More on the draft Puget Sound Action Plan here, here
Topping the list of actions needed are buying ecologically critical lands and beefing up efforts to rein in pollution flowing off hard surfaces such as streets and parking lots after heavy rains. The list of steps proposed by the Puget Sound Partnership looks far beyond the shores of the Sound itself and spans the spectrum -- from actions as simple as scooping dogs' poop to undertakings as complicated as overhauling state water law.
Some were mildly critical of the lack of accountability:
"They're largely in the ballpark on the things that need doing," said Kathy Fletcher, executive director of the environmental group People for Puget Sound. "The part that is probably most crucial and still needs to be fleshed out is the funding, and the who's-going-to-do-what part, and how will they be held accountable.
others were perturbed at the lack of action:
Asked Seattle environmental activist Fred Felleman, "We're going to study how to restore herring, instead of restoring them?"
Tom Holz, a planner who has joined scientists in criticizing the partnership's early efforts as too lackluster, said he lost count of the number of times the draft plan spoke of convening a new process or study of some kind.
"The (partnership) must build a fire. They haven't even got the kindling lit," Holz said in an e-mail.
Oh, and work continues on the Friends' ark...
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