MEDIA ADVISORY
December 14, 2020

MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Hyde, 360.819.3045, kevin.hyde@psp.wa.gov  

Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council to discuss strategies for efficient restoration permitting

The Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council will meet on Thursday, December 17, from 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the December 17 Leadership Council meeting will be a virtual Zoom meeting for all participants and the public. 

Join the meeting at https://zoom.us/j/93634358356?pwd=QmdOcDd4Snh3eUoxQVgrOTA2U2pqdz09 Meeting ID: 936 3435 8356, Password: 772966. Dial from any phone: 1-253-215-8782. Full Zoom instructions are included in the meeting agenda, which is available here: https://psp.wa.gov/board_meetings.php

Meeting highlights include:

• A presentation and decision about the Science Work Plan for 2020-2024. The presentation will include background and an overview of the plan. Presentation by Scott Redman, Science and Evaluation program director at the Puget Sound Partnership, and Katherine Wyatt, assistant science director at the Puget Sound Partnership.  
  
  
• A presentation for discussion about strategies for efficient restoration permitting. This session will include a discussion about opportunities to streamline federal permitting on habitat restoration projects and about connections to streamlining efforts at the state level. This session will be led by Jay Manning, chair of the Leadership Council, with Steve Manlow, executive director, Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board, and Col. Xander Bullock, Seattle district commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 
  
  
• A presentation about the Puget Sound Partnership Nearshore Credits program. The program streamlines the permitting process for building residential or commercial in- and over-water structures and protects habitat for Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed species within the nearshore ecosystem. Presentation by Larry Epstein, deputy director of the Puget Sound Partnership, and Ahren Stroming, special projects assistant at the Puget Sound Partnership. 
  
  
• A presentation on King County's Clean Water, Healthy Habitat initiative. This session will include an introduction and overview of the Clean Water, Healthy Habitat initiative, and discussion about its connection to the Puget Sound Partnership's accountability work and opportunities for collaboration. Presentation by Dow Constantine, King County executive, and Abby Hook, environmental affairs officer, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. 
  
  
• A presentation and discussion about conservation futures programs. This session will include a forum on a collaborative effort, led by the Salmon Recovery Council and its Funding Subcommittee, to identify potential enhancements to county-level Conservation Futures Tax (CFT) levy programs. Presentation by Larry Epstein, deputy director of the Puget Sound Partnership, and Jason Mulvihill-Kuntz, salmon recovery manager for Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish watershed. 
  
  
• A discussion about 2021 legislative priorities. The session will include context for the 2021 legislative session, an update about Project Olga, and discussion of proposed 2021 legislative priorities. The session will be led by Jay Manning, chair of the Leadership Council, Jeff Parsons, legislative policy director at the Puget Sound Partnership, and Ahren Stroming, special projects assistant at the Puget Sound Partnership.

The full Leadership Council agenda and meeting materials are available at https://psp.wa.gov/board_meetings.php. These meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to provide comment and learn about the regional effort to restore and protect Puget Sound.

If you need special accommodations to participate in this meeting, please notify Special Assistant to the Boards Anna Petersen at 360.338.2384.

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. Jay Manning 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 governments, 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.