agenda

Meeting: Northwest Straits Commission Location: WebEx Conference Call Date: March 25, 2016 Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm To join the WebEx meeting, click here. Enter your name and email address and click “Join.” For audio conference only, dial: 1-877-668-4493, Access code: 928 982 793

10:00 – 10:10 Welcome and Opening Remarks

Open the meeting with introductions Approval of January meeting minutes

Nan McKay

10:10 - 10:25 NWSC Committee Reports Executive Committee Science Advisory Committee Nominations Committee

Jerry Masters Ron Thom Jerry Masters

10:25 - 10:30 Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC)

Nan McKay

10:30 - 11:10 Business Items April Commission meeting details Kelp update Light attenuation project follow up WDFW – NWSC forage fish partnership update Net pen forum report Leadership Council Brief Puget Sound Day on the Hill update Retreat follow up ESRP Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference MRC support

Staff

11:10 - 11:40 MRC Reports MRC Representatives

11:40 - 11:50 Round Table MRC Representatives

11:50 – 12:00 Public Comment All

12:00 Adjourn

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Location: Pacific Rim Institute, 180 Parker Road, Coupeville, WA, Island County Date/Time: January 29, 2016 – 10:00 AM-3:00PM Attendees: Commission Members: Jamey Selleck (Skagit), Jeff Ward (Clallam), Phil Green (San Juan), Ken Carrasco (Whatcom), Ed Adams (Island), Nan McKay (Chair), Jerry Masters (vice chair), Ron Thom, Dale Moses (Jefferson), Paul Clampitt (Snohomish), Additional MRC Support: Kes Tautuydas (Island), Anthony Turpin (Island), Barbara Bennett (Island), Cheryl Lowe (Jefferson), Jay Lind (Skagit)

Commission Staff: Ginny Broadhurst, Nicole Jordan, Sasha Horst, Lucas Hart

Others in Attendance: Caroline Gibson and Lenny Corin (Northwest Straits Foundation), Josh Baldi (Department of Ecology), Representative Norma Smith (State Rep., 10th district), John Githens

Welcome and Introductions

Nan McKay opened the meeting with introductions.

Approval of December Meeting Minutes

The minutes from the December Northwest Straits Commission meeting were approved with one change. Checking in on Strategic Plan The Commission reviewed progress on the first goal of the Strategic Plan and found a lot of progress is being made. Jerry Masters urged MRCs to not limit their project ideas with assumptions on a lack of funding and to offer authentic ideas so funding can meet the immediate needs of the counties. Ron Thom shared a resource for MRCs from DNR- Puget Sound Eelgrass Monitoring Data Viewer. Committee Updates Executive Committee

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Ginny provided an update on the Puget SOS bill and shared copies of letters sent to Rep. Derek Kilmer and Rep. Denny Heck expressing the Commission’s support for the bill. Nicole Jordan created a calendar guide for all MRC meetings in 2016. Science Advisory Committee Lucas Hart reported a safety committee is being created for surveying kelp. Ginny reminded MRCs to call on the Science Advisory Committee (SAC) for guidance and advice on their projects. The role of the SAC in the Commission will be discussed at the upcoming retreat. Retreat Planning Committee The retreat will be from 12:00PM on February 25 through 1:00PM on February 26.. Information about any advance preparation needed will be sent to attendees before the event. Please confirm with Nicole Jordan on attendance, dietary restrictions, and housing needs. Puget Sound Partnership (PSP) update Ginny relayed information that Marc Daily sent in, Near Term Actions (NTAs) were evaluated by the Puget Sound Partnership and feedback was provided, additional review will occur and a draft Action Agenda update will be produced by end of March. MRC Reports In addition to the written reports, MRCs provided highlights of their work since the last meeting. Whatcom Ken Carrasco confirmed Petur Sim and Bob Cecile are new members of the Whatcom MRC as of January 26, 2016. Doug Stark will be the new Northwest Straits Commission representative. Austin will be on leave until mid-April and Holly Faulstich will fill in until Austin returns to her full time position in May 2016. Clallam Jeff Ward shared that Clallam MRC will be presenting to the county on the MRC and their work. San Juan Phil Green shared that interviews for the MRC coordinator position are expected to be conducted the first week of February, The position will be open until filled. The MRC will be providing Al Woislegel, from

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Washington State Parks, a letter with recommended locations for monitoring floating pump out facilities in San Juan County. Skagit Skagit MRC held elections, and Jay Lind will serve a second term as MRC Chair and Jamey Selleck will serve a second term as MRC Vice-Chair and Commission representative. Skagit MRC is looking to expand oyster restoration at Cap Santé with additional seeding this summer. Due to high interest, the MRC is planning another Shoreline Landowners Workshop for spring 2016. Jefferson Dale Moses reported that they have new MRC members: Jackie Gardner, District 3 alternate; Jeff Taylor, District 2 representative and Anna Bachman, Environmental alternate. Jefferson MRC held a retreat and Dale reported good turnout. Project Lead Dale Moses is working with WA State Parks, Port of Port Townsend and AmeriCorps volunteers to schedule a removal, cleaning and re-coating of Mystery Bay buoys in February. Snohomish Snohomish held elections and changes in leadership include: Franchesca Perez, MRC Chair; Traci Sanderson, Vice-Chair; Paul Clampitt, Northwest Straits Commission representative; and Mike Ehlebracht, Commission alternate. Island Island MRC Lenny Corin and Dan Matlock completed their terms in December 2015. New members appointed to the MRC are Barbara Bennett, Lois Farrington, Kes Tautvydas, David Thomson, and Anthony Turpin. The Island MRC retreat is scheduled for March 15.

Public Comment Barbara Bennett shared information about new marine exhibits at the Coupeville Fisherman’s Wharf showcasing marine mammal skeletons and their associated images. Barbara also noted that the former Island County Beach Watchers are independent from WSU and are now called Sound Water Stewards. Updates on the proposed No Discharge Zone and Shoreline Armoring Trends in Puget Josh Baldi from the Department of Ecology gave updates on establishing a No Discharge Zone for Vessel Sewage in Puget Sound and Trends in Shoreline Armoring. Both presentations are available by clicking here (http://bit.ly/1UM001i).

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Business Items

Ginny and Lucas are organizing a meeting on February 10 for the Commission’s Ocean

Acidification project advisory committee.

The Commission’s NTA called Shoreline segmentation: Citizens improving oil spill response data ranked well along with many MRC and Foundation projects

Ginny will attend Puget Sound Day on the Hill in Washington DC from February 29-March 2. The Commission will receive $50,000 this year from WA Department of Fish and Wildlife to expand

the #CatchMoreCrab campaign started in Snohomish County. The campaign will provide information about how to reduce the loss of recreational crab pots.

Ginny has received names of those interested in the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference from the MRCs and Nicole will be registering people soon.

The Commission will be making a presentation to the Leadership Council at their April 28 meeting in

Port Townsend.

