and other imperiled species.

In 1999 the LWVWA opposed Initiative 696, a ban on all commercial net, troll, and trawl fishing in Washington state fresh and marine waters, except tribal fisheries conducted under a valid treaty right. This initiative did not take a comprehensive approach, singling out non-tribal commercial fisherman and harvest issues, and had little support from any group except sports fishermen.

In 2000 LWVUS identified Global Warming/Clean Air as a Level Two Legislative Priority with the 106th Congress. National League also published a question/answer document on climate change, which clearly indicates League support for the science of climate change and calls for support of the Kyoto Protocols.

Although LWVWA has not identified Global Climate Change as an action topic in the past, League members have recognized that this topic is inextricably linked with energy, water, transportation, forests, clean air and other issues on which the League has position and takes action. Beginning in 2000, LWVWA deemed it appropriate to take steps consistent with LWVUS positions, working to bring the subject of Global Climate Change to League members' attention for action. LWVWA sponsored educational programs about Climate Change/Global Warming at local levels and at state and national conventions in 2000 and 2001. LWVWA also established an off board portfolio chair to address Global Climate Change. In 2001 LWVWA joined the newly established Northwest Climate Response, a coalition of organizations in the Northwest that will actively engage the business community, governments, community groups and others. This coalition seeks to significantly reduce the emissions that cause global warming and regional air pollution.

League members testified at hearings in the 2001 state legislature on bills related to climate change, energy and transportation. Testimony specifically called for actions to alleviate climate change.

Agricultural Lands (1981)

The League of Women Voters of Washington supports:

• A flexible combination of governmental programs to prevent a non-reversible alteration to lands with prime or productive soils.
• The principal use of these lands for food production with highest consideration given to the preservation of the most productive soils, agriculture and related industries.
• Policies and programs that recognize the value of private and public land ownership.

Air Quality (1971)

The League of Women Voters of Washington supports:

• Coordinated action by all levels of government to control, limit and reduce air pollution.
• Efforts to continue to make the public aware of the dangers of air pollution in order to gain broad support for efforts to reduce pollution.
• Establishment of minimum federal standards with state and regional authority to set more stringent standards.
• States to have the primary responsibility for development of regulations. This would not preclude establishment of more restrictive regulations by regional or local authorities.
• Regional authorities to function as primary enforcement agencies. Enforcement of regulations relating to mobile sources, such as vehicles, should be the responsibility of the state. If enforcement at any level is unsuccessful, it should be mandatory that another level assumes the responsibility.
• A single state agency to have responsibility for coordination of efforts to control all forms of environmental pollution including air, land and water.
• Determination of regional authority boundaries primarily by weather patterns and topography and secondarily by political considerations such as boundaries of existing governmental units.
• State authority to institute emergency air pollution control measures in times of air episode conditions.

Columbia River Task Force (1980)

The League of Women Voters of Washington believes that:

• In order to meet present and future water needs within the Columbia River Basin, comprehensive basin-wide planning must occur for optimum utilization, conservation, development and management of water resources. Machinery is needed to provide coordinated planning, administration and conflict resolution among the federal, state and other agencies. Procedures should be established to provide information and citizen participation in policy decisions affecting water resource development. The federal government has a necessary role in financing water resource development but state and local governments as well as private users should share in these costs as far as possible based on benefits received and ability to pay.

• Wise planning for the use of water in the Columbia River Basin requires an inventory of the basin water resources. This inventory should include water-related information such as ground and surface water sources, viable water rights, current use and projected future needs. This information should be readily available to concerned agencies and the general public.
• Minimum stream flows should be established as a public right and maintained on all streams in the Columbia River Basin and all other river basins in the state.

