Puget Sound Partnership

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The seven action areas

The Puget Sound Partnership’s Leadership Council set initial boundaries for the following seven action areas:

What are action areas?

An important part of the Puget Sound Partnership’s work is connecting with citizens, watershed groups and local governments. The legislation that created the Partnership established seven geographic action areas around the Sound to address and tackle problems specific to those areas.

The Partnership’s Leadership Council will build the Action Agenda in part on the foundation of the existing programs that address or contribute to the health of Puget Sound. To develop the Action Agenda, the Partnership will work with local watershed groups, tribes, cities, counties, special purpose districts and the private sector in each of the action areas. These areas collectively encompass the entire Puget Sound basin and include the uplands that drain to the marine waters.

What is the role of action areas?

Developing the Action Agenda - Local plans, programs and actions that address the health of Puget Sound will make up a large part of the Action Agenda.

Collaboration - Representatives of tribes, watershed groups, local governments and private sector institutions will work together in each action area to:

  • Consider scientific information on the ecosystem risks in their area
  • Identify key actions to address these risks
  • Evaluate existing programs and plans
  • Recommend area-specific actions, programs and strategies for adoption in the Action Agenda

In addition, the Council also adopted the following policies guiding how action areas should play a role in restoring Puget Sound:

  1. The Council encourages connections and communication across and between the action areas. The Puget Sound Partnership's Executive Director should help make these connections.
  2. Maintain view of Sound-wide goals and objectives.
  3. The Partnership should aim to provide support and capacity for work on the Action Agenda.
  4. When carrying out the work of the action areas, rely on effective, established structures and institutions.