COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          8g 
ACTION ITEM                            Date of Meeting      February 9, 2021 
DATE:     January 8, 2021 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    Sandra Kilroy, Director, Maritime Environment & Sustainability 
Kathleen Hurley, Sr. Environmental Program Manager 
SUBJECT: Request to Authorize Revised Interlocal Agreement Smith Cove Blue Carbon
Monitoring Study 
Amount of this request:                       0 $ 
Total estimated project cost:            250,000 $ 
ACTION REQUESTED 
Request authorization for the Executive Director to enter into a revised Interlocal Agreement
between the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Port of Seattle for
monitoring of the Smith Cove Blue Carbon Pilot Project. 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
The Smith Cove Blue Carbon Monitoring Study requires Interlocal Agreements (ILAs) with the
Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) and the Washington State Department of
Natural Resources (DNR). The ILA's will support data collection, analysis, reporting, public
outreach, and community-based science activities. Both ILAs were approved by Commission in
draft form in April 2020. The Ecology ILA was subsequently executed with only minor changes
approved by counsel. The DNR ILA, however, has been revised to accommodate several edits
requested by DNR, including one substantive change that requires additional Commission
approval.
The Smith Cove Blue Carbon Pilot Project was included in the 2018 Maritime Division expense
budget. This project will contribute to the scientific body of work on "blue carbon", specifically
the carbon sequestration potential of kelp, eelgrass, and oysters; furthermore, the project
expands our understanding expands our understanding for restoration of these critical habitats
in Central Puget Sound. The Smith Cove Blue Carbon Pilot Project includes habitat restoration
elements that will be evaluated for carbon sequestration, water quality (specifically seawater
acidification) benefits, and habitat productivity. These elements include bull kelp, eelgrass and
Olympia oyster beds installed between 2018-2021. The ILA with DNR will support the ongoing
monitoring of the project, including collection of pH data, shellfish survival rates, and other
data for three years. This also includes a community-based science plan to allow for
participation in the Smith Cove study by members of the Port's neighboring communities. 

Template revised January 10, 2019.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. 8g                                   Page 2 of 3 
Meeting Date: February 9, 2021 
JUSTIFICATION 
The authorization of the ILA with DNR is needed to undertake the required monitoring and
evaluation measurements as set out in the Smith Cove Blue Carbon three-year monitoring plan. 
Diversity in Contracting 
The Diversity in Contracting procurement process was included in the prior Commission action
in April 2020. 
DETAILS 
All of the changes are minor or clarifying in nature. The only substantive change is the deletion
of the following phrase from the indemnity clause: "In the event that the Port incurs any
judgment, award, and/or cost arising there from, including attorneys' fees, to enforce the
provisions of this Article, all such fees, expenses, and costs shall be recoverable from DNR to
the extent of DNR's culpability."  In the revised draft, DNR is still obligated to defend and
indemnify the Port from damages resulting from negligent acts or omissions by its officers,
employees, or agents. There are no changes related to the scope of work, schedule or cost of
the project from the proposal approved by Commission in April. 
Scope of Work 
The scope of work was included in the prior Commission action (April 14, 2020).
Schedule 
The project includes a three-year monitoring study which will begin in Spring 2021. There is no
design or construction included with this initiative. 
Cost Breakdown 
The monitoring study will require approximately $250,000 to complete. As described in the 
memo for the original Commission authorization (April 14, 2020). 
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED 
An alternatives analysis was included in the prior Commission action (April 14, 2020).
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 
Financial implications were included in the prior Commission action (April 14, 2020.) 
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds 
Funding for the three-year monitoring study was authorized by Commission as part of the
Energy & Sustainability Committee funding authorization. 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST 
(1)   Commission Memo (April 14, 2020) 
(2)   Presentation slides 

Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. 8g                                   Page 3 of 3 
Meeting Date: February 9, 2021 
(3)   Revised  Interlocal  Agreement  with  Washington  State  Department  of  Natural
Resources 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
April 14, 2020  The Commission authorized the Executive Director to enter into draft ILAs
with Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Department of Ecology. 
















Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).