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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 20, 2024 NPC MRC First DRAFT Meeting Summary NPC MRC 8/20/2024 DRAFT Meeting Summary 1 August 20, 2024 NPC MRC Draft Meeting Summary The Tuesday, August 20, 2024 NPC MRC meeting took place at the Olympic Natural Resources Center in Forks, WA and by Zoom connection from 4:00 PM to 6:21 PM ([00:03:25] to [02:24:13]). Appointed committee members present at the meeting were Chris Butler-Minor (Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, ex officio), Eileen Cooney (Citizen Representative, Jefferson County - Economic Groups), Wendy Feltham (Citizen Representative, Jefferson County – Scientific Community), Rod Fleck (City of Forks), Jennifer Hagen (Quileute Tribe Representative), John Hunter (Citizen Representative – Conservation / Environmental Groups), Katie Krueger (Citizen Representative, Clallam County – Scientific Community), Rebecca Mahan (Clallam County Representative), Ian Miller (Washington Sea Grant, ex officio), Tami Pokorny (NPC MRC Coordinator and Jefferson County Representative), Alice Ryan (Citizen Representative, Clallam County – Recreational Groups), Jill Silver (Citizen Representative, Jefferson County– Conservation/Environmental Groups). A quorum was present at the beginning of the meeting. Megan Juran (Washington CoastSavers), Scott Mazzone (Quinault Indian Nation), John Shaw (Grays Harbor MRC), Sanpisa Sritrairat (Washington Sea Grant), Megan Tuttle (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife [WDFW]), Chris Waldbillig (Coastal MRC Coordinator, WDFW), and Gerald Weaver (Olympic National Park [ONP]) were also in attendance. Introductions Public Comments There were no public comments. Additions to and Approval of the Agenda Tami Pokorny suggested moving the discussion with the Olympic National Park up in the agenda so that it would come before Old Business. The updated agenda was approved by consensus. Approval of the July 2024 NPC MRC Meeting Summary The July NPC MRC Summary was approved by consensus as written. Announcements Jennifer Hagen sent out an announcement that Starbound, LLC of Seattle had been fined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for violations concerning a fishing vessel that had been emitting excessive amounts of nutrients. Tami Pokorny sent out a notice that European green crabs have been found in the Quillayute River estuary for the first time. New Business Conversation with ONP Superintendent Jacobs NPC MRC 8/20/2024 DRAFT Meeting Summary 2 Tami Pokorny introduced the conversation by reminding the group of the letter that the NPC MRC had sent to the ONP several months ago outlining several of their projects and concerns. Superintendent Jacobs was delayed due to several lightning-caused forest fires in the Park. Gerald Weaver, Resource Management Science Lead with the ONP, attended the NPC MRC instead. He acknowledged that the Park had seen an increase in visitors since the pandemic, not only in the coastal areas, as the NPC MRC brought up in their letter, but in many other areas as well. The ONP frequently meets with the local tribes to discuss their concerns, particularly about the human waste impact to shellfish. The Park is in the process of transitioning their ninety pit toilets to urine separator toilets. Three have been installed so far: at Cape Alava, Sand Point, and Deer Lake, with two more planned for Grand Lake and Moose Lake. They are also building a pre-planner report to assess their future needs when it comes to increased visitation. Gerald then opened the conversation up to input and suggestions from the group. Chris Butler-Minor was heartened to hear that the Park was moving toward better waste management and was eager to see what would come out of their pre-planning efforts. She noted that educating the public about how to care for the ONP was an important piece. Gerald added that the Park has reduced permit quotas for several high traffic areas, including Enchanted Valley. Jill Silver recalled past research by the NPC MRC on composting toilets, with the possibility of using the methane to power lights at trailheads and parking lots; several inexpensive options were located in India, but none were available in the US. She appreciated that the Park was taking some actions to remedy the situation. Rebecca Mahan expressed concern about dogs and dog fecal material and suggested more signage and ranger presence; two areas of note were Second Beach and the South Fork of the Hoh. Tami Pokorny asked about the process the Park goes through to determine when areas have reached capacity, and what the options might be. Gerald listed several possibilities, including timed entry and transportation options. Rod Fleck mentioned that about twenty years ago, there was a grant funded to build a bus terminal on the Upper Hoh Road, but permitting issues resulted in the funding being redesignated. *Gerald asked Rod if he could track down the specifics of the grant. Wendy Feltham thanked Gerald for attending the NPC MRC meeting and addressing their concerns. She raised the issue of removing marine debris from remote beaches and asked about future plans for continuing those efforts. Megan Juran was able to speak to that, saying that she met with the ONP compliance council on the requirements that are needed to do work within designated wilderness areas. She will be able to get compliance for foot removal of debris at Scott’s Bluff over the winter. She has also been mapping the caches and problem areas; when the maps are complete, assessments, plans, and removal efforts can be put in place for the next five years of partnership with the Park. Gerald added that the Park’s fall marine debris effort will focus on the Ozette area. Jennifer Hagen noted that there is an added problem of marine debris being thrown up off of the beach into the wooded areas. Tami wondered about the erosion at Rialto and Kalaloch beaches. Gerald said that fourteen feet eroded over the last winter and that the cabins at Kalaloch are being removed. The flush toilets at Rialto were removed also. He added that the Park has a meeting with Jennifer to go out and look at Second and Third beaches. Other topics discussed included enforcement challenges, the science symposium that the Park presents each winter, the desire for more engagement with the Park regarding science and collaboration opportunities, and