Steve Couture welcomes members to the meeting.
Members Present: Steve Couture (NH), Charles Reulet (LA), Patty Snow (OR), Ronda Wuycheck (MI), Edwin Reyes (GU), Kim Cole (DE), Amber Westerbur (MN), Marlon Hibbert (USVI), Lisa Engler (MA)

CSO Staff Present: Bradley Watson, Mike Molnar, John Ryan-Henry, Rachel Keylon, Shelby Butz, Brittney Parker, Norma Longhi

Derek Brockbank joins the meeting and introduces himself to members. He states that he is looking forward to working with all the members and that his start date is and the new Executive Direct is February 8th.

Approval of minutes from December 9, 2020 – Minutes from December 9, 2020 approved as submitted.
Vote – No Comments, Approved.

Treasurer’s Report – Budget v. Actual Report and Audit
In Jill Andrews absence, Bradley Watson presents an overview of the budget v. actual report and highlights the following items:
Income:

Acct# 4005 – State’s Dues – this line is short due to expecting budget issues caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Acct#4100 – Investment – as a reminder, this line is higher due to CSO investment in T-bills last year.

Acct#4780 – NOS Coop Agreement – this line is under budget because the Agreement was finalized later than expected and so was the contract to implement the work set by the agreement.

Acct#4783 – EPA – as a reminder, this line is under budget because the CSO-IPA agreement with the agency ended earlier than expected.

Acct#4795 – Contract & Grant Income (others) – as a reminder, this line accounts for two new minor contracts CSO signed with National Wildlife Federation and ASFPM in 2020.

Acct#4799 – Manomet – as a reminder, the contract has been signed, but work is now scheduled to begin in 2021.

Expenses:

• Overall, at this point, all expenses are expected to be below or right on budget due to the impacts of COVID-19 and changes in operations.

Acct#5222 – Storage – as a reminder, this line accounts for CSO’s moving costs in the beginning of 2020.

Acct#5255 – Bank & Other Fees – this account is at zero at this point, but it will be reconciled in early 2021.

Other items to share:

•This is an in-house Budget vs. Actual and final reconciliation for FY20 will be completed in February-March with the accountant.
o By then, we will also know the full impact (if any) on the carry forward funds.

Draft FY19 Audit

Mr. Watson reviews the Audit findings and asks members if they have any questions. No comments or questions were presented and so draft audit is approved as submitted.

Announcements – Regional Representatives

Pacific Islands – Edwin Reyes greets Mr. Brockbank and says that he is looking forward to working with him. He states that the Islands are managing COVID-19 very well and hopes that the risks remain very low. He is planning a Planner’s Symposium for August and will share more details as available. Mr. Reyes also shares that CNMI will host a grants management training soon.

Northeast – Lisa Engler shares that in New Hampshire State capital budget funds will be used to partly fund the replacement of the NERACOOS Great Bay buoy. The replacement buoy will be in honor of Ru Morrison. NHCZM lead advocate for capital budget funds. Jake Kritzer and NERACOOS staff led the charge on the in memory aspect. In Massachusetts, the state administration released draft a Clean Energy and Climate Plan 203; which can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/doc/interim-clean-energy-and-climate-plan-for-2030-december-30-2020/download – comments are due by February 22. And the Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap; can be found a here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/ma-decarbonization-roadmap . Ms. Engler

Mid-Atlantic – Kim Cole shares that Dominion Energy is moving ahead on construction of a jack-up vessel to be used for build out of Virginia’s offshore wind commercial lease area. She also shares that Dominion submitted its COP for the commercial lease last month. Members can view more details here: https://www.offshorewind.biz/2020/12/21/dominion-gathers-jones-act-wind-turbine-installation-vessel-team/.

