Marine Spatial Planning in Washington: Final Report and Recommendations of the State Ocean Caucus to the Washington State Legislature

Abstract

Marine spatial planning (MSP) is a management tool that is increasingly being used around the country and world to coordinate decisions for coastal and ocean activities and environments in a comprehensive plan. MSP uses data on the location of important marine resources, human activities, and other key components to determine the most appropriate locations for particular uses to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives. The planning process often displays and analyzes this information using maps and other tools to inform the development of the plan.