Minutes
June
18, 2003
Members Present: Laura Arnold, Kelley Balcomb-Bartok, Peter Fromm,
Terrie Klinger, David Loyd,
Mary Masters, Rich Osborne, Kevin Ranker, Jim Slocomb, Dennis
Willows
Absent:
Mike Bertrand, Brian Calvert, Tim Carpenter, Tom McMillen, Kit
Rawson
Guests:
Shannon Davis, Kari Koski, Claudia Mills, Mike Sato, Scott Rasmussen,
Tina Whitman
Guest
Speakers: Richard Civille, Executive Director of the San Juan
County Economic Development Council; Larry Greene for the Navigating
Our Future project
Citizens'
comments: Mike Sato said that Whatcom and Skagit MRC's have scheduled
a meeting in Bellingham on June 23rd to discuss whether to suggest
changes under consideration to the WA Fish & Wildlife Sportfishing
Rules. Jim said that he would try to attend. Mike also reported
that the Sound & Straits Coalition was having an Orca Pass
transboundary work group meeting in Bellingham on June 25th; People
for Puget Sound is sponsoring the second annual "Recreational
Best Practices" workshop in Mount Vernon on June 26th.
Kevin
distributed copies of the February '03 edition of ESA "Ecological
Applications;" he said that copies of "Coastal Connections"
will soon be available.
Minutes:
Minutes of the 5/21/03 and 6/4/03 meetings were approved as read.
Guest
Speaker: Richard Civille said that the new Economic Development
Council is a private, not-for-profit, organization that partners
with public organizations and agencies, including the Town of
Friday Harbor, the County, and the Port of Friday Harbor; the
EDC has significant contract support from the state and is also
grant funded. Richard said the EDC had existed for several years
under different hats and sponsorships and is now formalized as
an organization. He added that the EDC is not a policy-making
body.
Richard
explained that the purpose of his attendance at today's meeting
is to share ideas on stimulating new job creation in the county
and on strengthening its economic base, in particular, in the
area of marine technology. He said that a focus at a state training
conference was strategic marketing with discussion on ways to
stimulate the high tech economy; in attendance were representatives
from Vancouver Island, including the city of Victoria's Economic
Development Office and the biotech industry, whose interest was
to position Vancouver Island to be more globally competitive.
Richard
said the strategic marketing process tried in Canada explored
the concept of world-class excellence in marine technology which
could be easily applied to the San Juan Islands, building on its
long-established marine heritage...from scrimshaw, wooden boats
and sail making to software for GPS navigation aides. There is
a prospect, Richard said, to begin to develop strategic economic
development relationships with British Columbia, particularly
around marine technology and biotech. One of EDC's initial goals
is to develop a set of effective standings looking at priority
issues, such as broadband, software, semiconductor design, and
biotechnology; one committee is looking at all tools, trades,
and arts involving the maritime environment.
The
EDC hopes to have business development discussions, with groups
like the MRC, that fit within a conservation framework. Jim brought
up the issue of aquaculture in the Islands and Richard said that,
acknowledging political sensitivities around the issue up front,
some folks have been asking the question of what could be done
that might be appropriate; what best management practices are
out there now and what new techniques have been learned for aquaculture
to be viable and healthy. In looking at opportunities for historical
businesses that are having a hard time staying in business, the
question is, is there a prospect to learn how to grow fish in
a way that doesn't create environmental problems. Research done
by the UW Labs and through Sea Grant are important in this context.
Could local species be grown? On land, in a sanitary way, without
pesticides or antibiotics? Richard said there is some evidence
that this is being done elsewhere and there could be prospect
for business development in this area within San Juan County.
He added that it's not known at this time if it would make sense
here. Richard said this is an example of looking at emerging,
newer marine technologies that address some old problems in new
ways that could create employment.
David
invited Richard and the EDC to stay in touch with the MRC for
reality checks, noting that probably 90% of fish harvest is mainland
and that growth in this area would be welcome here. He added that
more non-harvest observational work, such as through whalewatching,
could be done here. Richard offered that if any MRC members have
the time to be involved in this research, they were welcome to
work more closely with the EDC. Dennis suggested that there are
other horizons to explore, such as nanotechnology, genomics, and
other leading edge technologies that could have more positive
economic impact than increased harvest here. He said that a single
grant this past year brought $15 million to support research to
investigate how genes work, studying the unique diversity of marine
life here that weighs more in the area of economic growth than
harvesting those species or adding aquaculture. Terrie emphasized
that not all of these technologies are benign and should, therefore,
be carefully evaluated.
Tina
Whitman reminded everyone that the marine refuse project was ranked
by the EDC this spring and tied for 3rd place.
