Overview
Jefferson County’s 254 marine shoreline miles include a rocky stretch on the northern outer coast, bounded by Clallam County to the north and Grays Harbor County to the south; the easternmost extent of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Admiralty Inlet and northern Hood Canal. Most of the County’s 34,000 people live in its eastern edge, with Port Townsend the county seat and largest city at over 10,000 residents. Port Townsend has a vibrant marine trades economy, with nationally-renowned shipwrights, sail makers and riggers, systems/fabrication experts and marine industrial firms. It is home to the Northwest Maritime Center, a variety of marine science and maritime education programs, and the Wooden Boat Festival, which draws 35,000 visitors annually.
The Jefferson MRC serves as an advisory group to the Board of County Commissioners. Its 17 members hold experience in shellfish aquaculture, conservation, education, land-use, arts and marine science, as well as state, county and local government. MRC members work closely with homeowners, business owners, outdoor enthusiasts and fishermen to reduce impacts to marine habitat in an ecologically-rich area. Jefferson MRC has created effective stewardship messages aimed at local and visiting boaters.
Jefferson MRC’s voluntary no-anchor zones protect eelgrass and shellfish beds at three locations. Volunteers maintain and reinstall the seasonal buoys, which identifies the areas to boaters. The project is based on voluntary participation, so success relies on the effectiveness of Jefferson MRC’s outreach. Monitoring of boats anchored at the annual Wooden Boat Festival consistently shows nearly 100% compliance, diverting an estimated 200 boat anchors from damaging important eelgrass habitat.
Jefferson MRC is an advisory group to the Board of County Commissioners. MRC members are citizen volunteers committed to protecting and restoring marine habitats in our ecologically rich corner of the world.