San Juan County/Islands Trust Council Protocol Agreement on Transborder Marine Protection Area

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PROTOCOL AGREEMENT
ON
TRANSBORDER MARINE PROTECTION AREA

AMONG:
ISLANDS TRUST COUNCIL
(“Islands Trust”)
AND:
SAN JUAN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
(“San Juan County”)
WHEREAS:

Both Parties have acknowledged their spirit of partnership and friendship concerning
island communities in the Puget Sound, Georgia Basin and Howe Sound by way of a
Transborder Island Agreement; and

Both Parties wish to promote the establishment of a transborder network of marine
protected areas within the above area, also known as the Salish Sea, recognizing that
marine ecosystems transcend international boundaries or the limits of individual
government agency jurisdiction.

NOW THEREFORE the Islands Trust and San Juan County agree as follows:

1.0 PRINCIPLES

Both Parties share the following principles to:

1. Acknowledge the jurisdictional authority of other agencies;

2. Nurture a spirit of shared decision making among relevant jurisdictions;

3. Involve the public with meaningful engagement and stewardship;

4. Utilize a precautionary approach to the use of resources in the face of uncertain
knowledge;

5. Develop a diverse range of cooperative management strategies suitable for
different situations;

6. Reflect the values and interests of indigenous peoples, and island communities;

7. Take the initiative to act now and provide a model for cooperative Marine

Protected Area initiatives; and
8. Recognize the important effects of our decisions or future generations.

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2.0 OBJECTIVES
Both Parties wish to pursue the follow objectives to:

1. Protect the biological diversity, representative ecosystems and special natural
features;

Conserve fish and their habitats;

Promote understanding and appreciation of the cultural heritage of the region;
Recognize marine resource values for recreation, tourism and commerce;
Pursue scientific research opportunities; and

Promote increased public education and awareness of the marine environment.

AARON

3.0 AREA OF INTEREST

The boundaries of the “Salish Sea” Marine Protected Area, on either side of the United
States/Canadian international boundary, is shared by both San Juan County and the
Islands Trust within their respective jurisdictions (see map — Schedule A).

4.0 PARTNERSHIP EFFORTS

Both Parties wish to consult and work with other organizations that have jurisdiction or
an interest in the Area of Interest:

Other levels of government including local, Provincial, State and Federal agencies;
First Nation and Tribal Councils;

Non-government organizations; and

Island community citizens, groups and visitors.

5.0 SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES

It is the intent of both parties to use best efforts to maintain a work program to
undertake the following potential scope of activities:

To promote further research of the nature of marine ecosystems;
To develop criteria to designate habitats and areas most important for protection;
To establish co-management guidelines and programs to achieve shared goals for
marine protec

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