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Home My WebLink About050 09 (i.~~ON-06%;\ I... ~ l! 0-( ESTABLISHING THE NORTH PACIFIC COAST MARINE RESOURCES \ I . COMMmEE FOR WESTERN CLALLAM AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES'~tffJ1'l9~S'~j THE CLALLAM COUNTY AND JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS find as follows: RESOLUTION 7<6 ,2009 RESOLUTION 50-09 1. The Clallam and Jefferson Boards of County Commissioners recognize that the marine waters of the north Pacific coast represent an unparalleled resource of important environmental and economic value to the people of the region, and the tribal state and federal governments for now and future generations. 2. The Boards wish to actively promote local conservation, restoration, and improved understanding of the Counties' marine resources by supporting research and education about these waters. 3. The Washington State Legislature adopted Chapter 36.125 of the Revised Code of Washington to allow counties to establish Marine Resources Committees to provide an ecosystem focus on the responSible use of marine resources within Washington State's Pacific Coastline and to help mobilize science to focus on key priorities. 4. The Exploratory Marine Resources Committee, at the request of the Boards, studied the formation of a Marine Resources Committee in western Clallam and Jefferson Counties, including outlining a vision and developing work plans for projects, and has issued a positive recommendation for its formation. 5. The Exploratory Marine Resources Committee determined that it would serve the interests of both counties to work together to form a new Marine Resources Committee to represent the needs and interests of residents living in north Pacific coastal communities. 6. The Boards' desire to protect the local marine environment and contribute to the overall protection of the marine environment of Washington State's Pacific Coastline by forming a single Western Clallam and Jefferson Counties Marine Resources Committee pursuant to Chapter 36.125 RON. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Clallam and Jefferson County Commissioners in consideration of the above findings of fact: 1. Hereby establishes a joint Western Clallam and Jefferson Counties Marine Resources Committee whose mission is to: address local marine issues; recommend remedial actions to local, state, tribal, and federal authorities; build local awareness of the issues and support for remedies consistent with the interim "Benchmarks of Performance" as adopted by the Coastal MRC Work Group on January 7, 2009 including specific tasks identified in "Exhibit A." 2. Both counties reserve the right to divest of the organization and form independent Marine Resources Committees to represent their own interests on the western Olympic Peninsula. ATTEST: --J0* (-/';ldu-. Trish Holden, CMC, Clerk of the Board SSIONERS f Vj!!y'/6 '! A C:\Documents and Settings\erin\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK26F\FINALcc jeffco mrcExhibitA.doc EXHIBIT A Purpose: To understand, steward, and restore the marine and estuarine ecological processes of the north Pacific coast of Washington in support of ecosystem health, sustainable marine resource-based livelihoods, cultural integrity, and coastal communities. Powers and Duties: 1. Advise the Boards of County Commissioners about research, education, and regulatory measures necessary to protect and restore the marine resources of the Counties. 2. Promote specific projects to achieve the protection, restoration, and enhancement of the marine resources of the Counties. 3. Advise the Boards of County Commissioners about efforts that should be developed or encouraged to promote conservation, protection, and restoration of marine habitats and resources. 4. Help assess marine resources problems and the need for preventative or corrective measures in concert with governmental, nongovernmental, tribal, recreational, and commercial interests. 5. Help identify implications, needs, and strategies associated with sustaining marine species in and around the Counties, in concert with the above-mentioned entities. 6. Coordinate activities with the State Ocean Caucus and the Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife and Ecology to promote the recommendations of the Washington Ocean Action Plan. 7. Reach out to the public and other key constituents on the link between healthy marine habitat and healthy resources. 8. Report annually to the Boards of County Commissioners on its activities and recommendations. Membership: There shall be up to 13 voting members selected by the Board of County Commissioners to ensure that the membership of the committee is balanced and representative. The voting members shall include seats for up to three local residents from Clallam County and up to three local residents from Jefferson County and one seat for each the following governments: . Clallam County . Jefferson Cou nty . The City of Forks . The Makah Tribe . The Quileute Tribe . The Hoh Tribe . The Quinault Nation The voting members shall, in total, include representation for each of the following categories: . Conservation/Environmental Groups . Recreational Groups . Economic Groups . Scientific Community Non-voting seats shall include the following state and federal government agencies: . Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary . Olympic National Park . Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife . U.S. Coast Guard Members shall serve staggered two-year terms and select a chair and develop bylaws by majority vote. C:\Documents and Settings\enn\loeal Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OlK26f\FINAlee jelfeo mreExhibitA.doe . , 10 .' (X) C\.Wj Regular Agenda l;jTO% JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH t, ~o' 615 Sheridan Street. Port Townsend' Washington' 98368 <S'}f/NO.... www.jeffersoncountypublichealth.org JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of County Commi5sioners Philip Morley, County Administrator FROM: Neil Harrington, Water Quality Program Manager Tami Pokorny, Environmental Specialist DATE: September 8, 2009 SUBJECT: Agenda Request: North Pacific Coast Marine Resources Committee Workshop and Resolution STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Water Quality Division staff request time to present a workshop on the proposed