HomeMy WebLinkAbout011921_cabs01Leslie Locke
From: Heidi Eisenhour
Sent: Friday, January 15, 2021 12:47 PM
To: Philip Morley; Leslie Locke
Subject: FW: MRC Letter to the BoCC re: Naval Training in WA SP
Attachments: JCMRC_Letter-re-NavalTraining_1.15.2021.pdf
For Tuesday's BOCC mtg...
From: Montgomery, Monica <monica.montgomeryl@wsu.edu>
Sent: Friday, January 15, 2021 12:40 PM
To: Heidi Eisenhour <HEisen hour@co.jefferson.wa.us>
Subject: MRC Letter to the BoCC re: Naval Training in WA SP
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Dear Heidi,
Please find attached a letter from the Jefferson County MRC listing concerns regarding the Navy's proposal to
expand special operations training in Western WA State Parks.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further action on behalf of the MRC.
Thank you,
Monica Montgomery
Water Programs Coordinator
Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee and WSU Extension
121 Oak Bay Rd., Port Hadlock, WA 98339
360.379.5610 x230
https://www.*effersonmrc.org/
https:Hextension.wsu.edu/oefferson/
Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jefferson County Extension Office is currently closed to the public and all Extension
programming is being delivered virtually, postponed or cancelled. We are supporting efforts to keep our communities safe and
healthy and monitoring guidance from local, state and federal officials. We will re -open the office when it is safe to do so. Staff is
available via email, telephone and video -conference. Contact information is available at our website:
http://extension.wsu.edu/iefferson
Please take care of yourselves and each other. We will see you soon.
Jefferson Counter
Marine
Resources
Committee
To: Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners
From: Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee
Date: January 15, 2021
Re: Naval Special Operations Training in WA State Parks
Dear Commissioners,
As Chair of the Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee (MRC), I am writing to express our
serious concerns regarding the potential impacts of the Navy's proposed special operations training on
our marine and nearshore resources, especially since there appears to be a disproportionate concentration
of training activities planned for Region 1. During a Special Meeting on January 14th, the MRC
discussed the potential impacts to critical marine habitats, such as eelgrass and kelp, which are essential
for many marine species such as forage fish, salmon, and marine birds.
Potential Impacts on Marine Resources
• The Navy's proposal states that the training will have little to no environmental impact, however,
there does not appear to have been a thorough assessment of potential impacts of the training on
marine resources. In particular, the Navy mentions the use of submersibles, yet it does not
address its potential impacts on aquatic vegetation, such as eelgrass and kelp.
• Eelgrass and kelp are critical habitats for ESA -listed species, such as Chinook salmon and their
prey, which in turn are prey for southern resident killer whales.
• Naval training activities have the potential to disturb the foraging and feeding behavior of marine
birds (e.g., Brant, Pigeon Guillemot, and endangered Marbled Murrelet) in the nearshore. For
example, endangered Marbled Murrelets have been observed feeding on forage fish very close to
shore.
Potential Impacts on MRC Conservation Efforts
• Naval training activities have the potential to disturb ongoing research and monitoring efforts.
For example:
o Nearshore restoration and forage fish monitoring at Fort Townsend
o Kelp monitoring at North Beach and Fort Worden
o Protected eelgrass and shellfish beds at Port Townsend Bay, Mystery Bay and Port
Hadlock
o Herring spawning at Discovery Bay, Kilisut Harbor, Dabob Bay, Quilcene Bay and other
areas in Jefferson County
Suggestions for Avoiding Impacts
To plan its training activities to avoid impacts to critical resources, we recommend that the Navy
consult existing databases and tools. For example:
o DNR Marine Vegetation Atlas for eelgrass and kelp: http://mva-
test. apphb.com/index.html
o DFW SalmonScape for salmon: http://apps.wdfw.wa.fzov/salmonscape/map.html
o Forage Fish Spawning Map:
https://wdfw.maps.arc gis. com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap= 1968f74e2d41470cb
d80b I af8dedd6b3 &extent=- 126.13 6845.6684 -119 6494 49 0781 -
State Parks should identify exclusion zones and timing restrictions to protect critical habitat and
other marine resources.
Improving Communications with Jefferson County
• The previous Right -of -Entry stated that the Navy would inform State Park managers and local
law enforcement of training activities, but there appear to be no records of compliance with these
provisions.
• There is a need to clarify mechanisms of oversight, enforcement, and proof of compliance.
• The Navy and State Parks should establish a marine expert as a liaison, and the Navy should seek
consultation prior to training events to avoid impacts to critical habitats. There should also be
clear communication with the County regarding Navy training activities.
• Due to the lack of communication, the Navy may not be aware of local State Park uses, such as
clam harvests at night and other recreational activities.
Thank you for your consideration of the MRC's concerns. If you have any further questions, please do
not hesitate to contact the MRC (Jeff. Co. MRCAgmail.com).
Sincerely,
Neil Harrington, Chair
Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee
Approved by vote of the MRC on January 14, 2021.
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