ROSS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE · Roundtable. Resource Lands –Agricultural Lands R-A. 1. Initiate a...

ROSS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEBullitt Center | June 11, 2014

C E N T R A L P U G E T S O U N DR E G I O N A L O P E N S P A C E S T R A T E G Y

RO S S

WELCOME + INTRODUCTIONSRon Sims, Executive Committee Chair


RO S S

UPDATE ON ROSS PROGRESS + APPROACHJeff Raker, ROSS Senior Planner


RO S S

Open Space is…

Why Now?As we face increased development pressure, we need…

• Regionally integrated conservation strategies that address fragmented ecological priority setting.

• An alignment of conservation priorities, community objectives, and public policy priorities.

• A full assessment of the true value of the current open space system and the services it provides.

• A clear justification for additional resources for parks and open space where it reinforces community development.

Shared History, Shared FutureBuilds upon past and current regional planning: PSP Action Agenda, Vision 2040, the Cascade Agenda, and Mountains to Sound Greenway

• Building a regional open space system

• Advancing the most important projects and actions

• Improving regional coordination

• Expanding on analytical tools

• Building a regional community

The ROSS Approach…

ROSS Vision + Values

Key Work Products + Work Plan

Getting The Region Involved…

C E N T R A L P U G E T S O U N D

R E G I O N A L O P E N S P A C E S T R A T E G Y

ROSS

A ROBUST,

CONNECTED,

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL

REGIONAL

OPEN SPACE

SYSTEM

PRELIMINARY

COMPREHENSIVE

STRATEGY

University of Washington

Green Futures Research &

Design Lab

University of Washington

Northwest Center for

Livable Communitie

s

Natio

n

al P ark Service:

Rivers, Trails, & Conservatio

n

Assistance Program

Pilot funding by The Bullitt

F

oundation

SEPTEMBER 2012

Scoping Technical Advisory Committees +

Strategy Development

• Watershed Advisory Group

• Ongoing GIS data collection and review of current initiatives/projects

• Watershed Listening Tour

• Preliminary synthesis to link opportunities

• Advancing Key WOSS Proposals

Watershed Open Space Strategies

UW Environmental Mgmt. Student Findings

Next Steps?• 2014 – Advance System Assessment + Strategy

Development• Complete Task Force White Papers • Continue on ES Valuation/OS System Assessment• New ROSS Website + Communications Strategy• Snohomish (WRIA 7) Strategy Launch• Governance + Finance Task Force Launch

• May-June 2015 – Complete ROSS Strategy Development Phase• Final ROSS/WOSS Proposals + Recommendations• Action/Implementation Plan

• Summer 2015 - Launch ROSS Implementation Phase

PUYALLUP-WHITE WATERSHED OPEN SPACE STRATEGY(WOSS)John Owen, Makers


RO S S

BACKGROUND

• These proposals are preliminary.

• They are based on conversations with knowledgable and local people plus analysis.

EVALUATION

REGIONAL SIGNIFICANCE: Does the proposal:

• Require funding from outside local means?• Require interjurisdictional collaboration?• Provide a significant regional benefit?• Provide a model for other projects in the region?

ECOSYSTEMS

Ecosystems – Aquatic Systems

Ecosystems –Aquatic Systems

E-A. 1. Create a Plan for a “Green Heart” for Urban Pierce County along Puyallup River Floodplain South and West of Interstate 5


E-A. 2. Construct Setback Levees along the Puyallup and White Rivers, (Especially the Union Pacific (UP) Property)

Pierce County Flood Control District lead


E-A. 3. Establish Program to Purchase Riparian Corridor Development Rights of Lands along the White River


E-A. 4. Purchase Puget Sound Energy Lands along the White River between the Muckleshoot Reservation and Buckley

Ecosystems – Biodiversity


E-B. 1. Conduct a Threat Assessment of Biodiversity Management Areas identified in the Pierce County Biodiversity Assessment


E-B. 2. Initiate an Educational Program Stressing the Importance of Biodiversity


E-B. 3. Provide Support for Implementation of the Lower White River Biodiversity Management Area Stewardship Plan


E-B. 4. Complete a Biodiversity Management Area Stewardship Plan for the Carbon River

RESOURCE LANDS AND WORKING LANDSCAPES

AGRICULTURAL LANDS

To be aligned with ~6,000 acres of priority farmland identified by PC Agricultural Roundtable

