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Department of Ecology News Release - March 7, 2008
08-060
OLYMPIA – The Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Mount Vernon has announced its spring and summer series of 2008 Coastal Training Program classes.
The classes are offered statewide and the first spring class will be held on April 9.
The training series is designed to help coastal management professionals gain a better understanding of environmental issues, science and federal, state and local regulations. The training program is part of a broader national initiative through the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.
The Coastal Training Program also helps support the Puget Sound Initiative – a collaborative effort by local, tribal, state and federal governments, business, agricultural and environmental interests, and the public – to restore and protect the Sound.
“We are committed to offering classes that are practical, pertinent, and scientifically based,” said the Department of Ecology’s Cathy Angell, who coordinates the Coastal Training Program. “Many classes are designed to combine classroom time with field time so that students can have a hands-on learning experience.”
Ecology and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) partner in operating the Padilla Bay research reserve. The Padilla Bay reserve is part of the larger National Estuarine Reserve System.
The reserve system is comprised of a network of protected estuaries that are focused on providing education as well as long-term monitoring and research about each estuary. While there are 25 other estuarine reserves around the nation that have similar programs, Washington’s coastal training program is considered one of the most successful in the country.
Angell said that among the most popular courses is “How to Determine the Ordinary High Water Mark.” The two-day class, taught by Ecology staff, helps shoreline planners, consultants and state field staff identify field indicators to determine the ordinary high water mark of state shorelines. The ordinary high water mark establishes the boundary between public and private shorelands and helps ensure that structures are built at an appropriate distance from the shoreline.
Another well-attended class, “Managing Shoreline Drainage for Slope Stability, Habitat and Water Quality,” provides guidance, tools and resources for local government shoreline planners, engineers, permitting agencies, shoreline consultants, and state agency staff dealing with shoreline drainage permitting and guidance. Representatives from the local, state, federal and private sectors discuss the problems associated with drainage management on Puget Sound shorelines, with a particular emphasis on unstable shorelines. Instructors offer site-specific solutions to protect multiple critical area functions and values for shorelines – particularly steep slopes, water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and aquifer recharge areas.
Other training classes show students how to rate wetlands, process shoreline development permits, review wetland mitigation and monitoring plans, protect aquatic ecosystems, and identify plant species for restoration and site evaluation.
Those interested in the spring and summer Coastal Training Program courses can register online at: www.coastaltraining-wa.org Classes tend to full up quickly.
While the Coastal Training Program is coordinated and administered by the Padilla Bay Reserve, several other organizations and agencies also are involved.
Representatives from the state departments of Ecology and Community, Trade and Economic Development, Washington Sea Grant, and local shoreline planning representatives make up an advisory group that oversees the program design and development.
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Media Contacts:
Curt Hart, media relations, 360-407-6990; cell, 360-480-7908 (e-mail:
char461@ecy.wa.gov)
Cathy Angell, Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program, 360-428-1075 (e-mail:
cang461@ecy.wa.gov)
For more about the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Reserve: http://www.padillabay.gov/
Ecology’s Web site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
