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Home My WebLink About2020 03 17 NPC MRC FINAL Meeting Summary.docxNPC MRC 3/17/2020 FINAL Meeting Summary 1 March 17th, 2020 NPC MRC FINAL Meeting Summary The Tuesday, March 17, 2020 NPC MRC meeting took place at the DNR Conference Room, 411 Tillicum Lane, Forks, WA from 4:00 to 5:32 PM (from [00:15:00] to [01:32:30] on the audio recording) and by Zoom connection. Appointed committee members present at the meeting were John Hunter (Citizen Rep., Clallam County – Education/Environmental Groups), Katie Krueger (Citizen Rep., Clallam County – Scientific Community), Deborah Kucipeck (Clallam County Rep.), Tami Pokorny (Jefferson County Rep., Coordinator/Facilitator), and Jill Silver (Citizen Rep., Jefferson County – Conservation/Environmental Groups). A quorum was not present at the meeting. Also present was Julie Ann Kohlinger (Hoh Tribe). Introductions A quorum was not established at the beginning of the meeting. Public Comments There were no public comments. Additions to and Approval of the Agenda Approval of the agenda was postponed because there was no quorum. Approval of the February Meeting Summary Approval of the February NPC MRC Meeting Summary was postponed because there was no quorum. Announcements Tami Pokorny announced three cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County; Deborah Kucipeck said there was none in Clallam County. The group agreed that moving to Zoom connections for the NPC MRC meetings was preferred for the foreseeable future; the public portion of the meeting will take place in Port Townsend at the County Department of Health so that Tami does not have to drive out to Forks. Old Business River & Ocean Film Festival Planning The River & Ocean Film Festival is being postponed due to COVID-19. Ian Miller is accepting film applications for 2021. MRC Resolution Amendment Update Tami Pokorny and Deborah Kucipeck have been working with the Jefferson and Clallam Counties legal staff. The Clallam County attorney had some issues with the amendment, so the counties still need to work out the final language changes. Tami sent in the first NPC MRC project amendment to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) contract, but their response has been delayed. New Business NPC MRC 3/17/2020 FINAL Meeting Summary 2 Open Public Meeting Act Training Tami Pokorny led discussion on how the training is administered for the two counties, which should be available for all NPC MRC members. Ideally, she would be updating the NPC MRC website about changes to meeting locations during COVID-19 changes, but the Jefferson County webmaster has not been available. Since the Committee agreed to change the meeting location to Zoom connections, with the public portion held at the Jefferson County Department of Health, Tami said that was sufficient for the time being. Strategic Planning - Benchmarks Tami Pokorny stated that most of the NPC MRC funding has been allocated for the two year funding cycle. Project sponsors are interested in presenting to and engaging with the NPC MRC. Bobbie Buzzell has expressed willingness to give presentations to anyone who is interested when she is out in Neah Bay conducting research. Tami asked whether the Committee wished to go through the benchmarks and discuss what the NPC MRC priorities are. Katie Krueger reframed the question by asking whether the benchmarks worked specifically for the NPC MRC, or whether they wanted to adjust any benchmarks. The six benchmarks are marine habitats, marine life, water quality, sound science, education and outreach, and coastal communities. Tami reviewed the Marine Habitats benchmark; the group decided not to make any changes. After discussing how the Committee wished to proceed, Katie suggested the group review the benchmarks individually to see if any changes should be made. *Tami will send the benchmarks out for review. The group discussed the possibility of inviting speakers to present to the NPC MRC over Zoom. Updates Orca Task Force The Task Force ended in December. Last year’s actions and other associated documents can be found at the Governor’s Task Force webpage: https://www.governor.wa.gov/issues/issues/energy- environment/southern-resident-killer-whale-recovery-and-task-force. Invasive European Green Crab Tami Pokorny reported that Bobbie Buzzell was eager to start the research for her project. Jill Silver announced that Adrianne Akmajian with the Makah Tribe sent out a request for volunteers for green crab sampling. Jill would like to educate some 10,000 Years Institute staff in green crab sampling. Marine Debris (All) The Washington Coastal Cleanup is scheduled for 4/25/20. The group discussed possible challenges to the cleanup due to COVID-19, and other concerns about the virus. Washington Coast Marine Advisory Council (WCMAC) The next meeting is scheduled for 4/1/20 in Aberdeen; the main topic will be harmful algal blooms. Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council The last meeting was held on 3/13/20 in Port Angeles. Tami reported several interesting presentations. West Coast Ocean Alliance There was nothing new to report. Washington Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) The next meeting is scheduled for 4/1/20 in Aberdeen. Good information can be found at their website: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Our-role-in-the-community/Partnerships-committees/Marine-Resources- Advisory-Council. Climate/Fossil Fuels Related (All) NPC MRC 3/17/2020 FINAL Meeting Summary 3 The group discussed the decrease in fossil fuels due to the recent reduction in worldwide transportation related to COVID-19. Tami Pokorny brought up the issue of global masking/dimming, the effect of the increased presence of aerosol particles in the atmosphere from sources like pollution and volcanic eruptions. Global dimming may counteract global warming, but is also called “the devil’s bargain” because of the increased damage to the atmosphere and water cycle. Julie Ann Kohlinger added that it is now being addressed from a geo-engineering perspective, but in her opinion, it is a bad idea with possible unknown consequences. It also does not address ocean acidification. The group expressed more interest in hosting speakers who could present on specific topics over Zoom. Administration and Fiscal Agent Update Tami Pokorny addressed this under the resolution amendment and project updates. She expressed frustration over the delayed response from WDFW. Next Agenda (April 21, 2020): The next NPC MRC Meeting will be held over Zoom connection on 4/21/20. *Tami Pokorny and Katie Krueger volunteered to contact some speakers to see if they would be willing to present to the NPC MRC. Public Comments/General Katie Krueger brought up the issue of NPC MRC meeting attendance, and the difficulty in reaching a quorum at some recent meetings. The group discussed ideas for increasing interest and attendance. Suggestions included fewer rote updates, more scientific presentations, appointing an alternate for Rod Fleck’s position, and more tribal updates. *Jill Silver offered to send out Native American Traditional and Contemporary Knowledge of the Northern Olympic Peninsula Nearshore, a cooperative study by Anne Schaffer with the Coastal Watershed Institute and Jacilee Wray with the Olympic National Park. Adjourn at 5:32 PM [01:32:30] Draft summary compiled by Rebekah Brooks. Action Items: *Tami Pokorny will send the NPC MRC benchmarks out for review. *Tami Pokorny and Katie Krueger volunteered to contact some speakers to see if they would be willing to present to the NPC MRC. *Jill Silver offered to send out Native American Traditional and Contemporary Knowledge of the Northern Olympic Peninsula Nearshore, a cooperative study by Anne Schaffer with the Coastal Watershed Institute and Jacilee Wray with the Olympic National Park.