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Targeted Outreach to Reduce Impacts from Shore Armor in the Port Susan Marine Stewardship Area

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Targeted Outreach to Reduce Impacts from Shore Armor in the Port Susan Marine Stewardship Area Targeted Outreach to Reduce Impacts from Shore Armor in the Port Susan Marine Stewardship Area Program Assessment Summary Report Prepared for: Northwest Straits Foundation 1155 N. State St. Suite 422 Bellingham, WA 98225 www.nwstraits.org Prepared by: Tracie Johannessen, M. Ed. Program Design, Assessment & Evaluation [email protected] www.eeoutcomes.com (360) 319-6839 Acknowledgements The activities described in this report are the product of collaboration between a number of individuals, organizations and private businesses. The Northwest Straits Foundation would like to acknowledge and thank the following individuals for their contributions to the project: Kathleen Herrmann, Snohomish County Marine Resources Steward Scott Chase, Island County Shore Stewards Port Susan Marine Stewardship Area Advisory Team members Project Oversight Committee: Kathleen Herrmann, Snohomish County Marine Resources Steward Tom Hoban, Snohomish County MRC member Karen Stewart, Island County Planning Department Joan Drinkwin, Programs Director, Northwest Straits Foundation Robyn du Pre', Director, Northwest Straits Foundation Project Partners: Cathy Angel, Department of Ecology Coastal Training Program Jim Johannessen and Stephanie Williams, Coastal Geologic Services Noah Booker, Shelterbelt, Inc. Scott Chase, Island County/WSU Shore Stewards Tracie Johannessen, EE Outcomes Consulting Patricia Jatczak, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Funding support for this project was provided from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Port Susan MSA Planner Needs Assessment and Workshop Summary Report, p.2 Purpose The purpose of this report is to summarize the quantitative and qualitative data that was gathered before, during, and after the implementation of specific outreach activities conducted by Northwest Straits Foundation over a t wo year period in the Port Susan MSA in order to engage two target audiences: marine shoreline planners and marine shore landowners. The assessment summary report has five sections, including references and appendices. The introduction provides an overview of project goals and activities. Subsequent sections describe outreach activities and detail results from assessment activities for the purpose of documenting short and medium term outcomes resulting from specific outreach elements and determine progress toward meeting long term landscape goals. Table of Contents Section I. Planner Outreach Assessment ................................................................................................................... 6 Purpose of Planner Outreach ................................................................................................................................ 6 Planner Needs Assessment Survey ............................................................................................................................ 6 Survey Response .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Audience Characterization .................................................................................................................................... 7 Public Interface ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 Knowledge of Relevant Topics............................................................................................................................... 9 Planner Perceptions of Landowner Needs and Barriers ..................................................................................... 11 Planner Needs and Barriers ................................................................................................................................. 13 Planner Workshop Summary ................................................................................................................................... 16 Workshop Content, Design, and Instruction ....................................................................................................... 16 Post Planner Workshop Survey and Evaluation ...................................................................................................... 17 Workshop Logistics .............................................................................................................................................. 17 Usefulness of Workshop Topics and Exercises .................................................................................................... 18 Perceived Value and Knowledge Increase ........................................................................................................... 19 Planner Outreach Assessment Summary ................................................................................................................ 23 Planner Workshop Products ................................................................................................................................ 25 Section II. Marine Shore Landowner Outreach Assessment ................................................................................... 26 Purpose of Landowner Outreach ........................................................................................................................ 26 Coastal Processes and Alternatives to Armor Workshops .................................................................................. 26 Professional Site Visits ......................................................................................................................................... 27 Application and Scheduling for Site Visits ........................................................................................................... 27 Prioritization of Parcels for Site Visits ................................................................................................................. 28 Port Susan MSA Planner Needs Assessment and Workshop Summary Report, p.3 The Professional Site Visit Report ....................................................................................................................... 30 Site Visit Outcomes.................................................................................................................................................. 30 Landowner Interest and Participation ................................................................................................................. 30 Locations and Types of Parcels Visited ................................................................................................................ 30 Setback Distance of Houses ................................................................................................................................. 32 Landowner Concerns ........................................................................................................................................... 33 Management Recommendations ........................................................................................................................ 35 Post Site Visit Survey Results ................................................................................................................................... 36 Survey Response .................................................................................................................................................. 37 Motivators for Obtaining a Professional Site Visit .............................................................................................. 38 Value of the Site Visit .......................................................................................................................................... 38 Impacts of the Site Visit on Awareness of Alternatives ....................................................................................... 39 Implementing Recommendations ....................................................................................................................... 40 Landowner Comments and Incentive Ideas ........................................................................................................ 40 Landowner Outreach Assessment Summary .......................................................................................................... 42 References ............................................................................................................................................................... 46 Appendices .............................................................................................................................................................. 47 Appendix A. NWSF Landowner Needs Assessment Summary ............................................................................ 47 Appendix B. NWSF Landowner Workshop Evaluation Summaries ..................................................................... 55 Appendix C. Selection of Qualified Professionals for Conducting Site Visits ...................................................... 55 Port Susan MSA Planner Needs Assessment and Workshop Summary Report, p.4 Introduction This report provides a comprehensive overview and synthesis of results from program assessment activities conducted for a 2‐year, grant funded outreach program which took place in the Port Susan MSA with the stated goal of reducing negative ecosystem impacts resulting from hardening
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