More than 60 people concerned about the future of Puget Sound met in Washington, D.C., May 1-3, 2017, to participate in Puget Sound Day on the Hill. The trip helped to raise the awareness of our nation’s decision-makers, ensuring them the opportunity to learn about the successes, opportunities, challenges and importance of the ongoing work for a clean, productive and resilient Puget Sound.

Participants represented a broad range of interests: state and local governments, non-profit organizations, Puget Sound treaty tribes, and agricultural as well as small- and industrial-scale businesses.

More than 150 individuals and organizations have also signed a letter supporting the awareness-raising purpose of the trip and acknowledging the energy shared by so many in our region for protecting the health of Puget Sound. The ever-growing list of signatories reflects the great diversity of support for federal funding for Puget Sound recovery.

Participants met with Washington state senators and representatives, as well as with staff from congressional offices and committees and agency representatives. Topics of conversation included the importance of a healthy Puget Sound to the state’s economy and stories of innovation, community commitment, and project success in recovering Puget Sound.