Island Guardian

Nature Conservancy To Support County In Stewardship Project

The BOCC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding between San Juan County and The Nature Conservancy to "develop a science-based, strategic stewardship plan of action for the SJC Marine Stewardship Area Project".

MRC (Marine Resources Committee) Coordinator Jody Kennedy recently made a presentation to the BOCC on a proposed agreement with the NC (Nature Conservancy), to develop planning and management policies and processes, that will allow various organizations, including the County, the Northwest Straits Commission and The Nature Conservancy, to put in place a stewardship area plan that will generate broad support for actions that will "help to protect and restore the marine resources in the San Juans"; and to do so in a manner that is consistent with the SJC Comprehensive Plan.

It is also the intent of the agreement that the relationship with the various groups will "provide a basis for a continuing outreach and education effort". The MRC will be the local organization that will set the program goals; coordinate the planning process, and keep other local groups, stakeholders and the County, informed of the actions of the groups involved. The Nature Conservancy will support and assist with the planning, organizing and development of the programs.

At the end of the presentation and review of the Memorandum, it was moved by Commissioner Lichter " to sign the MOU between SJC and The Nature Conservancy to develop a science-based, strategic stewardship plan of action for the SJC Marine Stewardship Area Project as set forth therein".. With a second by Myhr, the motion carried.

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Ecology & Chevron At Odds On Oil Spill Test

According to Ecology (Washington Department of Ecology) Chevron Shipping Company -- which carries millions of gallons of petroleum products across Washington waters each year -- has become the first oil shipping company to refuse a request by the state Department of Ecology to participate in an oil-spill drill. Chevron told the Guardian that "When the Washington Department of Ecology asked us to participate in an unannounced drill we expressed our willingness, provided that we first work together to ensure the drill would be conducted safely in accordance with those (safety) values.

Spill drills test how well local employees and their response contractors can implement their state-approved oil-spill contingency plans. The plans are required by all oil handlers who operate over Washington waters spell out how companies will respond to oil spills. Chevron told the Guardian that Chevron Shipping Co. submitted its spill response plan to the State in September and received verbal approval of the plan in November

On Dec. 8, Ecology asked Chevron to deploy resources in an oil-spill drill on the Columbia River. According to Ecology, Chevron refused a practice scenario in which a Chevron tanker was to have run aground west of Astoria, Oregon. Ecology director Jay Manning said that Chevron's refusal breaks the previously unbroken line of spill-response readiness in Washington. Chevron has responded to the charge by stating: "Our intention was to work with the Washington Department of Ecology to put important safety values into practice during any drill activities -- for the benefit of our employees and contractors as well as state employees" and added that "At Chevron, our values compel us to "Do it safely, or not at all".

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