agenda 10:25-11:00 MRC reports MRC Representatives 11:35-11:40 NWS Foundation update Caroline Gibson

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1 agenda Meeting: Northwest Straits Commission Location: WebEx Conference Call Date: September 28, 2018 Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM To join the WebEx meeting, click here. Enter your name and address and click Join. For audio conference only, dial: , access code: :00-10:10 Welcome and introductions Approval of August minutes Paul Clampitt, Chair 10:10-10:25 NWSC committee reports Executive Committee External Relations Committee Science Advisory Committee Alan Clark Tom Cowan Ron Thom 10:25-11:00 MRC reports MRC Representatives 11:00-11:20 Getting molecular water quality monitoring in Whatcom Ryan McLaughlin, Whatcom MRC 11:20-11:35 Business items MRC Conference (Sasha, Nicole) 2019 meeting dates (Nicole) Marine Program Manager (Dana) Approve Strategic Plan format (Lucas) Staff 11:35-11:40 NWS Foundation update Caroline Gibson 11:40-11:45 Puget Sound Partnership update Karin Berkholtz, Puget Sound Partnership 11:45-11:50 Round table All 11:50-12:00 Public comment All

2 Executive Committee Meeting September 10, :00am-12:00pm Conference call Committee Members: Tom Cowan, Terry Stevens, Paul Clampitt, Ron Thom Commission Staff/Support: Sasha Horst, Nicole Jordan, Lucas Hart Absent: Alan Clark, Caroline Gibson Funding update Sasha said the agreement with the PSP is on track to be signed by the Department of Ecology (DOE). The NOAA agreement for kelp work is routing through DOE. MRC grants are ready to be sent out for signature. Northwest Straits Commission Funding strategies Lucas and Tom wrote two brief funding strategies, one for state and one for federal. Federal advice is to find program overlap. Lucas is working with EPA. Ron offered support from the Science Advisory Committee if needed. Strategic Plan draft update Lucas presented the plan to San Juan and Snohomish MRC in the next few weeks. Lucas expects to have a draft completed by the end of Commissioner term limits recruitment Lucas talked to the governor s office. Commissioners are only allowed two terms. Lucas will request a document from the governor s office explaining the policies on term limits. Marine program manager update Lucas said Dana Oster was hired as the new marine program manager. Ron encouraged a meeting with Dana and the Science Advisory Committee after she is on board. PSP Comprehensive Plan Lucas and Sheida are exploring potential options in incorporating the NWS Commission into the PSP Comprehensive Plan. Action: Nicole will do a doodle poll for the executive committee, Ginny, Nan to meet for 1 ½ hours. MRC Conference update Sasha said the she is working on a draft conference agenda. *The next Executive Committee meeting will be on October 1 from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM over conference call*

3 Commission staff highlights September 2018 Marine Program Manager Dana Oster started with the Commission on September 17. Dana has been working on the Actions to Impacts MRC Conference session, reviewing the workplan for year two of the kelp recovery plan development, and generally getting the lay of the land. She will begin making the rounds to MRC meetings in October. If you have questions or want to say hi please contact Dana at MyCoast The Department of Natural Resources is funding the expansion of the MyCoast smartphone app statewide, to be launched at the end of September. Snohomish MRC, Washington Sea Grant, US Geological Survey and Northwest Straits Commission are collaborating on this effort, with a Memorandum of Understanding being drafted between the agencies. All MRCs are invited to participate by identifying a local beach (or beaches) to include in the take a beach photo reporting tool. Photos submitted will contribute to a time-lapse photo series of local beaches. Contact Sasha if interested in additional information. MRC Grants The MRC grants are ending as of September 30, and all completed work and invoicing will be submitted in the coming month. The new awards to MRCs begin on October 1 and run through September 30, 2019, using a combination of state funds and EPA funding from the Puget Sound Partnership. Actions to Impacts Project Dana Oster is reviewing materials left by Dan van Hees to get up to speed on the project effort to date so that she can help move the project forward in the coming months. Strategic planning Lucas is in the process of finalizing a draft of the plan incorporating the feedback he received from MRCs, other partner organizations and boards MRC Conference The conference planning committee wrapped up its tasks and Commission staff is now working with session leads to finalize the agenda. A draft agenda will be posted to the conference web page in the next few weeks. Check back on the web page regularly for this and other updates as the date approaches: Registration was sent to all MRC and Commission members on

