Minutes
August 17, 2005
Members Present: Laura Arnold, Michael Durland, Terrie Klinger, (Alan) Skeet Lowe, David Loyd, Mary Masters, Victoria Parker, Joy Sevier, Jonathan White, Tina Whitman
Staff: Jody Kennedy, Barbara Rosenkotter, Helen Venada
Absent: Mike Bertrand, Brian Calvert, Kit Rawson, Jim Slocomb, Dennis Willows
Guests: Kirsten Evans, Phil Green
Guest presenter: Linda Wagoner, WA Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Vice Chair Mary Masters called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Community Room at Islanders Bank Annex, Friday Harbor. She welcomed Jonathan White to the meeting as a new MRC member. Jonathan said that he is a long-time boater, was the founder of a non-profit educational organization that operated a schooner in southeast Alaska, was a Board member of the SJC Planning Commission for two years, and is now on the Board of the SJC Preservation Trust.
Citizen comments: Victoria Parker said that she counted 7 boats and 2 additional mooring buoys in the “marina” when she was getting on the ferry at the Orcas landing this morning. She wondered how that happens in a sensitive area. Laura Arnold said that they are probably not approved so the County should be contacted. Mike Durland suggested calling Joanne in the Sedro Wooley office of DNR. Tina said that some may have been there a long time and may be permitted.
Minutes:
Minutes of the 8/3/05 meeting were approved with the correction that the first sentence in the last paragraph under “MSA Report” on page 3 be replaced with: “Tina suggested that phone calls, in addition to email invitations, may need to be made for the human use workshop.”
Whale Rocks Letter:
Copies of the draft letter to the Whale Watch Operators Association Northwest were distributed.
Motion: Victoria moved, and Laura seconded, that the email revised version of the draft letter be approved for mailing, with the additional changes that it be directed to the Association, rather than to “whom it may concern,” and that the lst sentence begin with “The proposal by San Juan Preservation Trust...” The motion was approved with Skeet Lowe abstaining.
Guest presentation:
Linda Wagoner, Environmental Planner with DNR, distributed copies of information from the agency’s Aquatics Resource Program. She explained that DNR is charged with management of 2.4 acres of “mud” in San Juan County and that the Program’s ESA (Endangered Species Act) Compliance Project will serve to address DNR’s stewardship responsibilities. DNR manages lands under larger lakes, tidelands (some of which are privately-owned), bedlands, and other areas based on navigability (i.e. that could be used for commerce). DNR management in the San Juans is primarily of bedlands as well as a few tidelands; Linda said that the Aquatics Resource Program is in the process of identifying and digitally mapping these areas.
Aquatic or submerged lands include both marine “salt” waters and fresh waters. Bedlands are defined as those aquatic lands that are submerged at all times and include navigable salt and fresh waters of the state. Tidelands are submerged lands and beaches that are exposed and submerged with the ebb and flow of the tides. Shorelands are submerged lands lying along the edge of a river or lake. DNR uses the following guidelines for managing state-owned aquatic lands: to encourage direct public use and access; to foster water-dependent uses; to ensure environmental protection; to utilize renewable resources; and, to generate revenue consistent with those goals. Linda noted that geoduck harvest is a big source of DNR revenue.
Team objectives of the ESA Compliance Project are to protect the state’s proprietary interests, to minimize financial and legal liability; and to manage habitat in a way that contributes to the reduced risk of extinction and to species recovery. The team will create a long-term workable plan to ensure that DNR’s management of state-owned aquatic lands is in compliance with the ESA. A habitat conservation plan for endangered species is under development (2004-07), with adoption and implementation scheduled for 2008. Authorized activities under consideration for DNR leased lands include aquaculture, erosion controls, mitigation and enhancement, outfalls and intakes, overwater structures (e.g. docks, ramps, mooring buoys), utilities (e.g. submerged cables), transportation, other nearshore activities (e.g. public access), marinas/terminals/ shipyards/port agreements, and other (e.g. sand and gravel removal).
In looking at potential species for ESA compliance, the Program considers a specie’s occurrence on state-owned aquatic lands, its dependence on submerged lands for habitat, its vulnerability to authorized impacts, its listing status, sufficient biological information, existing or easily developed conservation plans. Linda reported that the analysis of 88 species is nearly done with 21 definitely included, 40 that could be included pending more information, and 20 that don’t need to be listed. Contractors Enrix and sub-contractor Batelle are gathering and providing some of the species information. Public outreach to gather more information includes the tribes, NGOs, and other state and federal agencies; information is posted on DNR’s webpage (www.dnr.wa.gov) and comments can be submitted to aquaticsesa@wadnr.gov.
Linda answered questions from MRC members. She said that DNR’s biggest management tool is leasing; some leases are 30-years long. Conservation leases, retiring leases, and shortened lease times could be useful tools in species protection, she added. Leasing fees vary by use; David asked if there could be reduced leasing fees for conservation areas that serve the public good. David pointed out that Olympic oysters should be added to the list for protection. Skeet and David said that Hood Canal summer chum seem to be abundant. Linda said that all species would benefit from improved water quality, for instance. Victoria suggested that DNR work with the UW Labs to collect species data. Mary requested a copy of the outreach strategy. Jody will send additional member questions to Linda.
