The Southern Resident orca population needs our help. The Governor’s Orca Recovery Task Force needs our feedback.
The task force and working groups for vessel noise, pollution, and food have made their recommendations in this Draft Report and want to hear from us by midnight this coming Sunday, October 7.
Our responses are to be in the form of a 63-question survey, which may seem daunting, but the orca are worth it and our friends at Friends of the San Juans (FSJ) have pitched in to make it easier:
• You may use their responses as your own guide
• Attend a public comment open house (see below)
• Call the FSJ office with any questions (360) 378-2319
OPEN HOUSE
Friday, October 5 from 1:00-2:30pm
Orcas Island: Kingfisher Studio @ 474 North Beach Road Parkplace #3, Eastsound; (360) 376-4693
San Juan Island: Friends of the San Juans Office @ 640 Mullis Street, Friday HarborSAFE SHIPPERS ALERT
San Juan Island: Friends of the San Juans Office @ 640 Mullis Street, Friday HarborSAFE SHIPPERS ALERT
Questions 40 (Potential vessel recommendation 8) and 45 (Potential vessel recommendation 13) address our cause to prevent oil spills in the Salish Sea. Safe Shippers strongly support these recommendations and list them in the top 5 priorities in Question 59. Also, Safe Shippers can add an additional comment on Question 63, urging the task force to make oil spill prevention actions a high priority. (Please see FSJ responses for more details.)
WHAT’S NEXT?
Public comments received on this draft report will be provided directly to the task force for consideration at the October 17-18 meeting. Then, from October 24-29, there will be another opportunity for public comment on just the updated draft recommendations after the October 17-18 task force meeting. Timeline of the next steps is available on the governor’s Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery and Task Force website. The final task force recommendations will be listed in the final report on November 16, 2018.
Thank you, Safe Shippers, for using your voice for the orca and the Salish Sea!
San Juan Islanders for Safe Shipping 