social and economic accessibility. Chris Waldbillig raised the concern over European green crab and asked whether the Park has worked with WDFW yet on how to control those populations before they get more established within ONP boundaries. Gerald explained that the focus on invasive species has been on Asian clams in Lake Ozette and Lake Crescent. The Park has installed boat cleaning stations at the boat launches at both lakes. *Gerald suggested that Chris Waldbillig connect with Steve Fradkin regarding European green crab in the ONP. Conversation shifted to projects in and around the Park that are supported by the NPC MRC, including the West End Natural Resources Newsletter, the Rivers and Ocean Film Festival, the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team, the Remotely Operated Vehicle program, larval crab studies, the Hoh Watershed Camp, and geomorphology at Rialto Beach. Chris Waldbillig brought up the additional funding that will be coming to the MRCs and asked if there were ways to partner with the ONP that could help solve some of the problems that have been identified. Gerald suggested that the two main outreach areas that the NPC MRC could help with would probably be marine debris removal on a large scale and more effective communication about “Leave no Trace.” Ian Miller highlighted the erosion studies at Rialto Beach because the interest in understanding the NPC MRC 8/20/2024 DRAFT Meeting Summary 3 hazard profile is broadening throughout the coast, and the work that the Park does in supporting access and permits for those studies is essential. He also emphasized the importance of tracking and managing European green crab. Discussion followed on outreach and communication strategies. *Gerald asked to be included in the list serve for the NPC MRC meetings and notices so that he could continue to keep in touch about relevant issues. The group sent their regards to Superintendent Jacobs and thanked Gerald for attending the meeting. Old Business Coast MRC Summit and Film Festival 2024 Planning The Coast MRC Summit will be held from 10/16/24 – 10/19/24 in Forks and La Push. Tami Pokorny displayed the draft agenda. Ian Miller hoped to come away from tonight’s meeting with a photograph selected for the Film Festival poster. Eight photos were submitted for a photo contest that was started this year as a way to promote the Film Festival. The group agreed that they wanted to see additional photos. *Jill Silver set up a shared folder for the past poster photos where NPC MRC members could post additional photos by the end of the week; the link to the shared folder can be found at: https://10kyi.sharepoint.com/sites/10KYIonlinesharing/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsite s%2F10KYIonlinesharing%2FShared%20Documents%2FVisuals%2FPosters%2FRiver%20%26%20Ocean%20Film% 20Festival%20Photos&p=true&ga=1. A subcommittee will vote on the photos, with help from Tami and Ian if needed. Ian asked for a decision within a week. He added that advertising for the Film Festival would be starting in the next few days. More information about the Film Festival can be found at: https://wsg.washington.edu/community-outreach/outreach-detail-pages/river-and-ocean-film-festival/. The group went through the draft agenda for the Summit and considered ideas for additional speakers, whether to feature the topic of MRC metrics, and the scheduled panel discussion on the Restoration Economy. *Tami will send out an updated draft Coast MRC Summit agenda. Updates Coast MRC Update There was nothing new to report. Washington Coastal Marine Advisory Council (WCMAC) The next meeting is scheduled for 9/11/24. Rod Fleck announced that the letter to the governor on the Gridworks report went out at the end of July. He distributed the letters from the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission that they wrote to the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management and the governor’s office regarding offshore wind energy. The agenda and other 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 9/13/24 in Tahola. West Coast Ocean Alliance There was nothing new to report. Invasive European Green Crab Jennifer Hagen said that last winter there was a European green crab workshop to learn about biology and trapping. While she was there, she met the WDFW team and suggested conducting a bioblitz effort on Quileute lands. They did that last week and found 33 green crabs, mostly smaller in size. The Makah Tribe has found them near Cape Alava as well, in unexpectedly rocky habitat. Chris Waldbillig added that small crabs are being found up and down the coast. NPC MRC 8/20/2024 DRAFT Meeting Summary 4 Marine Debris This was addressed during the conversation with ONP. Climate/Fossil Fuels Related (All) Jennifer Hagen reported that the EPA has fined several fishing vessels for violations regarding offshore seafood discharge. She hoped that the review of the permits before they are issued again will help to improve the permitting process and reduce the offshore discharge. Administrative Update Tami Pokorny noted that the NPC MRC could decide at the September meeting whether to hold an October meeting, since it would be scheduled within a few days of the Coast MRC Summit. Next Agenda (September 17, 2024): The next NPC MRC Meeting will be held on 9/17/24 at Peninsula College in Forks with a virtual option. *Tami Pokorny will have a final draft agenda for the Coast MRC Summit ready for approval. Public Comments/General There were no public comments. Adjourn at 6:21 PM Action Items *Gerald Weaver asked Rod Fleck if he could track down the specifics of the grant that was funded to build a bus terminal on the Upper Hoh Road twenty years ago, but which never took place. *Gerald suggested that Chris Waldbillig connect with Steve Fradkin regarding European green crab in the ONP. *Gerald asked to be included in the list serve for the NPC MRC meetings and notices so that he could continue to keep in touch about relevant issues. *NPC MRC members must post additional photo suggestions for the Film Festival poster by the end of the week. A subcommittee will vote on the photos, with help from Tami and Ian if needed. Ian asked for a decision within a week. *Tami Pokorny will send out an updated draft Coast MRC Summit agenda and will have a final draft ready for approval at the September NPC MRC meeting. Draft summary compiled by Rebekah Brooks.