Minutes
August 4, 2004
Members Present: Laura Arnold, David Hoopes, Terrie Klinger, David Loyd, Mary Masters, Kevin Ranker,
Kit Rawson, Jim Slocomb, Dennis Willows
Absent: Kelley Balcomb-Bartok, Mike Bertrand, Brian Calvert, Peter Fromm, DJ Sessner
Guests: Brandon Davis, Kolleen Irvine, Kari Koski, Claudia Mills
Chair Jim Slocomb called the meeting to order at 8:37 a.m. in the Town Council Chambers, Friday Harbor.
Brandon presented two versions of Bottomfish Recovery Zone signs for later MRC discussion--one was the currently-posted “Marine Reserve” sign and the other was a mock-up of a new “Bottomfish Reserve” sign.
Minutes: Minutes of the 7/21/04 meeting were approved as read.
Kolleen Irvine, a UW graduate student, introduced herself; she works with DNR’s Refuge Program and is doing research for her thesis on the refuge islands in the San Juans. Kolleen said she is also here to establish agency presence in the Islands.
A sign-up sheet for MRC member attendance at the County Fair booth was circulated.
Jim suggested that the Northern Skagit Bays and Shoreline Habitat Conservation and Restoration Blueprint, as presented at the last meeting by People for Puget Sound representatives, could provide a standard method for locating and ranking projects for funding in the San Juan Islands. Kevin said that it is a working project that could be used as a starting point. There was discussion on the methodology used and possible flaws in it, even though the outcome is desirable. There was general agreement that the methodology as presented needs revisions, such as including more documentation and information on invasive species; discussion continued on the validity of the multiplier analysis. The importance of a local knowledge overlay in the inventory was also noted. A report from National Parks by Carl Shocks was suggested as an appropriate tool for the analysis. Jim said that the Blueprint will form the basis for county discussions beginning in January on critical areas. The topic will be a future agenda item. Jim will email PPS with suggested edits to the Blueprint and Kit noted that a standard version is needed soon.
NWSC Retreat:
Jim reported that the NWSC initiative represents a bottoms-up process. He said that results of the day’s discussions will be used for comment at the annual retreat in November. Jim said there was discussion on re-arranging language, such as, naming the tribes as resource co-managers; the tribes will take a more active role in the NWSC. NWSC benchmarks will also be re-organized, e.g. the MPA process is recognized as a tool, rather than a goal. Kevin added that some of the benchmarks are now broader while others are more specific. Water quality is a major issue, he said, that needs to be addressed. Because of the evaluation panel results, a push to double the annual budget to $1.6 million is expected (most likely as a rider this year with full re-authorization next year). Kevin said that he did a presentation to the BOCC to clarify the issue of upland impacts to the marine ecosystem; he added that two of the three Commissioners support more research in this area.
MSA Project Outreach:
Mary reported on the work of the sub-committee. She said that she has done a presentation to the Orcas Island Lions Club and will also be going to the Yacht Club and Chamber of Commerce. She said a presentation is either an awareness-raising exercise or is action-based, depending on the audience. Mary suggested that the MRC needs a discussion on “What do we want to do and how do we get there?” so that it can make clear recommendations to the BOCC. There was discussion on what printed information to give to the audience groups in advance of a presentation (e.g. the County Resolution defining the MRC’s goal); other suggestions are a series of maps showing what’s here now (existing protection) and identifying unique areas that need help. Another important question for community discussion is “What does protection mean?” To gather the best available information, all interested citizens are encouraged to provide input into this process. One proposed idea for protective zones is to establish a 1/4 mile buffer around the entire shoreline. Kevin suggested that a roundtable discussion could be a good first step.
Kevin summarized the outreach plan as outlined in the grant: to present existing data, asking the question, community-by-community, “What areas are important to you? (social aspect) and then to incorporate any new data for future discussions (workshops?). He said that presentations are tools to get people talking. January 2005 is the deadline for this work plan item and outreach to organizations and communities requires high participation to assure a community-based management process (e.g. for conservation and for identification of critical recommendations). Laura said that groups she is working with, such as in Deer Harbor, are interested in adding a marine component to their conservation and restoration work. David Loyd added that the Waldron community is similarly interested in the marine aspect.
There was discussion on the use of the term, “unique,” as it relates to discussions of goals. Kari Koski posed the question, “What is a person’s incentive to share information?” (such as good fishing spots, etc.)
With such a multiplicity of values, in the context of modeling, the MRC needs to have a discussion on gaps in data sets (e.g. to add socio-economic layers). Other identified gaps are culturally significant areas, human use, human behavior. It was agreed that all MRC presenters need to have a consistent message.
Aquaculture protocol:
Kit gave a follow-up report by the sub-committee on the draft policy document he developed for presentation to the BOCC. He said the protocol could be used for the urchin enhancement proposal and the checklist covers key issues (to be filled out by the MRC or proposal proponents?). Claudia added that the protocol could be applied to all kinds of “marine enhancement” projects, such as artificial reefs. There was discussion on having the draft reviewed by experts (e.g. Mark Billington and a salmon geneticist from NOAA). Kevin said he will be doing a presentation on artificial reefs in November. Jody has Milton Love’s reports.
It was suggested that the draft protocol be tested on the native oyster planting project, inviting Russel Barsh to fill out the checklist. Laura noted that county authority is an issue to be considered. Kit will email a final draft to Jody for distribution to Russel and to Betsy Peabody (abalone project). Kit and Claudia will compose a draft cover letter.
Membership solicitation letter: Edits were suggested to the draft letter from the BOCC to groups that may be under-represented in MRC membership.
Bottom Fish Zone Signs: There was discussion on the virtues of each sign prototype and on best locations.
Motion: Kit moved, and Mary seconded, that the bottomfish sub-committee’s recommendations for proposed action be approved, as edited. The motion passed unanimously.
Kari said that there is an article in today’s Journal on the Whale Watch Operators Association Guidelines. She emphasized that the guidelines apply to local fishermen and boaters as well.
Jim said there are now 1000 laminated MSA maps. Suggestions for distribution included charter boat agencies, whale watch operators, marinas, fuel docks, marine stores, and the County Fair. There was discussion on whether they could be sold.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:22 a.m.
Submitted by Helen Venada
