Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership

Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership
Steering Committee Meeting
February 15, 2005

Attendees:

Hayden Street, John Dohrmann, James Schroeder, Jacques White, Linda Hanson (for Doug Osterman), Toni Lick, Debby Hyde, Dick Ecker, Curtis Tanner, Tim Smith, Rob Koeppen, Jen Steger, and Debbie Rick

Executive Committee De-Briefing

The Federal and Local Project Managers presented on the progress of the General Investigation under the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (PSNERP). This included the Status of the Work Plan, Budget to date and expected expenditures for completion of Stage 2, and a schedule for completion of Stage 2. The Project has significant challenges ahead. Estimated budget for completion of Stage 2 is $3,410,254, with unallocated FY06 resources of ($243,201) for a total FY 2007 unmet need of $3,167,053. Funding at this level is necessary to complete Stage 2, by the target date of September 2007.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ACTION: Develop a Plan B Funding Plan

Puget Sound Partnership – Puget Sound Initiative

Bill Ruckelshaus and Brad Ack provided a panel discussion on the Governor’s Puget Sound Initiative and the Puget Sound Partnership. Governor Gregoire has asked nine regional leaders to provide initial leadership for this effort. Bill Ruckelshaus is one of the nine. The Governor has provided a list of five charges and requested a report on these by October 2006. The Project Managers for this Partnership are Brad Ack (Puget Sound Action Team) and Jim Kramer (Shared Strategy for Puget Sound).

The Governor’s Initiative could not have come at a more opportune time for the Nearshore Partnership. With the momentum created by the Initiative, Brad and Bill encouraged the Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership to engage with the Puget Sound Partnership.

How we might help
Assimilate our products, materials before deadline
Strategic Plans due the end of May
Use our science
How we might fit in
Seat at the table
Integrate our “stuff” under each of the five charges
We want the Puget Sound Partnership to say the Nearshore Partnership is it.
Materials we can provide
Implementation Criteria
Project Lists (what we know about each/test the hypothesis) by September or criteria to implement projects.
STEERING COMMITTEE ACTION: “Five Charges” Workgroup; Debby Hyde, Jacques White, John Dohrmann, Curtis Tanner to meet to examine each of the five charges and what contribution the Nearshore Partnership offer towards meeting the charges and how it can strategically assist the Puget Sound Partnership. Report back at March Steering Committee.

Federal Request “one-pagers” (attached)

Tim Smith shared with the Steering Committee several one-pagers he developed to address each of the federal requests: Corps of Engineers -Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project - $1.9 million, Environmental Protection Agency - Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem: Future Without Project Condition Report $525,000, Corps of Engineers - Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters Restoration (PSAW) - $5 million, US Geological Survey - Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound - $2 million, and NOAA Fisheries - New $ 2.000 million earmark for restoration projects in support of the Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership.

Federal Project Manager’s Report

President’s Budget –

The FY07 Budget was released on Monday, February 6th. It included $400K for the Nearshore General Investigation – the only investigation proposed for Seattle District in FY07. If Congress approves the President’s Budget, at least five FY06 GIs involving Puget Sound watersheds will be suspended in FY07.

Staffing Changes –

Miriam Gilmer was selected to be the Nearshore Plan Formulator, serving as co-lead of the Implementation Team. Miriam recently managed and completed the Puget Sound Resources Superfund project within the nearshore of Elliot Bay. Beth Coffey, the previous plan formulator, was selected as supervisor for Regulatory Branch.

VEC White Paper Status Matrix Status

Scoped Research Work Order with University of Washington through US Geological Survey including: "Values" narrative by Tom Leschine and two graduate students. (10th VEC White Paper).

Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters Restoration Program

Skokomish Estuary Restoration Project Decision Document - approved
Lake Washington Gravel Nourishment Decision Document - approval pending completed environmental consultation
Proposed FY’07-‘08 nearshore projects under consideration:
- Nisqually River Estuary
- Snohomish River Estuary
- Skokomish River Estuary (Phase II)

Local Project Managers’ Report

Executive Committee Meeting: Overall the Executive Committee was very successful. The members have a better understanding of the PSNERP approach and support it. The members recognized the difficult choices ahead if funding continues to lag.