Guest
Speaker: Larry Greene introduced himself as the team coordinator
of the Navigating Our Future (NOF) project and member of the Board
of Directors at Spring Street School. Larry said that last summer
he and teacher Shann Westin began to champion the idea of sustainability
education at the School. The Board agreed that in five years all
Spring Street School graduates would have an understanding of
the application of sustainability principles in their lives, starting
on their home islands. One student-generated idea was to develop
sustainability education protocol for both visitors and residents
of the San Juans and to reach out, by video and web, to students
in other countries. Another idea was to put on a sustainability
conference...an idea that developed into the Navigating Our Future
Conference which will be held at the Fairgrounds on September
12-14th, with an expected attendance this year of 400 people.
Larry also explained that the County Fair Manager, Christine Miller,
offered to spotlight sustainability at this year's Fair with a
centerpiece exhibit devoted to the issue.
Larry
said the NOF was a co-sponsor of this spring's Low Impact Development
conference and participated in several ways: videotaping the conference,
coordinating guest speakers, student volunteering; Bruce Conway
developed the LID website. The LID Conference, attended by 125
people, laid the ground-work for the sustainability effort in
the Islands and NOF will provide further continuity with the Fair
exhibit and September conference to get people fully engaged in
the issues. Larry distributed copies of the homepage of the www.navigatingourfuture.org
website; Kelley Balcomb-Bartok designed the NOF Fair ad.
Larry
explained that marine issues are a huge area of interest in the
Islands and, quoting Jim, the environment IS our economy. In preparation
for the Fair and Conference, key people are being asked to begin
discussion on what the current situation is in their area of interest
or expertise, what the primary goals are in each area, what obstacles
stand in the way, and what breakthrough solutions can be explored.
Larry invited MRC members to consider how to get involved in the
Exhibit (Fair attendance is expected to be 21,000), to participate
in the conference, to join the marine team, and to carry the discussion
on to the website's chat room.
The
September conference, with an anticipated attendance of 400, will
be a collaboration of people from all the Islands that can begin
charting a course that will "navigate our future" towards
more sustainability in the San Juans. The hope is that the webpage
will become a web portal for all sustainability issues and has
potential for bioregional use and beyond, Larry said. He said
he would like the MRC to summarize key marine issues, provide
photos, quotes, and posters for the marine "hot spot area."
Larry said that interested people could reach him by phone at
378-3123 or by email at lgreene@rockisland.com. He distributed
copies of the NOF project summary. Ongoing planning meetings are
held each Tuesday at 3:00 pm at Skagit Valley College's community
room.
Jim
explained that this being the busy season for many MRC members,
participation at this stage will not be easy; members offered
some initial ideas. Helen Venada suggested that members could
help host "conversation cafés" at the Fair to
continue public outreach on MPA issues. The growing national "conversation
café" movement, she explained, involves announcing
a schedule of gatherings for interested parties to discuss specific
topics, using broad guidelines outlined in the webpage www.conversationcafe.org.
The aim is to get people to move from small talk to BIG talk,
to learn how better to converse with each other, and to build
community by encouraging active, ongoing participation and discussion.
Although the usual venue is cooperating restaurants and cafes,
the Fair (in particular, the marine issues area of the sustainability
exhibit) could be an opportunity to introduce the idea to the
community and could serve as public outreach on the topic of marine
stewardship, Helen suggested.
Larry
said there could be conversation cafés as part of the written
word component of the fair exhibit. He further described other
features, such as solar panels that will provide electricity for
the Fair, rainwater catchment activities, native plants landscaping,
biofuel exhibit, etc.
New/Old
Business:
Dennis
thanked David for the great job he did of revising the draft letter
of intent for the NWSC grant application. There was discussion
on public outreach and involvement as a critical component of
the effort. There was consensus on the draft letter, with some
additions and revisions.
Motion: Kevin moved, and Kelley seconded, that the letter of intent
be submitted as modified. The motion passed unanimously.
Kevin
distributed packets of maps, "National Marine Sanctuary Zones
in the Florida Keys," that, he said, could help in defining
zones.
Terrie
said that the "MPA News" is available online (www.mpanews.org),
with a current article on the re-zoning of the Great Barrier Reef
Park (an example of adaptive management).
Whales:
In a discussion on sonar research and its impacts on marine life,
Terrie mentioned her visit to the Sea of Cortez where dead beaked
whales were found on the beach, apparently killed by research
sonar that is being used to probe the thickness of the earth's
crust. This sonar is low frequency, but very loud, she said. The
recently reported incident of whales apparently being harmed by
sonar, Terrie said, shows that it affects not only beaked whales,
which are the most sensitive, but other marine species as well.
Rich reported that the 12-15 porpoises killed are being held in
a freezer awaiting NMFS' retrieval for open process necropsies.
