HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarine Conservation Commission Letter of Support DocuSign Envelope ID:5BBE64C6-B84A-4E31-8CDA-BFF4F07A7AA4
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PORTA GELS 321 East Fifth Street
WASH I N G T' O N , U . S . Port Angeles, WA 98362
July 21,2021
Senator Patty Murray
154 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington DC,20510
Dear Senator Murray,
On behalf of the City of Port Angeles,I am writing to urge that you seek ongoing federal support that fully funds the
Northwest Straits(NWS)Marine Conservation Initiative at S3 million per year. The Initiative's leadership and work
is critical to the health of our marine resources in our county and six others—a majority of counties in the Puget
Sound region.
The NWS Initiative provides technical assistance,coordination, and base funding support to seven county-based
Marine Resources Committees(MRC),including the Clallam County MRC. The work that MRCS do protects and
restores our valuable marine resources and nearshore environment. Our County,like others, faces ongoing pressures
from population growth,climate change, and habitat loss,making the contributions of MRCS more important than
ever.
MRCS are made up of local volunteers who prioritize and lead restoration,monitoring and education projects and
serve as advisory bodies to local elected officials, including a member of our Port Angeles City Council. The MRC
serves a unique role by convening a diversity of community perspectives from tribal, economic,recreational, and
environmental interests to prioritize and initiate consensus-driven work.A few examples from our county include:
• Hazwoper Training for Port Angeles Harbor Oil Spill Protection
• Crab pot best practices to limit derelict crab pots throughout the Strait
• Removal of derelict fishing gear throughout Port Angeles Harbor and the Strait
• Critical shellfish monitoring for Port Angeles area beaches
• Valuable annual internship opportunities for local youth
• Study and scientific evaluation of the Elwha River restoration as it has benefited the Strait
• Ongoing education about the Strait of Juan De Fuca nearshore environment
Project implementation through our MRC is a cost-effective way of contributing to recovery and protection of marine
resources that are important to our county residents and the local economy.Funding and support from the NWS
Initiative assures we can maintain this locally driven approach to solving problems in our region.
We appreciate your ongoing commitment to the NWS Initiative and hope that we can count on your help to see that
this important work will continue and be adequately funded.
Sincerely,
G
DocuSigned by:
/J
Kate ext�er -
Mayor