Ms. Cole states that Pennsylvania Coastal Program has recommended a federal consistency objection to EPA’s VIDA National Standards based on two enforceable policies (1.3 Support Fish Life and 11.1 Aquatic Nuisance Species) as they relate to ballast water discharges in the Great Lakes. They are also recommending an objection to EPA’s declaration of de minimis effects, and are awaiting executive approval to issue the objections. As for the Side Scan Sonar Freshwater Mussel Survey in the Delaware Estuary a final report is available here: DEP Side Scan Sonar Mussel Survey and the spatial data products (mussel population polygons, video point data) are available upon request to Matt Walderon (mwalderon@pa.gov). In other updates, Pennsylvania is working on developing of two story maps: One for Lake Erie bluff recession and another for Lake Erie shipwrecks; updating its approach to all grant programs by including Environmental Justice (EJ) in its scoring process.

Ms. Cole states that in Delaware, the state is exploring the possibility of having a state level ocean management plan. And that on Jan 1st a statewide plastic bag ban went into effect, which it was tied closely with coastal cleanup efforts.

Gulf Region – Charles Reulet shares that the next NOAA Virtual Gulf Regional CZM and NERRs Meeting will be held on February 2-4.

Southeast Region – Marlon Hibbert states that there aren’t any regional updates to share at this point.

Great Lakes – Amber Westerbur shares that the Michigan Program is launching its Resilient Coast webpage along with a 6-part Coastal Resiliency video series. In addition, they are finishing their current 309 program change which will be a MCMP Coastal Community Resilient Planning Guide. In Wisconsin, the program plans to submit a PSM application to expand the work of their SE WI Regional Coastal Resiliency Project. She adds that the second week in March is WI Water Week. Also of note is: S. 3418, the “Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Act” or the “STORM Act,” — sponsored by U.S. Senators Gary Peters, D-Michigan and Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin ,— authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to fund low-interest revolving loans to states and local governments for projects that help with Great Lakes coastal erosion. For additional info, please see:
• https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/bill-announcement-010121/
• https://mibiz.com/sections/economic-development/new-federal-law-opens-low-interest-loans-for-coastal-communities-battling-high-water-erosion

As for the great state of Minnesota, Ms. Westerbur share that the new Coastal Hazards of Superior (CHAOS) Community of Practice is seeing great success. Since its start in March 2020, it has connected nearly 200 individuals in the region to resources, speakers, and professional contacts on coastal hazards. She adds that CHAOS is a joint venture led by Minnesota’s Coastal Management Fellow with support from NOAA, Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, Lake Superior Reserve, and Minnesota and Wisconsin Sea Grant. For more information, visit https://seagrant.umn.edu/programs/community-resilience-program/lake-superior-coastal-hazards
Across the Great Lakes, Ms. Westerbur states that the US Army Corps of Engineers is once again looking to include the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study as a “new start” project in this year’s work plan. They have reached out to all the Great Lakes states for letters of intent or support. If successful, the Great Lakes states would provide the 25% non-federal match for the estimated $12 million project.
Pacific Coast – Patty Snow shares that staff still working remotely. She discusses Oregon’s EPA’s VIDA National Standards objection, the Nationwide Permit Comments submitted by Oregon, and the Geographic Location Description (GLD) focused fellow funded by PEW for a shared fellow with Washington.
CSO Staff Updates

Mike Molnar provides the following updates to members:

Manomet Flyway Update
Calls underway to set up Year 2 workshops. Follow Ups – MA, DE, VA, and GA. Potential New – NJ, SC, and FL. Delays with Manomet likely forthcoming due to staff changes.

NCCOS Engagement
Survey out for completion – Due January 29, 2021. We would like to get larger response than last year so as to allow Regional assessment of priorities. Regional Representatives please contact and remind members in your region.

GLCRS
USACE put forth request to include in Work Plan in FY 21 again. OMB review underway and expected by 1/20/21. Four Letters from states currently – Letters of Support – OH, IN. Letters of Intent – NY, WI. Unknown – MN, PA, IL, and MI

CSO letter to OMB / USACE ASA submitted in support of the project. See the letter attached to the meeting invitation.

Congressional Briefing earlier today with Northeast Midwest Institute, USACE, and GLC.

