agenda

Meeting: Northwest Straits Commission Location: WebEx Conference Call Date: July 29, 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: 924 040 116

10:00 – 10:10 Welcome and Opening Remarks

Open the meeting with introductions Approval of June meeting minutes

Nan McKay, chair

10:10 – 10:20 Director’s report Ginny Broadhurst

10:20 - 10:30 NWSC Committee Reports Executive Committee Science Advisory Committee External Relations Committee

Jamey Selleck Ron Thom Tom Cowan

10:30 - 10:45 Business Items Ocean acidification forum MRC Conference MRC grant approval Kelp survey season underway

Staff

10:45 – 11:05 NWSI Strategic Plan (Goal 3) review progress Ginny Broadhurst

11:05 – 11:30 MRC Reports MRC Representatives

11:30 – 11:50 Northwest Straits online presence: websites, social media and beyond

Sasha Horst

11:50 – 12:00 Public Comment All

12:00 Adjourn

minutes

Location: Snohomish County Campus, Public Meeting Room #1, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA Date/Time: June 24, 2016 – 10:00 AM-3:00 PM

Attendees: Commission Members: Jamey Selleck (Vice-Chair, Skagit,), Alan Clark (Clallam), Doug Stark (Whatcom), Ed Adams (Island), Phil Green (San Juan), Mikeark Ehlebracht (Snohomish-alt), Ron Thom, Jerry Masters, Tom Cowan, Marc Daily (Puget Sound Partnership-alt) Commission Staff: Ginny Broadhurst, Nicole Jordan, Sasha Horst, Lucas Hart, Courtney Baxter Others in Attendance: Leska Fore (Puget Sound Partnership), Thomas Temple (San Juan-alt), Brittany Jones (Northwest Straits Foundation-contractor), Cheryl Lowe (Jefferson MRC staff), Will Hall (Director of Snohomish County Surface Water Management), Terry Stevens, Jay Lind, Thomas Hoban, Kathleen Herrmann (Snohomish MRC staff) Absent: Nan McKay (Chair), Sheida Sahandy, Terry Williams, Dale Moses (Jefferson) Welcome and Introductions Jamey Selleck opened the meeting with introductions. Will Hall, Director of Snohomish County Surface Water Management, thanked and welcomed the Commission to Snohomish County.

The minutes from the May Northwest Straits Commission meeting were approved as written and are available here.

Snohomish MRC presentation: Howarth Park

Kathleen Herrmann presented on the Snohomish MRC Nearshore Restoration Project in Howarth Park. Click here to see her PowerPoint and supporting videos - http://bit.ly/2986nh9 . Kathleen explained beach degradation, beach nourishment and how the MRC is working on bulkhead removal to restore salmon habitat on a four-mile stretch of shoreline.

Northwest Straits Commission - Committee Reports Executive Committee Jamey Selleck reported out on the June Executive Commission meeting. Jamey referenced a letter from Jamie Stephens, chair of the San Juan Local Integrating Organization’s Accountability Oversight Committee, on the withdrawal of the Particularly Sensitive Sea Area Near Term Action (NTA) from the

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Action Agenda. Jamey also mentioned that Executive Committees of the Northwest Straits Foundation and the Commission are scheduling a joint meeting. External Relations Committee Tom Cowan said the committee has a meeting scheduled on July 8. Science Advisory Committee Ron Thom said the committee discussed net pens and defining a healthy ecosystem. Ron attended the recent Clallam/Jefferson MRC joint meeting and spoke on an idea for obtaining additional project funding. The committee plans to meet July 25. MRC Reports

Snohomish

Mike Ehlebracht welcomed Hannah Spohn as the new MRC program assistant. The MRC is moving forward on outreach for the Storm Surge Monitoring Project in Port Susan as a way to engage with stakeholders.

Skagit

Jamey Selleck reported the MRC identified three projects for the Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program (ESRP) Small Grant program: an expansion of Bowman Bay, Fidalgo Bay shoreline restoration and Kiket Island restoration. The Shannon Point Nearshore Restoration project is on hold due to a potential trail expansion by the city.

San Juan

Phil Green said the MRC compiled a list of pros and cons on a proposed plastic bag ban and presented it to the County Council. The MRC is waiting on additional information on county funding to do educational outreach at the new Orcas Landing. MRC members are reviewing final proposals for salmon recovery projects and will vote at the July MRC meeting.

Jefferson

Cheryl Lowe reported the MRC is assisting in providing feedback to the Department of Ecology to update the Geographic Response Plan (GRP) for Admiralty Inlet. Two new raingardens were installed, one at the courthouse and the other at the community center.

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Island

Ed Adams said Leal Dickson submitted his resignation as a MRC member, due to a move out of county. Blain Reeves, Washington Department of Natural Resources, and John Calambokidis, Cascadia Research, presented at the June 7 MRC meeting on the decision to allow limited sand shrimp harvest in the East Whidbey Region after a temporary pause. Ed encouraged those interested to read the technical report.

Clallam

Alan Clark reported the MRC has selected five summer interns who will each have an MRC member mentor. Alan said the kayak skills and rescue course in Mystery Bay was recently completed and that several MRC members attended the forage fish training in Padilla Bay. The Clallam and Jefferson joint meeting allowed for productive discussion on Olympia oyster project updates.

Whatcom

Doug Stark reported the MRC is looking at potential sites for Olympia oyster restoration in Chuckanut Bay. The MRC hopes to launch a citizen science program to support current projects. Doug said Jerry’s Journey (trail) has been extended to September 30 in order to create two more signs. Puget Sound Partnership (PSP) update Marc Daily, Puget Sound Partnership, gave an update on Near Term Action funding and updated on the response to proposals from the EPA. Marc also announced the 2016 Action Agenda will be ready June 29. Those interested can visit the PSP website.

