Aquatic Reserves in Puget Sound
An aquatic reserve is a designation given certain state-owned marine lands to ensure greater protection and recovery of important native aquatic plants and animals. Aquatic reserves are administered by the state Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), and a reserve designation means that state marine bed- and tidelands are managed for conservation, education or research purposes. Aquatic reserves do not include privately owned tidelands, bluffs or beaches and do not impact private property or restrict access to fishing, crabbing or boating.
Recreational fishing and shoreline property owners alike can benefit through the habitat conservation benefits of the reserve designation. The management plan is an opportunity to identify common goals and future management actions for clean water and healthy fish and wildlife habitats.
Designation allows the public to have direct input in how WDNR manages state-owned aquatic lands in the future. Other benefits can include higher priority for oil spill recovery programs, support of US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and state parks in their stewardship of public lands, maintaining or enhancing public use and access while protecting habitats and species, and financial resources to support research, restoration, and conservation.
The state of Washington's Aquatic Reserve Program was established in 2002 as a means to preserve, restore, and improve both marine and freshwater state lands. The program brings together local and state governments, non-governmental organizations, citizens, and Tribes that share an interest in preserving or restoring an aquatic environment. In each case, DNR has formed a planning advisory committee made up of varied interests to advise the agency as it develops management plans to protect habitats and species within the reserve boundaries, support scientific research and educate the public about resources within the reserves. Read more about DNR’s Aquatic Reserves Program at the following link:
The Smith & Minor Islands aquatic reserve, proposed by People For Puget Sound, contains about 36,000 acres of state owned tidelands and bedlands (lands underlying Puget Sound) on the west side of Whidbey Island between Joseph Whidbey and Ebey’s Landing State Parks. It includes the shorelines surrounding Smith and Minor Islands.
This area contains extensive intertidal and subtidal vegetation including the largest bull kelp bed in the state and up to 600 associated algae species. The habitat provided by the vegetation and the sand, gravel and cobble substrates are essential for the reproductive, foraging and rearing success of many fish and bird species in north Puget Sound. The 90 year management plan and Commissioner’s Order were signed in 2010.
Watch this underwater video produced by WDNR of this aquatic reserve and learn more about the unique kelp and other resources:
The Protection Island reserve, also proposed by People For Puget Sound, encompasses almost 24,000 acres of state owned bedlands and tidelands in the Strait of Juan de Fuca near Sequim and Discovery Bays. It include the shorelines surrounding Protection Island, which is currently a national wildlife refuge. The area provides diverse habitats for many species of fish and birds, and is recognized as a critical area for foraging, reproduction and rearing of many wildlife species, including the largest breeding colony of Tufted puffins in Puget Sound. The management plan and Commissioner’s Order were signed by Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark in the Spring of 2011.
The Nisqually Reach aquatic reserve, proposed by the Nisqually Reach Nature Center, encompasses about 14,000 acres stretching from the shoreline of Tolmie State Park across Puget Sound between McNeil and Anderson Islands to the eastern shoreline south of Steilacoom, bordered on the south by the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge (NNWR), and on the west by the shoreline where the Center is located, north to the State Park. It include the shorelines of Anderson and Ketron Islands and the deep waters of Nisqually Reach to a depth of over 600 feet. This area provides critical habitats for threatened, endangered, or priority marine species such as several species of forage fish and salmon, marine mammals, and sea birds and harbors some of the largest submarine sand wave formations ever mapped. The management plan and Commissioner’s Order for Nisqually was signed in September, 2011. For more information on the Nisqually Reserve, see the link from Nisqually Reach Nature Center: www.nisquallyestuary.org
The Cherry Point aquatic reserve was designated by an order of then Commissioner of Public Lands Jennifer Belcher in 2002. This area is on the Strait of Georgia, on the western shores of Whatcom County. It is bordered on the north by Birch Bay State Park, and on the south by the Lummi Indian Nation Reservation. Cherry Point has a unique marine and freshwater ecosystem that supports a variety fish and wildlife, most notably the Cherry Point herring stock. Of primary importance are the eel grass and kelp beds, which historically provided spawning and rearing habitat for about half of the entire herring population in Puget Sound. In also provides habitat, forage and migration corridors for five species of salmon, ground fish, marine seabirds, crabs, shrimp and migratory waterfowl.
DNR issued a draft management plan for the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve in May, 2010. Although the draft plan has many strong points, it lacks specificity about how and when the various proposed actions will be undertaken.
Other existing aquatic reserves include Cypress Island, Fidalgo Bay, and Maury Island. DNR has already adopted management plans for each of these areas. A proposed gravel mine and shipping pier on Maury Island was removed from consideration through the efforts of many groups and the increased emphasis of the aquatic reserve resulting in King County purchasing the property as a park. People For Puget Sound is working with King County to develop a park master plan and restoration plan. We will also pursue funding to improve regulatory effectiveness throughout the reserve system by training local activists to observe the shorelines of each reserve, track permit applications and provide public comment to agencies with authority to grant permits for activities inconsistent with the reserve management plans.
For more information:
Heather Trim | Policy Director | 206.328-7007
To get involved:
Rein Attemann | Field Director | 206-456-3810
