Minutes
July 5, 2006
Members Present: Laura Arnold, Ron Henrickson, David Loyd, Mary Masters, Victoria Parker,
Kit Rawson, Ken Sebens, Jim Slocomb, Tina Whitman
Absent: Michael Durland, Terrie Klinger, Skeet Lowe, Howie Rosenfeld, Joy Sevier, Jonathan White
Staff: Jody Kennedy, Barbara Rosenkotter, Helen Venada
Guests: Joel Breems, Kirsten Evans, Phil Green, Lew Moore, Bob Myhr, Rich Osborne,
Rowann Tallmon, Scott Veirs, Ron Zee
Chair Kit Rawson called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. in the Community Room at Islanders Bank Annex, Friday Harbor.
Citizen comments:
County Councilman, Bob Myhr, said that the CAO update is being reviewed in light of best available science.
Rowann Tallmon reported that the SJC Beachwatchers are conducting a survey of creosote logs on public beaches; she added that copies of the booklet, “San Juan County: Your Public Beaches” are available.
Minutes:
Minutes of the 6/21/06 meeting were approved as read, with the correction that the minutes of the 4/19/06 meeting “were revised to incorporate” edits submitted by Russel Barsh.
Lew Moore introduced himself as the new Executive Director of the Northwest Straits Commission. He said that he is visiting all the MRCs to get acquainted. Lew said that he co-facilitated the Murray-Metcalfe group with Dan Evans in the 1990’s on the marine sanctuary issue. He is now reviewing what has worked in the past for the marine resources conservation effort and is excited about taking those projects that are imminently doable to the next level for the seven counties. Lew said he has ideas for increasing funding for the process.
Tina noted that comments on the orca critical habitat issue are due by August 14th. She pointed out that the “politically missing” pieces are the outer coast, nearshore habitats, and Navy areas. There is the question of how Navy areas are defined. There will be discussion at the next MRC meeting and comments will be sought.
Subcommittee reports:
Science: Kit said that Jeff, the contractor for the vessel use study, needs feedback. Jody added that design of the study is in process; she asked whether flying all year or at select times is preferred and noted that Jeff prefers the latter. Kit suggested that combining aerial with other studies will increase statistical validity.
Executive: Laura reported that the committee is looking at ways to monitor programs and budgets at the same time.
Policy: Tina said that CDPD Director, Ron Henrickson, reported at the CAO meeting that the scope of work with the contractor has been extended to the end of the year. There will be public meetings in September, October and November and a public approval process after January. More outreach to realtors, builders, farmers will be possible with more staff on board. Laura inquired about outreach to the SJC Water Resources committee.
Salmon Lead Entity: Barbara said that SRFB proposals are due by July 14th and copies will be sent to MRC members.
SRFB will hold a review panel here on July 21st of all submitted proposals; there is about $212,000 to allocate for this Round. The TAG will meet with the MRC to review and score proposals on August 2nd and on August 16th an MRC quorum is required to finalize the scoring and ranking.
Education: Victoria said the committee is ready to receive proposals to implement the education/outreach strategy plan (e.g. lecture series project).
Coordinator’s report:
Jody said that the MRC retreat is set for November 16-17th. The fall conference of the NWSC will be held at Rosario Resort on November 3rd and 4th. Jody said that John Meyer, a Sea Grant Fellow working in D.C., will present at the August 15th MRC meeting.
Jody said that she is waiting to hear for NWSC approval before an RFQ can be issued for Kirsten’s position. She said that the Port of Friday Harbor is interested in hosting the August 25th NWSC meeting, likely to be held at the Yacht Club in Friday Harbor. Lew suggested that letters to our representatives about NWSC appropriations would be helpful. Jody circulated information about new biodegradable cotton escape cords for crab traps; the Snohomish MRC is providing education.
Work Session:
Kirsten passed around a sign-up sheet for the strategies workshop. She distributed copies of the draft “Targets Affected” chart for the three identified threats: Shoreline modification, Wastewater, and Polluted stormwater. She said that in examining current threats there is the question of what strategies would be most effective. Ranking will be based on current and anticipated 10-year future. There was discussion on permit requirements and exemptions for mooring buoys, docks, and bulkheads. Tina said that one issue is that the state’s ability to deny bulkhead replacements is limited (above the high water mark) so that many go in with no permits. This is an enforcement and mitigation follow-up issue and shoreline landowners need to be educated. Laura said the issue is whether the shoreline code is being applied with appropriate rigor. Tina said there is a lack of local providers that offer alternatives.
A second issue, Tina added, is that the County has 10 miles of roads along the shoreline, which can be a major source of shoreline armoring and which require ongoing maintenance and re-construction. She said that information has been sent to County departments designed to assist them in improved mitigation and management.
The cumulative impact of docks is important since docks are proliferating in the County; there is the perception that landowners have the right to build docks. There was discussion on shared docks,
experimental dock permits, and replacement docks. Tina said that non-proliferation of docks is noted in the County scenic code. Bainbridge Island can provide a model for one-bay docking. She noted that floats have the largest impact. Boat ramps and barge landings are not mentioned in the code, although it is important that they be appropriately sited to minimize impacts to marine resources, Tina added. Friends of the San Juans has done a survey of boat ramps.
Wastewater threats: the Town of Friday Harbor’s problem with its old infrastructure (e.g. submerged pipeline) was discussed. Bob Myhr added that new on-site wastewater treatment is underway to replace the Fishermans Bay lagoons on Lopez. There was discussion on the issue of the inability of septic systems to remove hormones or other pharmaceuticals, which can impact fish; the County Health Department is working on a plan. Black and gray discharge from vessels was discussed.
Scott Veirs said that he works for Beam Reach, a marine science and sustainability school (http://www.beamreach.org). He said that six students will be working here for five or six weeks beginning August 21st. They will study policy, education outreach, and science within the theme of orcas and the ecosystem; acoustic tools will be used and trends over time will be researched. Scott asked what the needs are for additional amateur data collection.
Next meeting: The next MRC meeting will be held in the Community Room at Islanders Bank in Friday Harbor on Wednesday, July 19th, from 8:30 to 10:30 am.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 am.
Submitted by Helen Venada
