Economy

Goal:

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

Objective:

Protect and preserve healthy existing natural resource-based economic activity on the Washington Coast.

 

Goal Action Progress
Understand, define, document all existing marine activities taking place in the study area
  • Sector analysis on existing marine uses
  • Need for participation in multiple “legs” of the industry
Strong Progress
Economic Contributions of Uses
  • Economic analysis by county
  • Concern about closures for other new uses (e.g. marine renewable energy)
  • Assumption that the MSP process will result in space being set aside for certain uses
Strong Progress
Identify and Assess Indicators of Economic Health
  • Create indicators for social well-being
  • Potential effects on pteropods (key juvenile salmon food source)
Info Only
Identify Existing Laws to Minimize Impacts
  • Potential effects on Dungeness crab larvae
  • Potential effects on pteropods (key juvenile salmon food source)
Limited Progress
Stakeholder Participation
  • Threat of oil spills and lack of response preparation
Improvement Needed

 


 

Maritime Culture

Goal:

Maintain maritime coastal communities from now into perpetuity.

Objective:

Sustain diverse traditional uses and experiences to ensure continuity of Washington’s coastal identity, culture, and high quality of life.
 

Goal Action Progress
Understand Cultural Uses
  • Document areas and uses of historical significance
  • Documnet areas and uses of cultural significance
  • Document current visual resources
Info Only
Protecting Aesthetics
  • Provide recommendations that protect the aesthetic quality of the marine environment
  • Provide recommendations that protect maritime activities
  • Provide recommendations that protect marine culture and sense of place
Info Only
Document Vulnerability to Coastal Hazards
  • Document coastal community vulnerability as they relate to proposed future activities
Limited Progress
Identify Social Well-Being
  • Identify indicators of social well-being
  • Verify the results of the social well-being indicators with each coastal county
Strong Progress

 


 

Marine Ecosystem

Goal:

Ensure that our marine ecosystem is preserved for future generations.

Objective:

Foster healthy and resilient marine ecosystem functions, biodiversity and habitats.
 

Goal Action Progress
Understand Nature
  • Understand current status of the natural resources
  • Understand current status of ecosystem conditions
  • Understand impacts of natural variability and natural stressors over the short-term
  • Understand impacts of natural variability and natural stressors over the long-term
  • Document information on ecosystem values and services
Info Only
Understand Human Impacts to Nature
  • Understand the implications of various human activities to the marine ecosystem
  • Document species and habitats that face higher potential risk or impact from proposed activities
Limited Progress
Document Vulnerability to Coastal Hazards
  • Document coastal community vulnerability as they relate to proposed future activities
Limited Progress
Identify Ecologically Important Areas
  • Assess areas of ecological importance or particular sensitivity
Strong Progress
Define Ecosystem Health
  • Idenitfy ecological indicators of ecosystem health
  • Assess ecological indicators for Washington’s Coast
Strong Progress
Avoid Adverse Environmental Impacts
  • Understand existing laws to avoid and minimize adverse environmental impacts
  • Provide special protection for marine life and resources of the Columbia River, Willapa Bay, Grays Harbor estuary, and the Olympic National Park
Limited Progress

 


 

Management Framework

Goal:

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

Objective:

Develop a locally supported and collaborative process that is coordinated with existing authorities for aligning management decisions.
 

Goal Action Progress
Gather Information on Climate Change
  • Synthesize information on climate change
  • Predict impacts to marine resources and existing uses.
  • Address how climate change may influence plan scenarios and potential impacts of new uses
Info Only
Engage Stakeholders in All Phases
  • Engage local, state, federal, and tribal governments to ensure relevant management information are integrated
  • Verify that the uses comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations
Strong Progress
Share Technical Information Across State Lines
  • Coordinate with neighboring states and provinces to share technical information
Strong Progress
Recommend Improvements
  • Recommend approaches for improving the efficiency of the permitting process, where and if appropriate
Strong Progress
Involve Existing and Proposed New Uses Stakeholders
  • Identify individuals and organizations representing existing and proposed new uses
  • Involve individuals working elsewhere on similar issues
  • Involve the identified parties in all phases of the planning process
Strong Progress
Describe the Management Framework
  • Describe how existing state laws, policies and regulations address existing and proposed uses
  • Articulate a strategy for interagency communication, adaptation, implementation, and review of the Marine Spatial Plan
  • Align and incorporate Washington’s MSP with other state management plans and goals
Limited Progress
Include Public Input
  • Provide public opportunities for engagement and input throughout the planning process
  • Identify barriers to participation
  • Work with local stakeholders to address and reduce barriers to public participation
  • Document comments and provide responses, as appropriate
Strong Progress
Engage with Scientists
  • Engage scientific experts in review of data and methods
  • Develop data standards for data collection and analysis
Strong Progress
Use Best Available Science
  • Use best available science and information throughout the planning process and drafting of the plan
  • Provide common information base to assist management decisions
Strong Progress

 


 

Development

Goal:

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

Objective:

Enhance sustainable economic opportunities to achieve a resilient economy and improved quality of life.
 

Goal Action Progress
Understand Potential New Uses
  • Understand potential new uses (benefits, adverse impacts)
  • Evaluate direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts in environmental review documents
Limited Progress
Develop Recommendations
  • Develop a coastal decision-making tools
  • Analyze compatible roles for uses
  • Recommend appropriate and compatible roles for future activities (renewable energy, new locations of dredge disposal or aquaculture, and others)
Strong Progress
Develop Mitigation Measures
  • Identify appropriate mitigation measures to address impacts posed by proposed future uses
  • Develop mitigation measures in accordance with state laws and regulations
Strong Progress