Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout111416_cabs01Public Hea 615 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA 98368 www.JeffersonCountyPublicHealth.org November 8, 2016 JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of County Commissioners Philip Morley, County Administrator FROM: Tami Pokorny, Environmental Health Specialist II DATE: November 14, 2016 SUBJECT: Agenda Request: Letter to Governor Inslee in Support of the Washington Coast Restoration Initiative (WCRI) 2017-19 Capital Budget Request STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Environmental Health requests Board of Commissioner approval of a sign -on letter in support of $12.5M in funding for the Washington Coast Restoration Initiative (WCRI) in the 2017-19 capital budget to address unemployment while improving ecosystems across Washington's Pacific Coast. ANALYSIS/STRATEGIC GOALS: A wide range of government agencies, the Quinault Tribe and NGOs have partnered with The Nature Conservancy to propose 19 restoration projects along the state's Pacific Coast for funding. Benefits will include invasive species removal and other actions designed to restore watersheds, estuaries and wetlands and to reduce impacts from flooding. In western Jefferson County, projects are proposed by the 10,000 Years Institute and The Nature Conservancy. The projects will improve habitat conditions for fish and wildlife along the Hoh and Clearwater Rivers. On May 23, 2016, the Board was briefed on the "Pulling Together in Restoration 2" proposal by Jill Silver of 10,000 Years Institute and approved a "Local Support Document" for the project. FISCAL IMPACT: The costs to review and approve of this letter are negligible. The proposed WCRI projects will not impact the County's General Fund. Community Health Environmental Health Developmental Disabilities Water Quality 360-385-9400 360-385-9444 360-385-9401 (f) Always working for a safer and healthier community (f) 360-379-4487 RECOMMENDATION: Review and approve sign -on to the WCRI to Governor Inslee. Tami Pokorny, EH staff member, will facilitate subsequent communication with Garrett Dalan of TNC. REVIEWED BY: Philip Morl4�vunty Adminis Community Health Developmental Disabilities 360-385-9400 360-385-9401 (f) Date Always working for a safer and healthier community Environmental Health Water Quality 360-385-9444 (f) 360-379-4487 TheNature Conservancy Healthy forests, rivers, estuaries and fish and wildlife on the Washington Coast are essential to our communities, ecosystems and economies. Coastal Restoration Supports People and the Economy The Washington Coast Restoration Initiative (WCRI) restores coastal ecosystems for healthy forests, rivers, and fish and wildlife that communities depend on. WCRI provides jobs to otherwise unemployed coastal people, and restoration of ecosystems that have proven to be vital for supporting the well-being and resilience of communities. The Nature Conservancy has identified many socio-economic benefits of the program for Washington's Coast. Community Benefits of WCRI Projects Interviews with project proponents, project site tours, and an examination of community restoration literature found that WCRI could have the following benefits to: • Living Standards: Increased access to more affordable housing. • Health: Restored health of habitats for nature and people. • Education: Local knowledge of ecosystems. • Workand Leisure: Sustainable jobs on Washington's Coast and increased recreational access. • Governance: Community-based management of resources. • Social Cohesion: Enhanced natural public meeting spaces and opportunity to manage local resources. Conservation by Design 2.0 's Human Well-being Focal Areas was used as a framework to analyze community impacts of WCRI. • Security: Reduced flood risk and safer highways and bridges. The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. Visit us at Washington Nature.org. Examples of 2015 Funded WCRI Projects Education, Connected People, and Jobs in Restoration Former fishermen and loggers were paid to remove invasive plant species along the coast which would otherwise have negative impacts on important natural resources. 10,000 Years Institute stated that "people become empowered because they are being paid good wages, being recognized, and trained." This project helps to connect people to nature, supports community cohesion, expands educational opportunities, and ensures that funding is put back into the local community by employing local people. Public Access and Fish Habita% The Greenhead Slough Barrier Removal project removed a damaging culvert and built a bridge for broader access to the creek. Sustainable Fisheries Foundation stated that "once the new creek channel was open, people were there to see the fish, and then [to] kayak up creek." This project has benefited the community by providing more public access to nature, creating safe and secure roads, increasing access to recreation, and bringing people together. Highlights of Anticipated 2017 WCRI Project Benefits Diversifying Economic and Cultural Access. The Native Seed Production project, which employs veterans from the local community, will provide native wildflowers to local residents. Connecting People to Each Other and to Nature, Remova