HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-03 Proclamation - Orca Awareness MonthOffice of the Mayor
City of Tukwila, Washington
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, The Southern Resident orca and salmon are an essential part of our region and
especially the City of Tukwila's identity, as icons of the Pacific Northwest which are also
indicators of the health of Puget Sound, it's watersheds, and of the Salish Sea; and
WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila's desire is to ensure that future generations have living, thriving
resident orcas as part of their lives, not as a reference of what could not be saved; and
WHEREAS, The City of Tukwila's many creeks, streams and the Green- Duwamish River
provide valuable salmon habitat and fresh water that support all 5 salmon species including
the endangered Chinook salmon, which orcas depend upon as their primary food source; and
WHEREAS, The Southern Resident orcas were listed as an endangered in November 2005,
under the Endangered Species Act and continue to struggle with declining numbers of now
only 75 members remaining, less than half of their original numbers; and
WHEREAS, The major threat facing the Southern Resident orcas is the lack of their principal
food source, Chinook salmon, as a result of the degradations of salmon, forage fish habitat,
noise and disturbance from ships, small boats and non -motorized vessels; and
NOW THEREFORE, I, Councilmember Verna Seal, on behalf of Allan Ekberg, Mayor of the City
of Tukwila, and in support of Governor Inslee's State of Washington Proclamation of Orca
Awareness Month, do hereby proclaim June 2019 as:
Orca Awareness Month
in the City of Tukwila and encourage the Tukwila community to join with the Orca Network,
Orca Salmon Alliance, Duwamish Alive Coalition partners and other local organizations
working on these issues to take actions to restore, conserve and protect important habitats
critical to Chinook salmon and orca, including the health of Puget Sound and the Salish Sea.
Presented this third day of June, 2019
Allan Ekberg, Mayor