MEDIA ADVISORY
February 12, 2021

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

Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council to decide on desired recovery outcomes for the 2022-2026 Action Agenda

The Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council will meet on Thursday, February 18, from 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the February 18 Leadership Council meeting will be a virtual Zoom meeting for all participants and the public. 

Join the meeting at https://zoom.us/j/95533091943?pwd=WEQ0MzBmdlE5TVdnNWxIbVo0NDlsQT09 Meeting ID: 955 3309 1943, Password: 757630. 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 on the U.S. Environmental Protections Agency's (EPA) review of the Puget Sound National Estuary Program. Presentation by Robin Parker, National Estuary Program team coordinator at the EPA. 
  
  
• A presentation for decision about the draft list of desired outcomes for the recovery of Puget Sound, an important foundation for the 2022-2026 Action Agenda. Achieving the desired recovery outcomes ensures progress toward the goals of healthy habitats, water quality, species, and human quality of life in Puget Sound. Presentation by Dan Stonington, planning manager at the Puget Sound Partnership, Don Gourlie, environmental planner at the Puget Sound Partnership, and Kaitlin Harris, environmental planner at the Puget Sound Partnership, with partners Derek Day, Stormwater Strategic Initiative lead, Washington State Department of Ecology; Haley Harguth, watershed program manager at the Hood Canal Coordinating Council; and Michael Rylko, Puget Sound National Estuary Program Lead at the EPA. 
  
  
• A presentation on King County's Clean Water, Healthy Habitat initiative. This session will include a presentation on water quality and fish passage and a Leadership Council-led roundtable discussion. Presentation by Dow Constantine, King County executive, Abby Hook, environmental affairs officer, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, and Jay Manning, chair of the Leadership Council. 
  
  
• A presentation for discussion about the Puget Sound Kelp Conservation and Recovery Plan. This session will include a discussion about how the Kelp Plan might be integrated into Puget Sound recovery planning and the implementation process, and how the Leadership Council might support Kelp Plan implementation actions. Presentation by Dana Oster, marine program manager at Northwest Straits Commission. 
  
  
• A presentation for discussion about the Puget Sound Restoration Fund's Bull Kelp Initiative. This session will include a presentation about the Puget Sound Restoration Fund's seven-day kelp expedition to re-explore and chronicle a stretch of kelp highway in Puget Sound. Presentation by Betsy Peabody, executive director of the Puget Sound Restoration Fund. 

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.