Minutes
June 16, 2004
Members Present: Laura Arnold, Brian Calvert, Peter Fromm, David Hoopes, David Loyd, Mary Masters,
Kevin Ranker, Kit Rawson, Jim Slocomb, Dennis Willows
Absent: Kelley Balcomb-Bartok, Mike Bertrand, Terrie Klinger, DJ Sessner
Guests: Ray Bigler, Nick Brown, Stephanie Buffum, Shannon Davis, Robyn DuPre, Josh Green, Jody Kennedy, Commissioner Rhea Miller, Claudia Mills, Rich Osborne
Chair Jim Slocomb called the meeting to order at 8:32 a.m. in the community room at Islanders Bank Annex, Friday Harbor.
Citizens’ comments:
Nick Brown introduced himself as an assistant to Joe Gaydos of SeaDoc Society and intern at The Whale Museum. Nick said that Joe had hoped to attend the meeting but had prior obligations. He distributed copies of an announcement for San Juan County’s “Great Annual Fish Count,” scheduled for July 11th. Recreational SCUBA diver volunteers will be trained on July 2nd to identify local marine species and to participate in REEF surveying. Over time, the annual fish count will act as an index of how fish and invertebrate populations here are doing; it also shows recreational divers how to help with monitoring and stewarding marine resources. Nick said that MRC members should contact Joe if they have any questions about the fish count.
Commissioner Rhea Miller said that she recently welcomed members of the indigenous Maori people from New Zealand who visited here. She said that the Samish Nation also rolled out the red carpet for the Maori guests. Commissioner Miller emphasized the importance of such encounters because San Juan County has been working closely with local tribal communities on issues of common interest. The visit included a tour through part of Lopez Island and was an opportunity to hear what constitutes sacredness in other communities.
Kit distributed copies of the 5/28/04 letter to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy from Billy Frank, Chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, that includes specific tribal comments on the recent federal report reviewing the nation’s ocean policy. Mr. Frank’s letter notes that both this report and that from the Pew Oceans Commission call for significant changes in the way ocean resources are managed.
David Hoopes referred to a recent article in “Blue Planet” about the federal Commission and he urged members to contact their congressional representatives with their comments on the report.
Minutes: Minutes of the 6/2/04 meeting were approved as read.
Guest presenter:
Stephanie Buffum, Executive Director of Friends of the San Juans, presented an update on plans for hosting 90-120 canoe families participating in the annual Canoe Journey when they visit the San Juans this year. Stephanie said the canoers will stop at Odlin Park on Lopez Island on Tuesday, July 27th and will be pulling to Roche Harbor on the 28th. The San Juan Islands community will host the event and Friends of the San Juans is the fiscal sponsor and event coordinator. Stephanie said it is customary for hosts to provide food and inter-island transport and requested a contribution from the MRC to help offset costs, estimated to be about $3500. She proposed that an MRC donation, perhaps from outreach money, would go far to help connect community members here with the tribal guests. Stephanie suggested that $600 would cover half the costs of the Welcome Dinner as well as interisland travel; the tribes will contribute 150 pounds of fish. Stephanie invited all to attend the barbecue at 7 p.m. on the 28th at Roche Harbor Resort, suggesting that attendees bring a salad to share.
Commissioner Miller said that she saw two videos of past Canoe Journeys and commends the courage of the canoers. She also recognized the Journey as a monumental way to integrate young people into the community. She noted that canoers arrive tired and hungry and many who are coming through have not had contact with white people before. Rhea added that the landing in the San Juans is a wonderful opportunity to develop relationships, pointing out that up to 50% of Washington state marine resources are tribal.
Motion: David Loyd moved, and Dennis seconded, that the MRC contribute $500 to the event, pursuant to the MRC having sufficient funds in the budget, and with individuals contributing otherwise. Following discussion, the motion was approved, with Brian Calvert voting nay and Kit Rawson abstaining.
Shannon reiterated that individual attendance at the potluck would be wonderful outreach; she also said that people could also volunteer support boats to assist the effort.
Membership: There are two open slots in the membership; Commissioner Miller said that the BOCC is aware of this and supports outreach to recruit new members. There was general agreement that the ideal is for broader diversity among members, both to assure representation from other islands and from varied groups, including the fishing and tourism industries. Brian suggested that there be no new nominations until an assessment of the current membership is done, followed by outreach to those groups targeted in the MRC charter; he added that success of the committee depends on better representation. Discussion followed on the current membership, regarding attendance and makeup; a future work session was proposed. It is recognized that volunteer members are required to make a big commitment and the idea was suggested of an amendment to the charter to allow alternates.
Motion: Brian moved, and Dennis seconded, that the BOCC be asked to make no new
nominations until an analysis of the current membership is done in terms of which groups are represented, identifying existing gaps in relation to the original charter. The motion passed unanimously.
Jody will email a draft amended charter to members to include alternates in the membership makeup; she asked that members email her with a brief biography and these will be circulated by email to identify gaps in member representation. Shannon offered to assist Jody in the process. Robyn said that the Whatcom MRC has been able to maintain a multi-stakeholder member representation.
Laura thanked the BOCC for asking the MRC, rather than making appointments without MRC input, so that there can be the opportunity to do an assessment. She said that the outreach needed in order to be effective will require more time.
NWSC Conference Report:
Kevin said that Jim, representing the MRC at the Conference, was presented with a beautiful cedar paddle that is now on display in the MRC office; it recognizes the MSA work the committee has done as a stellar project. Senator Patty Murray was in attendance and gave an impassioned speech about NWSC work; Senator Murray noted that Jack Metcalfe is also impressed with the accomplishments. Jody has a copy of the summary of the entire conference. Rhea said the conference was a grand celebration of the work of this MRC and the entire group.