Welcome by Representative Norma Smith Representative Norma Smith welcomed the Commission to District 10 and expressed gratitude for the ongoing work of the MRCs. She urged MRCs to keep clear, distinct priorities and communicate that to their local leaders. Rep Smith also shared concern about the depletion of the Model Toxic Control Act funding and expressed interest in hearing ideas and solutions from Commission members. Light Monitoring Network Ron Thom shared the importance of light vs. depth and eelgrass density. He introduced a proposal for a project that MRCs can collaborate on that will use light sensors to help identify areas where eelgrass will grow and to collect long-term data. Using Drones to Survey Kelp

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John Githens shared information about his ideas for using drones for kelp monitoring. His presentation is available by clicking here (http://bit.ly/1T3O6lN). It will be also forwarded to the Science Advisory Committee for further review.

The next regular meeting of the Commission will be a WebEx conference call on March 25 from 10am-12pm. The regular February meeting is replaced by the retreat on February 25-26.

Executive Committee Meeting March 14, 2016 • 10:30am-12:00pm

Conference Call Committee Members: Nan McKay, Jerry Masters, Jamey Selleck, Ron Thom, Terry Stevens Commission Staff/Support: Ginny Broadhurst, Nicole Jordan, Caroline Gibson Not Available: Phil Green General debrief of retreat The Executive Committee discussed the retreat survey results. Feedback indicated the overall goal of strengthening relationships across Commission members, staff and MRCs was achieved. Round table discussions were reported as being productive overall. From the retreat:

Commission and Foundation o Discuss regular meeting between Foundation and Commission Executive Committees

Meetings were suggested to take place 1-2 times a year. May is the proposed month for the first joint meeting. o Recommendation on overlap of Commission and Foundation Board members

After looking into potential concerns, the Executive Committee agreed that there should be no legal issues with Commission and Foundation overlap. The committee agreed that the ideal overlap of membership is 2-3 people.

Action item: Nan will draft a letter to the Foundation with these suggestions. The letter will first go to the Commission on the March 25 meeting.

Recommendation on (minimum) length of term for MRC representatives The committee suggests a 2 year minimum.

Consider Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) designation recommendation Executive Committee discussed the issue and felt that more information is needed before an informed discussion can take place.

Action item: A presentation through WebEx will be available at the May Commission meeting. The presentation will share key information for the following June discussion.

Plan April presentation to Leadership Council The Northwest Straits Commission is scheduled to present from 11:30 – 12:15 PM on April 28 with information on the Northwest Straits Initiative’s overall value, contribution leverage and usage of the Initiative’s Foundation. Ginny suggested offering a field trip to some local project areas in demonstration of MRC work. Puget Sound Day on the Hill updates Ginny and Jerry provided an update from the event. Around 50 people attended representing a broad spectrum of backgrounds including elected officials, tribal representatives and business owners. The event revealed strong interest in the continued conservation of Puget Sound. March Commission meeting agenda The Executive Committee discussed topics for the upcoming Commission meeting. Items to discuss will include; a general debrief on retreat, a Puget Sound Day on the Hill update, Nan McKay’s letter of proposal to the Foundation Board in uniting the committees and discussion from Nomination Committee (Jerry Masters and Terry Stevens) seeking other nominations.

***The next Executive Committee Meeting will be a conference call on April 11, 2016 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM***

Commission staff updates-March 2016

Kelp Monitoring – The safety committee is finalizing its recommendations for protocol revisions and possible voluntary kayak training events. Discussions around protocol revisions have also begun in collaboration with Tom Mumford (Commission Science Advisory Committee and kelp expert). We are planning to remove kelp bed density measurements from the protocol and instead, focus on kelp bed perimeter measures. Some smaller changes can also be expected. Caroline Gibson (Northwest Straits Foundation) has successfully raised funding to allow for a dedicated protocol editor and a kelp project coordinator who will assist in communications, data management and possible protocol training events before and during the survey season. Contact: Lucas Hart (hart@nwstraits.org).

Light Attenuation project follow up – Ron Thom (Northwest Straits Commission Member and Science Committee Chair) introduced this project at a previous Commission meeting. The aim is to better understand where viable eelgrass habitat exists by placing light sensors at locations throughout Puget Sound. Marine Resource Committees may play a role in maintaining the equipment after it is deployed. John Vavrinec (Pacific Northwest National Labs) and Jeff Gaeckle (Department of Natural Resources) are currently building a prototype light sensor that is slated for testing in May 2016. After testing, discussions will continue as to how Marine Resource Committees can contribute. Contact: Lucas Hart (hart@nwstraits.org).

WDFW – NWSC forage fish partnership – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is mandated to survey Puget Sound shorelines for forage fish spawning activity. Marine Resource Committees are in a position to assist by surveying index sites that otherwise would not be sampled on a regular basis. Communications between the Northwest Straits Commission and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife have been ongoing to examine how best to integrate Marine Resource Committees into the project. Interested individuals within each Marine Resource Committee have been notified and are now evaluating whether adoption of the project will be feasible. Contact: Lucas Hart (hart@nwstraits.org).

Net Pen forum report – Lucas Hart attended the symposium on net pen aquaculture at the University of Washington on March 21st and 22nd. Presentations were given by public and private interests that relate to current science and issues related net pen aquaculture.

Leadership Council briefing – we are preparing a presentation for the April 28 LC meeting in Port Townsend and working with the Jefferson MRC to design a field trip for LC members and some local leaders.

Puget Sound Day on the Hill – Ginny Broadhurst and Jerry Masters participated.

Retreat Follow Up – A survey was sent to everyone who attended the retreat and responses summarized. Notes were summarized and distributed.

ESRP – Ginny and Caroline have been working with ESRP team on a potential small grants program that would insure that the work of MRCs is considered in the ESRP funding process.

Commission staff updates-March 2016

Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference – the Commission is supporting registration for every MRC to send one representative and two Commission staff. Ginny is on the Program Committee for SSEC and is helping create the Salish Sea Snapshot Sessions.

MRC support – Commission staff are attending MRC meetings and communicating with MRC staff to assist with the preparation of project proposals for next years’ funding. The 2016-17 MRC Request for Proposals was sent to MRCs at the end of February.

• Ginny attended and helped to facilitate the Island MRC retreat. • Sasha met with new San Juan MRC staff Arnie Klaus and Sam Gibboney (Deputy Director of Public Works) • Nicole attended the Whatcom MRC meeting. • A new interagency agreement with the City of Bellingham was prepared for SoundIQ work in 2016. MRCs

are encouraged to contribute spatial data or relevant reports to SoundIQ when available. • Four MRC payment request/progress reports for the first quarter of the grant period have been approved,

and the three remaining are anticipated to be approved shortly. The second quarterly reporting on MRCs grants is due April 8.

