Selling Sound cleanup

Gov. Christine Gregoire and the blue-ribbon panel she appointed to orchestrate the cleanup of Puget Sound know their natural enemies: bright sunshine glinting off marine vistas framed by trees, mountain peaks and blue skies. Problem, what problem?

The $6 million public-education piece of her two-year, $220 million initial push to revive Puget Sound will be among the most important dollars spent. Taxpayers are not averse to protecting the Sound or spending to do it, but the urgency of the mission the governor invokes is not widely understood. Count state legislators among those who need educating. The governor and the Legislature will have to dip into the general fund, tap existing pockets of money and borrow to fund cleanup on a variety of fronts.

Eventually, the governor's Puget Sound Partnership wants a dedicated source of pollution-fighting tax dollars.

To fully engage in meaningful revival and protection of Puget Sound, lawmakers must understand launching Gregoire's proposals also buys into a vision and commitment that looks to 2020 and beyond. This cannot be a one-shot infusion of cash in a fat budget cycle.

Gregoire described this first phase as more than 80-percent action-oriented, designed to produce results. She stressed accountability and transparency in the cleanup efforts.

One of the posters on display at Gregoire's presentation captured the essence of a basic challenge for the governor:

"Governments and private interests are taking numerous actions to protect habitat. However, there is little coordination among regulatory efforts, incentives, conservation actions and education of landowners."

Exactly. Minds can be changed about the urgency of environmental action and the necessity to think creatively about stubborn problems from toxic contaminants to storm-water management. Piece of cake. People care passionately about Puget Sound.

Reassure them that equally creative administrative structures will be created, coordinated and held accountable, so tax dollars will be used to make a difference and produce results.