Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force
Background
On December 23, 2022, the President signed into law H.R. 7776, the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which amends the Clean Water Act by adding a Puget Sound Coordinated Recovery section.
The new section establishes a Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office in EPA, and a Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force.
Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office
EPA's Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office coordinates and manages the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force, as well as Puget Sound restoration and protection activities across EPA. It also coordinates international activities for the restoration and protection of the Salish Sea with Canadian authorities, the Pacific Salmon Commission, and the International Joint Commission.
Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force
In collaboration with the state advisory committee and Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference, the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force:
- Upholds federal trust responsibilities to restore and protect resources crucial to Tribal treaty rights.
- Provides a venue for dialogue and communication across member agencies.
- Enables and encourages member agencies to act consistently with the objectives and priorities of the:
- Provides advice and support on scientific and technical issues.
- Ensures that Puget Sound restoration and protection activities are consistent with national security interests.
- Develops and approves a federal action plan.
The Puget Sound Federal Action Plan leverages federal programs across agencies and serves to coordinate diverse programs and priorities for the restoration and protection of Puget Sound.
| Agency | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Protection Agency | Casey Sixkiller | Regional Administrator, Region 10 Task Force Co-Chair |
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | Jennifer Quan | Regional Administrator, NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region, Task Force Co-Chair |
| U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | Colonel Kathryn P. Sanborn | Seattle District Commander, Task Force Co-Chair |
| Bureau of Indian Affairs | Bryan Mercier | Director, Northwest Region |
| U.S. Geological Survey | Jill Rolland | Regional Director, Interior Regions 9 (Columbia-Pacific Northwest) &12 (Pacific Islands) |
| U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | Hugh Morrison | Regional Director, Pacific Region |
| National Park Service | David Szymanski | Pacific West Regional Director |
| Navy Region Northwest | William Bulis | Executive Director |
| Joint Base Lewis-McChord | Colonel Kent Park | Joint Base Commander |
| U.S. Forest Service | Jacque Buchanan | Regional Forester, Pacific Northwest Region |
| Natural Resources Conservation Service | Roylene Comes At Night | Washington State Conservationist |
| Farm Service Agency | Jon Wyss | Washington State Executive Director |
| Federal Highway Administration | Ralph Rizzo | Washington Division Administrator |
| Federal Transit Administration | Susan Fletcher | Regional Administrator, Region 10 |
| U.S. Coast Guard | Rear Admiral Charles E. Fosse | Thirteenth District Commander |
| Federal Emergency Management Agency | Vince J. Maykovich | Deputy Regional Administrator, Region 10 |
For more information about the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force or EPA's Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office, please contact:
- Erik Peterson (peterson.erik@epa.gov), 206-553-6382.
- Peter Murchie (murchie.peter@epa.gov), 206-553-1148.
Related Documents
Note: The Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force continues to use work products produced by the former Puget Sound Federal Task Force, which operated under a Memorandum of Understanding from September 2016-December 2022.
- Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force Biennial Report (pdf)
- Puget Sound Coordinated Recovery Section of the Clean Water Act (pdf)
- Puget Sound Federal Task Force Action Plan 2022-2026 (pdf)
- Puget Sound Federal Task Force 2017-2021 Progress Report (pdf)
- Puget Sound Federal Task Force Accomplishments Report (pdf)
- Puget Sound Federal Task Force Action Plan - Interim Draft 2017-2021 (pdf)
- Puget Sound Federal Task Force Memorandum of Understanding (pdf)