Minutes
July
2, 2003
Members Present: Laura Arnold, Mike Bertrand, Peter Fromm, Terrie
Klinger, David Loyd, Mary Masters, Rich Osborne, Jim Slocomb
Absent:
Kelley Balcomb-Bartok, Brian Calvert, Tim Carpenter, Kevin Ranker,
Kit Rawson, Dennis Willows
Guests:
Stephanie Buffum, Ryan Drum, Kari Koski, Commissioner Rhea Miller,
Mike Sato
Chair
Jim Slocomb called the meeting to order at 8:35 A.M. in the community
room at the Islanders Bank Annex in Friday Harbor.
Minutes:
Minutes of the 6/18/03 meetings were approved with the following
corrections: on page 3, 2nd under "Whales," correct
spelling of Norm Dicks name and delete 2nd part of last sentence.
Commissioner
Rhea Miller discussed the Navy sonar concern; she said the issue
is receiving good press coverage and is grateful for the information
reaching the public. [Today's local newspapers covered the story
of whale researcher Ken Balcomb's positively linking the recent
Navy sonar tests in Haro Strait to the deaths of almost a dozen
porpoises found on the west side of San Juan Island on May 5th.
A CAT scan of one carcass that had been kept frozen indicates
that it bled to death from a brain hemorrhage caused by trauma
to the inner ear.] Rich explained that Ken's timing was critical
in getting the necropsy results as Congress is voting now on exempting
the military from environmental regulations.
Stephanie
said that petition signatures were collected at the Orca Sing
and at other occasions, requesting that there be no such military
exemptions under the Homeland Security Act; the petition is being
presented to Congress.
Commissioner
Miller explained her roles as both county commissioner and private
citizen / environmental advocate. She discussed the importance
of building bridges (relationships) to engage stakeholders and
other interested parties in important issues, e.g. the MPA proposal.
She said the upcoming intertribal Canoe Journey stop on San Juan
Island is a real joy and wonderful opportunity to continue to
build bridges. Commissioner Miller talked about the relationship-building
and great work that's happening in Canada (the Gulf Islands) with
First Nation tribes and with sport fishers in joint stewardship
area discussions.
Laura
said that in the context of the barge landing issue, the Lummi
and Samish are both looking at their cultural resources associated
with the proposed landing locations. They are expecting to report
back soon on what is present, what the status is, and what protection
is wanted, Laura said. The Lummi tribal chair will be coming to
the BOCC meeting on July 8th at 9:45 a.m. to enter into the conversation
on the barge landing issue and to express Lummi concerns. Laura
reiterated the importance of building relationships.
MPA
Proposal:
Jim said that a strategy is needed for more outreach to other
stakeholder groups--realtors, divers, yacht club, sport fishermen,
Chamber of Commerce, etc. He asked for help in coordinating and
carrying out this outreach as timing is crucial. Stephanie echoed
that face to face personal meetings are essential. Laura agreed
that a strategy discussion is necessary; she added that the content
of outreach material also needs more discussion. Terrie summed
up the parallel tracks in MPA work: (1) the actual mechanics of
the study and proposal; and, (2) outreach and education.
Terrie
said that the MRC could perhaps learn something from the Olympic
Coast Marine Sanctuary which was successfully designated but is
now struggling. She said that support for the sanctuary appears
to be eroding, perhaps because of a lack of relationship building.
Copies
of the final People for Puget Sound report, "A Guide to Protected
Areas in the San Juan Islands," were distributed and discussed.
The Guide includes a clear map of some marine protected areas
around the Islands. The need for an outreach sub-committee was
discussed.
Stephanie
said that the Friends of the San Juans forage fish and eelgrass
study findings will be going out to the public in October or November.
The non-controversial data, she said, could be used to build a
foundation for public support. She invited the MRC to partner
in this outreach. Rich added that the USFWS has been funded for
several public meetings on its Comprehensive Conservation Plan;
there was discussion about how federal and state agencies are
particularly vulnerable now to public pressure due to the threat
of under-funding. Laura said that representatives of the Army
Corps of Engineers who visited here recently admitted that, even
in the case of documented forage fish beaches, they would capitulate
if they get hammered; she added that since they will not be out
there protecting our resources, we will have to do it ourselves.
Mike
Sato said that the public meeting in September on protected areas
in San Juan County will include a base presentation on existing
protection and an attempt to gain additional public input on rockfish
and lingcod; a science experts meeting will follow. He wants to
work with the MRC to get the message out to the public. Stephanie
asked if the contract could be modified to allow dovetailing public
meetings. There was discussion on how the MRC could work with
advocacy groups and government agencies (e.g. in joint public
meetings).
Commissioner
Miller announced that the BOCC yesterday endorsed the "Be
Whale Wise" and local "Voluntary No Motor Boat Zones"
guidelines. The BOCC also agreed to sponsor the Canoe Journey
and will have a proclamation next week.
Jim
distributed a graphic attempt to describe the zones construct
for approaching the NWSC grant. The draft resulted from a sub-committee
meeting with Jim, Kevin, and Mary. He explained that four zones
are suggested in the draft and that there are only two special
use zones designated on the map. A matrix of zonal definitions
is also included in the draft, which is based on the Great Barrier
Reef model. There was discussion on including intertidals rather
than nearshore uplands. David noted that the draft provides a
good strategy by breaking down the regulatory and advisory protected
areas; he added that the second tier of outreach, public input,
is absolutely necessary to develop the proposal. David suggested
that the opportunity to increase resources be emphasized. Rhea
said she appreciated the graphic as an educational tool. The committee
discussed specific fine tunings for the draft. Ryan Drum suggested
that restrictions on trampling effects on the intertidal and on
vehicle beach access also be considered in the zonal definitions.
New/Old
Business:
A revised MRC Meeting Schedule was distributed. Jim noted that
the next meeting will be held on July 16th at the Roche Harbor
pavilion from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jim asked that all members attend
this first public outreach meeting on San Juan Island.
It
was agreed that existing MRC outreach materials be used for the
County Fair as part of the "Navigating Our Future" exhibit.
Jim
said that there has been word going around about the ongoing round
of DFW rulemaking and the rockfish issue. Kit's suggestion that
absolute no take closed other fisheries was discussed. Mike distributed
copies of Whatcom County's MRC draft proposal on zero take for
bottomfish; he asked where the San Juan County MRC stands on the
issue and noted that the Whatcom group will be meeting tomorrow
night. With a July 18th deadline on comments to DFW, the issue
was tabled to the next meeting to allow for more discussion.
Motion: Mary moved, and Peter seconded, that the MRC endorse the
Canoe Journey.
The motion passed unanimously.
Stephanie
said that three more support vessels are needed for the event
as is financial help for providing food.
Motion:
Terrie moved, and Rich seconded, that the MRC allocate $500 towards
the food budget for the Canoe Journey. The motion passed unanimously.
The
meeting was adjourned at 10:40 a.m.
Submitted
by Helen Venada