North Pacific Coast Marine Resource Committee (MRC). Eastern Jefferson County is already served by an MRC operating under the umbrella of the Northwest Straits Commission. The new MRC would concern itself with Pacific coast issues in connection with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Coastal MRC Program (http://wdfw.wa.gov/aboutjvolunteer/mrc). The exploratory phase of MRC development began in late 2008 and evolved into a partnership between Jefferson and Clallam Counties. The exploratory committee recommends that a new MRC be formed and for the two counties to collaborate and combine resources. The North Pacific Coast Marine Resources Committee would consist of seven governments and six citizen members who would develop and implement projects to benefit coastal resources and coastal communities in keeping with" Washingtons Ocean Action Plan: Enhancing Management of Washington States Ocean and Outer CoastS' (2006). Funds to support the new MRC are currently available. Clallam County would be the fiscal agent for the partnership, and an interlocai agreement will be forthcoming. ANAL YSIS/STRATEGIC GOALS: Over the past decade, MRCs in northern Puget Sound have developed and implemented projects to benefit coastal resources and have provided a citizen voice on coastaJ issues. COMMUNITY HEALTH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES MAIN: 36Q.385-9400 FAX: 360385-9401 PUBLIC HEALTH ALWAYS WORKING FOR A SAFERANO HEALTHIER COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WATER QUALITY MAIN: 36Q.385-9444 FAX: 360379-4487 In 2007, the state legislature provided the opportunity for counties near the Pacific coast to also establish MRCs (RCW 36.125). Grays Harbor County has formed an MRC and Pacific County is in progres5 of doing so. Beginning in late 2008, Jefferson and Clallam Counties utilized WDFW funds to explore the possibility of an MRC for the West End. Six public meetings and several related events were held over a period of eight months in Forks. On March 17, the exploratory committee decided to recommend MRC formation. A brochure, electronic newsletter, project list and authorizing resolution were developed and a number projects, selected by the exploratory committee, were implemented. These projects included support of the annual beach clean-up and data collection efforts, funding for solid waste disposal, hosting a meeting of the State Ocean Caucus in Forks, and providing financial support for school field trips to the Feiro Marine Life Center in Port Angeles. A well-attended community potluck, involving educational interactive displays from Feiro and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, was also held at the end of May. The prospect of a new MRC to serve Pacific coast area communities has been well- received by citizens, agencies and others. In addition to Tribes and local governments, Olympic National Park, the Olympic National Marine Sanctuary and several non-profit organizations and foundations have expressed interest in partnering with the group. Future projects could include enhancing marine-oriented education for local students, sustainable coast-oriented job training, educational community events, removing derelict fishing gear from estuaries, research on forage fish and kelp, tsunami preparedness, tourist education, enhanced recycling opportunities among others. A complete list of projects developed during the exploratory phase accompanies this request. FISCAL IMPACT: Jefferson County will receive $11,200 of the WDFW funds set aside for western Clallam and Jefferson County MRCs through an anticipated interlocal agreement with Clallam County (see the accompanying draft scope of work). These funds will support Water Quality staff participation and outreach activities through June 2010. No match is required and there is no impact to the Jefferson County General Fund. RECOMMENDATION: JCPH Management recommends that the BoCC hold the workshop and sign the accompanying resolution. REVIEWED BY: 7'.2(&/ Date COMMUNITY HEALTH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES MAIN: 360385-9400 FAX: 36<>385-9401 PUBLIC HEALTH ALWAYS WORKING FORA SAFER AND HEALTHIER COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WATER QUALITY MAl N: 360385-9444 FAX: 36<>379-4487 . . September 7, 2009 Tami Pokomy: I am very excited about participating with the MRC. We have such an incredible opportunity out here on the west end to promote conservation of our marine habitat through public awareness and education. Each year, visitors come to the Forks area, to hike, camp or just to see the ocean and thankfully we have some of the most (relatively) untouched beaches to be found. Visitors and locals have access to shores and ocean life that hasn't been tainted by over development offering them the unexpected sighting of whales, otters, seals, sea birds and the opportunity to see star fish, anomies, crabs in the tide pools. I worked for the Forks Visitor Center throughout the summer, and had many visitors, from literally all over the world, return to thank me for insisting they visit our amazing beaches. I live in Jefferson County and regularly visit the beaches south of Upper Hoh Road and find it a thrill to talk to people about the very nature they are simply taking a walk in. Promotion of conservation through awareness isn't difficult; it just has to be done. As I mentioned at the Chamber of Commerce lunch in May and in our subsequent phone conversation, a small marine life center like the one in Port Angeles, would be extremely beneficial and offer many opportunities to promote awareness, education, conservation and respect. It could be a center for school field trips, a place for new biologists to intern and a planning area where people can visibly see why there is a necessity to recycle, to remove derelict fishing gear and other trash, and continue research, creating excitement and the desire to help with the success of the mission. If people, can see what is in the ocean and why there is such a need to preserve and protect it, they will have more of a tendency to understand what the mission is and be less likely to be threatened by it. Gentle education is where it is. I am looking forward to working with you to achieve goals that will benefit not only our marine ecosystem but children, adults, locals and visitors as well. Cheers. Pati Winn pawinn@ymail.com