PRISM Design Team

Provided final input on security and other design elements
Completed “look up tables” with goals/objective, VECs and other details
Determined sequence for data base development tasks – “mandatory”, “2nd tier”, “future”
Provided Nearshore Projects Database to PRISM design team
Beta version of PRISM Nearshore database currently in testing

Nearshore Partnership information Materials

Program description one-pager
Technical documents one-pagers

Curtis gave presentation on the PSNERP GI to Regional and National Coastal Program staff at the USFWS Region 1 (WA, OR, CA, HI) Coastal Program Meeting.

Finally, Curtis identified his near-term (next six months) workload priorities for advancing the GI study:

1. Completion of change analysis methods and development of a work plan to complete Sound-wide change analysis.

2. Complete of VEC White Paper series, including peer-review and publication.

3. Completion of a pilot Strategic Needs Assessment Report for WRIA 9.

4. Completion of Management Measure technical report series.

5. Update PSNERP Work Plan, including additional details on Stage 3 tasks and schedule.

6. Resolution on Future Without Project methods.

The Steering Committee agreed with these priorities. Tim Smith suggested some additional tasks, including:

1. Work towards identification of Contractor for Stage 3 product delivery

2. Scope role of IT/NST in Stage 3

3. Resolve any outstanding issues with Federal Project Manager on qualifying local match.

Next Meeting

March 15, 2006 @ Pierce County Environmental Services

Draft Agenda

Tom Leschine Brief on VECs with Value Component
“Charges” Workgroup Report

STATE OF WASHINGTON
FY 2007 Federal Appropriation Request Sheet

House Subcommittee: Energy and Water

Senate Subcommittee: Energy and Water

Federal Agency: Corps of Engineers - Civil

Bill Title, Program Account Name: Title I General Investigation

Project or Program Name: Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project

Project or Program Explanation:

The Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (PSNERP) is a 5-6 year, $12 million “general investigation” designed to meet the feasibility requirements for the Corps ecosystem restoration “construction general” program. The investigation is a 50/50 cost share between the federal government and local sponsors, represented by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. If fully funded, this request would complete the federal contribution to the study portion of the project (Stage II) and leave just the Final Feasibility Report (Stage III) unfunded. Governor Gregoire’s FY 06 supplemental budget request includes $.500k to help meet the local cost-share requirements of this G.I.

FY 2006 Funding Level: $ 750,000

FY 2007 President Budget: $ 400,000 (Washington State’s only GI project…)

FY 2007 State Funding Request: $1.9 million

Authorization: Public Law 106-60; September 29, 1999

Report Language Request: None needed

For more information: Tim Smith, WDFW
360/561-9781 (cell)
smithtrs@dfw.wa.gov

STATE OF WASHINGTON
FY 2007 Federal Appropriation Request Sheet

House Subcommittee: Interior and Environment

Senate Subcommittee: Transportation, Treasury, Judiciary & HUD

Federal Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Bill Title, Program Account Name: Office of Research and Development, Corvallis Environmental Research Lab

Project or Program Name: Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem:
Future Without Project Condition Report

Project or Program Explanation:

A required element of the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (PSNERP) general investigation (GI) is identification of future design alternatives. One of those design alternatives must forecast the “Future Condition Without the Project”. EPA, through its Research Lab in Corvallis, Oregon has developed an international expertise in identifying and projecting the rate of ecosystem decline or recovery over time. This request would fulfill the requirements of the Corps of Engineers in the PSNERP G.I.

FY 2006 Funding Level: 0

FY 2007 President Budget: 0

FY 2007 State Funding Request: $525,000

Authorization: Clean Water Act, Section 104(b); Sec. 320

Report Language Request:

“Of the amount appropriated, $525,000 shall be available for development of a “Future Without Project” report for the Puget Sound nearshore ecosystem. The report shall be designed and written in consultation with the Puget Sound Nearshore Science Team, co-chaired by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife”

For more information: Tim Smith, WDFW
360/561-9781 (cell)
smithtrs@dfw.wa.gov

STATE OF WASHINGTON
FY 2007 Federal Appropriation Request Sheet

House Subcommittee: Energy and Water

Senate Subcommittee: Energy and Water

Agency: Corps of Engineers

Bill Title, Program Account Name: Title 1, Construction General

Project or Program Name: Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters (PSAW)

