EXECUTIVE ORDER EO
89-10
PROTECTION OF WETLANDS
WHEREAS, wetlands:
(A) provide,
protect and preserve drinking water supplies by purifying surface water and
ground water;
(B) provide
a natural means of flood and storm damage protection through the absorption and
storage of water during high runoff periods, thereby reducing flood crests and
preventing loss of life and property;
(C) often
serve as transition zones between dry land and water courses, thereby retarding
soil erosion;
(D) provide
essential breeding, spawning, rearing, feeding, nesting and wintering habitats
for a major portion of the state's fish and wildlife;
(E) provide
special vegetation and vegetative communities;
(F) maintain
surface waters through the gradual release of stored flood waters and ground
water, particularly during drought periods;
(G) provide
readily accessible outdoor biophysical laboratories, living classrooms and
training and educational resources; and
(H) provide
ecological as well as economic benefits; and
WHEREAS,
more than fifty percent of the state's original wetlands have been drained,
dredged, filled or otherwise altered; and
WHEREAS,
over ninety percent of the original saltwater wetlands in some urban estuaries
of Puget Sound have been eliminated; and
WHEREAS,
wetlands losses statewide are as much as two thousand acres annually; and
WHEREAS,
in urban areas in the state of Washington, freshwater wetlands losses are
estimated at seventy-five acres per month or more than nine hundred acres per
year; and
WHEREAS,
the loss of wetlands often leads to economic and ecological harm of the state;
and
WHEREAS,
wetlands conservation is a matter of state concern, since wetlands of one
county may be affected by activities on rivers, lakes, streams, or wetlands of
other counties and because they support migratory animal species which cross
local government boundaries; and
WHEREAS,
use of artificial structures, such as stormwater treatment systems, to provide
wetlands functions and values may be more costly than protection of existing
wetlands; and
WHEREAS,
there is need for stronger state coordination to ensure wetlands protection;
NOW,
THEREFORE, I, Booth Gardner, Governor of the State of
Washington, by virtue of the power vested in me, do hereby order:
Section 1. It is the
interim goal of my administration to achieve no overall net loss in acreage and
function of Washington's remaining wetlands base. It is further the long-term
goal to increase the quantity and quality of Washington's wetlands resource
bass.
Section 2. In the
interest of preserving and protecting valuable resources, the Department of
Ecology shall provide guidance and each affected state agency shall provide to
the Governor an action plan, where appropriate, to lessen the destruction,
loss, or degradation of wetlands and to preserve and enhance the natural and
beneficial values of wetlands.
Section 3. Each affected
state agency shall ensure that it avoids any activities that would adversely
affect wetlands, and that unavoidable impacts are adequately mitigated.
Section 4. To meet the
long-term goal of this order, each affected state agency, in pursuing its
agency mandate, should seek opportunities for voluntary wetlands restoration
and creation of additional wetlands.
Section 5. In carrying
out the intent of this order, each affected state agency shall consider the
ecologic and hydrologic benefits provided by wetlands. Each affected state
agency shall strive to prevent environmental and economic harm that results
from continuing loss of wetlands, consistent with human health and safety and
the general welfare of the state.
Section 6. Each affected
state agency shall encourage sensitive site design and planning on a watershed
basis, where appropriate, to avoid or minimize damage to wetlands.
Section 7. Each affected
agency shall, when possible, direct its agency-mandated activities not
dependent upon wetlands locations to suitable upland locations.
Section 8. Nothing in
this Executive Order shall apply to assistance provided for emergency work that
is essential to save lives and protect property and public health and safety.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand and caused
the seal of the State
of Washington to be
affixed at Olympia
this 11th day of
December A.D., Nineteen hundred and eighty-nine.
BOOTH GARDNER
Governor of Washington
BY THE GOVERNOR:
_________________________________
Acting Deputy,
Secretary of State
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