Land Use (1968, 1969-73)

The League of Women Voters of Washington believes that:

• The effect on environmental quality must always be considered whenever state and local governments and their agencies make decisions. It should be mandatory that governmental bodies prepare and publicize environmental impact statements for all land use decisions. (1970)
• All known factors should be considered in making land use decisions and first consideration should be given to the effect on natural elements. Those activities that are dependent upon natural elements must be balanced with the needs of people including recreation, employment, food, shelter, waste disposal, transportation, aesthetics and economics. Uniqueness or scarcity, importance to the community as a whole, promotion of health, safety and welfare as well as the irreversibility of the decisions should be considered in resolving conflicts in each case. (1973)
• Local land use plans must be comprehensive and should consist of policies, goals and a current inventory of pertinent planning elements. All local governments should be required to have a valid land use plan and to regulate land use consistent with such a plan. Provisions should be made for another agency to prepare plans for governments that are unable or unwilling to do so. Exceptions to some planning requirements should have to be substantiated by the responsible government and granted conditionally and for cause. (Local Planning 1973)
• A comprehensive statewide land use plan must address urban growth as well as long-range land use goals, policies and guidelines. All decisions made by other state agencies should be consistent with this plan. Individual citizens and representatives from local and regional governmental bodies should participate in the formulation of the state land use plan. Planning should be coordinated and inter-disciplinary in nature. The state should have the authority to designate areas of critical concern and require that the use of such areas conform to statewide guidelines. (State Planning 1972 - 1973)
• Uniform guidelines and procedures should be established at the state level for local planning and implementation. State planning assistance to local governments should include information services, technical assistance and adequate financial resources. (State-Local Planning 1972 - 1973)
• Regional authorities within the state are useful in resolving problems, which transcend the boundaries of smaller jurisdictions. To be effective, regional authorities should have the ability to resolve conflicts among jurisdictions and implement plans of regional scope. Regional authorities should involve all levels of government with responsibilities clearly defined. All governments and groups involved must cooperate to resolve conflicts and eliminate inconsistent policies, unnecessary duplication, wasted resources and irrevocable decisions on a patchwork basis. Planning and enforcement should be the responsibility of the level or levels of government that can do so most effectively in each case. (Regionalism and Inter-Local Cooperation 1968, Reworded and amended 1972)
• The state should have one uniform code for planning and land use decisions. The code should be consistent yet allow flexibility to meet unique decisions and should provide for due process with the right to appeal. (State Planning Law 1973)
• Tax policies should not be contrary to land use policies. (Tax Policies 1973)
• The public should be involved at all stages of the planning process but most importantly in setting policies and selecting goals. Participation should be continuing and representative of the community as a whole. (Citizen Participation 1973)
• Effective land use management requires adequate financing, involvement of professional planners and increased public information. (Funding 1968)

Nisqually Delta (1981)

The League of Women Voters of Washington believes that:

• Policies and procedures to preserve a natural estuarine environment for the Nisqually Delta should be supported.
• Any land or water uses which affect the Delta should be compatible in type and intensity with its ecological balance.
• Changes to the ecosystem of the Nisqually River basin, Delta and Nisqually Reach should be made only after their effect upon the Delta is considered.
• The state should assume primary responsibility for developing management goals and strategies for this area of statewide concern.
• Priority must be given to implementation of a comprehensive, region-wide plan for the management of the area. Any mechanism for planning, management and enforcement should recognize natural values over economic interests, long term effects over short term interests and statewide over local interests.

Parks, Open Spaces and Green Belts (1981)

The League of Women Voters of Washington supports:

• Comprehensive planning, acquisition, development and preservation of parks, open spaces and green belts both public and private, to provide a wide variety of facilities for all age groups.
• Increased coordination among departments and all units of government involved as essential for economy, efficiency and effective implementation of open space programs.
• Citizen information, education and participation in city, county and regional park and open space programs to ensure that present and future needs are met.
• Priorities for open space that are based upon the character and needs of the population. Land should be acquired now in developed areas and reserved in undeveloped areas for future growth. Natural topography should be utilized wherever possible as buffer zones between development, i.e. river valleys, flood plains, slide and steep slopes.

Water Management (1979, 1991, 2003

The League of Women Voters of Washington supports:

The League of Women Voters of Washington believes:

• Water use efficiency practices are essential to maintain state water resources.
• Differential rates, technical assistance, and education are the most effective ways to achieve municipal and industrial water use efficiency.
• Regulation, technical assistance, and education are the most effective ways to achieve agricultural water use efficiency.
• Minimum stream flows should be established as a public right and maintained on all streams in the Columbia River Basin and all other river basins in the state.

