On Wednesday, November 6, 2014, OR&R was an invited presenter at the Northwest Tribal Council meeting, held at Everett Naval Station.

This council was established in 2003, to strengthen Navy-tribal relations in western Washington. The effort initiated as a forum to share information, to develop mutual trust and effective communications, to identify issues of mutual concern, and to improve knowledge of organizations, protocols and customs. The charter focuses on environmental, natural and cultural resources, but may also touch on Navy mission areas including air space and at-sea training and research activities. In attendance at the November meeting were representatives from eight western Washington tribes, the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Navy.

OR&R was asked to familiarize the audience with NOAA’s Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps, and to provide an update on their status in Washington State. The timing was optimal, as the ESI work on the outer coast is just wrapping up, with the data expected to be publically available by year’s end. That was welcome news, since the last update to the Washington coast maps was done in 1985! The meeting also provided OR&R an opportunity to acknowledge the tribal support during the data collection phase and thank them for their contributions. There were five tribes approached for input on the biologic distributions and human use resources on their lands. These were the Quinault, the Hoh, the Makah, the Shoalwater Bay, and the Quileute tribes.

For further information, contact Jill.Petersen@noaa.gov.

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