4 Commission staff highlights September 2018 September17 please check your and register before October 19. If you have questions on logistics, please contact Nicole at Anyone with ideas on previous MRC members and Commissioners who might be interested in attending the conference should contact Nicole. 20 th Anniversary Commission staff are working interviewing some legacy members using a short list of interview questions. Legacy members are invited to the Friday evening of the conference. The anniversary date of the Initiative is November 13 and we encourage everyone to share your stories and amplify the anniversary on social media throughout that week. Meeting attendance Sasha and Lucas attended the conference call for the Marine Resources Advisory Council (MRAC) on September 4. Lucas, along with San Juan MRC and partners, led a PSP Leadership Council tour in the San Juan s on September 12 th. Lucas attended the PSP Leadership Council meeting in San Juan on September 13. Sasha, Dana and Foundation staff members met with staff from the NOAA Marine Debris program on September 18 to discuss outreach and communications and future collaborations. Lucas attended the EPA-Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Statement of Cooperation Working Group meeting in Vancouver BC on September 20. More information about the Working Group and the Statement of Cooperation can be found in their current Action Plan.

5 Meeting Dates 2019 Unless otherwise noted or scheduled, WebEx meetings will be held from 10:00am-12:00pm In-person meetings will be held from 10:00am-3:00pm DATE COUNTY LOCATION SCHEDULED TASK/EVENT January 25 Island Camano Island February Skagit Padilla Bay Reserve NWSI Retreat March 29 - WebEx conference call Chair nominations April 26 Jefferson Maritime Center Election of officers May 31 - WebEx conference call June 28 Snohomish Snohomish County Admin Bldg Approve MRC grant proposals, adopt NWSC budget and workplan July 26 - WebEx conference call August 23 Clallam Jamestown S Klallam Tribal Center (tentative) September 27 - WebEx conference call October - No meeting November Whatcom/Snohomish MRC Conference December 6 - WebEx conference call

6 County: Clallam Month/Year: September 2018 Submitted by: Cathy Lear and Helle Andersen MRC Monthly Report Membership/Leadership Changes (including new members, departing members, changes to chair/vicechair, 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): none MRC Meeting: The meeting will be held May 21 st in the large conference room in the Port Angeles Courthouse. Topics on the agenda included an update by Deborah Moriarty and James Roubal about the new National Marine Sanctuary Chapter and the International Coastal Cleanup, a presentation by Elizabeth Dunne Tyson Minck and Jim Waddell about dam removal on the Snake River, planning of the Dungeness River festival and project updates. LIO/ERN Meeting: Cathy Lear participated in the quarterly LIO meeting September 14 th. Funding Updates: (newly-awarded grants, in-kind support or other funding commitments): None Project Updates: Forage Fish Surveys: The forage fish sampling took place September 11 at Cline Spit and sampling is planned for Ediz Hook and Elwha Beach September 24 th. Pigeon Guillemot: The survey effort at 16 monitoring sites between Port Williams and Freshwater Bay is winding down and Ed Bowlby and Jeff Ward are in the process of compiling the data. Elwha Beach: The bimonthly dog waste surveys and replacement of bags in the dispenser will be continued after the summer internship ended. Shellfish Biotoxin: Clallam MRC is conducting the last the bimonthly shellfish monitoring at Pillar Point in end of September. Olympia Oyster Restoration: The Clallam MRC received the approved SUP from US Fish and Wildlife Service. Test plots of Olympia oysters will be established at the Dawley Road site October 5 th. Dungeness River Festival: Clallam MRC will have a booth at the festival September 27 and 28.

