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Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council to discuss the 2024 Puget Sound National Estuary Program (NEP) evaluation

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
June 4, 2024

*MEDIA CONTACT: *Kevin Hyde, 360.819.3045, [email protected] 

The Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council will meet on Wednesday, June 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Thursday, June 6 from 9.30 a.m. to 3.15 p.m. at Oak Harbor Library, 1000 SE Regatta Dr., Oak Harbor, WA, 98277. 

All are welcome to attend the meeting. We’ll also be providing an all-virtual livestream of this meeting, through TVW (links below). We highly encourage partners and other members of the public to use this virtual option, if possible, to reduce carbon emissions. If you do elect to use the livestream option and wish to submit public comment, please send your written comments to [email protected] by noon on Tuesday, June 4. We will review public comments submitted by email during the general public comment period on June 5.

TVW web link, Wednesday, June 5: [link removed]

TVW web link, Thursday, June 6: [link removed]

The agenda and meeting materials [ [link removed] ] are available through our board meetings page: [link removed]

Meeting highlights include:

Wednesday, June 5:


* A presentation and discussion about the 2024 Puget Sound National Estuary Program (NEP) evaluation and site visit. The NEP is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) place-based program to protect and restore the water quality and ecological integrity of estuaries of national significance. The EPA will provide a background of the program, present the Program Evaluation findings, and discuss next steps. Presentation by Jennifer Carlson, agency workplan and EPA grant manager at the Puget Sound Partnership, and Cassandra Nieman at the Environmental Protection Agency.    


* A presentation and discussion about the Equity and Environmental Justice Program. The Equity and Environmental Justice (EEJ) Team conducts environmental justice assessments of significant agency actions and embedding environmental justice principles and equal distribution of environmental benefits within the Partnership's budget and expenditure processes. The team will provide an update on their in-process and completed work that implements the Partnership's approach to Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act mandates. The team will also discuss other projects that do not specifically meet HEAL Act requirements but are in alignment with HEAL. Presentation by Signe Lindquist, community engagement coordinator at the Puget Sound Partnership, and Lea Anne Burke, Tribal affairs manager at the Puget Sound Partnership.


* A presentation and discussion about the strategic funding team's grant streamlining and funding barriers. The strategic funding team helps mobilize funding for recovery actions, identify and align funding needs and opportunities across Puget Sound, strengthen the effectiveness of investment decisions, and remove barriers to acquire and implement funding. The team will provide an update on funding barriers, the Align Partnership, and discuss next steps. Presentation by Jennifer Grimm, strategic funding manager at the Puget Sound Partnership, Jessica Reynolds, funding barrier strategist at the Puget Sound Partnership, and Nick Norton, planning and policy specialist at the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.


* A local forum with the Island Local Integrating Organization (ILIO) to discuss barriers to recovery and solutions the Leadership Council can support. The forum will discuss the following topics: Emerging hazards, challenges and opportunities facing Island County related to climate change, Island County shoreline armor mapping and change analysis, and a Habitat Strategic Initiative Lead presentation on shoreline loan fund and upcoming funding opportunities. There will then be a discussion on the topics presented, potential tools for management and implementation, and Leadership Council consideration, discussion, and decision. The forum will also provide an overview of Cornet Bay and Crescent Creek restoration sites and visit logistics. Forum participants will include Jennifer Schmitz, Island County natural resources manager/ILIO coordinator, Patrick Havel, Island County Marine Resources committee member, Jill Lipoti, Island County Marine Resources committee chair, Kelly McCaffrey, loan fund coordinator at the WDFW Shoreline, Barbara Bennett, MRC member, Clea Barenburg, lead entity coordinator at WRIA 6, and Kelly Zupich, MRC coordinator.

Thursday, June 6:


* A presentation and discussion about the Local Integrating Organization (LIO) program. The Puget Sound Partnership and LIOs are collaborating on an effort that will clarify and strengthen the role LIOs play in the recovery system and accelerate our progress towards achieving recovery goals. LIO team staff will provide an update on the LIO program work over the past six months, highlighting two key initiatives – a) the LIO program strategic visioning process and b) the pilot process to develop LIO action plans on onsite sewage systems. Presentation by Harriet Booth, LIO program coordinator at the Puget Sound Partnership.


* A presentation and discussion about the 2025 Washington state legislative session plan. Partnership staff will share an early list of topics and ideas for attention during the 2025 session and will seek Leadership Council input. This discussion is a key milestone in the Partnership’s annual process to develop Puget Sound legislative priorities. Presentation by Don Gourlie, legislative policy director at the Puget Sound Partnership.


* A presentation and discussion about the Billy Frank Jr. Salmon Coalition's Salmon Warriors campaign. The Salmon Warriors campaign aims to help develop and implement more effective watershed recovery plans by inviting every Washingtonian to be a Salmon Warrior. Leadership Council members will have the opportunity to discuss the campaign and ask questions. Presentation by Peggen Frank, executive director at Salmon Defense.


* A presentation and discussion about the Puget Sound Salmon Recovery Plan Addendum. Partnership staff will provide a summary and overview of the first round of Addendum revision and seek feedback on key changes. The Addendum will guide the Puget Sound regional salmon recovery organization's salmon recovery strategies and actions over the next 10 years. The Partnership seeks input and guidance from the salmon recovery community to ensure we achieve the goals and desired impact of the Addendum. The session will also discuss proposed actions for the Leadership Council. Presentation by Melissa Speeg, salmon recovery manager at the Puget Sound Partnership, and Ashley Bagley, salmon policy advisor at the Puget Sound Partnership. 

* A presentation and discussion about federal policies and appropriations related to Puget Sound recovery. Partnership staff will brief Leadership Council members on the status of priority federal policies and appropriations related to Puget Sound recovery and provide review of engagement and next steps related to Puget Sound Day on the Hill. In addition, EPA staff may share an update on the work of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force. Presentation by Ahren Stroming, special assistant for federal affairs at the Puget Sound Partnership, and Peter Murchie, geographic programs manager at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  

The full Leadership Council agenda and meeting materials are available through our board meetings page at: [link removed].

If you need special accommodations to participate in this meeting, please notify Boards Policy Advisor Wendy Loosle at 360.791.8397.

 

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About the Leadership Council

The Leadership Council is the governing body of the Puget Sound Partnership. Its seven members are leading citizens chosen from around the Sound and appointed by the Governor to serve four-year terms. Dennis McLerran currently chairs the Leadership Council.

About the Puget Sound Partnership

The Puget Sound Partnership is the state agency formed to lead the region’s collective effort to restore and protect Puget Sound. Working with hundreds of government agencies, Tribes, scientists, businesses, and nonprofits, the Partnership mobilizes partner action around a common agenda, advances Sound investments, and tracks progress to optimize recovery.

For more information, go to www.psp.wa.gov [ [link removed] ].







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