What is the role of the Advisory Council in Management Plan Review and how does it differ from the Intergovernmental Policy Council?
Both of these councils play an important role in sanctuary management, but in differing capacities and under different authorities. The AC’s authority comes from Section 315 of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act which authorizes the establishment of sanctuary advisory councils. According to the AC charter the purpose of the AC is to provide advice and recommendations to the sanctuary superintendent regarding the management of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary and to serve as liaisons between their constituents and/or communities and the sanctuary, keeping the sanctuary staff informed of issues and concerns, as well as providing information to their respective communities on the sanctuary’s behalf.