I of asphalt and rubble from Moon Island Road in the City of Hoquiam will provide open access to the public shoreline and improve fish habitat. The acquisition of 1,750 acres of marshland near Grayland will bring more public access to the community for recreation and hunting, providing benefits for a healthy community. Increasing Security and Access to Basic Needs. Restoration of Fry Creek will increase public access and decrease flood risk, which could ultimately reduce FEMA insurance requirements and open up access to housing, an immense need for the low-income population. Equity for Coastal Communities. The median household incomes are lower, and unemployment rates are higher in coastal counties than the Washington State average. WCRI funding could assist in the fair distribution of economic resources to rural communities. This document is a summary of a larger document. To access the full document, for more information, or to request a sam- ple bibliography, please contact The Nature Conservancy. Contact Tom Bugert, State Legislative Director Garrett Dalan, Washington Coast Conservation Coordinator The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy Tom.Bugert@tnc.org 1 (509) 885-6991 Garrett.Dalan@tnc.org 1 (206) 550-8423 Photo credits: (Front) Chris Crisman. (Back from top down) Chris Crisman, Harley Soltes, Harley Soltes, Joel Rogers and Bridget Besaw. Report by Melissa Watkinson. To learn more about WCRI please visit Washingtonnature.org/marine/coastaIrestoration/ IFA WASHINGTON COAST RESTORATION INITIATIVE `" Content and Scope for 2017 Projects The Washington Coast Restoration Initiative (WCRI) proposes a package of exceptional restoration projects that represent the geographic reach of Washington's coast and have tangible conservation and economic benefits for coastal communities. WCRI creates an avenue for project funding along the Washington Coast where funding sources are often limited and inconsistent, but the benefits of restoration can be tremendous. The conservation benefits of WCRI include enriching tidal habitat and forest ecosystems, reducing invasive species and promoting native plant and seed production, reconnecting wetlands and improving salmon access and rearing potential. Projects within the WCRI package will benefit not only nature, but the people who call this place home. WCRI will bring improvements to communities through job creation, work options for local contractors, flood control, access improvements, climate resiliency and more. CONTACTS WCRI Funding This year, WCRI is seeking $12.5 million in funding from the legislature for projects ranging from Cathlamet in the south to Kugel Creek in the north. Proposed projects are expected to create the equivalent of more than 75 full-time annual jobs on the coast. The restoration benefits will last for generations. Garrett Dalan Tom Bugert Washington Coast Conservation Coordinator State Legislative Director TheNature The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy Conservancy Garrett.Dalan@tnc.org (206) 550-8423 Tom.bugert@tnc.org (509) 885-6991 2017 Proposed WCRI Projects Project Sponsor Project $ Pulling Together in Restoration 10,000 Year Institute 531,000 Smith Creek Pacific Conservation District 1,630,000 Elochoman Knotweed Wahkiakum Conservation District 205,000 Hoh - Clearwater Restoration The Nature Conservancy 1,041,000 Elochoman Wahkiakum Conservation District 165,000 McClellan Wahkiakum Conservation District 161,000 Satterlund Wahkiakum Conservation District 70,000 Lower Satsop River Restoration Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 1,030,000 Native Seed Production Center for Natural Lands Management 341,000 Baldwin Wahkiakum Conservation District 90,000 Kugel Creek Clallam County 780,000 Goldinov Wahkiakum Conservation District 309,000 Grayland Acquisition project Ducks Unlimited 500,000 Hungry Harbor CREST (Columbia River Estuary Study Task Force) 452,000 Moon Island Design City of Hoquiam 150,000 Fry Creek Design City of Aberdeen 315,000 Moon Island Implementation City of Hoquiam 250,000 Fry Creek Imp. Phase 1 City of Aberdeen 1,915,000 Upper Quinault River Restoration Quinault Indian Nation 2,015,287 Project Locations Krtpd C—h Rx M-fi— 154. " ' ANZA. Pori La Push Voo's WK YM Mlduwl a ijLil�Lt1FJ Irrrrd""A6t Rorwpm1 4F r,v, 2%r - CA I Kalaloch Taholah twxr Ssh rp Rker Rcrbnti�n se.�epty a rRdvice�Br.F io Jlympra Ocean 1A.o. A tiPrdEefl _- Shores io...i ! • i Rr..f fr}r Lreek WeStprarl erMI Grayland Srdp-d-ti— *� aymand ... Chehalis So.a'.' SnKM ocean Park {.ems _ Su.1leeAwd It. Long Beach lnvaca i S.tee rid AIrCk9ae 0 . €3reMnra s� €lochonan Cure nur.lty waen hd K A ARFA r;nsuiwcrrra 7R Potential Project Benefits • Invasive species removal (e.g. Knotweed) • Native plant production for restoration • Watershed scale restoration of streams, forests, riparian zones, and large rivers • Marine shoreline habitat restoration • Wetland acquisition • Estuary restoration • Bridge and trail improvements • Farm and road protection • Channel reengagement for fish passage • Flood reduction The Honorable Jay Inslee Governor of Washington State Office of the Governor PO Box 40002 Olympia, WA 98504-0002 November XX, 2016 Re: $12.5M in funding for the Washington Coast Restoration Initiative in your 2017-19 