Meeting Minutes

Meeting was called to order at 7:30am.  Bob Fosberg led the flag salute.  Guests were Speaker, Bill Peach, Jim Jones, Rich Erickson, Gabe Rygaard, Doc Robinson, Hugh Haffner, Jim McEntire, Steve Seibert and Michael Dimmel.

Kaj, in covering the Comprehensive Plan Meeting, said he hoped that the city would remember “to follow through this time”.  He also covered the PA Forward meeting where they discussed Studio Cascade, Cruise Ship calendar and the role of the Port in the cruise schedule.

George mentioned that the American Spirit is building a ship that can hold 125 – 150 passengers.

Connie said the Port is working on getting an airline in “Soon”, and is working on the Shoreline Master Plan.

Announcements:

Captain Joseph House Auction, 4th of July Parade meeting on the 29th at Kitsap Bank, kayaking demonstrations this weekend, Walk on the Waterfront on Sunday, the 24th. Downtown Clean Up on May 7; Starbucks, Howard Behar, on May 13.

Edna moved and Kaj seconded approval of the April 12 minutes. Motion carried.

Program

In introducing the speaker, Andrew May welcome everyone to August in April.  County Commissioner Bill Peach asked everyone, “How many marbled murrelets does it take to build a school?”

Mr. Peach said the Department of Natural Resources is working on figuring out the sustained yield calculations which tell what can be cut within a 10 year cycle.  He said cuts slowed because of issues that have not been resolved.  Questions such as, “how old are the trees?” and “which ones are available?”  He said there are six options being considered for the murrelets since they have cost the state over $1Billion and since there are only 1,000 of them that comes to $1Million, per bird.

The $15.4Million that should have been given to pay for schools, libraries, hospitals and fire departments has not come in, so the taxpayer has had to cover the  loss.

He suggested that people contact the DNR to followup on their calculations; that people read the advisory committee minutes and call him or go to Olympia to speak before the Board.  He said it might seem like a lot of money and time to spend three hours driving one way and then speaking for only three minutes, BUT he felt the Board  was more receptive to those who did so.

Q & A Period

Cost benefit analysis, mill closures, taking problem to court, and why does DNR cut percentages when they don’t meet goals.

Andrew moved and Harry seconded to extend the meeting for another 15 minutes. Motion carried.

Why, if the murrelet lives for only five years, and three of that at sea, do people fuss about it so much?  Mr. Peach said of the 356,000 birds, 92% of them are in Alaska, 7% are in British Columbia and 1% are in Oregon, Washington & California.

Final question:  “Do we harvest or do we continue to pay taxes to cover the losses?”

Meeting adjourned at 8:42am.