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Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership
Steering Committee Meeting
21 February 2007

Attendance:

Dick Ecker, Mike Ramsey, Fred Goetz, Bernie Hargrave, Jacques White, Doug Myers, Hayden Street, Paul Cereghino, Tim Smith, Debby Hyde, Kirstin Holsman, Curtis Tanner, Debbie Rick

January 24 Executive Committee De-Brief

The Steering Committee reviewed the Executive meeting notes and will suggest any edits/changes to Debbie Rick before the next Steering Committee. Tim thought the field trip in the middle of the day was an excellent promotion of the Nearshore restoration work the Nearshore Partnership has done. Some of the Executives expressed concern regarding the “reporting” and desire more “action.” Overall the Executive meeting was a success.

There is increasing pressure on the Project Management Team to articulate in the Work Plan for the final Feasibility Report – milestones and deadline dates.

Federal Project Manager Report - Bernie Hargrave

FY’07 Budget Process – The president signed an appropriation bill into law last week. Informally, Bernie has heard that FY’07 appropriations are at the FY’06 levels for the General Investigation Program (Corps-wide). Individual projects, like the Nearshore, were not directly addressed in the bill, unlike previous years. There were many planning drills leading up to enactment but no word on what will finally be done.

Change Analysis –

The Corps has heard from many firms that are interested in competing for the professional services contract, after the initial announcement was published in the federal acquisition publication, “FedBizWeek”. Proposals are due May 1, 2007. First work order – June 1. The Change Analysis working group continues to routinely meet. They are assessing the results of the WRIA9 pilot with a series of questions poised to address the ecological significance of the changes between shoreforms and changes of attributes within each shore form.

Strategic Needs Assessment Report (SNAR) –

The Nearshore Science Team focused much of their February meeting agenda on advancing the SNAR, including presentations on the Future Without Project, Change Analysis and Strategic Needs. The Project Management Team has tasked the Implementation Team with preparing a next draft of the SNAR by mid-April based on their earlier work and the UW class’ results where they examined future drivers along the WRIA9 shoreline.

Future Without Project (FWOP) –

The FWOP working group is meeting with Dr. Marina Alberni and her graduate student, Michal, to scope the second workshop to be held this summer and begin to develop structural metrics suitable to analyze the future nearshore. Methods development will be handed off to the Environmental Protection Agency in June.

Feasibility Scoping Meeting –

Inclination is to hold the meeting next fall FY08 (Sept/Oct ’07).

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Tim reported that everyone is on board with the goals and objectives of the Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership and the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project. The main question now is what is it going to take to finish the project (General Investigation)? Our supporters are asking for a “list of actions portfolio,” creditable and reliable adaptive management to make better decisions and to move forward.

The Department of the Interior is creating something called Ecosystem Based Management (EBM). The Nisqually delta is an example where federal, state, local partners are approaching restoration efforts through the five points Governor Gregoire identified; storm water, water quantity, water quality, toxics, as well as habitat restoration.

The Department of the Interior has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with several federal agencies and Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ). This is to gain support and representation across federal agencies for EBM and creates the Federal Executive Board – Interagency Environmental Leadership. The Elwha River is another such project.

Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters Restoration

Doug Clapp has moved into a lead staff position. Doug wrote the original PSAW language. The Federal FY07 budget has earmarked $5 million for PSAW. This funding supports the program authorized under Section 544 of the Water Resource Development Act of 2000. The program received its first appropriations in federal fiscal year 2003. The program focuses on implementing critical projects for the preservation, protection and restoration of critical ecosystem processes, habitats, and functions within the Puget Sound basin. It complements other Puget Sound efforts by addressing issues from the top of the Cascade Mountains out through the Puget Sound marine areas. Action: focus/redraft/propose edits to the current PSAW program language.

State and Federal Funding Priorities - Tim Smith

2007/2009 STATE FUNDING PRIORITIES

Salmon Recovery –

This funding is for distribution by the Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) through the statewide grant program that addresses salmon recovery. The SRFB has developed a process that distributes funds through five regional areas. For the Puget Sound area is it proposed in current legislation (HB 1347/HB5372) to designate the Puget Sound Partnership as the regional organization Puget Sound/Hood Canal area.

Puget Sound and Estuary Restoration -

This funding request is included in the Governor’s Budget and would provide funding to the IAC for Puget Sound salmon recovery and nearshore restoration and protection.

Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program –

This funding implements projects in the Puget Sound nearshore area that restore and protect natural process. It complements the work done by the Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership, a science-based collaborative process between federal, tribal, state and local governments, industry and non-profit organizations. The Nearshore partnership has been working for six years to address the area of the marine shoreline that goes from approximately the top of the bluffs to about 60 feet water depth. This funding is distributed using criteria developed through the Puget Sound Nearshore science team with project selection approved by Puget Sound Nearshore Executive committee.

1) Shared Strategy is requesting this item be increased to $100 million.

