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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20150721 FINAL NPC MRC MinutesNPC MRC 7/21/2015 FINAL Meeting Summary 1 July 21, 2015 NPC MRC FINAL Meeting Summary The July 21, 2015 NPC MRC meeting took place at the ONRC Hemlock Room at 1455 Forks Avenue, Forks, WA on Tuesday the 21st from 4:09 to 6:33 PM (00:00:32 on the audio counter). A quorum of voting members was established. Appointed committee members present at the meeting were Steve Allison (Hoh Tribe Rep.), Ed Ansorg (Citizen Rep., Jefferson County), Rod Fleck (City of Forks), Katie Krueger (Quileute Tribe Rep.), Deborah Kucipeck (Clallam County Rep.), Ian Miller (Washington SeaGrant), Roy Morris (Citizen Rep., Clallam County), Rich Osborne (Citizen Rep., Clallam County), Tami Pokorny (Jefferson County Rep.), John Richmond (Citizen Rep., Clallam County), Dana Sarff (Makah Tribe Rep.) and Jill Silver (Citizen Rep., Jefferson County). Rebekah Brooks (ONRC), Nicole Harris (OCNMS), Dan Lieberman (North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center [NOPSC]), Julia Parish (UW Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team [COASST]), Jonathan Scordino (Makah Tribe) and Mike Tetreau (interested citizen) were also present. Introductions Public Comments Katie Krueger requested a guest speaker for an upcoming agenda on Marine Spatial Planning seafloor mapping. Additions to the Agenda Jonathan Scordino requested that Makah be able to present first; the group agreed to move his presentation up in the agenda if he arrived in time. The agenda was approved by consensus. Approval of the June Meeting Summary The June Meeting Summary was approved by consensus, with changes. Announcements Tami Pokorny announced that the West End Natural Resources Newsletter was published; *please distribute copies. Old Business MRC Summit Update Katie Krueger led discussion on accommodation details at the Quileute Oceanside Resort and Quileute Tribe facilities. Casey Dennehey plans to rent a couple of the cabins to invite people to for social times. *Tami Pokorny will look into the cost of showing Plastic Paradise once. She is also trying to connect with the Coast NPC MRC 7/21/2015 FINAL Meeting Summary 2 Guard to present at an oil-related session. Katie also reminded everyone that this fire season is especially bad, so mindfulness is very important. ICC – Salmon Feed and Poetry Read Roy Morris led discussion on event details, which will be held on September 19th, likely at the community center. It is focused on celebration, welcome for beach cleanup volunteers and joining with around- the-world efforts. He is connecting with poets and storytellers, and with Jon Schmidt about flyers and advertising. There is a possible role for the NPC MRC to fill in helping with costs. Katie Krueger proposed contacting tribal elder storytellers; Steve Allison suggested local writers Tim McNulty and Pat Neal. New Business Presentation of Project Applications, Q & A: Funding request amounts are: COASST: $14,825; CoastSavers: $20,000; Feiro Marine Life Center: $8112; Jefferson County: $3730; Makah: $13,412.41; NOPSC and Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition (PCSC): $19,444. The Funding Cycle Calendar was also reviewed. Makah: Jonathan Scordino gave a presentation on California and Steller sea lion consumption of salmon by species in the marine waters of the North Olympic Peninsula. Sea lion populations are increasing and past studies have shown that salmon makes up 32 to 36 percent of their diets. It has been impossible for past Makah studies to determine which salmon species are targeted by the sea lions. This project proposes partnering with the Institute of Science and Technology at North Central High School in Spokane to genetically identify the salmon bones by species. In answer to questions from the group, Jonathan said that a previous Makah study confirmed that Sockeye salmon were genetically identified in otter scat; that he found out about the Institute when students contacted him for a project; that the study would identify salmon species, but not down to stocks at this level; that the study will help inform management decisions by getting a better idea of larger groups affected and tradeoffs that are being made; and that there is not much that can be done at this point to control sea lion populations; Katie Krueger encouraged him to include clear reference to quality assurance and in-kind match, and to provide funding alternatives in case the full funding amount was not available. COASST: Julia Parish presented on the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team proposal to expand COASST to include a marine debris trial survey. The innovative method would separate field-based survey sampling and collection of debris following a strip transect protocol from the characterization of the attributes of each item found in order to assess harm to wildlife. This will link survey sampling participants with characterization participants, thereby increasing the volunteer base. The goal of the project is to be able to map harm to wildlife on our coastline. In answer to questions, Julia said they would be adding seven new sites for marine debris surveying and that many of the old sites already overlap; that doing the surveys quickly is very advantageous because of the remote and exposed nature of our local beaches; that it is as yet unknown how many sites will overlap both bird and debris surveying; and that the trial survey will be monthly for two years to start, and will hopefully be able to continue if successful. Tami Pokorny requested that she include alternatives in case full funding is not available. *Tami will forward the Excel file on a breakdown of the budget. Feiro Marine Life Center: Nicole Harris presented