Resource Library
Our library contains a collection of materials from projects and meetings brought to you by the Northwest Straits Commission and the seven Marine Resources Committees. Please contact Commission staff if you are unable to find what you are looking for online.
Enter keywords to search below. Results will include resources that contain any, but not necessarily all, of the keywords.
Kayak Point County Park Restoration
Coastal Geologic Services was contracted by the Snohomish County Surface Water Management to provide restoration feasibility assessments and proposed restoration designs of the shoreline at Kayak Point County Park. This report focuses on Phase II of the project, which included taking into account sea level rise for assessing and restoring the area.
By: Jim Johannessen, Andrea MacLennan
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Snohomish County
Length: 47
ROV Assessment of Rockfish Abundance, Distribution and Habitat in Whatcom County Marine Waters
The survey described in this report, supported by the Whatcom MRC, was a preliminary step in assessing the abundance and spatial distribution of rockfish and critical habitat in Whatcom County and determining whether rockfish populations were declining or recovering.
By: Trevor Grove and David H. Shull
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: Whatcom County
Length: 76
Wetland Characterization: Chuckanut Village Marsh
The scope of this project was to provide a wetland characterization of Chuckanut Village Marsh to assist in the decision matrix for a proposed culvert removal project. The characterization included a wetland rating, a general functional review, a survey of the marsh and immediate vicinity topography, and habitat mapping. It also included an analysis of existing conditions, proposed action alternatives and recommendations based on the collected data.
By: Northwest Ecological Services
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Whatcom County
Length: 83
Rates of Marine Species Mortality Caused by Derelict Fishing Nets in Puget Sound, WA
Lost or abandoned commercial & recreational fishing gear, known as derelict gear, is responsible for the killing of target and non-target species throughout the Puget Sound and Northwest Straits. In 2007, the Northwest Straits Initiative began a derelict net monitoring program at 4 specific sites in the Puget Sound, putting together information to understand the mortality rate associated with derelict gear. This data was then extrapolated to gauge just how harmful derelict gear as a whole is in the Puget Sound.
By: Natural Resource Consultants Inc.
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Puget Sound
Length: 16
North Fidalgo Geomorphic assessment and drift cell restoration prioritization
The purpose of this study was to provide a coastal geomorphic assessment and restoration prioritization of the North Fidalgo Island shore from Washington Park to Weaverling Spit for the
Skagit County Marine Resources Committee. The assessment entailed mapping the current and historic geomorphic character of the drift cells within the study area with attention
focused on coastal processes and impairment of those processes. The results of the assessment were then applied to developing prioritized, coastal processes-based restoration
opportunities aimed at restoration/ enhancement of the nearshore habitats found along the shores of the study area.
By: Coastal Geologic Services Inc. : Andrea MacLennan, Jim Johannessen
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Skagit County
Length: 45
Northwest Straits Regional Creosote Inventory and Removal Project
Creosote-laden pilings litter the shoreline of Washington State from years of shoreline construction and development. As these structures weather and break down, they spread across the Puget Sound and wash up onto beaches. The harmful effects that these pilings have on the environment are the reason behind this Community based Restoration Program.
This report provides the methodology and results of removing creosote ridden debris from shorelines across the Puget Sound.
By: Joan Drinkwin
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Clallam County, Island County, San Juan County
Length: 38
San Juan Island Derelict Fishing Gear Removal Project
This is a project outline for a comprehensive program to safely remove derelict fishing gear from the marine environment in an environmentally acceptable manner. In the report, methodology and results are presented for identifying and removing derelict crab pots from the San Juan Islands waters.
By: Natural Resources Consultants Inc.
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: San Juan County
Length: 15
Northwest Straits Initiative Annual Report 2007
The annual report for the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative for the year 2007.
By: Northwest Straits
Published:
Benchmark: All
Location: Northwest Straits
Length: 36
San Juan County MRC Annual Report 2008
This is San Juan County MRC's annual report for 2008.
By: San Juan County MRC
Published:
Benchmark: All
Location: San Juan County
Length: 4
Community Spartina Education and Stewardship Program
This report presents the results of the kayak based Spartina surveys in Skagit County. These surveys were established to help in the eradication of Spartina, by locating and controlling potential seed sources to prevent re-infestation. Chemical control as well as manual removal were the preferred methods of removal. Special training was provided to volunteers for digging and seedling removal, with a focus on removing all rhizomal roots to prevent regrowth.
By: Rachel Benbrook & Keeley O'Connell
Published:
Benchmark: All
Location: Skagit County
Length: 4
A Report to the Community: Skagit MRC Nine Years of Progress
To protect and restore marine shoreline as well as offshore areas, the Skagit County MRC has continually conducted scientific surveys, executed restoration projects, and created education and outreach programs for volunteers. This report summarizes on going surveys, projects, and community outreach efforts in the Skagit County area, many of which incorporate other partners such as WDFW, WSU Beach Watchers, and Coastal Geological Services.
By: Skagit County MRC
Published:
Benchmark: All
Location: Skagit County
Length: 15
San Juan Islands Stewardship Connections Guide
This is a helpful guide for finding information, activities, and volunteer opportunities that can increase ones understanding of the San Juan Islands.
