Port of Anacortes, Washington wins NOAA Award

PORT of ANACORTES WINS NOAA’S WALTER B. JONES AWARD for excellence in local government. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration has announced winners of the 2012 Walter B. Jones Awards for Excellence in Coastal and Ocean Management. These awards honor the individuals and organizations that have made a difference by dedicating countless hours and energy to conserving coastal resources and improving coastal communities throughout America. Awarded every two years, the awards were created to honor the late 11-term Congressman Walter B. Jones of North Carolina. As chairman of the House Merchant Marine & Fisheries Committee, Congressman Jones was a strong supporter of the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management. He provided leadership on numerous legislative initiatives addressing coastal and ocean issues such as commercial shipping, oil spill clean-up & prevention and flood insurance reform. The Port of Anacortes was nominated to receive an award by Kay Reinhardt, Padilla Bay Foundation Administrator. Their project was a restoration of coastline in Anacortes visited by citizens of the area and out of town visitors. It adjoins the Cap Sante Boat Haven and Seafarers’ Memorial Park. Formerly the area was derelict and possessed toxins underwater in soils long ago contaminated during the decades under which plywood mills and tangent industries were operated. The restoration recovers shoreline configuration to encourage habitation of forage fish and sea grasses, with a gradual shoreline welcoming to use by people and critters alike. It’s a comprehensive project which could be replicated elsewhere; one of the award’s criteria. For more about the Walter B. Jones Awards for 2012, please visit NOAA online. http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/programs/ocrm/jones-noaa-awards.html