Bill Overview
Title: Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2022
Description: This bill revises and reauthorizes the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative and its Northwest Straits Advisory Commission. The initiative and the commission work to protect and restore marine waters, habitats, and species of the Northwest Straits region.
Sponsors: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Target Audience
Population: People in the Northwest Straits region affected by marine conservation efforts
Estimated Size: 1500000
- The Northwest Straits region is part of the Salish Sea in the North Puget Sound region of Washington State, USA.
- This area includes seven counties: Clallam, Island, Jefferson, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom, which are part of the commission's operative regions.
- The population of these counties is approximately 1.5 million people based on recent census data, indicating they will be directly impacted by the marine conservation initiatives.
- The region is vital for biodiversity and ecologically significant; therefore, environmental conservation indirectly benefits individuals globally who are concerned with ecological sustainability and climate resilience.
- The legislation focuses on marine conservation, which involves preserving marine habitats, maintaining biodiversity, and supporting fisheries that the global and local community depend on.
- Many stakeholders could be impacted by changes in marine management practices, including local fishermen, indigenous tribes, environmental NGOs, and industries reliant on maritime resources.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically targets the Northwest Straits region of Washington State, directly involving a population of approximately 1.5 million people living in the area.
- Many residents work in sectors relying on marine resources, such as fisheries and tourism, making them directly impacted by conservation policies.
- Environmental NGOs and indigenous tribes have vested interests in preserving the marine ecosystem, hence they have a profound perspective on the policy.
- Individuals from outside the region may not experience direct impacts but could be affected by broader environmental and ecological benefits, influencing their wellbeing indirectly.
Simulated Interviews
Commercial Fisherman (Clallam County, WA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m hoping this policy will help bring back the fish stocks so I can keep my business going.
- It’s been hard seeing the decline over the years, so conservation efforts are needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Marine Biologist (Snohomish County, WA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The reauthorization is crucial for long-term health of our marine ecosystems.
- I’m glad they’ve decided to continue this important work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Retired (San Juan County, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A clean marine environment is very important for my health and quality of life.
- I support any policy that helps in keeping the waters clean and healthy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Environmental NGO Worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s critical for conservation initiatives to be well funded and supported.
- I hope Congress continues to prioritize policies like this for future generations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Island County, WA)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Healthy waters mean a healthy business for us, so this policy is beneficial.
- More fish, more tourists, it’s an investment in the future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Research Scientist (Whatcom County, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The long-term plans for reducing pollution and enhancing marine habitats are promising.
- Having worked in contamination sites, I see the necessity for these improvements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Tribal Council Member (Jefferson County, WA)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our way of life is deeply connected to the sea, and conservation is crucial.
- Support from larger policies aids us in protecting our heritage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Student (Skagit County, WA)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe policies like these are steps towards combating climate change.
- I’m excited about the kind of impact initiatives like this can have.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Policy Analyst (Washington D.C.)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s interesting to see localized policies have such concrete impacts on regional ecosystems.
- These kinds of initiatives contribute significant learning experiences for future federal policies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Tourist (Portland, OR)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I visit the area often for its natural beauty; initiatives like this are crucial.
- A healthier marine environment enhances my visiting experience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $4000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $5000000)
Year 2: $4000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $5000000)
Year 3: $4000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $5000000)
Year 5: $4000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $5000000)
Year 10: $4000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $5000000)
Year 100: $4000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $5000000)
Key Considerations
- Long-term environmental benefits could outweigh initial costs significantly.
- The policy will require effective collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies to be successful.
- Stakeholder engagement, particularly with local communities and indigenous tribes, is crucial.
- Maintaining adequate funding levels will be necessary to ensure the continuity and success of conservation activities.