The Washington Department of Ecology is a key partner and stakeholder for ports across the state, which is why we are so pleased that the director of Ecology, Laura Watson, agreed to speak to ports at today’s Roundtable.

Laura Watson was appointed by Governor Inslee to lead Ecology on December 20, 2019. Prior to her appointment, Watson served as the senior assistant attorney general in the Ecology Division of the Attorney General’s Office. As chief legal counsel to the Director of the Department of Ecology, she provided advice and representation to Ecology’s 10 environmental programs and to the agency’s administration. Among her other professional accomplishments, she served as the deputy solicitor general in the Attorney General’s Office.

As the new director of Ecology, Ms. Watson shared her priorities for the agency and offered her thoughts about how she plans to work with port districts protect public health and the environment. Specifically, she covered the importance of MTCA funds to the future of the state- especially given the need for family-wage jobs during an economic downturn. Additionally, her staff addressed key programs that matter to ports, including green house gas rules and SEPA.

We were so pleased Director Watson and her staff and wish her every success in her role.

In today’s conversation:

·       Ecology’s legislative priorities for 2021

·       The MTCA program’s importance, and how to partner with Ecology on MTCA

·       The status of other key programs and rules related to port operations

Do you need more resources on economic recovery, legal and compliance, internal port operations or health and safety related to the COVID-19 crisis? You can find previous presentations and information from Tuesday Roundtable speakers, on our COVID-19 response page for ports: https://www.washingtonports.org/covid19

You can listen to the whole meeting here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gg6b086myrzi8mg/2020-08-18_Zoom_recording.mp4?dl=0 

Do you have ideas for future topics we could cover in our Tuesday Roundtables? Email your ideas to Washington.ports@washingtonports.org