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State Rep. Bill “Ike” Eickmeyer’s legislative proposals to help bring Hood Canal back from the near-dead have become the law of the state.
The governor recently signed two key proposals (House Bill 2081 and House Bill 2097) prime-sponsored this year by Eickmeyer, D-Belfair.
Eickmeyer said these measures reflect his commitment to:
- Develop a framework for coordination and action.
- Complete scientific studies and surveys.
- Commence identification of key issues.
- Begin early corrective actions to deal with known problems.
- Engage communities in problem-solving.
The rehabilitation zone in Eickmeyer’s bill would include all watersheds that drain to Hood Canal south of a line projected from Tala Point in Jefferson County to Foulweather Bluff in Kitsap County.
The legislation establishes the Hood Canal Coordinating Council as the lead local management entity for the regional recovery efforts for the Hood Canal area. The council will actively work with the Puget Sound Action Team on the setting of priorities for programs, studies, and projects for the Canal.
Eickmeyer’s measure also calls on the council to assist in coordinating watershed-planning activities in the Hood Canal area. The legislation requires the council and its participating local and tribal governments to assess concepts for a regional governance structure and to report findings and recommendations to the Legislature.
Also in this year’s legislative session, Eickmeyer helped win support for budget-funding to clean up and protect Hood Canal. The money will go toward developing sewer projects; assisting landowners who have failing septic systems, preventing storm-water runoff, and studying the role that geoducks play in the natural clean-up of the Canal.
The Eickmeyer committee has a full schedule of meetings and work sessions in the coming months, preparing for further discussion in the 2006 Legislature.
Upcoming meetings include tours of a shellfish-production facility and a geoduck-harvesting operation. | 
