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NORTHWEST STRAITS INITIATIVE |
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Two thumbs up for NW Straits Initiativeposted 04/07/04
The Congressionally mandated panel praised the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative for implementing effective projects that are helping restore the marine ecosystem. "They have used local ideas and sound science to come up with useful, effective accomplishments," said Bill Ruckelshaus, a former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency director who chaired the evaluation panel. "The degree of cooperation this process has engendered among tribes, state, county and municipal government bodes extremely well for future progress." The Northwest Straits Initiative was praised in the panel's report for initiating projects that improve the marine habitat and protect salmon, bottom fish, shellfish and other marine resources. According to the report, their innovative projects have removed many miles of derelict fishing nets and hundreds of derelict crab pots that were needlessly harming marine life, planted hundreds of thousands of oysters to increase harvestable areas and raise awareness of water quality problems, and helped shoreline land owners manage their property for better marine habitat and wildlife viewing through the Shore Stewards program. The Northwest Straits Initiative was created through the efforts of U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and former U.S. Rep. Jack Metcalf, R-Wash. Because of the innovative nature of the program, Congress mandated that a thorough and independent evaluation be conducted before the initiative is considered for reauthorization. Senator Murray, who has remained active on behalf of the initiative, said, "This is exactly the type of grassroots, collaborative effort needed to restore salmon and other declining fisheries while improving Washington's pristine coastline. This community-wide effort continues to illustrate the tremendous results that can be achieved when we work together to solve environmental problems." Governor Locke was also congratulatory. "We are glad to see the positive evaluation of the Northwest Straits Commission by the panel. The Commission has accomplished a lot in the past few years, and I am confident that the Commission will continue with its excellent work," he said. The initiative is driven by county-based Marine Resources Committees (MRCs), composed of local representatives from the scientific community, local and tribal governments and economic, recreational and conservation interests. MRCs propose and carry out local projects, advise county government on issues that might affect the marine environment, and work with the other participating counties to gain a wider regional impact. They are active in Clallam, Island, Jefferson, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties. The initiative is overseen by a commission that helps coordinate the county efforts and link them to the work of state, tribal, and federal governments and other related efforts. The panel found that this coordination and cooperation has been well established so that both good ideas and good science can be blended at the local and state level to get good results for commercial, recreational, conservation, tribal and others interests who are concerned about the marine waters of the state. Tom Cowan, director of the Northwest Straits Commission, said, "It's exciting to see confirmation of this citizen-driven model and the important work that has been accomplished." The Evaluation Panel was appointed by Mr. Ruckelshaus and was drawn from experts in the Northwest and throughout the country on marine conservation. Panel members were:
The panel was staffed by the newly established Policy Consensus Center, a joint effort of University of Washington and Washington State University, which provides services and research to resolve conflicts and promote collaboration concerning environmental and other policy issues. For more information about the Northwest Straits Initiative, call 360-428-1084 or go to www.nwstraits.org. |
Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Projects by CountyCLALLAM COUNTY Public workshopsForage fish spawning survey Forage fish maps Kelp habitat study Green crab monitoring PSP monitoring Derelict gear survey Derelict gear removal Olympia oyster seeding Newspaper inserts ISLAND COUNTY Homeowner eelgrass survey Eelgrass inventory Eelgrass mapping Shoreline features mapping Forage fish spawning survey Forage fish maps Shore stewards program Spartina digging events Cama Beach restoration JEFFERSON COUNTY Emergency response workshop Marine resources bibliography Literature review Public workshops MPA brochure Technical meetings Newspaper inserts Olympia oyster seeding Olympia oyster signage Priority habitat study Forage fish spawning survey Forage fish maps Fish surveys No-anchor zone SAN JUAN COUNTY
Bottomfish recovery
Bottomfish recovery Forage fish survey protocols Forage fish spawning survey Forage fish maps Transboundary agreement on MPA Whale-watching guidelines Whale-watching workshop Rockfish workshop SKAGIT COUNTY
Bottomfish project
Bottomfish project Spartina digging events Olympia oyster seeding Rapid shoreline inventory Derelict fishing gear outreach Forage fish spawning survey Forage fish maps Pacific oyster seeding Nearshore restoration blueprint SNOHOMISH COUNTY Marine shoreline overflights Beach expos Crab stewardship plan Fact sheets Shoreline inventory Forage fish spawning survey Forage fish maps Nearshore restoration blueprint Marine observation cruise with Remote Operated Vessel (ROV) Kayak Point restoration Shoreline restoration incentives WHATCOM COUNTY Marine summits Marine resource data report Nearshore session at Salmon conference Rapid shoreline inventory Creosote log inventory and removal Forage fish spawning survey Forage fish maps Forage fish video Nuisance species survey Marine life fact sheets Draft resolution on net pens Bottomfish project Marine data map series NORTHWEST STRAITS COMMISSION Data Gaps workshop Show Me the Data workshop Marine protected area report Nearshore habitat database Derelict fishing gear removal Derelict fishing gear outreach
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