Phil Green said that some reserves have been removed from DNR leasing (e.g. Nature Conservancy properties). TNC has the right to manage Yellow Island out to the bedlands.
Salmon Recovery Funding Board Proposals:
Barbara said that, in ranking the proposals, the MRC as the citizen advisory group has the primary responsibility for the final ranking of all of the proposals and will be responsible for scoring them on socio-economic impacts. SRF Board’s technical review of the proposals will be on August 22nd and the MRC is invited. STAG (Salmon Technical Advisory Group) will meet on August 31st (MRC is encouraged to attend) to present its overall feedback. STAG will summarize its recommendations at a joint meeting on September 7th. The MRC will make its final decision on September 21st. There may be potential for proponents to make modifications in the proposals. Barbara said that it is critical for members to attend MRC meetings in September; a full quorum is needed to vote on the proposals.
Copies were distributed of the scoring criteria for 2006 Salmon Recovery Funding, as adopted by the MRC on June 15, 2005. There was review and discussion of the criteria. Barbara said that the STAG will be included in developing next year’s scoring criteria. Copies of the proposals (30-50 pages each) will be available at the MRC office. There was discussion on providing more outreach time to elicit proposals next year.
MSA Anniversary Event Proposal:
Victoria said the meeting of the sub-committee to plan next year’s anniversary celebration was energetic; draft notes were emailed yesterday and Victoria asked that members send in their comments on the direction the planning is taking. She discussed the importance of partnerships and said that suggested activities include getting marine images out to the community before the celebratory week (e.g. displays on each island such as in art galleries), using quotes, recognition of “un-random” (i.e. intentional) acts of stewardship, and other events on each island. Other suggestions were brief film documentaries, local musicians doing a compilation disc, and finding ways to showcase MSA partners. The Spring Street School is very interested in a related student project and, Victoria added, that both the San Juan Nature Institute’s Partners in Science program and the UW Labs’ K-12 program could provide MSA education. Victoria said there is the possibility that the celebration might dovetail with Bill Ruckelshaus’ presentation on public policy and the environment, as part of SJNI’s winter lecture series early next year, and he could be invited to participate in the anniversary event.
Victoria distributed copies of bookmarks featuring a Haida formline art representation by April White of the Institute’s starfish logo, honoring SJNI’s Summer Potlatch 2005.
New Shoreline Parcel Dock Data Layer:
Tina said that the Friends of the San Juans have created a new data layer to look at the presence of docks in the county. Current information, using the tax assessor’s use codes, resulted in a lot of docks being missed (for example, only about 40% of parcels with docks show up in Friday Harbor using the use codes, missing ports, marinas, and the UW Labs, as well as older docks). The new data layers were created by an intern in arc GIS using the 2004 aerial photos of San Juan County and provide a much more accurate analysis. In addition to the new docks data layer, a “shoreline structure” layer was developed, providing information on the location of buildings within the 200ft statutory shoreline jurisdiction. The San Juan Preservation Trust partnered in the development of both new nearshore spatial data layers.
Use of the data layers has just begun but Tina provided some examples: some trends are readily apparent, such as Johns and Waldron Islands, which have made a conscious effort to reduce dock proliferation and have 1 and 3 docks, respectively, whereas Henry Island has 38 docks. Future use of the data layers can include long-range planning (such as critical areas updates) and site-specific analysis by the county in dock application decision-making; other applications of the data include protection and restoration efforts and cumulative impact analyses.
The information is being shared with DNR and WDFW and discussions are beginning with the Assessor’s Office and with the Interim Community Development and Planning Director, Matt Zybas. Laura pointed out that the county’s current Hearing Examiner will be retiring at the end of the year. She added that there is now little policy guidance for permitting docks and the county needs more planning to consider the bigger picture. Policies and regulations should be enforceable by law to reduce the “porcupine effect,” David added.
San Juan MRC Presentation at 8/26 NWSC meeting on Lopez:
Mary said that the plan is for Kit to present on SJC MRC work; Kirsten will prepare an MSA presentation (who to present?); Barbara will discuss local Lead Entity activities; Mary will talk about outreach efforts; and Victoria will speak on the MSA anniversary event. Mary asked that comments and suggestions be sent to her. The agenda is not set yet for the11:30 am to 3:30 meeting on Lopez. Jody asked for a head count of those members who will be attending. Kirsten pointed out that this will be a great forum for the MSA process, adding that the MRC should be proud of its work. There will be a planning conference call on the morning of 8/22.
Citizen Comments:
Tina said that Stephanie Buffum, Director of Friends of the San Juans, is interested in reviving the concept of the scenic byways program for our waterways. Tina added that the program has good potential grant funding for education and outreach and is a way to protect marine viewsheds; it is not just for roads! She asked that the MRC think about whether this could be a tool for MSA outreach. Six discrete stakeholders are required to develop a local program.
Tina announced that the Watchable Wildlife Conference will be held on 9/29. She asked if MRC members were interested in attending, pointing out that it would be a good opportunity to meet marine users.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
Submitted by Helen Venada
