The Marine Resources Committee (MRC) is an advisory group to the Board of County Commissioners. MRC members are citizen volunteers committed to protecting and restoring marine habitats in our ecologically rich corner of the world.

Shoreline Properties - Realtor's Workshop
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Shoreline Properties - Oct 26 Realtor Workshop

Oct 26 - 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

'Understanding Beach and Bluff Properties' is a full day seminar for realtors and assessors to better understand coastal processes and how to assess coastal hazards and risks for waterfront properties. The workshop, co-sponsored by the Northwest Straits Foundation and Jefferson MRC, is designed for real estate professionals who work with people interested in becoming residential shoreline landowners.  Held in Port Hadlock at the WSU Extension Classroom 97 Oak Bay Road, Port Hadlock.

Registration Info

Photo by Sarah Fairbank

New Rain Garden Filtering Pollutants

On Sept 25, Jefferson MRC, WSU Extension and the City of Port Townsend worked with a local couple to install another rain garden in the City's right-of-way adjacent to their property in uptown Port Townsend. Thirteen volunteers put in over 50 hours of planting and mulching. Sarah and Owen Fairbank, the new rain garden's stewards, were thrilled to see how this installation held up in the early October rains.

This rain garden is capturing stormwater runoff from portions of Harrison, Lincoln, and Van Buren Streets, filtering contaminants before they reach Port Townsend Bay. 

Stormwater Outreach

Michelle Chow, Program Assistant, has been helping the MRC with community outreach around stormwater. She staffed a table at the All County Picnic, helped organize our Wooden Boat Festival booth, and will be at the Quilcene Fair in early September.  Thank you, Northwest Straits Foundation, for the Opportunity Fund grant that supports this position.

To read more on how stormwater affects Puget Sound visit:

https://www.eopugetsound.org/magazine/stormwater

For tips on how to reduce stormwater pollution visit:

http://www.ci.bremerton.wa.us/498/Stormwater-Pollution-Prevention

MRC Project Plans for 2018 include:
-- Expanding Olympia oyster habitat to benefit multiple marine species
-- More rain gardens to improve water quality
-- Maintaining voluntary no-anchor zones to protect shellfish and eelgrass
-- Community outreach & education programs
-- Citizen Science Monitoring (beaches, kelp & forage fish)

Photo by Cheryl Lowe