Minutes
May 17, 2006
Members Present: Laura Arnold, Michael Durland, Ron Hendrickson, Terrie Klinger, David Loyd, (Alan) Skeet Lowe, Victoria Parker, Kit Rawson, Howie Rosenfeld, Ken Sebens, Jim Slocomb,
Jonathan White, Tina Whitman
Staff: Barbara Rosenkotter, Helen Venada
Absent: Mary Masters, Joy Sevier
Guests: Phil Brady, Stephanie Buffum-Field, Shannon Davis, Jeff Dismukes, Kat Fennel, Phil Green, Kari Koski, Sharon Kovisto, Scott Rasmussen, Rowann Tallmon
Guest speaker: Tom Cowan
Chair Kit Rawson called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Community Room at Islanders Bank Annex, Friday Harbor.
Citizens input:
Councilman Kevin Ranker said that hard copies of the state’s document on MPA’s in Puget Sound are available for the MRC library. He said that Governor Gregoire’s Ocean Policy Working Group will be at the Friday Harbor Labs on June 7th with recommendations based on its two-year study and half-way through the process. Kevin noted that this will likely be the only meeting in the San Juans; there will be a closed meeting at 1:00 pm and a public meeting at 6 pm. A boat trip is planned for the morning to visit “hot spots.” MRC member attendance will be coordinated through Jody. Kevin asked what important issues need to be addressed, noting that the oil spills issue is one of the top tier of threats identified by the 5-S process, spills to Puget Sound being chronic and catastrophic.
Kit reported that he will speak for the MRC at the two-day workshop on Lopez island of the Oil Spills Council. New rules will be drafted and the MRC can comment when they are published.
Ken Sebens announced that there will be an Open House at the Friday Harbor Labs on Saturday. There was discussion on MRC participation and display; David Loyd said that he will attend.
Victoria said that environmental groups are invited to display at the Orcas Festival on Sunday; the MRC will provide an unmanned display. The question arose of supplying official name tags for MRC members; Jonathan and Victoria will pursue the idea.
Minutes:
Minutes of the 5/3/06 meeting were approved as read, with mention that Dr. Russel Barsh had sent in edits to the 4/19/06 minutes that have been incorporated.
Salmon Recovery Update:
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. Barbara presented the 12-page matrix and narrative of the WRIA2 three-year Salmon Recovery Plan for San Juan County. She said that the same process is ongoing in all the watersheds. Work identified includes determining staffing capacity and compiling data; protection of key habitats (restoration); science and research, e.g. on how salmonids utilize the San Juans; public education and technical assistance. San Juan County is requesting a minimum of $4 million over the next 3 years; $500 million is needed for the entire Puget Sound region, Barbara said, and an estimated $l.15 billion will be required over the next 10 years. Due to a lack of funding, SRFB will provide $6 million for the entire state so that private foundations are being solicited for supplemental funding.
The matrix will be used in submitting funding requests to SRFB for Round 7. Barbara said that Shared Strategy will review the matrix to determine fund allocations. Proposals are to be submitted by mid-June. Barbara suggested that before an RFP can be sent out evaluation criteria will need to be determined and prioritized.
Committee reports:
Victoria said that the Outreach subcommittee has developed a one-year strategy to address the deliverables of the NWSC grant. Education is recognized as fundamental to salmon recovery and action steps will be based on the intent of the MRC Work Plan. Victoria pointed out that executing the one-year plan will be labor-intensive, requiring paid staff to do and oversee the work. Tina suggested that a permanent, part-time person in this position would allow for continuity and for benefit from the learning curve. Victoria said the responsibilities of such a position would be concrete, including the development of curriculum/display modules for each 5-S target. Members were asked to provide feedback on this proposal. Kevin noted that he will be campaigning for similar staffing for the Ecosystem Based Management project.
Laura reported that the Executive subcommittee developed an RFQ for Kirsten’s position, which includes outreach work with stakeholders to complete the 5-S process.
Motion: Victoria moved, and Jonathan seconded, that the draft RFQ be approved for publication. The motion passed unanimously.
Laura said that the subcommittee suggested allocating some of the supplemental NWSC funding to finish the 5-S process. She will circulate a list of proposals from the subcommittee, requesting member feedback. Kit added that there needs to be more discussion on the opportunity to budget an additional $92,000 for 2006-07, an issue that is explained in the attachment to Jody’s recent letter. He added that a decision on the whole package will be made at the next MRC meeting.
Presentation:
Tom Cowan said that he is making the rounds of MRC meetings and has now visited six of the seven MRCs. He said that he will be retiring at the end of June after seven years as Director of the Northwest Straits Commission. Tom reported that all is well with the NWSC initiative and with the MRCs, noting that the San Juan County MRC serves as a model that has been replicated in six other counties. Tom added that this MRC has been the heart and soul of the NWSC initiative and is recognized by natural resource managers and agencies as a successful and involved citizen group.
Final interviews for the Director’s position will be held this Friday. Tom pointed out that the NWSC has gained regional, national and international recognition and respect and there was general consensus among members that this has been due to Tom’s work in Washington D.C. Tom said that since NWSC funding is deficient to meet today’s needs, a Northwest Straits Foundation has been formed.
Kit said that he has greatly appreciated Tom’s leadership in bringing the tribes to the table. He presented Tom with a gift from the MRC, a hat with the inscription, “Master Steward.” Tom said that he has been honored to act as ambassador for marine protection efforts. Kevin announced that the County Council has proclaimed June 30th to be “Thomas R. Cowan Day.”
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 am to continue the celebration of Tom Cowan's visit and retirement.
Submitted by Helen Venada
