Public Forums: According to questionnaire responses, at least 154 people attended the four forums

Transcription

1 SMP Work April 24 July 6, 2012 Public Forums: Conducted four forums in April and May Forks, Sekiu, Port Angeles, Sequim According to questionnaire responses, at least 154 people attended the four forums Presented draft SMP, environmental designations, uses, setbacks and buffers; described SMP committee and some of its hot topics (such as aquaculture) Heard and responded to comments and questions about the SMP Distributed a questionnaire, tallied and shared results at the forum Environmental designations: Met with City of Forks staff to analyze land use, appropriate designations, and setback/buffers Created a WRIA 20 work group; met in June to further consider environmental designations and setbacks/buffers; created preliminary design for boat based inventory Analyzed WRIA 20 stream reaches for potential Natural designation Developed the draft restoration plan Documents: Updated the WRIA 20 Inventory and Characterization, including reach tables and basin descriptions Public Outreach: At 4 Season Ranch property owners invitation, presented proposed environmental designations at their monthly meeting. Updated community groups (eg, Marine Resource Committees, watershed councils, salmon recovery Lead Entities) on SMP progress and emerging issues Public Comment: Received, catalogued, and summarized all comments relating to the SMP. SMP related: Began work on economic analysis and bluff regression studies (separate funding and timelines not an SMP activity, but will provide information for more informed decision making)

2 QUESTIONAIRE: Clallam County SMP Public Forum Approximate (~) # of Attendees [Not all Attendees filled out Questionaire] 1. What is your affiliation(s)? Total Tally Sekiu 04/24/12 Sequim Port Angeles Forks 05/10/12 ~154 ~18 ~71 ~45 ~20 a. Clallam County Shoreline Property Owner: 2 i. River or Stream ii. Lake iii. Marine Shoreline b. Business c. Environmental Organization d. Government / Tribe e. Recreational Shoreline User f. Other If you own shoreline property, how many years have you owned the property? a. Less than 5 years b. 5 to 20 years c. More than 20 years Have you been to other meetings regarding the Shoreline Master Program update? a. Yes b. No Have you ever applied for a building or development permit along Clallam County freshwater and marine shoreline areas? a. Yes b. No Do you expect to develop along lake, river or marine shoreline in the near future (next 5 years)? a. Yes b. No Are you familiar with the current shoreline regulations (e.g., setbacks, buffer widths, clearing/grading)? a. Very familiar b. Somewhat familiar c. Unfamiliar Which one of the following best describes your feeling about the freshwater and marine shorelines in your area of the county: a. They are in better shape than they were years ago b. Development pressures are adversely affecting water quality and/or habitat conditions c. I haven t noticed much change Do you think there is enough access to the beaches and waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca? a. Enough b. Not enough c. Not sure Page 1 of 2

3 QUESTIONAIRE: Clallam County SMP Public Forum - CONT. Total Tally Sekiu 04/24/12 Sequim Port Angeles Forks 05/10/12 9. Do you think there are enough places for people to access rivers and lakes? a. Enough b. Not enough c. Not sure The proposed SMP limits the clearing of vegetation on private property but property owners will be able to remove some vegetation between the home and the shoreline for a view and for their private access. Does this appropriately balance the protection of the environment and property rights? a. Yes b. No c. Not sure The proposed SMP would require new homes to be setback further from the edge of marine bluffs to protect homes and the environment. Is this approach reasonable? a. Reasonable b. A setback is appropriate, but the proposal goes too far c. Not sure The proposed SMP requires new homes to be setback further from rivers in most areas to reduce risks of flooding and channel migration. Is this approach reasonable? a. Reasonable b. A setback is appropriate, but the proposal goes too far c. Not sure 13. Bulkheads, riprap and other structures can negatively impact the shoreline environment. The proposed SMP would allow bulkheads and other types of armoring only if an existing home or business is threatened by erosion. Do you agree that properties should be allowed to armor their shoreline even if there is some environmental damage? a. Yes b. No c. Not sure Aquaculture is an important industry in Clallam County. Neighboring counties are considering proposals to prohibit some types of aquaculture such as finfish facilities (salmon pens) because of their potential environmental impacts. Do you believe there should be restrictions on finfish in Clallam County? a. Net pens should not be allowed b. Allow net pens with some restrictions to prevent impacts c. No restrictions d. Not sure Page 2 of 2

