Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20160517 FINAL NPC MRC MinutesNPC MRC 5/17/2016 FINAL Meeting Summary 1 May 17, 2016 NPC MRC FINAL Meeting Summary The May 17, 2016 NPC MRC meeting took place at the Hemlock Forest Room, Olympic Natural Resources Center, 1455 S Forks Avenue, Forks, WA on Tuesday the 17th from 4:12 to 6:20 PM (00:02:10 on the audio counter). A quorum of voting members was established. Appointed committee members present at the meeting were Steve Allison (Hoh Tribe Rep.), Rod Fleck (City of Forks), John Hunter (Citizen Rep., Clallam County), Katie Krueger (Quileute Tribe Rep.), Deborah Kucipeck (Clallam County Rep.), Roy Morris (Citizen Rep., Clallam County), Rich Osborne (Citizen Rep., Clallam County), Tami Pokorny (Coordinator, Jefferson County Rep.), Dana Sarff (Makah Tribe Rep.) and Jill Silver (Citizen Rep., Jefferson County). Rebekah Brooks (ONRC), Frank Hanson (ONRC), Jennifer Hennessey (Department of Ecology) and Kevin Decker (WA SeaGrant) were also present. Introductions Public Comments Rod Fleck announced that it was Norwegian Independence Day. Additions to the Agenda There were none. Approval of the April Meeting Summary The April Meeting Summary was approved by consensus. Announcements Tami Pokorny announced that the COASST program has a new application available to enter marine debris data into their system. Old Business MRC Summit The next coastal MRC Summit is scheduled for 10/20/16-10/22/16 in Long Beach. Discussion followed on funding and other details. RainFest 2016 Tami Pokorny led an update on RainFest events and efforts. The Upcycle and Trashion Show was not very well attended, but good ideas came out of it for next year’s involvement. Discussion followed. At least two members felt that the event is not a good fit for the MRC. The River and Ocean Film Fest was well attended; many of the films shown are available on the website. The CoastSavers silent auction was a success. NPC MRC 5/17/2016 FINAL Meeting Summary 2 RFP Subcommittee Report The RFP Subcommittee was made up of Tami Pokorny, Jill Silver, Rich Osborne and Garrett Dalan. They discussed revising the RFP for a more focused approach, but concluded to reissue the current one. Signage Project Jill Silver led discussion on a signage project idea for kiosks at beaches, featuring education about whales, trash, recycling, dogs and waste management. CoastSavers’ Jon Schmidt would be a good candidate to apply for NPC MRC funding for this project idea. Discussion followed. The total available funding for the 2016- 2017 round is $16,300, but could be more if the local school field trips and MRC Summit don’t spend their full allotments. *The NPC MRC will reach out to the Quileute and Makah Tribes about posting signs on tribal lands; concern was expressed over working with the Olympic National Park. Jill suggested putting together a scope of work, including the resources, ideas and challenges involved, and sending it to Representative Kilmer’s office for support. The group decided to continue the sign discussion at next month’s meeting. Finalize 2016-2017 RFP and Process Tami Pokorny reviewed the RFP Calendar and funding contributions to recent and upcoming projects. John Hunter estimated the field trip transportation cost for Forks High School to be about $600 for two trips. *Tami will contact other local teachers to get their estimates as well. Rich Osborne moved to approve the RFP with the addition of the $1,800 funding amount correction; Rod Fleck seconded. The motion passed by consensus. *Tami will send out the RFP tomorrow for distribution; please forward it. ICC/Salmon Feed and Poetry Read Roy Morris led discussion on the Salmon Feed and Poetry Read and his desire to create community with environmental outreach. This year it will be working in conjunction with the Washington Clean Coast Alliance’s International Coastal Cleanup. The Lion’s Club is providing the tables and chairs, and coordinating the outreach and poets. Salmon and a cook are still needed from the NPC MRC or other interested parties. Newsletter This topic was skipped until later in the meeting to leave time for the discussion on Marine Spatial Planning. New Business Update on Marine Spatial Planning Draft Recommendations WA SeaGrant representative Kevin Decker led discussion among the group