Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill renews a community-led program to protect the Northwest Straits in Washington State. It addresses climate-related threats like sea level rise and ocean acidification. The program’s local advisory commission works with county marine resources committees, Tribal governments, and NOAA to protect and restore marine waters, habitats, and species, and to support healthy, sustainable use. It collects data, recommends science-based restoration, serves as a public forum, and keeps local communities informed. The commission cannot make regulations, but it can accept donations and must publish a yearly public report tracking progress on habitat, wildlife, water quality, data, and outreach, including to under-resourced communities.

Funding is set at $10 million a year from 2026 through 2031, with more as needed after that. Work may include projects like ocean literacy, kelp habitat conservation and monitoring, Veterans Conservation Corps internships, and removing marine debris.

• Who is affected: Residents, Tribes, and local governments in the Northwest Straits region—the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound from the Canadian border to the south end of Snohomish County.
• What changes: Renews the program; includes a local advisory commission with county, Tribal, and state representation, a formal NOAA liaison, and respect for Tribal treaty rights.
• When: Funding begins in fiscal year 2026; public progress reports are required every year.