Governor's task force releases draft plan to save southern resident orcas

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SEATTLE --Draft recommendations from the governor's southern resident killer whale task force were released Monday, shedding light on a plan to help save the endangered orcas.

The draft is filled with actionable items meant to address issues the orcas face, like prey availability, toxic contaminates and vessel traffic.

The 45-member task force will have time to suggest changes before the final report is due to Gov. Jay Inslee's office on Nov. 16. From there,  the governor might take executive action or bring recommendations to the state legislature.

The report is far-reaching, with more than 50 potential actions to take within the first year, some of which require legislative approval. Many are intended to deal with the lack of salmon, considered the number one problem facing the southern resident orca.

The public is encouraged to weigh in on the report by Oct. 7.

Southern resident killer whales' numbers are the lowest they've been in more than three decades, with only 74 left in the Puget Sound. Lead researchers say there's only about five years left until the current southern residents lose their reproductive abilities.

Each recommendation comes from one of three task force working groups: The Prey, Vessels and Contaminants working groups.

A number of the task force's suggestions include increased funding for things like habitat restoration and fish passage upgrades.

Some have lauded efforts to restore habitat and estuaries for salmon, but the most negative feedback Q13 News reporter Simone Del Rosario has received involves the lack of action regarding dams.

Two actions related to the ongoing operations of the Lower Snake River dams were ranked equally at three votes by the Prey Working group.

The Center for Whale Research's Ken Balcomb - a proponent of removing the Snake River dams - told Q13 News he is extremely disappointed with what he has seen so far.

"I have to really decide whether or not this task force is for me or not. It doesn't seem to be for the whales so, therefore, I think it's not for me," Balcomb said.

Another concern is what appears to be a heavy reliance on hatchery production and killing seals and sea lions, which eat the fish orca need.

In another effort to boost salmon numbers, a recommendation would reclassify popular sport fish like bass and walleye as "invasive" in certain waterways, eliminating catch limits and impacting sport fishermen.

There are 13 actionable items in the draft related to vessels and vessel noise. A statewide "slow -- no white-water wake" zone while in sight of orcas is proposed.

A permitting system for whale watching boats is suggested that "restricts" the number of commercial whale watching vessels allowed near groups of southern resident orcas.

Recommendations also included supporting quieter state ferries and learning more about how underwater noise levels impact the orcas.

Nine action items also deal with pollutants, taking steps to reduce "stormwater threats" and providing financial incentive to companies that reduce toxins.

This story is developing and will be updated throughout the week.