Welcome to Skagit County

January 13, 2004

INDEPENDENT PANEL EVALUATES NORTHWEST STRAITS INITIATIVE
Panel to meet in La Conner this weekend

Does the Northwest Straits Initiative model of a citizen-driven, community-based approach to marine conservation work?
An independent panel is being convened this weekend in La Conner, Skagit County, to answer that question. Headed by William Ruckelshaus, the panel will review and evaluate this model, which is the result of the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative, started five years ago in the seven counties bordering the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Georgia Strait.
Initiative sponsors Senator Patty Murray (D) and former Representative Jack Metcalf (R) provided that the Initiative undergo an independent evaluation after five years. Congress is expected to reauthorize the Initiative if it is determined to be a success by the panel, which will issue its report on the evaluation at the end of March.
The Policy Consensus Center – a joint UW and WSU venture - is responsible for supporting and staffing the evaluation panel for Chair Ruckelshaus. Results of the evaluation will be sent to Senator Murray and other members of Congress as well as Governor Locke and Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton.
For more information go to www.nwstraits.org on the Internet.

For further information, contact: Ric Boge
360-336-9400