Puget Sound region federal agency action plan

In September 2011, the White House Council on Environmental Quality designated the Regional Administrators of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NOAA Fisheries, and the State Conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) as co-leads for a renewed federal effort to contribute to the protection and restoration of Puget Sound and the Washington coast. This endeavor responds to recent concerns raised by Western Washington Treaty Tribes about continued habitat losses and associated diminishment of fishery resources. Under the leadership of the three co-chairs, federal agencies with authorities in Puget Sound and western Washington coastal river basins are re-focusing existing efforts and working better together to protect and restore habitats important to salmon, shellfish and other species. This improved interagency effort includes a critical review of existing policies, authorities, and funding programs to identify opportunities for strengthening the ability of those programs to contribute to the overall objectives for Puget Sound and Washington coastal habitat restoration. This Action Plan describes the status of this inter-agency approach and highlights key actions agencies are taking. Appendix A provides a detailed description of specific agency commitments, accountability measures, and timeframes for implementation. Our aim is for federal agencies to conserve habitat strategically and effectively for salmon, shellfish and other species in Puget Sound and the coast.

We undertake this as a dynamic plan that will evolve over time as circumstances change. We therefore view this as the first phase of a longer-term effort. We welcome and encourage the full engagement of the many partners in the Puget Sound and coastal challenge, and the recommendations of all on how to improve our contributions to habitat restoration over time.

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