Working for Clean Water

This bill is also known as the Clean Water Act of 2010.

• Update: Special Legislative Session
  
• This is our last chance for clean water - Please call your legislator today!
  
• Download 2010 Working for Clean Water Fact Sheet

Here's the latest on the Clean Water Act of 2010 (HB 3181/ SB 6851), as of Monday, March 8, 2010:

Last Monday, the bill was significantly weakened in the House Finance Committee. The money allocated would not have been enough to meet the growing problem of stormwater.  

Since then, we have been working around the clock with our coalition partners and key legislators to develop a new proposal that would address this great need.

This new proposal is the right solution at the right time for our state's largest water quality problem.

Please call your legislators and urge them to support the new proposal, which generates $100 million a year for stormwater pollution cleanup.

Key Points about the New Proposal:

• Generates $100 million a year (0.85% increase in the Hazardous Substance Tax) for stormwater and other essential clean water programs.

• This bill is still a significant job creator - building new clean water infrastructure and putting Washingtonians to work.

• The new proposal has continued, broad support from the coalition of environmental organizations, labor, cities, and counties. It is also strongly supported by commercial fishermen and shellfish growers.

What we've accomplished to date with your help:

• We introduced a new version of the bill that had support from the environmental community, labor organizations, and the Washington State city and county associations.
• We recruited 35 Representatives and 24 Senators to co-sponsor the bill.
• Governor Gregoire came out in support of Working for Clean Water when she released her revenue solution package.
• We passed Working for Clean Water out of the House Capitol Budget Committee 8-7 last week.
• We packed the room in support at the Senate Ways and Means Committee Hearing yesterday.

Stormwater is Everywhere!
Ever walk by a storm drain and wonder "where exactly does all that sludge go?"

Did you know that there are more than 7,000 places it flows into Puget Sound? Here is a stunning visual representation of exactly that: where our stormwater comes from and goes to. Prepare to be surprised...

• Stormwater runoff and pollution (20MB PDF)
• People for Puget Sound's general stormwater info page (website)
  

About Working for Clean Water:

Working for Clean Water is about creating jobs, rebuilding our local economy, and cleaning up polluted waterways like Puget Sound and the Spokane River. Each year millions of gallons of petroleum pollute our water through storm runoff, a serious threat to our health and environment. Working for Clean Water will fund shovel-ready, local projects all over the state to stop this contamination. Now is the time to put Washington back to work by building storm water infrastructure that we’ll be proud of for generations.

Campaign Contact: Brendon Cechovic, Washington Conservation Voters