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SAN JUAN COUNTY MARINE RESOURCES COMMITTEE |
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Protection of marine environment celebratedStory and photos by Sharon Kivisto
Members of the Tulalip tribe performed three songs during the MRC celebration Saturday, Jan. 28. posted 1/31/2006
Artwork, celebrating the anniversary of the Marine Stewardship Area and the 10th anniversary of the Marine Resource Committee, decorated the hallways. Birthday cake and refreshments were served to the more than 180 people who attended. The Tulalip Tribes First Salmon Ceremonial Drummers performed three songs honoring the salmon. Glen Gobin said, "We need to honor and respect these things that come from nature and are provided by the Great Spirit. The area you live in is a gift known worldwide."
Stan Jones, Sr. of the Tulalip Tribes spoke about the changes he's seen in more than 30 years of fishing in the area. "The salmon are not going to come back unless we all work together," he said. Ten years ago, County Commissioner John Evans came up with the idea of creating a local marine resources committee. Brian Calvert, one of the founding members, recalled the lunch meeting when then county Commissioner John Evans came up with the idea of creating a marine resources committee. "The idea was born of the giant and nasty battle over a marine sanctuary." Efforts to create a national marine sanctuary had failed. Part of the beauty of Evan's idea of creating something new was the "freedom of operating without rules," Calvert said. The original members were: Calvert, Kelly Balcomb-Bartok, Bill Brant, Skip Clark, W. Michael Kaill, Bill LaPorte, Richard Lee, Terry Jackson, Bob Rowland, Denise Wilk, Dennis Willows, Laura Rogers-Bennett and Jean Van Leuven. One of the most successful effort of the MRC has been the bottomfish recovery program. Willows came up with the idea of creating voluntary no-fish zones when he told Calvert, "They (the state) can't make us fish." County Councilmember Kevin Ranker said, "The marine stewardship area is an example of community-based management. It is very exciting that what we are doing in San Juan County is looked at as a model of doing things right." | ||
Kathleen Drew representing Gov. Christine Gregoire said the governor's Puget Sound Initiative includes putting a "to-do action list together, so we don’t just get stuck in a quagmire of process." The governor honors groups like the MRC which is doing things right, she said. Sally Hintz, Senataor Maria Cantwell's Northwest Washington Director read a letter from the senator. The text is posted below the photos. Tom Cowan of the Northwest Straits Commission and Kit Rawson, chair of the MRC also spoke about concerns and actions being taken to protect the environment. Joe Gaydos of the SeaDoc Society elonquently reminded everyone of what is at stake. He spoke of the harbor seals which live to be 34 years old. For every three people in the county, there is one harbor seal. "The Rhinoceros auklet don’t breed in the islands but do come here to eat," he said. "They dive down and are flying around underwater with little tiny barbs on their bills." They resurface with food for their young on the barbs. "It is an amazing area," he said.
A harbor seal skeleton attracted interest. |
Victoria Parker gave Terrell Carter a prize for his artwork.
Buddy Goll's artwork took first place in the K-6th grade category. Andrea Hendrick (not pictured) won in the adult division.
Non-profits and governmental agencies set up informational displays. | ||
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LETTER FROM U.S. SENATOR MARIA CANTWELL (D. WASH.) It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this important celebration, commemorating the establishment of the Marine Resources Committee, and the Marine Stewardship Area of San Juan County. Ten years ago the first Marine Resource Committee in the state was established right here in San Juan County to advise county commissioners on marine issues, to educate the public, and to do hands-on work in your local waters. In those ten years, the MRC has ensured that policy decisions are influenced on what is right for the overall community, from the residents of Friday Harbor to the bottomfish of Sucia Island. This dedication to a comprehensive policy on marine issue led last year to the establishment of the Marine Stewardship Area of San Juan County. The MSA highlights the ability of government to effectively balance the need for environmental protection and economic development. Without an environmentally healthy county, there could be no healthy economy, and without a healthy economy no sound environmental policy could be sustained. I, like any other Washingtonian, understand the intrinsic value of the San Juan Islands to the spirit and identity of this state. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the stand taken by the citizens of this county to ensure their environmental and economic future is secure. That is why I and my fellow members of the Washington State congressional delegation have worked very hard to ensure that there is funding to support the Northwest Straits Commission and the MRCs, to perpetuate the work of the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, and to fund National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in their studies of the Orca pods that frequent these waters. In closing I want to thank the many members of this community who contributed to this celebration, and to the enactment of the resolution. I especially want to thank the citizen activists at the Marine Resource Committee, who have pioneered the framework for effective policy-making at the county level. You have done an excellent job promoting the health of this community. I join everyone else who has ever kayaked, fished, or walked the beaches of these islands in thanking you for your contribution to this community. I look forward to watching the fruits of labor come to bear in the years to come. In addition, I want to thank the people of San Juan County for supporting this measure and the County Commissioners for voting for it. I wish you an excellent and memorable event. Maria Cantwell, San Juan County Marine Stewardship Area a reality