Resource Lands –Agricultural Lands

R-A. 1. Initiate a Comprehensive Agricultural Lands and Aquatic Systems Enhancement Program

Proposal aligned with Agricultural Roundtable efforts

WORKING FORESTS

Resource Lands – Working Forests

R-F. 1. Facilitate an Interagency Forest Management Strategy Forest Roundtable lead

R-F. 2. Support Community Trust Forest Efforts through an Implementation Study

Forest Roundtable lead


R-F. 3. Explore an Interjurisdictional Approach to Urban Forest Management


Proposal aligned with Forest Roundtable efforts

HEALTH, ACTIVE LIVING & RECREATION

Health, Active Living & Recreation

H-1. Complete the Seattle-Tacoma-Rainier Link of the Cross State Trail • PSRC applying for a TIGR grant and there may be an

opportunity to suggest that proposals named here receive high priority. Coordination with PSRC is needed soon.


H- 2. Complete the Foothills Trail to the Mount Rainier National Park’s Western Entrance

Cost identified at $72. Million to get from Mount Rainier National Park to Ruston Way


H- 3. Create a Link in the Cross State Trail through Pierce County from the Town of Buckley to Yelm and eventually to Olympia.

Early Action:Collaborate with the Forever Green Council and organizations in Thurston County


H- 4. Connect the Foothills Trail to the Cedar River Trail from Buckley to Maple Valley

• King Co has completed a soft surface trail near the proposed river crossing

• Estimated cost of the bridge and associated trail connections is $4-6. Million.


H- 5. Address the Deficit of Recreational Resources in the North Puyallup, Pacific, Milton and Lake Tapps Vicinity

• A first step would be to coordinate with Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept. to determine specific needs.

• Perhaps start with a $50,000 strategy report.


H-6. Develop an interpretive system for the historic Naches trail

• Interpretive system and treatments could be similar to those used on the main stem of the Oregon Trail

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Community Development

C. 1. Establish a “Greater Rainier” (or “mother mountain”) coalition to coordinate the environmental and recreational efforts on the west side of Mt Rainier National Park -

Next Steps:• First step might be to convene a symposium or TRFF

COI’s this summer to map out a strategy, then• Acquire seed money and hire a manager• Engage partners and develop an action plan• Acquire sustaining funding

Costs might be $60-$100,000./year for staffing

GEOGRAPHICALLY LINKED STRATEGIES

Geographically Linked Strategies

THE LOWER PUYALLUP GREEN “Y”A way to add structure and amenity to the growing Northwestern Pierce County communities.


THE WHITE RIVER CORRIDOR

A long term, multi-party but crucial effort


THE GREATER RAINIER COALITIONLeverage the $90,000/day revenue. Make eastern Pierce County a multi-day destination

This proposal seems to be attracting local attention

POSITIVE RESULTS•Develops a workable methodology that can be refined.

•Provides a platform for other work such as ecosystem services evaluation.

•Has generated interest, support and collaboration among local and open space planning efforts

POSITIVE RESULTS

•Demonstrates that this analysis can provide a useful planning, consensus building and decision making tool.

COMMITTEE + TASKFORCE REPORTS


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ECOSYSTEM SERVICES COMMITTEETracy Stanton, ROSS Ecosystem Services Committee Chair


RO S S

DEFINING “OPEN SPACE SERVICES”Expanding Traditional Ecosystem Services


RO S S

How does ROSS define Open Space?

OPEN SPACE is an embracing term for a diverse spectrum of lands across a rural and urban continuum on large and small scales. Open space includes and is not limited to:

• wilderness lands • resource lands for agricultural and timber production • national, state, county and city parks • water bodies and wetlands • local and regional recreational trail systems • urban green spaces like parkways, rain gardens, tree

canopy, and green roofs

We also qualify open space asProviding a vast number of critical and life-enhancing benefits which include:

• Ecosystem services – water quality, flood control, air quality, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, etc.

• Economic vitality – timber, agricultural, fisheries, recreational tourism, ability to attract anchor businesses due to quality of life and stunning landscape

• Improving human health – plays a role in reducing obesity, reduces stress

• Accessible and equitable distribution – benefits for all

• Regional identity – sense of place, cultural identity, geological history, vital educational resource

We’ve been tasked with…

• Defining “Open Space Services” to encompass our broad definition.