capital budget Governor Inslee, We, the undersigned, are writing in support of the Washington Coast Restoration Initiative, administered by the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO). This program restores coastal ecosystems for healthy forests, rivers, and fish and wildlife, and it supports people and the economy through safer communities and job creation. We respectfully request that you include $12.5 million for WCRI in your 2017-19 capital budget. Addressing Unemployment while Improving our Lands & Waters Healthy forests, rivers, and fish and wildlife on our Pacific Coast are essential to our communities, ecosystems, and economies. Coastal communities have worked for decades to improve our lands and waters, but have lacked consistent funding to address diverse, ongoing restoration needs. At the same time, the Coast continues to experience the highest rates of unemployment in our state. Given these urgent needs, we need a proactive approach to restoration that: - Addresses the region's highest priority restoration needs; - Leverages existing funding and other efforts; and - Puts people to work on the coast. The Washington Coast Restoration Initiative (WCRI) seeks to leverage more than $4.6 million in federal, local, and private resources to scale up restoration across a suite of projects. These projects enjoy support from local governments, the conservation community, the fishing industry, tribes, watershed groups, and state and federal agencies. Past WCRI projects have provided jobs, improved public access to nature, increased recreation opportunities, and enhanced fish habitat. Anticipated 2017 WCRI Project benefits include enriching tidal habitat and forest ecosystems, reducing invasive species and promoting native plant and seed production, reconnecting wetlands and improving salmon access and rearing potential. There are also the social benefits of diversifying economic opportunities, connecting people to outdoor recreation opportunities, risk reduction and improving equity in economic resources for coastal communities. Proposed projects are expected to be directly responsible for the equivalent of more than 75 full-time annual jobs on the coast, and the restoration benefits will last for generations. Page 1 of 2 The rewards of restoration along our Coast extend from improved tidal and forest ecosystems to healthier and safer communities through employment, flood control, and climate resiliency. Given WCRI's past successes in improving community living standards, providing jobs, restoring habitat health, and connecting people to nature and to each other, we ask that you support RCO's inclusion $12.5 million for the Washington Coast Restoration Initiative in your 2017-19 capital budget. Respectfully, The Undersigned Cc: Senator Jim Honeyford, Senator Karen Keiser, Representative Steve Tharinger, Representative Richard DeBolt, Nona Snell, Jim Cahill, JT Austin Page 2 of 2 WASHINGTON COAST RESTORATION INITIATIVE 2017-2019 BIENNIUM Pulling Together in Restoration Project Summary Sponsor Contact Information Name Jill Silver Organization 10,000 Years Institute Phone 360.301.4306 E -Mail Address Isil gLP10000yearsinstitute.org Project Activities X Riparian/Wetland Restoration Creek Rehab/Channel Reengagement X Habitat Creation/Restoration Culvert Replacement Acquisition/Land Purchase X Outreach and Education Project Design Erosion Control Habitats X Stream/Creek/Small River X Large River X Prairie/Marsh X Wetland X Lake/Pond X Riparian Forest X Upland Forest X Resiliency/Climate Adaptation X Monitoring Flood Control Bridge Construction/Improvement _ Recreation Access Research _ Marine Restoration X Invasive Plant Prevention / Control X Other Restoration Project Review _ Beach/Dunes X Estuary/Tidal Flats _ Open Bay/Open Ocean X Grass Lands X Other Roadsides Other Summary: Pulling Together in Restoration — WCRI 2017-2019 Biennium Page 1 Project Description The Pulling Together in Restoration Project (PTIR) is a pilot invasive species program working across jurisdictions in 13 coastal watersheds to prevent the spread of invasive species into sensitive habitats. Through cost-effective containment, community-based education and engagement, the program focuses local crews to work on a short list of invasive species which cause great harm to forest health, agriculture, and habitat for fish and wildlife, and which are not effectively covered by other programs or projects. Which species and why? Knotweeds, Scotch broom, reed canarygrass, herb Robert, everlasting peavine and other several other noxious weeds eliminate habitats by replacing important functions of native plants including food, structure, and shade. These particularly aggressive species form single species `monocultures' which do not allow other plants to grow, affecting forests, rivers, food crops and forage for livestock and wildlife for long time periods. Knotweed is the focus of many projects and funding through WSDA, but the other species are widely distributed across some parts of the state, and are considered unreasonable to control. In fact, they're not yet present in many places on the coast, and are able to be prevented and even eliminated — as we've demonstrated in the upper Hoh River, Queets River, and Clearwater River in other