“Progress on Island County’s Marine Resource Committee’s eelgrass study will be discussed today, Sept. 6, from 4-6 p.m., at Monroe Landing Fire Hall on North Whidbey.Also planned for discussion is the proposed forage fish spawning area survey project and ways for the committee to receive additional grants and funding sources for future projects to enhance and protect the marine resources of Island County.United States Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Jack Metcalf of Langley led the way to create federal funding for the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative in 1998. The focus is to protect and enhance the marine resources of northern Puget Sound. Island County’s committee is a member of the seven-county commission.In Island County, maintaining the health of offshore and intertidal eelgrass beds is considered essential for herring and crab. Educational brochures will be distributed detailing the progress of the Northwest Straits Initiative and how and why it was created.For more information, call 360-279-9612. The Marine Resources Committee meets twice a month, on the first and third Wednesdays, in Oak Harbor at Monroe Landing Fire Hall, and In Freeland at Trinity Lutheran Church. The committee’s usual meeting time is from 4-6 p.m. “