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.
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 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
Snohomish County-Wide Eelgrass Inventory
To support the MRC’s goals, Snohomish County is developing a comprehensive, countywide eelgrass inventory and GIS data set. The objective of this project was to conduct an eelgrass inventory in the subtidal areas and to synthesize the existing spatial data sets delineating eelgrass within the county.
By: Allison Bailey, Jim Norris, Ian Fraser, Tony Petrillo
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: Snohomish County
Length: 19
Rockfish and Rockfish Habitat survey in Whatcom County
This report presents the findings of a survey on rockfish abundance and habitat off the south western shore of Lummi Island on June 21, 2007. The survey covered 500 square meters of bottom habitat, and revealed that best habitat was along the southern most portion of Lummi Island. Information obtained through this study was used as a baseline for creating effective management strategies.
By: David Shull
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: Whatcom County
Length: 14
Gravid Femal Dungeness Crab Habitat Study
Dungeness crab play a large role ecologically and economically in the Puget Sound, yet very little is understood about pregnant female Dungeness habitat preference in the marine environment. This study was conducted to gain further insight into the subject to promote future means of protecting gravid female crab habitat. It was carried out by underwater surveys from both divers and ROVs, which created a series of GIS maps and other data pertaining to seafloor habitat.
By: Stef Frenzl, Jen Sevigny, Don Velasquez, Jeff June, Scott Goodman
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: Snohomish County
Length: 31
Whatcom County Nearshore Habitat Restoration Prioritization
Hired by Whatcom MRC, Coastal Geologic Services examined and prioritized nearshore restoration opportunities within three regions in Whatcom County: Port Roberts, Birch Bay, and Chuckanut Bay. The prioritization approach to this focused on three important biological resources, which included forage fish spawning, juvenile salmonoid rearing/migration, and aquatic vegetation.
By: Andrea MacLenna & Jim Johannessen
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Whatcom County
Length: 36
Eelgrass Mapping Along The Elwha Nearshore: Final Report
This paper outlines areas of eelgrass distribution along the Elwha nears shore, focusing on eelgrass density at various depth, as well as fish habitat provided by it. The different bays, bluffs, and geologic features that line the Elwha near shore displayed varying results of eelgrass distribution.
By: James G. Norris and Ian E. Fraser
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Clallam County
Length: 48
Skagit County Marine Resources Committee Contamination Project
This project carried out by the Skagit County MRC in collaboration with the Samish Indian Nation Department of Natural Resources, collected and analyzed water quality data from 17 different sites in Fidalgo Bay. The primary purposes of the study was to further understand current conditions of surface waters, as well at to identify pollutant sources in the Fidalgo Bay storm outfalls and creeks.
By: Skagit County MRC & Samish Indian Nation
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Water Quality
Location: Skagit County
Length: 14
Fidalgo Bay Contaminant Assessment Project
This report presents the results of a one year study, collecting and analyzing water quality in Fidalgo Bay storm outfalls. The data was used to help characterize existing conditions of surface waters and to identify and quantify existing/potential pollutant sources.
By: Skagit County MRC, Samish Indian Nation Department of Natural Resources
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Water Quality
Location: Skagit County
Length: 14
NW Straits Initiative Derelict Fishing Gear Removal Project
This report presents the goals and methods of executing the identification, and removal of derelict fishing gear in the North Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This project worked to efficiently remove derelict gear from the marine environment, but also to inform the public about the program and the impacts of derelict fishing gear.
By: Natural Resources Consultants Inc.
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Puget Sound, San Juan County, Whatcom County
Length: 26
Evaluation of Shore Steward Program
This report is an evaluation plan developed by Applied Research Northwest, to determine how well the Shore Stewards Program is operating. This plan helped inform and standardize materials, tracking methods, outreach efforts, and evaluative tools pertaining to the Shore Stewards Program.
By: Donna Gleisner and Chrys Bertolotto
Published:
Benchmark: Education and Outreach
Location: Clallam County, Island County, Skagit County, Snohomish County, Whatcom County
Length: 21
The Establishment of the Northwest Straits Initiative
This brochure provides a synopsis of the Northwest Straits Initiative, which was established in 1997 by Senator Patty Murray and Representative Jack Metcalf. The purpose of this was to explore models for protecting and preserving marine resources in the Northwest Straits.
By: Northwest Straits Commission
Published:
Benchmark: All
Location: Northwest Straits, Snohomish County
Length: 2
Shoreline Armoring Alternatives Project Summary Report
Shoreline armoring is necessary to prevent shoreline erosion, however armoring can inadvertently cause changes and loss of near shore and upland habitat. However, there are shoreline armoring options that are more environmentally friendly, which could replace the removal of detrimental ones. This report provides insight to the Jefferson County MRC's plans to assess sites for bulkhead removal, to monitor, and the introduction of more ecological sound structures.
By: Gabrielle LaRoche
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Jefferson County
Length: 9
Origins of Juvenile Chinook in San Juan County, WA
This report examines the origins of juvenile Chinook salmon in San Juan County waters. This research is done in order to connect juvenile salmons foraging behavior in the islands with their behavior in their natural streams, deltas, and estuaries. Sampling strategies include beach seine sampling and tow net sampling. Tissue samples were taken, and used for DNA extraction and microsatellite analysis.
By: Russel Barsh, Madrona Murphy, Tina Wyllie-Echevrria
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: San Juan County
Length: 0
Mapping of Whatcom MRC Clam Survey Results
From 2004 to 2006, the Whatcom MRC conducted clam surveys in nine general areas in Whatcom County, primarily using volunteer survey crews. This report presents the results of the spatial analysis of the clam survey results in map form, and also provides some comments/recommendations on the survey field methodology used in the surveys.
By: Craig Dolphin, LIBC Shellfish Biologist
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: Whatcom County
Length: 13
Wood Debris Assessment and Removal Options Report: Cliffside Beach Wood Debris Removal Project Phase I
Located in Bellingham, WA, Cliffside beach accumulates substantial amount of woody debris and other detritus on its shore, overlying the sand and gravels substrate along the beach. With increased interest in exploring the sources of the wood debris, as well as the idea of removing the debris to promote ecological benefits, an assessment was conducted on Cliffside Beach. The assessment focused on the logistics of the removal and disposal/reuse of the debris, historical trends, and possible sources of the wood accumulations along the beach.
By: Anchor Environmental L.L.C. & Coastal Geologic Inc.
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Habitat
Location: Whatcom County
Length: 72
Spartina Survey and Removal Final Report
Beginning in 1996, there has been an coordinated efforts by several state agencies and organizations in the Puget Sound to combat the spread of Spartina anglica, an invasive weed that is threatening shoreline ecosystems in Washington. Control methods of manual and mechanical removal, as well as the use of herbicide are being used to stop the spread of this salt tolerant weed.
By: Keeley O’Connell
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: Skagit County
Length: 7
Pigeon Guillemot Nesting Sites
This is a map of Pigeon Guillemot Nesting sites in Skagit County in 2007.
By: Skagit County MRC
Published:
Benchmark: Marine Species
Location: Skagit County
Length: 1