Senate passes Jacobsen’s bill to help our returning veterans and environment

OLYMPIA – The Senate passed a bill yesterday to connect our returning veterans to natural restoration projects that protect and restore Washington’s watersheds, rivers, streams, lakes and forest lands.

“Our state has over 48,000 returning veterans from Iraq. Because of this bill, we will be fully utilizing these individuals by linking them to job training in environmental work. This bill will help provide a smoother transition for veterans back into civilian life,” said Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, the bill’s prime sponsor.

Initially, the Veterans Conservation Corps (VCC) was created by the Legislature in 2005 to assist veterans by providing them with volunteer opportunities on natural resource restoration projects.

This bill expands the program by requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans who are enrolled in the VCC with obtaining employment on projects that help protect and restore Washington's wildlife habitat. The program will also foster opportunities for specialized education.

Illinois and Texas have introduced similar legislation. Washington’s Veterans Conservation Corps is primed to be a nationwide model.

Senate Bill 5164 passed the Senate on a 46-0 vote; it now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration

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