Marine Resource Committees

Coastal MRCs
Wahkiakum County

Wahkiakum County completed its first full year as an official MRC in 2011. The county worked with Washington State University Wahkiakum County Extension to host the MRC. In its first year, the MRC completed many unique and important projects. Through a facilitated session during the winter, Wahkiakum MRC board members identified local benchmarks to rank projects to reflect both the Ocean Action Plan and local priorities. A couple examples of these benchmarks are project cost, probability of project success, and taking into account if the project contributes to the economic health of the community. The 2011 project proposals were ranked and selected based on their reflection of these benchmarks. The projects included a MRC Open House Workshop, State Ocean Caucus participation, a boater’s safety workshop and fisherman promotion, student participation in native plan propagation and field trips, demonstration of salmon processing, and a shoreline trail enhancement for handicapped accessibility and trail signage.

2011 Projects

The November Open House and January workshop were successes. Both events were facilitated and included potential MRC members. These events identified and confirmed committee members and project priorities, and worked to create a proposal solicitation strategy and benchmarks from which to rank proposals. Altogether, this work created a work plan for the committee through June 30, 2011.

The MRC participated in all but two SOC meetings during 2011. The representative attended to present MRC interests and perspectives, share updates on local issues and activities, as well as communicate back to the MRC regarding the coast wide coordination issues discussed at the meetings.

The MRC funded three school based education projects. Columbia River Invasive Plant Survey and Public Education project worked with Wahkiakum High School students and a kayak guiding company to survey invasive weeds on the islands and shoreline in the Lower Columbia River Estuary. The MRC supported student transportation, kayak rentals, and printed materials on invasive weeds for the community. The Salmon Education/Habitat/Procession Program was an interactive learning experience for students at Wahkiakum High School as they were trained to can and smoke salmon from 4-H leaders and volunteers. The youth and volunteers who participated in the program plan to mentor other classes how to process fish using the skill set learned in during this project. The Propagation of Native Plants for Riparian Planting and Fish Education project supported the Naselle Grays River School students as they raised and planted native plants for marine and estuary habitat restoration. Project funds purchased plant soil, rain suits, waders, rubber boots, and CREST staff time. From all of the school based projects, the teachers responded with gratitude for the funding provided to their students’ learning.

Wahkiakum MRC also worked on and provided funds for community outreach projects. The Fishermen Promotion project supported a booth set up at the Farmer’s Market with a TV and DVD player showing a film on commercial fishing. The booth proved to be successful at engaging fishermen in communication as several people asked questions regarding how fish are selectively harvested with tangle nets and recovery boxes. The commercial fishermen also educated people on why fishermen work to selectively harvest hatchery fish, and acknowledged the stiff consequences fishermen face for not correctly using the tangle nets or recovery boxes. The MRC partnered with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Elochoman Slough marina on March 19th to answer boating related questions and administer ten vessel safety checks for the Boaters Safety project. The vessel safety check consisted of looking at the following items: registration, lights, life jackets, fire extinguishers, distress signals, ventilation, fuel systems, anchor, alternate propulsion, de-watering device, electrical system, sewage system, and navigation rules. The results were only reported to the boat owner and were intended only to inform the owner of any required items aboard or missing from the vessel. The MRC also used funds to purchase lifejackets for boaters to use at the marina.

Wahkiakum MRC spent a portion of their funds on the Shoreline Trail Enhancement and Signage project. These funds were used to extend an uncompleted trail, providing handicapped access to view the Columbia River down to the Astoria Bridge. The project included the clearing and cleaning of an upper trail running along the river bank, as well as creating signage to describe river activity and the native plants found in Vista Park. The lower trail was extended, graveled, and asphalted to allow wheelchair accessibility. Three large signs were created and installed on the beach front, written by a local historian, depicting Columbia River commerce, industry and recreation. The project was completed with 57 hours of volunteer work.

Priority Future Actions

The MRC developed a list of priority actions for 2012. The MRC will continue its participation with the SOC, and recommends the following actions; a Columbia River fisheries exhibit, a fish preservation workshop, fish hatchery tours and job shadowing, handicapped trail completion and invasive species information, marine resource monitoring and education, invasive species signage, school district field trips, and a Skamokawa Creek dredging assessment.

For more information, contact the MRC’s coordinator Carrie Backman.

Carrie Backman
WSU Wahkiakum County Extension, Director
25 River Street, Ste E (lower level)
PO Box 278
Cathlamet, WA 98612

Ph: 360-795-3278
carrie.backman@wsu.edu

Related Documents

• Lower Columbia Cooperative Weed Management Area: 2011 Invasive Species Survey
  • CWMA - Loosestrife Area Map
  • CWMA - Loosestrife Sitings Map
• Signed Resolution establishing a Marine Resource Committee
• Wahkiakum County Exploratory Marine Resources Committee Summary Report and Recommendations
• Open House Announcement
• Open House Report