BAY VIEW — The U.S. Senate passed $1.6 million in funding for the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative, which works to restore and protect marine habitat Northern Puget Sound.
The funds were part of the $64.9 billion billion 2010 Senate Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill that passed the Senate Thursday by a vote of 71-28.
The funding for the straits initiative was included by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., to protect the Northwest Straits, which run through Skagit, Island, San Juan, Clallam, Jefferson, Snohomish and Whatcom counties.
The straits initiative was authorized by Congress in 1998 as a result of Murray and then -Rep. Jack Metcalf’s legislation, according to a press release from Murray’s office. Earlier this year, Murray worked with U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., on legislation to ensure the continued funding of the straits initiative.
The bill, which has passed the House, will need to go to a conference committee and pass both houses of Congress again before going to the president’s desk.