Commissioners Darcie Nielsen, John Evans and Rhea Miller received a framed resolution and artwork from the Samish Tribal Council Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2004. Tribal Council members (pictured from the far right) Chris DeKay, Lisa Weber and Billie Jo Settle presented the gifts. posted 01/29/04 The county's resolution formalizes a voluntary Marine Stewardship Area and directs the MRC to produce a formal study in two years with detailed recommendations regarding additional protections for specific areas. The Samish Tribal Council passed a resolution which stated:
Metcalf and U.S. Senator Patty Murray sponsored legislation six years ago which established the Northwest Straits Commission (NWSC). The legislation was in response to a move by others to establish a federal marine sanctuary in Puget Sound. "I said, 'why do we want the federal government coming into an area that is inside the state. Maybe there is a better way," Metcalf said. San Juan County's MRC was formed prior to the creation of the NWSC. Commissioners John Evans and Rhea Miller were on the BOCC and voted for the creation of the MRC. Other counties established their own MRCs as a result of the NWSC. The NWSC drew up eight benchmarks the MRCs would be measured by after five years. With the establishment of the Marine Stewardship Area, the county's MRC has hit all eight benchmarks. The stewardship area recognizes the regulations both required and voluntary which cover the marine waters in San Juan County. There are 82 National Wildlife Refuges in the county. Voluntary regulations include the county's Bottomfish Recovery Program. The formal study will focus on specific areas which may require even more protection. Citizen input will be a large part in figuring out where those areas are and what should be done to protect them, according to MRC members. Resolution designating San Juan County as a Voluntary Marine Stewardship AreaWHEREAS the defining characteristic of San Juan County is the natural marine environmental and rural island ambiance; and WHEREAS it is beneficial to tribes, residents and visitors alike to protect and preserve said natural marine environment; and WHEREAS historic tribal and cultural practices are dependent on the protection and preservation of said environment; and WHEREAS much of the local economy is dependent on the protection and preservation of said environment; and WHEREAS bio-diversity, and water quality are important characteristics of said environment; and WHEREAS sustainability of harvest for all people, both commercial and sports fishers, has substantial economic value to the county; and WHEREAS natural maritime outdoor recreation(s) such as kayaking, whale watching, sailing and cruising have substantial economic value to the county and will benefit from conservation efforts; and WHEREAS the State has already declared the county a preserve relating to Marine Biological Materials (RCW 28B.20.320); and WHEREAS the county is home to 82 National Wildlife Refuges; and WHEREAS the County contains habitat important to threatened and endangered species of wild salmon, rockfish and other marine species; now THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners hereby designates San Juan County, State of Washington, as a Volunteer Marine Stewardship Area in accordance with Executive Order 13158 in order to facilitate the protection and preservation of our natural marine environment for the tribes and other historic users, current and future residents, and visitors; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Marine Resources Committee shall undertake a formal study of unique areas of the county and shall recommend to the Board of County Commissioners those measures necessary to further the intent of this resolution; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Marine Resources Committee shall update the Board of County Commissioners, one year from the effective date of this Resolution, on the progress of the above mentioned Formal Study; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Marine Resources Committee shall deliver to the Board of County Commissioners, two years from the effective date of this Resolution, the results of the Formal Study and the Detailed Recommendations related thereto. Signing ceremony set for marine stewardship areaposted 01/09/04
The commissioners approved the committee's proposal last month. The Port of Friday Harbor Commissioners also approved a resolution supporting the MSA. Voluntary Marine Stewardship Area proposed | |||
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posted 12/11/03
MRC Chair Jim Slocomb presented background information to the Port of Friday Harbor Commissioners Dec. 10, 2003. The San Juan MRC was created seven years ago in response to plans by the federal government to make the North Puget Sound a federally regulated marine sanctuary area. After the local MRC was formed, Senators Patty Murray and Jack Metcalfe pushed through legislation creating the Northwest Straits Commission. NWSC helped create MRCs in the seven Washington counties which border the Sound. The NWSC drew up eight benchmarks the MRCs would be measured by after five years. Slocomb says San Juan MRC has achieved seven of the eight. To achieve the eighth, the MRC looked at existing regulations and voluntary protection programs. "Everything we look at and do in these waters is already regulated," he said. "Calling the county a Marine Stewardship Area is a good move." The MRC report states:
