Western Washington also has cultural and economic ties to the water. The Puget Sound has sustained native tribes for generations, and they push forward measures to protect it from protecting whales to reducing toxic waste (Walker, 2019). The maritime sector creates $30 billion in economic activity in Washington and creates over 146,000 jobs (Washington State Department of Commerce, 2017).

This bustling economic activity takes a toll on the Puget Sound: Toxic chemicals used in everything from shipping to yard maintenance enter the Sound through stormwater runoff. Marine debris and plastic pollution are also persisting issues, and cigarette butts (which contain plastic) are among the biggest contributors to plastic waste in the Sound (Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, 2020).

Puget Soundkeeper Alliance protects and preserves the Puget Sound through advocacy, education and litigation. They’re part of a national network of Waterkeeper Alliance organizations dedicated to keeping water drinkable, swimmable and fishable around the world.

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