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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20170718_NPCMRCMtgSum NPC MRC 7/18/2017 FINAL Meeting Summary 1 July 18th, 2017 NPC MRC 1st FINAL Meeting Summary The Tuesday, July 18th, 2017 NPC MRC meeting took place at the Hemlock Forest Room, Olympic National Resources Center, at 1455 Forks Avenue, Forks, WA from 4:04 (00:00:10 on the audio counter) to 5:50 PM. Appointed committee members present at the meeting were Rod Fleck (City of Forks Rep.), Jennifer Hagen (Quileute Tribe Rep.), John Hunter (Citizen Rep., Clallam County – Education), Deb Kucipeck (Clallam County Rep.), Ian Miller (Washington Sea Grant, Ex. Officio), Rich Osborne (Citizen Rep., Clallam County – Science), Tami Pokorny (Jefferson County Rep., Coordinator/Facilitator), Jill Silver (Citizen Rep., Jefferson County – Conservation/Environment) and Chiggers Stokes (Citizen Rep., Jefferson County – Recreational Groups). Frank Hanson (ONRC) was also present. Introductions Public Comments There were no public comments. Additions to and Approval of the Agenda The agenda was approved by consensus, with the addition of an update on the West Coast Regional Planning Body and Sub-regional Planning Body on the Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) from Jennifer Hagen. Approval of the June Meeting Summary The summary was approved by consensus. Announcements Tami Pokorny reminded the group of the NOAA tsunami warning site. She also announced the upcoming Surfrider Leadership Academy; nominations and/or applications of individuals who are willing to participate are desired. Old Business COASST Training Chiggers Stokes and John Hunter attended the COASST Training for marine debris. They summarized their experience cataloguing small marine debris and discussed the involvement of Forks High School students on debris collection and characterization. Barbara Blackie’s Peninsula College science class may be willing to participate in debris characterization; *Tami Pokorny will contact her about it. New Business West Coast Ocean Partnerships NPC MRC 7/18/2017 FINAL Meeting Summary 2 Jennifer Hagen reported on the activities of the West Coast Regional Planning Body and development of the West Coast Sub-regional Planning Body, a partnership between tribes, federal agencies and the State to communicate on ocean health and uses. Final Project Reports Tami Pokorny summarized project expenses and the NPC MRC budget; $9000 will be returned to the State from projects that did not use all of their awarded funds. Potential project ideas were discussed among the group. Coast MRC Summit Updates included requests for speakers, the draft agenda, and asking MRC members whether they would be willing to pay for their own lodging. The NPC MRC discussed possible speakers and session topics. New Science Partnerships Tami Pokorny announced a possible phone call with Global Ocean Health to discuss ocean acidification, carbon caps and emissions reduction. Potential science projects for NPC MRC funding were discussed. Field Trip Tami Pokorny shared information on a recent Grays Harbor MRC field trip. The group discussed possible field trips for the NPC MRC. BOEM Comment Period The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is accepting information and comments on the preparation of the 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The comment deadline is August 15th. After discussing the merits of sending a comment letter, consensus was in support of drafting and sending a short letter in support of the findings of the Marine Spatial Plan. Netpen Application The Cooke Aquaculture Pacific LLC has proposed moving their Atlantic salmon netpen from Port Angeles Harbor to an open water area 1.8 miles from the mouth of Morse Creek. The proposal requires an aquatic lease from the Washington Department of Natural Resources. The deadline for public comment is July 24th. *Send any comments to Tami Pokorny so she can put them together and submit comments. Commissioner Invites Tami Pokorny suggested inviting Jefferson County Commissioner Kathleen Kler and Clallam County Commissioner Bill Peach to a NPC MRC meeting. Rich Osborne suggested that the NPC MRC go to the commissioners instead. Updates Marine Debris (All) Jill Silver and Jennifer Hagen reported a yellow buoy off of Second Beach. Rich Osborne announced a report of a whale tangled in crab traps off of Twin Rivers that was actually a tree snag. Jill Silver mentioned a porpoise skull found on Rialto Beach. Washington Coast Marine Advisory Council/Marine Spatial Planning The next meeting has not been scheduled yet, but will probably be in September. The Marine Spatial Plan has still not been released. Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council NPC MRC 7/18/2017 FINAL Meeting Summary 3 The next meeting is scheduled for 7/21/17 at ONRC in Forks. Rich Osborne will be giving an overview on ONRC marine projects. Washington Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) The last meeting was held on 3/17/17 in Olympia. Tami Pokorny pointed out that the presentations from the Blue Ribbon Panel “Refresh” were posted recently; they can be found at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/water/marine/oa/20170317MRAC-presentations.pdf. Fossil Fuels Related (All) There was nothing new to report that had not already been discussed. Administration and Fiscal Agent Update Tami Pokorny showed last year’s calendar for an idea for upcoming dates; it was still unknown whether the MRC will receive funding. Next Agenda (August 15th): The group discussed whether or not to meet next month if the NPC MRC remained unfunded; consensus was in favor of meeting regardless. There will also be a Marine Renewable Energy Presentation on August 15th at ONRC. Public Comments/General Rod Fleck suggested inviting a presenter on seaweed food uses to speak to the NPC MRC. Adjourn at 5:50 PM (01:46:00 on the counter) Draft summary compiled by Rebekah Brooks. *Tami Pokorny will contact Barbara Blackie about the possible involvement of her Peninsula College class with the COASST marine debris characterization. *Send any netpen comments to Tami Pokorny so she can put them together and submit comments.