About the Task Force

In March 2018, Washington's Governor Inslee initiated a Task Force dedicated to recovery of the Southern Resident orcas.  The Task Force, with three working groups focused on each of the three main threats to the Southern Residents (prey depletion, toxics, and vessel impacts), met over six months in the summer and fall of 2018 and developed a final report in November.  State agencies, Washington legislators, international representatives, and members of tribal, federal, and local governments, as well as private and non-profit sections, are included in the Task Force representatives. 

The initial set of recommendations led to four key bills in the 2019 Washington Legislature, focused on salmon and forage fish habitat, vessel disturbance, oil spill prevention, and reducing contaminants.  Governor Inslee also requested $1.1 billion in funds related to Southern Resident recovery from the legislature.

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News and Updates

*Bold Action Now*

 Task Force meeting information available here, and recordings are available here (search for Southern Resident killer whale) ​
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• Washington Legislative session 2019: Orca Emergency Priorities
• Washington budget funds some, but not all, orca recovery measures
• All four Orca Recovery bills have been signed into law!
• Next Task Force meeting: September 9th, Vancouver WA
• ​Task Force Year One report
• Read Orca Salmon Alliance's action agenda for the Task Force.​