Northwest Straits Initiative Strategic Plan — Goal 2: Measures of Progress

Ginny led the Commission through discussion on the measures of progress on Goal 2 of the Strategic Plan. Cheryl suggested setting goals for rain gardens by area rather than quantity of sites would be more useful in the future. The Jefferson MRC installed a few gardens that are larger than originally planned but the total number of rain gardens that was envisioned may not be reached. The Commission discussed potential expansion of rain gardens to other MRCs as well as ways to further mitigate ocean acidification and carbon sequestering through expanding on current projects. Marc Daily complemented the group on the discussion of tracking measures of progress.

Public Comment:

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There was no public comment.

Effectiveness Assessment: What’s Working to Restore Puget Sound

Leska Fore, Puget Sound Partnership (PSP), and Jamey Selleck, Natural Resources Consultants (NRC), presented on the PSP’s Effectiveness Assessment Program. Click here to see their PowerPoint - http://bit.ly/292UExu. They also presented fact sheets and project summaries on nearshore habitat restoration occurring at Weaverling Spit, Cornet Bay and Seahurst Park.

Business Items

MRC Conference planning Ginny updated on the upcoming MRC conference in Port Townsend on November 4-5, 2016. The online survey for session topics (now closed) provided helpful information and had a good response rate. Action: Collected responses to the session topics survey will be reviewed by the conference

planning committee. Action: Staff will look into field trip suggestions which may include a walking tour of Jefferson rain

gardens or a site visit in Island County. Action: The conference advisory committee is in need of a few MRC members. Contact Ginny at

broadhurst@nwstraits.org to participate. MRC grant review process Commission staff and the Science Advisory Committee are currently reviewing MRC project proposals. Funding Opportunities Ginny and Caroline are participating in site visits for the Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program (ESRP) Small Grant program. Ginny updated on a new NOAA funding opportunity — NOAA Coastal Ecosystem Resiliency Grant Program. Action: Ginny, Caroline and Lucas will brainstorm ways to create a joint response from the

Commission and Foundation to the NOAA Coastal Ecosystem Resiliency Grant Program.

Forage fish project update Lucas said additional MRC volunteers attended a forage fish training in June. Nicole ordered forage fish survey supplies for MRCs requesting them. Ginny said forage fish data from Northwest Straits Commission and Northwest Straits Foundation efforts are being recorded in SoundIQ. Kelp project update

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Brittany Jones provided an update on the kelp protocol progress and the recent meeting with Alan Clark on GPS use and kayak training. She said they are working on getting all seven MRCs updated on protocol for the survey season that is starting in July.

#CatchMoreCrab Courtney Baxter, #CatchMoreCrab social media project assistant, has outreach cards available for handing out during crabbing season, beginning July 1. Action: To participate in the campaign, contact Courtney at baxter@nwstraits.org, 360-399-8170.

Round Table Ed Adams commented on a CBC article (http://bit.ly/295Znnn) on sea star wasting disease. The Commission discussed the relationship between the disease and potential impacts on kelp restoration efforts.

*The next Commission meeting will be from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on July 29 over WebEx.*

Executive Committee Meeting July 11, 2016 • 11:00am-12:00pm

Conference Call

Committee Members: Jamey Selleck, Tom Cowan, Nan McKay, Ron Thom Commission Staff/Support: Ginny Broadhurst, Nicole Jordan Others in Attendance: Caroline Gibson, Terry Stevens Not in Attendance: Phil Green Updates from Ginny Ginny said she will be leaving her position as Director of Northwest Straits Commission in the fall. Terry Stevens said he and Nan Mckay will be thoroughly involved in the hiring process. Since she is giving sufficient notice, Terry and Nan are optimistic in finding a candidate. Action: Those with questions can contact Terry Stevens at tstevens@padillabay.gov and 360-428-

1045. NWS Commission and Foundation Executive Committee’s joint meeting The committee agreed an in-person meeting would be most effective and discussed options for boosting participation by adjusting meeting details to accommodate attendees, including holding the meeting on Whidbey Island and offering a webinar option. Suggestions for agenda items included; how the Commission and Foundation are supporting the work of the overall initiative, general budget discussion and updates from the Foundation. Action: A tentative meeting is scheduled on July 26 at 10:00 AM. Caroline will look into more dates and

coordinate a meeting time. Action: Ginny and Caroline will work on the agenda.

July Commission meeting agenda The committee discussed ongoing concerns on oil transport and possible approaches the Commission can take to provide support and guidance to MRCs. Action: Ginny will make some calls to see where the Commission can add value.

2016 MRC Conference - Review of conference session topics and VIP invites Ginny reviewed the most popular session topics at the conference which includes: ocean acidification, forage fish, oil transportation issues, new and rare species in the Salish Sea and Olympia oysters. The committee discussed incorporating underwater noise to proposed conference topics—this could involve a showing of the film Sonic Sea at the Rose Theatre in conjunction with the conference. Jamey suggested incorporating sea star wasting disease into sessions and ecological talks.

Action: Ginny and Nicole will schedule the first meeting for the conference planning committee. Action: Those with suggestions on people to invite should contact Ginny.