for Melissa Williams on Coastal Education: Expanding the Connection. The proposal is to keep their existing educational programs, while expanding to reach kids from early childhood education through high school for all coastal schools from Clallam Bay down to Westport. New programs include Family Science Workshops for early learners and Ecosystem Penpals for high schoolers, a pilot program connecting Suquamish and Washington coastal treaty tribes with Pacific island students over local ocean science issues, culminating with a student summit. In answer to questions, Nicole said that the penpal project is already partly funded by NOAA and that the programs intend to hit multiple age groups. Roy Morris suggested Feiro staff include measured outcomes; Katie suggested specifically mentioning NPC MRC 7/21/2015 FINAL Meeting Summary 3 the coastal tribes in the proposal and referencing the advantage of reaching the six to eight -year age group. Tami requested that Feiro include alternatives in case full funding is not available; Roy requested specifics on what each teacher was going to do and when for their workshops. NOPSC and PCSC: Dan Lieberman presented on Pathways to Engagement, Education and Employment: Expanding Successes for West End Natural Resources Students. Essentially two proposals in one, it connects students with PCSC and Olympic National Park (ONP) for internships. Deliverables for the PCSC part of the program will be basically the same as last year. Expansion of the NOPSC part of the program will include added deliverables of national student certifications, improved overall science performance, transition support for former students and program efficacy data. Katie requested the budget scale be included in the proposal as well as the PowerPoint. In answer to questions, Dan said that some students would still participate in the program even without payment; that many of the interns have gone on to major in natural resources, although not necessarily in forestry; that part of the efficacy data will determine what interns have gone on to do; and that the program has a large pool of previous interns who are still in high school to draw from for involvement in the coming year. *Tami will forward the PCSC proposal. Jefferson County: Tami Pokorny presented on Sustainable Recreation/Ecotourism: Community Engagement Projects. The proposal has three parts: leveraging the Surfrider recreational use survey with the business community of Forks and the Quileute Tribal Council with presentations from Casey Dennehey and an ecotourism expert from UW and brainstorming meetings; an art display at the Rainforest Arts Center to showcase the underwater environment off the northwest coast; and a pilot event as an example of more intentional sustainable ecotourism: bicycling tourism, with a possible bike ride to connect Forks to La Push. Katie Krueger expressed extreme concern that was echoed by others over the danger of biking Highway 110 to La Push; she proposed an alternative route of Three Rivers to Mora on the 110 Spur; Roy Morris said that the Hoko River State Park is working with the ONP to make a bike trail to Ozette. Rich Osborne warned the group of the reality of a shift from a hunting/fishing community to a biking tourism community and gave the San Juan Islands as an example. Scoring Process Tami Pokorny showed the score sheet. MRC-Initiated Projects Current ideas for non-RFP projects include funding for school field trip transportation; support for the ICC Salmon Feed and Poetry Read; signs for the Beach Combers Museum in Forks; support for water quality monitoring at Forks Middle School; funding for the West End Natural Resources Newsletter; RainFest, Trashion Show and Film Fest funding; and support for trainings for an angler logbook program. *Deborah Kucipeck volunteered involvement in the angler logbook program. Updates Marine Debris/Ocean Acidification/Hypoxia *Katie Krueger will forward an article on ocean acidification. Washington Coast Marine Advisory Council The next meeting is scheduled for September 23rd in Grays Harbor. Additional information can be found at www.msp.wa.gov. Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council The last meeting was held on July 17th in Port Angeles. Tami Pokorny showed an overview of the agenda and Roy Morris and Rich Osborne gave a brief recap of the powerhouse presentations. NPC MRC 7/21/2015 FINAL Meeting Summary 4 Administration and Fiscal Agent Update Tami Pokorny said it is status quo funding from Fish and Wildlife, so the NPC MRC can expect the same amount as last year. She will put the final reports from last year’s projects on the NPC MRC website. Next Agenda The next NPC MRC meeting is scheduled for August 18th at ONRC in Forks and will include a presentation from Helle Anderson on her micro debris findings and project ranking for this round of projects. *Let Tami Pokorny know in advance if you are unable to make it to the meeting, as a quorum will be essential for approving projects. Public Comments/General Ian Miller requested recollections from 1997 and 1998 of any El Niño impacts in the area, specifically physical responses to the climate such as beach erosion, wave impact, etc. Adjourn The NPC MRC meeting adjourned at 6:33 pm (02:25:30 on the audio counter). Compiled by Rebekah Brooks. Action Items: *Please distribute copies of the West End Natural Resources Newsletter. *Tami Pokorny will look into the cost of showing Plastic Paradise once. *Tami will forward the COASST Excel file on a breakdown of the budget. *Tami will forward the PCSC proposal. *Deborah Kucipeck volunteered involvement in the angler logbook program. *Katie Krueger will forward an article on ocean acidification. *Let Tami Pokorny know in advance if you are unable to make it to the next NPC MRC meeting.