Gov. Christine Gregoire has re-appointed Joe Gaydos (VMD, PhD) to serve on the Northwest Straits Commission for a second four-year term.
Gaydos is the regional director for the Sea Doc Society and is a wildlife veterinarian interested in diseases of free-ranging wildlife and the science of marine conservation. He lives with his family on Orcas.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to continue working with the Northwest Straits Commission,” Gaydos said in a press release.
“With their commitment to using science to guide the efforts of hundreds of private citizens in seven counties, this conservation initiative is a resource that everybody can get behind.”
In her appointment letter, Gregoire said, “Thank you for your willingness to join me in serving the citizens of Washington. We need people like you, who are willing to give of their time and abilities to our state.”
Gaydos is chairman of the commission’s science committee and serves on its executive committee.
The Northwest Straits Commission is a 13- member body made up of seven representatives of Marine Resources Committees from the Northwest Straits counties (Clallam, Island, Jefferson, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom). Five members are appointed by the governor and one is appointed by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.
The Commission takes on regional projects such as derelict fishing gear removal. The Marine Resources Committees determine priorities and undertake projects in their individual counties.
The Northwest Straits Initiative is a congressionally-authorized program to restore and protect the valuable marine resources and habitats in northern Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Visit www.nwstraits.org.
Bahrych elected chairwoman of state panel
The state Conservation Commission has elected Lynn Bahrych chairwoman and Fred Colvin vice chairman.
Bahrych, of Shaw Island, was appointed to the commission in 2004. She practiced maritime and admiralty law in Seattle for 10 years before focusing exclusively on land use and environmental law. She is affiliated with the Washington Environmental Council and Friends of the San Juans.
Upon her election, Bahrych said, “Our mission of conserving soil and water, including the other natural resources that depend on soil and water, has not changed in 70 years, but the means of achieving it are changing fast. In the next year, I look forward to finding and implementing the best of the new technologies of conservation throughout the state.”
Colvin, a Tenino cattleman and farmer, said, “I am looking forward to working with Lynn as the new chair of the Conservation Commission. She understands the challenges facing conservation districts and is committed to assisting districts and the landowners they serve. She is dedicated to the conservation of the resources, and I know she will be a great chair.”
The commission works with 47 conservation districts in our state, assisting private landowners with voluntary practices that conserve and protect Washington’s natural resources. Visit www.scc.wa.gov for more info.