*The next regular Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for August 8, 2016 at 11:00 AM over conference call*

SAC NOTES July 25, 2016 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Attendees: Milton Love, Ron Thom, Lucas Hart, Ginny Broadhurst, Nicole Jordan Highlights indicate action items Review the Science Committees decision on defining ecosystem health

At the 2016 Annual Retreat, the Science Advisory Committee was asked to define “ocean health”. The Committee recommended discussion between MRC’s and the Commission in order to reach agreement on a definition. The Committee cautions against reinventing the definition but instead encourage exploring options in adopting a definition which best fits the Northwest Straits Commission. The committee assembled a list of references that will help in future discussions. Report back on MRC resource guide covering 10 topic areas

(Not discussed due to the absence of Tom and Tessa)

Update on Kelp survey project status (Lucas)

The kelp surveys are being organized by Brittany Jones. All MRCs have started surveying.

Currently, kayakers with Sea Change (British Columbia) are doing surveys by kayak and comparing results with University of Victoria researchers who are evaluating kelp coverage using satellite imaging. Jeff Taylor, volunteer with Jefferson MRC, is interested in incorporating MRC collected kelp survey data with satellite imaging on a local level.

Discussion on the issue of boat moorings and eelgrass

The question arose - is it worth having MRCs assess damage to eelgrass beds from boat moorings? Ron explained available data which recorded scarring from anchoring in shallow water seagrass beds in Florida. Ron has also done some work on this topic at Clinton Terminal in Puget Sound. He pointed out that Fidalgo Bay has boat damage to eelgrass as well. It may be worth MRC’s to pursue this as a project if they have specific areas they’re interested in. The data would assist in choosing locations for no anchor zones. Port Townsend’s “no anchor zones” show success.

Possible methods of gathering data on potential damaged areas include:

• Underwater videography • Drop cameras • Scuba diving • Arial assessments (drones/satellites)

SAC NOTES July 25, 2016 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Ginny pointed out that State Parks may have data on eelgrass scarring from mooring buoys. They replaced buoys in the recent past to reduce damage to eelgrass. They may be a good contact on this topic.

MRC proposed projects discussion

Lucas explained the method the Commission uses when reviewing MRC projects for funding and invited feedback on current project proposals. Discussion highlighted the need for measurable outcomes.

The Commission has requested metrics be included in proposals so there is a way to measure progress.

Milton asked what the ultimate destination of the data is – is it ever compiled? Ginny explained that the Commission encourages targeted data collection by the MRCs which can be entered into SoundIQ – a program managed by the Commission staff. Lucas explained that full reports of multi-year data sets are rarely produced.

Milton and Ron suggested seeking a graduate student who could analyze collected data, observe for trends and compile a summary report or published manuscript. Ginny mentioned that master’s theses have been written in connection with the Commission as well.

Lucas to do outreach to universities seeking a graduate student to support data analysis and project compilations.

The Committee should further review MRC project proposals and provide feedback to Lucas.

Forage fish funding from WDFW

Lucas said the Commission received $25,000 for forage fish surveys. Commission staff has ordered forage fish survey supplies with the first portion of the funds. MRCs will start forage fish work at the beginning of the next grant cycle utilizing the second half of funds. Some MRC’s have already started their work.

Lucas explained that WDFW is currently conducting forage fish surveys and since sites rotate, the WDFW lacks capacity to revisit sites. MRCs have stepped in to support this work by surveying for forage fish eggs at index sites once per month.

Lucas emphasized the separation between index site projects and restoration work being done by MRCs. Both projects will result in separate data sets.

Ocean acidification workshop update

Lucas said the Commission held another Ocean Acidification workshop in Port Townsend in June. Attendees included people from leadership positions throughout Jefferson County and Puget Sound. 17 people attended. Betsy Peabody, Puget Sound Restoration Fund, presented on kelp and carbon in the hood canal. Nam Sui, Jefferson MRC, presented on eelgrass protection zones and MRC project

SAC NOTES July 25, 2016 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. connections to Ocean Acidification. Brad Warren, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, presented on sea level rise, emphasizing the importance of focusing projects on places which will not be underwater in the future. Ginny Broadhurst, Commission Director, provided a closing and led a group discussion.

Ron said Jeff Gaeckle is doing research on how eelgrass beds buffer pH. Ron also mentioned Jude Apples connections with Blue Carbon work. Jeff and Jude could be good contacts moving forward with ocean acidification forums.

Role of Science Committee in MRC Conference

Ron said he is interested discussing details for further defining a healthy ecosystem and incorporating the topic into a session at the MRC Conference.

Commission staff will set up a brief meeting with the entire Science Advisory Committee to discuss the MRC conference.

External Relations Committee Meeting

July 8, 2016

Attending: Tom, Nan, Jerry and Ginny

Ginny shared ideas about potential funding sources for NWSC budget in the coming year and strategies to pursue them. Ginny will follow up with USGS, Sen Kevin Ranker for ideas about state funding and also WDFW.

The committee talked about the MRC Conference and elected officials/other VIPs to invite. Ginny has an invitation out to Rep Derek Kilmer. The committee expressed interest in adding someone from Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.

The committee talked about the need to maintain the knowledge of what’s happening with funding and related matters to carry forward after Ginny leaves her position.

