San Juan County MRC
San Juan MRC website: www.sjcmrc.org
San Juan County’s 408 miles of shoreline are the most of any county in the nation, and its waters encompass more than 170 named islands and countless rocky reefs. Cold, nutrient-rich w
aters from the Pacific Ocean and strong tidal currents create ideal conditions for an incredible diversity of marine life, and the diving here is considered some of the finest in the world. The county is home to
the University of Washington's Friday Harbor Laboratories, and to nearly 16,000 full time or seasonal residents. Many Treaty Tribes have Usual and Accustomed fishing areas in the San Juans.
The MRC’s 16 members represent local government, the Tulalip Tribes, Friday Harbor Laboratories, builders, fishermen, boaters, and economic, recreational and conservation interests. San Juan MRC was first of the seven MRCs in the Northwest Straits, and serves as the citizen advisory group for salmon recovery work. They hold an admirable track record for effectively engaging in ever-changing local and regional marine policy efforts, recently making thoughtful recommendations to the County Council and state agencies on resurrection of the derelict vessel removal program; identification of basins with critical habitat and stormwater impacts; oil spill preparedness; and the Protection Island and San Juan National Wildlife Refuges.
Stormwater prevention and mitigation continue to be a high priority for the MRC, and in 2010 their capacity to monitor various elements of the San Juan Marine Stewardship Area was increased by hiring a coordinator. Public outreach was strong, and included workshops, field trips, and 19 resulting articles published in local media relating to the MRC's work. A partnership with the County helped leverage $700,000 for local shoreline protection that will include a stormwater treatment wetland.
San Juan MRC recent projects include:
- Feeder bluff mapping - Mapped feeder bluffs and other shoreforms on 11 islands
- Marine Managers’ Work Session - 6th annual event with 46 participants from federal, tribal, state and local agencies
- Marine Stewardship Area Monitoring - Developed and began implementing a monitoring strategy for adaptive management
- Marine Stewardship Area Outreach - Leads local ECO Net group, coordinated the Sustainable Living Fair and “A Short Run to the Sea” campaign, 19 articles published by local media, Stewardship Connections newsletter to 400+ people, held two workshops and a field trip on citizen science
- Marine Policies & Programs - Support to local government on marine policies affecting the area, including commenting on WDFW 2011-2017 strategic plan and providing scientific documents for the county-based Shoreline Master Program update
Click here to see a list of reports in our bibliography from San Juan MRC.
MRC Members
- Laura Arnold
- John Aschoff, Vice Chair
- Rene Beliveau
- Barbara Bently
- Gregg Dietzman
- Michael Durland
- Johannes Krieger
- David Loyd
- Barbara Marrett
- Kit Rawson
- Steve Revella, Chair
- Ken Sebens
- Jim Slocomb
- Jonathan White
- Tina Whitman
Contact
Linda Lyshall, MRC Coordinator
lindal@sanjuanco.com
135 Rhone Street
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
(360) 370-7592
The Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative, authorized by Congress, is nationally recognized as an innovative approach to bring sound science and an ecosystem perspective together with citizen energy and entrepreneurship.