| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Ecology & Parks Committee | |
SSB 6231
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Improving the coordination of marine protected areas.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen and Shin).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/26/08
Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).
Background:
In the year 2000 President Bill Clinton signed an executive order relating to the federal
government's management of marine protected areas (MPAs). The executive order defines
MPAs as areas of the marine environment that have been reserved by federal, state, territorial,
tribal, or local laws and regulations to provide lasting protection for part or all of the natural and
cultural resources located within the area.
The goals of the executive order are to strengthen the management and conservation of MPAs,
develop a scientifically-based system of MPAs, and avoid causing harm to MPAs through
federal actions. Each federal agency undertaking actions that may affect an MPA must identify
those actions and avoid harm to the MPA.
MPAs have been identified nationally, with approximately 80 located in Washington. The
MPAs in Washington include areas such as national wildlife refuges, aquatic reserves
established by the Commissioner of Public Lands, areas closed to bottom fishing by the
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), underwater parks, natural area preserves
created by the Department of Natural Resources, and national parks.
MPAs can be designated and managed by the federal or state government, or by an appropriate
local government. Restrictions on activities in an MPA are limited to the authority of the
government that created the MPA.
Summary of Bill:
The director of the WDFW is required to establish a work group on MPAs (Work Group).
MPAs are defined as marine or estuarine areas designated by a state, federal, local, or tribal
government in order to provide long-term protection to the resources within the area.
The Work Group is directed to examine the current inventory and management of MPAs and
develop a series of recommendations regarding MPAs. The focus of the recommendations must
include improving the coordination among MPAs, improving the integration of science, and
furthering the integration of local governments and non-governmental organizations into MPA
management decisions. Depending on the outcome of separate legislation, the Work Group may
either focus exclusively on coastal areas, or include the Puget Sound in its purview. If the Puget
Sound is included, the Puget Sound Partnership must conduct reviews jointly for MPAs located
within the Puget Sound.
The work group must be chaired by the director of the WDFW, and must be composed of
individuals invited by the director. Invited individuals must include representatives of other
state agencies and local governments with jurisdiction over MPAs, as well as representatives of
federal agencies, tribal governments, and Marine Resource Counties.
The final report of the work group must be completed and delivered to the Legislature by
December 1, 2009.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.