By: NW Straits, San Juan MRC, San Juan Nature Institute
Published:
Benchmark: All
Location: San Juan County
Length: 6
Derelict Fishing Gear Priority Ranking Project
This report provides the outline for the Northwest Straits Initiatives goals to remove derelict fishing gear from the Puget Sound, as well as putting in preventative measures to stop future gear being lost. Three critical task are focused on in the report: identifying the highest priority areas for derelict gear removal, estimate the total amount of derelict gear throughout the Puget Sound, and to estimate the cost of removing said gear.
By: Northwest Straits Foundation
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Puget Sound
Length: 40
Kayak Point Park Restoration Feasibility Assessment
The purpose of this study was to provide a coastal geomorphic assessment and restoration feasibility study of the Kayak Point County Park for Snohomish County Surface Water Management.
By: Coastal Geologic Services
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Snohomish County
Length: 39
Juvenile salmon and nearshore fish in shallow intertide habitat - Harrington Lagoon
This report presents the findings of juvenile salmon and nearshore fish in Harrington Lagoon, located on the eastern shoreline of Whidbey Island. The focus of this report was to observe fish abundance and size , information that can be passed on to inform local citizens about the fish populations in the lagoon.
By: Island County PLanning & Community Development, Anna Kagley, Janielle Marcell, Kurt Fresh, Eric Beamer
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: Island County
Length: 22
Development of Hydrodynamic Model of Puget Sound and Northwest Straits
The Marine Sciences Laboratory of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has developed three-dimensional hydrodynamic models for several estuaries and coastal basins in Puget Sound to support restoration projects, as well as initiating model development effort for the entire Puget Sound.
By: Zhaoqing Yang & Tarang Khangaonkar
Published:
Benchmark: Sound Science
Location: Puget Sound
Length: 74
Juvenile Salmon and Nearshore fish use in Shoreline and Lagoon habitat - Elger Bay
This report gives insight to juvenile salmon and other nearshore fish inhabiting Elger Bay, located on the western Camano Island shoreline. The focus of the report is on fish abundance and size in the bay from 2005 through 2007.
By: Anna Kagley, Todd Zackey, Kurt Fresh, Eric Beamer
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: Island County
Length: 0
Juvenile salmon and nearshore fish use in shallow intertide habitat - Race Lagoon
This is a report on juvenile salmon and other nearshore fish in Race Lagoon, a pocket estuary on the eastern shoreline of Whidbey Island. The focus of this project is on fish abundance and size in the lagoon during 2006 and 2007, with the results being used to inform local citizens about fish populations inhabiting the lagoon.
By: Rich Henderson, Anna Kagley, Kurt Fresh, Eric Beamer, Aundrea McBride, Karen Wolf
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: Island County
Length: 23
Snohomish County MRC 2007 Annual Report
This is the Snohomish County MRC Annual Report for 2007.
By: Snohomish County MRC
Published:
Benchmark: All
Location: Snohomish County
Length: 14
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Derelict Fishing Gear Removal in the Puget Sound
Over a four year period from 2004 to 2007, the Northwest Strait Initiative carried out the derelict fishing gear survey and removal program in the Puget Sound. This information was then used to estimate cost and measurable benefits of derelict gear removal. Results of the report show that the cost benefit ratio was positive and similar for the removal of crab pots/traps and for derelict nets.
This fact, coupled with the indirect benefit values of derelict gear removal, (human safety, habitat restoration, etc.) makes continued efforts to remove derelict fishing gear from the Puget Sound an important endeavor.
By: Natural Resources Consultants Inc.
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Northwest Straits
Length: 16
San Juan County Marine Stewardship Area Plan
Established in 2004, the Marine Stewardship Area outlined a plan for the San Juan County MRC to identify key steps for creating a healthier and sustainable marine ecosystem. To achieve these outlined goals, the MRC partnered with the Northwest Straits Initiative, the Nature Conservancy, and SeaDoc Society to put together a planning process for targeted projects and areas in the San Juan Islands.
By: Kirsten Evans & Jody Kennedy
Published:
Benchmark: All
Location: San Juan County
Length: 154
San Juan County Marine Stewardship Area Plan Overview
This report is the overview of the Marine Stewardship Area (MSA) planning and review processes, resulting in strategies for implementation. The intent of the plan is to act as guide for the San Juan County Council, County department, and the community, towards actions that will help to preserve and protect the marine ecosystem.
By: San Juan County MRC
Published:
Benchmark: All
Location: San Juan County
Length: 9
Whatcom County Clam Surveys, 2004-2006
Beginning in 2004, the Whatcom MRC and partners conducted three clam surveys each summer and inventoried the majority of shorelines of Whatcom County. This report describes the procedures used to implement the shellfish inventory project, survey sampling methods, discusses improvements and challenges posed by this project, and addresses logical next steps in regards to clam enhancement.
By: Stephanie Williams & Erika Stroebel, Whatcom County Public Works - Stormwater
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: Whatcom County
Length: 23
Creosote Log Survey & Removal Summary Report
To protect and restore nearshore habitat, the Snohomish MRC participated in the Northwest Straits Regional Creosote Log Survey and Removal Project by locating creosote logs on shorelines with the help of volunteers and removing/disposing of those logs.
By: Snohomish MRC
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Snohomish County
Length: 3
Jefferson County Nearshore Restoration Feasibility Report
This report presents the work of the Jefferson County MRC analyzing and moving forward with executing nearshore restoration projects in Eastern Jefferson County. The main objectives of this project was to establish coastal processes assessment and develop specific restoration/soft shore protection designs for improving nearshore habitat.
By: Coastal Geologic Services Inc.
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Jefferson County
Length: 29