on marine policy decisions and recommendations for MSP and gave an overview of the draft and conclusions. They are currently reaching out to MRCs for recommendations. On 6/15/16 the WCMAC will review feedback from the MRCs. Rod Fleck encouraged the group to make their comments to WCMAC attendees Katie Krueger, Rich Osborne, Dana Sarff or himself by the end of the month. Discussion followed. Rich pointed out that offshore energy does not seem to be feasible on the north coast. Jill Silver requested a focus of attention on ecosystem services. Jennifer Hennessey asked the group to bring comments to herself and other MSP representatives as well. Cherry Point ACOE Decision Katie Krueger announced that the US Army Corps of Engineers denied the Pacific International Terminals’ request for a permit to build what would have been North America’s largest coal export terminal at Cherry Point. The Corps agreed with the Lummi Tribe that the terminal would threaten the Tribe’s treaty fishing rights. Old Business Newsletter NPC MRC 5/17/2016 FINAL Meeting Summary 3 Tami Pokorny returned to the topic of the West End Natural Resources Newsletter articles. *She will distribute a draft next week for final approval. She gave an overview of the articles: David Hahn: Barking Dog Hole; Nicol Harris: Hoh River Raft Trip; Jill Silver: Reed Canary Grass Success; Jessica Hellsley: Culverts and Climate Change; Theresa Powell: Allen’s Marsh; Rod Fleck: Steelhead; MSP Update; 2015 MRC Summit; RainFest 2016 Highlights; ICC and WA Coast Beach Cleanup/SFPR/Marine Debris; Feiro/Sanctuary Project News. Dana Sarff led discussion on an upcoming pilot project from the Makah Tribe and NOAA on harmful algal bloom monitoring; consensus was to not make the project public at this point since it is in early stages. *If anyone has any last minute thoughts on articles, please send them to Tami right away. Updates Marine Debris Roy Morris announced that the Lion’s Club International has been championing the Pacific Basin marine debris response, shifting the focus from mainly coastal cleanups to include marine debris prevention, ocean health and international partnerships. Washington Coast Marine Advisory Council/Marine Spatial Planning Rich Osborne led an overview of the agenda from 4/20/16 in Grays Harbor. Most of the meeting was going over the recommendations that are now in the draft for review. Technical committee chairs were reelected and there were several presentations. Jennifer Hennessey spoke about how the MSP draft is a base of existing information to better inform processes ahead of time; a draft outline of the plan is also available. More outreach efforts will be made as they are closer to a finished project. Additional information can be found at www.msp.wa.gov. Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council The next meeting is scheduled for 5/20/16 in Neah Bay. There will be a report on bottom fish. Washington Marine Resources Advisory Council The last meeting was held on 4/26/16; the next meeting is scheduled for 5/25/16. The focus of the Council is on ocean acidification. Jennifer Hennessey reviewed the process of the Council and some of the recent reports on ocean acidification. The best way to get information on upcoming meetings is to review their newsletter. Fossil Fuels Related Tami Pokorny announced that oil prices are rising; discussion followed on fossil fuel issues. Administration and Fiscal Agent Update This topic was covered earlier under the discussions on the RFP. Next Agenda The next NPC MRC meeting is scheduled for June 21st at the ONRC Forks and will include more discussion on the signage project and outreach. Public Comments/General There were none. Adjourn The NPC MRC meeting adjourned at 6:20 pm (02:10:30 on the audio counter). Compiled by Rebekah Brooks. NPC MRC 5/17/2016 FINAL Meeting Summary 4 Action Items: *The NPC MRC will reach out to the Quileute and Makah Tribes about posting signs on tribal lands. *Tami Pokorny will contact other local teachers to get their field trip transportation cost estimates. *Tami will send out the RFP tomorrow for distribution; please forward it. *Tami will distribute a West End Natural Resources Newsletter draft next week for final approval; if anyone has any last minute thoughts on articles, please send them to Tami right away.