projects. Scotch broom is a good example. SB is present over perhaps 10% of coastal watersheds (for now). A SB monoculture grows to 15 feet tall, produces 12,000 seeds per plant per year which last up to a reported 80 years, and will not change over time as do natural plant communities (i.e. succession). It replaces native willow, alder, and in time, conifer forests which create habitat and provide beneficial nutrient inputs such as nitrogen fixation, bank stability and sediment filtration to keep streams and rivers and forests naturally healthy. It also alters nutrient composition in soil, and is mildly toxic to grazers, who avoid it. Although SB has enormous ecological impacts, it allowed to proliferate because perception is it's too costly (and not necessary) to address. Both are incorrect assumptions. With people to do the work (local JOBS!), it can be done, saving the public millions of dollars of long-term impact and control costs (State of Oregon reports 34:1 cost/benefit analysis'; the Institute can show 40:1 in the Hoh River). How will this project make a difference? If we are to succeed in protecting landscapes and resources from the degrading impacts of invasive species, early and continuous action preventing and controlling multiple species is a necessity. This project represents an important investment in local environmental and economic health, training local crews in Early Detection and Rapid Response (ED/RR) methods, and conducting on -the -ground control, stitching up gaps in prevention, control, and protection across jurisdictional boundaries. Contributing to existing projects and programs conducted by agency, tribal, and local partners, these teams survey key pathways such as roads and rivers along which millions of weed seeds and fragments move via tires, mowers, wind, and water into tributaries, pastures, and forest stands where they establish and cause damage and cost lots of money. To improve the success of salmon recovery and restoration projects, we will continue to provide a field review of each of 300+ projects, and develop recommendations for invasive species management for each. Where time and capacity are available, we will provide control services. We're working with the Department of Natural Resources on an offender crew to be dedicated to roadside and gravel mine Scotch broom control. The crew will have a trained and licensed supervisor, and will be available to agency, tribal and non-profit landowners and partnerships for their services at a very reasonable cost. The program also provides detailed watershed -specific education and outreach to the public and other managers, and coordination and information sharing between all, encapsulated in a program platform focused on increasing prevention and control of damaging invasive species. With it, we will stem the rising tide of invasive species; protecting investments in coastal restoration and economic vitality in forestry, fisheries, and tourism. 1 http://www.oregon.gov/oda/shared/documents/publications/weeds/ornoxiousweedeconomicimi)act.r)df Summary: Pulling Together in Restoration — WCRI FY18 and FY19 Page 2 More details and current project work to date Read on for more background and updates... The concept for PTIR evolved in response to expanding populations and impacts of invasive plants in forested and aquatic habitats, and insufficient funding and coordination necessary to effectively prevent and contain them. With changing climate, receding glaciers and unstable river channels, increasing traffic, rapid timber harvest, and billions invested in restoration for threatened fish populations, NOW is the time to invest in reducing the spread of noxious invasive Eurasian plants so that habitats continue to evolve where protected and restored. A problem this program addresses is multiple ownerships, with differing capacity, interest, and legal authority or responsibility to reduce or control invasive species in each watershed on the coast. Layered on that ownership, rivers and roads connect between watersheds, and invasive species move down these pathways. Each entity does some weed control, but all lack sufficient resources and strategies to address species moving in or out via wind, water, construction, or traffic. When small Scotch broom, knotweed, everlasting peavine, and reed canarygrass sites are eliminated from roadsides, source populations are stopped from traveling down ditches and through culverts to streams, where water transports each seed to bare gravel and banks, the ideal environments for invasion. With few resources to protect the forests and rivers we're working to restore, this costly cycle of invasion and degradation must end. Invasive species degrade other types of restoration projects, and are also regularly not included. When constructing instream jams or restoring fish passage through a barrier, planning to treat existing invasives or to prevent the introduction of new ones is necessary to avoid inadvertent spread via construction, materials, and equipment. If the gravel for a forest road comes from a mine covered with Scotch broom or knotweed, seeds and fragments of these species become established in stands that were likely free of them, quickly growing and eliminating important habitats and ecosystem