Phase II will include public input. Slocomb said, "The idea is to go back to the people - a bottom up process." People will be asked about their particular areas of interest and what they think should be done. The result will be additional protections to achieve specific objectives. "There will be certain areas, where there are things we ask you not to do," Slocomb said. He gave the Port Commissioners a few examples. In an area near a spawning beach, boaters might be asked to slow down so they don't make a wake. Since eelgrass grows to a depth of 30 feet, boaters may be encouraged to anchor where the depth is at least 35 feet. The Port of Friday Harbor Commissioners approved of the MRC proposal and will draft a resolution supporting the idea. The resolution will be passed on to the BOCC. |
Benchmarks1. Local Participation: Obtain broad county participation in marine resources committees. 2. Marine Protected Areas: Achieve a science-based, regional system of marine protected areas. 3. Habitat: Demonstrate a net gain in highly ecologically productive nearshore, intertidal and estuarine habitat in the Northwest Straits, with no significant loss of existing, high-value habitat. Improve state, tribal and local tools to map, assess and protect nearshore habitat. Prevent harm from upland activities. 4. Shellfish: Show a net reduction in shellfish harvest areas closed due to contamination. 5. Bottomfish: Exhibit measurable increases in factors supporting recovery of bottomfish (such as rockfish) - including numbers of fish of broodstock size and age, average fish size and abundance of prey species - as well as sufficient amounts and quality of protected habitat. 6. Marine Indicator Species: Demonstrate increases in other key marine indicator species (including those identified in the 1997 West report on Puget Sound marine resources). 7. Scientific Data: Initiate coordination of scientific data (for example, through the Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program), including a scientific baseline, common protocols, unified GIS, and sharing of ecosystem assessments and research. 8. Outreach and Education: Coordinate with the Puget Sound Action Team and other entities on an effective outreach and education effort with measurements of the numbers of people contacted as well as changes in behavior. | ||
San Juan County Marine Resources Committee Proposal For Development of a San Juan County Marine Stewardship AreaDuring 2003 the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) will develop a proposal for a San Juan County Marine Stewardship Area, a Regional Marine Protected Area initiative . In accordance with the 2003 MRC work plan approved by the Board of County Commissioners, we will develop the basis for a countywide Marine Stewardship Area within which smaller areas will have different levels of protection. The overall goal of the marine stewardship area is to protect the unique and valuable marine resources of the islands while allowing sustainable use of marine resources to continue forever. There will be two phases to developing the guidelines for the San Juan County Marine Stewardship Area. In the first phase we propose that the entire county be declared a marine stewardship area based on rules, regulations, and voluntary protections already in place. Currently all county waters are regulated as to fishing, shoreline development, boating, and many other activities. Portions of the islands are restricted from access as federal wildlife refuges. The San Juan County MRC has established zones where fishing for bottomfish is restricted on a voluntary basis. Several of the Indian Tribes and the State of Washington and have closed other areas at the request of the University of Washington for marine research reserves. The first step in our process will be to recommend that the BOCC establish a San Juan County Marine Stewardship Area to recognize these existing protections. This first step is important for a number of reasons. It acknowledges that there are numerous protections in place for county waters, and it is a clear statement that the county wants these protections to stay in place. By establishing the countywide Marine Stewardship Area residents and visitors will be more aware of existing regulations and voluntary protections. Without establishing any new regulations we feel that protection of the San Juan County marine ecosystem can be enhanced in this way. During the second phase, we will be soliciting input from Indian Tribes, county residents, non-resident landowners, visitors, and others with an interest in the county's marine ecosystems. A key component of the outreach effort will hopefully be two-way communication with local Indian Tribes having usual and accustomed fishing rights and management authority in the islands. We will seek to include indigenous knowledge and traditions both for developing the broad outlines of our proposals as well as for specific implementation actions. We hope that everyone interested in the sustainability of the San Juan County marine ecosystem will help by participating in our outreach sessions. The second phase will be for the MRC, guided by public input, to closely look at our adopted goals, develop specific objectives, and determine what additional protections are necessary to achieve those objectives. The results of this work will be the designation of specific areas within the marine stewardship area where different levels of voluntary or regulatory protection could be established in a coordinated effort to meet the goals. For example, certain beaches important to forage fish spawning may be recommended for protection from runoff impacts due to upland development, certain rocky reef areas necessary to sustain long-lived rock fish populations may be recommended for protection from fishing impacts, and certain areas important for Orca whales may be recommended for protection from boating impacts. We hope that, under the umbrella of a county-wide marine stewardship area with clearly stated goals, specific implementation actions such as these can be accepted as necessary steps toward achieving these goals. Adopted by the San Juan County Marine Resources Committee - May 7, 2003 |
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