HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 97-4668, by Representatives Costa, Cooper, Anderson, Tokuda, Wood, Cole, Dickerson, Gardner, Gombosky, O'Brien, Blalock, Lantz, Ogden, Cody, Dunshee, Sehlin, Murray, Sullivan, Grant, Chopp, Conway, Fisher, Keiser, Wolfe, Kastama, Linville, Appelwick, Carlson, Mason, Romero and Morris

      WHEREAS, The Washington State Legislature recognizes that a healthy, robust, and protected population of whales and other marine mammals within Washington coastal waters is of critical significance to our regional ecology, economy, recreation opportunities, and our general quality of life; and

      WHEREAS, The presence of migrating and residential marine mammal populations is also a distinctive element of our state's geographical, cultural, and historical identity, and our children's natural legacy; and

      WHEREAS, Due to the privileged presence of cetaceans and pinnipeds in our waters, many coastal communities, which currently endure the economic hardships of declining fisheries and timber, have successfully turned to sustainable natural resource-based tourism, including whale-watching activities, an industry that now generates more than eleven million dollars of direct state-wide revenue annually and which greatly benefits secondary tourism and hospitality business; and

      WHEREAS, Despite the establishment of a federal Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1972, many species of marine mammals, nationally and internationally, continue to endure threats from humans through overfishing, habitat degradation, small-scale harvesting, environmental and atmospheric pollution, and other anthropogenic causes; and

      WHEREAS, The Legislature recognizes that efforts to protect and maintain healthy and robust marine mammal species is of vital benefit to both ourselves and our children, and that the responsible guardianship of our existing marine mammal populations will provide future generations with enjoyment and sustainable educational, recreational, and tourism resources for years to come;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives acknowledge efforts by our residents to protect marine mammals living in and migrating through our coastal waters for present and future generations, so that the coastlines and estuaries of the state of Washington may become renowned internationally as places of sanctuary for all marine mammals.

      I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

      Resolution 4668 adopted by the House of Representatives

                          April 22, 1997.

                 ________________________________

                  Timothy A. Martin, Chief Clerk