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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 2023 NPC MRC First DRAFT Meeting Summary NPC MRC 5/16/2023 DRAFT Meeting Summary 1 May 16, 2023 NPC MRC 1st Draft Meeting Summary The Tuesday, May 16, 2023 NPC MRC meeting took place at Peninsula College at Forks and by Zoom connection from 4:00 PM to 6:02 PM ([00:00:01] to [01:53:56]). Appointed committee members present at the meeting were Chris Butler-Minor (Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary [OCNMS]), Eileen Cooney (Citizen Representative, Jefferson County – Community Economics), Wendy Feltham (Citizen Representative, Jefferson County – Scientific Community), Rod Fleck (City of Forks), Jennifer Hagen (Quileute Tribe Representative), John Hunter (Citizen Representative, Clallam County – Conservation / Environmental Groups), Julie Ann Koehlinger (Hoh Tribe Representative), Rebecca Mahan (Clallam County Representative), Tami Pokorny (Jefferson County Representative, Coordinator / Facilitator), and Jill Silver (10,000 Years Institute). A quorum was present at the beginning of the meeting. Rebekah Brooks (Rebekah Brooks Contracting), Lee First (Twin Harbors Waterkeeper), and Megan Juran (Washington CoastSavers) were also in attendance. Introductions Public Comments Tami Pokorny welcomed contributions to the upcoming edition of the West End Natural Resources Newsletter. Additions to and Approval of the Agenda The agenda was approved by consensus as written. Approval of the April 2023 NPC MRC Meeting Summary Eileen Cooney moved to approve the April 2023 NPC MRC Meeting Summary as written; Rebecca Mahan seconded. The April 2023 NPC MRC Meeting Summary was approved by consensus. Announcements Lee First announced that she received permission from the Olympic National Park to do remote marine debris cleanup at Quinault over Labor Day weekend. If anyone is interested in participating, please contact Lee. The group plans to camp there over three days. Old Business Storm Petrel Preparations Tami Pokorny reminded the group of the planned Storm Petrel field trip dates: 5/31/23 is the primary date; 6/1/23 is the backup date. Jennifer Hagen announced that the permit was submitted to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the sediment samples. She was trying to get it under a categorical exclusion and hoped that it would be processed quickly. After discussion on who might be able to attend, there were only five possible attendees, which was not enough to warrant the trip. Jennifer suggested the possibility of scheduling two trips: one short trip for those who do not know whether they get seasick, and a longer follow- NPC MRC 5/16/2023 DRAFT Meeting Summary 2 up trip. Before cancelling the plan, it was decided to reach out to the Grays Harbor MRC, and subsequently OCNMS and the Washington Coast Marine Resources Committee to see if anyone was interested in attending. Request for Proposals (RFP), Score Sheet, Timeline for 2023-2025 Tami Pokorny led continued discussion on the RFP, which was updated with changes from the last NPC MRC meeting. The new RFP allowed applicants an optional opportunity to come to the NPC MRC to vet ideas prior to submitting applications, gave project sponsors the option of sending in recordings of their projects, and moved all dates one month out. Jennifer Hagen moved to accept the RFP with the updates; Wendy Feltham seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Bylaws and Ground Rules Update Tami Pokorny reported that Jefferson County is in the process of updating all their Bylaws. It is not too late to submit suggested changes; otherwise, the NPC MRC is just waiting to hear from the County for their approval. Newsletter Tami Pokorny went over the list of articles for the upcoming West End Natural Resources Newsletter, including articles from Lee First on remote beach cleanups, Megan Juran on CoastSavers, Dr Zachary Randall on the Remotely Accessed Vehicle kelp study, Ian Miller on what scientists are looking for from the public, Mara Zimmerman with an update on the Coast Salmon Partnership, Alice Ryan with a report on the Quileute Tribal School science classes, Anna Geffre regarding North Pacific Coast Lead Entity projects, Forks science teachers on student field trips, Rebecca Mahan on Pacific lamprey, and the University of Washington team on their beach erosion project. Additional suggestions included announcing the date for a maritime heritage event on 10/13/23-10/14/23 and an update on European green crab. The deadline for articles is 5/26/23. They will be reviewed at the June NPC MRC