People for Puget Sound's Kathy Fletcher tapped for Governor's Puget Sound Initiative
Kathy Fletcher chosen to join Puget Sound Partnership
On December 19, 2005 Gov. Gregoire announced her major initiative to protect Puget Sound. The initiative proposes a $42-million spending package to the 2006 Legislature. She will also lead an advisory council of accomplished Washingtonians in a major initiative to accelerate protection and restoration of Puget Sound and Hood Canal.
Gov. Gregoire has recruited the “best and the brightest� to join the adviosry council called the Puget Sound Partnership to make high-level recommendations on a comprehensive effort for integrating the work of local, state and federal governments with private sector and citizen efforts to protect and restore the Sound.
People For Puget Sound Executive Director Kathy Fletcher was named as a charter member of the partnership.
"The governor's decision to appoint me this esteemed group is most of all a fitting endorsement of People For Puget Sound as an organization," said Fletcher. "Our credibility, our expertise and our strong citizen base are what bring us to the table."
The Puget Sound Partnership will learn and use what has worked at other large ecosystem protection efforts around the country, and will engage an extensive cross-section of Washington citizens, business and governments in recommending how to improve protection and recovery of Puget Sound and Hood Canal. Initial recommendations are expected by June 15, 2006.
"I think the governor is recognizing that it's now or never for Puget Sound," added Fletcher. "The governor has set a goal--a healthy Puget Sound by 2020--and is determined to achieve the funding, the public support and the accountability to get the job done. There's nothing I would rather do than serve on thisPuget Sound Partnership group."
Serving with Governor Gregoire on the Puget Sound Partnership are:
- Norm Dicks, U.S. Representative
- Mark Emmert, Ph.D, University of Washington President
- Kathy Fletcher, Executive Director, People for Puget Sound
- Billy Frank, Jr., chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
- Colin Moseley, President, Green Diamond Company and Chairman, Simpson Resource Company
- William Ruckelshaus, chair, Salmon Recovery Funding Board
- Mike Shelby, Executive Director, Western Washington Agricultural Association
- Ron Sims, King County Executive
- Bill Taylor, Vice President, Taylor Shellfish Farms
