Minutes
February 1, 2006
Members Present: Laura Arnold, Michael Durland, Ron Hendrickson, Mary Masters, Victoria Parker, Kit Rawson, Howie Rosenfeld, Joy Sevier, Jonathan White, Tina Whitman
Staff: Jody Kennedy, County Councilman Kevin Ranker, Barbara Rosenkotter, Helen Venada,
Candace VerBrugghen
Absent: Terrie Klinger, (Alan) Skeet Lowe, David Loyd, Ken Sebens, Jim Slocomb
Guests: Mike Ahrenius, Kirsten Evans, Phil Green, , Kari Koski, Rowann Tallmon
Chair Kit Rawson called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Community Room at Islanders Bank Annex, Friday Harbor.
Citizen comments:
Victoria Parker said that the San Juan Nature Institute will sponsor a lecture on Public Policy and the Environment by Bill Ruckelshaus (first Director of the EPA) this Thursday at 7 PM at the Labs Commons.
Howie Rosenfeld said that three weeks ago there was an anniversary meeting of all past EPA directors, including the last Director, Christine Whitman, during which there was a lot of criticism of the current administration but with very little press coverage of it.
Kari announced that the Whale Museum has been nominated by Congressman Rick Larsen for an award from theInstitute of Museums and Library Services. She said that local support from partner organizations, schools, etc. will help the cause, acknowledging the Museum’s research and efforts to promote stewardship actions.
Motion: Tina moved, and Howie seconded, that the draft support letter to the Institute be approved. The motion passed unanimously.
Minutes:
Minutes of the 1/18/06 meeting were approved.
Kit passed around the letter of appreciation to Lil Hamel for members’ signatures.
MRC 2006 Work Plan and 2005 Annual Report:
Edited versions have been circulated by email with major changes highlighted andJody distributed some copies. Members suggested additional edits and there was discussion on the need for sub-committee leads to delegate to their members tasks linked to the work plan. The list of sub-committees and their members will be updated at the next meeting. Ad hoc committees typically deal with new issues as they arise (e.g. mooring buoys); tasks that need to be contracted will be so noted in the work plan.
Motion: Jonathan moved, and Tina seconded, that the 2006 Work Plan be approved with edits. The motion was unanimously approved.
The 2006 Annual Report will be sent to the NWSC and the County Council. Last year’s objectives have been met, some of which will be earmarked for use in an outreach pamphlet. There was discussion on how to document this year’s activities for the 2006 annual report (e.g. photos), perhaps a task for the education and executive sub-committees.
Motion: Jonathan moved, and Mary seconded, that the edited 2005 Annual Report be approved. The motion passed unanimously.
2006 Budget:
Jody said the draft budget wraps up 2005 spending, noting that the NWSC grant operates on a 2-year cycle (from July to June) and will carry over into 2006. County Councilman Kevin Ranker pointed out that the $10,000 line item under the Bottomfish Recovery Program need not be spent on the BFRP, which represents just one piece of the MSA. Jody highlighted the new $25,000, which is allocated to several tasks; other funds are broken out per NWSC grant allocations or MSA work plan tasks. Jody pointed out that the 2006 budget at $171,147 is almost twice the $86,000 budget of 2004, when she first came here. All agreed that a project status sheet would be useful as an internal tool; items could be footnoted to reference work plan deliverables, funding sources, sub-committee assignments, time limits, partners, contractors, etc. The executive sub-committee will help organize this information; Jody will send a copy of the NWSC grant agreement to members.
Jody will email a form to members and other volunteers to help them track their meeting hours, travel, and other in-kind contributions. Phil Green suggested that a sign-up sheet be circulated at the last meeting of each month to record such information.
Motion: Victoria moved, and Howie seconded, that the 2006 Budget be approved. The motion passed unanimously.
2005 SRFB funding:
Barbara distributed copies of a 1/7/06 letter from Russel Barsh to her as Lead Entity Coordinator, requesting supplemental money for his Round 5 two-year study of juvenile salmon habitat in San Juan County. Barbara explained that a different type of net and a bigger boat were needed for the project; Kit added that this request needs to go through the local Citizens Committee (i.e. the MRC). Kevin said this project is critical and the request is realistic; he suggested that the MRC speak directly to the tribal council in light of recent significant changes. Barbara will write a letter to the Samish Indian Nation asking if they want the MRC as the local Citizens Committee to consider this supplemental request, assuming that phase 2 is moving forward. With such approval there is consensus to move ahead.
Presentation:
Kevin Ranker presented a Power Point by Mark Dowie from ShiftingBaselines.com, called “Empowering the Grassroots.” Surfrider Foundation, with Hollywood money, is sponsoring TV ads that are running now in OR, CA, and NY in a renewed effort to help create a stronger national ocean ethos. Kevin explained that shifting baselines refers to the difference in what is accepted as pristine to him and what was pristine to his father or to his grandfather.