7 MRC Monthly Report County: Island Month/Year: September 2018 Submitted by: Anna Toledo Membership/Leadership changes (including new members, departing members, changes to chair/vicechair, NWSC representative/alternate, staff): Frances Wood and Ruth Richards will be stepping down at the end of the year. Events/Meetings (including upcoming events/meetings and/or information on meetings/events from past month such as number of participants or highlights): Meetings: - On August 28 th, the MRC, along with the NWSF and WA DNR, hosted an informational meeting for community members regarding a potential restoration project at Hidden Beach. - At the September 4 th MRC meeting, the MRC discussed several business items, including the video developed for the MRC, outreach and monitoring plans for next year, and upcoming presentation topics. - At the October 2 nd MRC meeting, the Pigeon Guillemot Summer Researcher will present on the 2018 survey. - Barb Bennett attended the September ILIO Technical Committee meeting. Events: - A shoreline vegetation workshop in partnership with the NWSF will be held on Wednesday, October 17, 5:30-8pm at Four Springs House on Camano Island. Funding updates (newly-awarded grants, in-kind support or other funding commitments): The MRC s Opportunity Fund application for $5,600 for an educational film and curriculum was approved. Project Updates (progress from past month on existing project or any new projects identified): Forage Fish: Monthly surveys continue at 6 sites on Whidbey and 2 sites on Camano. Ruth Richards, the project lead, will be stepping off the MRC at the end of the year, so the MRC is looking for a new lead to continue the leadership. Bull Kelp: Monthly kayak surveys are wrapping up for the season. The end-of-the-year summary report is being drafted. Eelgrass: The 2017 data analysis is complete, and the project report will be submitted by the end of September. Pigeon Guillemot: Volunteers have completed the summer survey. The summer research intern will present on the summer s findings at the October meeting. The coordinator will also present on project updates. Monitoring Inventory: The MRC is drafting an inventory of nearshore monitoring work being conducted by local partners.

8 Outreach: Anna Toledo presented to a class of Sound Water Stewards trainees about the MRC and the Cornet Bay restoration project. Kelly Zupich is contacting local schools to develop an implementation plan for the educational video and curriculum. Barb Bennett is exploring the use of a newsletter to provide communications to the Board of County Commissioners. 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): Lisa Kaufman presents at an informational community meeting about a potential restoration project at Hidden Beach. Credit: Anna Toledo.

9 JCMRC Monthly Report County: Jefferson Month/Year: Sept 2018 Submitted by: Cheryl Lowe Membership/Leadership Changes (including new members, departing members, changes to chair/vice-chair, NWSC representative/alternate, staff): No changes. Events/Meetings (including upcoming events/meetings and/or information on meetings/events from past month such as number of participants or highlights): Past Meetings & Events: All-County Picnic Aug 19, with MRC table on stormwater & rain gardens (NWSF-funded) NWSC: Jeff Taylor attended NWSC mtg in Bellingham on Aug 24 Sept 4 MRC monthly meeting (16 members/staff and 1 guest attending). Topics included MRC project updates, plans for WBF, update by Steve Tucker about Port of Port Townsend s Point Hudson jetty renovation and a discussion about orcas, salmon and hatcheries. Dan VanHees was unable to attend and provide an update on NWSC Actions to Impacts program. Wooden Boat Festival Sept 7-9: See below for more info Quilcene Fair Sept 8, with MRC table on stormwater & rain gardens (NWSF-funded) See below for more info. MRC Executive Committee met on Sept 19 (Ashley, Jeff, Sarah, Jackie, Cheryl). Upcoming Meetings/Events: Sept 25: Another rain garden installation. See below for details. Sarah Fisken is planning to participate in the Sept 29 th NWSC web-ex meeting. Oct 2 MRC monthly mtg. City of Port Townsend s Engineer will give an update about proposed improvements to the City s wastewater treatment plan outfall pipe. Funding updates (newly-awarded grants, in-kind support or other funding commitments): See Rain Garden task report below. Project Updates (progress from past month on existing projects or any new projects identified): 1. Monitoring: a) Fort Townsend Restoration: Monthly removal of invasive thistle growing in the shoreline vegetation plantings took place Sept 15. Forage fish monitoring will start again in October, we hope. b) Forage Fish Index Site (Adelma Beach): Monthly monitoring completed Aug 20. September monitoring report not yet submitted by team. c) Kelp: Third monitoring of North Beach kelp bed completed on Aug 25 with 3 regular volunteers (Judy, Al, Jeff). This was followed by an additional DNR monitoring with MRC assisting: Helen Berry, Julia Ledbetter and Russ McMillan (DNR staff) came up on September 11th and 12th to take samples, and take measurements of the size, weight and health of our bed. They also measured the ocean conditions around the beds. On

