12-14-2018
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Governor Inslee is proposing $1.1 billion in spending – and a partial whale-watching ban – to help support the recovery of Puget Sound’s critically endangered orcas.
Inslee detailed plans Thursday for the 2019-2021 state budget.
He says the money will go toward protecting and restoring habitat for salmon (the orcas’ favored prey), boosting production from salmon hatcheries, stormwater cleanup, and easing vessel traffic noise.
Inslee said he intends to ban whale-watching of the local endangered orcas for three years, but whale watching will be allowed for other whales including other orcas that pass through, following recommendations from the Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force.