Commission staff updates – July 2016

Ocean acidification – a workshop for local elected officials and other decision makers was held in Port Townsend on June 28 with good turnout from the City of Port Townsend, Jefferson County and others. Betsy Peabody (Puget Sound Restoration Fund) spoke about PSRF’s launch of a kelp cultivation project in Hood Canal. The goal of the project is to test kelp cultivation as a tool for carbon dioxide sequestration. Nam Siu (Jefferson County MRC) spoke about Olympia oyster restoration, rain garden installation and eelgrass protection zones and their roles in Ocean acidification remediation. Brad Warren (Global Ocean Health) spoke about the need to utilize sea level rise models in restoration planning. Future projects aimed at adapting to and remediating for ocean acidification may end up underwater if not factoring in sea level rise. Ginny Broadhurst reminded the group about the influence that they may have in helping to aid the health of their local marine waters using tools such as education, incentives and purchasing power in their current positions. Ginny then led a group discussion. The predominant group discussion points included the difficulty of obtaining permits for kelp cultivation projects and end products of kelp cultivation.

Staff prepared and submitted a progress report to NOAA on this project for the period from January-June 2016.

Forage fish index site project – Sampling equipment has started arriving at Lucas’ office. He will be putting together kits and handing them out to MRC’s when all necessary gear has arrived. Lucas sent a detailed e-mail to all Forage Fish leads describing next steps to move the project forward, which includes selecting sites and determining index site GPS coordinates. This information will allow MRC’s to work under the established WDFW protocols.

Olympia oyster project – Lucas joined Skagit and Jefferson MRC at Olympia oyster restoration sites in July. He’s trying to gain a better understanding of the various restoration and survey techniques being employed across MRC’s with the hope that a cohesive protocol can be developed in the near future.

#CatchMoreCrab progress– Courtney Baxter has been busy handing out outreach cards at boat ramps throughout the region.

2015-16 MRC grants – Sasha worked with MRC and county fiscal staff to submit invoice estimates to Ecology for work done through the end of the state fiscal year (June 30), and requested

Commission staff updates – July 2016

information from MRCs about their anticipated spending through the end of the current grant cycle.

2016-17 MRC grant proposals – Staff is working with MRCs to finalize any edits to proposal details and move forward into developing a scope of work for each grant as it is ready. These are all currently at different steps in the process, depending on the MRC’s response to review comments.

MRC website update – Sasha is working with MRC staff in Island, Jefferson, San Juan and Snohomish to update all four websites in the next several months. This process will maximize designer/developer time to create a site template that will be adapted for each MRC. The work is anticipated to be completed in September.

Meetings Attended – Sasha attended the Whatcom MRC meeting in July. Lucas attended the Clallam MRC meeting in July.

MRC Conference - Staff collected topics/sessions for the November 4-5 MRC conference, including:

• Ocean acidification impacts and emerging science • Forage fish surveys – how are we doing as a regional project • Olympia oyster restoration and monitoring – standardizing techniques and protocols and

developing regional goals • Oil spill preparation – what it takes to update a Geographic Response plan using Clallam as

a model, with input from Ecology/WDFW (workshop) • The ocean acidification project with local leaders – what have we learned • Rare species, new species in the Salish Sea.

New ideas have also emerged in discussions including a work shop on environmental signage (as many MRCs are putting time and money into signage) and a more expanded look at oil transport and potential impacts.

Goal 3: Protect and restore marine species and habitats to improve ecosystem health. The following projects and actions will be carried out by MRCs, NWS Commission and NWS Foundation to make progress towards this goal:

Project or Action Who Does It

Complete the removal of legacy derelict fishing nets in shallow water to 105 feet. Begin to remove legacy derelict fishing nets in priority deeper waters.

NWS Foundation

Prevent re-accumulation of derelict fishing nets

NWS Foundation

Implement programs to reduce the annual loss of derelict shellfish pots

NWS Foundation, Clallam and Snohomish MRCs

Continue to document the impacts of derelict fishing gear and identify management solutions to prevent those impacts

NWS Foundation

Rebuild and restore Olympia oyster populations in areas where they were historically found

Clallam and Jefferson MRCs

Participate in projects to restore native abalone

NWS Commission and Skagit MRC

Monitor breeding pigeon guillemots around Whidbey Island

Island MRC

Develop a regional monitoring plan for surf smelt and Pacific sand lance

NWS Commission

Carry out priority actions to protect forage fish per recommendations of the PSEMP Forage Fish and Food Webs Workgroup

NWS Commission

Conduct boat-based surveys of floating kelp in northern Puget Sound with the goal of documenting kelp

Island, Jefferson, Snohomish, San Juan and Whatcom MRCs

Develop pilot projects to test kelp restoration strategies

NWS Commission

Establish a Salish Sea kelp alliance to increase awareness about the role of kelp in the

NWS Commission

ecosystem. Identify practical strategies to protect kelp beds.

Measures of Progress: Individual project outcomes will be tracked through their own reporting mechanisms. Below are some of the cumulative results desired during the next three years for this goal:

• All known derelict fishing nets will be removed from shallow waters by June 2015

• A pilot project will be conducted to remove deep water derelict fishing nets

• Ninety percent of newly lost nets will be removed before becoming derelict

• The annual loss of crab pots wil be reduced by 25 percent

• Nine acres of oyster habitat will be restored

• Data will be available on populations trends, type of prey fed to young and probable breeding success for pigeon guillemots on Whidbey Island

• At least 50 citizens will participate in scientific research and advocacy to protect forage fish

• The amount and condition of floating kelp will be documented along shorelines in seven counties

MRC Monthly Report County: Clallam

Month/Year: June 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): Ralph Riccio replaced Randy Johnson as Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe representative.

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 June 20th at Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Center. The meeting was a BBQ and joint meeting with Jefferson MRC and the topics on the agenda included:

• Cheryl Lowe, Jefferson MRC Coordinator, presented on the Olympia oyster restoration effort carried out by JMRC since 2005.

