Meeting Minutes
WS2R Meeting Dec 8th, 2005
Underwater Sports, Federal Way, WA
Present: Jim Trask, Mike Racine, Mike Cooper, Janna Nichols, Karlista Rickerson, Geoff Pentz
Reports by:
Mike Racine attended an Artificial Reef meeting - Atlantic and Gulf States Joint Technical - held in Florida.
Navy
- Permitting issues remain a large item with the Navy
- Predication Risk ( look at the Oriskiny and its problems)
- Obtaining a ship from the Navy - essentially is show up with MONEY
- Navy looking for ³less expensive² way to dispose of ships. But scraping metal is becoming less expensive than the cost of sinking.
- Washington S2R needs to develop a voice of the Pacific Coast
- WAS2R should look at a broader based need to sink a shop. ie: sport fishermen
They have no staff to do analyses of project, they would just sue Department of Ecology would do assessment if project OK¹d.
Tribes
Mike R has discussed the proposed project with Tribal DNR staff and the new COO near Port Gamble. (Skallum, James Town and Skokomish) There is positive interest and then there is negative response as well. It is interesting that the Tribes have 60 divers from their small tribes. Geoduck harvesters realizing the geoduck are not sustainable and they are looking for other source of income.
Legislative
Jay Rodne, GOP Representative if Project is submitted to the Legislature, a FEASIBILITY STUDY will be required. WAS2R needs someone to help write this.
ISSUES: pollution, liability, refer to ³white Paper¹ funding, broader base or partner ships
DNR (Washington State) conners
Need to meet with them, ask that both sides come with an open mind ask them to list their concerns and needs and then we can seek answers
Janna Nichols; get me what you want on the web site. Need to be sure that minutes get posted after corrections and additions made (especially these!!!!)
Geoff Pentz: is continuing discussion regarding replacing pilings removed at Titlow with reef balls. Has been working with Marine Science class at Bellarmine HS in Tacoma.
Jim Trask: Metro Parks of Tacoma is planning on additional development at Jack Hyde Park which is at the western end of Schuster Parkway. Dive access is in the plan with the possibility of a ³diver attraction² being placed underwater. Les Davis: SEPA is being resubmitted. Grants need to be submitted.
Karlista Rickerson: Discussion about WSA¹s future and working with PNWAA and WAS2R.
WSA has expressed an interest in working with both groups and asked what they could do specifically. WSA annual meeting, MArch 18, share the day and how to make it more effective.
GOALS FOR 2006
- need for funding
- need to be very organized with a strong Board of Directors and a full slate of officers and staff
- more divers active in pursuing the projects.
- Do the current 501(c)3s need to consolidate or just collaborate?