SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SCR 8401

         AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES,

                               FEBRUARY 6, 1991

Brief Description:  Resolving to commend and encourage the media for environmental information.

SPONSORS:Senators Metcalf, Owen, Conner, Oke and Thorsness.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

      Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Oke, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Barr, Conner, Patterson, Snyder, and Sutherland. 

Staff:  Gabrielle Horner (786‑7717)

Hearing Dates:February 6, 1991

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Ecology's Environment 2010 project has identified environmental education as the "linchpin" of any long range plan to reduce or eliminate threats to environmental quality.  Participants in the Environment 2010 project believe the challenge of environmental education is to build an extensive and coordinated education program that focuses on the balanced depiction of environmental and natural resource issues.

Washington's news media should be commended for furthering environmental education by communicating important environmental issues to all citizens.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature commends the print and electronic media of Washington for advancing environmental education with their efforts.  The Legislature encourages the media to expand its programming to ensure timely, accurate, and balanced environmental education to every citizen in Washington.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Commendation by the Legislature can only strengthen media efforts.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Becky Bogard, Association of Broadcasters (pro); Ellen Hansen, KING-TV (pro); Julie Furlong, KIRO-TV (pro); Howard Scott, KOMO Broadcasting (pro); Roland Thompson, Allied Daily Newspapers (pro)