FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Hyde, 360.819.3045, kevin.hyde@psp.wa.gov
The Puget Sound Partnership Ecosystem Coordination Board will meet online on Wednesday, August 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
We’ll be providing an all-virtual livestream of this meeting, through TVW (link below).
TVW web link: https://tvw.org/video/puget-sound-partnership-ecosystem-coordination-board-2023081016/?eventID=2023081016
The full Ecosystem Coordination Board agenda and meeting materials are available through our board meetings page: https://psp.wa.gov/board_meetings.php.
Meeting highlights include:
- A presentation and discussion about the implementation of the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act. This session will include a discussion about how the Partnership will carry out key components of the HEAL Act in 2023: conducting environmental justice assessments of significant agency actions and embedding environmental justice principles and equal distribution of environmental benefits within the Partnership's budget and expenditure processes. Presentation by Melissa Schutten, environmental justice and equity manager at the Partnership; Lea Anne Burke, tribal affairs manager at the Partnership; and Stephanie Sayo, environmental justice coordinator at the Partnership.
- A presentation and discussion about the Shoreline Restoration Loan Fund. This session will include an overview of the Shoreline Restoration Loan Fund, which will help provide sustainable financing for Shore Friendly techniques and armor-removal along shorelines. Presentation by Kelly McCaffrey, restoration loan fund coordinator at the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Jason Alberich, Puget Sound section manager, Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- A presentation and discussion about the Partnership's strategic funding team. The Partnership is investing National Estuary Program Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to create the strategic funding team, which will help mobilize funding for recovery actions, identify and align funding needs and opportunities across Puget Sound, strengthen the effectiveness of investment decisions, and remove barriers to acquire and implement funding. Presentation by Jenn Grimm, strategic funding manager at the Puget Sound Partnership.
- A presentation and discussion about the 2024 Washington state legislative session. This session will include a brief overview of the 2023 Washington legislative session and a look ahead to the 2024 session, including sharing ideas and plans for identifying priorities. Presentation by Don Gourlie, legislative policy director at the Puget Sound Partnership.
- A panel discussion about identifying barriers for local jurisdictions to carry out guidance in the Sound Choices Checklist. The Sound Choices Checklist is intended to help local jurisdictions align their comprehensive plans with the Puget Sound Action Agenda and Implementation Strategies. This session will include a discussion about the updated Sound Choices Checklist and feedback from local planners from Kitsap, Island, and Skagit counties. Panelists will include: Charlotte Garrido, co-chair of the Ecosystem Coordination Board's land use subcommittee; Derek Day and Libby Gier, Stormwater Strategic Initiative Lead team; Rebecca Brown, lead for the Land Development and Cover Implementation Strategy; Melissa Shumake, senior planner, Kitsap County; John Lanier, long-range planner, Island County; and Sarah Reuther, long-range planner, Skagit County.
The full Ecosystem Coordination Board agenda and meeting materials are available through our board meetings page at: https://psp.wa.gov/board_meetings.php.
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 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 30 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 government agencies, 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.
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