Steve Couture welcomes members to the meeting.
Members Present: Steve Couture (NH),Charles Reulet (LA), Jill Andrews (GA), Kim Cole (DE), Leo Asuncion (HI), Patty Snow (OR), Lisa Engler (MA), Mike Friis (WI), Amber Westerbur (MN), Ronda Wuycheck (MI)
CSO Present: Bradley Watson, Mike Molnar, John Ryan-Henry, Rachel Keylon, Shelby Butz, Brittney Parker, Norma Longhi
Approval of minutes from July 8, 2020 -Minutes from July 8, 2020 approved as submitted.
Treasurer’s Report – FY20 – Bradley Watson presents a review of Budget vs. Actual.
Ronda Wuycheck presents an overview of FY21 Budget Recommendation and highlights it is the most accurate prediction at this time given the unknowns due to early timing of vote and COVID. She also notes it is possible to have a budget amendment in early 2021, if needed. She reviews the proposed income amounts for contracts and notes a conservative expense approach for entire proposed budget. Discussion regarding nature of the conservative approach – mainly that proposed cuts for 2021 should not be viewed as something that could or should be done each year, but are tough decisions being made given the circumstances. There is a recommendation to include in the cover letter to accompany the dues request acknowledging the trying times in addition to the usual organizational highlights and accomplishments.
Vote to recommend FY2021 Budget to the Full Membership – Motioned – Amber Westerbur, Seconded – Mike Friis. Vote – Passed unanimously without abstention.
Announcements
Great Lakes: Amber Westerbur (MN) – Work continues on year 2 of GL coastal and nearshore habitat project. Great Lakes states working with CSO on draft Great Lakes Water Levels Fact Sheet. Ms. Wuycheck notes that the Great Lakes levels present issues – 2013 record low levels, 2019 and 2020 record high levels. High levels of inundation and damage. Facing regulatory challenges.
Northeast: Lisa Engler (MA) – MA not seeing significant budget impacts at State level currently. Grant program will likely be impacted in out-years. Offshore wind – NE states are involved in two regional groups focused on resource and habitat impacts. ROSA and RWSE. Steve Couture (NH) – offshore wind – legislative session this year set a standing offshore wind committee focused on economic development potential. AGs discussions re site development and Federal Consistency.
Mid-Atlantic: Kim Cole (DE) – VA – holding a virtual summit with a federally recognized tribe and three counties to promote tribal history. DE – holding Federal Consistency applicants workshop 8/13. Storm hit DE – tornado travelled 29 miles. Cleaning up damage to research reserve.
Southeast: Jill Andrews (GA) – NC Isiais damage. Oak Island and Ocean Isles – large amount of erosion and house fires. GA also had some damage.
Gulf of Mexico: Charles Reulet (LA) – Looking forward to Peer-to-peer webinar on virtual field trip for CSO members.
Pacific Coast: Patty Snow (OR) – OR had a SG Fellow working on GLD. Pew is funding second year extension for the position for OR and WA. OR and CA have BOEM task forces looking at wind energy. WA has furloughs – one day a month through end of year.
Pacific Islands: Edwin Reyes (GU) – Depart of Navy is proceeding with 2019 DEIS for Marianas Island Testing and Training, over CNMI and Guam Federal Consistency Objections. PRIMO conference in Guam May 17, 2021.
CSO Updates
NOAA Economic Study – Mike Molnar provides an update on the NOAA Economic Study conducted by ERG. Draft memo circulated among project team for review. Focus is on four categories: collaboration, wetland acres, training, and access points. Annualized value thus far is ~$57M.
CSO-ASBPA Sediment Regulations – Mr. Watson comments on the project – state sediment regulations would mirror the CSO/NWF living shorelines report. Assess regulations and layout best practices. Potential federal funding for next year and gives CSO a seat at the table.
CSO-NWF Natural Infrastructure and Underserved Communities – Mr. Watson –
Proposal is a concept derived from member input and GCC information. CSO and NWF seek out philanthropic/outside funding to run a program to support coastal programs working with communities on Planning, E&D, and Project implementation. Ms. Engler reinforced the need for the program. Mike Friis asked about what considerations are being made to include Native American communities. Mr. Molnar stated that the definition for Underserve Community is still being revised and could incorporate.
