by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates and Thurston Chamber Public Policy Director
Each year, the Public Policy Division of the Thurston Chamber convenes the Shared Legislative Partnership. The Partnership works to advance regional priorities for the upcoming State Legislative session. These priorities, when approved, will provide multiple and broad benefits to the entire region due to the significant scope and impact across and between entities. The list of regional priorities for 2021 include the following:
Habitat Conservation Plan Implementation – Tumwater and the Port of Olympia
The listing of the Mazama Pocket Gopher under the Federal Endangered Species Act and subsequent requirements to protect habitat require the City to set aside and conserve land from future development. Funds will start up the initial acquisition of land suitable for conservation. The initial start-up funds help to expedite the conservation process as well as help open economic development opportunities. (Capital Budget – $2,500,000)
Beverage Quality Laboratory Equipment and Instrumentation – Tumwater Craft District
Laboratory and analytical services are needed by breweries, wineries and distilleries across the South Puget Sound region to meet State and Federal regulatory requirements. aWorking within the South Puget Sound Community College’s Craft Brewing and Distilling Program, a properly equipped Beverage Quality Laboratory will provide training opportunities for students, support the fermentation science field and provide an important service to the growing commercial craft beverage industry. (Capital Budget – $750,000)
Planning & Congestion Strategies – Interstate 5
I-5 is the lifeline of Washington State commerce, transportation and Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s mission readiness. The section of highway spanning the Nisqually Delta impedes salmon and habitat recovery and is at a growing risk of major flooding events. The entire system between JBLM and Tumwater is strategically important but is inefficient and subject to rapidly increasing congestion. Current planning and analysis indicate that design and environmental review are needed to: 1) assess elevating I-5 through the Nisqually estuary to mitigate habitat and flood risks and 2) add a new lane from Mounts Road to SR 101. In addition, improvements are needed for the alternative routes in the Yelm area to keep the State moving when an incident on I-5 “breaks” the system. Finally, a series of projects and improvements are needed to provide short- and medium-term congestion relief. The total cost to address the entire corridor in the next major transportation package will exceed $4.2 billion and must include elevating I-5 across the Nisqually Delta, replacing bridges, widening railroad trestles, reducing flooding impacts and restoring critical ecological functions to increase salmon survival. (Transportation Budget – $204,000,000)
The Shared Legislative Partnership has proven to be an effective way to advocate for regional investments with the State Legislature. These priorities focus on common interests to maintain the region’s economic vitality and generate opportunities that enhance the quality of life for residents in the Thurston County Region. The Shared Legislative Partnership is convened by the Thurston County Chamber, in partnership with the cities of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, Thurston County, the Port of Olympia, South Puget Sound Community College, the Thurston Regional Planning Council, and the Thurston Economic Development Council.
