Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20160621 FINAL NPC MRC MinutesNPC MRC 6/21/2016 FINAL Meeting Summary 1 June 21, 2016 NPC MRC 2nd Draft Meeting Summary The June 21, 2016 NPC MRC meeting took place at the Hemlock Forest Room at 1455 Forks Avenue, Forks, WA on Tuesday the 21st from 4:05 to 5:47 PM (00:00:01 on the audio counter). A quorum of voting members was established. Appointed committee members present at the meeting were Steve Allison (Hoh Tribe Rep.), John Hunter (Citizen Rep., Clallam County – Education/Environment), Katie Krueger (Quileute Tribe Rep.), Deborah Kucipeck (Clallam County Rep.), Rich Osborne (Citizen Rep., Clallam County – Science), Aaron Parker (Makah Tribe); Tami Pokorny (Jefferson County Rep., Coordinator) and Jill Silver (Citizen Rep., Jefferson County – Conservation/Environment). Rebekah Brooks (ONRC), Frank Hanson (ONRC), Luke Kelly (Trout Unlimited), and Jon Schmidt (WA CoastSavers) were also present. Introductions Public Comments There were none. Approval of and Additions to the Agenda Katie Krueger requested considering the addition of Luke Kelly of Trout Unlimited ex-officio member on the Committee. The Agenda was approved by consensus as amended. Approval of the May Meeting Summary Rich Osborne moved that the May Meeting Summary be approved; Jill Silver seconded. The May Meeting Summary was approved by consensus. Announcements John Hunter announced that the Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators is having their annual conference at Pearson College in August; he plans to attend and represent the NPC MRC at a poster session. Old Business MRC Summit Tami Pokorny gave an update on the coastal MRC Summit coming up in October. The Pacific County MRC will be hosting the event in Long Beach and is starting to invite sponsorship from the Pacific County community. The NPC MRC has been encouraged to distribute a letter in support of the Summit. Surfrider and The Nature Conservancy will continue to support the event, but at a reduced level. WDFW is also limiting the fund allowance. Katie Krueger suggested making travel funds more available for attendees who are unable to get any coverage from their jobs. The discussion on funding will continue at following NPC MRC meetings. Signage Project NPC MRC 6/21/2016 FINAL Meeting Summary 2 Tami Pokorny and Jill Silver gave an update on the progress with the signage project idea, which involves potentially placing signs or kiosks near marine access points to inform the public of trash and waste disposal issues. Jon Schmidt has CoastSavers posters that could tie in nicely with kiosk opportunities and is interested in participation in the project. Discussion followed on locations, posting information on local webpages and cameras. The topic will be on the NPC MRC agenda for next month as well. 2016-2017 RFP Update Tami Pokorny gave an overview of the upcoming RFP schedule: proposals are due 8/8/16; presentations will be on 8/16/16; feedback to sponsors will be by 8/19/16; revised proposals are due 9/12/16; project summaries are due 6/15/17. Up to $18,000 is potentially available for project funds. *Please continue to promote the RFP for good competition between projects. Jill Silver asked the group whether they would entertain a project on Mud Minnows; consensus was that since the species is not marine, it would not be ranked highly enough to compete for NPC MRC funding. Signage Project Jon Schmidt arrived at the meeting, so discussion returned to this topic. Jon said he would be happy to be involved in a subcommittee to work on this project and is available to work on the graphic design. Installation of signs is a separate issue that the group discussed at length. Consensus was to work on placement on tribal lands rather than in the Olympic National Park. Aaron Parker suggested maps with relevant features and information, such as locations of dumpsters and bathrooms. *Tami Pokorny will work on sign locations with Aaron and Dana Sarff with the Makah Tribe, and with Katie Krueger with the Quileute Tribe. 2016-2017 RFP Update Discussion returned to the RFP. Tami Pokorny received estimates from local teachers on field trip transportation costs. Jon Schmidt announced that CoastSavers will be submitting a proposal for a mobile signage project. ICC/Salmon Feed – Poetry Read In lieu of Roy Morris’ absence, Jon Schmidt led discussion on the event, which is scheduled for 9/17/16. The focus is to recognize the efforts of cleanup volunteers. Discussion followed on funding options and whether or not many cleanup volunteers are able to attend the evening events following a beach cleanup. The group debated over the possible merits of making it a local Forks event rather than tying it so closely to the cleanup event, since volunteers are often too tired to gather in the evening following a cleanup. It was also suggested to potentially schedule the Salmon Feed/Poetry Read for the evening prior to the cleanup day. Newsletter *Tami Pokorny needs article edits by July 1st so that she can have the next issue ready for the