• Progress report on the 2016 CMRC intern program. • Ron Thom, the Governor's appointee to the Northwest Straits Commission, introduced a new

funding opportunity for the MRCs. The concept of the funding is that the MRCs volunteer on projects of various organizations (e.g., consulting firms, research labs) and then receive a 'stipend' that goes into the MRC budget. Clallam and Jefferson MRCs were selected at the first MRCs to try out the new funding opportunity.

• Updates on the following projects: kelp monitoring, Olympia oyster restoration, oil spill response, forage fish training and survey, crabber outreach, and pigeon guillemot training. AT the meeting it was decided to make the pigeon guillemot surveys a CMRC project.

ERN/LIO Meetings: No meeting in June, 2016.

Intern Program: Seven students applied for the internship and six were interviewed. One of the first five selected interns dropped out because she had “overbooked” her summer and the sixth interviewed applicant was offered the internship. The topics for the five 2016 internships are: educational outreach, marine debris, update to the Geographic Response Plan for the Strait of Juan de Fuca, kelp monitoring, and reduction of impacts from people and dogs on beaches with a focus on the new beach near the Elwha River mouth. The internships commenced June 20th and will conclude August 15th with the Intern Celebration event.

Crabber Outreach: On last NWSF workshop Bob Vreeland picked up 100 crabber outreach kits to be distributed by Don Hatler from Puget Sound Anglers during the crabbing season. The CRMC has purchased 100 crab gauges and had 100 informational rack cards printed to be included in the kits. One of the summer interns will be helping out on the #CatchMoreCrabs outreach effort.

Olympia Oyster Restoration: At a suggestion from Caroline Gibson at NWSF, Helle contacted the Natural Resources Conservation Service (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/wa/newsroom/releases/?cid=NRCSEPRD888409) to seek grant funds. The funds will be used to augment NWSC funding. Jim Poffel in the Port Angeles NRCS Field Office was enthusiastic about our interest (first request in the Port Angeles area) and said that we have to fulfill three criteria: 1) have a source of oyster seeds identified (placed an order), 2) have an agreement

with the landowner which extends 1.5 years after the planting of the seeds, and 3) no oyster harvesting can take place in the area for five years. An order for 100 bags of seeded shells have been placed with PSRF and harvesting cannot take place at the site due to the close proximity to the John Wayne Marina. The only criterion left is extending the landowner agreement with the Port of Port Angeles which currently runs through December 2017 (so one year too short). On June 13th Lyn and Helle went to a Commissioners meeting and Lyn made a short presentation in support of our request. Connie Beauvais was concerned about the restoration site being too close to the marina breakwater and requested that the CMRC look into any required setbacks in connection with oyster beds and also provided the Port of Port Angeles with a better map showing the exact location of the restoration site. Jamestown GIS person has made the map, the current landowner agreement has been revised and the revision and map are currently being revised by the County Lawyers.

Kelp Monitoring: A safety training was conducted in early June in Mystic Bay near Port Townsend. Nine members from three MRCs participated and the training went well. The next step is to prepare for the first survey in Clallam County. One intern has been assigned to this project to help out with the effort.

MRC Monthly Report County: Island Month/Year: July 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 July 5, Kathryn Wells from Snohomish Conservation District presented on an ESRP Small Grants Program grant proposal to implement soft shore protection strategies and outreach in Livingston Bay on Camano Island. Chris Sublet from Oak Harbor Marina and Anna Toledo presented on an ESRP SGP proposal for a feasibility study for a restoration project at the Oak Harbor Marina. The MRC agreed that both projects meet the goals and objectives of the MRC.

Events

- Anna Toledo joined Courtney Baxter to conduct crabber outreach at Cornet Bay on July 1st for the #CatchMoreCrab social marketing campaign.

- The MRC and NW Straits Foundation continue to partner with Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group to conduct weeding parties at the Cornet Bay restoration area from 10:00am – 1:00pm on: July 26, and August 23.

Funding updates (newly-awarded grants, in-kind support or other funding commitments): A grant amendment is in process to move funds from Task 3 (Phytoremediation) to Task 1 (Operations), and increase the total grant amount by $6,000 to go towards a website upgrade for the MRC which will also serve as a template for other MRC websites in need of upgrading. Project Updates (progress from past month on existing project or any new projects identified): Forage Fish: The forage fish team continues to survey at 4 restoration sites and 2 WDFW index sites, and is looking at adding additional index sites. Eelgrass: The eelgrass team has conducted underwater videography at 5 sites, and experienced some technical difficulties with equipment which were resolved. Kelp Harvest Outreach: The MRC is partnering with Whidbey Watershed Stewards and WA DNR to install an informational kiosk at Libbey Beach to hold information on kelp forests and sustainable kelp harvesting, including brochures recently updated by DNR. Creosote & Large Marine Debris Removal: Tony Turpin has developed a draft plan for the MRC and partner groups to identify creosote and large marine debris and subsequently notify WA DNR for inventory and removal.

Other (anything not covered above, including local issues of interest to the regional group, questions to the Commission, etc): None. Photos (share a few photos of recent projects—include project, photo credit and additional info):

Courtney Baxter catching more crab off the waters at Cornet Bay. (Photo credit: Anna Toledo)

Native plantings becoming established at Cornet Bay. (Photo credit: Anna Toledo)

JCMRC Monthly Report County: Jefferson Month/Year: July 2016 Submitted by: Cheryl Lowe 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): Past Meetings & Events:

• The July JCMRC monthly meeting was cancelled. • Dale will participate in the July NWSC meeting. • Executive Committee meeting was held July 21, 2016.

