(1)(a) The legislative authority for
each county that borders the marine waters of southern Puget
Sound may establish marine resources committees consistent with
the procedures outlined in RCW 36.125.020. Counties authorized
to establish marine resources committees in the southern Puget
Sound are: King, Pierce, Thurston, Kitsap, and Mason counties.
(b) The legislative authority for each county bordering the
marine waters of the outer coast may develop a marine resources
committee consistent with the procedures outlined in RCW 36.125.020. Counties authorized to establish marine resources
committees on the outer coast are: Pacific, Grays Harbor, and
Wahkiakum counties.
(c) Jefferson and Clallam counties may establish a new
marine resources committee or a subcommittee of the county's
existing marine resources committee, consistent with the
procedures outlined in RCW 36.125.020, specifically to address
the marine ecosystems for the outer coast or Puget Sound, where
appropriate.
(2) The mission of a marine resources committee created
under this section is to address, utilizing sound science, the
needs of the marine ecosystem local to the county initiating the
marine resources committee.
(3) A marine resources committee created under this section
should review current data and resource conservation and
management programs and make prioritized recommendations for
additional measures that might be necessary to enhance protection
of marine resources.
(4) The role of a marine resources committee in developing
recommendations includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Utilizing existing data and, to the extent necessary,
helping to gather new data on the health of local marine
resources;
(b) Making scientifically based recommendations on local
candidate sites for marine protected areas;
(c) Working closely with local and state officials to help
implement recommendations of the marine resources committee;
(d) Promoting public outreach and education around marine
resource conservation and management issues; and
(e) Engaging in any other activities that the initiating
county deems appropriate.
[2007 c 344 § 2.]