Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council to discuss Puget Sound ecosystem and salmon recovery planning

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 04, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: Ian McCabe, 564.669.4628, [email protected] 

The Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council will meet on Thursday, March 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., at the Capital Event Center (Thurston Room). 6005 Tyee Dr SW, Tumwater, WA, 98512.

We’ll be providing an all-virtual livestream of this meeting, through TVW. We highly encourage partners and other members of the public to use this virtual option, if possible, to reduce carbon emissions.

TVW web link: https://tvw.org/video/puget-sound-partnership-leadership-council-2025031010/?eventID=2025031010

Public Comment: You may provide public comment during the general public comment period as noted on the meeting agenda. In-person attendees may fill out a comment card and provide it to staff. The Chair will call you up to speak at the appropriate time. You may also submit written public comment in advance of the meeting by emailing Wendy Loosle, Boards Policy Advisor, [email protected], by 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5. Written comment submitted prior to the meeting will be included in the meeting correspondence.

The agenda and meeting materials are available through our board meetings page: https://psp.wa.gov/board_meetings.php

Meeting highlights include:

• A presentation and decision about federal updates. Presentation by Ahren Stroming, special assistant for federal affairs at the Puget Sound Partnership. Read more.
  
  
• A presentation and discussion about Environmental Protection Agency updates. Presentation by Peter Murchie, geographic programs manager at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Read more. 
  
  
• A presentation and discussion about the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) act update. Presentation by Lea Anne Burke, tribal affairs manager at the Puget Sound Partnership, and Signe Lindquist, community engagement coordinator at the Puget Sound Partnership. Read more.
  
  
• A presentation and discussion about shellfish beds updates. Presentation by Scott Berbells, manager of the Shellfish Growing Area Section and the Department of Health, and Scott Chernoff, unit supervisor of the Shellfish Growing Area Section at the Department of Health. Read more.
  
  
• A presentation and decision about Puget Sound ecosystem and salmon recovery planning. Presentation by Melissa Speeg, salmon recovery manager at the Puget Sound Partnership, Ashley Bagley, salmon policy advisor at the Puget Sound Partnership, and Dan Stonington, planning manager at the Puget Sound Partnership. Read more: Part A and Part B.
  
  
• A presentation and discussion about Sound Safe Infrastructure. Presentation by Jennifer Grimm, strategic funding manager at the Puget Sound Partnership, and Bebhinn Dechery, restoration and transportation funding strategist at the Puget Sound Partnership. Read more. 
  
  
• A presentation and discussion about legislative updates. Presentation by Don Gourlie, legislative policy director at the Puget Sound Partnership. Read more.
  
  
• A presentation and decision about the Leadership Council 2025 Work Plan. Presentation by Tristan Contesse, boards program manager at the Puget Sound Partnership. Read more.

The full Leadership Council agenda and meeting materials are available through our board meetings page at: https://psp.wa.gov/board_meetings.php.

If you need special accommodations to participate in this meeting, please notify Boards Program Coordinator Amber Raney at 564.999.0527, [email protected].

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.