Minutes
March 17 , 2004
Members Present: Laura Arnold, Mike Bertrand, Brian Calvert, David Hoopes, Terrie Klinger, David Loyd, Mary Masters, Kevin Ranker, Kit Rawson, Jim Slocomb, Dennis Willows
Absent: Kelley Balcomb-Bartok, Tim Carpenter, Peter Fromm
Guests: Ray Bigler, Brandon Davis, Shannon Davis, Joe Gaydos, Jody Kennedy, Kari Koski, Sharon Kovisto, Skeeter Lowe, Scott Rasmussen, D.J. Sessner
Guest speakers: Martin G. Raphael
Chair, David Loyd, called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the conference room at Islanders Bank, Friday Harbor .
Citizens' Comments:
Brandon Davis presented the sign he has made for the MRC office with the committee's thanks and appreciation of his handiwork.
Ray Bigler said that he recently spent a day on Orcas with Tom Burg who has years of experience in federal oyster restoration work. Tom's phone number is 376-4690.
Joe Gaydos requested a letter of support from the MRC for SeaDoc Society's proposal, “Common Ground: Establishing a scientifically-based foundation for addressing the use of protected areas to restore our marine ecosystem.” Joe explained that the effort would conduct a scientific review, with social overlay, of what's known about the inland waters of Washington and its declining species. The project plans to convene an expert panel of government agencies, NGO's, and tribal co-managers to examine existing science, while looking for new ideas, new language and paradigms for discussions on marine protected areas as tools for resource management. Jody distributed copies of a draft letter of support for members to review; Brian suggested that user groups also include recreational boaters, divers, and sportfishers as stakeholders. Committee discussion followed.
Motion: Brian moved, and Mary seconded, that the draft letter of support be submitted, with agreed-upon edits, including addition of recreational boaters, divers and sportfishers to the list of stakeholders. The motion passed unanimously.
Jim said that he will be doing a presentation on derelict vessels on March 24th to the Port Commission. Kevin said that the derelict boat at Deer Harbor has been removed and he asked that members send an email to Jody reporting their time spent on the incident.
Minutes:
Minutes of the 2/18/04 and 3/3/04 meetings were approved as read.
Guest presentations:
David Loyd welcomed Dr. Martin Raphael, Team Leader of the Wildlife Ecology/Pacific Northwest Research Station. David said that the ongoing marine avian survey in the San Juans continues to provide best available science and thoroughness in the area of bird ecology, habitat, and boaters' influence on bird populations.
Dr. Raphael presented the natural history and ecology of the Marbled Murrelet, a threatened species in the Pacific Northwest . Research has shown that the murrelet spends daylight on the water, fishing for sandlance, etc. and silently flies back to the forest at night; the first forest nest was discovered 25 years ago. Long-term population monitoring, including radar on the UW Labs' Whaler and mounted on trucks, is being used to test the effectiveness of the NW Forest Plan; the Plan's goal is to create better conditions and more habitat and to reverse the declining trend of past years. The year 2000 population estimate was 5600 in Zone 1 (Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands ), with the highest density in the Straits of Juan de Fuca. The population seems to be holding its own here; its numbers decline going south. (2003 data is being edited, Dr. Raphael said.) He mentioned the phenomenon in the San Juans where there is a small winter population of murrelets but a strong influx of them after mid-July, probably from British Columbia , the Olympic Peninsula, and even southern California . The abundance of forage fish that concentrates in late summer in the San Juans is the likely attraction. He also noted that Dr. Terrie Klinger's drift card study suggests a weak relationship of surface current flows contributing to the distribution of murrelets, an effect that may be more relevant for bird surface feeders. There seems to be low productivity of the murrelets following sea surface temperature anomalies, such as the El Nino event in 1998.
Dr. Raphael talked about mapping nesting habitat (which, he said, is best on federal lands); he also mentioned the predation study that looks at how the nests of radio-tagged birds usually fail due to ravens, crows, Stellar jays, or other predators. Some mammals attack murrelet chicks. Human influence on predation rates includes development, forestry practices, garbage dumps, etc. With just eleven murrelet nests in Washington state the predation study uses artificial nests and eggs, with cameras installed to record activity. There is no evidence of nesting in the San Juans. The project is mostly funded by Pacific Northwest Research, the research branch of the U.S. Forestry Service; it will continue monitoring at-sea populations, using radiotelemetry to document nesting ecology and demography; the effects of forestry operations on populations is also being studied.
Dr. Raphael expressed his thanks to the UW Labs for the use of their boat and facilities. David Loyd noted that the MRC has a summary of the marine survey counts from 1996 up to last year. Dr. Raphael will send updated counts and location maps.
NWSC:
Kevin said that those wishing to register for the June 4th and 5th Conference can print the registration form from the NWSC website and leave the completed form with Jody. He distributed copies of the document, “Northwest Salmon Beaches Project,” a Surfrider Foundation partnership with the Tulalip Tribes and NWSC.
Rockfish/Lingcod Project Final Report:
Jody reminded the committee that April 15th is the deadline for completing the report on Symposium recommendations and for sending a letter to co-managers with MRC's recommendations distilled from the Symposium report. She also noted that physical presentation of the Report to the co-managers, the BOCC, NWSC, and the Fish & Wildlife Commission is part of the grant deliverables.
Members suggested that the report be distributed to WDNR, WDOE, WDFW, all interested tribes, Governor Locke, EPA, NOAA, USFW, public libraries.
Motion: Brian moved and Jim seconded that the MRC approve authorizing the sub-committee to re-draft the report, including today's edits and those to be submitted by email; that the report be submitted to the BOCC by the sub-committee if they unanimously approve of the revised version, or that the report be voted on at the next MRC meeting if the sub-committee does not unanimously agree. The motion passed unanimously.
GSX Project:
There was discussion on the draft letter from the MRC to the SJC Community Development & Planning Department on the pipeline shoreline permit application. Kevin said it was important to include an attachment with all the Orca Pass signatories. He said, for the record, that he finds it absolutely disgusting that Williams is offering the county money.
Motion: Brian moved, and Kevin seconded, that the letter be submitted, as amended,
and with all attachments. The motion passed unanimously.
Shannon said that Fred Felleman requested that everyone make phone calls to DOE about the final determination (Jody will email names and numbers to members).
Fishing Regulations Ad:
Jody circulated two versions of the ad for member discussion. Kari also made suggestions to improve the ad.
Motion: Brian moved, and David Hoopes seconded, that the subcommittee put together the final version per today's recommended edits. The motion was approved unanimously.
New/Old Business:
Coordinator's Report: Jody said that the NWSC conference will be held June 4th and 5th in Everett ; those who are considering attending should decide by next meeting. She requested that members begin thinking about MRC's role at this year's county Fair. Jody asked for input on whether to include the MSA map in Soundwatch's new brochure for on-the-water distribution this summer. The Puget Sound Action Team needs comments by tomorrow on its “2005-2007 Puget Sound Initiatives;” Kevin and Laura suggested that Jody submit MRC's stewardship priorities, including monitoring, research, and restoration.
David introduced D.J. Sessner, the new county planner who will be the MRC liaison. There was discussion about whether she would be an official member of the committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
Submitted by Helen Venada
