Q:

Why was the study area chosen?

A:

The selection of the study area for the Marine Spatial Plan was guided by the criteria recommended by NOAA for establishing coastal effects from federal activities to Washington’s coastal resources or uses. In particular, the study area:

• Is based on where potential new federal activities are technically feasible and that are reasonably expected in the next 15 years. For example, while technology requirements vary by type, all renewable energy technologies appear to be limited to within 20 to 25 miles of shore in the near future. The study area is well beyond this distance from shore.
• Is an area where effects are reasonably foreseeable on Washington’s coastal uses or coastal resources. This geography covers the area where potential impacts are most likely from potential new uses or activities. It is also the area with the highest intensity of existing coastal uses and many ecological resources with connections to Washington’s coastal zone.
• Is ecologically meaningful and ecologically connected to Washington’s coastal zone. The study area encompasses ecological functions, processes and important resource areas such as upwelling, currents, and important feeding and migration areas and habitats. The ecological processes and functions in these areas have important connections to nearshore ecological processes, but are more distinct from farther offshore pelagic and abyssal areas of the ocean.
• Maximizes use of existing data and information available. The amount of information available is much greater shoreward of 700 fathoms, including recent management plans and Environmental Impact Studies. Significantly less information is available beyond 700 fathoms.

For background information on the study area selection, see the SEPA scoping document.

Q:

What new or expanded uses are being researched for the plan?

A:

The marine spatial plan will address the following five potential uses in Washington’s marine waters:

• Marine renewable energy such as offshore wind, wave, or tidal.
• Dredge disposal in new locations.
• Aquaculture in new locations including offshore.
• Mining or mineral extraction.
• Marine product extraction for cosmetic or pharmaceutical uses (sometimes also called bioextraction).

It is the aim of the plan to ensure that future developments related to these marine activities and uses are appropriately sited such that existing activities and new development can successfully coexist, while maintaining a productive, healthy marine ecosystem. The plan will seek to evaluate and identify areas that these new uses should avoid, areas that are potentially suitable for new uses, and preferred areas for these potential new uses. The core of the plan will be to understand, avoid and minimize impacts to important areas for existing, sustainable uses and to sensitive environmental areas.

For more details, please see the list of MSP goals, with their associated objectives and actions and the SEPA document.

Q:

What current uses will be included in the plan?

A:

A wide range of important coastal and ocean uses currently occur on Washington’s coast such as fishing, shipping, recreation, shellfish aquaculture, and military training. Understanding these current uses is critical to plan for the future.

As part of the marine spatial planning process, several projects are contributing better data and information about these current uses. The list below highlights a few examples of these projects:

• Gathering more detailed economic and spatial data on recreational uses through a recreational use survey.
• Gathering more detailed economic information on fishing, aquaculture, and coastal communities, including tribal communities through a coast-wide economic analysis.
• Compiled existing economic and contextual information on some major current uses such as non-tribal fishing, aquaculture, shipping and recreation and tourism through sector reports.
• Providing access to maps of existing data on many of the coastal and ocean uses occurring on Washington’s coast through an online data viewer.

The marine spatial plan will include chapters that provide information and maps of current uses on Washington’s coast.

For more information on current and past projects for Marine Spatial Planning, read the various Scopes of Work on the MSP Projects page or view the data through the MSP mapping application.

Q:

What is the study area for the plan?

A:

The study area for Washington’s Marine Spatial Plan is approximately 7,700 square miles and includes:

• Washington’s marine waters along the Pacific Ocean from Cape Flattery south to Cape Disappointment and from ordinary high water out to offshore areas.
• The estuaries along the coast such as Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay.
• A distance offshore that follows the continental shelf/slope contours at a water depth of 700 fathoms.

For background information on the study area selection, see the SEPA scoping document.

Q:

What are the goals of the plan?

A:

The goals will help guide the overall planning process but do not alter the requirements in the law (RCW 43.372). The planning process will work to achieve all these goals in the final plan.

Overarching goal: To ensure a resilient and healthy marine ecosystem on Washington’s coast that supports sustainable economic, recreational, and cultural opportunities for coastal communities, visitors and future generations.

Goal 1: Protect and preserve existing sustainable uses to ensure economic vibrancy and resource access for coastal communities.

Goal 2: Maintain maritime coastal communities from now into perpetuity.

Goal 3: Ensure that our marine ecosystem is preserved for future generations.

Goal 4: Develop an integrated decision making process which supports proactive, adaptive and efficient spatial planning.

Goal 5: Encourage economic development that recognizes the aspirations of local communities and protects coastal resources.

For more details, see the list of MSP goals, with their associated objectives and actions and the SEPA document.