Coastal Marine Resources Committees in Washington: the key to a sustainable coast!

A majority of the Board members from all four of our coast's MRCs at their now annual summit last fall.

Marine Resources Committees (MRCs) began forming in coastal Washington in 2008. In spring 2009 Grays Harbor became the first of the now four MRCs along our coast, including ones in Pacific, Clallam/Jefferson, and Wahkiakhum counties. All are government funded, "bottoms-up", grassroots, and volunteer-based. Their aim being to engage local citizens to help set priorities and design projects of local importance to help protect and restore the marine environment. These committees existed for inland marine waters in areas such as Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island, San Juan, Jefferson and Clallam counties for the last decade and coastal MRCs somewhat modeled their effort. Each on the coast are made up of about 15 board members that represent a broad spectrum of interests including fish/shellfish, recreation, tribes, conservation, ports, science, and education. They are a citizen based approach to propose and implement research, scientific surveys, and restoration projects, to name a few and have proven in the last three years fantastic success in engaging a very broad range of citizens in marine stewardship related activities. Research, restoration projects, public outreach events, and legislative involvement have all been a part of the MRCs work since their beginning in 2009 all reflecting each area's unique local priorities in order to contribute to broader marine conservation goals.

Grays Harbor MRC volunteers participating in the Nationwide Musselwatch Program.

The Grays Harbor Marine Resource Committee just received $76,000 in state funding this August to continue operation for the next two years with hopefully more funds to follow as local and state agencies realize the amazing work being done by them on behalf of our coastal resources. The agreement was entered into via the Grays Harbor County Commission. The county in the case of all coastal MRCs helps to oversee the fiscal and some of the administrative tasks associated with each MRC. The funds come through via the state Department of Fish & Wildlife from the legislature.

MRCs are really the starting point for much of the conversations on what should happen to the coast. They work through issues and over the past couple of years have really come to appreciate all the diverse interest at the table.
The state Department of Fish & Wildlife has provided $20,000 this year for coordination -- to pay for county staff time to assist the group, as well as up to $18,000 in projects. Next year, another $38,000 will also be available for the same purposes. Garrett Dalan, who works in the county's Environmental Health Division, serves as the county point person for the MRC. Dalan noted that the amount of money being received this year is slightly lower than in previous years. But he was optimistic the state funds would survive future budget cuts.

The first of many public outreach "forums" put on by the Grays Harbor MRC upon their formation.

Overall coastal MRCs have been tasked with working with state and federal officials as the Obama Administration works on planning issues for the coast under an effort known as marine spatial planning via the President’s Ocean Policy Task Force. Some of the MRC projects that have taken place include holding public forum and presentations on marine resource issues, providing bus transportation for students to get field experience learning about coastal issues on the beach, setting up area water quality monitoring sites to and look at "ocean acidification" and harmful algal blooms and their effect on local shellfish. Recently the group began working with state officials to help identify creosote pilings that could be removed up and down the coast and have already begun the removal of derelict gear from the Chehalis and Quinault rivers.
Marine Resources Committees are an advisory body on marine issues. They bring together many interests to work cooperatively and effectively, contribute to the scientific understanding of the marine ecosystem, spread innovative ideas regionally, and mobilize citizen support for marine conservation. As a result they seek to implement practical, on-the-ground projects that benefit the local ecosystem and economy. The groups seek to research issues that may have an impact on our coast such as offshore drilling, alternative energy projects, water quality, and oil spills.

Public citizens are invited to become involved with their local MRCs through volunteer opportunities, project proposals, and/or attendance at their regular monthly meetings, each providing time on the agenda for public input. To get involved visit http://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/info/pub_svcs/MRC/contact/contact.htm or contact the Grays Harbor County MRC Coordinator Garrett Dalan at gdalan@co.grays-harbor.wa.us