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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20171219_NPCMRCMtgSum NPC MRC 12/19/2017 FINAL Meeting Summary 1 December 19th, 2017 NPC MRC FINAL Meeting Summary The Tuesday, December 19th, 2017 NPC MRC meeting took place at the Jefferson County Public Health Pacific Room, at 615 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368, from 4:00 (00:00:10 on the audio counter) to 5:25 PM. Appointed committee members present at the meeting were John Hunter (Citizen Rep., Clallam County – Education), Ian Miller (WA Sea Grant, Ex. Officio [by phone]), Tami Pokorny (Jefferson County Rep., Coordinator/Facilitator), Jill Silver (Citizen Rep., Jefferson County – Conservation/Environment) and Chiggers Stokes (Citizen Rep., Clallam County – Recreational Groups). A quorum was not present at the meeting. Introductions Public Comments There were no public comments. Additions to and Approval of the Agenda Approval of the agenda was postponed until a quorum could be present. Approval of the November Meeting Summary Approval of the November Meeting Summary was postponed until a quorum could be present. Announcements Tami Pokorny announced the annual holiday card from COASST, which contained a news flyer. Ian Miller brought up the dismal report on the crab fishery, which may influence the coastal fisheries as well. It was reported at the last Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary meeting that crabs are very lethargic this year. Chiggers Stokes updated the group on his marine debris cleanup efforts at Toleak. His next cleanup will be on Saturday, January 6th, if anyone wants to participate in hauling out cached debris. It is eight miles round trip, using the way trail; the group will leave Forks at 8:00 a.m. *Tami and John Hunter volunteered. Tami will add an update on the effort to the January NPC MRC agenda. Chiggers estimated that there is probably two tons of debris in the cache and has started a cache inventory of the area. John Hunter said that the Underwater Robotics Club is due to start up again in January; they expect to have an intermediate school team and a high school team. Chiggers gave an overview of the Marine Debris Conference, which included an update from NOAA on federal marine debris efforts. A workshop looked at ways to unite the various marine debris cleanup efforts being made by different groups. In mid-January they will have a follow-up meeting to formalize a draft plan. There is no news on the capitol budget; multiple jobs and projects that are waiting on capitol funds are being cut back or lost. Tami announced that the comment period for the Marine Spatial Plan ended. Old Business There was none. New Business There was none. NPC MRC 12/19/2017 FINAL Meeting Summary 2 Updates Marine Debris (All) This topic was addressed under Announcements, but the group continued discussion on the follow-up meeting to the marine debris draft plan. John Hunter asked whether some of his science students could attend. *Tami Pokorny will send out more information on the meeting when the date is posted. Discussion followed on Jill Silver’s interactions with the Natural Resources high school students, and how it has been almost impossible to engage the students’ interest. The group also discussed the needs of local youth, and the possibility of creating a project that would immerse students in the natural environment for a length of time that could inspire them. John Hunter suggested taking the idea to the Readiness to Learn Consortium. Washington Coast Marine Advisory Council/Marine Spatial Planning The last meeting was held on December 15th. Tami Pokorny did not have an update on the meeting, but the MSP is now completed. She also had a conversation with Jennifer Hennessey about how the MRCs can actually advise the WCMAC. Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council The last meeting was held on December 8th. The Quileute School has been doing an ocean acidification program that the Sanctuary is involved in. John Hunter discussed the workshop on pH monitoring that Nicole Harris has been doing with West End students; they are in the process of integrating the monitoring equipment into new curriculum in the Forks science classrooms as well. Jill Silver mentioned that the curriculum for the High School Natural Resources class is for 4th grade; she suggested providing an appropriate curriculum as a possible NPC MRC project. The group discussed related material and updates. West Coast Regional Planning Body and the Washington Sub-regional Planning Body Jennifer Hagen was not present to discuss this topic, so it was skipped. Washington Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) There was nothing new to report. Climate/Fossil Fuels Related (All) The group discussed the recent Seattle Amtrak Train derailment, and the fact that the safety regulations for high speed trains had been delayed by the federal government. Administration and Fiscal Agent Update Tami Pokorny announced that there is a contract in progress that will be amended to include the project funding when the proposed projects are approved for the next round. Next Agenda (January 16th): The next NPC MRC Meeting will be held at the ONRC in Forks on January 16th. The agenda will include discussion on the project scores and an update on the Toleak marine debris cleanup. Public Comments/General The group discussed the pros and cons of having the December NPC MRC meeting in Port Townsend. Adjourn at 5:25 PM (01:25:00 on the counter) Draft summary compiled by Rebekah Brooks. *Tami Pokorny and John Hunter volunteered to participate in Chiggers Stokes’ marine debris cleanup on January 6th. *Tami will send out more information on the marine debris draft plan meeting when the date is posted.