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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM092801 Northwest Straits NORTHWEST STRAITS marine conservation initiative Northwest Straits Commission Meeting Port of Everett Board Room September 28, 2001 Decisions and Future Agenda Topics DRAFT Members attending: Duane Fagergren, Anne Murphy, Mike Stoner, Andrea Copping, Kevin Ranker, Kent Scudder, Bill Dietrich, Mike Sato, Gary Wood, Kathy Fletcher, Buck Meloy, Joe Schmitt Terry Williams Kirby Johnson, Daryl Williams, Tom Campbell Rachelle Rein Tom Cowan, Sasha Horst, Kate SmukIer Members absent: Alternates attending: Resource support: Staff: Kent Scudder, Commission Chair, opened the meeting at 10:05 AM welcoming everyone with thanks for attending and participating during this time of national tragedy. Tom Cowan introduced Port of Everett Commissioner Don Hopkins from the original Murray~Metcalf Commission. Don welcomed everyone to the Port of Everett and recognized the efforts and significance of the Northwest Straits Commission. Kent Scudder reviewed the agenda and welcomed Mike Stoner, who has been appointed by Governor Locke to replace Jim Darling. Previously an alternate for Jim Darling, Mike Stoner is the Director of Environmental Programs with the Port of Bellingham. The minutes of the August 30, 2001 meeting were approved as written. Committee chairs provided their monthly reports. Administrative/Planning Committee, chair Duane Fagergren, provided an overview of corporate sponsorship recommendations; reviewed the NWSC Annual Report; discussed the Fall MRC Training Conference and event upgrades; reported on the status of derelict gear grant; introduced guest Tim Smith from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. There was no meeting of the Tribal Committee. Fundraising Committee, chair Gary Wood gave an overview of current grant applications; noted that there are currently many proposals for MP As. Discussion followed regarding the need for a clearinghouse for information on MP A projects. Technical Committee chair, Andrea Copping, reported that a representative from Anchor Environmental would be visiting each MRC in October. Discussion followed regarding these meetings and the purpose of Anchor's work. Education Committee, chair Kathy Fletcher reported on the committee's focus on the Saturday agenda for the October MRC Training Conference; Andrea Copping provided an example of suggested awards. It was agreed that Washington Sea Grant Program would sponsor and produce the awards for the Fall Training Conference. · Rich Osborne from the Friday Harbor Whale Museum and member of the San Juan MRC made a presentation about on-the-water education patrols by Soundwatch. Information was given regarding what Soundwatch does/does not do and their education role. Rich suggested the Commission should consider coordinating activities. During public comments Rachelle Hein, District Director for Senator Patty Murray, provided a Northwest Straits Commission funding update. Funding is expected to continue as planned. Year Three Action Grant Letters of Intent are due from each MRC with three already received. Within one week of receipt, Andrea Copping and Tom Cowan will provide feedback to the MRCs and begin to identify reviewers. Andrea called for MRCs to provide suggestions for reviewers based on their project, keeping general conflict of interest guidelines in mind. The Northwest Straits Foundation bylaws are drafted and Terry Stevens is establishing a bank account for the Foundation. Corporate sponsorship was discussed. Staff was asked to draft a rule of procedure to not accept corporate sponsorship. It was moved and approved by consensus to approve the Year Two Annual Report subject to final fact checking. Staff was authorized to make final corrections. The Annual Report will be sent to reviewers to be selected by the Administrative/Plannin,g (NP) Committee. Bill Dietrich drafted a press release for the annual report that has been given to the AJP committee for review. Gary Wood provided an update on current grants. PIE grant proposal is for derelict gear educational materials for all seven counties. MEHP grant application on forage fish habitat included information on eleven miles of recently discovered spawning habitat. Duane Fagergren introduced Tim Smith, the nearshore habitat lead for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Tim Smith asked for thoughts on areas the Commission can partner with WDPW and offered his commitment to listen to ideas and take them back to WDFW. Many suggestions were made, along with a request for current information about WDFW Ground Fish Recovery Plans, MP A plans and derelict gear removal policy. Tim will look into and update the Commission. MRC representatives summarized their current MRC activities. Skagit MRC received final report and maps for March Point Rapid Shoreline Inventory; assigned Jim Ramaglia to represent Skagit County in the upcoming derelict gear project; discussed and approved action grant request topics. Clallam MRC completed surf smelt daylight sampling; approved final report of Early Action Grant Workshop. Snohomish MRC heard a presentation from PSWQAT on the Shoreline Master Program; decided on focus for next action grant - forage fish/nearshore habitat and Dungeness crab conservation planning and education projects. Jefferson MRC reported good response from forage fish mailing to shoreline property owners; designed and scheduled MP A focus group meetings. Whatcom MRC heard a presentation by People for Puget Sound regarding Rapid Shoreline Inventory; appointed a subcommittee to draft letter of intent for action grant. Island MRC was featured in the Whidbey News Times; submitted an MEHP grant application; talked with local port directors about issues and concerns. San Juan MRC completed 2 dive surveys each in three bottomfish recovery areas; four lingcod tagged with sonic transmitters and locations have been monitored. The meetin,g was adjourned at approximately 3:50 PM. The next meetin,g will be on October 26 at Semiahmoo Resort in What com County, startin,g at Ipm. Meetin,g topics should be suggested to Commission staff by October 15.