Upcoming Meetings/Events:

• Next MRC meeting is Aug 2. • Dept of Ecology’s Admiralty Inlet Geographic Response Plan public meeting will be July 28th

Funding updates (newly-awarded grants, in-kind support or other funding commitments): Taylor Shellfish donated 80 bags of clean oyster shell and provided logistical support to stage the bags at the MRC’s Discovery Bay Olympia oyster site. Project Updates (progress from past month on existing projects or any new projects identified):

1. Monitoring: (a) Kelp: First test monitoring took place in early July (two outings). (b) Fort Townsend: Pre-construction monitoring is now complete. Construction will start July 25, 2016.

2. Rain Gardens: Watering and weeding in the two new rain gardens will continue through the summer.

3. Voluntary No Anchor Zones: An article about the Port Townsend eelgrass buoys appeared in the Northwest Yachting July issue.

4. Education & Outreach: Nothing new to report for Commission work. MRC’s coordinator will be part of a local community KPTZ radio interview about shoreline armoring, airing in late July.

5. Olympia Oyster – (1) Discovery Bay: 80 bags of fresh cultch were added on July 21 to this site by 13 MRC volunteers. Olympia oysters that settled on shell that was placed there in 2014 look great! Monitoring is planned for August. (2) Quilcene Bay: No new activity.

Other (anything not covered above, including local issues of interest to the regional group, questions to the Commission, etc.): None

MRC Monthly Report County: San Juan County Month/Year: July, 2016 Submitted by: Phil Green, Arnie Klaus Membership/Leadership changes (including new members, departing members, changes to chair/vice-chair, NWSC representative/alternate, staff): n/a Events/Meetings (including upcoming events/meetings and/or information on meetings/events from past month such as number of participants or highlights): The first monthly meeting the MRC served as the CAG (Citizen Advisory Group for salmon) and after a final review of this year’s proposed projects, voted to approve all the projects. The second meeting was attended by Mark Herrenkohl who may serve as an alternate on the MRC. Topics of discussion included items on the coordinator’s update seen below. 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): Marine Resources Coordinator Update Update July 19, 2016 Facebook On June 20 the Facebook Page San Juan Islands was developed as the proposed primary facebook page for the MRC. Since then a variety of experiments have been tested to explore ways to attract audiences as part of the MRC Outreach Program. Facebook, compared to other social media and even a web page, can be targeted to specific audiences in our location. It allows instant posting of messages that are on target to the audiences that the MRC wants to reach. There are several rules to making this an easy and affordable way to promote relevant themes to our audience. Each posted page needs to be relevant to appreciating the Marine environment with an emphasis on marine images and videos that are accompanied with facts about the marine environment within the picture. Several other outreach techniques are being used, including boosting the posting and the page with nominal costs. The page boosts are primarily focused on the zip codes within the San Juan Islands. Postings have included: Images of marine life (Popeyes) Images of undersea and bird life from MRC Archives Videos of the islands Live Stream videos of island settings Shared images by people who like the San Juan Islands Page and have good photography. Sharing links of interesting and relevant websites (vessel Watch) Interviews of professional and citizen scientists and MRC members (planned).

Orcas Landing The public facilities funding committee is reviewing the MRC proposal for a design phase to enhancing the landing area. The request is for $43,000. Northwest Straits Foundation can commit $5,000 $10,000 to this effort. San Juan County public works can probably provide basic facilities improvements estimated at $50,000. I recommend the MRC continue to take the lead on this and continue to seek local funding (lodging tax for visitor facilities, LTAC) and work with Public works for funding sources. Dr. Gary Greene is interested in helping get bathymetric imagery for an exhibit and undersea cameras for the area. John Aschoff, Chair of the Whale Museum offered to help with a marine mammal exhibit. Deer Harbor Invertebrate Relocation Mindy Kayl, working with Youth conservation and the Deer Harbor Community wants to relocate the invertebrates that will otherwise be destroyed when the inchannel fill materials are removed to return the natural flow of the lagoon. The owner of a nearby dock and funder of the monitoring project has offered their dock as a relocation site. Mindy asked for MRC’s endorsement of this project within a project. All removal of invertebrates must have an approval letter from the State’s selected manager of these requests, the Director of Friday Harbor Labs. Deer Harbor Monitoring Northwest Straits Foundation project has extended its contract with the MRC for the MRC Coordinator to help with Monitoring training and support, as well as helping present the results of two years of surveying. The Public event will be in Deer Harbor in September. Weeks Point The MRC has endorsed the Weeks Point soft shore project on Lopez Island. The Estuarine Reserve Funding Program has started a pilot funding project accepting proposals that require the endorsements of the MRCs. San Juan MRC has endorsed this project and the MRC Coordinator is helping facilitate this $100,000 restoration grant. Kayak Kelp Surveys Phil Green and volunteer Wendolyn Michnay completed the first month of kelp monitoring by kayak. Two small kelp beds, one by Fawn Island, the other at Pole Pass were surveyed on July 18 and 19. Phil forwarded all materials to Brittany completing month one of the three month project.

Other (anything not covered above, including local issues of interest to the regional group, questions to the Commission, etc): Several ideas for future projects and presentations to the MRC came out of the SSEC:

1. Having a presentation by NW Indian College on clam gardens. 2. Continue to update the county council on ocean acidification issues. 3. Learning more about blue carbon 4. Have Megan Dethier present to the MRC on her recently published paper on the cumulative

effects of shoreline armoring. Might the NWS also be interested in this presentation?

