Minutes
July 7, 2004
Members Present: Laura Arnold, Mike Bertrand, Brian Calvert, Peter Fromm, David Hoopes, David Loyd,
Mary Masters, Kevin Ranker, Kit Rawson, DJ Sessner, Jim Slocomb
Absent: Kelley Balcomb-Bartok, Terrie Klinger, Dennis Willows
Guests: Russel Barsh, Ray Bigler, Shannon Davis, Robyn DuPre, Ralph Hahn, Jody Kennedy,
Commissioner Rhea Miller, Claudia Mills
Chair Jim Slocomb called the meeting to order at 8:32 a.m. in the BOCC conference room in the courthouse,
Friday Harbor.
Citizens’ comments:
Ray Bigler confirmed that Jim Slocomb is on the Lions Club meeting agenda for August 20th to do a presentation on the MSA.
Commissioner Miller distributed copies of a May 30, 2004 article from the Los Angeles Times about phthalates, chemicals that are found in toys, vinyl flooring, food packaging, pharmaceuticals and other products. The article discusses potential health risks from phthalates (especially accumulated exposures), recent European bans in Europe of phthalates in cosmetics, and some phasing out in products made in the U.S. Rhea also distributed copies of a May 5, 2004 draft document from the Puget Sound Council, “Identifying Current and Future Challenges for Puget Sound.” The Council is mandated to carry out targeted reviews of key and emerging issues affecting the health of Puget Sound, one of which is municipal wastewater discharges into Puget Sound that may be carrying residual pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and toxic flame retardant chemicals that pose a health risk to humans and biota. The Council will work with the Puget Sound Action Team and others to identify the next steps to reduce and eliminate the discharge of these chemicals. Rhea added that normal background levels of phthalates in water is unknown; she said that health impacts from phthalates in PVC pipe and soft plastic food containers is a controversial issue. Also, releases of hormone additives in chicken and beef hormones may be impacting water systems. Rhea proposed that education on these issues be presented to the public at the County Fair to raise awareness of what we as private citizens are putting into our water...chemical releases that may affect our health and build up in our children. She said that homeowners need to become smart consumers. She asked that members let her know of their interest in the issue so that she can relay this to the Puget Sound Council.
Jim said that water quality is an MRC work plan item. Kevin said that he sits on DOE’s Beach Committee and that, because testing is very expensive, it is limited in Washington state to fecal coliform. Peter pointed out that, once again, it becomes clear that our lifestyle choices are detrimental to the environment and our own health; he agreed that it is important to get information out to consumers.
Russel Barsh said that Jamie Donatatoo of the Swinomish Tribe is involved in a major water quality study for the EPA, using shellfish as the collector, that explores a much wider range of compounds than previously scanned in Skagit County waters. Russel added that in the Samish tribes/ Army Corps of Engineers stream survey program the design of water quality testing is built into this year’s work and they are interested in supporting a wider collaboration to support work that will develop a good design for monitoring for key compounds predicted to be in the system. He said that people are beginning to pay attention but generally most folks assume the water in San Juan County is clean and current owners are unaware of the potential for pollution from old waste dumps on private property. He added that the industrial history of the Islands is not well known by more recent arrivals here.
Kevin said that the largest impact to water quality is leaking septic systems and that funding and printed educational materials are available through the Puget Sound Action Team (contact, Scott Redmond); he added that the related MRC work plan item includes education. Rhea added that Fisherman Bay has been heavily impacted and is nutrient-rich because of leaking septic systems. Kevin will collect water quality information; he said there is significant data from Hood Canal although it is a confined system with limited flush.
Minutes: Approval of the minutes of the 6/16/04 meeting was postponed until next meeting.
MPA Managers’ Forum:
Jody said that she has met with representatives of The Nature Conservancy and Ginny Broadhurst of NWSC to discuss details of the upcoming resource managers’ forum to be held at the UW Friday Harbor Labs; she suggested November dates for members’ consideration for the event funded by the NWSC. The plan, Jody said, is to pull together all area managers of marine resources, including the tribes, to look for ways to coordinate efforts and share information. MRC attendance at the forum was discussed; it was suggested that the Chair and one or two other MRC members participate in the forum along with a representative from county government and that Terrie Klinger or Dennis Willows do a presentation on what came out of the bottomfish symposium. Another possible forum topic could be a discussion of the 200-yard buffer and how WDFW might work with others to make it more effective. David Loyd pointed out that since there is no funding for enforcement, the forum could have important outreach potential and that a presentation on the MSA should be added to the agenda. Mary, Kit, David Loyd, and Jody will serve on the sub-committee.
Aquaculture:
There was discussion on Kit’s draft ideas regarding development of a protocol to evaluate aquaculture proposals.
