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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019 08 20 NPC MRC FINAL Meeting Summary.docxNPC MRC 8/20/2019 FINAL Meeting Summary 1 August 20th, 2019 NPC MRC FINAL Meeting Summary The Tuesday, August 20, 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 4:11 ([00:12:40] on the audio counter) to 5:34 PM [02:05:38] (the recording was cut off a few minutes before the Meeting adjourned). Appointed committee members present at the meeting were John Hunter (Citizen Rep., Clallam County – Education/Environmental Groups [via teleconference]), 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 were Rebekah Brooks (ONRC), Frank Hanson (ONRC), Ian Miller (UW Sea Grant) and Rich Osborne (Coast Salmon Partnership [CSP]). Introductions There was no quorum at the meeting. Public Comments The group discussed meeting attendance and the lack of quorum. Additions to and Approval of the Agenda Approval of the agenda was postponed since a quorum was not present. Approval of the June and July Meeting Summaries Approval of the June and July Meeting Summaries was postponed since a quorum was not present. Announcements There were no announcements. 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. 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, Coast Wide Education, Forks High School Programs and Coast Wide Washington Coast Restoration and Resiliency Initiative Projects. Tami went over plans in progress for Friday’s field trip to Neah Bay, including the reserved use of the Marina Conference Room and a tentative presentation from Adrienne Akmajian on the Makah European Green Crab Program. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has approved the use of some of the NPC MRC program funds for Summit expenses. Attendees must pay for their own lodging. The group discussed making a field trip to La Push before the Summit reception on Wednesday. NPC MRC 8/20/2019 FINAL Meeting Summary 2 RainFest 2020 Planning RainFest 2020 will take place over one weekend, 4/17/20 to 4/19/20. There will be a meeting at 10:00 am on Thursday at Jitterbugs in Forks to continue RainFest planning if anyone wishes to attend. *John Hunter and Tami Pokorny made plans to meet at 9:30 before the meeting to accommodate John’s schedule. New Business Non-voting NPC MRC Membership Katie Krueger discussed the research she conducted in response to concerns expressed by a NPC MRC member about a non-member not keeping his comments within the public comment period of the NPC MRC meetings. Katie found that the Open Public Meetings Act and the NPC MRC bylaws provide for constraining public speech to set times, but it is not a mandate. The main times to enforce the provision is during large public meetings when restrictions to lengthy public speaking are necessary. In the case of tiny committees with small memberships and valuable other contributors, she believed that strict enforcement of restricting public speaking was actually detrimental to the committees. The CSP and North Pacific Coast Lead Entity meetings also allow open participation in the meeting agendas beyond the public comment periods. She would like the NPC MRC to be similarly receptive. Katie suggested that criteria for contribution to the NPC MRC agenda be that the speaker is active in the group, may be a member of a related agency, and has valuable things to contribute. It serves the Committee to have experts speak to the items with which they are involved. The issue can be approached in two ways: seats can be added for ex-officio members after approval from the Board of County Commissioners, or the Open Public Meeting Act can be relaxed in order to let those involved participate. Rich Osborne reminded the group that several agencies (the Coast Guard, Olympic National Park, Olympic National Marine Sanctuary, and WDFW) have been invited to participate as ex-officio members in the past, but other agencies (namely Sea Grant and the University of Washington) would need to be officially added to accommodate those who are currently involved. A review of the bylaws revealed that NPC MRC motions require consensus or a vote. A motion will need to be voted on at an upcoming meeting when a quorum is present in order to add the new ex-officio seats. Jill Silver explained that the objection to non-member participation during the meetings was based on keeping the NPC MRC meetings focused and productive. This item will be added to the agenda for the next NPC MRC meeting for further discussion and solutions. New Funding Cycle and RFP Tami Pokorny will add this to the next NPC MRC agenda. Her intention is for everyone to break into small groups to go over the RFP in sections. Changes to the RFP will need to be approved with a quorum. Accessibility Grant Opportunity The Accessible Communities Act (ACA) that was passed by the legislature in 2019 allows Jefferson County to apply for significant funds to support accessibility for those with disabilities. Anna McEnery, representative of the ACA Committee, participated in the NPC MRC Meeting via teleconference to discuss ideas for collaboration with the NPC MRC to provide possible disability access in Jefferson County. The ACA Committee intends to use some funding to provide access on the West End, and desires input on where to focus resources. The group discussed with Anna the wheelchair accessible beaches and trails, and potential project ideas, especially signage. Applications are due by 9/16/19. Updates Orca Task Force Rich Osborne said the Orca Task Force Working Groups have had their final meetings. The next Task Force Meeting is scheduled for 10/4/19 in Port Angeles. With about 1000 people a day moving into the Salish Sea area, the big challenge is how to accommodate the influx of people without wiping out the last of the salmon and other resources. Whale watching is increasing, so the vessel noise footprint is expanding. The salmon situation is dire, with even Alaskan salmon expiring from the heat. The focus is starting to shift towards preservation of the last salmon strongholds. Everyone is hoping that the Southern Residents will switch their diets. Last year’s actions and other associated documents can be found at the Governor’s Task Force webpage: NPC MRC 8/20/2019 FINAL Meeting Summary 3 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) Rich Osborne announced the next International Coast Cleanup on 9/21/19. Jennifer Hagen emailed that she would like to give a brief presentation at an upcoming NPC MRC Meeting on the Quileute project with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and The Nature Conservancy. Washington Coast Marine Advisory Council (WCMAC)/Marine Spatial Planning Rich Osborne announced that the meeting that was scheduled for 9/18/19 in Aberdeen has been cancelled for a special salmon meeting on 10/2/19, which will feature a series of presentations from WDFW scientists. Katie Krueger brought up the issue of public outreach, and discussion followed over how to educate the public on ways to be good ecological citizens. Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council The next meeting is scheduled for 9/27/19 in Bremerton. The next agenda has not been posted yet. West Coast Ocean Alliance Jennifer Hagen was at sea sampling phytoplankton, particulate domoic acid, dissolved domoic acid, chlorophyll and nutrients. She emailed to say there were no updates on the Ocean Alliance. Washington Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) There was nothing new to report since the 4/10/19 meeting in Olympia. 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) There was nothing new to report. Administration and Fiscal Agent Update Tami Pokorny requested that NPC MRC members make an effort to have a quorum present at the next meeting so that the RFP process can be finalized. Next Agenda (September 17, 2019): The next NPC MRC Meeting will be held at the ONRC in Forks on 9/17/19, and will include continued discussion on the issue of ex-officio NPC MRC membership, work on the RFP and a presentation from Kathy Troost. Public Comments/General The group asked Ian Miller if he would be willing to show the Film Fest films during the Summit reception in the event of rain. He said he would be. Adjourn at 5:34 PM (02:05:38 on the counter) Action Items: *John Hunter and Tami Pokorny made plans to meet at 9:30 before the RainFest 2020 meeting. Draft summary compiled by Rebekah Brooks.