• Mapping these Open Spaces Services to data, providing a more accurate picture of the open space system.

• Finding other methods to express less measurable services.

• Helping the region see the value and benefits of investing in a regional open space system.

Our processBio-physical(ROSS definition)

• wilderness lands • resource lands for

agricultural and timber production

• national, state, county and city parks

• water bodies and wetlands • local and regional

recreational trail systems • urban green spaces like

parkways, rain gardens, tree canopy, and green roofs

Ecosystem Services(23, MEA)

• supporting• provisioning• regulating• cultural

Qualitative(ROSS definition + Earth Economics research)

• economic• aesthetic• educational• cultural• spiritual• historical• active living• community• access• etc.

+ +

AIRAir quality

FOODCrops, seafood,

meat/game, urban gardens

WATERWater storage, drinking water, water quality

SHELTERLumber, minerals,

habitat

PLAYLocal, city, county, nat’l parks, fishing,

swimming, hunting, kayaking, bicycling, hiking,

etc.

WORKTimber, ag,

seafood industry, recreational

tourism, gov’t jobs (regulation, maintenance)

TRANSPORTFISH: creeks, lakes, rivers, sound, ocean

PEOPLE: commuter + rec trails, parkways,

waterwaysBIRD: forest, urban tree

canopy, wetlands, waterways, etc.

HEALTHMedicinal resources,

recreational opportunities,

biological (pest) control

ENERGYHydropower, biomass fuel,

fuel wood, minerals

WASTEDecomposition,detoxification,

fertilizer

MATERIALSRaw materials,

ornamental

DISASTERMITIGATIONCarbon stock +

sequestration, flood prevention, landslide

prevention, soil erosion

AESTHETICair quality…

AESTHETICViewsheds

CULTURALSpiritual,

ornamental, seafood,

habitat, spices, etc.

EDUCATIONEnvironmental

education centers, school

proximity

COMMUNITYSocial gathering

sites, others to be defined

BIODIVERSITY

HUMAN HEALTH

CLIMATE CHANGE

SOCIAL EQUITY

ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT

OPEN SPACE SERVICES + BENEFITS CATEGORIES*+ sample indicators

TASK FORCE INDICATORS/PRIORITIES

These will be over-layed to include hot spots, demographic data, priorities, indicators, etc.

+

* We recognize these may merit refining or combining. We do not see these as mutually exclusive, importantly they are reinforcing which demonstrate open space’s multi-functional, multi-beneficial nature.

But some may be more easily mapped than others…

Largely biophysical,

easily mapped

More difficult to map

Primarily qualitative

AIRAir quality

FOODCrops, seafood,

meat/game, urban gardens

WATERWater storage, drinking water, water quality

SHELTERLumber, minerals,

habitat

PLAYLocal, city, county, nat’l parks, fishing,

swimming, hunting, kayaking, bicycling, hiking,

etc.

WORKTimber, ag,

seafood industry, recreational

tourism, gov’t jobs (regulation, maintenance)

TRANSPORTFISH: creeks, lakes, rivers, sound, ocean

PEOPLE: commuter + rec trails, parkways,

waterwaysBIRD: forest, urban tree

canopy, wetlands, waterways, etc.

HEALTHMedicinal resources,

recreational opportunities,

biological (pest) control

ENERGYHydropower, biomass fuel,

fuel wood, minerals

WASTEDecomposition,detoxification,

fertilizer

MATERIALSRaw materials,

ornamental

DISASTERMITIGATIONCarbon stock +

sequestration, flood prevention, landslide

prevention, soil erosion

AESTHETICViewsheds

CULTURALSpiritual,

ornamental, seafood,

habitat, spices, etc.

EDUCATIONEnvironmental

education centers, school

proximity

COMMUNITYSocial gathering

sites, others to be defined

Snohomish Pierce King KitsapOpen Water 60,012 80,876 115,418 100,724

Developed, Open Space 68,948 71,421 91,278 32,717

Barren Land / Beach 48,808 35,341 27,595 9,558

Forests 853,155 548,326 763,978 145,829

Shrub / Scrub 135,286 130,875 147,312 13,546

Grassland / Herbaceous 32,424 59,681 34,460 10,187

Pasture / Hey 45,419 29,360 31,171 1,787

Cultivated 10,341 2,791 1,700 30

Wetlands 35,738 26,990 25,511 9,625

Open Space Acreage by County

BiophysicalLAYERS

COMPOSITE +

But all are needed to tell the Open Space story…

Case StudiesStatisticsDescriptions

FOOD

WATER

SHELTER

ETC.

