The Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council was established in 1999 to provide advice on the management and protection of the sanctuary. A community-based body, the Advisory Council, through its members, serves as a liaison to the community regarding sanctuary issues and represents community interests, concerns, and management needs to the sanctuary. The council is comprised of representatives of Indian tribes, state and local governments, other federal agencies, maritime industry, fishing, education, tourism, conservation organizations and the community at large.
Surfrider's Washington Coast Program Manager Casey Dennehy was recently appointed to the Advisory Council to represent Marine Resource Committees (MRC's).
More information on the Advisory Council members can be found on the member list. View past Advisory Council Actions and Recommendations.
Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS) Advisory Council is now accepting applications for the following positions:
- Conservation seat (primary and alternate positions)
- Tourism/ Economic Development (primary and alternate positions)
- Marine Industry (primary and alternate positions)
Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, and views regarding the protection and management of marine resources. Applicants who are chosen will serve for a 3-year term through 12/31/17 and will be able to reapply for up to two subsequent terms. Applications are due December 31, 2014.
The application kit can be downloaded here (1.6Mb pdf) or picked up in person at Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, 115 East Railroad Avenue, Suite 301, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
For more information, please contact Karlyn Langjahr, Sanctuary Advisory Council Coordinator via e-mail at Karlyn.Langjahr@noaa.gov by phone at (360) 457-6622 x 31
or
Norma Klein, Office Administrator via e-mail at Norma.Klein@noaa.gov by phone at (360) 457-6622 x 10 or by mail at the address listed above.
The Advisory Council holds six regular meetings each year. The Advisory Council follows an open, transparent, and publicly accessible process. Meetings are open to the public and include a public comment period. We invite all to attend. Please check meeting schedule and information for upcoming meeting dates, locations and associated documents including agendas, notes and presentations from past meetings. During a typical Advisory Council meeting, council members hear from staff on sanctuary programs, new and emerging issues, and listen to outside experts who provide background or technical information on management topics. Advisory council members also bring important information to the group, sharing their perspectives and updating the Council and staff on the work of their organizations.
Olympic Coast's Sanctuary Advisory Council operates under a charter (216k pdf), and serves strictly in a voluntary, advice-giving role. Nevertheless, the group provides an invaluable service as subject experts, a sounding board for potential management decisions and spokespersons for the broader community. In addition to the charter, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has developed a Council Handbook (334k pdf) that provides guidance for sanctuary advisory councils.