10 Sept 11th Russ McMillan brought his drone and took aerial photos in RGB and infrared. On Sept 11, Judy D Amore and Emily Bishop joined the DNR staff and helped take measurements and talk about our experience measuring the bed, and what we might do differently next year. Jeff Taylor joined Helen and Julia on the 12th and help them finish collecting data. They brought a Boston Whaler, which gave us the opportunity to see the outer beds in a high current. We have not decided if our bed is shaped like a dumbbell, doughnut, or a lozenge. OUTCOME: Aug kelp survey completed with 3 MRC members. Additional collaborative monitoring with DNR team in September. Adelma Forage Fish monitoring completed by same MRC team of 3 volunteers as before. 2. Rain Gardens: We will be installing another rain garden on Sept 25 in uptown Port Townsend, at the corner of Lincoln and Van Buren. This gets a lot of stormwater flow from several streets and the large St Mary s church parking lot. This is a new drainage basin for us (Lawrence St stormwater conveyance which ends up at Kai Tai and ultimately Port Townsend Bay via an outfall at the end of Kearny St. This project will reduce the amount of flow and contaminants getting there. The homeowners are very interested in this project and will make great stewards of the RG. City of PT waived the permit fees and donated site preparation work, compost and mulch for the project. The Quilcene property on Center Rd looks promising for a rain garden installation. Landowner is very amenable to the idea. The County is interested in collaborating on this; they plan to do some roadwork in this area of Center Rd in the coming year, so we ll work together on this, aiming for an early Sept 2019 installation. WSU Extension is also working with the PT School System s OCEAN program (K-12 Homeschool support and alternative program for the school district). Cheryl (MRC) and Bob Simmons (WSU) met with the teachers involved who are interested in integrating this into their curricula throughout the year. They ll start by bringing K-5 th grade students to the Sept 25 th installation. They hope to culminate the year with a rain garden project somewhere in PT (hopefully near their school). 3. Education & Outreach: a. Wooden Boat Festival: MRC s booth provided information about eelgrass and boat anchors as well as stormwater and actions people can take. We placed a small ad in the WBF Program guide and sponsored a Passport to Adventure activity to promote all the marine conservation education booths at the Festival. OUTCOMES: 349 direct contacts/conversations at MRC booth. Rough estimate of 100 passport participants (still waiting for info from partners) b. Three Local Events--All-County Picnic (Aug 19), Quilcene Fair (Sept 8) and Salish Sea Day of Action (Sept 15): MRC hosted a display table at 3 relatively small community events, in order to reach local residents about rain gardens and

11 other marine stewardship actions. OUTCOMES: Direct contacts: 100 (All-County Picnic), 40 (Quilcene Fair), 15 (Day of Action) c. Shoreline Landowner Outreach: Jefferson MRC coordinator is assisting WSU Extension and NWSF in organizing a co-sponsored Shoreline Properties realtor workshop for Jefferson & Clallam realtors on October 26 th (WSU clock-hours, held in Port Hadlock). (Note: NWSF is the lead sponsor, but MRC staff time on this project is temporarily being paid by NWSC as part of Jefferson MRC outreach strategies.) MRC is also participating in new conversations with Jefferson County Parks and DNR about Indian island County Park about potential shoreline armor removal project. Still in the early discussion and gathering info stage. This is part of a proposed NTA for in the HCCC LIO. d. General Outreach: We updated our theatre ad slides for use in local theaters, including a new one about proper disposal of old medications. We may place the ad in a new theatre this year. 4. Olympia Oyster: (1) Discovery Bay: (a) DNR Right of Entry permit is in final stages-just waiting for DNR signature. With permit delays and limited low daytime tides, we decided to wait until spring 2019 to place cultch at this site. Shells stacks were collected in early September. (2) Quilcene Bay: No new activity. 5. Voluntary No Anchor Zones: We check buoy conditions at Port Hadlock in August and monitored compliance by boaters along the Port Townsend waterfront during Wooden Boat Festival. We found only 2 small boats anchored inside the Voluntary No Anchors Zone during random checks along the waterfront on all three days of the festival. Those boats had moved by the following day. Other (anything not covered above, including local issues of interest to the regional group, questions to the Commission, etc.): See photos below. Kelp monitoring with DNR Crew. Photo by Russ McMillan.

12 MRC display at Quilcene Fair with interactive rain garden diorama borrowed from Stewardship Partners. Photo by Michelle Chow. MRC Stormwater Eco-scape Activity at Wooden Boat festival. Photo by Michelle Chow. (verbal photo permission by parents, but no names available.)

