Bill > HB1631

This bill designates bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) forests as the official state marine forest of Washington, recognizing their critical ecological, cultural, and economic importance. The legislation highlights that bull kelp is a foundational species in Washington's marine ecosystems, providing habitat and food for numerous marine species like orcas, salmon, rockfish, and pinto abalone, and holding deep cultural significance for tribal nations. The bill acknowledges that bull kelp populations have dramatically declined in south and central Puget Sound, and references the state's commitment to conservation efforts, including the statewide kelp and eelgrass health and conservation plan, which aims to conserve and recover at least 10,000 acres of kelp forests and eelgrass meadows by 2040. Importantly, the bill explicitly respects and upholds tribal treaty rights, ensuring that the designation does not infringe upon the inherent rights of Indian tribes who have traditionally depended on kelp forests for food, materials, spiritual practices, and economic activities. By making this official designation, the legislature seeks to raise awareness about the vital role of bull kelp forests in Washington's environmental and cultural landscape.