Legal Extern

Kevin Sloan of the Roger Williams University School of Law will begin a legal externship with CSO on January 25, 2021.

Mr. Couture thanks all the fellows for their hard work and wish them the best on their next endeavors.

2021 Program Managers Meeting and CSO Virtual 2021 Meeting

Mr. Watson shares that the next virtual Program Managers Meeting is scheduled for March 9 and 11. And CSO’s Virtual Meeting is scheduled for March 23.

Hill Report – Appropriations & Other Legislation

Rachel Keylon updates members on the following items:
• FY21 Appropriations were passed as part of the Omnibus
o Coastal Zone Management and Services – $1.7M+ ($46.7M total)
o $1M+ for Regional Data Portals ($2.5M total)
o NERRS – $1M+ ($28.5M total)
o NERRS PAC – $0M+ ($4.5M total)
o NCRF – $1M+ ($34M total)
o Includes requirement that at least $3M be used for planning and design
o Coral Reef Program – $3.5M+ ($33M total)
o IOOS – $1.5M+ ($40.5M total)
o Sanctuaries – $1M+ ($56.5M total)
o Sanctuaries PAC – $1M+ ($4M total)
o Sea Grant – $1M+ ($75M total)
o The FY21 Appropriations included the authorization of the waiver
o Unfortunately it appears that the door is closed on an FY20 waiver. We are thinking that it may be useful to set up a discussion with states that are concerned about making FY20 match to discuss how to address this, looking back at what some of our members did to address concerns about meeting their FY19 match.

FY22 Appropriations and Waiver Discussion – Looking forward to FY22 there are two key things that are moving.
o The first is finalizing the Coastal Zone Management and Services Request. The draft language is attached and we are working with the Digital Coast Partnership to finalize. As a reminder, this $3.75M request was roughly sketched out at the Member Meeting and the Membership approved it authorizing CSO staff to finalize the language ensuring it is consistent with what the other partners are requesting. Based on discussions with Dig Coast Partnership there may be partners that ask for more, but the provided request is the baseline that everyone is working off of.
o The second is considering how we want to move forward in FY22 on requesting a CZM Grants match waiver.
 That there is now approved language, there is a bit of momentum for rinse and repeat if needed
 However, we want to ensure it continues to be connected to Covid response, not an ongoing, permanent waiver.

o As such we need to tie to Covid need so we will need to get updated information from members on projections on FY22 impacts. We will also likely be asked for information on whether the FY21 waiver is used (although we know this information will likely not be available until after FY22 approps are finalized).

o There are also two calls scheduled for January 26th and 28th (both at 3 p.m. EST) to prepare CSO members for congressional engagement that may be occurring during March Madness/appropriations season.
o We know some members are not allowed to directly engage with their congressional offices while others are. These calls will mostly be tailored to those that can directly engage but it may still be beneficial for those that cannot.
o The two calls will cover the same thing so plan to join only one of them.

CZMA Reauthorization – With the incoming Biden Administration and the flipped Congress there is an opportunity to advance the CZMA Reauthorization.
o We are reaching out to key staff in Congress to get the ball rolling on this effort.
o We are also working with NERRA to finalize their edits which are mostly to 315. NOAA OCM is also providing them with input. It appears that both CSO and NOAA appear to have very similar thoughts and concerns so we are hopeful that we will get them to do some constructive edits.
Other Legislation – The 116th Congress ended with a flurry of ocean related legislation including:
o The Digital Coast Act
o Sea Grant Reauthorization
o IOOS Reauthorization
o The STORM Act – This bill authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to enter into agreements with any state or Indian tribal government to make capitalization grants for the establishment of hazard mitigation revolving loan funds.
o Marine Debris 2.0

Biden-Harris Transition – Previous Engagement and Next Steps
• As you know, CSO submitted transition recommendations to the Biden-Harris Administration, had a call with the NOAA transition team, and provided additional follow-up information to them.
• Looking forward we will be looking to engage early with appointees to ensure that our priorities are picked up as administration priorities.