13 MRC Monthly Report County: San Juan County Month/Year: September 2018 Submitted by: Frances C. Robertson, Marine Program Coordinator Membership/Leadership changes (including new members, departing members, changes to chair/vicechair, NWSC representative/alternate, staff): There were no changes in membership or leadership during September. Events/Meetings (including upcoming events/meetings and/or information on meetings/events from past month such as number of participants or highlights): The September MRC meeting was held in Friday Harbor on September 5th. Lucas Hart presented the NWSI Strategic Plan. Christina Koons, MRC Vice-Chair attended the August 24th NWSC meeting in Bellingham. Christina provided an update on the status of the current MRC projects including the whale flag study and the Orcas Landing signage. Members of the MRC (Christina Koons, Lovel Pratt, Kendra Smith, Jeff Friedman, and Frances Robertson) attended the August 28 th SRKW Governor s Task Force meeting in Anacortes. MRC member Jeff Friedman took the Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council, along with representatives of the San Juan MRC (Lovel Pratt and Byron Rot) and San Juan County (Commissioner Jamie Stephens) on a boat tour of the San Juans on September 12, providing MRC members the opportunity to share information on their habitat restoration, salmon recovery and SRKW projects with the Leadership Council. In addition Kendra Smith attended the PSP Leadership meeting in Friday Harbor on September 13. Funding updates (newly-awarded grants, in-kind support or other funding commitments): The MRC submitted, in collaboration with San Juan County, two grant applications to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to support the ongoing Southern Resident killer whale efforts. Project Updates (progress from past month on existing project or any new projects identified): Whale-flag project: Flags and outreach material continue to be distributed to the whale watch fleet and interested members of the public. 1

14 Connections were made with representatives of the Northwest Marine Trade Association and organizers of the Seattle Boat Show to help distribute outreach material and the post-season survey, as well as secure booth space for the 2019 Seattle Boat Show. In addition, port and marina signage, approved by the Be Whale Wise Team began installation around San Juan County. Soundwatch has continued to collect vessel related data through September. The post season survey began distribution in mid-september, the survey will remain open until mid-october. Orcas Landing Project: The ecosystem sign has been approved by the MRC committee and is in the final phase of production. Artwork and text for the second sign is being drafted. The pre-installation survey is due to be conducted this fall. Green Crab Monitoring and Catch More Crab: MRC member Laura Jo Severson has continued to conduct green crab monitoring with Washington Sea Grant at the Third Lagoon site on the south end of San Juan Island. To date she has not detected any presence of green crab at the site. Outreach efforts The MRC plan to participate in the Fall Great Islands Clean-up on the 29 th September. 2

15 County: Skagit Month/Year: September 2018 Submitted by: Nate Biletnikoff/Tracy Alker MRC Monthly Report Membership/Leadership changes (including new members, departing members, changes to chair/vicechair, NWSC representative/alternate, staff): The Committee is making the recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners to appoint Todd Mitchell to the MRC. Todd will be replacing Julie Barber as the Swinomish Tribe representative. Darla Gay Smith replaced Gina Johnson as Rachel Best s Alternate on the MRC. Events/Meetings (including upcoming events/meetings and/or information on meetings/events from past month such as number of participants or highlights): September 13- MRC Meeting: Sarah Brown, a Marine Planner from Scotland, recently received the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust UK Fellowship to research the different public engagement techniques being used in the United States in marine planning. She will be meeting with different stakeholder groups and marine planners across the east coast, west coast, and Great Lakes areas over a 6 week period. She recently met with the Skagit MRC to learn how we operate and the challenges we face. She was particularly interested in the volunteer component and how we are able to get and continue to keep so many different interest groups engaged and productive, even with very little funding for projects. September 15- Fidalgo Bay Day (11am-3pm) at the Fidalgo Bay Resort: An estimated 300 people attended this year s event, including volunteers, presenters, and displayers. Over 120 people visited the MRC display including lots of newcomers. Kids and adults alike asked a lot of great questions, listened, and learned and will hopefully tell others about the event and the things they learned. The MRC display included the Sormwater Golf Game, the Forage Fish Bean Bag Toss Game, the Living Shorelines display/demonstration, and the scuba diver photo booth. We also had a marine plastics display at the front entrance in partnership with the NWS Foundation and the Friends of Skagit Beaches. The event highlights included kid-friendly crafts, games, and interactive educational displays, complimentary samples of local seafood, beach seining, beach walks, the Shannon Point Marine Center s aquarium touch tank, and Samish s no-host salmon BBQ. There was a nice article about the event in the Skagit Valley Herald. Pete is working on the report which will be ready by the end of the month. Opening ceremony and warm welcome led by Samish Tribal Member, Rosie Cayou-James (Photo Credit: Pete Haase) September 24- Crandall Spit Beach Cleanup (9:30-11:30am): Please join us for a beach cleanup at Crandall Spit on September 24 th. Please RSVP to salishseastewaerds@gmail.com. (This project is sponsored by Skagit MRC/Salish Sea Stewards, Shell Puget Sound Refinery, Friends of Skagit Beaches, Fidalgo Bay Aquatic Reserve Citizens Stewardship Committee, and Skagit County Public Works) September 25- Marine Debris Data Collection, Sorting and Cataloguing (9:00am Noon), Padilla Bay Reserve: Help us sort and catalogue trash removed from Crandall Spit using a new data collection protocol designed to better understand the types and sources of marine debris on our beaches. Please RSVP to salishseastewaerds@gmail.com.