The Bush administration has requested exemptions for the military
from all MMPA regulations.
Rich
commented that there are several different types of noise, including
two incidences of low frequency seismic testing done here by the
USGS(in 2001 and 2002) down the middle of Puget Sound. He said
that a good onboard observation program showed that marine mammals
did move away from the ship. Mid-range sonar, such as that used
in the incident on May 5th, is completely different, he said,
in that it affects other and more species; Rich said the US Navy
has not asked permission to use this high intensity, mid-frequency
range marine technology, which is a violation of the MMPA. Kevin
said that Ken Balcomb is working on the issue of Navy sonar and
the NRDC has taken on the issue as this year's, "Ecological
Gem." A suit by the NRDC and the Oceana project will go to
trial in federal court in early July. Rich said it will be interesting
to see how far the National Marine Fisheries Service can get with
its enforcement action while the Bush administration's exemption
effort moves full steam ahead. Kevin said that Senators Murray
and Cantwell, as well as Rep. Norm Dick, are probably most sensitive
to the issue knowing that their constituents love whales; several
powerful East Coast legislators, he added, do not see this as
a priority. He suggested that we enthusiastically support our
representatives now. Canada's Fisheries and Oceans position is
unknown at this time. Laura pointed out that San Juan County has
no authority over noise; the jet ski ban was based on on-the-water
pollution.
Kari
pointed out that the whale watch industry, the BOCC, and Governor
Locke have submitted letters on the issue; further involvement
of these parties was discussed. Kelley said that Denise Wilkes
who was in a boat during the May 5th incident has since had some
hearing difficulty and headaches. He reported, for comparison,
that 10 decibels represents the Grand Canyon noise level at night;
60 decibels, average human voice; 100, leaf blower for the operator;
110, rock concert; 150, slow-moving boat; 160, fast boat, 180
and higher, Navy tests.
There
was a brief review on the issue of whale politics from past MRC
meetings and general agreement that it was now up to the MRC to
take some protection action. Kari said that David Hoopes is looking
at the impact of salmon/whales to local economy; Jim said the
Town is also researching the numbers. Rich noted that wildlife
viewing, vessel speeds, and noise levels need to be considered
in future marine stewardship area zoning discussions.
Looking
at what the County could do, Kari asked that the County endorse
the Be Whale Wise guidelines (allowing use of County and MRC logos
on the handouts) as a start, helping to set the guidelines as
a standard for the region. Kari said that Soundwatch is a tool
that is working now and which could help spearhead the marine
stewardship area concept. She distributed copies of the local
boater handout, "The San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge,"
mapping the 83 refuge sites that have no public access or boat
landing; the reverse side lists the Haro Strait "Voluntary
No Motor Boat Zones" boaters' guidelines.
Motion: David moved, and Kevin seconded, that the MRC recommend
to the BOCC that the County formally endorse the "Be Whale
Wise" and the local "Voluntary No Motor Boat Zones"
guidelines as a first step. Following extended discussion on enforcement,
individual operator or researcher accountability, and the fact
that this process continues to evolve, the motion was adopted
with all ayes, except for Kelley's abstention.
Kelley
suggested that this important issue be kept on future agendas.
There was discussion about putting pressure on NMFS and other
existing enforcement agencies to uphold regulations. Kari asked
that the MRC support Soundwatch's role on the water in their contacts
with legislators and others.
Kevin
said that Brianne Kessler from the MPA Center has finished her
final report; he said that San Juan County is one of five case
studies. Brie's document, "Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Process
Review: Case Studies of Five MPA Establishment Processes, May
2003," is expected to be published soon, Kevin said.
Kevin
said that the Florida Keys example of ecological zoning in an
MPA is one of the best in the country. Jim noted that ecological
zoning as well as aquaculture revisited will be major issues for
the MRC to tackle as part of this year's work plan.
Forage
Fish Project: Tina distributed copies of her update, outlining
the project's status and plans for the final year of surf smelt
and Pacific sand lance surveys; the report includes information
on field and lab work, education and outreach, and applications
of nearshore habitat data from the forage fish database.
Tina
also reported that the Friends of the San Juans will be hosting
an overnight visit of approximately 250 people of First Nation
and Native American tribes who will stop at San Juan Island as
part of their Canoe Journey, 2003. The celebration will be on
July 23-25 at 4th of July beach, the Port of Friday Harbor, and
the County Fairgrounds. Friends is requesting support boats, food
preparation and serving, and financial contributions.
Laura
said that the new owners of Bell Island are interested in better
signage for the bottomfish recovery zone.
Shannon
distributed a revised schedule of MRC outreach meetings, which
will be posted on the webpage.
The
meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
Submitted
by Helen Venada
