John,

Salmon are in crisis and on the brink of extinction. The state policy of No Net Loss of habitat is not working—it is the time to shift to a policy of Net Ecological Gain, as proposed in HB 1117.

Healthy habitat has dwindled to the point that Puget Sound salmon species have declined by 90% compared to historical populations. In the Columbia River basin, returns are as little as 2% of historical levels. Restoring salmon numbers will increase food security throughout our state, and particularly in communities that rely on salmon.

Contact your Senator today to pass HB 1117 this legislative session!

HB 1117 promotes salmon recovery by synchronizing well-defined salmon recovery needs with obligations under the Growth Management Act and Shoreline Management Act. Pragmatic approaches rely on existing institutional structures within local governments to set the state on a better path for salmon.

By contacting your Senator, you can help advocate for healthy habitat that supports future generations of salmon and people. We don't want to imagine a future without salmon returning to the waters of Washington State.

Salmon need advocates, and you can help!

You may recall that Net Ecological Gain was one of four community priorities in the 2021 legislative session, but the bill did not get over the finish line. Now is our last chance to set the rules that will apply to King County, Pierce County, Snohomish County, and Kitsap County as they update their Comprehensive Plans through 2032. 

If we don’t pass this bill this session, then the next opportunity to tighten up habitat protections and land use policy may need to wait for the period 2032 to 2040. That’s just too long to wait.

Thank you for all you do!

Mindy Roberts
Puget Sound Program Director