16 October 1 - The Fidalgo Bay Aquatic Reserve Plan Update: Stakeholder meeting (1pm-3pm) at the NW Educational Service District, Anacortes. This is not an MRC sponsored meeting, but several MRC members will be attending. RSVP Birdie Davenport at ROBERTA.DAVENPORT@dnr.wa.gov October 16- Shoreline Landowner- Vegetation Management Workshop (5:30pm-8:00pm) at the Fidalgo Bay Resort. Join the NWSF and Skagit MRC at Fidalgo Bay to learn about coastal processes and how to use native vegetation to manage your landscape for slope stability and wildlife habitat. Speakers include Ben Alexander and Lisa Kaufman. 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: Salish Sea Steward volunteers helped staff the MRC display at the Salmon Fest and helped with Fidalgo Bay Day. They have been busy helping with other MRC projects as well such as the beach seining and forage fish monitoring, oyster monitoring, kelp monitoring. The next SSS social event will be held after the Crandall Spit Beach Cleanup on Sept 24 th. There will be a presentation on plastics and recycling. Lunch provided by Shell Refinery. We are starting to promote next year s training which will likely happen in March We will need to go the competitive process again to contract a volunteer program coordinator. Bowman Bay Restoration: The last weeding/watering party coordinated by the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group (SFEG) took place on August 31 st. SFEG will be providing a summary report by the end of this month. The NWS Foundation has funding to purchase new plants. Under the new MRC grant we have funding to continue plant maintenance work. As part of the larger restoration project (not currently funded under the MRC grant), Jason Morgan leads the monthly beach seining surveys and Pete Haase leads the monthly fish surveys on the same day. The next beach seining and forage fish surveys are scheduled for Tuesday, October 17 th. No forage fish eggs have been found at Bowman Bay so far this year. Kids on the Beach Pilot Project: The final report is now complete and will be shared with MRC members and posted on the MRC website. We are currently looking into expanding the Kids on the Beach project in collaboration with The SeaDoc Society. Fidalgo Bay Aquatic Reserve Citizen Stewardship Committee has funding to help augment the program. The details still need to be worked out. Olympia Oyster Restoration: As part of the larger native oyster restoration project, the Puget Sound Restoration Fund applied for permits to distribute additional shell and oyster seed this year on the west side of Fidalgo Bay at Weaverling Spit in partnership with the Samish Tribe. They will also be placing additional oyster shell and seed at Cap Sante area and along the trestle. Paul is working on a two-year project report. Paul will present his Fidalgo Bay Native Oyster Restoration poster at the upcoming Fidalgo Bay Aquatic Reserve Plan Update stakeholder meeting October 1. Pinto Abalone Recovery: The final report will be complete by September 28, Forage Fish Surveys: Volunteers continue to collect monthly samples at the three index sites for the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). WDFW recently hired new staff so communications will be improved and sampling results will happen a lot faster. Lots of spawning happening at Similk Bay, but not much happening at the other sites. Eggs have been detected at the Ship Harbor site along the Guemes Channel once again, which is rare. Monthly forage fish surveys also continue at the MRC nearshore restoration sites. Kayak Kelp Surveys: Five volunteers surveyed the kelp beds at Coffin rocks, Biz Point, and Shannon Point in July, August, and September. Surveys are now done for the season. All of the data collected is being sent to Suzanne Shull for analysis and to post in Sound IQ.

