Recently formed coastal advisory body convenes later this month

After nearly a year of organizational meetings with interested parties that began in February 2011, Washington’s coastal Marine Resources Committees have helped officiate the formation of a coastal advisory body for ocean policy.  Their recommendations were passed on to Ecology’s State Ocean Caucus late last year for final review. Those involved in the process included coastal citizens and stakeholders, fisherman, conservation representatives, tribes, and state and local governments. The group will work to advise the State Ocean Caucus, an interagency team on ocean policy and management, about issues along Washington’s coast. The group will also coordinate and provide local perspectives on solutions to marine resource issues, projects and conflicts. Ecology’s director has appointed the following representatives to serve on the advisory body.

Citizen Seat - Key McMurray,Key Environmental Solutions LLC
Commercial Fishing - Ray Toste, Westport Crabbers Association
Commercial Fishing - Dale Beasley, Columbia River Crab Fishermens Association
Conservation - RD Grunbaum, Friends of Grays Harbor
Economic Development - Tami Garrow, Grays Harbor Public Development Authority
Education - Lorena Maurer, educator
Ports - Marc Horton, Port of Grays Harbor
Recreation - Kathy Greer, Surfrider Foundation
Recreational Fishing - Mark Cedergreen, Westport Charterboat Association
Shellfish Aquaculture - Brian Sheldon, Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association
Shipping - Charlie Costanzo, The American Waterways Operators (AWO): Pacific Region
Science - Rich Osborne, Feiro Marine Life Center Research Associate

The appointment process for the group began this winter when the Ocean Caucus and Marine Resource Committee representatives carried out a recruitment and selection process for membership. All nominations were reviewed and a consensus recommendation was provided to Ecology’s director for the nominees chosen for final approval. It is noted that no nominees were received for energy or tourism seats, but these seats or additional seats, may be filled at a later date.

In addition to the appointments listed above state, federal, tribal and local governments have been invited to serve in non‐voting, liaison capacity and each of the four coastal Marine Resources Committees selected one representative to serve on the advisory group as well. Those member have been identified as:

Garrett Dalan , Grays Harbor County MRC

Rod Fleck (alternate, Tami Pokorny), North Pacific MRC

Doug Kess (alternate, Mike Nordin), Pacific County MRC

Mike Backman , Wahkiakum County MRC

The advisory group’s first meeting will be held March 23rd at the Port of Grays Harbor. The agenda has not been released but is expected to include introductions, the planning of goals and objectives for the coming year, and a vote to decide on a formal name for the group. It will be facilitated by Amanda Murphy who was hired by Ecology to serve as a neutral convener and to assist with meeting agendas and logistics over the next year.