The County Council has affirmed the designation of Councilman Bob Myhr, Lopez/Shaw, as San Juan County’s representative on the Puget Sound Partnership Salmon Recovery Council.

The San Juan County Marine Resources Committee had requested the council’s support for the appointment. Under state law, the MRC, as the local citizens advisory group on salmon recovery, is responsible for making the appointment.

The Salmon Recovery Council was a linchpin in the Shared Strategy for Puget Sound, the collaborative group that has developed a federally approved basinwide salmon recovery plan. Now it advises the Leadership Council of the Puget Sound Partnership on policy and project strategies, and assists in the development of the work plan for salmon recovery in greater Puget Sound.

The Leadership Council’s membership is drawn from each of the watershed chapter areas, the environmental and business community, tribal governments, and the state and federal agencies involved in salmon recovery.

Myhr brings a wide range of related experience and expertise to this new role. He served as executive director of the San Juan Preservation Trust, was involved in the creation of the San Juan County Land Bank, and served on the board of the Washington State Wildlife and Recreation Coalition.

“As an avid fisherman and dedicated conservationist, I am honored to serve as the new representative from San Juan County,” Myhr said in a press release.

“Our surrounding waters provide significant nursing areas and forage habitat for juvenile salmon. Our entire community both here in the islands and throughout the rest of the Sound will benefit from restoration of a thriving and healthy salmon stock.”

Myhr succeeds County Councilman Kevin Ranker, San Juan South, on the Salmon Recovery Council. Ranker served as co-chairman of the recovery council from 2006-08. He was involved in implementing the Salmon Recovery Plan developed by the council and has successfully advocated for salmon recovery funding.