Item No. 8g  supp
Meeting Date: February 9, 2021
Interlocal Agreement:
Washington State
Department of Natural Resources
Smith Cove Blue Carbon
Monitoring Study
February 9, 2021

Smith Cove Project Goals
Investigate carbon sequestration
potential
Improve water quality
Improve fish & wildlife habitat
Enhance understanding of
restoration techniques for kelp,
eelgrass, and oyster in Central
Puget Sound

Purpose of the ILA
Request approval of a revised ILA with DNR to remove specific
indemnity language (approved by legal).
Draft ILAs were approved in April 2020.
The Smith Cove Study requires ILAs with the Department of
Ecology (Ecology) and the Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) for implementing the monitoring plan.
The revised ILA does not alter DNR's scope.

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DNR Responsibilities
DNR
Provide 50% of a Scientist II position for 3 years
Monitor water quality/seawater acidity (pH) and shellfish survival
Include site in the State's Acidification Nearshore Monitoring Network (ANEMONE)
Incorporate volunteer participation through a community-based science plan
Maintain/repair water quality sensors and other equipment at the site
Generate a final report summarizing findings


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Port Responsibilities
Provide $163,500 in funding to DNR to support the Scientist II position
and community-based science involvement
Provide access to the Smith Cove site and equipment
Coordinate activities between Ecology, DNR, Puget Sound Restoration
Fund, consultants, port, and community



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Smith Cove Progress and Next Steps
2020
2021
Mapped distribution of cultch
Placement and monitoring of
shell distribution at Smith Cove;
Olympia oysters (COVID-19 delay
Collection of central Puget Sound      in 2020)
Olympia oysters for propagation
Investigate kelp limiting factors
Natural set capture for oyster           along Seattle shoreline
seed;
Eelgrass monitoring
Kelp enhancement activities in
Kick-off monitoring program with
(March 2020)
DNR and Ecology
Deployed data loggers to record
light levels and temperature
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Schedule
Commission approval  E&S Committee funds         Sept. 11, 2018
Commission request  Ecology & DNR ILAs             April 14, 2020 and February 9,
2021
Additional kelp and oyster restoration                  Spring 2020  Spring 2021
DNR Requests revisions to ILA; Ecology ILA finalized     Fall 2020
Year 1 monitoring                                     Fall-Winter 2020
Year 2 monitoring                                     2021
Year 3 monitoring & Final Report                       2022

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