4 Clallam County Ecosystem Service Valuation Overview Study Purpose This study helps reveal the economic value of natural systems in Clallam County. Wetlands, forests, riparian areas, shorelines, and marine waters provide economic goods and services like drinking water, food, ecreation, biodiversity, flood protection, and higher property values. Why is this Important? Understanding the value of natural systems helps citizens, firms and government make better decisions. Economicc development can be destroyed if placed in harm s way (flood damage, for example). Services such as flood control are best provided with a combination of both natural (forests and wetlands) and built (levees and dams) capital. Human health, safety and economic prosperity, quality of life can be better secured by quantifying the economic value of ecosystem goods and services. This information can inform policy such as land use planning, tax exemptions for landowners, the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) and Shoreline Master Program (SMP). The study will provide information to help make efficiency gains in infrastructure investments that include both natural and built infrastructure, which potentially saves taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars while providing higher returns on investments and multiplying benefits to citizens. How willl the study be conducted? The study will be conducted in two phases: Phase one: focuses on an economic analysis of up to 23 categories of valuable ecosystem goods and services for each land cover type present in Clallam County; and Phase two: focuses on developing the tools to integrate these findings in local policies and public awareness. Ecosystem services in Clallam County will be identified and valued using: Data collection by Clallam County partners GIS data of land cover types Interviews Physical and economic data [Clallam County Talking Points] Page 1 of 3

5 Policy analysiss Economicc values will be based upon peer reviewed economic valuation studies. Outreach will describee how natural systems contribute to a prosperouss economy, high quality of life, and public health. ESV report elements will include: 1. The importance of natural capital to economic development; 2. A brief discussion of the current economics of the identified study area; 3. Identification of ecosystem services present in the area; 4. US Dollar estimates of the economicc value provided by the natural lands and services of the area (low and high estimates); 5. A capital asset value calculation of natural assetss in Clallam County ; 6. A conclusion that examines the importance of conservation and restoration within the watershed as a vital component of economic development. Important General Principles: Economicc advancement is driven by investment and an economy is the physical product of previous decades of investment. Natural capital provides benefits over a longer period of time and with less maintenance than built capital alternatives. Natural capital appreciates while most built capital depreciates in value. Built and natural capital have the greatest returns when treated as complements. Responsible investment requires shifting investment from actions that damage ecosystem services (costs more) to those that improve and sustain them (costs less). The ESV is the first step in assessing how much we need to invest in rebuilding this vast capital asset. The ESV also gives us a first estimate of the value public goods and services, such as drinking water source protection, and what damage to these services would cost. When will the study be complete? Initial preliminary results from the study will be available by July Draft will be ready by August 2012 Final report will be ready by December Who will use the study and why? Local government agencies: cities, counties and special districts. [Clallam County Talking Points] Page 2 of 3

6 Assists with strategic planning for population growth, infrastructure investment, and natural resource management. Findings can guide investment decision-making and help secure funding for projects and programs that support key aspects of the local economy, including jobs, healthh and quality of life. Preliminary Values for Clallam County Ecosystem services present in Clallam County reduce the frequency and severity of floods, supply water, buffer climate instability, support fisheries and food provision, maintain critical habitat, enhance recreation and provide waste treatment, among other benefits. Preliminary values for Clallam County indicate that these ecosystems provide up to $7 billion in benefits to the regional economy every year. If treated like an asset with a lifespan of 50 years, the asset value of Clallam County is up to $ 151 billion at a 4% discount rate. Using a 0% discount rate, which recognizes the renewablee nature of natural capital and that people 50 years from now will enjoy the same level of benefits, Clallam County has an asset value of up to $352 billion. Partners County Partners Clallam County Earth Economics Earth Economics is an independent, non-partisan non-profit dedicated to researching and applying the economic solutions of tomorrow, today. Since 1998, Earth Economics has been providing robust, science-based, ecologically sound economic analysis, policy recommendations and tools to positively transform regional, national and international economics, and asset accounting systems. Earth Economics works to identify and focus on research topics that inform good investment in communities and result in measureable on-the ground impact. Earth Economics is independent and non-partisan. Earth Economic s analyses undergoes a thorough peer review process that respects a wide diversity of approaches and disciplines. Earth Economics routinely publishes in legal, economic and scientific journals. [Clallam County Talking Points] Page 3 of 3