Washington State Department of Ecology

Accomplishments

Accomplishments Related to Washington Ocean Action Plan
Status of Key Recommendations of Washington’s Ocean Action Plan
Other Ocean-Related Actions and Activities

Accomplishments Related to Washington Ocean Action Plan

Marine Resources Committees were established in Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties to coordinate and support local official and citizen involvement in coastal and ocean management issues and stewardship projects and initiatives, pursuant to state law.
Through the support of Sen. Cantwell, NOAA obtained funding to fill the (Doppler) weather radar gap on the Washington Coast. Once installed, this system will provide significant advanced warning of incoming storms along Washington’s coasts.
With support from the state, Pacific Education Institute obtained a NOAA-funded education grant ($270,000 for three years) for developing coastal and ocean stewardship projects for students in outer coast school districts.
Under the auspices of the West Coast Governors’ Agreement, Washington with California and Oregon funded a National Academy of Sciences study on the impacts of climate change on the West Coast. The study is scheduled to be completed in December 2010.
In 2008, Washington signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to coordinate on applications for renewable energy development on Washington’s coasts and in Puget Sound, including the identification of areas of future work such as research, monitoring, community outreach and education.
Washington Sea Grant established the Hershman Fellowship pilot project and partnered with the State Ocean Caucus to provide an opportunity for current or recent graduate students to work on ocean and coastal policy projects with state agencies.
Under a multi-agency effort led by the Washington Department of Agriculture, all but approximately 33 acres of invasive Spartina has been removed in Washington’s marine waters, from Willapa Bay to Puget Sound.
Assisted with successful elimination of U.S. Navy’s security restriction that prevented NOAA from sharing high resolution seafloor data for Washington with the state, other federal agencies, tribes and others with an interest in characterizing and mapping the seafloor.
Secured state funding to match federal funding for a large sand placement using clean dredge material to replenish Washington beaches at or near Benson Beach.
Permanent year-round funding for emergency response and rescue tug services in Straits of Juan de Fuca, Puget Sound and the Washington coast was established through legislative action.
Improved management by establishing new partnerships for coordinating among state agencies, and with tribal, local, federal, and international on ocean issues.
Washington State Emergency Management continued to improve public awareness about coastal hazards, specifically tsunamis, through the development of a train-the-trainer (T3) program that supports local emergency management agencies. The purpose of the T3 Program is to train a cadre of professionals to serve as Tsunami Public Education Instructors at the community level. To date, T3 graduates have conducted at least 12 community workshops for at least 339 participants.
WDFW led a work group to inventory and provide recommendations on Marine Protected Areas in the state. Washington hosts a variety of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) with ranging degrees of protection and established for diverse purposes by several different entities. Washington is home to 127 MPAs managed by eleven federal, state, and local agencies. Twenty-six percent of the state’s marine waters and 27% of the state’s shorelines are included in the boundaries of MPAs, which have various degrees of protection. For more details, download the Marine Protected Area work group’s December 2009 report to the Washington Legislature.
Washington Departments of Health and Fish and Wildlife worked with NOAA and others to gather data related to a large marine algae bloom of Akashiwo sanguine that occurred in the fall of 2009. The bloom caused numerous bird deaths and reports of health symptoms among surfers on coastal beaches. University of Washington scientists are summarizing and analyzing the wildlife impacts based on survey data collected by WDFW and COASST. Department of Health, in collaboration with NOAA and CDC, conducted an exploratory investigation into possible health impacts from the bloom event. The Washington and Oregon Chapters of the Surfrider Foundation initiated a survey to gather a retrospective health histories on surfers exposed to this bloom.
Between 1993 and 2010, Ecology partnered with a variety of groups in the state to conserve and protect over 4,000 acres of coastal wetlands through funding from national wetland grant programs, as well as matched funding from partners. Some funding also went to restore portions of some of these wetlands.