Communications
• The next call is scheduled for Tuesday, January 19th 1:00-2:00 p.m. A goal of this meeting is the finalize the CZMA Fact Sheet which will hopefully be useful for upcoming congressional engagement both on appropriations and CZMA reauthorization

Chair’s Initiative Discussion
• The Chair’s Initiative Work group are currently tasked with responding to the Chair’s Initiative Input Memo by February 5th. This memo provides recommendations on CSO policies to be update, polices to be retired, and new policies to be developed. It also has recommendations on tasking assignments to various work groups on the development of these policies.
• We will then hold a meeting on February 9th to review the cumulative input and make final determinations on updates/retirements/new policies, to discuss and WG member suggested policies, and to finalize WG assignments.
• Once assignments are made the policies will be tasked to the respective work groups. Each work group may utilize their own methodology to review, revise, update and approve the policies. The Chair’s Initiative WG will ask the tasked work groups to return back their approved policies. It is tentatively planned to give each work group through July 2021 to finalize their drafts. Between July and September there may be some back and forth revisions between the Chair’s WG and the tasked WG to make revisions.

Regulatory Update

Mr. Ryan-Henry reports on ongoing regulatory issues. The administration is making a number of last minute moves to complete rulemakings ahead of inauguration.

USACE issued a final rule updating 12 existing Nationwide Permits (NWPs) and issuing four new NWPs. Major changes include eliminating the 300-foot limit on streambed loss, allowing riprap to protect fill in maintenance projects, increasing the limit on minor dredging projects to 50 cubic yards, and creating new NWPs for utility lines and aquaculture. The effective date is set for March 15, 2021.

USACE made a last-minute push to change the schedule it had agreed to with coastal programs in order to complete and issue the final rule during January, including by threatening to entirely exclude states from NWPs if they did not accede to the changed schedule. Staff will monitor for opportunities for the new administration to pull back the final rule.

Federal consistency for EPA’s proposed Vessel Incidental Discharge Act standards is ongoing for states that requested a 15-day extension. CSO has offered to support and provide a platform for more extensive EPA coordination with coastal states in the case that the rulemaking is pulled back for additional engagement or development.

On December 16, 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service issued a final rule defining “habitat” under the Endangered Species Act. The rule becomes effective on January 15, 2021.

Staff is monitoring a potential challenge by a state-operated railroad authority to challenge the application of CZMA federal consistency requirements to railroad construction and maintenance approvals by the Surface Transportation Board under the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act. Members are requested to share their experience with review of these projects – an information request is pending in the members only newsletter.

Staff will continue to seek opportunities to promote coastal state priorities in the new administration’s regulatory and policy agenda, including the elimination of damaging rulemakings completed during 2016-2020, reinstatement the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard, and development of implementation regulations for new mitigation revolving funds under the STORMS Act.

Work Group Updates

Coastal NPS Work Group
Shelby Butz provides an update on the Nonpoint Work Group.

• Next full Work Group Call is

Coastal Hazard Planning and Adaptation Work Group
Brittney Parker provides updates on: CHPA
CHPA
• Supplemental Member feedback call on year 1 FEMA BRIC, January 19, 3:00 PM ET
• Next Full Call February 9, 3:00 PM ET: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in Coastal Management
• CSO’s FEMA Fact Sheets will be available shortly!

Communication Work Group Update

Offshore Infrastructure & Energy Work Group
Mr. Ryan-Henry shares that the work group will hold its next meeting on January 27, 2021 to discuss the federal partner Q&A held in November and coastal program priorities for offshore policy in the next administration.

Remarks from ED – Mr. Watson reminds members that this is his last call as CSO’s Executive Director and thanks all members for their continued support and engagement. Mr. Couture thanks Bradley for all the work, motivation, and betterment of CSO.

Adjourn – Mr. Couture thanks the Executive Committee and adjourns the meeting at 4:30 pm Eastern. The next EC Meeting is scheduled for February 10, 2021.