WHEREAS, The State of Washington is blessed with a relatively uncorrupted marine environment which is unique in the United States and the world; and

WHEREAS, The preservation of this rare marine environment is a major goal of public policy at all levels of government in the State of Washington; and

WHEREAS, Despite the best efforts of our citizens and our governments, events occur occasionally which disrupt marine ecology and inflict damage upon this unique environment, and which require remediation efforts and immediate utilizations of cleanup materials; and

WHEREAS, Washington state companies have successfully developed a number of non-toxic environmentally sound products which significantly enhance marine cleanup and remediation efforts, and these companies have led the way in promoting these new and innovative environmental technologies;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives strongly urges the Department of Ecology to give top priority to the utilization of environmentally sound non-toxic marine cleanup materials manufactured in the State of Washington, and calls for all contractors and subcontractors to give similar priority to Washington state products.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Office of the Director, State of Washington, Department of Ecology.