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Home My WebLink About2021 08 16 Hoh River Phase I Steering Committee Meeting Summary lk 8.16.2021 Page 1 of 4 Hoh River Resiliency Plan PHASE I Steering Committee Meeting Summary Monday, August 16, 2021 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84167942086 Meeting ID: 841 6794 2086 +12532158782,,84167942086# US (Tacoma) +13462487799,,84167942086# US (Houston) More information: tpokorny@co.jefferson.wa.us Welcome/Introductions Tami Pokorny, Jefferson County; Raena Anderson, 10k Years Institute; Jean Fletcher, Landowner; Jill Silver, 10K Years Institute; Anna Geffre, Olympic National Park; Bridget Kaminski-Richardson, WA Dept Natural Resources; Garrett Dalan, The Nature Conservancy, John Davis, Western Federal Lands Highway Division, Mike Ericsson, Natural Systems Design; Tim Abbe, Natural Systems Design: Julie Ann Koehlinger Hoh Tribe Agenda Changes/Additions None Approval of the July 19, 2021 Draft Meeting Summary Approved by consensus Announcements/Comments There was a recent fire off of Hoh Mainline Rd (DNR Rd H 1500). Was up to 70 acres, but now contained and out. New Business Jobs Chapter of the Resiliency Plan – Luke Kelly, Trout Unlimited Luke gave a summary of the “Local Capacity to Supply Restoration Needs” draft chapter in the MHRP. The chapter’s goal is to provide a summary of the local capacity currently available to support restoration needs and give insight to the feasibility of reaching the objectives in the Middle Hoh Resiliency Plan. The chapter aims to identify current strengths and potential gaps in local capacity (e.g., engineers, biologists, construction contractors, project sponsors, etc.), and highlights opportunities to increase capacity. The chapter discusses the wide range of projects involved in river and floodplain restoration, and the diverse disciplines sometimes required to complete successful projects. Luke conducted a practitioner and stakeholder survey, and consulted the Forks Chamber of Commerce, WA Secretary of State, Small Business Admin., among others. The chapter also includes three appendices. Attachment A is a table matrix showing different capacity and associated jobs often required to carry a Page 2 of 4 Hoh River Resiliency Plan PHASE I restoration project from concept to implementation and monitoring. Attachment B is an inventory of local (within WRIA 20) for-profit businesses able to contribute to restoration-related work. Attachment C is a summary restoration project types and associated costs over the past five years in Watershed Resource Inventory Areas (WRIAs) 19, 20, and 21. Key takeaways include: • Current restoration work itself is likely having minimal impact on the local economy as the work is temporary and labor is often imported from out of the region (e.g., ecological assessment, engineering, construction contractors, etc.) • Currently, indirect impacts of restoration work are likely having the greatest benefits to the local economy. Restoring salmon habitat can positively impact the local economy through increased recreation, tourism, commercial/business opportunities, as well as cultural benefits. • Recent increase in restoration funding is providing opportunities to increase capacity, and restoration-related federal funding coming to the region is likely to increase substantially in 2022/23. Draft recommendations include: • Assess the desire and feasibility to increase restoration-related jobs and business (capacity) in the region in collaboration with local stakeholders, restoration practitioners, and the local business community • Develop training, incentives, and opportunities for career paths in restoration (also opportunities for interested local contractors not yet experienced in river and floodplain restoration projects). • Develop strategy(s) to take advantage of increasing restoration project funding opportunities • Promote a proactive approach and be prepared with high priority, locally vetted, shovel ready projects before funding opportunities arrive • Increase the capacity and ability to incorporate climate change resiliency into restoration project design and implementation • Create a Restoration Economy Workgroup as a subcommittee of the Middle Hoh Resiliency Leadership Team (potentially leading to a larger scale west end restoration program in collaboration with local business groups) Invasive Plants Chapter – Jill Silver, 10,000 YI Jill gave a summary of the Invasive Plants chapter. The chapter gives an overview of the invasive plant work completed over the past 20 years. Knotweed, herb