Project or Program Explanation:

This initiative was authorized in order to help recovery efforts of ESA listed salmon and steelhead runs. These funds allow the Corps to begin a habitat restoration program throughout the Puget Sound basin. The initiative is structured to ensure that projects are done in close consultation with local, state, federal, and tribal interests. The focus is to undertake restoration work that will take advantage of the Corps’ expertise and capacity for construction projects. Current projects funded through PSAW include Seahurst Park shoreline restoration; Skokomish River estuary dike removal; North Puget Sound derelict gear removal. Governor Gregoire’s FY 06 Supplemental budget request proposed $2.5 million state capital funds for a new program in the Department of Fish and Wildlife, “Estuary and Salmon Recovery in Puget Sound”. This new program will help provide local cash match for PSAW projects (as well as other federal construction and restoration programs).

FY 2006 Funding Level: $1.5 million

FY 2007 President Budget: $0 (OMB has not yet completed it’s review and approval of the program guidance)

FY 2007 State Funding Request: $5.0 million

Authorization: P.L. 103-231

Report Language Request: None

For more information: Tim Smith, WDFW
360/561-9781 (cell)
smithtrs@dfw.wa.gov

STATE OF WASHINGTON
FY 2007 Federal Appropriation Request Sheet

House Subcommittee: Interior and Environment

Senate Subcommittee: Interior

Federal Agency: U.S. Geological Survey

Bill Title, Program Account Name: Coastal Marine Geology Program

Project or Program Name: Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound

Project or Program Explanation:

This ongoing USGS work on Puget Sound represents a multi-discisciplinary science effort, including the four USGS science disciplines implementing the USGS coastal plan. The USGS Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound (CHIPS) process involves coordination and collaboration with numerous stakeholders and partners in the Pacific Northwest. USGS has led development of a research plan in support of the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (PSNERP). In 2006, USGS began implementing a portion of the plan through the Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound (CHIPS) program. USGS has begun targeted research related to the restoration of nearshore natural processes. Pilot areas have been the Elwha River estuary (restoration related to dam removal); the Skagit River delta (restoration of natural processes related to dike removal); and Urbanized Shoreline (restoration of natural processes related to geomorphic impacts). This request would allow the USGS expand the scope of its research. Findings will inform and advise completion of the PSNERP GI and guide implementation of nearshore restoration projects.

FY 2006 Funding Level: $ 500,000

FY 2007 President Budget: $ 500,000

FY 2007 State Funding Request: $2.0 million

Authorization: Organic Act of 1879, 43 U.S.C. 31, 43 U.S.C. 36c; Public Law 102-285; and National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992, to provide the science for managers of natural resources.

Report Language Request: None needed

For more information: Tim Smith, WDFW
360/561-9781 (cell)
smithtrs@dfw.wa.gov

STATE OF WASHINGTON
FY 2007 Federal Appropriation Request Sheet

House Subcommittee: Science, State, Justice and Commerce

Senate Subcommittee: Commerce, Justice, and Science

Federal Agency: NOAA Fisheries

Bill Title, Program Account Name: Habitat Conservation and Restoration

Project or Program Name: Community-based Restoration Program

Project or Program Explanation:

NOAA’s Community-based Restoration program provides financial and technical assistance to local, state and tribal partners for projects that restore important marine and coastal habitats. Currently in Washington State, CRP is supporting Olympia oyster beach restoration and derelict gear removal. Funds proposed would be used to match funding proposed by Governor Gregoire through the “Estuary and Salmon Recovery in Puget Sound” program, as well as other state and local fund sources.

FY 2006 Funding Level: $13.0 million (additional $6.8 “earmarked”)

FY 2007 President Budget: $12.8 million

FY 2007 State Funding Request: New $ 2.000 million earmark for restoration
projects in support of the Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership.

Authorization: Fish and Wildlife Coordinating Act
16 U.S.C. 661

Report Language Request:

“$2,000,000 for marine and coastal restoration projects implemented in cooperation with the Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership”.

For more information: Tim Smith, WDFW
360/561-9781 (cell)
smithtrs@dfw.wa.gov