The Puget Sound federal task force: an orientation to the task force, reflections on the first year and preview of what\u27s ahead

Coordination and collaboration between government agencies is essential to protect and restore Puget Sound. Prior to 2016, U.S. federal agencies coordinated as the Puget Sound Federal Caucus, operating mostly at the regional level without a formal plan or budget. With the Puget Sound Congressional delegation, Puget Sound Partnership, tribes and others recognizing that formal program and budget coordination at the federal level was needed to effectively protect and restore Puget Sound and Treaty protected resources, the White House Council on the Environmental Quality (CEQ) led 9 federal Cabinet Secretaries and agency directors to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) forming the Puget Sound Federal Task Force. The MOU, signed in November 2016, outlines the structure of the Task Force and the charge to Task Force agencies to produce an Action Plan outlining their commitments to Puget Sound protection and restoration. The Action Plan was adopted in January of 2017. With one year of operation, the co-chairs of the Regional Implementation Team of the Puget Sound Federal Task Force will share their experience forming the Task Force and developing the Action Plan, reflect on early successes and the path ahead for the Task Force and opportunities for transboundary coordination through the Task Force. This is an introductory talk to a series of talks on the Puget Sound Federal Task Force work