17 MRC Monthly Report County: Snohomish Month/Year: September 2018 Submitted by: Kathleen Pozarycki and Elisa Dawson Membership/Leadership changes (including new members, departing members, changes to chair/vicechair, 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): Sarah Brown, Tom Doerge, Kathleen Pozarycki, and Elisa Dawson attended the Boards and Commissions Appreciation event August 27 th at the Snohomish County Fairgrounds. The event is intended to thank all County volunteers including MRC Members for their volunteer work. Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, and several Snohomish County Councilmembers were in attendance. MRC members had the opportunity to speak with the Executive at the event. Elisa Dawson attended a Crabber Education meeting with WSU on August 29 th. The Snohomish County MRC partnered with Snohomish County Beach Watchers for 2018 Crabber Education on opening weekend June 30 th, July 1 st and an additional day on July 7 th. Volunteers helped distribute packets, containing information and gauges, at the Everett 10 th street boat launch, Kayak Point Park boat launch, and the Edmonds pier and boat launch on both days from approximately 6AM-12PM. Final totals from outreach was a total of 1,700 crabber education packets handed out in Snohomish County. Suggestions for next year included finding a better way of packing the supplies (while avoiding the use of plastic), starting as early as 5AM at the Everett Boat Launch, and reconsidering outreach times at Kayak Point. The group discussed future outreach efforts to include the distribution of packets from vendors whom sell crab pots and licenses Kathleen Pozarycki and Elisa Dawson attended a webinar regarding Port Susan on August 29 th. The Webinar was hosted by WDFW and was titled Restoration, Stress, and Habitat Resilience in the context of Climate Change: Lessons from the Stillaguamish Estuary. The webinar focused on restoration efforts and the effects on climate change on restoration. Elisa Dawson, Paul Clampitt, and Mike Ehlebracht attended the City of Snohomish Healthy Homes event September 11. The event was hosted by the City of Snohomish at the Snohomish Senior Center and was intended for a general public audience. Approximately 12 households and 15 people attended the event. A number of pledges to help improve clean water, such as pick up their pet waste, were filled out by attendees. They participants often pledged to do multiple things rather than just one thing. An example pledge card is attached.

18 News paper article:

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20 Kathleen Pozarycki, Elisa Dawson, and Debbie Hopkins attended a Port Susan Conference Call on September 12. The group discussed a presentation Debbie had put together on citizen science opportunities in Port Susan, and an upcoming presentation Kathleen is making to the Island County Shore Stewards at Cama beach on October 1. The presentation will focus on the citizen science opportunities available in Port Susan, and other work the Snohomish MRC has done in Port Susan. The MRC completed Forage Fish Sampling September 12 th. Franchesca Perez, Bob Hillmann, Craig Wollam, Paul Clampitt and Elisa Dawson completed the sampling event. 18 samples were taken from nearshore sites along Snohomish County. Elisa Dawson, Kathleen Pozarycki, and Bob Hillmann met with Snohomish County Surface Water Management Staff Luke Hanna and Frank Leonetti on September 19 th to discuss the forage fish analysis project. The team discussed the different aspects of the analysis and assigned tasks. The MRC has contracted a consultant to help with the analysis for forage fish eggs and sediment. The MRC held monthly meeting on September 19 th, In attendance were MRC members Sarah Brown, Susan Tarpley, Laura Gurley, Tom Doerge, Craig Wollam, Traci Sanderson, Debbie Hopkins, Bob Hillmann, Paul Clampitt, Franchesca Perez and Mike Ehlebracht. Cathy Stanley were unable to make this meeting. Gregg Farris attended the meeting to discuss the MRC budget. Lucas Hart, Northwest Straits Commission Director, gave a presentation on the Northwest Straits Strategic Plan. MRC members reported updates on current projects and announcements for future events. Funding updates (newly-awarded grants, in-kind support or other funding commitments): Snohomish County Surface Water Management has been directed by the Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers to reinstated the MRC budget cuts for 2018 and Both the planned $20,000 cut in 2018 and $46,000 in 2019 were reinstated. Several MRC members met with the Snohomish County Executive and County Council members over the past several months to talk about the budget cuts and how the MRC leverages their funding for the restoration and protection of Puget Sound. Project Updates (progress from past month on existing project or any new projects identified): Nearshore Beach Restoration Project: The MRC is working on analyzing nearshore restoration project data from before and after the restoration. The MRC is using an existing contract with NRC Inc. to analyze forage fish data to contribute to a larger monitoring and status report. The purpose of the analysis and report is to examine the interrelationships between beach sediment grain size and forage fish egg presence both before and after the Nearshore Restoration Project was completed. The County had been collecting grain size and egg presence/absence data at 13 different sample locations. Surveys were taken once per month from approximately August-February at each site since The final report will analyze this data for each individual site, and give a summary of the general findings of the analysis as a whole. Development of the final report will be informed by previous reports and guidance created by the Snohomish County Marine Resources Committee and partners. Consultant Jamey Selleck

