Minutes
October 19, 2005
Members Present: Laura Arnold, (Alan) Skeet Lowe, David Loyd, Mary Masters, Victoria Parker,
Kit Rawson, Joy Sevier, Jim Slocomb, Jonathan White, Tina Whitman
Staff: Jody Kennedy, Barbara Rosenkotter, Helen Venada, Candace VerBrugghen
Absent: Mike Bertrand, Brian Calvert, Michael Durland, Terrie Klinger
Guests: Russel Barsh, Kirsten Evans, Phil Green, Lacy Halstead, Commissioner Kevin Ranker, Rowann Tollman
Chair Kit Rawson called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Community Room at Islanders Bank Annex, Friday Harbor.
Minutes:
Minutes of the 10/5/05 meeting were approved as read (with earlier email revisions).
Actions:
The draft support letter from the MRC to the BOCC, WADOE, and PSAT was distributed for discussion; it supports the watershed-scale studies on water quality that enters nearshore areas in the region as proposed by Russel Barsh and the Center for the Study of Coast Salish Environments. Russel explained to the committee that this element is part of a series of projects coming from agencies who work together in the county. He noted that he met with the SJC Conservation District, the SJ Nature Institute, SJC Public Health, FH Labs, in January and they talked about the fact that we don’t have any systematic data being collected on water quality affecting people or wildlife. They agreed that they would together, dovetailing trying to raise money to fill in the gaps; Russel’s focus is on the effects of water quality on wildlife, particularly salmon and the nearshore. He said the Conservation District is trying to maintain the collaboration it has had with the Labs’ K-12 project and the Nature Institute is also pursuing educational work; his piece in it is trying to establish what contaminants we may have in particular nearshore areas that need remediation. Russel said that pilot work has established lead levels of concern around old industrial sites in the islands, creosote is clearly a concern, and dioxins and PCBs are found in many sites where there were mills and canneries. He said that county and state sampling occurs when an issue arises in a particular place but there is no watershed-based (target-based or programmatic) sampling being done. Russel said he is proposing a study that will look at areas of nearshore and associated watersheds where we know there are de-commissioned industrial sites and we know there were salmon. There will be another consortium meeting next month.
Committee discussion followed. Russel added that the first use of the letter would be for Vicki Heater to take to DOE requesting additional funding for this proposal. Commissioner Ranker said that two weeks ago the BOCC met with the Public Works Director on establishing a Stormwater District that would take into account all sorts of water quality issues from wetlands in the upland to watersheds and nearshore areas. He added that DOE funds are fairly restrictive and other entities outside of SJC are working on water quality issues as well. It was agreed that the letter be sent with the addition of a specific name at DOE (from Vicki) and adding a sentence on the collaboration of partners.
There was discussion about the agenda and attendance for the November 2nd MRC meeting; it was agreed that this be a work session on mooring buoys.
The letter of support for the Shared Strategy Chapter was discussed. Barbara explained that the Puget Sound regional initiative for salmon recovery (Shared Strategy) is asking for local entities’ support for the Chapter and work to follow. She said that the BOCC resolution will be forwarded to them this week. This letter, she added, is specifically from the MRC in support of the work; support from other groups is also being sought. Barbara said that there has been excellent feedback from the federal government on Puget Sound regional chapters.
Motion: Jim moved, and Laura seconded, that the letter be approved with the addition of a sentence inviting Mr. Ruckelshaus to visit the MRC when he is here. The motion passed with Skeet Lowe in opposition.
MSA Anniversary Event:
Mary announced the hiring of Candace VerBrugghen as Coordinator for the anniversary celebration; Candy was the director of the Orcas Center for many years. She said that she will bring her experience in public relations and event productions to this position. Jody will email subcommittee members’ names to her. Kit emphasized that it is important to select a date for the event as soon as possible (1/27/06?).
