Acting as a catalyst for the protection and restoration of the marine waters, habitats and species of Skagit County to achieve ecosystem health and sustainable resource use
About Us
Skagit County boasts 275 miles of marine shoreline, including rocky islands and tidelands, bays and pocket estuaries, and countless sloughs, that provide important habitat for a diverse range of fish, shellfish, waterfowl, marine mammals, and other wildlife that are worth protecting. Not only is a healthy marine environment important to the fish and wildlife it supports, it is also important to the local economy and to those who depend on it as a way of life.
The Skagit County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) was established in 1999 per Resolution #17433, as part of the congressionally authorized Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative (NWSI). The Skagit MRC is a collaborative group representing diverse interests and perspectives that combines sound science and a community-based approach to protect and restore the marine environment.
The work of the Skagit MRC is funded in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency through the Puget Sound Partnership.
MRC Members
The Skagit MRC members are volunteers that represent a variety of interest groups including local governments, local tribes, Ports, marine scientists, conservation organizations, economic, recreational, and concerned citizens. Committee members are appointed by the Skagit County Board of Commissioners to identify local priorities and implement actions for marine resources restoration and protection. Staff support for the Skagit MRC is provided by the Natural Resources Division of the Skagit County Public Works Department.
Skagit MRC is Recruiting New Members! Get more information (pdf) or download an application (doc).
Background
In 1998, Congress authorized the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative (NWSI) to restore and protect the marine resources—the marine waters, habitats and species—of the Northwest Straits region and to achieve ecosystem health and sustainable resource use. Key to the Initiative is the combination of sound science with grassroots consensus building.
The Northwest Straits Commission (NWSC) serves as a “board of directors” for the NWSI. The Commission is comprised of five gubernatorial appointees, one tribal appointee, and a representative from each of the seven county MRCs. The Commission meets monthly and provides regional oversight to the county MRCs, ensuring they have the tools, resources, science-based technical guidance, training, and financial support needed to carry out their mission. In addition to providing support to the MRCs, the NWSC identifies and performs high priority projects on a regional scale.
The Northwest Straits Foundation (NWSF) serves as the non-profit extension of the Initiative, working with the county MRCs to identify and pursue funding opportunities to implement priority projects. In addition, the Foundation administers the Skagit Restoration Initiative (SRI) funds, overseen by the SMRC. These funds are part of the Natural Resources Damages Settlement payment from Kimberly-Clark for the former Scott Paper Mill Site in Anacortes.
The MRC’s, the NWSC, and the NWSF, all carry out work measured by the same performance benchmarks to ensure consistency with the Initiative’s goals:
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Marine Habitats
Protect and restore marine, coastal and nearshore habitats, prevent loss and achieve a net gain of healthy habitat.
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Marine Life
Protect and restore marine populations to healthy sustainable levels.
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Marine Water Quality
Protect marine water quality of the Northwest Straits region, and restore the health of marine waters.
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Sound Science
Collect high quality data and promote its use and dissemination.
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Education & Outreach
Promote stewardship and understanding of Northwest Straits' marine resources through education and outreach.
