Minutes -

MRC Members Present: Chair Tom Campbell, Roger Sherman, Mike Gallion, Don Meehan, Tom Roehl, Hi Bronson and Marty Behr. Gary Wood, MRC Executive Director. Technical Advisory member Julie Buktenica. Recording Secretary: Kate Poss.

Visitors: Frank Roberts, of Lagoon Point; Michael Kyte, Golder Associates; Phyllis Kind, vice president of Whidbey Audubon Society; John Hastings and Laura Fox, Maxwelton Salmon Adventure; Guest Speaker Si Simenstad of WSU; Gene Moulic, Glendale Canyon Salmon Restoration in Clinton; Director Larry Kwarsick, Janet Kearsley, Donna Keehler and Matt Nash, Island County Public Works; Elizabeth Davis and Mary Kehl, Island County Beach Watchers; Harry Cook and Sheilagh Byler, Ausable Institute of Environment in Coupeville; Jim Sparling, Windmere Real Estate in Freeland; Whidbey Island residents: Marie Piper of O.H.; Cathie & Bill Barnes of Coupeville; Diane Watts of Greenbank; Randy Blethen and Karen Epifano of Clinton; Jim Sekor of Freeland; Excused: Sayed El-Sayed, Dick Toft, Matt Klope, Jeff Tate

Call to Order: Chair Campbell called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. The agenda was approved. A quorum was established at 4:15 p.m.

Guest Speaker Charles "Si" Simenstad, coordinator of Wetland Ecosystem Team at School of Aquatic and
Fisheries Science, UW Simenstad gave a slide presentation to help the MRC and today's visitors better understand how salmon use the nearshore areas-for food sources, how juvenile salmon are protected by eelgrass, the role of brackish marine wetlands; the fact that certain species-such as chinook and coho-depend on nearshore areas for spawning and as a nursery for young salmon. Simenstad was asked to provide a copy of his Power Point presentation to the MRC; Simenstad will send a version of the program to Meehan's office.

It was suggested that data collected from our nearshore project to map forage fish and bulkheads be used to compliment Simenstad's research. Also that our underwater videography of eelgrass by Jim Norris coupled with Simenstad's aerial data could provide a fairly complete picture of North Puget Sound's nearshore environment. The MRC invited Simenstad to return; his depth of knowledge was well appreciated by all.

Reports

Suggested candidates to fill Gary Wood's now-open position-Don Meehan @ 5:55 p.m.

Phyllis Kind, a Beach Watcher and vice president of the Whidbey Island Audubon Society, and Elizabeth Davis, a Beach Watcher, have sent in letters applying for the position, which represents the general public. Their names will be sent to the BOCC. Kind is involved in beach monitoring; she has a degree in bacteriology and immunology. Davis is a retired attorney. Concern was expressed that perhaps "more regular folks" such a beach walkers and clam diggers be represented and not as many "advocacy groups" such as Audubon and Beach Watcher members. ""At the next meeting Meehan will point out to Gallion, and the group, that a University program such as Beach Watchers does not do environmental advocacy"". Other names of candidates will be submitted to the BOCC for consideration. Discussion ensued that lead to Wood being
given the charge of contacting two other potential candidates candidates, Lucinda Tear and Jeff Cordell. They will be asked to send letters to the BOCC, with copies to Meehan. Following closure on that, Meehan should go forward with the names to the BOCC, recommending that any of the candidates would be more than suitable . Tom Shaughnessy's post, representing the Port of Coupeville, is still awaiting appointment by the Port.

Grant Status update-Don Meehan @ 6:20 p.m.

The Northwest Straits Commission and UC Davis grants are signed; $161,000 in grants from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board are now in the hands of the Island County Prosecuting Attorney. Dept. of Fisheries Dan Penttila is now working with Island County to collect data on forage fish spawn. Wood received a call today from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; MRC came in among the top 10 of 160 submissions. Funds of $15,000 each for Snohomish, Whatcomb, Skagit and Island counties, plus additional $32,000 for
the second year is on the table.

Eelgrass

Bills for last year's eelgrass survey and videography have been paid. Jim Norris' data is on a CD; available in Meehan's office; copies of the CD are available for MRC members; non-governmental agency members will be charged $25. It is hoped that Norris will give a presentation on the eelgrass videography project at the July 11 MRC meeting.

Low Impact Development Conference from June 5 & 6--Report

Conference covered important nearshore information; MRC will get a CD of the conference presentations-available in Meehan's office-in July.

Salmon Recovery Funding Board

At the SRF Board's last meeting, it was suggested that funds be cut for nearshore grants next year. Island County's Janet Kearsley defended the need for the grants; that nearshore data-which requires several years of research--is essential for salmon restoration projects

Approval of 5/16/01 minutes @ 6:35 p.m.

Roehl moved to approve the minutes as amended-with additional comments on D.Paulson's shorebird presentation.
Gallion seconded the motion which was approved. Campbell voted no.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.

The next MRC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 11, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Monroe Landing Firehall in Oak Harbor. At that meeting is a summary report/presentation by Dr Jim Norris and Sandy Willie-Escheveria on the research work they just completed for us on Eelgrass bed mapping in five select areas around Island County. It will be a great program on an extremely important marine resource.