MRC Monthly Report County: Skagit Month/Year: July/2016 Submitted by: Jamey 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):

• July 14, Skagit MRC meeting: The following ESRP Small Grants proposals were presented to the MRC. The Committee determined that each of the proposals meets the goals of the Skagit MRC’s Strategic Plan:

1. Fidalgo Bay Shoreline Protection & Restoration- presented by the Skagit Land Trust 2. Kukutali Preserve Restoration- presented by the Swinomish Tribe 3. Lone Tree Restoration- presented by the Swinomish Tribe

The Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group has decided not to proceed with the Bowman Bay Marsh Reconnection proposal at this time. Pete Haase and Morty Cohen gave a presentation on the Fidalgo Bay Aquatic Reserve and the work of the Citizen Stewardship Committee. • Upcoming Skagit MRC Sponsored Events:

o Beach Naturalists at Washington Park: July 30 (7:30am-10:30am). o Swinomish Channel Beach Cleanup, August 6 (noon – 3:00pm): The beach cleanup is in

partnership with RE-Sources and the Coastal Volunteer Partnership. If you would like to participate, please RSVP Samantha Russell at Srussell@padillabay.gov.

o Fidalgo Bay Day: Saturday, August 27, 11:00am-3:00pm at the Fidalgo Bay RV Resort (4701 Fidalgo Bay Rd, 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: The quarterly progress report has been completed. Over 600 volunteer hours have been reported. The new Salish Sea Stewards completed an online survey to help evaluate the 2016 training program. The planning committee will meet on August 9 to start planning the training for next year.

• Shannon Point Nearshore Restoration: This project has been put on hold until the City makes a decision about the proposed trail plans. If the City decides to build the trail on the causeway and leave the majority of the rip rap in place for support, we will not be able to move forward with this project because it will no longer fit with our nearshore restoration plans. In the meantime, we have decided to move the current funding to another project and we will no longer continue our monitoring efforts at this site.

• Bowman Bay Nearshore Restoration: The interpretive signs are almost done. The Northwest Straits Foundation is waiting for feedback from State Parks to make sure the signage meets their requirements. The MRC and the Foundation will start planning an outreach event for the unveiling of the signage. The event will need to be scheduled before September 30, 2016 because that is when the grant expires.

• Fidalgo Bay Day: The Fidalgo Bay Resort has been reserved for August 27, 2016 (11am – 3pm). Planning and event promotion continues. Partner organizations with educational displays have been confirmed. Volunteer recruitment will begin soon.

• Olympia Oyster Restoration: Oyster seed bags were delivered and distributed to Sea Farers Park and two Cap Sante Marina locations with Skagit Restoration Initiative funding. Four oyster seed bags were prepared for deployment at Secret Harbor, Cypress Island along with temperature/salinity data loggers that were paid for with this MRC grant funding. Paul collected old and deployed new oyster recruitment monitoring bags and shell strings and conducted annual oyster monitoring at the trestle and the four new seed plots with Coastal Volunteer Partnership, tribal and community volunteers. Preliminary monitoring results in Fidalgo Bay indicated that native oyster spawning and settlement on the east side of the Fidalgo Bay trestle was five to six times higher than it has ever been in the past. It is anticipated that we might have reached the threshold required for a sustainable oyster population in that area. We will look into the possibility of distributing additional shell substrate along the west side of Fidalgo Bay to expand oyster larval settlement and spawning in that area.

• Pinto Abalone Restoration: Preliminary survey results at the four out plant sites around Burrows and Allan Islands seem to be promising because the density, survival, aggregation and growth at several of these sites are above the minimum requirement for successful broadcast events. High resolution temporal surveys occurred from April-June at the two newer sites on Cypress Island. The number of new tag encounters during each of these surveys was high, suggesting that the actual density at these sites is much higher than what is assumed after a single survey. In addition, approximately 400 juvenile abalone were added to each site. A final report will be provided in September.

• Nearshore Monitoring: Monitoring efforts in the past month have included seining and intertidal surveys at Bowman Bay and Shannon Point, forage fish monitoring at Bowman Bay, Shannon Point, and Northwest March’s Point. The Samish DNR is leading the seining effort in Fidalgo Bay including NW March’s Point. Volunteer attendance was low for the Shannon Point intertidal survey, but we had a great turnout for the Bowman Bay intertidal survey of around 10 volunteers. Both surveys were successful, and included 3 new volunteers, 2 of which came down from Whatcom County to participate. Jason Toft with UW and Hannah Faulkner with WDFW assisted with the Bowman Bay intertidal survey as part of a collaborative effort to evaluate the effects of shoreline armoring restoration efforts on a regional scale. Their study will include the MRC monitoring data and a few additional monitoring parameters. Monthly seining and forage fish surveys continue, and the intertidal survey for NW March’s Point is scheduled for August 2. Unfortunately, we have decided to cease monitoring efforts at Shannon Point until the City makes their final decision as to where the trail will go.

• Kelp Monitoring: The first kelp survey took place Monday, July 18, near Washington Park and Shannon Point. Someone donated a kayak to the Coastal Volunteer Partnership for volunteers to use to help with this project.

• Forage Fish Index Site Surveys: Skagit County Intern, Charlette Turman is currently being trained to become the project lead for Skagit MRC’s index sites at Ship Harbor and possibly Kiket Island and Bowman Bay.

