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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 2023 NPC MRC First DRAFT Meeting Summary NPC MRC 7/18/2023 DRAFT Meeting Summary 1 July 18, 2023 NPC MRC 1st Draft Meeting Summary The Tuesday, July 18, 2023 NPC MRC meeting took place at Peninsula College at Forks and by Zoom connection from 4:00 PM to 6:03 PM ([00:00:01] to [02:03:26]). 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), Jennifer Hagen (Quileute Tribe Representative), John Hunter (Citizen Representative, Clallam County – Conservation / Environmental Groups), Julie Ann Koehlinger (Hoh Tribe Representative), Katie Krueger (Citizen Representative, Clallam County – Scientific Community), Miller (Washington SeaGrant, Ex Officio Representative), Tami Pokorny (Jefferson County Representative, Coordinator / Facilitator), Alice Ryan (Citizen Representative, Clallam County – Recreational Groups), Jill Silver (Citizen Representative, Jefferson County – Conservation/Environmental Groups), Chris Waldbillig (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, MRC Coordinator). A quorum was present at the beginning of the meeting. Deanna Balisteri (National Marine Science Foundation), Rebekah Brooks (Rebekah Brooks Contracting), Britta Culbertson (National Marine Sanctuary Foundation [NMSF]), Kevin Decker (Washington SeaGrant), Lee First (Twin Harbors Waterkeeper), Megan Juran (Washington CoastSavers), Nicole Harris (Futurewise), Aimee Samara-Crosscop (Center for Sustainable Economy), Andrea Schmuttermair (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA] Teachers at Sea Alumni Association [TASAA]), and Christine VanDeen (OCNMS) were also in attendance. Introductions Public Comments There were no public comments. Additions to and Approval of the Agenda The agenda was approved by consensus. Approval of the June 2023 NPC MRC Meeting Summary The June 2023 NPC MRC Meeting Summary was approved by consensus as written. Announcements There were no announcements. Old Business Newsletter Update/Recheck Tami Pokorny reported that there was no funding to print the latest edition of the West End Natural Resources Newsletter, but that may work out in the next funding round. The group expressed their appreciation for the quality of the articles and projects featured in the latest edition. NPC MRC 7/18/2023 DRAFT Meeting Summary 2 New Business Coastal Area Sector Analysis Washington Coast Economist and team lead for the Coastal Resiliency Team at Washington SeaGrant Dr Kevin Decker presented on his Area Sector Analysis Process, a project that was conducted in partnership with Western Rural Development Center and based on direct recommendations from the Washington Coast Marine Advisory Council. The intent of the project was to look at the desirability and compatibility of various industries across the coast to look for opportunities for economic development. The desirability element was done through a Community Goals Survey that weighed multiple trade-offs between social, economic, and environmental components. There were 523 total respondents along the coast, 129 of them from Clallam County and 140 from Jefferson County. The results showed that the environmental sector was of top importance in Clallam, Jefferson, and Pacific Counties, followed by the economic sector and finally the social sector. In Grays Harbor and Wahkiakum Counties, the economic sector came in first, followed by environmental and social sectors. In a separate survey of only Clallam County, economic factors were identified as more important than environmental. Kevin theorized that that could have been due to sampling method and question format. Top desirability concerns included that new businesses not pollute the water, and that new businesses hire locally. The compatibility element looked at what assets the communities had, what assets the industries needed, and what community characteristics the industries needed. Each county had a steering committee that helped drive the process forward. In Clallam County, the highest priority industries were light manufacturing; agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting; maritime; healthcare and social assistance; and construction/trades. In Jefferson County, the highest priority industries were maritime; light manufacturing; hospitality and tourism; agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting; and construction/trades. Next steps involve the short-term strategies of conducting a regional supply chain analysis for maritime industries and organizing around economic development strategies. Long-term strategies are to identify industries that are highly desirable but where the region is not compatible and to work to create the assets that make the region more attractive to those industries. A recurring theme is lack of housing; while many communities have industries that want to hire and expand, the lack of housing prevents recruitment. Another issue that was identified was that the coast generally has higher unemployment than some of the more urban areas, but there is still difficulty recruiting employees for empty positions. Looking for opportunities for education and training that can provide some skill sets that employers are looking for will help fill some of those gaps. Muddy Boots Teacher Workshop Outcomes Twin Harbors Waterkeeper Lee First presented on the Muddy Boots Teacher Workshop, which was held over 6/26/23-6/28-23 at the Lake Quinault Lodge. The workshop had the goal of building capacity and strengthening existing partnerships to begin to implement a high-quality watershed education program that supports experiential and relevant learning and teacher development about climate change. Eighteen teachers from coastal schools attended the workshop, which featured one classroom day with guest speakers. There were also field trips with guest presenters around the Lodge and Lake Quinault; the Quinault Indian Nation’s Quinault River Floodplain Restoration Project; Quinault River sampling for turbidity, flow, pH, and macroinvertebrates; a beach walk with plankton flow sampling; and a forest walk about plant teachings and medicine. Lee thanked