services ranging from carbon storage to air and water temperature attenuation. It's easy to prevent, but difficult to restore once established, when the cost of eliminating these species grows, and associated environmental impacts continue to spread. Finally, most weed control focuses only on Class A or B weeds2 — not the Class C weeds such as Scotch broom (SB). SB is an issue of climate resiliency, riparian succession, and forest growth, and is being left to grow until it has inundated roadsides, harvest units, gravel mines, or pastures, and soil or gravel is contaminated with seeds lasting 80 years, continuing the spread. It's a climate issue because it's extremely flammable, and it replaces the forest stands providing humidity and shade, and capturing fog drip. Counties on the east side of the Olympic Peninsula which are blanketed with SB have a completely different fire response and management plan than we do on the coast (for now!). 90% of the Olympic Peninsula is NOT invaded YET, and all invasive species are preventable if we act upon them persistently — meaning EARLY and OFTEN. So, let's pull together! Goals and Objectives The primary goals of the program are 1) Increased effectiveness of invasive species prevention and management across these coastal watersheds, addressing root causes and sources of invasions; 2) Employing, training and deploying a local workforce for local benefit; 3) Improving containment of invasives that affect forests and habitat creation; and 4) Public and agency education, engagement and empowerment. Objectives are to 1) Decrease the costs of invasive species impacts and control, 2) Improve the success of restoration investments, 3) Develop a coastal coordinated weed management plan that is incorporated into Lead Entity Salmon Restoration Strategies and other relevant plans, 4) Decrease herbicide use across the coastal landscape, and 5) A final objective is to demonstrate the success of local jobs in invasive species z RCW 17.10—WA State Noxious Weed Law designates noxious weed species which are not widely established and are assumed to be able to be eradicated as Class A, and those which are still containable with action as B. Class C species are those which are considered to be widely established, even thouah thev may not be in a particular location. Summary: Pulling Together in Restoration — WCRI FY18 and FY19 Page 3 prevention and control, to encourage the investment of dedicated funding to similar programs in every watershed. How will the project have a direct positive benefit for the local ecosystem? Native plants and their diverse communities are the foundations of coastal ecosystem food webs and terrestrial, riparian, and aquatic habitats. The project will provide a direct positive benefit to the local ecosystem through increased protection from degrading impacts of invasive Eurasian plants. • All life history stages of fish and aquatic organisms benefit by the continuous inputs of native plant materials they've evolved to use for creating pools, providing insect prey, and filtering sediment, providing bank stability through root structures, and maintaining nutrients in the soil and water that they're adapted to. A specific example has been reported by Amy Borde, Battelle Laboratory, from research on RCG and native Lynbye's sedge: RCG significantly reduced the production of chironomids (black fly larvae) eaten by juvenile fish'. • All native animals, birds, amphibians, and insects benefit from healthy native plant communities. A specific animal example is Roosevelt elk, a keystone species in floodplain forests, will benefit from fewer toxic plants (tansy, Scotch broom, foxglove) and more native high quality forage. • All native forest soil biota directly benefit from the prevention and removal of Eurasian allelopathic, acidic, or nutrient -impoverishing species including knotweeds, Scotch broom, and herb Robert. Aspects of life in the local community that will benefit from the project The local community will benefit through healthier forests growing faster (less competition from Scotch broom, herb Robert, and blackberry) and cleaner (i.e. less herbicide application — benefiting all species and people), fish and wildlife for recreational, commercial, and subsistence harvest, hiking and nature experiences in native plant communities, supporting native biodiversity and the Olympic Biosphere Reserve. Fewer resources will have to be allocated and spent on fire suppression (from SB), as well as weed control in restoration and road management. Project partners Olympic National Park (ONP) — Upper Queets Invasive Plant Control Project, others TBD Olympic National Forest (ONF) — ONF Invasive Plant Control Projects — Queets, Sol Due Tribes: Quileute, Hoh, Queets, and Quinault — Knotweed and other weed projects, boat cleaning stations WA Department of Transportation — IVM Control Program, Adopt -a -Highway Program WA Department of Natural Resources — Access to all state lands sites, forest road and gravel mine invasives prevention and control, sites for signage, participation in weed -free seed mix use WA State Parks - Partner on control at Bogachiel State Park, site for signage Counties: Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor Weed Boards — Contribution to protocol