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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 2024 NPC MRC First DRAFT Meeting Summary NPC MRC 12/17/2024 DRAFT Meeting Summary 1 December 17, 2024 NPC MRC Draft Meeting Summary The Tuesday, December 17, 2024 NPC MRC meeting took place at the University of Washington (UW) Olympic Natural Resources Center (ONRC) in Forks, WA and by Zoom connection from 4:00 PM to 5:20 PM ([00:00:25] to [01:20:13]). 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), Jennifer Hagen (Quileute Tribe), John Hunter (Citizen Representative – Conservation / Environmental Groups), Katie Krueger (Citizen Representative, Clallam County – Scientific Community), Rebecca Mahan (Clallam County Representative), Tami Pokorny (NPC MRC Coordinator and Jefferson County Representative), and Alice Ryan (Citizen Representative, Clallam County – Recreational Groups). A quorum was present at the beginning of the meeting. Rebekah Brooks (Rebekah Brooks Contracting), Deric Kettel (ONRC), Jackie Lindsey (UW Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team [COASST]), Susannah Spock (Futurewise), Megan Tuttle (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife [WDFW]), Chris Waldbillig (WDFW), and Christine Van Deen (OCNMS) were also in attendance. Introductions Public Comments Chris Butler-Minor led the group in wishing everyone happy holidays. Additions to and Approval of the Agenda The agenda was approved by consensus as written. Approval of the November 2024 NPC MRC Meeting Summary The November 2024 NPC MRC Summary was approved by consensus, with the correction of the location for the in-person part of the meeting. Announcements There were no announcements. Old Business Film Festival Planning Ian Miller was not present, but he sent a message to say that Grays Harbor County was interested in running the Film Festival in Seabrook; there were no objections to this. In terms of rescheduling the Film Festival locally, there were two main suggestions for potential weekends: 4/19/25, to coincide with the Washington Coast Cleanup; or 5/17/25, in conjunction with the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Competition. The group agreed that tying the Film Festival in with the MATE ROV NPC MRC 12/17/2024 DRAFT Meeting Summary 2 weekend was their preference. Christine Van Deen, regional coordinator for the Olympic Coast ROV Competition, supported the idea. New Business Project Updates Project Update: COASST Project Lead Jackie Lindsey gave an update on the COASST intern project. The students went through an application process. Four students were selected to serve beaches in teams of two. A bonus piece to the project brought undergraduates from the UW Seattle campus to do a survey with the Quileute Tribal School (QTS) students, which was the undergrads’ first time experiencing hands-on citizen science and visiting the outer coast. A spring break component will be a tour of the UW Seattle campus and environmental science programs for the QTS interns. Jackie will be transferring out, so a new project lead will be taking over the internship soon. *She said she would distribute photographs of the internship. Tami Pokorny also requested a written summary of the project if possible. More information on the internship can be found here: https://coasst.org/news- views/blog/coasstal-internship/. Project Update: MATE ROV Competition Regional Director Christine Van Deen presented on the Olympic Coast ROV 2024 Competition. She said it had been a full and eventful year, with a student workshop to design and build, receive peer and mentor support, and develop competition strategies; and the annual competition, where eight Scout level teams and two Navigator level teams competed as they worked through real-world problems. At the Scout level, Lake Quinault placed first and third, and Forks placed second. At the Navigator level, QTS placed first and Forks placed second. Christine anticipated more Navigator teams next year. She invited NPC MRC member to consider being volunteers for the next competition. A mentor workshop will be included in the project next year for teachers to learn how to design and build ROVs. Project Update: Hoh River Watershed Adventure Water, Fish and Wildlife Program Manager Susannah Spock gave an overview of the project, which began in 2015 in collaboration with OCNMS to involve Hoh Tribal members in their watershed. After a lengthy and complex planning process, including a pre-trip float, the rafting and camping trip started in the Olympic National Park Hoh Rainforest with introductions, a language exercise, swimming, and an indigenous plant hike. A park ranger talk on the ecology of rainforests was part of the first night’s campout. The adventure continued over several days, moving from the Park to raft and camp all the way to the Hoh River mouth. The events were designed to be intergenerational, and included weaving cedar headbands, education about marine mammals and the marine environment at the river mouth, water quality sampling, and a salmon fishing trip when they reached the ocean. The response was very enthusiastic, and several of the young people asked about learning to be rafting guides. At the end of the trip, they held a community dinner with traditional games and a language contest. Susannah’s takeaway was that it is a feel-good event, and very worthwhile even after all the work involved. 2025-2027 Funding Cycle Timeline Chris Waldbillig went over the budget shortfall predictions. A hiring freeze and travel restrictions are currently in place, but he assumed that the MRC funding would continue. The new budget will come out in the new year, but Chris suggested following the status quo until told otherwise. He is encouraging all the MRCs to review their benchmarks and priorities. Discussion followed on coastwide project possibilities and limitations. Updates Coast MRC Update NPC MRC 12/17/2024 DRAFT Meeting Summary 3 Chris Waldbillig gave an update under the previous agenda item. Washington Coastal Marine Advisory Council (WCMAC) The last meeting was held on 12/3/24 and included a presentation on kelp and an administrative component on electing the new Chair and Vice Chair. The next meeting is scheduled for 3/19/25. 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 last meeting was held on 11/8/24 and was virtual. Chris Butler-Minor gave an update. The meeting included insight from the Department of Ecology into how the State of Washington is looking at the offshore wind energy issue. Ultimately, the State wants to take a very measured approach to offshore wind to make sure there is a full environmental analysis to weigh the risks. There was also a presentation from the Marine Environmental Lab on ocean acidification and Dungeness crab habitat. There is more acidification now, and forecasts are not very positive. Chris hoped for an upcoming presentation on multi-stressors. The next meeting is scheduled for 1/24/25 and will be virtual. West Coast Ocean Alliance Jennifer Hagen announced an upcoming conference in January; the agenda is still under development. The data portal is moving forward, with new elements due to be released this spring. Kelp is a big topic for coastwide projects, but remains stable in Washington, as opposed to other states. Invasive European Green Crab Jennifer Hagen reported that the Quileute Tribe would be monitoring to try to control the European green crab population. Marine Debris There was nothing new to report. Climate/Fossil Fuels Related (All) There was nothing new to report. Administrative Update Tami Pokorny said there had been challenges with invoicing on every project, but she hoped to hear from other project sponsors at the January NPC MRC meeting. Next Agenda (January 21, 2025): The next NPC MRC Meeting will be held on 1/25/24 with Rebecca Mahan facilitating. Tami Pokorny advised the group to watch for a new meeting link for the virtual component. Public Comments/General The group gave Katie Krueger a huge round of applause to celebrate her years of contribution. There will be a gathering to recognize Katie after the February NPC MRC meeting. Adjourn at 5:20 PM Action Items *Jackie Lindsey said she would distribute photographs and a written summary of the COASST internship. NPC MRC 12/17/2024 DRAFT Meeting Summary 4 Draft summary compiled by Rebekah Brooks.