NWSC Annual Retreat February 25-26, 2016

Summary Notes

Day 1 – Thursday, February 25 Ingredients to success for 2015 accomplishments

• Expanded funding sources • Involved local governments • Leveraged initial investments of $73K per MRC • Partnered • Educated • Science Advisory Committee – got legs in 2015 • Keyed in on things that built excitement (e.g. kelp) • Brilliant staff and synergy

Emerging Challenges

Environmental Note: highest priorities for participants are listed first and highlighted. Not all items were voted on so this is not truly a prioritized list.

• Changing ocean/atmospheric conditions/sea level rise adaptation • Vessel traffic changes and oil transport • Impacts of growth • Kelp monitoring • Stormwater • Derelict gear – future (phase 2 likely to be significantly more difficult and more

expensive) • Pharmaceuticals in water • Evaluating benefits of actions • Bulkheads • Messaging with stakeholders on critical issues that engages rather than alienates

Operations • Communication among various related efforts

o Need to figure out how to optimize the effort o Need to align each other’s work for coordination and efficiency

• Engaging philanthropic communities

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• Continual relationship renewal • For communication – help MRCs design deliverables/metrics around projects • Decreased funding for behavior change work • Stable funding • How to fill our niche and narrowing focus given funding issues • Make sure there’s a scientific basis for projects and evaluate the benefits of

potential actions • Effective prioritization

The Initiative and the New Marine Conservation Landscape

Highlights from presentations: Ginny

• Role/function of LIOs has evolved • Initiative has aligned its priorities with the priorities of the Action Agenda – feel

this has been successful, though another refinement may be needed Lucas

• Interviews with LIO and MRC staff were informative. See attached handout. Sheida

• PSP narrowed its focus to 3 key things in order to maximize its ability to be successful with a massive mission (restoring Puget Sound by 2020). They include:

o Shared roadmap. Defensible, prioritized pathway to recovery. o Shared measurements. Efficiency and effectiveness of actions. Long-term

progress and accountability. o Supporting partners so they can implement their programs effectively.

Mobilize funding and remove barriers.

Highlights from facilitated discussion (including challenges) • Low participation from MRCs in last round of near term actions – hope to work

to change this. (Note: some indicated it wasn’t that low given the circumstances) • There is a desire by NWSI/MRCs to meld better with bigger (e.g. PSP) effort. • PSP recognizes NWSC as a place where citizen involvement happens. • PSP is not communicating directly at MRC level – San Juan may be only MRC to

have regular visits from PSP staff. MRC members not tracking PSP processes. • MRC capacity is limited. They are volunteers. Tough to ask volunteers to attend

LIO meetings that are governmental in structure and framework. Not necessarily the best thing to ask them to do from a continued engagement perspective.

• There is a communication gap resulting from PSP’s new focus areas (Puget Sound Starts Here campaign, etc.). Role for NWSI in filling this gap?

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• NWSC projects not always a fit with PSP priorities. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it highlights those areas in which NWSI’s work is unique, locally based.

• What is ideal number of NTAs from NWSI? • NWSI plays an important role as a coordinator across various efforts. • MRCs are accountable to local governments; not accountable to regional

recovery. • There is a need for the initiative to use an economic tone when approaching

environmental outreach. This could serve to expand support of NWSI.

Action items • Provide feedback to PSP on NTA process • Make sure NWSI activities are reflected in the update to the Action Agenda • Watch strategic implementation strategies being developed by PSP • Have the science committee review and think about the emerging environmental

challenges and determine which would be most useful for the commission to focus on. Metrics should also be developed around each.

Day 2 – Friday, February 26

The Path Ahead – Ensuring Success in 2016 - Part I: Are we on track for success around Environmental Goals?

Goal #1: Accelerate the rate of shoreline and nearshore habitat protection and restoration with the goal of a net gain of functional habitat.

How can we accomplish more? no notes

Can we be doing more? no notes

Goal #2: Support water quality monitoring efforts and take measures to protect and improve water quality.

How can we accomplish more? • Opportunities for increased engagement of County commissioners in at least half

of the MRCs

Can we be doing more? • Education at municipal level – power of on-the-ground projects

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• tours for government officials • Share approaches taken across MRCs – e.g., focus on marine drainages for

stormwater/rain garden efforts of Jefferson MRC • Invite local officials to MRC meetings where they don’t regularly attend

Goal #3: Protect and restore marine species and habitats

How can we accomplish more? • Need for continued public education (given rapidly growing population) – need

to keep awareness up on past projects – e.g., creosote logs, derelict gear

Can we be doing more? • Find a mechanism for better replication of MRC projects. Invite the press. • Need to strengthen habitat and species as part of the goal • Commission should be sharing more across MRCs on projects • Web-based education

Goal #4: Educate local residents about the health of the Northwest Straits marine waters and habitat and provide opportunities for engagement.

How can we accomplish more? • Coastal volunteer partnership/Salish Sea Stewards effective at expanding

involvement • Strengthen funding • Leverage funding • Diversify audiences

Can we be doing more? • Broaden the tent – Commission level • Need to revive conversation on Salish Sea Stewards expansion • Better engagement of Generation Y

o High school volunteers? o Use proactive language

• Diversify audiences o Use economic vs. environmental language

• Better communication re health status of Northwest Straits The Path Ahead – Ensuring Success in 2016 - Part II: Are we on track for success around Operational Goals?

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Goal 1: Maintain strong MRCs

How can we up the ante to accomplish more? • Increase pressure to procure funding for MRCs

o Local governments o Foundation (issues identified with this: more conversation needed)

• More mentoring for new members • Training in relationship building is needed • New elected - outreach/communication is needed • Commission mentoring • New member education – NWS 101. Train the Trainer needed? • Earlier communication with Science Advisory Committee when projects are

developed to ensure better metrics etc. (Lucas note: this is something the SAC is working towards)

• As MRCs elevate projects, should be asking themselves – are we working with the Commission? The Foundation? (ideally, answer should be yes)

• Idea re: 3-5 min video on NWS to show to local electeds

Can we be doing more? • WCC/AmeriCorps? • Internships with local colleges • Crowd funding? • Need to address/fix funding challenges that limit capacity (example: difficult for

Foundation staff to attend MRC meetings with current funding structure)

Goal 2: Strengthen the NWSC

How can we accomplish more?

• Increase communication opportunities for MRCs and Commission • Work to retain Commission members and reduce turnover

Can we be doing more? • Regularly share important information (membership changes, document

updates, etc.) • Create space/time for MRCs to approach Commission with concerns

Key Actions (Days 1 and 2)

Commission staff: • Quantify completed actions and communicate it to executive committee to make

recommendation to Commission • Make the Strategic Plan more prominent on the website

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• Find a way to update the Strategic Plan and support it as a “living document” • Consider what is the right number of NTAs from NWSI moving forward? • Provide feedback to PSP on NTA process • Make sure NWSI activities are reflected in the update to the Action Agenda • Discuss lack of a clear mechanism for PSP to communicate at MRC level • There is a communication gap resulting from PSP’s new focus areas (Puget Sound

Starts Here campaign, etc). Role for NWSI in filling this gap? • Reconvene education committee? Do a cross-walk with “gaps” regarding

communications and outreach and what PSP is no longer doing on this front (per conversation with Sheida and bullet above)

Retreat Planning Team: • Define the specific “ask” for the Science Advisory Committee regarding

environmental challenges

Commission • Should review each goal annually • Hold more in person meetings

Foundation • Convene conversation to further discuss issue of Foundation pursuing funding to

support MRCs

MRCs • Should do homework in advance of annual review (by Commission) of progress

towards environmental goals • Provide feedback to PSP on NTA process • Speak up for restoration recovery • Communicate regularly with elected officials • Tune in more to regional effort

Science Advisory Committee • Review list of emerging environmental challenges identified in the retreat (refer

to page 1 of this document) and respond to Retreat Planning Team’s request regarding this.

