Grays Harbor Citizens Participate in Workshop to Learn About the Concept of Marine Spatial Planning

On Tuesday, October 20^th approximately 80 registered participants arrived at the Grays Harbor College Bishop Center for the Performing Arts to learn about marine spatial planning. The daylong workshop took place through support from state and local agencies, the Grays Harbor Marine Resources Committee, and was sponsored by The Nature Conservancy. Participants represented a broad range of local interests, including commercial and recreational fishing, tribes, recreation, tourism, and education.

Attendees were welcomed by Grays Harbor County Commissioner Al Carter and Grays Harbor College President Edward J. Brewster who both spoke about the importance of educating folks about marine spatial planning as it may be effecting coastal communities including Grays Harbor in the near future. Jena Carter of The Nature Conservancy and Joe Schumacker, Biologist with the Quinault Indian Nation led the morning’s agenda and explained some of the basic concepts of marine spatial planning. It was described as a public process for analyzing the “use” of marine areas to achieve ecological, economic, and social objectives with the overall goal being to bring together diverse users of the ocean in order to make informed and coordinated decisions about how to best utilize a broad spectrum of marine resources. Those who could be affected by or have a vested interest in marine spatial planning include commercial and recreational fisherman, local ports, non extractive recreational users (beach goers, kayakers, surfers, etc.), and alternative energy developers to name a few.

Marine spatial planning began to materialize about a decade ago in various locations worldwide due in part to the many demands being placed on marine resources. It’s a fairly new concept in the United States but one that has become a priority since the Obama Administration assigned an ocean policy task force to design a framework for it by the end of this year.

The workshop agenda continued with Jennifer Hennessey and Kathy Taylor from the Washington Department of Ecology helping to highlight the different tools and methods used in marine spatial planning that contribute to creating a comprehensive picture of a marine area and the activities that occur there. They explained that unlike land-use planning the ocean requires a three-dimensional approach due to the ocean’s breadth, depth, and surface. They gave examples of marine spatial planning efforts already underway in the United States and abroad and mentioned that Washington State currently has authority to initiate the process under statutes, frameworks, and regulations already in place.

During the afternoon brief presentations were given by state, city, and local port leads and members of tourism, fishing, and recreational groups as they addressed the question: “What challenges and opportunities exist, from your perspective, for marine spatial planning?” Washington State Representative Brian Blake, District 19, Ray Toste President of the Washington Dungeness Crab Fisherman’s Association, Grays Harbor County Commissioner Terry Willis, and LeRoy Tipton, President of the Grays Harbor Chamber of Commerce were among over a dozen local professionals who offered their opinions. Many conveyed that they believe this process is something that will be affecting our coastal communities in the very near future and that the best way for locals to have a say in how their marine resources will be managed in the future, is to be prepared for and learn what they can about marine spatial planning.

Toward the end of the day attendees and presenters split up into groups to identify one or two key points that they, as members of coastal Grays Harbor, would like conveyed in relation to the process of marine spatial planning. When the workshop reconvened all comments seemed to emphasize the importance of having a “local voice” present during all phases and that it was important to focus on the revitalization and preservation of the area’s natural resources, industries, and traditional ways of life.

The workshop came to a close with Jacques White of The Nature Conservancy leading a discussion on “next steps.” He talked about how Grays Harbor should maintain involvement in local marine spatial planning efforts and emphasized the community’s newest ally and resource, the Grays Harbor Marine Resources Committee. He encouraged attendees to get involved in the committee’s regular monthly meetings and to participate in their “bottoms up” approach to addressing marine resource issues in Grays Harbor. In addition he voiced the importance of contacting local legislative representatives and county commissioners with suggestions and opinions about marine spatial planning or other efforts that could affect the vitality of our area’s ocean resources.

To find out more about marine spatial planning visit http://www.unesco-ioc-marinesp.be/msp_faq and to learn more about the Grays Harbor Marine Resources Committee please visit their website at http://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/info/pub_svcs/MRC/index.html.