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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20170221 FINAL NPC MRC MinutesNPC MRC 2/21/2017 FINAL Meeting Summary 1 February 21st, 2017 NPC MRC FINAL Meeting Summary The Tuesday, February 21st, 2017 NPC MRC meeting took place at the Hemlock Forest Room, Olympic National Resources Center, at 1455 Forks Avenue, Forks, WA from 4:03 (00:00:22 on the audio counter) to 6:04 PM. Committee members present at the meeting were Jennifer Hagen (Quileute Tribe, Alternate Rep.), John Hunter (Citizen Rep., Clallam County – Education/Environment), Katie Krueger (Quileute Tribe Rep.), Deb Kucipeck (Clallam County Rep.), Ian Miller (Washington SeaGrant Ex Officio), Aaron Parker (Makah Tribe Rep.), Tami Pokorny (Jefferson County Rep., Coordinator/Facilitator), Jill Silver (Citizen Rep., Jefferson County – Conservation/Environment) and Chiggers Stokes (Citizen Rep., Jefferson County – Recreational Groups). Lissy Andros (Forks Chamber of Commerce), Rebekah Brooks (ONRC), Frank Hanson (ONRC), Nicole Harris (Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary [OCNMS]), Sue Shane (Rainforest Council for the Arts), Lee Taylor (ONP), Julie Tennis (Pacific Education Institute) and Melissa Williams (Feiro Marine Life Center) were also present. Introductions Public Comments There were no public comments. Additions to and Approval of the Agenda The agenda was changed to make RainFest Planning the first item to accommodate guest presenters. The amended agenda was approved by consensus. Approval of the November and January Meeting Summaries Jill Silver moved to approve both summaries; Rich Osborne seconded. The summaries were approved by consensus. Announcements Frank Hanson announced that polar bears have arrived on the Peninsula as they are travelling south. Jump to New Business RainFest Planning and WA Coast Cleanup Related Ian Miller gave an update on Film Fest: submissions are open until 3/10/17. He is working with SeaGrant communications staff on a poster, but *if anyone has a good photo, send it to Ian. Tami Pokorny mentioned the possibility of using RainFest funds to hire a better projector system. *Katie Krueger and Frank Hanson volunteered for the film review committee. Lissy Andros and Sue Shane gave an overview of the RainFest schedule and special events. Feiro, OCNMS, NPC MRC and CoastSavers have all confirmed that they will host booths. The Coast Cleanup will be on Saturday, 4/29/17. Discussion followed. *Send any additional schedule items to Tami. NPC MRC 2/21/2017 FINAL Meeting Summary 2 Old Business Ruckelshaus Center Coastal Resilience Assessment Follow-Up Discussion Discussion followed on people’s impressions of the Ruckelshaus presentation. *The group decided to add information about emergency preparedness to the West End Natural Resources Newsletter and the NPC MRC webpage. New Business PEI Presentation: Engineering Solutions for a Changing Environment Julie Tennis (PEI) and Nicole Harris (OCNMS) presented on their collaboration on Ocean Science and Engineering Workshops. The upcoming Engineering Workshop will focus on working with local teachers and students to build Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and use them for underwater research, with follow-up educational and outreach opportunities. An Olympic Coast ROV competition will also be held at the Forks pool; judges are needed. Discussion followed. They asked for feedback on possible partners as subject matter experts, locally relevant aquatic issues, field trip sites, relevant projects, places and events for students to showcase their work, judges for the competition, and funding and supplies. *Jill Silver suggested adding a supplies list to the Newsletter. The NPC MRC has agreed to contribute $750. International Coast Cleanup Related The Cleanup is scheduled for 9/16/17. Funded Projects Updates Melissa Williams with Feiro Marine Life Center gave an update on their new mobile touch tank, which enables the Center to transport live marine animals to new locations. They will be visiting local libraries over spring break, targeting families with youth ages four to six. Tami Pokorny gave an update on the Transit Center art project that will be funded by the NPC MRC. Various ideas were discussed. *Tami will arrange a Doodle Poll for a phone call meeting for a subcommittee; Jill Silver, Jennifer Hagen, Deb Kucipeck and Ian Miller volunteered to be on it. Water bottle filling stations were also discussed; locations include the transit center, Forks High School and the Visitor’s Center. Inquiries have been made at all three tribes; Tami is hoping to place at least four stations this year. Tami also went over article ideas for the Newsletter, including ocean acidification, the PEI ROV program, Olympic National Park, leatherback sea turtles, RainFest, plastics in fish, climate plans, Feiro, COASST, beach cleanups, Coast Salmon Partnership and assessing fish barriers. Updates Marine Debris (All) Jennifer Hagen suggested posing a question to the public about what process is allowing plastic nerdles to spread to all the west coast beaches in order to get people to think. Discussion followed on ways to encourage people to use less plastic. Washington Coast Marine Advisory Council/Marine Spatial Planning (Rod) The next meeting is scheduled for 5/10/17 in Grays Harbor. Katie Krueger and Rich Osborne went over the agenda for the last meeting. The Council has been going over the MSP draft; the table of contents was presented. After the initial comment period has passed, a draft for the public will be released on 5/10/17. Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council (Roy/Rich) The last meeting was on 1/20/17 in Port Angeles; the next meeting is scheduled for 3/17/17 in La Push. The Navy gave their annual presentation to the Sanctuary on their plans for off the coast. Naval activities will be increasing, including more sonar testing. Beach operations are being minimized except for at Pacific Beach. Discussion followed on noise ordinances. Jennifer brought up a letter from the Department of Ecology to the EPA on the lack of information provided by the EPA on offshore seafood processing discharge; she will continue to update the NPC MRC on the issue. NPC MRC 2/21/2017 FINAL Meeting Summary 3 Washington Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) Rich suggested downloading the Council’s newsletter and other information at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/water/marine/oceanacidification.html. Jennifer discussed the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification. Fossil Fuels Related (All) Tami mentioned an article Jill Silver circulated on an oil spill prevention budget. Rich said that will likely become the main topic of the WCMAC after the MSP is completed. Administration and Fiscal Agent Update Tami is in the process of getting contracts updated and signed. Next Agenda (March 21st): The agenda will include RainFest updates. Public Comments/General There were no public comments. Adjourn at 6:04 PM (02:01:45 on the counter) Draft summary compiled by Rebekah Brooks. *If anyone has a good photo for the Film Fest poster, send it to Ian Miller. *Katie Krueger and Frank Hanson volunteered for the film review committee. *Send any additional RainFest schedule items to Tami Pokorny. *The group decided to add emergency preparedness to the West End Natural Resources Newsletter and the NPC MRC webpage. *Jill Silver suggested adding a ROV supplies list to the Newsletter. *Tami will arrange a Doodle Poll for a phone call meeting for a subcommittee; Jill Silver, Jennifer Hagen, Deb Kucipeck and Ian Miller volunteered to be on it.