Other • Need to look carefully at implementation strategies • CI (?) – more conversations re: role of NWSI in partnerships • Bring new citizens/residents into the fold.

Lucas’ report on MRC – LIO relationships

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Jefferson MRC – Strait Ecosystem Recovery Network (SERN)

Jefferson MRC and SERN maintain a strong relationship. An MRC member and staff regularly attend quarterly SERN meetings while SERN staff attend MRC meetings when strategically important. SERN offers several benefits to MRC’s including a featured speaker series at meetings, regular feedback and review of NTA proposals and MRC representation on ad hoc committees. SERN will also be featuring NTA success stories as a regular agenda item allowing partners to communicate successful projects. Furthermore, SERN expressed interest in hearing more about MRC strategies and actions for possible inclusion in the SERN Ecosystem Recovery Plan. Although few weaknesses in this relationship were identified, a unique challenge revolves around the fact that Jefferson County is split between two LIO’s, which leaves the majority of the Geographic focus of SERN in Clallam County.

Clallam MRC – Strait Ecosystem Recovery Network (SERN)

Clallam MRC and SERN have a good working relationship. The strengths listed between Jefferson MRC and SERN are largely echoed in the Clallam MRC – SERN relationship. In fact, one Clallam MRC member serves on a SERN strategic initiative transition team (an ad hoc NTA committee). However, additional weaknesses were identified. These include, 1) lack of priority crossover between Clallam MRC and SERN, which may partially lead to low MRC member attendance at SERN meetings. 2) Although MRC staff attend SERN meetings, staff hold positions with other organizations and confusion exists around who they should be representing. 3) There is a lack of MRC communication to SERN on where MRC expertise may assist in regional priorities.

Jefferson MRC – Hood Canal Coordinating Council (HCCC)

Jefferson MRC and HCCC have an amicable relationship but low level of communication. HCCC attends one Jefferson MRC meeting per year to communicate ongoing work of the LIO. In addition, HCCC is responsive to the MRC during the NTA process. However, MRC members do not attend HCCC meetings for several reasons. 1) HCCC is structured as a council of governments and does not have seats available for MRC representation. 2) A salmon-centric focus of the HCCC is outside the scope of Jefferson MRC projects. 3) The location of meetings requires extensive travel for MRC members/staff. Furthermore, HCCC does not have a strong sense of MRC strategies and actions. Despite these weaknesses, HCCC is open to discussions with Jefferson MRC around how semi-regular communication can take place to facilitate better understanding between the two organizations. One potential opportunity may be through MRC representation on ecosystem recovery plan workgroups and phone conversations between LIO and MRC representatives.

Island MRC – Island LIO

Island MRC and Island LIO (housed within the Island County Public Health Department) have an excellent relationship and communication. An MRC member represents the MRC at LIO technical committee meetings. The LIO coordinator also serves as the supervisor of MRC staff. This working relationship drives regular communication between the MRC and LIO.

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Snohomish MRC – Snohomish Stillaguamish LIO

Snohomish MRC and Snohomish Stillaguamish LIO maintain a good relationship. One MRC representative sits on the LIO implementation committee while staff of the MRC and LIO are also immersed in project discussions and processes of cross cutting organizations. This alignment automatically facilitates knowledge transfer between the MRC and LIO. In addition, LIO email updates were noted as a beneficial form of communication that can help overcome the difficulty of attending some meetings.

Skagit MRC

No LIO exists for Skagit MRC

San Juan MRC – San Juan Action Agenda Oversight Group

San Juan MRC and San Juan Action Agenda Oversight Group have a good relationship. MRC representatives fill two seats of the LIO implementation committee and the LIO coordinator regularly attends MRC meetings. The MRC views the LIO as an important player in achieving the goals of the Puget Sound Partnership and assisting in the integration of MRC projects in Puget Sound recovery. A general increase in the level of communication between the MRC and LIO was recommended as an area of opportunity that could help progress the goals of both groups.

Whatcom MRC – Whatcom LIO (WRIA 1 Policy Boards)

The relationship between Whatcom MRC and Whatcom LIO requires improvements. Areas of weakness include:

1. MRC staff is unclear on who they represent at LIO meetings due to dual employment.

2. MRC feels left out of Action Agenda Vital Sign discussions. 3. LIO is driven by local priorities that are not aligned with MRC priorities. 4. MRC contention exists around who should represent the MRC when LIO

opportunities arise. 5. Council of governments LIO structure makes MRC representation difficult. 6. Council of governments LIO structure leads to numerous committee meetings

that are difficult to navigate. 7. LIO representative does not attend MRC meetings. 8. LIO’s main objective is to guide NTA process.

To overcome some of these weaknesses the MRC can work to communicate with tribal natural resource representatives, which are heavily involved in the LIO process. The MRC can also better communicate priorities with the LIO coordinator and partner organizations.

MRC Monthly Report County: Clallam

Month/Year: February 2016

Submitted by: Cathy Lear and Helle Andersen

Membership/Leadership Changes (including new members, departing members, changes to chair/vice-chair, NWSC representative/alternate, staff): None

Events/Meetings (including upcoming events/meetings and/or information on meetings/events from past month such as number of participants or highlights):

MRC Meeting: The monthly CMRC meeting was held February 22nd and the topics on the agenda included:

• 2016-17 NWSC grant proposal including selection of presentation topic for the April 29th meeting

• Summer 2016 intern program – selection of topics and number of interns • Discussion of the presentation to the Clallam County Commissioners • Upcoming Hazwoper and oiled wildlife trainings • Funding of educational outreach including climate change workshops • Update on the Olympia oyster restoration project in Washington Harbor

Clallam County Commissioners Meeting: The CMRC gave a presentation to the three County Commissioners summarizing the contributions the CMRC and the NW Strait Initiative have given to the county and the current CMRC projects. The presentation was attended by Ginny Broadhurst, Jeff Ward, Ed Bowlby, Lyn Muench and Cathy Lear. The overall consensus was that the presentation went well, but the response from the commissioners was disappointing. They were interested in the intern program, but had no questions after the presentation. This left the CMRC members wondering if they understood the CMRC and the contributions the committee has provided over the years. Lyn pointed out that the CMRC presentation was item #10 on a long agenda and that there were several other presentations.