Forests (1999, 2001)

The League of Women Voters of Washington finds

Therefore,
The League of Women Voters of Washington supports

The League of Women Voters of Washington believes that the following are essential elements of an adequate forest practices policy:

• The public must be informed and involved in the decision-making process in the development of regulations. There must be adequate public notice of forest practices permit applications, hearings, meetings and proposed actions. Public review and comment at each phase of policy and regulation development should be required. Citizens and stakeholders must be represented on the decision-making bodies.
• There must be authority and funding for enforcement of regulations. Existing land use and forest practices regulations must be monitored and enforced, and should be responsive to changing scientific knowledge. There must be coordination of regulations for public and private lands among governmental entities.
• Riparian zones are an integral part of the forest ecosystem and must be regulated adequately to protect the streams and the wildlife dependent upon the streams.
• Education should be made available to timber owners on scientifically sound forest practices with the establishment of a small landowners' agency for this purpose.
• Environmental values of the lands proposed for trade must be considered before the economic values. Trained appraisers, with public oversight, must be used. The right of appeal must be available to the public.
• Full accounting of all costs, including cumulative ecological impacts, of timber harvests and other forest uses must be considered in forest activity decisions.
• Forest management must be responsive to scientific research and knowledge and should include:
  • mapping, classification and protection of all streams,
  • more and better data - including total watershed analysis,
  • evaluation of cumulative effects of various activities in the forest in the consideration of individual forest practice permits, and
  • planning for sustainability of forest ecosystems.
• The State should consider ecological protections the most important factor in deciding which activities to allow on state forest lands.
• Motorized activities should be restricted and in separate areas from non-motorized activities.
• Forest roads must be built, maintained and decommissioned to have the least impact on the forest ecosystems. Some areas on state lands should be roadless.
• Educate consumers about the human and ecological values of our forests as well as the opportunities and benefits of more efficient use of forest products, recycling and the use of alternatives to wood.
• Fund independent scientific research that would include improved forest practices and ecologically sound alternatives to the use of wood.
• Tax benefits and compensation should be considered to encourage small landowners to manage their forests in an ecologically sustainable manner.
• Washington schools must be fully funded with less reliance on timber harvests.
• Trust lands should remain in public ownership.

POSITION IN BRIEF: Action for coordinated control and reduction of solid waste. Action to reduce the amount of hazardous waste generated in Washington and action to promote safe management of waste produced, including toxics in the home.

BACKGROUND: In 1981, delegates adopted a study of hazardous wastes. A publication, Hazardous Waste in Washington State, was prepared in 1982. The 1983 position called for specific and safe management practices for the regulation of existing state landfills and for a facility siting process for new landfills. During the 1983 legislative session, the LWVUS positions were used in calling for stricter regulations over waste management operations. Highly visible LWVWA action during the 1984 and 1985 sessions helped pass bills on new management practices and a recommended facility siting process that is comprehensive, spells out decision making authority and provide for citizen participation.

At the state League convention in 1985 members requested additional information on nuclear waste. The result was a booklet, Nuclear Waste in Washington State, published in May of 1987.

Weary of the legislature's failure to enact toxic waste cleanup measures, the League and other environmental groups took matters into their own hands with Initiative 97, a tough stand on cleaning up toxic waste sites by taxing the generators of pollutants to establish a Superfund. Pressured by the big corporations, the legislature enacted a similar, but less stringent, law in a special session, and called it 97B. In November 1988, the voters were given an opportunity to choose between the two measures. I-97 became law. In 2001 LWVWA joined with nineteen other groups in the filing of an amicus brief in support of the Dept. of Ecology in the case of Department of Ecology v. Asarco. This case involved a challenge to the state's Model Toxics Control Act that sought to weaken and eliminate its key provisions. A decision is pending in this case.

