Standing for the Budd

The “Standing for the Budd” initiative is a citizen-led proposal to enact an ordinance that would recognize the Budd Inlet Watershed’s rights to exist, regenerate, flourish, and be free from harmful activities so that it’s able to perform its functions. The ordinance would grant legal standing for any Olympia person or entity to enforce those rights on behalf of the Watershed, requiring violators to pay for restoration costs.

We are currently gathering signatures on the initiative petition, printable here. We have until August 2024 to get enough signatures for it to qualify to go to the City Council of Olympia, who can either pass it as written, or send it to a public vote on the November 2024 ballot.

The initiative emphasizes the Budd Inlet Watershed’s importance to the community’s health, economy, and environment, advocating for its protection and conservation to sustain both human and natural ecosystems. It also includes definitions and clarifications to support its legal enforceability, ensuring the Budd Inlet Watershed’s vitality for future generations.

As used within this Ordinance, the Budd Inlet Watershed shall include Budd Inlet and the watersheds of the Budd Inlet and Deschutes River within the boundaries of the City of Olympia in the State of Washington; and shall include, but not be limited to, the Deschutes River estuary, the Moxlie Creek Springs Basin, Ellis Creek, Mission Creek, Butler Creek, Percival Creek, Schneider Creek, and any other wetlands, tributaries and contributors to the Budd Inlet Watershed.

• The Budd Inlet Watershed is particularly important to protect for several reasons, beyond the general benefits of protecting watersheds. Here are some specific reasons:
• Unique Ecosystem: The Budd Inlet is a critical habitat for a variety of marine species, including some that are threatened or endangered, like the Southern Resident orcas and the salmon they feed on. Healthy Budd Inlet waters are essential for their survival.
• Oysters and Shellfish: The Budd Inlet is a productive shellfish growing area, supporting a commercially important oyster industry. Clean water is vital for the health of these shellfish beds.
• Clean Drinking Water: The watershed provides drinking water for Olympia and surrounding communities. Protecting it from pollution helps ensure a safe and reliable source of clean water.
• Economic Benefits: A healthy Budd Inlet supports tourism and recreation, generating revenue for local businesses. Activities like boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing rely on clean water.
• Cultural Significance: The Budd Inlet has cultural and historical significance for the native tribes of the area. Protecting the health of the inlet is important for respecting their cultural heritage.

There are tremendous efforts happening around the Budd Inlet Watershed, such as:

• The Port of Olympia – Budd Inlet Cleanup and Restoration
• DERT – the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team 
•  The Squaxin Island Tribe Department of Natural Resources

But there have also been efforts to protect parts of the watershed that have failed, from such things as regulatory complexities or failure to show legal standing:

• The Olympia Urban Waters League (OUWL) was fighting a large development in the heart of the historic Moxlie Creek Estuary, which OUWL was hoping to uncover and restore. Unfortunately, all of their appeals were dismissed for “lack of standing,” as OUWL had failed to prove immediate and personal harm from the developer’s actions.

Granting legal standing to the Budd Inlet Watershed would allow the community to at least have their day in court.