Islands Trust Meeting Report:
Rhea said that the meeting in the Gulf Island, although it generated good feelings, could have benefited from more time for constructive dialogue. A locally-produced film from Saturna Island, “Desolation of Comedy,” was shown and Rhea recommended that everyone see it when the opportunity arises. She reiterated that she was glad to have attended the meeting but was disappointed that there was not more of an opportunity to share.
Red Sea Urchin Aquaculture Proposal:
Jim said that the proposal appears to be on the way and seems to have some support. He added that Joe Gaydos recently distributed by email some recent work on red sea urchins (copy attached); although they have been considered to be short-lived animals, some of the big urchins could be 100 years old and the large, older ones are the good breeders. The paper recommends modifying fishing management to accommodate the greater age span and some substantial protection for the older breeders.
David Loyd suggested that the MRC develop an aquaculture policy for this and future proposals as a work plan item. There was discussion on whether such a proposal would require a permit or was more of a policy issue. Kevin said that he has discussed the proposal to Senator Maria Cantwell who seems to be in support of it at this time. Laura said that current aquaculture rules in the county cover fin fish or shell fish, with nothing dealing with species that have other life histories and harvest approaches, etc.; there are a lot of unknowns about urchin fisheries, she said, so that the MRC needs to volunteer to address the issue.
Rich Osborne said that, since this is a significantly different kind of aquaculture with both biological and technical differences, the proposal be examined as a unique case. Kit agreed to develop a draft policy statement on the specifics of how to evaluate such a proposal; he will email the draft for discussion at a future meeting. There was further discussion on what approach the MRC should take. Brian suggested that the MRC ask the BOCC to develop a protocol for any aquaculture proposal to include specific steps, including a review by the MRC and an MRC scientific aquaculture sub-committee. Jody said that the proposal does not appear to be formal, but will probably be fast-tracked based on her discussion with DFW. There was further discussion on the county’s permitting authority and the MRC’s need to develop a protocol for reviewing all such proposals before a permit application is made.
MSA Maps & Models:
Jim indicated that his PowerPoint presentation represents the recent iteration of MSA maps. He explained that layers include natural factors, resource protection factors, regulatory zones and WDFW’s priority habitats. Jim noted that the language of a zone model isn’t lining up well with available data; he requested that members help him with such data gaps (e.g. human factors). Information to develop a reasonable data set for, e.g. estuaries that do not flush, needs to be gathered. Jim asked for clear guidance of “what counts and what doesn’t count.” An ad hoc committee (Drs. Terrie Klinger, Dave Fluharty, Dennis Willows and other academics) has been assisting Jim in his study. It was agreed that a data gaps analysis needs to be done, followed by going to the public to help fill in those gaps. Laura suggested linking human behaviors to habitat qualities in priority areas. Mary emphasized that information brought to the public needs to be easy to understand. David Loyd pointed out that are now strong outreach efforts being done by pilot groups in Deer Harbor, Johns Island, and Stuart Island. All agreed that outreach needs to be very organized. Brian will get a list of suggested groups to Jody. Kevin said that the upcoming grant will allow for a contractor and will set a timeline for the public outreach process. He suggested that the MRC consider what their expected accomplishments are for the grant work. Jim was thanked for all his work in developing the current maps and layers.
Brian said that he was recently anchored off Sucia Island and observed no eelgrass at 25-foot depth. Jim said the eelgrass project will be released soon and there are many areas without eelgrass. Brian also pointed out that DNR’s new additional buoys off Sucia and Stuart are not being used (50 boats were anchored) because they pose a threat to boaters; he said the cost is also prohibitive.
Coordinator’s Report:
Jody asked about the full-page ad that appeared in the Journal last month; she wondered if the committee is interested in running it again. She said there has been no feedback from the ad but there have been more hits to the website. There was discussion on the cost and impact of ads.
Jody reported that the 2004 action grant is finished, with no money left in the budget. She asked that any outstanding bills for expenses for the admin grant be submitted by the end of this month. There is about $700 left
in the budget and Jody suggested using it to make displays.
Motion: Kevin moved, and David Loyd seconded, that Jody develop an on-the-road
display, using the remaining admin grant money. The motion passed unanimously.
David Loyd said that there will be a nature walk, with several naturalists, on Johns Island on Saturday, June 19th; he said there may be time for MRC to do a presentation. David asked about the remaining bottomfish money; he gave a heads up that the possibility of making a movie is being planned for early August, to include a discussion by fishermen.
Shannon announced that the Orca Sing will be on Saturday night at Lime Kiln Park.
Rich said that he is at today’s meeting as an alternate for Kari Koski. He said that he feels it is not appropriate for MRC members to contribute their personal money to NGO-sponsored events. He added that NGO’s sponsor community projects at a cost and serve as 501C’s and, therefore, they (e.g. the Friends of the San Juans) should be appreciated, not reprimanded.
Rich also reported that Luna, the young orca, is due to come back to San Juan County after an expected release from Pender Bay in two weeks; Rich warned that Luna could become a nuisance here, for instance, coming into direct contact with boats.
Robyn duPre said that she received an email with footage of still photos of a killer whale pod in Monterey Bay going after gray whales and calves. She noted how close the boats were, including research boats and pleasure craft.
She commended local boaters in San Juan County for respecting the whales here. Rich said that when Luna arrives here, Soundwatch and M3 will be out everyday to maintain a 2-km buffer around the whale. It was pointed out that there needs to be an educational piece about the need for a no-fly zone for airplanes.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 a.m.
Submitted by Helen Venada