the NPC MRC for their support for the workshop, which was very successful and well received. Project Idea Share and Discussion Tami Pokorny invited prospective project sponsors to share their basic project proposals and ask any questions from the group. Nicole Harris, Futurewise: Nicole and Suzanna Spock were proposing to partner with the Hoh Tribe to apply for funding to support the Hoh Watershed Adventure, a two-day ra�ing trip down the South Fork Hoh River looking at land use and tribal usual and accustomed fishing areas. Julie Ann Koehlinger explained that the Tribe invited NPC MRC 7/18/2023 DRAFT Meeting Summary 3 Futurewise to partner with them on the project to help with indirect costs and capacity, and to share their valuable experience. Funding is needed for gear, equipment, and honorariums for Tribal members. Chris Waldbillig confirmed that project funding can be used for food, but not indirects. He was not aware of a specific limit for guest speakers; as far as paying for travel, it would default to htp://www.ofm.wa.gov/resources/travel/colormap1017.pdf. *Jill Silver offered contribu�ons from the 10,000 Years Ins�tute. Megan Juran, Washington CoastSavers: Megan is con�nuing to work with the Olympic Na�onal Park on the coastal wilderness cache removal endeavors. CoastSavers will also be looking for funding assistance for Washington Conserva�on Corps crews and helicopter opera�ons for retrieving large items and heavy sling loads. The group discussed the success Megan has had in collabora�ng with the Park on remote cache removal. Focal areas will depend on where there is the most need. Christine VanDeen, OCNMS: Chris�ne will be collabora�ng with Brita Culbertson and Andrea Schmutermair to expand the Olympic Coast ROV program. Brita hopes to help teachers to connect with fellowships through the Teacher at Sea Alumni program. Andrea’s goal with the project was for teachers to be able to integrate ROVs into their local areas and see how they can �e it into their curriculum—not just the building of the ROVs, but how they can be used to further understand our environment. Alice Ryan said expanding the program locally was important for her students, who want to par�cipate in the ROV program at the next level up. Jennifer Hagen emphasized suppor�ng exis�ng local teachers and mentors. Aimee Samara, Center for Sustainable Economy: Aimee was contracted to help with a series of adult educa�on presenta�ons in Port Townsend from scien�fic experts on marine and climate change issues. Tami Pokorny clarified that NPC MRC funding must be used on the outer Pacific coast and offered to help Aimee connect with the right contacts for her project. John Hunter suggested that the project could possibly be expanded through the Jefferson and Clallam MRCs or could collaborate with the Coastal MRCs to include West End speakers and venues. More informa�on on the Center for Sustainable Economy can be found at htps://www.sustainable- economy.org. John Hunter, Pacific Education Institute (PEI): John announced that PEI was currently accep�ng project applica�ons for climate resiliency funding through a NOAA grant that has a closing date of 8/21/23; there is up to $575 million available. The Execu�ve Director of PEI was interested in knowing if any of the coastal MRCs would like to collaborate with PEI to engage middle school and high school students specifically. John has also contacted the other coastal MRCs. PEI has a mission of suppor�ng teachers who want to get their students outside to learn. Updates Coast MRC Update Chris Waldbillig reported that there were multiple new projects starting in the Coast MRCs, and old projects wrapping up. He will be working with Tami Pokorny to get contracts started for the NPC MRC funding round. He appreciated the preliminary program for giving feedback to new projects and presenters that the NPC MRC had initiated, rather than just reading applications on paper, and said he would promote that idea in the future. Washington Coastal Marine Advisory Council (WCMAC) The next meeting is scheduled for 9/13/23. Jennifer Hagen introduced the first of three spotter buoys off of La Push that are part of the Backyard Spotter Buoys Project. The buoys measure wave height and direction, wind speed, and surface temperature. The live connection will be available at a window at the marina. WCMAC meeting materials can be found at the Ecology website: Department of Ecology - Committees, Boards, and Workgroups (wa.gov). NPC MRC 7/18/2023 DRAFT Meeting Summary 4 Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council The next meeting is scheduled for 7/21/23 in Pacific Beach and will be hybrid. Chris Butler-Minor shared a link to the meeting schedule: https://olympiccoast.noaa.gov/involved/sac/meetings.html , which will feature a presentation from the NOAA Maritime Heritage Program on the search for the SV Nikolai, and a conversation about the management plan, working groups, and associated expectations. West Coast Ocean Alliance Jennifer Hagen reported that the fellowship program just started with three fellows along the west coast who will be dedicated to helping the Alliance move forward with their priorities. The offshore wind energy summit has been postponed to next year. The Tribal Caucus is developing a document that defines what the Tribal Caucus is all about. Invasive European Green Crab This topic was skipped. Marine Debris This topic was skipped. Climate/Fossil Fuels Related (All) This topic was skipped. Administrative Update This topic was skipped. Next Agenda (August 15, 2023): The next NPC MRC Meeting will be held on 8/15/23 at the Peninsula College Forks campus. A Zoom option will also be available. The agenda will focus on project presentations. Public Comments/General Chris Butler-Minor shared a link to a webinar presentation about offshore wind planning: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2609560438125093214?utm_medium=email&utm_source=GovDeliv ery. Adjourn at 6:06 PM Action Items: *Jill Silver offered contributions from the 10,000 Years Institute to the Hoh Watershed Adventure Project. Draft summary compiled by Rebekah Brooks (Rebekah Brooks Contracting).