Kevin explained that his presentation today might sound familiar to those who heard his talk last Saturday at the MSA anniversary celebration. He showed the slide, “Opportunity Streams - The Strategic Positioning of San Juan County Based on National and Regional Trends,” and referred to the fact that the San Juan Islands are called out as the priority area in marine conservation (critical) areas by many organizations and agencies, including in the recent policies of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, the Pew Oceans Commission policy, the Puget Sound Initiative (with a $40 million budget), and the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan. The common theme, he said, is that the marine ecosystem is in real trouble. The San Juans are recognized as critical to their work and their success, Kevin said, and are a “hot spot” for biodiversity, critical species and habitat.
Tens of millions of federal and private dollars have been invested in researching and addressing the issues up to now, Kevin said, but no returns on investments have yet been seen. Since there
has been little progress at the national and regional levels, the focus has now shifted to state and local opportunities to meet the challenges, he added. There is a real need, Kevin said, to demonstrate successes and environmental impacts.
Kevin said that San Juan County is required to provide comprehensive planning under the GMA. The critical areas ordinance needs to be much more comprehensive now than previously. He also noted that in the Shoreline Master Program and the new stormwater ordinance, the CDPD makes policy statements on eco-based management. Kevin said he is excited about the opportunity for San Juan County to position itself as a regional hub for marine-based industries (manufacturing, technology, research, and education). “By linking our efforts,” he said, “to national and regional initiatives, we can secure substantial support for our work.” Mike Ahrenius said that from the business end, he has seen lots of new opportunities in the marine industrial and mechanical side in the last two years and the jobs are staying here; he added that the timing is good for vocational programs.
Kevin added that opportunity for San Juan County exists if outside money is available. Land/sea connections are being made and the big picture is more of a concern. Kevin said that he is confidant that PSAT would give $50,000 for outreach/communications to stimulate the marine-based economy here (e.g. to promote biodiesel use). One idea is to create a San Juan Islands marine institute, perhaps tapping into the 2007 governor’s budget to establish it; Kevin said such a vision requires lots of public input and buy in from others in order to be realized. He mentioned Steve Garrison on Orcas Island who is now leading a marine focus group there. Tina pointed out the importance of the local critical areas ordinance update that is due December 1st of this year.
Kit thanked Kevin for a stimulating presentation.
Membership:
Councilperson Ranker recalled for the MRC that its membership (15) is full at this time; he added that the ordinance establishing the MRC does not require a member from the UW Labs or from the Port but, historically, it has been critical to have both on the committee. Kevin suggested that the MRC could choose to ask members who can’t attend regularly to step down.
There was discussion about the role of the CDPD Director as a voting or non-voting member. Kit said that one interpretation of the ordinance says that the CDPD Director is an automatic member and Laura pointed out that the position has been a voting member in the past. Kit said the issue needs more discussion at the next meeting, after executive sub-committee discussion.
Salmon Recovery update:
Barbara reiterated that the “development” committee is an expanded committee at the Shared Strategy regional approach and that Councilperson Ranker has agreed to participate at that level, representing San Juan County’s Citizens’ Committtee (i.e. the MRC) on the committee. The committee is making sure that all the watersheds have representation and that group will help determine how SRFB will do its regional funding, Barbara added. Kevin said that there is a need to serve eco-system management.
Barbara said that Jim Slocomb will present for the MRC at the February 21st public meeting. She added that there will be a meeting on the morning of February 22nd to prioritize the work in the plan; MRC members and others are encouraged to attend. The next step will be creation and presentation to the MRC of a 3-year implementation plan by the end of March.
MSA Anniversary Celebration:
Before dismissing himself due to another appointment, Kevin commended the Saturday MSA celebration.
Amid general applause, Kit thanked Candy for her wonderfully successful planning and organization of the event. Candy said she had fun and appreciated everyone’s help, particularly the 70 artists who entered the contest. She has CDs of the artists’ mailing addresses as well as of event invitees. Candy set up a display of the artwork for everyone’s appreciation, pointing out the three prize winners and best of show. She suggested that the art work could become part of an MRC traveling exhibit for all to enjoy and learn from. An event portfolio will be available, Candy added. Mary suggested that digital photos of the artwork (some of which will be returned to respective artists at their request) could be taken now for future use.
NWSC report:
Jody reported on the NWSC retreat held last month. Copies of the NWSC “Strategic Plan Status Report” were distributed. Jody will send copies of the final priorities and implementation plan.
Victoria said that the NWSC Education Committee will participate in a conference call meeting on February 10th.
MSA Blitz:
Kirsten said she will be sharing with the MRC her summary of results of the 2-day 5-S Blitz. The focus of the blitz was what is important in San Juan County, she added. Those attending included Phil Block, Joe Gaydos, Jacques White, Ginny Broadhurst, Hillery Culverwell, Terrie Klinger, Phil Green, and Kari Koski.
Announcements:
Jody said that the next MRC meeting, February 15th, will be held at the Whale Museum, not Islanders Bank.
The MRC Executive Committee will convene after today’s meeting as will the ad hoc committee on mooring buoys and docks.
Citizen Comments:
Rowann said that she will not be in regular attendance at future MRC meetings during the training of the18 applicants to the Beach Watchers Program. She will be back in May, she added, with a vanguard of Beach Watchers who will take their education to Island visitors and residents...on the ferries, on docks, and in partnerships with other groups.
Kari said that Rowann is also compiling local knowledge information.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 am.
Submitted by Helen Venada