2) The Shoreline Alliance for Puget Sound (People for Puget Sound, The Nature Conservancy, and the Trust for Public Lands) has requested that $100 million be appropriated between WDFW’s Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program and the new Puget Sound and Estuary Restoration funding provided to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. Governors budget proposes $49.5million between the two programs.

Washington Wildlife and Recreation Grant Program –

This funding facilitates the voluntary land acquisitions that benefit wildlife and recreational opportunities. The increased budget request by the Washington State environmental coalition is to help secure priority habitat areas for recreation and preservation in the Puget Sound area.

Salmon Recovery Lead Entities -

This funding provides a base level of support for the lead entities (authorized in 1999 by HB 2496) that originally accepted the responsibility to solicit, review and rank projects applying for funding through the Salmon Recovery Funding Board process. This community-based process was designed to ensure grass roots support of scientifically reasonable projects. The Lead Entities have continued to provide this help and have provided additional support during the development of the Puget Sound Partnership proposal formulation

Tribal support –

This funding would provide Puget Sound and Coastal tribes with capacity to participate in the review, implementation, and monitoring of the efforts outlined in the Puget Sound Partnership initiative.

Puget Sound Partnership -

This funding is to provide administrative support for the successor of the Shared Strategy/Puget Sound Action Team organization

Public Engagement -

This funding provides for resources for the citizen education component of the Puget Sound Partnership Initiative. The scope of the work will cover the multiple programs dealing with restoring the Puget Sound ecosystem.

3) Lead Entities have requested additional $500,000 to match anticipated federal
funding to implement the new Habitat Work Schedule project management system.

Improve agency compliance -

This funding provides for capacity in a variety of State agencies dealing with permitting, regulatory responsibilities, and coordination of compliance with environmental laws. This includes timely reviews and approvals and the enforcement of existing regulations.

Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Program –

This funding provides the necessary 50/50 cost share with the federal government for the Puget Sound Nearshore program. The Puget Sound Nearshore Project is authorized by Congress as a Corps of Engineers General Investigation. The program, similar is scope to the Everglades and Louisiana Coastal restoration programs, is completing the study component. The final product, or Final Feasibility Report, is a blueprint for the restoration and protection of natural processes along the Nearshore area of Puget Sound.

Northwest Straits Initiative -

This funding helps support the marine resource committees in seven northern Puget Sound counties which implement scientifically based projects for environmental restoration/protection. The parent organization, the Northwest Straits Commission, has received national and international recognition for projects such as the one that removes derelict fishing gear.

Pioneers in Conservation -

This funding supports a grant program that creates a "partnership for farms and salmon." Farmers, environmentalists, and governments are working together to assure actions on private farms that improve and protect salmon habitat are encourage in a way that also enhances the farm's economic future.

FY 08 FEDERAL FUNDING PRIORITIES

Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund -

This funding source was established by Congress to contribute to the restoration and conservation of Pacific Coastal salmon and steelhead populations and their habitats. The states of Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, and Alaska, and the Pacific Coastal and Columbia River tribes receive Congressional PCSRF appropriations through NOAA Fisheries Services. The fund supplements existing state, tribal, and local programs to foster development of federal-state-tribal-local partnerships in salmon and steelhead recovery and conservation.

Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Program -

This funding provides support to the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (PSNERP). This program was formally initiated as a General Investigation (GI) Feasibility Study in September 2001, through a cost-share agreement between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Washington, represented by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. This agreement describes the joint interests and responsibilities to complete a feasibility study to: “…evaluate significant ecosystem degradation in the Puget Sound Basin; to formulate, evaluate, and screen potential solutions to these problems; and to recommend a series of actions and projects that have a federal interest and are supported by a local entity willing to provide the necessary items of local cooperation.”

Since that time, PSNERP has attracted considerable attention and support from a diverse group of individuals and organizations (including other federal agencies) interested and involved in improving the health of Puget Sound nearshore ecosystems and the biological, cultural, and economic resources they support

Coastal Habitats in Puget Sound (CHiPS) -

This funding supports the interdisciplinary collaboration that coordinates, integrates, and links USGS studies with PSNERP goals and objectives. Current studies have three themes:

• Effects of urbanization on nearshore ecosystems
• Restoration of large river deltas
• Recovery of nearshore ecosystems

The primary focus is to develop information on the physical, chemical, and biological processes—as well as human dimensions—associated with the restoration or rehabilitation of the nearshore environment. Puget Sound partners and citizens will receive USGS results through databases, geospatial models and analyses, technical reports, and formal publications. As the Puget Sound Partnership expands the scope of Puget Sound problem-solving, USGS—through CHIPS—is ready to provide the necessary scientific foundation for decisionmakers.

Puget Sound Partnership -

This funding supports the effort by the Governor to enlist some of the region’s leading citizens to form a new public/private group called the Puget Sound Partnership. The Partnership was charged with developing an aggressive 15-year plan to solve Puget Sound’s most vexing problems.

Community-based Restoration Program -

This funding supports the NOAA Community-based Restoration Program (CRP) that applies a grass-roots approach to restoration by actively engaging communities in on-the-ground restoration of fishery habitat around the nation. The CPR emphasizes partnerships and collaborative strategies built around restoring NOAA trust resources and improving the environmental quality of local communities.

Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters -

This funding supports the program authorized under Section 544 of the Water Resource Development Act of 2000. The program received its first appropriations in federal fiscal year 2003. The program focuses on implementing critical projects for the preservation, protection and restoration of critical ecosystem processes, habitats, and functions within the Puget Sound basin. It complements other Puget Sound efforts by addressing issues from the top of the Cascade Mountains out through the Puget Sound marine areas.

Northwest Straits Initiative -

The funding supports the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative, which was authorized by Congress in 1998 as a result of recommendations from a bi-partisan commission, created by Sen. Patty Murray and then U.S. Rep. Jack Metcalf.

This facilitated the creation of the Northwest Straits Commission and seven county Marine Resources Committees. The Initiative includes the Foundation, the Northwest Straits Commission and seven county Marine Resources Committees (MRCs) from Clallam, Jefferson, Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island and Snohomish Counties. With the strength of local support, the Northwest Straits Initiative is on the forefront of conservation, forging innovative partnerships and providing regional leadership to tackle the complex problems facing the Northwest Straits and Puget Sound.

Habitat Work Schedule -

This funding supports work to create a data base management system that will centralize information about restoration and preservation efforts from the multiple efforts being undertaken in the Puget Sound basin. The system will allow web access, it will allow interaction by the various users, and will expedite the identification of projects of local priorities by organizations or agencies with funding.

1) Request may be adjusted to reflect amount appropriated as local match through the Washington Dept. Fish and Wildlife estuary and salmon restoration program (ESRP).

Local Project Managers Report – Curtis Tanner

Curtis reported on his conversations with Rebecca Ponzio and Shared Strategy, particularly the Puget Sound Partnership and salmon recovery. He has the sense that Jim Kramer wants the General Investigation to succeed.

Tom Mumford will be leading the Nearshore Partnership on monitoring and adaptive management while advancing the Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Program’s monitoring as well as programmatic monitoring – specific project goals in the broader context of South Hood Canal.

A Request for Proposals for a set of project monitoring plans and program monitoring plans was developed to evaluate against high-level guide. The sponsor will develop a report with the Nearshore Science Team for a project-monitoring plan with the final product in July.

Implementation Team Report – Miriam Gilmer

Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program Workshops

A series of six workshops will be held in February for individuals and organizations interested in sponsoring nearshore habitat restoration and preservation projects in the Puget Sound area. The workshops, hosted by the Puget Sound Nearshore Partnership and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), will be held February 14-28 at various sites throughout the region. The workshops are designed to familiarize potential project sponsors with the state's Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program (ESRP), established by the Legislature in 2006 as part of Gov. Chris Gregoire's Puget Sound Initiative.

Nearshore Science Team Report

Future Without Project (FWOP) – Marina Alberti, Urban Ecology Group (UEG)

Next step to develop scenarios is development of hypotheses about scenarios. These can be detailed as specific as a model – testing, sensitivity, review by experts, input from agencies. Currently developing synthesis of storylines as end of Phase I preliminary assessment.

Phase II Objectives:

• Scenario Development – description of scenario through driver trajectories
• Metrics Selection – relational database for ranking of structural metrics
• Model Development – selection and integration of existing model runs to assess nearshore impacts.

Final Products from FWOP with UEG

• Final Scenarios
• Develop a list of “structural” metrics to quantify impacts of each scenario on nearshore; develop a relational database with – functions, processes, structures, VECS, metrics.
• Use metrics to design modeling for spatially explicit nearshore assessment

NST began developing metrics to link FWOP to Change Analysis

Update on Change Analysis: During a presentation and discussion on change analysis report a few corrections being considered, e.g., use of modern stream data to designate beaches. In general, report will summarize most findings as present analysis, without post facto corrections. A presentation of findings will be modified as per NST Change Analysis Work Group recommendations (e.g., normalization). The report will present and discuss sources of error and uncertainty, and make recommendations for improvement in protocol and analysis. Further analysis, especially organized around Fresh-Tanner-Simenstad types of questions will move forward in (SNAR?) stage, with major effort scheduled for February 23 Work Group meeting.

What are next steps discussion - Minimize uncertainty and error:

• Evaluate current methods – tweaked (simplified), torqued (changed) or tossed (start over) – example - error analysis using current method (assuming there is value in current methods): What is best working group to evaluate method(s) – Jenn suggests a team of experts – maybe Jenn, Jessemine, and Tracy (USGS).
  
• What can we do with current data to carry out next level of questions? Next level of change – what questions within shore form (attributes) change must we ask. If shore form A changes to shore form A what questions would we ask; B to B will have different questions.
  
• Evaluate other methodologies to get at change analysis that may be a better application appropriate to the materials to improve certainty. Apply that to another area to evaluate results. See Jim J. or Skagit River Systems Cooperative examples.

Notes from the Wall:

GI NEW START (STUDY)
Authorization #1/Appropriations
50%/50%

Next Meeting: March 21, 2007
Tukwila Community Center