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Home My WebLink Aboutres1999-023WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 1999 - 158 A CLEARANCES Date Date Received in Council Office Agenda Date Assigned To Orig. Dept.: County Council 4/27/99 U u \�/ D APR ll \' R 2 7 1999 WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL. 5/4/99 Full Council Division Head: Dept. Head: Prosecutor: Budget: Executive: SUBJECT.- Resolution establishing a Whatcom County Marine Committee ATTACHMENTS SU.?I&IARY STATEMENT.• Related County Contract #: Should the Clerk schedule a hearing? (Y/1) Requested Date: A resolution establishing a Whatcom County Marine Committee RECOMMENDED MOTION (for final action): COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN.- 1999 - 158 A 5/4/99: Held in Committee 5/1 8/99: Amended and approved 7 -0, Res. #99 -023 Related File Numbers: Ordinance or Resolution Number (this item only): RG6.-*qq -o23 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 rwineresources.res4 /15/99 PROPOSED BY: COUNCIL SPONSORED BY: CONSENT INTRODUCTION DATE: May4, 1999 RESOLUTION NO. 99 -023 ESTABLISHING A WHATCOM COUNTY MARINE RESOURCE COMMITTEE AS PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE NORTHWEST STRAITS COMMISSION 11 WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council recognizes that the marine waters of 12 Whatcom County represent an unparalleled resource of enormous environmental and 13 economic value to the people of the region for this and future generations; and 14 15 WHEREAS, despite the considerable research and regulatory efforts, previous 16 efforts have failed to adequately protect natural habitats and fish and wildlife populations 17 within these waters; and 18 19 WHEREAS, the Northwest Straits Commission was established on October 1, 20 1998, to provide an ecosystem focus on the marine resources of the Northwest Straits, to 21 help mobilize science to focus on key priorities, and to guide and provide resources to 22 county Marine Resources Committees; and 23 24 WHEREAS, active county participation in a regionally coordinated program is the 25 best available tool to ensure counties in the Northwest Straits area are constructively 26 engaged in effective marine conservation areas; and 27 28 WHEREAS, the Northwest Straits Commission and/or participating entities may 29 provide financial assistance and technical expertise to participating local governments to 30 use for planning, revision of city and county ordinances, and scientific studies; and 31 32 WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council desires to establish a Mariiie Resources 33 Committee to protect and enhance the local marine environment and contribute to the 34 protection of the marine environment of the Northwest Straits; and 35 I WHEREAS, the marine environment is an essential element in the recovery of 2 threatened and endangered salmon species. 3 4 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that a 5 Marine Resources Committee is hereby established as outlined in Exhibit A to this 6 resolution. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the mission and tasks of the Marine Resources Committee are as outlined in Exhibit B to this resolution. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Marine Resources Committee shall establish a link with other efforts within the county to restore and enhance fish and wildlife habitat, especially as they apply to threatened and /or endangered salmon species, including but not limited to planning under ESHB 2514 and BB 2496. APPROVED this 18P day of May, 1999. ATTEST: Dana Brown- Davis, Clerk of the Council VAPPR, VED AS TO FORM: Civil Deputy Prosecutor WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGT N 4LOMarlene Dawson, Council Chair EXHIBIT A Committee — Established. There is hereby established the Whatcom County Marine Resource Committee as provided for under the Northwest Straits Commission. Purpose. Guided by sound science and the needs of the Northwest Straits marine ecosystem, and consideration for the citizens of Whatcom County. The Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee will address local marine issues and recommend remedial action to local authorities. The Committee will build local awareness of issues, and gather support for remedies consistent with the Benchmarks for Performance as established in the August 20, 1998 Report to the Convenors by the Murray- Metcalf Northwest Straits Citizens Advisory Commission. Committee Members. The Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee shall be comprised of 17 members. The Committee shall have representation from the following sectors: 2 members with relevant scientific expertise; 3 members to be elected officials, (1 each from the County, Blaine, and Bellingham); 3 members with an economic interest (such as, but not limited to, the Port or commercial fishing); 2 members with recreational interests (such as, but not limited to, sport fishers); 3 members with conservation and environmental interests; and 2 members who shall be citizens at large. In addition, each recognized tribe shall be offered a seat on the Committee, with the representative to be appointed by the respective tribal authority. Ex officio members. Ex officio members shall be appointed from Planning and/or Public Works staff of the County, Blaine, and Bellingham. The Committee may appoint additional ex officio members as necessary. The chair of the Committee shall be selected by a majority of the Committee members. Committee members, by consensus, shall select a representative to serve on the Northwest Straits Commission. EXHIBIT B MISSION OF THE WHATCOM COUNTY MARINE RESOURCE COMMITTEE: Encourage county -wide participation in the Whatcom County Marine Resource Committee. Consistent with a scientifically based regional system of Marine Protected Areas (MPA's), identify local candidate sites and urge their inclusion at the appropriate level (especially voluntary). Help ensure a net gain in highly ecologically productive near- shore, inter - tidal, and estuarine habitat within the county, as well as no significant loss of existing, high - value habitat. Work with State (the Puget Sound Action Team and resource agencies) tribes, and local authorities (especially planning departments) to help map, assess, and protect near -shore habitat and prevent harm from upland activities through local and state ordinances and shoreline plans. Help ensure a net reduction in the closure of county shellfish harvest areas due to contamination. Contribute to measurable increases in salmon recovery (including numbers of fish of brood stock size and age, average fish size, and abundance of prey species), as well as sufficient amounts and quality of protected habitat. Contribute to measurable increases in bottom fish recovery, such as rockfish, (including numbers of fish of broodstock size and age, average fish size, and abundance of prey species), as well as sufficient amounts and quality of protected habitat. Contribute to increase in other key marine indicator species (including those identified in the 1997 West report on Puget Sound marine resources). Use and contribute to a scientific data pool on marine resources (for example, through the Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program — PSAMP), including a scientific baseline, common protocols, unified GIS, and sharing of ecosystem assessments and research. SPECIFIC TASKS Help assess marine resources and problems in concert with governmental agencies, tribes, and other entities. Help identify local implications, needs, and strategies associated with the recovery of Puget Sound salmon under the Federal Endangered Species Act in concert with governmental agencies, tribes, and other entities. Work with the Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program and other programs to enhance the scientific baseline and monitoring of the marine environment in the Northwest Straits. Identify and prioritize current actions and the need for additional measures. Work closely with county leadership to implement local marine conservation and restoration initiatives. Coordinate with the Northwest Straits Commission on marine ecosystem objectives. Provide reports at least semi - annually to the Northwest Straits Commission that describe the status of projects and activities. Reach out to the public and other key constituencies on such issues as the link between healthy marine habitat and healthy resources and how MPA's can play an important role in habitat and resource protection. Assist in establishing a working relationship with the government and citizens of British Columbia to enact similar actions within marine areas that fall under their jurisdiction.