walsh-and-blake

OLYMPIA – Washington would become the first state in the Union to designate an official state clam if a couple of lawmakers from Aberdeen get their way.

State Representatives Brian Blake-D and Jim Walsh-R may be from opposite sides of the aisle, but they both agree that the Pacific razor clam is an important part of the cultural identity of the state of Washington, and doubly important to the economy of their district along Washington’s coast.

“This is an issue that I was willing to stick my neck out for and have a bill drafted and see if we couldn’t get it done. And I think the razor clam for the coast of Washington is a huge economic driver that brings folks to the coast. It’s a great food source and a great source of recreation. And I think it’s critical that we stick our shovel in the sand and stake our claim to this.”

That’s Rep. Blake and, puns aside, he and Walsh were serious when they co-sponsored HB 1061, which got a public hearing in the House Committee on State Government and Tribal Relations on Jan. 16.

Recreational razor clamming is a popular pastime in Washington. According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, over two million razor clams were harvested during the 2017-18 digging season.

“These open digs bring a lot of folks to the beach, and fills our restaurants and hotels and motels, and really can drive the economy in the Winter and Spring on the coast of Washington when many town’s economies have started to go to sleep. We’re just hoping that a high tide brings this bill to the Governor’s desk.”

For the record, at least one lawmaker spoke in opposition to the bill during the hearing. Rep. Sherry Appleton of Kitsap County said she would rather have the geoduck become the state clam.

(Photo: Reps. Jim Walsh and Brian Blake. Dan Hammock photo courtesy of Aberdeen Daily World)

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