RAE-CSO National Coastal Summit
Mr. Molnar shares information on the 2020 National Coastal and Estuarine Summit.
Reminder to use the Comp registrations by August 31. Opportunity for additional comped volunteer registrations, see the newsletter. Program Schedule updated on the website and should be useful for conference attendance.
Hill Report –
Appropriations – Rachel Keylon provides an update on Appropriations.
House passed FY21 CJS bill w/ $78M (+$1M) CZM grants. Senate mark TBD – expect CR until after election. Let Rachel know if you have questions about other marks (some on the Member’s Only section).
CZM grant waiver request. Keeping appropriators and authorizers updated on need. One Bill had some language on the issue already.
Voting materials for CSO virtual meeting go out Friday.
Chair’s Initiative – Ms. Keylon stated 6 or 7 different groups provided comment, including NOAA NOS and OCM. Question regarding NOAA comments on the document. NOAA commented on 310 and some other items.
FY22 Appropriations – Ms. Keylon stated that we can make tweaks to language prior to meeting.
Transition Paper – Ms. Keylon stated that comments are being incorporated into the draft.
ASBPA-CSO Beach and Inlet Management Policy – Ms. Keylon states that comments are incorporated into this version. Not room for additional edits.
Work Group Updates
Coastal NPS Work Group – Shelby Butz states the Next full work group call is September 14 at 2:00PM EST. Topic is coordination and integration between CZM and 319 programs both during and after approval. Including how states can better integrate and measures conducted under these programs and better coordinate between them. We would like to get an approved state or two to join the call and a conditionally approved state to have both sides of this topic discuss the challenges and successes. Asked Executive Committee would like to suggest a state program to highlight or suggest we reach out to.
The next CNPS Conditionally Approved States WG call is on August 25 at 3:00PM EST. Topic is reporting requirements after full approval, including ongoing reporting to EPA and NOAA for program implementation. CSO staff will provide a brief presentation followed by an open floor discussion
The provisional call topic list is also posted on the CNPS webpage. These are the final two topics, and we have not received feedback for additional topics from participants. Will be reviewing CNP Repository and previous meeting notes to identify new topics to suggest to the WG. As always call agendas, meeting materials, and notes from past calls are available on the CNPS work group page
Coastal Hazard Planning and Adaptation Work Group – Brittney Parker states call yesterday with CHPA with GCC managed retreat toolkit for coastal programs. Roundtable prompt question about interest and staff capacity engaging with RiskMap and CTP with FEMA. Next call 10/13 at 3 PM.
BRIC and FMA NOFOs released last Wednesday. Links found here for the Notes
Communication Work Group Update – Ms. Keylon states the WG met on Monday. The Work Group’s next meeting will be October 12 due to proximity to Member’s Meeting. Finalizing GL water levels Fact Sheet.
Offshore Infrastructure & Energy Work Group – Mr. Ryan-Henry states that they convened a Steering Committee rather than Co-chairs. (Pull names from slides)
Draft Work Plan to be discussed in August and working to develop Work Group repository on website.
Regulatory Update – Mr. Ryan-Henry presents on two-page document in meeting notes detailing regulatory updates.
USACE NWP released August 3 and will be formally published in FR open for 60-day comment period. After publishing USACE will reach out to CZ programs for Federal Consistency. Will then work with stakeholders on developing Regional Conditions at Division levels. Major changes: 2 NWP for aquaculture, pre-construction notification requirements, CZMA compliance conditions – add language regarding need for individual permit if cannot reach concurrence. Released a summary to members and asked for any input.
Mr. Watson highlighted that some coalition groups may want us to join in on joint comments regarding living shorelines.
CWA 401 and NEPA rules previously released.
FEMA RiskMap – updating information on rate maps. Requiring issuance of consistency determinations.
EO 13927 – waive compliance with Enviro Regs. OMB not making reports public re what projects they intend to waive.
AQ EO – USACE issued NWP for aquaculture. Regional Fisheries Councils expected to review regulations in Sept and October.
Adjourn – Mr. Couture thanks the Executive Committee and adjourns the meeting at 4:27 pm Eastern. The next EC Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14th, 2020.