Robert, reed canarygrass, scotch broom, canada thistle, and several others. Jill showed maps of the middle Hoh that display the work from 2016 to present. The work entails repeat treatments to be effective. Transmission of seeds and propagules make treatment and tracking challenging. Objective: eliminating invasive nonnative plants. Ending invasive introductions from road work, restoration work, and forestry. Strategies to accomplish these objectives are discussed in the chapter. This effort would be supported by the development of place- based WA Coast Conservation Corps. There is very little research as to invasive species impacts locally, including reed Canarygrass impacts to salmon habitat, scotch broom impacts to habitat and river processes, etc. The chapter also proposes a native plant nursery, which would eliminate non-native plant introduction, and promote local, genetically appropriate species used in local restoration. The chapter discusses risk associated with restoration actions, as well as climate change impacts to native and non-native plants. The chapter includes many tables and maps to visualize where invasive plants Page 3 of 4 Hoh River Resiliency Plan PHASE I exist, move, and are likely to arise. 10 K yrs institute has trained nearly 200 crew members in the past, currently employing 20 staff for invasive plant management. Tami asked if there is recommendation(s) for how to manage invasive introductions via land mass movements and/or wildfire. Could drones be used to aid in native seeding efforts and colonization? Jill noted, one challenge is seeding naturally disturbed (e.g., landslides and/or wildfire) is that seeds are often consumed by animals and birds. Generally, there is natural ability to regenerate native plant communities after such disturbances. The allelopathic impacts from invasive plants (e.g., scotch broom) is a major impact and threat to address. Scotch broom impacts the soil nutrients and the ability for native plants to establish. Jill noted that its not just up to invasive plant management crews to do this work. All working on the landscape should be aware and able to contribute to the invasive plant effort. Review of Draft Action Plan Scoring – Mike Ericsson, Natural Systems Design MHRP participants had the ability to score the action plan themselves. Unfortunately, no additional scoring or comments were received. Mike showed the scoring sheet and gave meeting attendees the chance to ask questions or make comments. Tami asked if removing a natural logjam is considered as an action to be scored (for landowner protection). Including a wide range of potential actions will encompass all ideas brought forward. In short, we need to document and address the concerns and ideas brought forward by those participating in stakeholder outreach and the draft plan. Tim noted that removing natural log jams is unlikely (and not generally supported by permit agencies, like WDFW), but utilizing engineered log jams to redirect flow (away from property) is feasible. Enhancing existing natural log jams to reach objectives has been done and could be an option. Bridget chimed in and noted that DNR may not allow the removal of a natural log jams (with the Hoh River being a water of the state). Looking at cost benefit of removing a natural log jam would also likely deem the action infeasible / not permittable. Mike reiterated that the plan will be that much more effective with the more comments received. Old Business USGS Hoh Gauge Funding Update – Tami Pokorny & Julie Ann Koehlinger Julie Ann noted that ONP is concerned regarding the loss of the gauge and is interested in pursuing a funding solution. Hoh Tribe, USGS, and ONP are in discussions for a strategy to secure necessary funding. Bridget noted that DNR must give authorization for anything going into the river (e.g., new and/or upgraded gauges). Anna shared Sam Brinkman’s contact info (ONP representative) for coordination. US DOT Western Federal Lands Upper Hoh Road Project Updates No updates provided News and Projects Updates – All Page 4 of 4 Hoh River Resiliency Plan PHASE I Tami noted that due to Covid, the in-person public meeting planned for Sept 30, 2021 is likely canceled. Tami is open to alternative ideas. Jill and Raena shared photos of the recent fire off the Hoh Mainline Rd-DNR Rd H-1500. The fire took place in an area recently harvested. Fire is now out/contained, and thankfully no one was injured. Announcements/Comments None Next Agenda Tentatively Friday, September 23, 1pm – 3:00 pm Remote Only New time of September 23, 1-3pm was confirmed Adjourn