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

MRC Monthly Report County: Snohomish Month/Year: June 2016 Submitted by: Kathleen Herrmann Membership/Leadership changes (including new members, departing members, changes to chair/vice-chair, NWSC representative/alternate, staff): Elisa Dawson was hired as the new MRC Planner and began working on July 5, 2016. Elisa will be working 50% of the time to support the MRC Program. Autumn Moore resigned from her term as the Washington Conservation Corp Individual Placement, Marine Resources Program Assistant, effective May 20, 2016. Hannah Spohn started serving as the new MRC Program Assistant, starting on June 22,, 2016. Events/Meetings (including upcoming events/meetings and/or information on meetings/events from past month such as number of participants or highlights): MRC Members, Paul Clampitt and Bob Hillmann, and SWM Staff, Hannah Spohn, were stationed at the Everett boat launch on Friday, July 1st and Saturday, July 2nd for opening weekend of crabbing season. They distributed educational information including; crabber nautical charts, bait box clips and crab gauges to crabbers who were heading to their boats. They also promoted the MRC and NWSC’s social media crab campaign #CatchMoreCrab to help raise awareness on various sustainable crabbing techniques. Many crabbers were excited to learn more about how to weigh their pots and other crabbing techniques. Throughout the course of the weekend the MRC Members and volunteers reached out to over 500 people. MRC Staff, Kathleen Herrmann and Hannah Spohn, and MRC Members, Mike Ehlebracht and Thomas Hoban, attended the Northwest Straits Commission Meeting on June 24, 2016. Kathleen presented on the Snohomish MRC Nearshore Restoration Project in Howarth Park. She presented on goals of this project, progress that has been made, and long term maintenance challenges and opportunities. 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): Nearshore Beach Restoration Project— The Nearshore Restoration Project is moving along very quickly. Beach Nourishment site are complete and the construction at Howarth Park is scheduled to be complete by the end of July. SWM Staff and City of Everett staff have been working to coordinate all aspects of the project in partnership with Snohomish County Public Works. SWM Staff, Scott Moore, gave a presentation on the planting plan for the Nearshore Restoration project at the May MRC meeting. Scott shared updates and images from the onsite planting plan. October 2016 is the target date for planting. After planting, Scott’s WCC Crew will install wood fencing, preventing animals and the public from disturbing the area. MRC Member, Sarah Brown, is interested in coordinating volunteers from the community to help engage the public with the project and foster stewardship at the park. Other MRC Members voiced their concern about vandalism at the park.

MRC Members viewed construction videos of the progress being made at Howarth Park. The time lapse video was installed in late June. The time lapse video can be viewed at http://video-monitoring.com/scientific/snohomish/. MRC Nearshore Long Term Maintenance Project- The MRC continued work on the long term maintenance project. Our consultant, Anchor QEA, developed an initial list of funding options for the MRC to review. A project conference call was held on June 28th to discuss the list and determine which items to further research. Additionally, our consultant worked with the Army Corp of Engineers and Snohomish County to develop a long term maintenance cost estimate in a variety of different funding scenarios. Nearshore Restoration Estuary and Salmon Recovery Program (ESRP) Learning Grant — A team of researchers from the University of Washington along with SWM Staff Kathleen Herrmann and Frank Leonetti helped conduct monitoring at several key sites along the Snohomish County shoreline in early June. Request for Proposal for MRC Projects— Revisions are in process to the current MRC Grant Project. The goal of the project to engage shoreline landowners and gather information on storm surge. Citizen volunteers will be solicited to participate in the study on their marine shoreline. Data will be provided to the county and USGS. Oil Spill Prevention, Preparedness and Response— MRC Member, Susan Tarpley, reported on the 42,000 gallons of oil that was spilled into the Columbia River due to a faulty bolt on train tracks. Concern for the situation has led to her write a section on oil spill issues for inclusion into the MRC Advocacy Letter to Councilman Dave Somers. Port Susan — MRC Member, Traci Sanderson, and SWM Staff, Hannah Spohn and Elisa Dawson, will be attending the Warm Beach Summerfest in Port Susan in an effort to reach out to homeowners about the effects of shoreline armoring. Information about armor removal, protection and restoration will be handed out to people attending the event.

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

• Rachel Benbrook resigned from the MRC in late June due to personal time constraints. Eleanor Hines is acting as Chair for the remainder of 2016. Laura Hanna was appointed to the MRC filling Ken Carrasco’s seat as a Conservation-Environmental representative.

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

• The 2016-17 grant application was reviewed by Northwest Straits Commission staff. There were suggested modifications for certain tasks. These suggestions are being reviewed by the MRC Project Development Committee which meets on July 19. Staff will make edits in EAGL after discussion with the subcommittee.

• The MRC met on July 7 and the meeting included a Public Speaker Series event. Analiese Burns, City of Bellingham Habitat and Restoration Manager, provided an overview of the City’s terrestrial and marine habitat assessments and how they can be used as tools to prioritize restoration.

• There will be no August MRC meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for September 1

• The Public Speakers Subcommittee is scheduled to meet on July 28 to finalize details for

upcoming events in 2016 including a tour of Canyon Lake with County staff, a speakers bureau, and outreach strategies.

Funding updates (newly-awarded grants, in-kind support or other funding commitments):

• The Jerry’s Journey design contract has been extended to 9/30 in order to create 2 more signs. • The MRC is looking into hiring an intern to help with Sound IQ due to time constraints with staff

and MRC members.

Project Updates (progress from past month on existing project or any new projects identified):

• MRC staff, members and volunteers have been conducting bi-monthly water quality sampling in the Chuckanut watershed. MRC staff and MRC members will be following up with the Health Department and Whatcom County Public Works staff on how to proceed with this project.

Other (anything not covered above, including local issues of interest to the regional group, questions to the Commission, etc): None.