Pacific County Marine Resources Committee
Meeting Notes – July 14, 2011
Attending:
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Dale Beasley
Doug Kess
Mike Nordin
Michael Spencer
Key McMurry
Ross Barkhurst
Mike Johnson Cathy Russ
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Introductions and Minutes: Introductions were made around the room. Minutes for April, May and June 2011 were reviewed. Ross Barkhurst stated he did not resign from the Board, he chose not to be reappointed for another term. Dale asked about the Board positions and how they would be filled. Doug recommended that the alternates that attend the PCMRC meetings on a regular basis should be moved to a board position. Mike Nordin made the motion to accept the minutes as amended and Mike Spencer seconded the motion. The minutes unanimously approved as amended.
Item #1 – PCMRC Work Plan 2011 – 2012: The PCMRC discussed the projects that the PCMRC wanted to continue to fund. The Grass Roots Garbage Gang cleanup was the first project to be discussed. The Board felt this was a great project that was highly beneficial to marine waters. A motion was made by Cathy Russ to fund the GRGG at $3,450.00 and reserve the right to consider additional funds if needed. Mike Nordin seconded the motion, vote was unanimous.
Attendance at the State Ocean Caucus meeting was discussed. The Board felt this was extremely important and wanted this aspect of the work plan to continue. There was also discussion to get clarification on the budget. Last work plan had this task funded at a different amount than this biennium. A motion was made by Cathy Russ to fund the SOC at $1,450.00, Doug Kess seconded the motion and the vote passed unanimously.
The PCMRC discussed the Willapa Bay Cleanup grant hat was funded last year and the board was in agreement that his project needed to continue. The GRGG would clean up debris and litter on the bay and this grant would clean up the estuarine waters of Willapa Bay. The PCMRC Board again was very supportive of this project and there was going to be a discussion with the sponsor to gain the needs for the project. The sponsor still had debris piles in his back yard that he was removing. The PCMRC would like to make sure that future costs deal with the debris disposal. No vote was taken and additional information will be gained for this project.
The board also supported the Annual Science Conference. This has been a huge success and the PCMRC Board wanted this to continue. Mike Nordin made the motion to fund the Science conference for $2,200.00, Mike Spencer seconded the motion and the vote passed unanimously.
We then discussed the maintenance fees for the Web page and discussed how the web page could hold all of the Science Conference presentations and other scientific / educational materials. Key McMurry spoke on this subject and the PCMRC Board was in agreement. Cathy Russ made a motion to provide up to $300.00 for web page maintenance, Dale Beasley seconded the motion and the vote passed unanimously.
It was then agreed that the remaining funds not allocated would go through a grant process. Mike Nordin suggested looking at larger scoped projects instead of several smaller projects. He used the Grays Harbor Creosote piling project as an example. The grant committee was then going to set up a meeting to review last year’s grant process and make recommendations for this year.
Item #2 –WSOC Report: Key reported that Eric Delvin from TNC provided the SOC with the Big Chew Charter document. Key stated that Michelle Culver from WDFW sat through the Big Chew meeting and did not oppose the Charter Document. Key stated that the Coast Group asked for a neutral facilitator and suggested Sea Grant. Sea Grant said they would look into the Possibility. It was reported that the State will have a combined SOC vote and all state agencies will be advisory to the Coastal Group. The SOC then stated that members of the Coastal Group should be appointed by the SOC. This was not acceptable to any of the MRC’s present at the SOC meeting. It was then discussed that each MRC appoint two members to an appointment committee to create a list to be approved by the SOC. This went over with mixed reviews and the MRC’s took it back to their committees.
The Group discussed the SOC appointing the Coastal Group and there was an overwhelming opposition to this process. Dale Beasley made a motion to have the individual groups that would be in the Coastal Group to nominate their own representatives, Mike Nordin seconded the motion and the vote passed unanimously.
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Item #3 – Coast MRC partnership Update: The PCMRC discussed the Coast MRC partnership and its past, present and future progress. Ross felt that the Washington Wasterfowl association may be a good representative for recreational hunting or would recommend a group to provide input on recreational hunting.
Key McMurry then talked about the Diplomacy meeting that took place in Forks and how that meeting seemed to change the MRC’s viewpoints and pulled the group together.
Doug Kess felt that we should contact the other MRC’s and get representatives in the correct place. He felt the SOC should not navigate the ship. The individual groups should fill in their own positions.
Doug Kess also spoke on the NOC meeting in Ocean Shores and stated the PCMRC was the only MRC to make a presentation. Dale pointed out that Economic Sustainability to the local communities should be a focus. Doug felt we had a strong voice at the NOC meeting. Dale also spoke with Micah Russell from the Makah Tribe and Micah sounded supportive of working with PCMRC and the Coastal Group. Key and Doug also met with Tom Carlson from the USGS. Tom said there would be a grant application coming out shortly for potential PCMRC and coastal activities
The MRC partnership seemed to be growing stronger and each individual MRC understood the others view points and objectives.
Item #4 – Web Page Domain Name: The group decided to go with www.PCMRC.com if available. If not go with available domain name that represents the PCMRC and I easily found. Key was going to work on this and report back to the PCMRC.
Item #5 – General Discussion: Ross Barkhurst stated as member of the public there isn’t much public interaction. Ross felt there should be more public interaction. This could be accomplished by having some interesting topics on the agenda that would bring the public in to the PCMRC. Mike Nordin stated that people are tentative about the MRC’s because there not a board member or alternate. Mike felt that there should be a PCMRC supporter positions that would bring in other individuals. Cathy Russ felt an PCMRC open house may recruit more interest to the PCMRC. Doug Kess mentioned that an Essay contest for students may be a way to gain more interest. Ross Barkhurst liked this suggestion.
Action Taken: A motion was to accept the minutes as amended for April 2001, May 2011 and June 2011.
Motion #1 – Mike Nordin
Second – Mike Spencer
Discussion - None
Passed – Unanimously
Action Taken: A motion was made to fund the GRGG at $3,450.00 and reserve the right to consider additional funds if needed.
Motion #1 – Cathy Russ
Second – Mike Nordin
Discussion - None
Passed - Unanimously
Action Taken: A motion was made to fund the SOC representative or alternate for mileage and per diem at $1,450.00.
Motion #1 – Cathy Russ
Second – Doug Kess
Discussion - None
Passed – Unanimously
Action Taken: A motion was made to fund the Annual Science Conference for $2,200.00.
Motion #1 – Mike Nordin
Second – Mike Spencer
Discussion - None
Passed – Unanimously
Action Taken: A motion was made to provide up to $300.00 for the PCMRC web page maintenance.
Motion #1 – Cathy Russ
Second – Dale Beasley
Discussion - None
Passed – Unanimously
Action Taken: A motion was made to have the individual groups that would be in the Coastal Group to nominate their own representatives.
Motion #1 – Dale Beasley
Second – Mike Nordin
Discussion - None
Passed – Unanimously
Adjourn: 8:40pm
Next Meeting: August 11th, 2011 at the pacific County Annex Building in South Bend, WA from 6pm to 8pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by: Mike Johnson, 360-875-9424,
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