2002 Work Plan

Approved by the Board of County Commissioners on December 11, 2001


Orca protection

  • Continue to monitor self-regulation of the whale-watch industry and maintain routine communications with Soundwatch program representatives.
  • Monitor progress of Canadian M-3 program.

Forage fish habitat protection

  • Subject to funding approvals, complete the assessment and mapping of specific spawning sites, establish priorities for preservation, restoration and enhancement, and help to inform property owners and the general public about the importance of this resource.
  • Continue sampling program.
  • Develop conservation priority and mechanisms
    Seek funding for eelgrass mapping.

Westcott Bay sign installation

  • Reinstall sign.

Tribal involvement with MRC

  • Continue direct contact with tribal councils and staff as MRC programs develop.

Student participation

  • Continue opportunities to communicate with student faculty teams on marine research issues to benefit local resource knowledge base.

Sustainable funding initiatives

  • Expand cooperative fund raising program with interested non-profit organizations.
  • Design and seek funding for a coordinated outreach and marketing program to promote MRC projects and programs.

Natural gas pipeline issues

  • Continue monitoring GSX project and provide comments as appropriate.

Escort/Rescue tugs and shipping activity

  • Continue to pressure USCG to require escort tugs.

Shoreline management issues

  • Participate in the county’s response (timing subject to state funding) to new rules for local Shoreline Master Programs to address nearshore habitat issues in the development of any required county SMP amendments and assist in coordinating this effort with salmon recovery efforts statewide.
  • Evaluate and make a recommendation to the BOCC and Planning Department regarding the Path A vs. Path B approaches for any required amendments to the SMP to comply with the new SMP rules.

Baseline data for nearshore habitat protection

  • Work with the Conservation District to establish criteria for baseline definition and methodology for cumulative impact evaluation, based on established data and WADNR/WDFW legal requirements.

Bottom Fish Recovery Program

  • Work with Whale Museum to acquire funding to continue monitoring and outreach. Design and implement creative approach to paying for BFRP ad in WDFW Sportfishing Guide.
  • Investigate opportunities to coordinate with other outreach programs.
  • Identify funding for sign maintenance.

Conservation priorities

  • Begin Phase 3 of MRC/FSJ Forage Fish Program

512 Guard St * PO Box 947 Friday Harbor, WA 98250
Phone:(360) 378-1095
Email: info@sjcmrc.org