Primarily qualitative

More difficult to map

IMMEDIATE NEXT STEPS – 3-4 MONTHS

STEP 1 (COMPLETED): Draft ROSS BaselineCoarse map of geography to represent open space system derived from land cover/landscape features in this geography

STEP 2 (NEXT 2 MONTHS): Refine ROSS Open Space Baseline- quantitative AND qualitative (as discussed today)

STEP 3 (AFTER BASELINING): Task Force Sensitivity OverlaysMap hotspots of land cover/landscape features that most address regional challenges based on Task Forces definitions of metrics/indicators

LATE SUMMER/EARLY FALLSTEP 4:WOSS Proposals Evaluation

Evaluate the open space services within geographies that represent the WOSS proposals to assess the likely benefits to be derived based on previous OS services identification and hotspot definition.

STEP 5: Ideally: Assess OS system vulnerability

Investigate type of ownership (pub vs. private), current use taxation enrollment, adjacency or market conditions that speak to likely growth (zoning, vested properties), etc.

* We may determine that these are more easily completed in smaller sub-groups and/or UW graduate students could support one of these steps.

WINTER 2014-2015STEP 7: Work with Governance/Finance Committee

Reflect + provide potential recommendations on decision-support and/or project selection tool based on recommendations and expertise of Govenance and Finance Committee to contribute to final strategy

STEP 6: Value Proposition

Translate all the work from steps 1–5 into an articulated “value proposition,” including identified statements and graphics to be incorporated into the Strategy that highlight the importance of protecting the system of open space in the region based on its ability to address regional challenges and provide open space services.

Potential Support - Trust for Public Land

TASK FORCESJeff Raker


RO S S

Task Force White Papers + Recommended ActionsGeneral Educational/Communications piece: How open space supports solutions to five key regional challenges• Biodiversity• Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation• Human Health• Social Equity• Economic Development

Inputs for Ecosystem Services Committee: Metrics

Inputs for Governance + Finance Committee: Recommended Actions

TASK FORCE:BIODIVERSITYAbby Hook, Hook-KnauerTask Force Co-chair


RO S S

Primary Challenges facing Biodiversityin Central Puget Sound

• Land use changes• Urbanization• Habitat fragmentation• Agriculture and forestrymonocultures

• Shoreline hardening

• Climate change• Habitat migration

• Invasive species• Reductions in surface

and groundwater

Relationship of Open Space to Biodiversity

Open Space provides opportunity for biodiversity to exist. The value of biodiversity depends on the following spatial features of Open Space:• Size• Shape• Location• Quality• Connectedness• Relative Value

Why is a regional approach necessary to advance objectives for biodiversity?• Regionally important open spaces

may differ from locally important areas (size and relative value)

• Biodiversity management spans jurisdictions (location)

• Addressing connectivity requires working across political boundaries (connectedness)

• Regional threats should be addressed at the regional scale

Preliminary Recommended ActionsFrom the Washington Biodiversity Council 2008 Report:

….sounds like the ROSS?

TASK FORCE:CLIMATE CHANGE Rachel Gregg, EcoAdaptTask Force Co-chair


RO S S

TASK FORCE:HUMAN HEALTHLeann Andrews, University of WashingtonTask Force Co-chair


RO S S

Primary Challenges facing Human Healthin Central Puget Sound

• Discussion beyond morbidity• Collaborating across departments• Inclusion and documentation of the health + wellbeing

benefits of nature• Health is rarely a simple or direct causal relationship• Embracing the full complexity of health (quantitative,

scientific, narrative, personal, cultural etc.)• Balancing ecosystem services with ecosystem disservices• Open spaces potentially triggering gentrification + poor

health outcomes

Relationship of Open Space to Human Health

• Physiological health• (e.g. asthma, obesity, malnutrition…)

• Mental health + wellbeing• (e.g. depression, happiness, schizophrenia…)

• External influences, social dynamics + resilience• (e.g. crime, accident and injury, natural disasters response…)

• Community health• (e.g. social cohesion, environmental stewardship, socio-economics…)

Why is a regional approach necessary to advance objectives for Human Health?

