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Lawmakers hear wide support for designating bull kelp as Washington's state marine forest
Summary
House Bill 1631 would designate bull kelp forests as the State Marine Forest of Washington; testifiers from tribes, aquariums, restoration organizations, students and scouts urged passage, citing steep declines in bull kelp and its ecological and cultural importance; committee recorded 335 pro, 0 con, 1 other sign-ins and closed the hearing.
The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee heard House Bill 1631 on March 18, a bill sponsored by Representative Greg Nance to designate bull kelp forests as Washington's State Marine Forest.
Committee briefing materials summarized bull kelp as an annual macroalgae that can grow up to 100 feet, provides important habitat for fish and invertebrates, contributes to climate mitigation and has cultural significance for Indigenous peoples of the Salish Sea. The Department of Natural Resources, cited in…
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