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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 07 16 NPC MRC FINAL Meeting Summary.docxNPC MRC 7/16/2019 FINAL Meeting Summary 1 July 16th, 2019 NPC MRC FINAL Meeting Summary The Tuesday, July 16, 2019 NPC MRC meeting took place at the Forest Hemlock Room, UW Olympic Natural Resources Center (ONRC), at 1455 S Forks Avenue, Forks, WA from 4:04 (00:05:25 on the audio counter) to 5:40 PM [01:41:15]. Appointed committee members present at the meeting were Jennifer Hagen (Quileute Tribe Rep.), John Hunter (Citizen Rep., Clallam County – Education/Environmental Groups), Katie Krueger (Citizen Rep., Clallam County – Scientific Community), 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 were Rebekah Brooks (ONRC), Frank Hanson (ONRC), Ian Miller (Washington Sea Grant), McHenry Miller (Citizen), and Rich Osborne (Coast Salmon Partnership). Introductions There was no quorum at the meeting. Public Comments There were no public comments. Additions to and Approval of the Agenda Approval of the agenda was postponed since a quorum was not present. Approval of the June Meeting Summary Approval of the June Meeting Summary was postponed since a quorum was not present. Announcements Tami Pokorny announced that the invasive Chinese mitten crab is in California and is predicted to make its way to Oregon and Washington. She also showed some art on abandoned and derelict vessels. Hakai Magazine featured some articles on sea urchins and crab fishers’ efforts to save whales by testing ropeless gear. John Hunter reported several news stories on the threat to coral reefs from onshore nitrites and converting commercial cargo ships from fuel to hydrogen power. Old Business MRC Summit Planning Tami Pokorny presented the draft agenda for the MRC Summit, which is scheduled for 10/23/19 to 10/25/19, and will be hosted by the NPC MRC. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has still not responded about what funding the NPC MRC has access to for Summit expenses. The draft agenda includes a reception on Wednesday, 10/23; catered meals and presentations at ONRC on Thursday, 10/24; and breakfast at ONRC and a field trip to Neah Bay on Friday, 10/25. Presentations include MRC Updates, UW Beached Birds, WA Sea Grant Beach Dynamics, Surfrider Foundation, WA Department of Ecology, Sanctuary Foundation ROV, and Forks High School. Discussion followed on meal planning and reception ideas. *Tami Pokorny will go to the WDFW office in Montesano if she does not hear back from them within a week. NPC MRC 7/16/2019 FINAL Meeting Summary 2 RainFest 2020 Planning RainFest 2020 will take place over one weekend, 4/17/20 to 4/19/20. The group discussed disconnecting the Film Fest from the Coastal Cleanup and connecting it to RainFest instead. The old River and Ocean Days banner that is falling apart will be discarded and replaced with a new RainFest banner. 2017-2019 Project Updates Tami Pokorny reported 92 tents at 2nd Beach last weekend. Discussion followed on the problem of overuse and the lack of facilities for human waste. Jennifer Hagen has conducted two samples for total coliform so far. The standard number is 14, and the high value was 314; more sampling will be conducted. Jill Silver said she intended to have some of her staff help with the sampling. Tami finished the West End Natural Resources Newsletter, which she distributed. Most of the other projects were spent out, but there might be a little field trip funding left over. New Business New Funding Cycle and RFP Development WDFW has announced a two-year funding cycle similar to the last one. Tami Pokorny suggested that the group consider not reserving as much funding for the second year because things got very busy at the end of the last funding cycle. The NPC MRC went over the last funding cycle schedule, having an optional pre-proposal again, and the six NPC MRC benchmarks: marine habitats, marine life, marine and freshwater quality, sound science, education and outreach, and coastal communities. The group discussed a possible coast-wide project and ideas for local projects. *Tami asked the Committee to give some thought to what motivates them in terms of possible projects. Updates Orca Task Force Rich Osborne said there have been two Orca Task Force meetings. The working groups are in their second sessions. The Southern Residents have not been as close to the coast as usual; there is a band of cold water off the coast that the Chinook are staying in, which is keeping the Southern Residents off the coast as well. 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 There was nothing new to report. Marine Debris (All) There was nothing new to report. Washington Coast Marine Advisory Council (WCMAC)/Marine Spatial Planning The next meeting is scheduled for 9/18/19 in Aberdeen. Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council The next meeting is scheduled for 7/19/19 in Tahola. Tami Pokorny showed an overview of the agenda. Katie Krueger announced that she will not be renewing her seat. Jennifer Hagen said recommendations for the sentinel site were just finalized; it will be an Olympic Coast site, not just a Sanctuary site. West Coast Ocean Alliance There was nothing new to report. Washington Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) NPC MRC 7/16/2019 FINAL Meeting Summary 3 There was nothing new to report since the 4/10/19 meeting. 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) Jennifer Hagen said a local Bed and Breakfast might put in an electric vehicle charging station soon. The group discussed electric cars. Administration and Fiscal Agent Update There was nothing to report except for what was covered under Project Updates. Next Agenda (August 20, 2019): The next NPC MRC Meeting will be held at the ONRC in Forks on 8/20/19, and will include work on the RFP and a presentation from Kathy Troost. Public Comments/General Ian Miller announced that the ocean is very warm right now; several local buoys are the highest on record. Adjourn at 5:40 PM (01:41:15 on the counter) Action Items: *Tami Pokorny will go to the WDFW office in Montesano if she does not hear back from them within a week. *Tami asked the Committee to give some thought to what motivates them in terms of possible projects. Draft summary compiled by Rebekah Brooks.