Status of Key Recommendations of Washington’s Ocean Action Plan (2006)

Completed

Establish Washington Interagency Ocean Policy Team. State Ocean Caucus formed 2007. Recommendation 6-1
Pursue Installation of Doppler RADAR facility on Washington’s outer coast. Supported Sen. Cantwell’s successful efforts to fund; scheduled for installation in 2011. Recommendation 4-3
Maintain a year-round response and rescue tug at Neah Bay. Legislature established year-around program, 2009. Recommendation 3-6
Establish a coastal program to remove derelict crab pots. Legislation passed in 2009 allowed WDFW to permit individuals to remove gear; pots retrieved can be kept by the person who collected the gear. WDFW also received a one-time federal grant for the removal of additional crab pots; retrieved pots are returned to the owner, if the gear is properly marked. As of February 2010, a total of 536 lost or abandoned crab pots were removed. Recommendations 3-1 and 3-3
Improved groundfish research with new law that established program at WDFW through increased fees on recreational and commercial licenses. Recommendation 1-1

In progress

Develop indicators and assess resources and trends to facilitate ecosystem-based approach to management. Recommendation 1-6
- The Pacific Fishery Management Council has initiated a process to develop an Ecosystem Fishery Management Plan for the West Coast. WDFW and the coastal tribes have representatives on the Council’s Plan Development Team. A draft plan is expected to be completed by the end of 2011. Recommendations 1-6 & 1-7
- Under the West Coast Governors’ Agreement, the region is beginning to utilize Integrated Ecosystem Assessments as a tool for assessing threats and status of resources and developing social, economic, and environmental indicators. A pilot is already underway in Puget Sound with the next phase planned for the West Coast (California Current Large Marine Ecosystem). Recommendations 1-6 & 1-7
Develop ocean research and monitoring strategic plan. Washington Sea Grant participated in a comprehensive, joint effort to identify major regional marine research and information needs with other West Coast Sea Grant institutions. Report published in June 2008. Washington Sea Grant plans to release a summary of Washington-specific needs in 2010. Recommendation 4-1
Develop a plan to integrate policy for marine and ocean renewable energy. Washington signed an MOU with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to coordinate on applications for renewable energy development. The Governors’ Office of Regulatory Assistance coordinates communication among agencies and applicants for permitting specific projects. Under the West Coast Governors’ Agreement on Ocean Health, working on a regional data and planning guidebook to inform siting of projects as well as several other activities to address information, communication, and outreach needs. Recommendation 1-9
Characterization and mapping of Washington’s nearshore and shelf habitat through efforts by federal and state agencies. Elimination of U.S. Navy restriction on high resolution data will greatly improve ability of NOAA to share data and forge partnerships with the state. Developing a strategic plan in partnership with federal, state and tribal agencies as well as academic and private mapping entities to secure funding, indentify gaps, and coordinate priority areas for mapping with common products and data standards. Recommendation 1-2
Develop a plan to provide high-impact and high-priority community and economic revitalization projects for coastal communities. Under the West Coast Governors’ Agreement on Ocean Health, the sustainable communities’ action coordination team is identifying potential projects and activities in their draft work plan, which is currently under development. Recommendation 5-1

No Action

Develop a plan to address gaps in coastal hazards research and planning. Recommendation 2-3
Establish a consensus approach for finfish aquaculture. Recommendation 1-3
Conduct long-term sediment and erosion monitoring under Ecology’s coastal monitoring and analysis program. Ecology currently conducts erosion monitoring, but the program still lacks consistent funding. Recommendation 2-12

Other Ocean-Related Actions and Activities

Federal Recovery Plan for Southern Resident killer whales adopted November 2006 to protect this marine icon of Puget Sound.
Puget Sound Partnership Action Plan, December 2008. The Action Plan includes NOAA-approved recovery plans for ESA-listed Hood Canal Chum and Puget Sound Chinook. Puget Sound designated National Estuary Program in 1990s.
Marine Debris removal, Northwest Marine Straits Commission 2009-2011. Under a $5.2 Million federal stimulus program grant (Summer 2009), the Straits Commission will remove an estimated 90% of the abandoned nets in Puget Sound over three years.
Lower Columbia River designated as an estuary of national significance under National Estuary Program, 1996. Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership formed and management Plan adopted in 1999.
Pacific Salmon Treaty, adoption of Chinook management plan, 2008. Over ten years, an estimated 1 million wild Chinook will return to Washington’s Puget Sound, coast and Columbia River.

Questions? Contact Jennifer Hennessey, 360-407-6595