Salmon Recovery Workplan:
Barbara distributed a list of tasks and their approximate due dates; she said there is still a lot of work that needs to be done and some will come to the MRC directly. Barbara asked how the MRC wants to be involved in this work. It was agreed that the Salmon Strategy core team, made up of Tina, Laura, Kit, Jim, and David, will be available to Barbara for reviewing work. Kit suggested that other groups outside of the MRC also be brought in (e.g. the Skagit Enhancement Group) so that everyone who wants to participate in shaping the plan has a chance to do so.
Barbara asked if anyone wants to attend the November 17th presentation to SRF Board in Olympia. She said that public meetings are being set up to review the Shared Strategy plan and to gather comments; since NOAA has not met their deadline the public meetings will likely be held in January (in Bellingham and/ or Anacortes).
Barbara provided a brief update on the MRC relationship with the county Community Development and Planning Department. She met with Matt Zybas, Director of CDPD, who said there is no funding through her state contract to work on projects outside of salmon recovery; Barbara said she will do what she can and agreed to act as CDPD liaison for now. Commissioner Ranker added that the state contract for every WRIA around the state is specific and there needs to be a clear link to core pieces of Barbara’s contract. Kevin said that he will go to bat with WDFW on this. He noted that CDPD will be experiencing more staff turnover but has budgeted for three new positions in 2006 to relieve work pressure in the department. Kevin added that he will meet with Barbara and Matt next Wednesday on the topic of SJC being a model for the state on how to do a critical areas ordinance appropriately, with state funding. Kit said that a report on this issue would be welcomed for the November 2nd MRC meeting.
MSA Plan Viability Analysis:
Kirsten distributed copies of the draft “Natural Resources and Viability Status” as well as of her memo summarizing information pulled together for each target. She suggested that members review the work to determine the current status (or “viability”) of the MRCs stewardship targets, using their key ecological attributes. Kirsten introduced Lacey Halstead, a very experienced TNC conservation planner, who has been imported from Texas to help with tomorrow’s workshop on stresses and sources.
“Viability” is defined as the likelihood that a resource will persist long-term (usually 100 years). The rating categories are Very Good (optimal), Good (acceptable), Fair (unacceptable), and Poor (extreme danger). Kirsten pointed out that there are many instances of no data available or data to be determined so that the analysis will necessarily be ongoing as more information comes in. Kit noted that the lack of data is a key message; Laura added that this points to assessment being critical (including anecdotal information). Russel said that, from a cultural point of view from people who live here, a key question is “can you eat it?” This
depends, he said, on water quality and habitat chemistry (i.e. contaminant concentration).
Kirsten described why targets were chosen, pointing out that all the “nested” targets would benefit from what is done to improve the status of a specific target. The committee agreed to apply the Precautionary Principle in determining the current status of each target with the goal being that a population recovers or is on track to recovery to a fishable, not just sustainable, level.
Members were polled for the status of each target with the following results:
SEABIRDS: Fair (6)
MARINE MAMMALS: Fair (6); Good (3); Very Good (1)
BOTTOMFISH: Poor (6); Fair (2); “on the line” (2)
PACIFIC SALMON: Fair (1); Good (2); “on the line” (1); don’t know (3)
SHALLOW ROCKY HABITATS: Status unknown (lack of data)
“BEACHES”: Status unknown (8); Fair (2)
MRC Vacancy:
Dr. Ken Sebens will join the committee in January. Dennis Willows has formally resigned his position on the MRC.
Upcoming events:
Jody said that Jonathan White will speak on Whale Rocks at next week’s meeting of the Whale Watch Operators Association of the NW.
The BOCC will hold a public workshop on stormwater issues next Monday at 10 a.m.
The Salish Sea conference, “Protecting Our Place with One Voice,” primarily a tribal event, will be held from November 16-18th in Sequim.
Citizens’ comments:
David read a letter from Ryan Drum, Waldron resident and subsistence fisher, whose family “eats from the sea;” Ryan said he hopes that MRC discussion will include protection of private sustenance.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 am.
Submitted by Helen Venada