The League's position on solid waste management as stated in 1972 foreshadowed the legislative action that followed 17 years later. The Waste Not Washington Act became law in April 1989, with much bipartisan support, following two years of work by the Joint Select Committee on Preferred Solid Waste Management. The priorities for solid waste management were listed as follows:

1. >waste reduction;
2. recycling, with source separation or recyclable materials as the preferred method, both economically and environmentally;
3. energy recovery, incineration, or landfilling of separated waste; and
4. energy recovery, incineration, or landfilling of mixed wastes.

A League representative served on the Washington State Solid Waste Planning Advisory Committee, which helped develop the 1991 Washington State Solid Waste Management Plan.

At the 1991 convention members adopted by concurrence the position of the League of Women Voters of Seattle on "Toxics in the Home." The material used to reach that position was printed in the 1991 summer State VOTER.

The Hanford Advisory Board (HAB) represents all stakeholder interests and continues to monitor the U.S. Department of Energy's progress on decontaminating and clean up of the Hanford Site. The Tri-Party Agreement (TPA) is a legally binding agreement negotiated between the regulators, EPA, Washington State and the responsible party, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The agreement was signed ten years ago and contains milestones for measured progress. Two major efforts will determine clean up progress in the near future.

1. The Groundwater/Vadose Zone Integration Project attempts to characterize the underground storage tank leaks and also assesses groundwater contamination at the tank farm.
2. A vitrification plant to transform the high level waste from the storage tanks into more stable, safer glass rods.

The League has also worked with other organizations to press the DOE to initiate a National Equity Dialogue with stakeholders from sites across the country to plan together for equitable storage and disposal of all nuclear material. The DOE agreed to fund four regional "pilots" to provide models for the full national Dialogue. LWVWA applied for and received a pilot grant. Workshops were held in September 1997 in Washington and Oregon to enable citizens to identify the values and concerns for the Northwest and to influence the DOE's decisions on the ultimate fate of plutonium, highly enriched uranium, and other nuclear waste materials.

Toxic wastes disposed of in fertilizers (a legal practice) came to public attention with a Seattle newspaper series in 1997. Following a legal challenge by several Seattle groups to the Environmental Protection Agency on this issue, the parties settled the case and EPA began developing in earnest its rules to provide more regulation over this practice. The only public hearing on the proposed rules was held in Seattle in 2001. LWVWA testified in support of even greater regulation than was proposed with a long-range goal of phasing out altogether the disposal of toxic wastes in fertilizers. LWVWA has been working with Washington Toxics Coalition and several other groups for the phase-out and eventual elimination of persistent bioaccumulative toxins (PBTs). These substances, including arsenic, lead and dioxin, persist in the environment, build up in the bodies of plants, animals and humans, and are highly toxic. In 2000 Dept. of Ecology produced its final Strategy which was presented to the Legislature; in 2001 funding was approved by the Legislature to implement the first steps in this phase-out of PBTs. Washington is the first state in the country to have such a strategy.

Hazardous Waste Management (1983)

The League of Women Voters of Washington believes that:

• To protect the public health and the environment, the State of Washington must enforce strict regulation of the treatment, transportation and disposal of hazardous waste. Funding must be adequate and may include a tax on generators of such waste.
• Regulations and incentives should encourage the following practices in order of priority: Waste reduction; recycling and reprocessing; detoxification and incineration as applicable. The least desirable management is any disposal that threatens the waters of the state, especially the ground water.
• The government must assume responsibility for research and long-range planning for facilities that will treat hazardous wastes, reduce travel distances and minimize the need for storage and landfill. Facilities should be sited based on environmental criteria and with effective public participation.
• Citizen awareness of the problems and their involvement in decision-making is essential.

Solid Waste (1972)

The League of Women Voters of Washington believes that:

• State laws pertaining to solid waste should be coordinated and include guidelines for local implementation. Such laws could include tax incentives and penalties, financial assistance to local government and support of research.
• Consumers should share in the costs of local waste collection and disposal.
• Legislation to discourage littering and encourage recycling could include requiring deposits on beverage containers and discouraging unnecessary packaging as well as promoting educational efforts.

Toxics in the Home (1991)

The League of Women Voters of Washington supports:

• Measures to reduce the exposure of the population to toxics in the home. Research and education should be emphasized.