The 12-year lease agreement for Eagle Harbor Open Water Marina signifies a great step forward in our state’s effort to restore its water quality and further support the survival of its marine life.

While such local movements show an initiative toward cleaner water, the 2001 and 2006 state Supreme Court decisions to redefine our waterways still remain unchallenged.

This decision removed the protection of smaller, isolated and seasonal waterways by placing them outside the category of “navigable waters,” subsequently making our ecologically essential wetlands vulnerable to further pollution.

The Clean Water Restoration Act purports to expand the term “navigable water” to include these smaller waterways, which, if left unprotected, will continue to add to the cumulative pollution of the Puget Sound.

The first step to progress starts with raising awareness.

I encourage people to contact their legislators and ask them to support the Clean Water Restoration Act in order to quickly respond to this urgent issue concerning our waterways.

Sarah Hara

Seattle