The CMRC members decided to write a thank you letter to the commissioners as a way to initiate more communication and to reach out to Mary Ellen Winborn at Clallam County Department of Community Development by inviting her to the April meeting. Lyn suggested that CMRC follow up three months later by providing the commissioners with a project update.

Hazwoper Training: The 8-hr training was held at the Port Angeles City Council Chamber. A total of 74 people signed up for the training but unfortunately only 53 showed up. The training was provided by a team of instructors from WDFW, the U.S. Coast Guard, Focus Wildlife, Washington Department of Ecology, and Marine Spill Response Corporation. The training covered the following topics: Kalamazoo River pipeline response overview, hazards of oil spill response, non-oil specific hazards, recognizing other, personal protective equipment, and Sulphur Creek wildlife response. After the training all participants received a Hazwoper certification. The flyer for the training is attached.

Upcoming Oiled Wildlife Trainings: The trainings provided by Island Oil Spill Association and CMRC will take place March 26th and April 9th at the Clallam County Fairgrounds. Registration was made available in late February and the event was advertised in Sequim Gazette and Peninsula Daily News and posters were distributed throughout Port Angeles. The information was also emailed to Lisa Isakson at the Department of Ecology so that she could pass the information on to all Hazwoper trained volunteers. For more information please see the two attached flyers.

Olympia Oyster Project Update: Jeff Ward, Lyn Muench, Cathy Lear, Tori Cantelow and Helle Andersen met at the Jamestown Tribal Center for a kick-off meeting of the Olympia oyster restoration effort in Washington Harbor. On the agenda was the landowner agreement, site visits and planning the upcoming field season. Unfortunately the landowner agreement seemed to have raised concerns with Mark Burrowes and the family has backed out of the project. Lyn was to contact them to see if there is something CMRC can do to make them change their mind. Other possible tideland access points were discussed including suitable habitats in Washington Harbor.

Unfortunately a good minus tide does not occur until early May. It was decided to plan for site visit May 6th between 9:30 and 11:30 am. Hopefully by then the access to the tidelands has been resolved and CMRC will know if Jamestown can provide us with overwintered oyster seeds.

These issues will cause delays in the deliverables to the NWSC and Ecology. Cathy will work on the contract with Sasha.

MRC Monthly Report County: San Juan Month/Year: February and March, 2016 Submitted by: Phil Green Membership/Leadership changes (including new members, departing members, changes to chair/vice-chair, NWSC representative/alternate, staff): Arnie Klaus was hired as the new MRC coordinator, official title San Juan County Marine Program Coordinator. He started work the beginning of March. The San Juan MRC has one position that is allowed an alternate, the Director of Community Development. Sam Gibboney formerly held that position but now has a new position for the county. Erika Shook is the new Director and the official member of the MRC. Sam will be her proxy and attend most meeting. Sam and Erica meet regularly as part of their work schedule so there will be no problem with communication between the two. Events/Meetings (including upcoming events/meetings and/or information on meetings/events from past month such as number of participants or highlights): The MRC held its regular bimonthly meetings on February 6 and 20 and March 2 and 16 The MRC cosponsored a talk with Sea Doc Society in East Sound. Eleni Petro talked about Pacific herring from research she has done talking to elders in the community. The talk was attended by 67 people and they were each given a survey at the end of the talk. 55 returned surveys. Results were very positive. Greg Sawyer, facilities manger for SJC, talked at our 3/16 meeting about proposals for the Orcas Landing area. The MRC through our outreach committee would like to be involved with installing informational signs at this location. Funding updates (newly-awarded grants, in-kind support or other funding commitments): n/a Project Updates (progress from past month on existing project or any new projects identified): Barbara Bentley, Cheryl Krummer and Marta Branch retrieved the one surviving mussel cage from near Indian Island in East Sound. A second cage had been destroyed earlier by winter storms. The NTA ranking was finalized and there was general disappoint with the result. Looking at the numbers, 79% of those in the top quartile were submitted by state or federal agencies, or tribes, many from King County. The PSP had said they wanted this to be a bottom up process but the LIOs are pushing back asking what is our purpose if we are competing with state agencies like DOE and DOT and then seeing most of our NTAs ranked in the 4th quartile. There will be more to come on this.

Other (anything not covered above, including local issues of interest to the regional group, questions to the Commission, etc): Arnie Klaus, Barbara Bentley, Laura Arnold and Phil Green attended the March 2 LIO meeting. The group was tasked with creating a vision statement for the LIO. Marta reported that the MRC will be participating in three sessions at the 2016 Salish Sea conference in April in Vancouver, B.C. Marta will be presenting on the history of the San Juan MRC and the MSA Plan. Byron Rot and Eleni Petro will present on Pacific Herring populations. Lucas Hart will present about the bull kelp monitoring project. Other MRC members past and present will also be presenting at the conference. Marta asked the Northwest Straits to sponsor Terry Turner for the conference. The SJC MRC will be hosting a reception at the Salish Sea Conference to start planning for the next Marine Managers Workshop (MMW) in 2017 with a theme of vessel traffic. This was the topic at the last MMW and the initial list of invitees to the reception will be speakers from the 2015 workshop. To be added to that list are other potential partners for the MMW. Several MRCs mentioned vessel traffic as a top priority. If they are interested in being a part of the MMW, this would be a good starting point in the process.

JCMRC Monthly Report County: Jefferson Month/Year: February-March 2016 Submitted by: Cheryl Lowe Membership/Leadership Changes (including new members, departing members, changes to chair/vice-chair, NWSC representative/alternate, staff):

• No changes Events/Meetings (including upcoming events/meetings and/or information on meetings/events from past month such as number of participants or highlights): Past Meetings & Events:

• The February JCMRC monthly meeting was held Feb. 2, 2016. 15 members/staff attended and 6 guests. We continued our discussion of future project planning that was started at the Special Meeting on January 26, 2016.

• The March JCMRC monthly meeting was held on March 1, 2016. 16 members/staff attended and 4 guests. Guest speaker Rebecca Benjamin from the North Olympic Salmon Coalition gave an update on their upcoming nearshore project at Killisut Harbor (between Indian and Marrowstone Islands). Funding is secured and project planning is moving forward. Other topics included future project planning, follow-up to Discovery Bay water quality concerns and current project updates.

• Executive Committee met Feb. 16 (Al, Dale, Ashley and Cheryl) and March 15 (Nam, Al, Ashley, Cheryl) to plan for upcoming meetings. Topics also included business rules updates, Discovery Bay, BOCC presentation preparations, and mentors for new members.

• MRC presented their annual report to the Board of County Commissioners on February 22nd. Dale was the primary presenter. NWSC Director Ginny Broadhurst attended and added additional comments. Five other MRC members attended (Gordon, Wade, Al, Shannon and Jeff Taylor).