• Health does not have a boundary

• Regional bike trail encouraging healthy commuting• Health of one community might be dependent on actions of

“upstream” communities • (e.g. flooding, combined sewer overflows, air pollution, food systems)

• Individual health linked to community health linked to regional decisions

• Health benefits optimized through connecting open spaces to other open spaces

Preliminary Recommended Actions

• Work towards connectivity of all open spaces offering active living potential (such as parks, trails, reserves) to create regional non-motorized mobility

• Integrate open space planning and management of all open spaces within all jurisdictions to address and encourage shared open space access and use guidelines

• Provide access within ½ mile of every household to a park or trail system (per CDC recommendations)

• Elevate health, wellbeing and wellness as an evaluation screen for cross-jurisdictional prioritization of open space and parks acquisition

• …

TASK FORCE:SOCIAL EQUITYGinger Daniel, ROSS Planner


RO S S

Primary Challenges facing Social Equity + Open SpaceMinority populations experience:• Less access to green space and safe, well-maintained,

quality spaces• Fewer culturally relevant spaces and recreational options• Higher rates of poor health and obesity• Higher likelihood to live in ecologically degraded and/or

polluted areas• Limited access to decision-making and planning

processes

Interviews with regional equity + environment leaders on:• Distributional equity• Process equity• Generational equity

Summer convening• Review draft• Develop action strategies: strong focus on process

TASK FORCE:ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTJeff Raker, Senior ROSS Planner


RO S S

Fundamental Challenge for Economic DevelopmentEDD Regional Economic Strategy: How to accommodate the anticipated growth of 5 million people and 3 million jobs by 2040 while enhancing the environment and our overall quality of life?

Specifically calling for support and participation in the work of the ROSS to:

• Avoid profound economic impacts on our tourism industry

• Ensure the Pacific Northwest continues to be known for its natural beauty

ALSO… “Strategies to preserve forests and farmlands will be difficult to advance without an aggressive urban development and economic development agenda” – Henry Izumizaki (TRFF)

Relationship of OS to Economic Development

• Tourism – Recreation + Other Types• Marketing the Region – Trade, Business/Talent Retention• Real Estate Value Capture• Reducing Health Care Costs?• Social/Cultural Link?• Resilience

• Localized Food & Resource Production/Security• Reducing energy demands + managing waste• Risk management + hazard mitigation• Climate adaptation/mitigation• Flood protections• Pollution & waste management

• Specific Industry Sector Support

Preliminary Recommended ActionsRES Strategy 5.1 - “protect the region’s natural environment and cultural amenities as key economic assets”

Currently RES calls for supporting local jurisdictions efforts to preserve important habitat, farm and forest lands.

Summer convening• Review + Improve draft to more clearly highlight the

relationship and ways of articulating this link• Develop more specific action strategies

NEW WEBSITE + COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGYBrendan McLaughlin + Gregory Heller,Resource Media

How We Got Here

• Exploration Interviews• Targeting the right audiences• Newsletter• Website

ProcessIdentify and Define

Audience

Determine Goals For Website

Select Design/Development Team

Content Creation Website Design and Build

Intended Audience: Segments

Executives

Senior Staff

Professional Staff

Technical Staff

Intended Audience: Categories

Government:LocalStateFederalTribal

NGO/EnviroLand TrustResearch InstitutionsFoundation

Climate ChangeBiodiversityHealthSocial Equity

RecreationForestryBusinessTransportationFarming

Goals

Credibility

Make The Case

Explain the Process

How To Engage

Res

ourc

es

Design

Coming In July

Where We’re Going

• Website Launch - July• Augmenting Content - Ongoing• Communications Planning for Next Phase - Summer

STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT TO IMPLEMENTATION PHASESteve Whitney, The Bullitt Foundation


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ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONSteve Whitney, The Bullitt Foundation


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Activities Over The Next 12 Months

• Continued Strategy Development

• Communications

• Governance + Finance

Discussion Questions• Specific guidance for a communications strategy over the next

12 months?

• Are there techniques or initiatives that would be particularly effective in better engaging key partners that we need as implementation proceeds?

• How can the ROSS advance a renewed commitment to enhance collaboration and collective action?

• How might existing commitments to regional collaboration be enhanced to amplify collective impact?

• Is there a need for a neutral public/private convening entity to facilitate collaboration?

• Topics of next Executive Committee

CLOSING REMARKSRon Sims, ROSS Executive Committee Chair


RO S S

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