Coastal Community Planning Workshop to Address Strategies for Sustainable Growth and Development for Coastal Grays Harbor

City and county planners, developers, elected officials, business leaders, realtors, interest groups, concerned citizens and others in the local Grays Harbor vicinity have been invited to participate in a workshop designed to discuss strategies for sustainable growth anddevelopment in Grays Harbor County. The two-day workshop will be held in early February at Montesano City Hall and is sponsored by the Grays Harbor County Marine Resources Committee and the Surfrider Foundation. The event materialized through an offer by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the initiative to implement the action plan set forth by the West Coast Governors Agreement on Ocean Health.

After submitting an application to NOAA in early 2009 to be considered for this workshop opportunity, we were thrilled to learn that Grays Harbor had been chosen along with just a few other west coast communities. The West Coast Governor’s Agreement on Ocean Health was launched in September 2006 by the Governors of California, Oregon, and Washington as a proactive collaboration to protect and manage west coast ocean resources. Initiatives such as the Governors’ agreement and the growing awareness of the threats facing our nation’s ocean resources are inspiring an increase in community based outreach, including the official formation of the Grays Harbor Marine Resources Committee in spring 2009. This community driven, grassroots committee, the first of its kind along coastal Washington, addresses local concerns surrounding marine resources and makes recommendations to local, state, and federal authorities. The ocean is our backyard. The local Marine Resources Committee is applying local knowledge and collaborative outreach and education efforts to protect our backyard for the future.

As a board member on the Grays Harbor County Marine Resources Committee representing recreational interests and as an outreach and education liaison for the Surfrider Foundation, it is an honor to be leading the planning of this local workshop. It has been my goal to draw the interest of those in the community with planning, conservation, and economic development interests in addition to having representation from local leaders who have the influence and ability to take the information they learn from this educational workshop, back into the community whether through local government, interest groups, or the building industry. In addition, information is being gathered from participants prior to the training in order to formulate an agenda that will accurately reflect common concerns and interests among those attending.

The format of the training is for facilitators to actively engage attendees in both groups and breakout discussions to address issues surrounding patterns and trends of development in Grays Harbor. They will provide background information and examples of strategies and resources to support alternative development efforts for coastal communities and will give special attention to issues pertinent to Grays Harbor such as flooding and other natural hazards, climate change, water quality, and economic stability.

By the end of the two days the goal is for participants to have the ability to: identify the primary drivers that influence growth and development patterns; describe social, environmental, and economic impacts and benefits of various development patterns; explain the principles of integrated and comprehensive growth strategies; assess the current state of growth and development in their own communities; and effectively communicate with each other about coastal planning and development.

I look forward to very promising outcomes for coastal Grays Harbor Communities from this important and educational opportunity. A final report and summary of the workshop’s activities will be available by early spring. If you would like to learn more about this or other events in coastal Grays Harbor pertaining to local marine resources and the Grays Harbor County Marine Resources Committee, please contact me at kgreer@surfrider.org or visit http://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/info/pub_svcs/MRC/index.html.