Jim pointed out that, besides the recent red urchin enhancement proposal, there appears to be interest locally in abalone and native oyster projects so that the MRC and the county need a framework for discussing such proposals in the local marine environment. Rhea said that the BOCC needs a briefing from the MRC and follow-up discussion sessions on the full spectrum of controversial points and how to address them. Kevin warned that the National Oceans Council will be recommending in its final report a windfall of federal money to the Pacific Northwest in a massive push for more aquaculture opportunities here; he suggested that members make phone calls to Senator Cantwell’s office, in particular, to share their comments on the issue.
Rhea said this discussion is very timely since there is pressure on the British Columbia side as well; Islands Trust has said they feel that additional aquaculture projects are not appropriate for their area. Kevin will invite Sally, regional staff from Senator Cantwell’s office, to speak to the MRC soon on the issue.
David Loyd said he supports Kit’s draft, including Claudia Mills’ comments regarding the proposed source of artificial reef materials. The committee will do an unbiased review of the facts to prepare a report for the BOCC, and then develop a protocol, if requested. Kevin suggested that members look at recent reports from the PEW Commission and the U.S. Ocean Policy Commission (both available online) for comprehensive executive summaries of the issue; Jody will email the websites to members.
The sub-committee will finalize Kit’s draft before the next meeting. Kit was thanked for providing a great starting point for the effort.
Jim said he will add to his list of items to be discussed with the BOCC on July 20th discussion of the abalone restoration project being developed here and the MRC’s potential role in the siting process for native oysters restoration in San Juan County, an effort that is being implemented by the tribes.
Russel Barsh said that the native oysters restoration project is an initiative of the Puget Sound Restoration Foundation (funded by NOAA fisheries); two MRC’s and five tribes are involved. Russel said the project is low-tech and is focused on habitat previously suitable for native oysters; it will include seeding, growth and survival studies, and research on the impacts of introduction of native oysters to existing communities. He suggests a systematic approach that will look at these effects since planting could result in loss and gain of species. With funding from the Skagit County MRC, the project is first promoting enhancement in particular habitats in Fidalgo Bay; silting there is faster than expected and there is less habitat than 100 years ago due to development. Russel
recommended careful site selection, small plantings, and a baseline study of the full community over time in order to avoid haphazard re-introduction. He expects that oysters will be planted here by the second week of September so that site selection and a agreement need to be in place. Native oysters take five years to grow to historically marketable size, Pacific oysters take three years. He has asked that the MRC participate in the site selection process; it will, therefore, be a future agenda item. Russel said that there is no permit requirement at this time for re-introduction.
Motion: Brian moved, and Kevin seconded, that the MRC abstain from participating in the native oysters restoration project until a project evaluation protocol is completed and approved by the BOCC. The motion passed, with DJ Sessner opposed.
Membership:
Jody said that she and Shannon Davis are analyzing the emailed member biographies in light of the current charter. She requested that a sub-committee do further review including her recommendations. One question to examine is the reasoning behind the original charter’s breakdown on member interests and its recent amendment. There was discussion on the 2001 revisions by the BOCC. Brian said the Ports should be a separate category, as they are in the NWSC makeup. It was agreed that both commercial and recreational fishing interests should, ideally, be represented. The appointed sub-committee, Brian and Jody, will prepare a presentation for the MRC and BOCC. Jim suggested that all members submit a brief email to Jody about which groups they represent and their preferential placement in the matrix.
MRC Retreat:
Peter, Mary, and Jim will comprise the retreat sub-committee; Jody will suggest dates for the one-day retreat by email.
NWSC Retreat:
A one-day NWSC retreat is scheduled for July 30th in La Conner, with the focus being “What will the NWSC be in its next incarnation?” Kevin, Jody, and Jim will attend as the three designated MRC representatives and others are also invited; travel will be paid by the MRC. There will be further discussion at the next MRC meeting.
Budget:
Jody asked that the admin grant budget for the work plan and annual report be moved to supplies and printing so that billing deadlines can be met; she suggested that any extra money be used for laminating MSA maps for boaters. The flipside could be used for Jim’s map of “8 frequently hit rocks or reefs in the San Juans.”
Motion: Kevin moved, and Brian seconded, that Jody be given approval to laminate as many copies of the map as is affordable. The motion was passed unanimously.
There was discussion on whether other groups could put their own logos on the maps (not to include the MRC logo) for their own use. Jody will put the updated budget on the webpage.
David Loyd reported that the three active outreach groups (Deer Harbor, Johns Island, and Waldron Island) are looking at ways to work with the MRC and to integrate other groups, such as IOSA, in enhancement of the marine environment they have and in identifying ways to steward it. Expected output will be area maps, identifying small areas of concentration in order o address seasonal pressures. David said the locally-produced documentary video is on target.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:36 a.m.
Submitted by Helen Venada