July NPC MRC Meeting. Jill Silver requested that Tami remove the reed canary grass article to include in a later issue when it can be edited. Katie Krueger suggested an article with information on beach trash and waste disposal. Frank Hanson proposed including links to other newsletters, such as the one published by the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. *Tami requested that people send her any other newsletter links. New Business Discover Your Olympic Coast Video Curriculum Update Florian Graner and Nicole Harris gave a presentation on the curriculum and the film at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center. Nicole is developing related curriculum on a food web game that ties in with the film and is having flash cards made for the game at the cost of $70 per set. The Sanctuary will post the cards and curriculum on their website, and perhaps the film as well. Florian is supportive of the project. The group discussed the possibility of funding additional sets of the flash cards to donate to the library. Membership NPC MRC 6/21/2016 FINAL Meeting Summary 3 John Richmond is retiring from the NPC MRC; the group discussed partnering with the North Pacific Coast Lead Entity Committee to make him a commemorative plaque. Tami Pokorny updated the group on other members’ statuses: Ed Ansorg has not attended in quite a while and attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful; Jill Silver’s term expires at the end of the month; Roy Morris is retiring at the end of the calendar year; Steve Allison is retiring in September. *Tami will post ads for membership in the Peninsula Daily News, and with WCSSP and the Sanctuary. Membership: Ex Officio After Katie Krueger suggested adding Luke Kelly as an ex-officio member, it was pointed out that our bylaws had restriction. Katie checked on this and it appears our enabling Resolution signed by both counties create a barrier as it specifies specific governmental entities as ex-officio, of which Trout Unlimited is not (NGO). In order to consider new governmental entities (like Sea Grant of UW of State of WA) or any NGOs, we need to contact Clallam and Jefferson County Commissioners to revise the Resolution and/or explore other options. Updates Marine Debris Jon Schmidt said that CoastSavers has scaled back from last year when they had the additional tsunami debris funding from Japan. They are still planning on the annual cleanup event; Neah Bay is also scheduling a beach cleanup. There are reports that some local beaches are collecting large amounts of trash already. Aaron Parker asked about the availability of crews who might help pack out large debris; Jon said that some crews are coming in for the summer and *asked for information so that he can help direct efforts. Washington Coast Marine Advisory Council/Marine Spatial Planning The last meeting was held on 6/15/16 in Grays Harbor. An update was given at the earlier NPCLE Meeting, which most NPC MRC members attended, so further updates were skipped. Additional information can be found at www.msp.wa.gov. Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council The last meeting was held on 5/20/16 in Neah Bay. The group reviewed the agenda. The next meeting is scheduled for 9/15/16 in Forks at the DNR Meeting Room. On 7/8/16 the Sanctuary Superintendent will present at ONRC for the Evening Talks. Washington Marine Resources Advisory Council The last meeting was on 4/26/16. Fossil Fuels Related Tami Pokorny discussed the wreck in the Columbia Gorge and the Safe Energy Leadership Alliance in King County, a coalition raising awareness on coal and oil transport, in which any elected can comment on petroleum issues. Administration and Fiscal Agent Update Tami Pokorny is tallying field trip transportation amounts and needs to add the RainFest funding. Katie Krueger suggested that instead of itemizing RainFest, Trashion Show, etc., the NPC MRC have a broader reserve for “public outreach programs” to give the Committee more leeway. The MRC agreed with this idea. Next Agenda The next NPC MRC meeting is scheduled for July 19th at the ONRC in Forks and will include discussion on MRC Summit funding, the signage project, non-voting Committee seats and shortening the NPC MRC Meeting to two hours. Public Comments/General NPC MRC 6/21/2016 FINAL Meeting Summary 4 There were none. Adjourn The NPC MRC meeting adjourned at 5:47 pm (01:41:53 on the audio counter). Compiled by Rebekah Brooks. Action Items: *Please continue to promote the RFP for good competition between projects. *Tami Pokorny will work on sign locations with Aaron and Dana Sarff with the Makah Tribe, and with Katie Krueger with the Quileute Tribe. *Tami needs article edits by July 1st so that she can have the next issue ready for the July NPC MRC Meeting and requested newsletter links to be included in the issue as well. *Tami will post ads for membership in the Peninsula Daily News, and with WCSSP and the Sanctuary. * Please give information on needs for beach cleanup crews to Jon Schmidt so that he can help direct efforts.