• Dale and Cheryl attended the February NWSC retreat. • Cheryl and Bob attended the Strait ERN meeting on March 4, 2016. • Cheryl and Bob attended the Chumsortium meeting Feb. 4, 2016. • Cheryl, Jackie Gardner and Jeff Taylor attended Sound Waters 2016.

Upcoming Meetings/Events:

• Next MRC meeting is April 5, 2016. No guest speaker is scheduled. • Tentative date for the first MRC-sponsored Digging for Dinner is Saturday, May 7th. • On June 4th and 5th the MRC will host beach tours/info programs to highlight the upcoming

nearshore restoration project at Fort Townsend State Park. These events are funded by a NWS Foundation grant from WDFW Marine and Nearshore program funds.

Funding updates (newly-awarded grants, in-kind support or other funding commitments): We received notification that the NWS Foundation’s proposal for extending the shoreline landowners (SHARP) project (additional funds and time) was accepted. This includes some landowner outreach events in Discovery Bay neighborhoods. NWS Foundation also submitted a grant proposal to the

Jefferson Community Foundation on our behalf to support more rain garden installations. No word on that proposal yet. Project Updates (progress from past 2 months on existing project or any new projects identified):

1. Monitoring: The Kelp group continues to work with NWSC on monitoring plans. Fort Townsend forage fish monitoring continues in partnership with the Point No Point Treaty Council biologists. We will cut back to sampling once a month after April. Also, see below for some associated activities.

2. Rain Gardens: A sub-committee of the MRC has now met twice to review the report, conduct site visits and rank the best projects to implement with this year’s funding. Staff are now looking into logistics and landowner collaboration for spring (late April) or September installations.

3. Voluntary No Anchor Zones: Cleaning and re-coating of Mystery Bay buoys was rescheduled for April when weather and tides are more favorable.

4. Education & Outreach: 2016 Education/Outreach Plan was completed and reviewed by the MRC. Implementation has begun. Also, see below for some associated activities.

5. Olympia Oyster – Working with WDFW and local tribes, we’ve changed our strategy. A combination of various factors (including delayed delivery of seeded cultch and small scope of project) prompted us to reconsider the need for a full set of agency permits. With the cooperation of WDFW and local tribal shellfish resource co-managers, we are treating this as a resource co-manager’s experimental test on WDFW tidal lands in Quilcene Bay. We will have 10 bags of overwintered, seeded cultch available this spring (donated by Taylor Shellfish) to put on site. The seeded cultch ordered from Puget Sound Restoration Fund should be delivered by mid-summer.

Other (anything not covered above, including local issues of interest to the regional group, questions to the Commission, etc.): Fort Townsend Monitoring & Outreach: The MRC has been working with students and teachers of the Jefferson Community School (private school serving middle and high school ages) on the Fort Townsend SP restoration project. They are learning about pre- and post-construction monitoring as part of their marine sciences program. Students are practicing forage fish and beach slope monitoring protocols and will meet with MRC forage fish monitoring team members on March 23rd. They will also be assisting with our June public outreach events by creating models to show how the shoreline landing will change as a result of the project. Other Outreach: MRC member Nam Siu, Jefferson Community School and WSU Extension co-sponsored a kelp pressing workshop on March 9th, where information about the Jefferson MRC’s work monitoring bull-kelp populations was also mentioned.

MRC Monthly Report County: Island Month/Year: February-March 2016 Submitted by: Anna Toledo Membership/Leadership changes (including new members, departing members, changes to chair/vice-chair, NWSC representative/alternate, staff): None. Events/Meetings (including upcoming events/meetings and/or information on meetings/events from past month such as number of participants or highlights): Meetings

- On February 2, Rob Hallbauer from Whidbey Island Conservation District (WICD) presented on stormwater remediation projects on Ebey’s Prairie.

- On February 16, Caroline Gibson and Lenny Corin gave an update on happenings at the NWSF, and the MRC discussed current project commitments.

- On March 1, project leads presented on current projects and anticipated plans for the future, in preparation for the MRC retreat.

- The MRC has a planning retreat scheduled for March 15. The goals are to build relationships among MRC members, and plan future MRC work, including identifying specific projects for the next work plan.

Events

- An orientation for new members was held on February 2nd. - The MRC had a booth at Sound Waters University, and several members attended classes. Linda

Rhodes presented on the 2015 bull kelp surveys conducted by the 7 MRCs. Barbara Bennett presented on mitigating risks and exploring environmental stewardship in regards to sea level rise.

- The MRC, along with Sound Water Stewards and WSU Extension, sponsored the 2016 Jan Holmes Island County Coastal Volunteer of the Year award, which was presented during Sound Waters University to volunteer Bob Gentz.

- A planting party with Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group and NWSF is scheduled for Saturday, March 19th, 10am-1pm.

Funding updates (newly-awarded grants, in-kind support or other funding commitments): None. Project Updates (progress from past month on existing project or any new projects identified): Eelgrass: The eelgrass team is analyzing the 2015 data and will present their results to the MRC on April 5th, and ask for input on monitoring locations for 2016. Pigeon Guillemot: Pigeon Guillemot Research Group coordinators presented at Sound Waters University. The team is continuing to analyze data and make edits to the proposed article for Northwest Naturalist. Phytoremediation: The MRC had planned to coordinate with WICD to conduct pre and post monitoring of a phytoremediation project by the WICD. Due to change in timeline of the originally planned phytoremediation project, the MRC will not be conducting monitoring, and is considering other uses for

the funds. One possibility is to install educational signage at the existing phytoremediation site in Coupeville the MRC helped establish. Forage Fish: Surf smelt eggs were found at Camano Island State Park, and sand lance eggs were found at Ala Spit. Seining: A seining training hosted by NWSF and Island County Lead Entity was held on January 22nd. Seining has begun at Cornet Bay, and is scheduled for every two weeks through June. Outreach flyers will be posted around Deception Pass State Park announcing one seining date per month where the public can observe seining and learn about the restoration and monitoring work. Cornet Bay Restoration: A native vegetation planting and maintenance day with Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group and NWSF is scheduled for March 19th. Lisa Kaufman has been working with State Parks to consider full replacement of the Marine Maintenance Pier. Other (anything not covered above, including local issues of interest to the regional group, questions to the Commission, etc): None.

MRC Monthly Report County: Skagit Month/Year: March/2016 Submitted by: Jamey Membership/Leadership changes (including new members, departing members, changes to chair/vice-chair, NWSC representative/alternate, staff):

• The following were recently appointed to the Skagit MRC by the Board of County Commissioners: o Kit Rawson was appointed to replace Kari Odden as the representative for the Skagit Land

Trust on the MRC o Phyllis Bravinder was appointed to represent the concerned citizen interest group o Erica Pickett was appointed as Liz Lovelett’s alternate, representing the City of Anacortes o Jodi Bluhm was appointed as Todd Woodard’s alternate, representing the Samish Indian

Nation Events/Meetings – two MRC meetings since the last NWSC meeting (including upcoming events/meetings and/or information on meetings/events from past month such as number of participants or highlights):

• February 11, Skagit MRC meeting: Leah Kintner from the Puget Sound Partnership attended the MRC meeting to answer questions regarding LIOs. The main question/concern expressed by MRC members is what will the consequences be if a LIO isn’t established in Skagit County? Not having a LIO or a Five Year Ecosystem Recovery Plan could put the Skagit MRC at a disadvantage because the MRC would have less of a voice in identifying local priorities for funding. However, at this point it is uncertain what the process might be in 2018. It could be completely different than it is now.

