Marine Stewardship Areas
Board of County Commissioner Action
County Commissioners
Establish
Saratoga Passage, Admiralty Inlet
Marine Stewardship Areas
"Thank you for passing this resolution, which is all about recognition,
rather than regulation, of Island County's waters."
With those words, Island County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) executive
director, Gary Wood, thanked Island County's board of commissioners for an
historic step in the effort to protect and improve Island County's rich marine
habitat and resources.
On December 22, 2003, commissioners Mac McDowell, Bill Byrd and Mike Shelton signed Island County Resolution C-126-03 establishing the Saratoga Passage and Admiralty Inlet marine stewardship areas. The two areas encompass all the waters of the county, including Port Susan.
Don Meehan, Washington State University cooperative extension agent and county lead on the MRC, heralded the announcement as a turning point. "The commissioners have given us a huge boost in our effort to reach property owners, boaters and visitors with what they can do voluntarily to promote healthier waters and shorelines. This is about taking care of the beautiful place where we live -- protecting our property values and leaving a richer heritage to our children and grandchildren."
Creation of the two areas also fulfills a piece of the Murray-Metcalf Commission's instruction to the Marine Resources Committees of northern Puget Sound - to establish zones of marine protection. Island County's response is to create zones that focus on education and voluntary behavior change, rather than regulation and restriction.
Designation of the two stewardship areas culminates years of study and discussion by Island County MRC on how best to share with the public the scientific data that's been collected in recent years on Island County's nearshore habitat processes.
"This is just the first step," Wood said. "Now, it is up to us as an MRC to go to work telling this story in many different ways - through signage, maps, brochures, decals, speakers, educational programs and other methods."
A big piece of the effort already is under way through the Shore Stewards program, rolled out earlier this year in a pilot phase on Camano Island, and soon to be expanded to Whidbey. It was created by the Marine Resources Committee in partnership with WSU / Island County Beach Watchers. Shore Stewards are waterfront property owners who sign a pledge to do their best to adhere to fish-friendly practices on their property - such as limiting pesticide use, properly maintaining their septic systems and maintaining the shade trees that overhang and cool the spawning beaches used by forage fish.
With the commissioners' Dec. 22 passage of the stewardship area resolution, the first pieces have come together and the educational effort is beginning to take shape.
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For Actual Resolution Click here (A PDF)