Meeting notes from the Oregon/Northern California Coast TRT meeting

27 April, 2006, 9am-5pm, Arcata, CA

Notes take by: Laurie Weitkamp

Attendees: TRT members: Tommy Williams, Tom Wainwright (by phone), Tom
Nickelson, Tom Lisle, Walt Duffy, Pete Lawson, George Kautsky, Mike
McCain, Kelly Moore (by phone); Adjunct member: Laurie Weitkamp; Staff:
Heather Stout, Rosemary Furfey, Greg Bryant, Justin Mills; Public: No
public was present.

The meeting was called to order at 9:15 a.m.

1\. **Introductions**

2\. **Agenda revision**. The agenda was accepted with minor revision.

3\. **TRT mandate for OC coho** (Pete L). Pete distributed copies of the
letter from Usha Varanasi (Director, NWFSC) to members of the Oregon
Coast workgroup in support of its continuing activities, despite no
listing of OC coho. The letter has favorable repercussions within both
NWR and ODFW, although it is unclear how SWFSC will respond.

4\. **Replacing Mike Rode** (Tommy W.). Mike Rode has retired from CDFG
and will no longer serve on the SONCC TRT. Given the importance of CDFG
to TRT activities, a replacement is needed. Greg suggested the local
CDFG coho coordinator. There was some discussion of the formal process
required to add new members.

5\. **60 day notice to Sue** (Rosemary F). Rosemary provided copies of
the "60-day notice to sue" over Oregon coast coho, prepared by
Earthjustice on behalf of eight organizations. In response, the region
is assembling the Administrative Record, but otherwise it's not clear
what steps can or should be taken (Rosemary will investigate).

6\. **TRT approval of SONCC population document** (Tommy W). Tommy
described comments received on the SONCC population document from CDFG
and ODFW, which largely dealt with clarifications, although some
substantive issues were identified. Tommy also suggested changing how
dependent and independent populations are defined to be more consistent
with OC, which the group was agreeable to. A draft document should be
available in mid May.

7\. **Discussion of SONCC viability** (Tommy W). Tommy also briefly
discussed the criteria used to evaluate SONCC viability. A draft
document should be available in mid May.

8\. **OC population document** (Heather S.). Heather handed out copies
of the latest draft of the OC population document for the group's final
comments. As an offshoot of discussion of SONCC populations (above), the
group agreed that the connectivity model needs to be rerun now that the
Umpqua has been split into four populations. Tom N. will coordinate
this.

9\. **Major comments on OC viability analysis** (The Toms). Tom W.
provided a summary of the comments received on the draft viability
document. Most comments will be addressed through clarification of text
with no substantive changes needed. Tom N. provided a write up on how
hatchery fish were considered in viability analysis. There were no major
concerns about it.

10\. **OC coho conservation plan** (Kelly M.). Kelly briefly described
the general approach being taken by the state on the recovery plan to
increase productivity and capacity for coho, and notable specific
actions (e.g., eliminate coho releases in the Salmon R., better
incorporation of watershed council assessments). He stated that comments
from the TRT have been helpful and requested further assistance on
moving from current to desired conditions and on limiting factors. He
will provide the TRT with text as soon as it is ready for release.

11\. **Proposed revisions to OC restoration criteria** (Tom W.). Tom W.
provided revised restoration criteria for OC coho produced by the
viability committee. This generated considerable discussion, which
indicated that *how* the restoration criteria will be used determines
*what* they should consist of. In the time available, the group was
unable to reach agreement on how they should be used, and will revisit
the topic at the May OC workgroup meeting.

12\. **TRT coordinator updates** (Rosemary F., Greg B.).

-   Rosemary reiterated NWR's continued commitment to the OC
    conservation plan. She also mentioned that although OC coho no
    longer receives ESA protection, they are subject to
    Magnusson-Stevens act Essential Fish Habitat restrictions, which she
    is investigating. She provided handouts on guidance for recovery
    cost estimates and a flow chart showing the process for recovery
    plan development.

-   Greg said the SWR has put a high priority on recovery plans, with
    first drafts due by June 2007 and final versions by June 2008. Greg
    also provided copies of a MOU between California State Agencies,
    NMFS, and PSMFC to develop the CalFish Program, a centralized data
    and information storehouse, something he has pushed for, for a long
    time. Similarly, he provided brochures for a new fish passage forum,
    which includes a central database on fish passage barriers and
    improvements. Greg also had copies of a new kids educational comic
    book on "Salmonid savers".

13\. **Schedule future meetings**. The next OCC meeting will be in
Corvallis on **May 23**. The next full OCNCC TRT meeting will occur
**October 3** in Ashland.

14\. Meeting adjourned at \~4:45 p.m.