21 has started the analysis. A presentation will be made to the Snohomish MRC on the findings in October Meadowdale: The Meadowdale Beach Restoration Project is currently working to secure the $16 million in funding needed to build the project. The following grant applications have been submitted to the Recreation and Conservation Funding Board: o Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account $500,000 o WWRP- Water Access - $1,000,000 o Estuary and Salmon Restoration Program (ESRP) 1,000,000 o Salmon Recovery and Funding Board (SRFB) - $800,000 Nearshore Restoration Estuary and Salmon Recovery Program (ESRP) Learning Grant and Forage Fish Monitoring: Forage fish sampling schedule has been set for the August 2018-February 2019 monitoring season. The MRC opportunity Fund grant contract has been finalized with Salish Sea Biological, who will complete forage fish egg analysis. Snohomish County will continue monthly monitoring at the 14 Nearshore Restoration sites, two sites at Meadowdale Beach, and two sites at Picnic Point Beach as match for the ESRP grant. August sampling occurred on August 22, and September sampling occurred on September 12 th. Snohomish Estuary Derelict Boat Removal Project: The five derelict boats slated for removal we posted on September 11, 2018 giving notice that the County will take custody for removal on October 11, A signed work order is in place for a contractor to remove the boats once the County issues a notice to proceed. An additional sailboat was noted in Deadwater Slough that had run around while staff were in the field posting boats. Kelp Project: The Kelp Team completed the 2018 kelp monitoring in July and August Kelp data were collected at Meadowdale, Mukilteo, and Edmonds. Maps using the data were created by SWM GIS. Data from the Snohomish MRC was shared with the NWSF. MRC Grant Ocean Literacy and MyCoast Monitoring: The MRC is working to review results of the film series and complete the final report for the grant. Port Susan: Kathleen Pozarycki will be giving a talk on the Port Susan Marine Stewardship Area: What is it, what s happening now, and what we can do locally, on October 1 at the Cama Beach Great Hall at approximately 10:30 a.m.

22 MRC Monthly Report County: Whatcom Month/Year: SEPTEMBER 2018 Submitted by: Austin Rose Membership/Leadership changes (including new members, departing members, changes to chair/vicechair, NWSC representative/alternate, staff): Doug Stark has taken on new employment and will no longer be able to serve on the MRC. Doug is planning to resign from his Conservation/Environmental position at the end of The remains to be a vacancy for an Economic interest position. Events/Meetings (including upcoming events/meetings and/or information on meetings/events from past month such as number of participants or highlights): A general MRC meeting was held on September 6 and featured a presentation by MRC intern Amy Keiper. Amy presented her proposal to pilot a Kids on the Beach event with her 5 th grade students at Blaine Elementary school. Amy s proposal was well received and several suggestions were made for her to consider to create a smoother event. Whatcom Water Week occurred from September The MRC participated in 3 events: 1) the Shoreline Landowner Vegetation Management Workshop with the Northwest Straits Foundation; the International Coastal Cleanup held at Locust Beach in partnership with the Surfrider Foundation and the Ocean Conservancy; and 3) the MRC hosted a booth and Bellingham SeaFeast, the concluding event of Water Week held in partnership with the Working Waterfront Coalition. Funding updates (newly-awarded grants, in-kind support or other funding commitments): N/A Project Updates (progress from past month on existing project or any new projects identified): The final kelp survey at Cherry Point was cancelled this month due to inclement weather conditions on the water. Forage fish samples continue to be taken on a monthly basis at the Aiston Preserve and the two index sites in Bellingham all with the help of MRC intern Amanda Weiss. Amanda will likely begin taking photos at the sampling sites for the MyCoast app (Beach Photos). Amanda will be working with WDFW to determine two new index sites to monitor in Whatcom. Special sampling in the mouth of Chuckanut Creek will continue through the end of October. Other (anything not covered above, including local issues of interest to the regional group, questions to the Commission, etc) Photos (share a few photos of recent projects include project, photo credit and additional info):