• Skagit Valley College Forum: Skagit MRC was invited to participate in one of the forums at the Skagit Valley College as part of a new course in natural resources policy analyses. The purpose was to highlight the multitudes of natural resource entities working on improving the environment and illustrate how they try to influence policies and actions on the ground. Pete Haase participated as the Skagit MRC representative. Leah Kintner from the Puget Sound Partnership participated as well.

• March 10, Skagit MRC meeting: The committee continued the process of identifying and ranking project proposals for the 2016-2017 MRC Grant. The projects that ranked the highest include: Salish Sea Stewards, Pinto Abalone Restoration/Monitoring, Nearshore Restoration Monitoring, Fidalgo Bay Day, and Interpretive Signage at Washington Park in Anacortes.

Funding updates (newly-awarded grants, in-kind support or other funding commitments): No updates Project Updates (progress from past month on existing project or any new projects identified):

• Salish Sea Stewards/Beach Naturalists: Samantha Russell is the new Coastal Volunteer Partnership’s Program Coordinator. The classes will be held on Tuesdays at Padilla Bay starting March 15th and will be a little more than 40 hours total. Jay Lind provided the Skagit MRC presentation on the first day of class and Rachel Benbrook presented Puget Sound 101. 20 people are registered for the class. The Salish Sea Stewards class has been invited to the April 14th MRC meeting to help give them a better understanding of what the MRC is all about.

• Shannon Point Nearshore Restoration: The Northwest Straits Foundation is still waiting for the City of Anacortes to make some final determinations on their trail planning as it relates to the new project design. The Foundation has partial funding from WDNR for construction, as long as we can get the project completed during the upcoming fish window. Additional funds will be needed for construction. The NWSF applied for a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) 5 Star Grant for

the project. The partners for this grant will be NWSF, MRC with Salish Sea Stewards, City of Anacortes, WWU, Coastal Volunteer Partnership, and USFWS. The Skagit MRC provided a letter of support to the 5 Star Grant funders.

• Bowman Bay Nearshore Restoration: Restoration work is now complete, except for some additional upland planting and maintenance. A Request for Proposals for the interpretive sign design was sent to 4 or 5 different local artists. Proposals are due March 22. The Bowman Bay Restoration video featuring time lapse of the construction and aerial footage with a drone has been completed and can now be viewed on YouTube and a link has been posted on the Skagit MRC website (click here). There will be an Earth Day Celebration at Bowman Bay on April 23rd with a planting party and other activities such as: interpretive walks, and forage fish surveys and other monitoring demonstrations as well as salmon burgers and raffle items. The event will kick off on April 22nd with a film screening of the Maiden of Deception Pass at Padilla Bay.

• Fidalgo Bay Day: The Fidalgo Bay Resort has been reserved for August 27, 2016 (11am – 3pm). Save the Date Cards have been widely distributed. The planning committee met on March 11. The Shannon Point Marine Center touch tanks and Samish canoe rides might not be available this year, so we are trying to come up with some new ideas for fun activities.

• Olympia Oyster Restoration: Monitoring results from earlier this fall indicated that the level of new oyster settlement was very strong. The four shell plots on the east side of Fidalgo Bay, especially the ones on the southern end, had very high oyster settlement rates. However, there is some concern regarding future survival rates of the shell plots due to the soft substrate and high levels of sedimentation. Additional seeding will take place this summer at Cap Sante in coordination with Betsy Peabody from the Puget Sound Restoration Fund and the Port of Anacortes. Monitoring sensors and four bags of native oyster seed will also be deployed in the recently restored channel/marsh system at Secret Harbor. Paul is looking at different options to enhance the native oyster restoration effort in the western side of Fidalgo Bay. Native oyster settlement hasn’t spread very much to the western side of the bay due to the currents. The sediment in that area is ideal for putting out oyster shell.

• Pinto Abalone Restoration: Outplanting of juvenile abalone and monitoring will likely take place at the end of March. Additional seeding is necessary to obtain the appropriate densities to accommodate sustainable reproduction.

• Shoreline Landowner Workshop: The NWSF has grant funding to do a Shoreline Landowner Workshop and property consultations in Skagit County this spring. The workshop is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, 2016. The focus area will be Similk Bay. We are currently in the process of trying to reserve a facility in Anacortes.

• Nearshore Monitoring: Monitoring plans have been updated. Beach seining occurred at Bowman Bay on February 9, February 19, and March 4. Volunteers counted several juvenile chum salmon. The next beach seining monitoring will take place at Bowman Bay on March 18th at 10:00 a.m. Beach seining also took place at Shannon Point on February 29th. A boat is required for beach seining at Shannon Point because it is a difficult location to access and monitor.

Other (anything not covered above, including local issues of interest to the regional group, questions to the Commission, etc):

• Skagit County Shoreline Master Program Update: The Skagit County Planning Commission held a

public hearing on March 15th. Skagit County Planning and Development Services will be taking written comments on the draft update until April 4th.

• 2016 Padilla Bay NERR Management Plan: The Padilla Bay Management Plan has been updated and is now open for public comment. The Draft 2016 plan has been posted on Padilla Bay’s website: http://www.padillabay.gov/pdfs/MgtPlanDraftFeb22.pdf

MRC Monthly Report County: Snohomish Month/Year: March 2016 (covers February 2016 and March 2016) Submitted by: Kathleen Herrmann Membership/Leadership changes (including new members, departing members, changes to chair/vice-chair, NWSC representative/alternate, staff): None. Events/Meetings (including upcoming events/meetings and/or information on meetings/events from past month such as number of participants or highlights): On February 4, 2016, MRC Staff member Kathleen Herrmann attended the WRIA 8 Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed Salmon Summit in Seattle. The event focused on salmon recovery efforts over the last decade and discussed steps and implementation approaches for the future. Snohomish MRC Member, Lincoln Loehr, attended Sound Waters on February 6, 2016. The event was held in Island County and featured a series of presentations on topics related to the status of the Salish Sea. MRC Staff Kathleen Herrmann, and MRC Member Paul Clampitt attended the Northwest Straits Commission Retreat on February 25 and 26, 2016. On March 1, 2016, MRC Chair Franchesca Perez and MRC Staff Kathleen Herrmann provided Snohomish County Council with a summary of the work achieved in 2015. Additional members in attendance included MRC Staff Autumn Moore, and Snohomish MRC Members Traci Sanderson, Lincoln Loehr, Tom Hoban, and Paul Clampitt. Some of the highlights in MRC accomplishments of 2015 included: • Nearshore Beach Restoration Project Design Finalized • Port Susan Bulkhead Removal Phase 1 • Meadowdale Feasibility Study • Policy and Behavior Change Strategies to Prevent Crab Pot Loss • Oil Spill Preparedness A full summary of the accomplishments and efforts of the MRC in 2015 is included in the Annual Report. To watch the MRC presentation to County Council, click here. Funding updates (newly-awarded grants, in-kind support or other funding commitments): None.

