Marine Spatial Planning Bill Passed in Washington State

On March 19, 2010 Washington Governor Christine Gregoire signed SB 6350 for Marine Spatial Planning which will result in the establishment of an interagency team to help provide recommendations about how to use marine spatial planning in Washington. Newly introduced this legislative session, and brought to passage through the diligent efforts of it's primary sponsor, Senator Kevin Ranker (D-San Juan), SB 6350 drew wide spread support from a diverse array of county, state, and federal agencies, local interest groups, fisherman, and many more who utilize the ocean environment for any number of uses from recreation to research.

In general terms marine spatial planning is a tool to support making decisions for managing coastal and ocean environments. This bill reflects Washington's ongoing commitment to the health of it’s marine waters, working in coordination with federal, state and tribal governments, coastal communities and stakeholders. Like sprawl on the land, the demand for space in the ocean and along coastlines is growing. Renewable energy, fishing, recreation, shipping and marine species are all competing for space. This new legislation helps to plan these uses of ocean waters and it will enable Washington to apply for federal funds for marine spatial planning work and related issues such as seafloor mapping, data collection, and science.

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 in early 2009. It is meant to bring together all the agencies responsible for managing ocean and coastal waters, as well as coastal communities and others with a stake in ocean resources to develop a comprehensive framework. This information will then help develop solutions that reduce conflicts between users, align existing management plans, and better manage our important marine resources for the benefit of everyone. For more information on Marine Spatial Planning please visit http://www.msp.noaa.gov/.