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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 05 19 NPC MRC FINAL Meeting Summary.docxNPC MRC 5/19/2020 FINAL Meeting Summary 1 May 19, 2020 NPC MRC FINAL Meeting Summary The Tuesday, May 19, 2020 NPC MRC meeting took place by Zoom connection only from 4:04 to 5:55 PM (from [00:00:01] to [01:48:00] on the audio recording). Appointed committee members present at the meeting were Helle Anderson (Clallam County Rep.), Jennifer Hagen (Quileute Tribe Rep.), John Hunter (Citizen Rep., Clallam County – Education/Environmental Groups), Julie Ann Kohlinger (Hoh Tribe Rep.), Katie Krueger (Citizen Rep., Clallam County – Scientific Community), Tami Pokorny (Jefferson County Rep., Coordinator/Facilitator), Alice Ryan (Citizen Rep., Clallam County – Recreational Groups), and Jill Silver (Citizen Rep., Jefferson County – Conservation/Environmental Groups). A quorum was present at the meeting. Also present were Ed Bowen (Clallam County Citizen), Rebekah Brooks (Rebekah Brooks Contracting), Chris Butler-Minor (Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary), Steve Fradkin (Olympic National Park [ONP]), Frank Hanson (Olympic Natural Resources Center [ONRC]), Nicole Harris (OCNMS), Ian Miller (UW Sea Grant), Rich Osborne (ONRC). Introductions A quorum was established during the meeting. Public Comments Ed Bowen inquired about the 73 miles of coast in the ONP that was deeded to the Park with the condition that it provide public access to shellfish fishing. He asked what the Park’s plan was about providing access, since there is no access due to a lack of safety testing. He asked the NPC MRC how they intended to handle this, if the Park had no plan. Steve Fradkin replied that the Park does allow shellfish harvest from November 1 through March 31; the rest of the year it is closed because there are no resources to test during the Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) season. He did not anticipate an acceleration of that process, but encouraged anyone who wished for ONP resources to be allocated toward testing during the closure to contact the Park Superintendent. Ed asked if he could respond. Jennifer Hagen asked if she could first add that that strip of coastline is co-managed with the tribes. Rich Osborne mentioned ONRC’s Olympic Region HAB (ORHAB) program, which is monitored in partnership with the tribes and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). He suggested consulting Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems for the best source of information on HAB results. Steve said that the ORHAB testing is limited to a few locations, and is not sufficient for fine- resolution sampling along the coast. Tami Pokorny invited the group to move to the next agenda item. Ed said he was offended that he was not allowed to respond, and that he would contact his County representatives about it. Tami encouraged Ed to comment, but he declined and signed off. Steve clarified that he was willing to hear Ed’s response, and to further discuss the shellfish issue. He added that for policy questions, policy representatives for the ONP should be contacted. Additions to and Approval of the Agenda The agenda was approved by consensus with Steve Fradkin’s presentation moved up next in the agenda. New Business Coast Update NPC MRC 5/19/2020 FINAL Meeting Summary 2 Steve Fradkin, Coastal Ecologist/Limnologist for the ONP, gave an informal update on the Park coast. No recent monitoring has been conducted because of COVID-19 limitations, so he could not give an up-to-date position of the Park on any subjects. Instead, he offered an overview of Park access concerning COVID-19, and shared his insights on some ongoing issues. The Park is following the State’s phased-in approach and is currently closed. Areas in the north will start to tentatively open back up for day use only; the west side and beaches will likely be the last areas to open because of their attraction to long-distance tourists who present a burden to local communities. He went over the long-term ecological monitoring of sea star wasting disease; disease spikes have been shown to coincide with warmer water temperatures. There have been lower levels since 2016, affecting two to three percent of the population as opposed to 20 percent. The group discussed the matter and welcomed Steve to come back to present on other topics at a later meeting. Steve passed on his regrets to Ed Bowen that he appeared to have offended him. *Tami Pokorny said she would be in touch if there were any follow up to Ed’s inquiry. Approval of the February, March and April Meeting Summaries Approval of the February, March and April NPC MRC Meeting Summaries was postponed because they were still delayed. Old Business River & Ocean Film Festival Planning Ian Miller recapped the Film Festival situation. The NPC MRC was inclined to present it as a remote event; the Sea Grant communication team was amenable to hosting and promoting the event, but said that the earliest it could be held would be August or September. Tami Pokorny expressed some concern over the timeline. Another option was to postpone the event until 2021. Nicole Harris discussed complimentary events: a screening of the History of Plastic with a panel afterward, and the third annual REThink! Fair, which is being presented by OCNMS and multiple partners. The event will be viewable by a link that will be available for one week. She asked if the NPC MRC wished to be a partner for the REThink! Fair. The Fair is scheduled for the week of 6/15/20-6/19/20. Tami suggested integrating the Fair or panel with the Film Festival in some way. Ian went over the challenges to the presenting the Film Festival at an earlier date, namely how to host and promote it without Sea Grant’s involvement. Their communication team would be essential in marketing the event, and could host it via their YouTube account. The group agreed that was the preferable option. *Ian will go back to Sea Grant with the packaged YouTube approach for the end summer. MRC Resolution Amendment Update Tami Pokorny reported that the amendment is held up with the counties because of delays due to COVID-19. Newsletter Articles *Tami Pokorny will circle back with West End Natural Resources Newsletter article volunteers after the NPC MRC minutes for April’s meeting are available. Project Updates and Process to Amend to Adapt to Pandemic Response Tami Pokorny sent out two project amendments to the group, but felt that it was premature to send them to WDFW because things are changing so quickly. The NPC MRC decided to schedule a special meeting to discuss REThink! Fair involvement and support. Jennifer Hagen moved to hold a virtual special meeting on 6/2/20 at 4:00 PM; John Hunter seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Updates The updates were skipped due to lack of time. Invasive European Green Crab Marine Debris (All) NPC MRC 5/19/2020 FINAL Meeting Summary 3 Washington Coastal Marine Advisory Council (WCMAC) The next meeting is scheduled to be held remotely on 6/10/20. Meeting materials can be found at the Ecology website: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Our-role-in-the-community/Partnerships- committees/Marine-Resources-Advisory-Council. Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council The next meeting is scheduled for 5/29/20. West Coast Ocean Alliance Climate/Fossil Fuels Related (All) Administration and Fiscal Agent Update Next Agenda (June 16, 2020): The next NPC MRC Meeting will be held over Zoom connection on 6/16/20. Public Comments/General Katie Krueger asked that Tami Pokorny forward any budget updates to the group. Tami said that the WDFW contract has been signed. Adjourn at 6:19 PM [02:55:12] Draft summary compiled by Rebekah Brooks. Action Items: *Tami Pokorny will circle back with West End Natural Resources Newsletter article volunteers after the NPC MRC minutes for April’s meeting are available. *Tami will be in touch with Steve Fradkin if there were any follow up to Ed Bowen’s inquiry. *Ian Miller will go back to Sea Grant with the packaged YouTube approach for Film Festival at the end summer.