Project Updates (progress from past month on existing project or any new projects identified): The Nearshore Beach Restoration Project— The Nearshore Restoration Project went to bid on March 3, 2016. Bids will be opened on March 22 at 11:00 a.m. Long Term Nearshore Beach Restoration Maintenance and Management Study— The MRC continued work with with Snohomish County and NOAA to develop a preliminary assessment of nearshore marine culverts within the railroad impounded nearshore of Snohomish County and potential beach nourishment locations along the Snohomish County Nearshore south of Everett. SWM staff created draft GIS maps to outline the potential nearshore marine culverts for replacement and potential locations for beach nourishment. These maps are currently under review by the team members. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are authorizing a special investigation study to study their current business practices in the area of beach nourishment along the BNSF Railroad Corridor. The Corps may then be able to update these procedures to complement Snohomish County’s work in the nearshore. This study will support the Nearshore Beach Restoration Project and the MRC’s Long Term Beach Restoration Maintenance and Management Study. The MRC hired Anchor QEA/Confluence to create a series of long term management funding options for beach nourishment maintenance. Caged Mussel Study— MRC Staff Kathleen Herrmann and Autumn Moore, and Snohomish MRC Members Franchesca Perez, Susan Tarpley, Cathy Stanley, Lincoln Loehr, Sarah Brown assisted with the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) Caged Mussel Study on February 5, 2016. Mussel cages were deployed at several Snohomish County locations in October 2015 including Naketa Beach, Brackett’s Landing, and Meadowdale Beach. Participants returned to retrieve the mussel cages and send the mussels back to WDFW for contaminant analysis in February. This work is part of a larger effort to study water quality within Puget Sound. Oil Spill Prevention, Preparedness and Response— The MRC wrote a letter to explain the Vessel of Opportunity (VOO) program administered by the Washington Department of Ecology and encourage Snohomish County Commercial Fisherman to sign up for this program. MRC members distributed the letter, along with educational pamphlets on the VOO program, as a larger approach to strengthen county oil spill efforts. Forage Fish Spawning Surveys — Surveys for the 2015-2016 season were completed February 27, 2016. The MRC will update the forage fish spawning report with current data and sediment analysis.

MRC Monthly Report County: Whatcom Month/Year: February & March, 2016 Submitted by: Holly Faulstich Membership/Leadership changes (including new members, departing members, changes to chair/vice-chair, NWSC representative/alternate, staff):

• Two new members of the Whatcom MRC were officially appointed at the January 26 County Council meeting – Pete Sim (Economic) and Bob Cecile (Citizen-at-Large). These appointments were announced at the February 4 MRC meeting. April Markiewicz and Jeff Chalfant are no longer on the MRC. Ken Carrasco will be departing in June, leaving an open Conservation seat.

• MRC officer elections occurred at the February 4 meeting: Rachel Benbrook – Chair, Eleanor

Hines – Vice Chair, Doug Stark – NWSC Rep, Pete Granger – NWSC Alternate Rep. Events/Meetings (including upcoming events/meetings and/or information on meetings/events from past month such as number of participants or highlights):

• The Public Speaker Series Subcommittee met on January 21 and successfully confirmed six events and speakers for 2016: o May 5 – Olympia oyster restoration, Paul Dinnel & Shannon Buckham o June 2 – Marine plastics in the Salish Sea, Leah Bendell o June 2 – Bellingham restoration priorities, Analiese Burns o Sept 1 – Bellingham Bay monitoring, Jude Apple o Sept 24-Oct 1 – Lk. Whatcom circulation study results, Bert Rubash & Elizabeth Kilanowski o Nov 3 – Lummi Island quarry update, Rebecca Rettmer

Their next meeting is scheduled for March 16.

• The Executive Committee met on February 16 to prepare for the March MRC meeting and 2016-17 project idea discussion. The next meeting is scheduled for March 15 and they will begin planning for a presentation to County Council in order to request long-term funding of Austin’s position.

• The Project Development Subcommittee met on February 18 and discussed current, proposed and tabled projects. A comprehensive project matrix was updated by Holly with task numbers, deliverables, and budgets. The table of compiled projects was brought to the March MRC meeting for a prioritization discussion. The next meeting is scheduled for March 24.

• MRC meetings: The new director of WWU’s Salish Sea Institute, Bert Webber, presented at the February MRC meeting and the founder of the Salish Sea Experience program, Krista Gordon, presented at the March meeting. Also at the March meeting, Holly gave a presentation on the current status of the 2015-16 grant, including upcoming deliverables and budget status. The group began brainstorming proposed projects for the 2016-17 grant cycle and potential presentation topics for the NWSC meeting on April 29. An MRC member handbook was developed by MRC staff and presented to new members at the March meeting.

Funding updates (newly-awarded grants, in-kind support or other funding commitments): N/A Project Updates (progress from past month on existing project or any new projects identified):

• The MRC retrieved mussel watch cages on the evening of February 8. The City of Bellingham's WCC crew collected everything from the MRC champion’s house and took materials to WDFW in Olympia.

• MRC staff and member tabled at the Chuckanut Radio Hour on February 25, along with the

Northwest Straits Foundation. They spoke with several members of the public and four people signed up to join the MRC mailing list.

• Holly accompanied Caroline and Lisa from NWSF to Lummi Island for a site visit to the quarry on March 2. Rebecca Rettmer, Director of Lummi Island Heritage Trust, clarified the potential role of the MRC in performing pre- and post-restoration surveys of eelgrass, kelp and forage fish at the site.

• The MRC will be partnering with the Cherry Point Citizen Advisory Committee to host a beach cleanup at Cherry Point on July 9. There are also some tentative dates to tag creosote logs in the area around that time.

• A project subcommittee (Doug, Eleanor and Holly) have been meeting with the Julie Hirsch from the Garden of the Salish Sea Curriculum to prepare for N. Chuckanut Bay clam surveys, which will occur on May 6 and 9. Holly submitted a Scientific Collection Permit application to WDFW.

• MRC staff, members and volunteers have been conducting bi-monthly water quality sampling in the Chuckanut watershed. Sampling results can be found on the Whatcom County Public Works’ website: http://www.whatcomcounty.us/2170/Water-Quality-Monitoring-Results

• Holly is coordinating a volunteer effort to monitoring shellfish harvesters in Drayton Harbor from April-September. The MRC will likely be involved.

Other (anything not covered above, including local issues of interest to the regional group, questions to the Commission, etc): N/A