development, partner on roadside control, participation in weed -free seed mix use County Parks and Rec Sites: - Allow access for treatment and educational outreach County Road Departments — partner in control and prevention activities on county roads City of Forks — Roadside weed control collaboration, opportunities for community outreach, possible pilot weed disposal site or processing facility Nonprofits: North Olympic Land Trust, Jefferson Land Trust — educational outreach, practice methods Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition — Partner and crew for Hoh, Queets, Clearwater projects Hoh River Trust — Partner in Hoh River invasives control The Nature Conservancy — Partner in Hoh, Queets, and Clearwater invasives control Recreational groups: Guides Association — Partner in education/outreach to river guides Olympic Correction Camp — Partner in developing and deploying a dedicated Scotch broom control crew Private residential landowners — Partners in preventing and controlling ornamental and other invasives. 3 2015. Borde, A. et al. Phalaris arundinacea vs. Carex lyngbyei: a comparison of the food web contribution between non-native and native wetland species. Pacific NW National Laboratory. Society of Wetland Scientists, PNW Chapter Meeting, October 7, 2015. Summary: Pulling Together in Restoration — WCRI FY18 and FY19 Page 4 Update on current project activities and achievements At this point, in the first of the two year 2015-17 PTIR program (Project 15-1599), we've developed and are implementing many of the foundational components, including: 1) Hiring, training, and deploying 6 local crew members; 2) Writing draft protocols by species and site types, 3) Outreach and specific recommendations to restoration project sponsors, 4) Tribal crews trained and deployed to work on SB on the Quillayute and Hoh rivers; 5) Work on two restoration project sites on reed canarygrass, Canada thistle, and SB — Thunder Road and Meadow (Quillayute) and Eagle Springs (Sol Due); Presentations to tribes, west end citizens, county commissioners and road programs, the state Department of Transportation's road crews, the state DNR, 6) Pasture management recommendations to agricultural landowners (how to stop spreading reed canarygrass), 7) Achieved an Adopt -A -Highway agreement with WSDOT for work on State roads and coordination with the Jefferson County road department; and 8) Establishing a dedicated trained offender crew for roadside and gravel mine Scotch broom control. All of this builds the foundation of prevention and improved control, reduced costs and impacts, and reduced herbicide application. We're buying most of our supplies and gear in local stores. And the new crew members are heading into their backyards and recreation sites to pull the species they're learning about at work, and reporting sightings from all over. In summary, without early and effective action, the unique biodiversity of the Olympic Peninsula will quickly be overwhelmed, more restoration will be required, but with exponentially higher costs and reduced opportunity for long-term success. Based on achievements in the Hoh, Queets, and Clearwater rivers, we can already demonstrate there's a significant benefit in acting early to prevent the spread of these plants — and we'll be backing this up with data on the costs of control, effectiveness of actions, estimated numbers of invasive species stopped from invading specific places, and economic inputs to the local community. Why the project is a good fit for WCRI funding This is one of the most important restoration issues for coastal counties, and the one most poorly addressed by all other resource or infrastructure management programs. Funding for invasive species prevention and control work is extremely limited, and must be applied for each year. WSDA provides the only reliable funding for knotweed control, but has much less funding than is needed. The state Department of Transportation's Integrated Vegetation Management Program is also underfunded relative to need, and lacks the ability or authority (state or county weed board mandated) to work on SB. The State Salmon Recovery Funding is not intended to fund repeat projects (they term these `programs') — which invasive species absolutely require. WCRI is the only non -salmon funding source focused on coastal restoration issues with sufficient funds to add significantly to the resolution of ongoing restoration needs, especially with regard to invasive species impacts and associated climate resiliency. It is also the only program available to non-profit organizations, focused on local jobs and therefore local expertise and knowledge. Empowering communities, local youth, agencies and tribes in protecting and maintaining local ecosystems and the forestry, fisheries, and clean water, air, and soil that all rely on is really what coastal restoration is about; modeling how it can become locally -owned and operated. Added to that, it's funding the current PTIR program, saving the public, agencies, private industry, and tribes lots of money in the future by doing the work to end the destructive cycles of constant and costly habitat degradation resulting from invasive species. Summary: Pulling Together in Restoration — WCRI FY18 and FY19 Page 5