The Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative or Northwest Straits Initiative (NWSI) was established in the United States under Title IV of Public Law 105–384 in 1998.105th Congress. (1998, November 13). Title IV. Public Law 105-384, p. 9. It is composed of the Northwest Straits Commission, the Marine Resources Committees, and the Northwest Straits Foundation.
The NWSI was born from political deadlock over the proposed formation of a federal marine sanctuary in the waters of northwest Washington, including Strait of Juan de Fuca and the San Juan Islands. Democratic Senator Patty Murray and Republican Congressman Jack Metcalf proposed the Initiative as an alternative to the marine sanctuary."Giving locals a chance." Island Times 21 July 1999: 4. Its base operations are federally-funded.Smith, Colleen. "Save Our Aquatic Ecosystem - Practice Marine Stewardship." The Islands' Weekly 18 May 2004.
The NWSI focuses on conservation and restoration of Puget Sound in northwest Washington State and relies on the work of local, citizen-based Marine Resources Committees (located in seven counties) to prioritize actions in recovering the health of the sound.Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team. "New Initiative Tackles 'Tough Problems' to Protect, Restore Marine Resources." Sound Waves 2000. The seven Washington State counties are: Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island, San Juan, Jefferson and Clallam.
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