Puget Sound Shared Strategy

COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION CASE STUDY

Location: Northeastern/Mid-Atlantic

Project Summary: Using local conservation efforts already underway, the Shared Strategy is a ground-up approach to the development of a science-based, locally supported salmon recovery plan for Puget Sound.

Resource Challenge

Ever since Puget Sound’s Chinook salmon, summer chum, and bull trout were listed under the Endangered Species Act, a growing sense of urgency has invaded the Pacific Northwest. Salmon numbers and harvests have fallen for decades despite actions taken by governments, Tribes, and industries to protect salmon.

Federal agencies usually write endangered species plans. Puget Sound regional leaders felt a new approach was needed to recover Puget Sound salmon: planning should build on local efforts already underway. Shared Strategy works from the ground up with support from citizens, local and tribal governments, environmental, and business interests. All levels of government are involved with local stakeholders, an effort made possible by the Washington State Legislature’s support for local and regional decision-making. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries and the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) support and participate in Shared Strategy.

Examples of Key Partners

NOAA Fisheries, FWS, Olympic National Park, 15 Puget Sound Treaty Tribes; Puget Sound counties and communities, Puget Sound ESA Business Coalition, Washington Forest Protection Association, the agricultural community, and Washington State Departments of Fish & Wildlife, Natural Resources, and Ecology; Washington Environmental Council, and FutureWise, formerly 1000 Friends of Washington.

Results and Accomplishments

Shared Strategy is rolling local recovery plans into one plan for federal review this year. Their strategy:

• Identifies key elements of a recovery plan and assesses how current efforts support it.

• Sets recovery targets and ranges for Chinook populations in each watershed,

• Identifies watershed-level actions needed to meet targets,

• Determines if identified actions will lead to recovery; if not, makes adjustments,

• Secures commitments to complete the plan and implement agreed-upon actions.

Other activities and features of Shared Strategy include:

• Fourteen watershed groups and one nearshore marine group have developed local recovery plans.

• A non-profit organization staffs and facilitates the regional-scale process, providing tailored assistance to watersheds.

• A regional policy group, the SSPS Development Committee, represents all levels of government, tribes, businesses, and conservation groups. The Puget Sound Technical Recovery Team, an independent group of scientists, provides ESA delisting criteria and technical guidance for the recovery plan.

Innovation/Highlight

Creating a regional recovery plan by identifying local initiatives, sharing information, and building joint agreements for action from the ground up.

Project Contact

Jim Kramer
Executive Director
Puget Sound Shared Strategy

,
206-447-3336
JKramer@sharedsalmonstrategy.org

Website: http://www.sharedsalmonstrategy.org/

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Current Conservation Programs