Brief Description: Requesting that Congress fund the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative.

Sponsors: Representatives Liias, Loomis, Ericks, Sells, Rolfes, Seaquist, McCoy, Upthegrove, Hunt, Williams, Linville, Appleton, Smith, Morrell, McIntire and Pearson.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/15/08, 94-0.

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 2/25/08, 2/27/08 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Hatfield, Vice Chair; Morton, Ranking Minority Member; Fraser, Hargrove, Rockefeller and Stevens.

Staff: Curt Gavigan (786-7437)

Background: Congress created the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative (Conservation Initiative) in 1998 as a conservation and restoration program serving the northwest portion of Puget Sound. The Conservation Initiative is charged with establishing community-based marine stewardship, conducting citizen-driven scientific studies on marine species and their habitat, and restoring marine habitat.

The Conservation Initiative has established seven Marine Resource Committees (MRCs), one for each of the following counties: Clallam, Island, Jefferson, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom. Each of these MRCs are citizen-based, with representatives from local government, tribal government, and the scientific, economic, recreational, and conservation communities.

Summary of Bill: The Legislature respectfully requests that Congress continue to mandate and fund the Conservation Initiative in order to protect, preserve, and restore environmental health to Puget Sound.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: None.

Persons Testifying: No one.