S-0762.1  _______________________________________________

                    SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 8006

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Senator T. Sheldon

Read first time 01/19/1999.  Referred to Committee on Environmental Quality & Water Resources.

Urging review of federal environmental mandates.

    TO THE HONORABLE WILLIAM J. CLINTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, AND THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR:

    We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

    WHEREAS, Many rural areas of this country are experiencing poor economic health, evidenced by high unemployment and low wages; and

    WHEREAS, In Washington state, the economic disparity between urban and rural areas is severe, with a low rate of business growth in rural areas and an erosion of natural resource-based industries; and

    WHEREAS, Strong rural economies not only allow rural citizens to prosper, but also increase the economic well-being of the entire country in which they are located; and

    WHEREAS, The success of rural economic development measures depends upon a rural county's ability to attract new businesses and industries and to facilitate expansion of existing businesses and industries; and

    WHEREAS, During 1998, a legislative Joint Task Force on Rural Land Use and Economic Development in Washington State heard extensive testimony around the state regarding the impact of compliance with federal environmental laws on rural economic development; and

    WHEREAS, Rural economic development efforts may be impeded by the regulatory burdens associated with federal environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Endangered Species Act;

    NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the United States Congress review the impact of federal environmental mandates on rural areas and consider whether changes to these laws are warranted.

    BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable William J. Clinton, President of the United States, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the United States Department of Commerce, the United States Department of the Interior, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.

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