A healthy, enduring marine ecosystem in Snohomish County which contributes to the overall health of Puget Sound and which is shared and protected by all.
View Our Strategic PlanAbout Us
The Snohomish Marine Resources Committee (MRC) was established in 1999 as a citizens advisory group to County Government. The MRC is a service of Snohomish County Surface Water Management, a division of Snohomish County Conservation and Natural Resources. Surface Water Management provides staff support and funding to the MRC. The Northwest Straits Initiative also provides funding to the MRC. The MRC’s 13 members are appointed by Snohomish County Council and include scientists, staff from local and tribal governments, and individuals representing recreational, economic, and environmental interests. The MRC uses science-based information to develop and implement projects and help shape local and regional marine conservation policy.
Snohomish County is one of seven counties with a Marine Resources Committee within the regional Northwest Straits Initiative. It is the most urbanized of the seven participating counties with a population of over 822,000 (2019). More people live in Snohomish County than the other six MRC counties combined. Its 130 miles of shoreline are largely developed, including the Port of Everett, Naval Station Everett, the Everett Marina, and BNSF railway situated along the shoreline from Everett south to the King County border. North of Everett the shoreline consists primarily of residential development within the Tulalip Indian Reservation, Port Susan, and south Skagit Bay.
The County's marine environment boasts an extraordinary number of outstanding recreational water activities including sailing, fishing, and diving. Snohomish County waters also support economically and ecologically valuable Dungeness crab and salmon populations, as well as productive estuarine habitat. The Tulalip and Stillaguamish Tribes also have Usual and Accustomed fishing grounds within County waters.
Mission
The Marine Resources Advisory Committee is a team of citizen volunteers dedicated to promoting effective stewardship of Snohomish County’s marine waters, habitats, species, and shorelines. Appointed by the County Council to represent diverse local interests, committee members are united by our dedication to managing our natural resources for the benefit of all. Together, we seek out the best available scientific information and use it to evaluate, prioritize, and implement strategies for achieving and sustaining a healthy Puget Sound. Speaking for our communities, we provide sound guidance to public officials. Through our partnerships with native tribes, government, businesses, and non-profit organizations, we protect and restore Snohomish County’s marine environment.
Snohomish County Code
The MRC was authorized by Snohomish County Chapter (SCC) 2.800 in 1999. The MRC participates in the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative authorized by the federal government in Public Law 105-384.
Snohomish County Code SCC 2.800
MRC Bylaws
The MRC is governed according to the Snohomish County Marine Resources Advisory Committee (MRC) Bylaws. The bylaws were adopted by consensus on March 20, 2002 and amended by consensus most recently on April 18, 2018.
MRC Member Resources
MRC General Reference Documents
- MRC Strategic Plan Executive Summary
- MRC Strategic Plan 2025-2030
- Previous MRC Strategic Plan 2011-2016
- Snohomish County Boards & Commissions Member Training (PowerPoint)
- NW Straits Initiative Fact Sheet & Elevator Pitch
- MRC Reference Manual
- Developing a Needs Assessment Framework for Marine Resources Committees in Washington State
- Needs Assessment One Pager
- Tribal Treaty Rights Training by the Tulalip Tribes
MRC Annual Work Plan
Volunteer Hours Tracking
Interested in Serving on the MRC?
The MRC recruits new Members as there is availability on the Committee. When recruitment is being done, openings will be posted here: https://snohomishcountywa.gov/3339/Apply.
All applicants will be asked to attend a minimum of 2 MRC Meetings and complete the Snohomish County Boards and Commissions form before their application to the MRC will be considered complete. Once an applicant has completed the Snohomish County Boards and Commissions form and attend a minimum of two MRC meetings, an interview will be done with MRC Members and Staff.
For more information, contact Elisa Dawson: elisa.dawson@snoco.org
Email Updates
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