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Senate Local Government Committee hears three gubernatorial appointees for salmon recovery, environmental hearings and parks
Summary
The Senate Local Government Committee took testimony from three gubernatorial nominees: a Stillaguamish tribal fisheries leader for the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, an administrative appeals judge for the Pollution Control and Shorelines Hearings Boards, and a retired veterans-affairs administrator for the Parks Commission.
The Senate Local Government Committee on (date listed on agenda) heard testimony from three gubernatorial appointees and swore each before their appearances.
Catherine Dziva, nominated to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, told the committee she serves as vice chair and fisheries director for the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians and as a commissioner on the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. "I was appointed to the surfboard following a vacancy last April, and it's been a pleasure to engage and just work towards our shared objectives in recovering our state's salmon populations and ecosystems," Dziva said. She told the committee the board administers state and federal money to watershed- and habitat-focused recovery projects across Washington.
Gabriel Verdugo, appointed in August 2024 to the Pollution Control Hearings Board and the Shorelines Hearings Board, described his legal and administrative background and explained the kinds of cases the boards hear. "We get a mix of different types of cases," Verdugo said, citing administrative appeals of agency penalties and complex permit appeals such as NPDES discharge permits. He said the boards' role is to apply law neutrally and to produce written decisions that nonlawyers can understand.
Lourdes (Alfie) Alvarado Ramos, nominated to the Parks and Recreation Commission, described 22 years of active military service followed by a career in state veterans' services. She said she will focus on improving access and outreach to underserved communities. "The vision is to be able to use my platform to be able to enhance opportunities for underserved communities and ensure that they make use of our parks," Alvarado Ramos said.
Committee members asked each nominee about experience and priorities. Senator Gater asked Dziva to explain the Salmon Recovery Funding Board's statewide role versus regional bodies; Dziva replied that the board receives federal and legislative funding and distributes it to watershed areas across the state. Senator Gainer asked Verdugo how the hearings boards balance economic and environmental considerations; Verdugo said the boards apply law neutrally to the facts rather than weigh policy preferences. Senator Bateman praised Alvarado Ramos's focus on the health benefits of parks and the nominee answered questions about access and outreach.
All three nominees were sworn under Senate Rule 69 before testifying, and committee discussion concluded without recorded objections. The hearing recessed for caucus before the executive-session business began.
The committee record includes each nominee's background details listed during their testimony: Dziva’s tribal leadership roles and residence in Snohomish County; Verdugo’s prior role as an administrative appeals judge and his August 2024 appointment; Alvarado Ramos’s 22-year Army career, longtime state veterans-affairs service, and stated interest in expanding park access for underserved populations.
The committee did not record a formal committee confirmation vote on the transcript excerpt provided; the transcript shows each nominee sworn and questioned before the session moved to other business.
