Washington’s iconic outdoors face a serious threat this Election Day.
Roma McCaig, Chief Public Affairs & Impact Officer, REI Co-op; Peter Steelquist, Washington Policy Manager, Surfrider Foundation; Tom Vogl, CEO, The Mountaineers.
As leaders of outdoor recreation organizations and businesses in Washington state, the stakes are high and the choice is clear: However you enjoy the outdoors – whether you surf or ski, hike or fish, raft or bike, walk or roll – we urge you to join us in voting “no” on Initiative 2117. Initiative 2117 will end investments for our lands and waterways, cut funding for outdoor recreation infrastructure, and cause more pollution for the places where we recreate.
We are not alone in sounding the alarm about I-2117. An unprecedented and diverse coalition of more than 575 organizations and Tribal Nations have come together to defeat this measure. Our coalition includes outdoor recreation organizations, groups representing doctors and nurses, wildland firefighting organizations, the majority of federally recognized Tribal Nations in Washington state, labor unions, environmental organizations, small businesses, community groups, and more. And while we haven’t always agreed on every policy in our state, we are standing together to defeat I-2117 and to protect Washington.
That’s because our love for the outdoors cuts across partisan lines or organizational priorities. Initiative 2117 would jeopardize critical funding for programs that protect our natural environment and support outdoor recreation in communities of all kinds.
I-2117 threatens vital safeguards for our coasts and waterways, including rivers, lakes, and streams.
It cuts programs that support fish habitat and salmon recovery as well as programs that help our communities deal with challenges like sea level rise and winter storms.
I-2117 would cut nearly $30 million in funding for programs across the state that help make our lands and communities less vulnerable to catastrophic wildfires.
This includes funding for reducing wildfire severity through controlled burning and thinning overgrown forests, investments in restoring forestlands to prevent wildfires and protect air quality, and Firewise grants to help local communities and landowners prepare for wildfires.
I-2117 would cut funding for expanding our regional air quality network.
The information that system provides is critical, not just for recreators in Washington, but for outdoor workers and parents, too.
And finally, I-2117 devastates access to our outdoors by cutting more than $5 billion from our statewide transportation plan.
That includes cuts to new hybrid-electric ferries and trails for walking, biking, and rolling – while putting major road projects at risk of delay or cancellation.
I-2117 would deal a devastating blow to creating a healthier, safer, and more connected and accessible outdoor recreation network. It would impact everyone – from the most avid outdoor enthusiasts, to weekend adventurers, to daily commuters, to kids who light up with joy at the chance to run through our forests.
If you love Washington and you love our special outdoor places, join us in standing up to this threat to our lands and waters. Vote no on I-2117 and help ensure that future generations have the opportunity to experience this vibrant place we are lucky to call home.