1.2 Objectives and Benefits |
Based on the needs outlined above, the primary objectives of the Bainbridge Island nearshore habitat assessment effort were to
- Delineate management areas (MAs) and appropriate subareas
- Characterize the ecological features and conditions within those MAs
- Provide a baseline assessment of nearshore ecological functions using repeatable methods
- Consolidate this information into a single, GIS-based database that can be used by planners and resource managers.
In addition to a characterization and assessment of these habitats in the main body of the report, separate documents were also developed that address the following:
A framework for prioritizing restoration and preservation of nearshore habitats
Recommendations for a nearshore monitoring plan that may detect changes from current baseline conditions.
Ultimately, this information will form the scientific basis for future conservation, enhancement, and restoration efforts, and will assist in revising the City of Bainbridge Island Shoreline Management Master Program and in supporting future non-regulatory and community-based management actions in the nearshore.
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