1. Marine Spatial Planning
in Washington State
Jennifer Hennessey
Washington State
Department of Ecology

3. Washington has two coasts!
Coast #1 Dryness
Coast #2

4. Pacific Coast vs. Puget Sound

5. Renewable Energy: A Planning Driver
AquaBuoy Finavera
project: Makah Bay

6. Timeline: recent MSP activities

7. State Law
Directs state agencies to:
1. Compile and incorporate spatial data into
current plans.
2. Develop guidance on the operation and
siting of renewable energy facilities.
3. Conduct comprehensive marine spatial
planning for all of Washington’s waters.
Amendments to law in April 2012.

8. Core principles: content and process
Photo: Katie Lassiter
Photo:
Katie Lassiter

9. Report to legislature (Jan. 2011)
General recommendations for how the state
should proceed with MSP, including:
• Renewable energy as key driver
• Separate plans for large regions:
Pacific Coast, Puget Sound, Columbia River
• Goals and objectives
• Data standards, tools & management

10. More complexity:
Federal and Tribal Governments
Source: NOAA Olympic
Coast National Marine
Sanctuary

11. MSP Coordination
Advisory
Body
Science General
State Ocean Forum Public
Caucus
(State
agencies)
Tribes
Federal and
Ocean Local
Sovereigns Governments
Council

12. Timeline: Next Steps

13. Opportunities
• Initial funding
• Some capacity
• High interest and engagement
• Existing and new governance structures
• Political will ‐‐ legal mandate
• Time ‐‐ no pending developers or projects
• Strategy underway

14. Challenges
• No stable funding and limited capacity
• Communication
• Managing expectations
• Establishing a common understanding of
law, outcomes and process (Why? How?)
• Large area(s)
• Time ‐ Less urgent driver(s)
• Timing – Demonstrate success

15. More information
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/msp/
Contact :
Jennifer.Hennessey@ecy.wa.gov
360‐407‐6595