This is a photo of the Lower Duwamish River - a highly industrialized area and, unfortunately, one of the most polluted areas in the state.

I recently invited, and helped lead, the House Environmental Health Committee and Puget Sound Committee on a tour of the Lower Duwamish and surrounding communities.  

We began the day with a "fish-eye" view of the Duwamish. It's important to see it from the water to grasp the full extent of the challenges facing cleanup efforts. There are seven superfund sites along the river and myriad "hot spots." The cumulative effect of these polluted areas has altered the river and, ultimately, Puget Sound.

Here I am, providing some background info to the tour attendees on the boat, including other legislators, legislative staffers, toxicology experts, and community activists.  

Here I am addressing the group of legislators and toxics experts as we set out to explore the Lower Duwamish waterway.

The tour consisted of members from the House committees on Puget Sound and Environmental Health. Here's Rep. Dave Upthegrove, the Chair of the House Select Committee on Puget Sound, and me as we set out from Seattle.

This drain releases sewage overflow and stormwater runoff and dumps tens of millions of gallons per year into the Lower Duwamish and, ultimately, Puget Sound.