Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025
The Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025 reauthorizes and updates the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative, which was originally established in 1998. The bill aims to protect and restore the marine ecosystem of the Northwest Straits region in Washington State, covering waters from the Canadian border to southern Snohomish County, including the Strait of Juan de Fuca and northern Puget Sound. The legislation restructures the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission, clarifies its membership and duties, and authorizes $3 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to support marine conservation efforts through community-based decision-making, scientific research, and collaboration with federal, state, local, and Tribal governments. The bill emphasizes a collaborative approach to marine conservation by supporting county-level marine resources committees, expanding Tribal government participation, and coordinating with organizations like the Puget Sound Partnership and NOAA. It focuses on habitat restoration, water quality improvement, marine species protection, and public education while explicitly respecting Tribal treaty rights and promoting partnerships with Indigenous communities.
Key Points
- 1Reauthorizes the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission with 14 core members representing seven counties, Tribal governments, the Puget Sound Partnership, and at-large Washington residents
- 2Authorizes $3 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2031 (reduced from the original $10 million proposal in the introduced version)
- 3Requires the Commission to submit annual reports to Congress detailing activities and progress on specific benchmarks including habitat restoration, water quality, and public education
- 4Establishes a NOAA liaison position to coordinate federal programs with Commission activities and facilitate collaboration
- 5Explicitly protects Tribal treaty rights and requires consultation with affected Tribal governments to ensure Commission work does not violate these rights