MEDIA ADVISORY
October 22, 2021

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

Ecosystem Coordination Board to co-host a forum with West Sound Partners for Ecosystem Recovery 

The Puget Sound Partnership's Ecosystem Coordination Board will meet on Thursday, October 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the October 28 Ecosystem Coordination Board meeting will be a virtual Zoom meeting for all participants and the public. 

Join the meeting at https://zoom.us/j/98139042302?pwd=MitGR3QyZmpUdHN2aUZTeFpSczhZdz09 Meeting ID: 981 3904 2302, Password: 894818. Dial from any phone: +1 253 215 8782. Meeting ID: 981 3904 2302, Password: 894818. 

Zoom instructions are also included in the meeting agenda, which is available here: https://psp.wa.gov/board_meetings.php

Meeting highlights include:

• A presentation and discussion about the Ecosystem Coordination Board's 2022 work plan and the shared priorities of the Partnership's boards. This session will include discussion of existing topics and new topics for the Ecosystem Coordination Board's 2022 work plan and a review of the board's 2021 priorities. Presentation by Dave Herrera, vice chair of the Ecosystem Coordination Board, and Jillian Reitz, boards policy advisor at the Puget Sound Partnership.  
  
  
• A forum with West Sound Partners for Ecosystem Recovery. The forum will include an overview of ecosystem recovery planning and water quality challenges in West Sound; a panel discussion about integrating salmon and ecosystem recovery priorities in local jurisdiction planning; a presentation on water quality challenges with shellfish downgrades; and a presentation on the management of derelict vessel removal and on-water living practices. The forum will be led by Leonard Forsman, chairman of the Suquamish Tribe, and Charlotte Garrido, county commissioner for Kitsap County, and will include presentations by representatives from the Suquamish Tribe, Kitsap County, the City of Port Orchard, Kitsap Public Health District, Eagle Harbor, and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. 
   
• A presentation for discussion about 2022 legislative priorities. This session will include an update about prospects for the upcoming 2022 Washington state legislative session and a discussion of priorities for the coming session and beyond. Presentation by Don Gourlie, legislative policy director at the Puget Sound Partnership. 
   
• A presentation and discussion about identifying actions to include in the 2022-2026 Action Agenda. Two of three key components for the 2022-2026 Action Agenda have been approved by the Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council: desired outcomes and strategies to achieve those outcomes. Actions describe the activities that will be a shared focus for implementing each strategy for the four years from 2022-2026. Partnership staff will update the Ecosystem Coordination Board on opportunities to participate in identifying actions to include in the 2022-2026 Action Agenda update. Partnership staff will also invite the Ecosystem Coordination Board to begin discussing its role in implementing this Action Agenda. Presentation by Dan Stonington, planning manager at the Puget Sound Partnership.
   

The full Ecosystem Coordination Board agenda and meeting materials are available through this page: https://psp.wa.gov/board_meetings.php. This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to provide comment and learn about the regional effort to restore and protect Puget Sound.

Those who would like to attend the meeting and need special accommodations to do so should notify Boards Policy Advisor Jillian Reitz at 360.742.2936.

About the Ecosystem Coordination Board

The Ecosystem Coordination Board's main role is to advise the Puget Sound Partnership’s Leadership Council on carrying out its responsibilities. The Board is made up of 27 members representing specific interests around the Sound.

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.