Dist. 10 Rep. Norma Smith has been appointed by Gov. Chris Gregoire to Washington state’s Ocean Acidification Blue Ribbon Panel.
According to a press release from the Washington House Republicans, Smith is interested in protecting Washington’s marine waters and improving the state’s business climate. This appointment will give her the opportunity to do both.
“There is concern that the acidity of the Pacific Ocean could be a threat to our shellfish industry, leading to significant negative impacts in many communities along the coast,” said Smith, R-Clinton, in the release. “We need to make sure we are doing what we can to protect our marine waterways and our shellfish habitat. These are important issues to the 10th District, so I am pleased the governor’s office has asked me to be part of this panel.”
The panel is being convened with the support of the Washington Shellfish Initiative, the regional partnership created to implement the National Shellfish Initiative.
“We can have a fair regulatory climate while being sensitive to the environment to ensure clean water and healthy marine life. We must improve our understanding of how science and management actions link together with the shellfish industry and surrounding habitat,” Smith said in the release.
The Blue Ribbon Panel will consist of scientific experts, public opinion leaders, state, federal, tribal, and local policy makers and industry representatives. The panel recommendations will be submitted to the governor and NOAA Administrator, regional research groups, and other policy makers by Oct. 1.
The panel’s first meeting is Friday, March 30.
The Whidbey Examiner, 28 MArch 2012. Article.