meeting. New Business Washington Coast Cleanup 2023 Megan Juran gave an overview of the Coast Cleanup, which was held on Earth Day, 4/22/23. The heavy rains impacted turnout, but it was still very successful, collecting 13,908 pounds of debris and recycling 2,286 pounds in partnership with Nicole Baker and Net Your Problem: Net Your Problem - Dev. She is continuing to work with the Olympic National Park and their minimum use worksheet to schedule a fall helicopter removal on the coast from the Scott’s Bluff cache to the Mosquito Creek area. Discussion followed on recycling organizations and concerns. Thinking Ahead to 2025-2027 Chris Waldbillig is encouraging the MRCs to think about planning for upcoming issues sooner rather than later, and whether the group had aspirations for what they might hope to do. In order to advocate for additional funds, Chris needs to ensure effective utilization of all received funding and have a plan for what to do with more. The NPC MRC is on track to use all designated funds in the current round. Tami Pokorny suggested considering seabird assisted migration and what could be done to help the species we rely on to adapt to changing conditions. Although seabirds are resilient, populations have decreased worldwide by about 70%. Updates Coast MRC Update Chris Waldbillig was not present for an update. Washington Coastal Marine Advisory Council (WCMAC) The next meeting is scheduled for 6/14/23; it will be a hybrid meeting with the in-person element in Grays Harbor. Rod Fleck gave an update. Agenda items include planning for a workshop on offshore wind energy with NPC MRC 5/16/2023 DRAFT Meeting Summary 3 a focus on the Marine Spatial Plan, the role of various agencies, and issues of concern. The group discussed offshore wind energy, and what the Sanctuary’s response was. Chris Butler-Minor said that the Sanctuary has not taken an official position on offshore energy yet, but they were working on a statement. WCMAC meeting materials can be found at the Ecology website: Department of Ecology - Committees, Boards, and Workgroups (wa.gov). Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council The next meeting is scheduled for 5/19/23 as a virtual meeting only. Chris Butler-Minor gave an update. The agenda includes an overview of the NOAA exploration vessel Okeanos Explorer and their research and mapping work, an update on the management review process, and information on the Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Ocean Acidification Sentinel Site. West Coast Ocean Alliance Jennifer Hagen reported that the tribes were debating whether to spend available funds on hiring a position to focus on tribal usual and accustomed fishing areas and wind energy. The position would be housed in the Forks area. Invasive European Green Crab Lee First participated in a European green crab trapping effort with students at the Copalis delta. Megan Juran suggested sharing the green crab efforts with a wider audience. The group discussed trapping and outreach efforts. Marine Debris Megan Juran provided an update under the Washington Coast Cleanup 2023. Climate/Fossil Fuels Related (All) There was nothing to report. Administrative Update Tami Pokorny said that the University of Washington team seems to be on track with their project. There was an amendment to the Twin Harbors Waterkeeper project that was in response to the availability of the turned back coastal MRC funds. Twin Harbors Waterkeeper, as part of their NOAA B-wet grant, is offering a 3-day teacher workshop at the end of June for the Chehalis, Quinault, and Quileute watersheds. The workshop will give teachers the skills to implement a high school watershed education program. They have 15 teachers registered and are looking for about 15 more. It will take place from 6/26/23-6/28/23 and is free with a stipend. *Interested teachers can contact Lee at leefrider7@gmail.com. Next Agenda (June 20, 2023): The next NPC MRC Meeting will be held on 6/20/23 at the Peninsula College Forks campus. A Zoom option will also be available. Lee First suggested Olympic National Park Physical Science Technician Bill Baccus as a possible future speaker; *Megan Juran will reach out to Bill to see if he would be willing to present to the NPC MRC. Public Comments/General Adjourn at 5:54 PM Action Items: *Teachers interested in the Twin Harbors Waterkeeper workshop can contact Lee First. *Megan Juran will reach out to Bill Baccus to see if he would be willing to present to the NPC MRC. NPC MRC 5/16/2023 DRAFT Meeting Summary 4 Draft summary compiled by Rebekah Brooks (Rebekah Brooks Contracting).