Marine spatial planning
Washington’s four counties bordering the Pacific Ocean — Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Pacific — encompass 331,000 acres of marine waters and 157 miles of open ocean coastline. Communities and Tribes on the Pacific coast have a rich history and maintain a unique relationship to coastal resources.
Increasing demands on Washington’s ocean resources, including new projects and uses, can potentially create conflicts. Adopted in 2018, the Marine Spatial Plan is a science-based guidance document that establishes a state process for reviewing and making decisions about potential future ocean uses. The plan contains enforceable policies and guidelines that regulate new ocean uses to protect sensitive ecological areas as well as existing uses.
When does the plan apply?
The Marine Spatial Plan applies to new ocean uses and activities not previously permitted or authorized such as:
- Ocean energy projects
- Dredging or dredge disposal
- Installation of underwater infrastructure
- Offshore aquaculture
- Seabed mining
Washington's Marine Spatial Planning study area outlined in the white and blue dotted line.
Where does the plan apply?
The plan applies within state waters off Washington's Pacific coast: from Cape Flattery to the mouth of the Columbia River, including Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay. The plan extends to uses located 35 to 55 nautical miles offshore to a depth of 700 fathoms (see map for illustration).
It does not apply to Puget Sound or Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Submitting a proposal under the plan
Before applying for a new ocean use, project proponents should reach out to our department to discuss:
- Site-specific information
- Evaluation of coastal effects
- Construction and operation plans
Proponents for a new ocean use project will likely need an array of different local, state, and federal permits and authorizations. Applicants need to work with the proper planning and regulatory authorities and consult with affected Tribes.
Information and data
The plan contains data, information, and analyses to help government entities (local, tribal, state and federal) and project proponents make informed decisions about marine planning and other ocean and coastal management decisions. This includes:
- Baseline information about Washington’s ecology, ocean and coastal uses and resources, climate change effects, and information about potential new uses that would trigger the plan (Chapter 2).
- Spatial analyses of existing uses, biological resources, including seabird and marine mammal distributions, and characterization of Ecologically Important Areas (Chapter 3).
- More than 50 individual plan maps meant to improve baseline understanding of the Marine Spatial Plan Study Area (Appendix A).
Various other studies were undertaken to support marine spatial planning including socioeconomic and ecological indicator reports, sea floor mapping, and recreational use studies.
Related links
Contact information
Casey Dennehy
Marine Policy Associate
casey.dennehy@ecy.wa.gov
360‐688-0142