GOP wants cap and trade money for recreation
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, November 30th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s cap-and-trade legislation that past earlier this year is expected to generate more than $4 billion over 10 years beginning in 2023 from entities that emit carbon. This week, House Republican lawmakers in Olympia unveiled a comprehensive plan to invest that money in outdoor recreation and climate adaptation that they are calling ORCA using revenue from the state’s new Climate Commitment Act, which provides the state Department of Ecology authority to set a cap on carbon pollution and put a price on carbon emissions.
The ORCA plan would use that money to provide an outdoor recreation benefit by eliminating the $30 annual Discover Pass, reducing state park fees, paying for needed parks maintenance and upgrades, building new parks, and expanding trails and other recreational opportunities. In addition, it would fund forest health, drought resiliency, flood mitigation and Puget Sound restoration.
“Since 1990, Washington has added only twenty-eight campsites, while adding 2.7 million new residents,” Rep. Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy), who is ranking member of the House Environment and Energy Committee, said. “Some people must book a year in advance to secure a site and camping fees are out of reach for many citizens. Our plans would expand parks and increase access to them across the state.”
Dye plans to introduce legislation for implementation of the ORCA plan ahead of the 2022 legislative session, which begins Jan. 10.
