Minutes
June 7, 2006
Members Present: Laura Arnold, Terrie Klinger, David Loyd, (Alan) Skeet Lowe, Mary Masters, Victoria Parker, Howie Rosenfeld, Jim Slocomb, Tina Whitman
Staff: Barbara Rosenkotter, Jody Kennedy, Helen Venada
Absent: Michael Durland, Ron Hendrickson, Kit Rawson, Ken Sebens, Joy Sevier, Jonathan White
Guests: Ginny Broadhurst, Marilyn Chase, Mike Dougherty, Sarah Dzindal, John Hansen,
Jennifer Henessey, Lynn Logan, Marilyn O’Conner, County Councilman Kevin Ranker, Rowann Tallmon,
Tina Wylie-Echeverria, Ron Zee
Guest speaker: Kathleen Drew
Vice Chair Jim Slocomb called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Community Room at Islanders Bank Annex, Friday Harbor.
Citizens input:
Rowan Tallmon invited MRC members to attend the Beachwatchers training session on creosote log tagging to be held on Tuesday, June 20th at Jackson Beach.
Minutes:
Minutes of the 5/17/06 meeting were approved as read. David suggested that revisions to the minutes of 4/19/06, with edits by Dr. Russel Barsh, be addressed at the next meeting.
Jody said that she attended the recent Coastal Society Conference covering coastal management efforts from across the country. She said that more attention is being given to the issue of human benefits and livelihood from the environment; Jody added that many attendees were interested in the MRCs take on the subject. She announced that Kirsten Evans was awarded for “the best student presentation and paper” at the Conference.
Presentation:
Kathleen Drew, Executive Policy Advisor to the Washington State Ocean Policy Work Group said that she acts as the Governor’s executive policy advisor on climate change and sustainability. SB5278, the State Budget Proviso for the 2006-07 budget, requires ocean policy review by the Governor. The Governor’s office will review the recommendations of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and identify those that are appropriate for immediate implementation; the report, due by 12/31/06, will also summarize current marine conditions in Washington’s waters.
Kathleen said the Ocean Policy Work Group meets monthly and membership includes representatives from state agencies, local governments (San Juan County Councilman Kevin Ranker) , Port associations, the Tribes (as observers), state Legislative members, and public and private experts. Kathleen explained that the tribes, as a sovereign nation, elected to be observers to the Group and their participation is very welcome. There is also research support to the Group from UW graduate students, including John Hansen who is in attendance today.
Policy issues to be addressed by the Group:
- marine resources stewardship (sustainable fisheries, EBM, aquaculture, ocean energy)
- sustainable and resilient communities (coastal development, ecotourism, economic profiling)
- coastal vulnerabilities from marine sources (oil spills/tsunami preparedness, climate change, coastal hazards, erosion and sediment management)
- ocean observation, research and education
- governance (options to address policy issues)
Kathleen said all are invited to the public outreach program to be presented this evening at the Friday Harbor Labs for an in-depth conversation with the community, noting that public feedback is important to the success of the Group’s work. Kathleen asked for MRC comment on the idea of developing MRC’s for the outer coast; discussion followed on the advantages of the locally-driven approach. Jennifer Henessey said that she works for the WA Department of Ecology on coastal erosion monitoring and sediment management, hazards planning, climate change; she’s interested in learning more about what communities themselves are doing in these areas and about what they need from the state. Kathleen said there is also a tri-state coastal initiative for Washington, Oregon, and California.
Kathleen said there has been limited discussion on upland issues. David Loyd pointed out that the San Juans are more Canadian than Oregonian with regard to Ecosystem Based Management; he added that uplands are significant in the area of impacts to water quality.
Terrie said that the MRC-type approach is appropriate for the outer coasts but that, as in the San Juans, success is directly related to funding. Tina Whitman pointed out that state, local, and federal agencies need to work with the MRCs to accomplish goals collaboratively. Terrie added that we have a voice in Congress (NWSC) but not in Olympia. Laura said that some state agency programs remain confusing, e.g. mooring buoys permitting. Jody said that there seems to be a lack of coordination among agencies and that liaisons to the MRCs are important; she reiterated that funding is needed to support efforts. Laura said that the HPA authorizes work in San Juan waters when forage fish are spawning, for example. Tina reiterated that there seems to be a disconnect between the agencies and the MRC.
There was discussion on the topic of open pen aquaculture, particularly the federal legislative proposal to farm salmon in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Terrie explained that one local concern is that water circulates widely throughout the entire eastern basin (Whidbey, Victoria, Bellingham); this exacerbates the risk from fish pens and oil spills that cannot be contained. Jim said that he has seen the demise of natural salmon runs and that the effects of net pens can be catastrophic. Terrie suggested that instead of aquaculture we should be investing in restoring natural fish systems.
For more information on the WA Ocean Policy Work Group see http://courses.washington.edu/oceangov/OPWG.html
Salmon Recovery Update:
Kevin said that WRIA 2 funding for Puget Sound was cut from last year’s $300,000 to $80,000 but thanks to Dave Trout of the Nisqually tribe the sum was increased to $200,000 (Dave suggested that other fund recipients contribute a small part of their money towards Puget Sound efforts). The focus now is to research how to increase state and federal funding, Kevin added. Following discussion, Terrie said that there is an opportunity here to influence state decision.
Motion: Terrie moved, and Tina seconded, that the MRC as a group submit written comments reflecting today’s discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
Terrie asked that members send their comments to her and she will develop a skeletal draft.
Action: SRFB Round 7 evaluation criteria
Barbara discussed MRC’s response to the assessment issue affecting SRFB’s Round 7 grant process.
Motion: Terrie moved, and David seconded, that the draft letter from the MRC as WRIA 2 Lead Entity to SRFB be approved for signature. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
SRFB will meet in Walla Walla on June 8th and 9th, at which time Barbara will reiterate why assessment projects are particularly important for the San Juans. She reported that San Juan County’s “community salmon projects” will receive $100,000 funding through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; $50,000 will be granted per project.
Barbara discussed the SRFB funding timeline: applications are due June 12th and will go to the lead entity on July 14th; a SRFB review panel will be held in Friday Harbor on July 20th or 21st and Barbara suggested that MRC members’ attendance is highly recommended. There will then be a joint meeting of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and the MRC on August 2nd; on August 16th the Citizens Advisory Committee will have a final meeting to rank the proposals. Copies of the draft scoring criteria for proposals were distributed for review and editing.
Motion: David moved, and Mary seconded, that the scoring criteria be adopted with the amendment that the TAG send “not recommended” proposals forward to the MRC. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion: Terrie moved, and David seconded, that the MRC send an appreciation letter to the Nisqually tribe for saving the process. The motion passed unanimously.
Committee reports:
Laura discussed the RFQ to fill Kirsten’s position; she said that it would take $40-50,000 to replace her in finishing the 5-S process. Laura added that Nancy Larsen is ready to proceed on the completion of her interview project.
Tina Whitman distributed copies from the Policy Subcommittee of its draft 2006 work plan. She said that the first phase of the CAO process is the contractor’s report to Ron Hendrickson; the second phase is as yet unfunded. It was agreed that Ron should be asked to provide an update at he next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 am.
Submitted by Helen Venada
