Template revised January 10, 2019.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No. 8j
ACTION ITEM Date of Meeting May 13, 2025
DATE: April 20, 2025
TO: Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director
FROM: Sarah Ogier, Director-Maritime Environment & Sustainability
Jon Sloan, Sr. Manager-Environmental Programs
Kathleen Hurley, Sr. Program Manager-Maritime Environment & Sustainability
SUBJECT: Commission Exemption for Maritime Blue-Quiet Sound Program
Amount of this request: $250,000
Total estimated project cost:
$250,000
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission to determine a competitive process is not appropriate or cost effective in
accordance with RCW 53.19.020(5); and authorize the Executive Director to execute a contract
with Maritime Blue for the Quiet Sound Program, in the amount of $250,000.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This request would support work to protect Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKW) via the
Maritime Blue -Quiet Sound program which also supports the Port’s Green Marine certification
related to underwater noise management.
In its short tenure, the Quiet Sound program has continued to expand its collaborative efforts
with input from stakeholders from local, state, federal, and tribal governments, industry,
research, and non-profit organizations. Quiet Sound has implemented three voluntary vessel
slow-downs (a trial in 2022-2023 followed by slowdowns in 2023-24 and 2024-2025) resulting in
quieter waters for whales. Additionally, they have strengthened the data network that alerts
mariners to the presence of whales via the Whale Report Alert System (WRAS) in Washington
State.
This request would allow the Port to continue to support this vitally important work for a healthy
Puget Sound. The Quiet Sound program has received funding from the Washington State
legislature along with other federal and local government as well as philanthropic partners.
Currently, most of Quiet Sound’s funding is from grants and Washington State biennium budget;
the Port of Seattle and the NWSA have provided continuous funding since the inception of the
program.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8j Page 2 of 7
Meeting Date: May 13, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
JUSTIFICATION
In accordance with RCW 53.19.020(5), competing this service is not reasonable or cost effective
due to the following:
1) Quiet Sound is a program of the non-profit organization Washington Maritime Blue. Its
mission is to better understand and reduce the impact of commercial shipping on the
endangered Southern Resident killer whale. It is the only currently known program in
Washington State that fulfills the Governor’s recommendation #22 to develop “a parallel
and adaptive implementation of ECHO and related shipping noise-reduction initiatives
while promoting safe, sustainable shipping practices.”
2) Maritime Blue convenes a diverse stakeholder group to make meaningful progress on
reduction of underwater noise by large commercial vessels. The program regularly
convenes a coalition of federal, tribal, state, port, maritime industry, and conservation
organizations to shape initiatives that inform current and future programming. They are
uniquely positioned to continue to lead and grow the program which is aligned with Port
of Seattle goals as a joint partnership.
Currently, Quiet Sound’s primary programs include a) improving and supporting the Whale
Report Alert System (WRAS) in Washington State and b) the annual voluntary vessel slowdown
in Admiralty Inlet. For the WRAS program, Quiet Sound aims to improve WRAS by supporting the
input of Washington-based Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) sightings data, in addition to
the existing Canadian sightings data. This will ensure robust WRAS coverage of orca presence in
Washington waters and better data to mariners to reduce impacts to Southern Resident Killer
Whales. The annual vessel slowdown in Admiralty Inlet requires coordination with vessel
operators and commercial shipping organizations to encourage participation. Additionally, Quiet
Sound collects data on the efficacy of the slowdown via use of a seasonal hydrophone that
measures differences in underwater noise throughout the slowdown. Funding from the Port of
Seattle will support the above program elements and more specifically: stakeholder engagement,
whale detections and voluntary vessel operations.
Staff has confirmed Maritime Blue to be the only organization with the capability and focused
support network to implement this partnership with the Port. At this time, no other maritime
nonprofit organization or public agency has the staff expertise, breadth of advisory members, or
focus that will allow the Port of Seattle to work in partnership on this program. Maritime Blue’s
Quiet Sound program provides unique skills and knowledge required by this agreement, such as
knowledge of voluntary vessel operational measures, whale detections and alerts to marines,
and stakeholder engagement, which complements and augments that which the Port
possesses. Because of Maritime Blue’s unique expertise, skills and knowledge, a competitive
process is not appropriate or cost effective, and a competitive exemption is appropriate in
accordance with RCW 53.19.020(5).
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8j Page 3 of 7
Meeting Date: May 13, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Diversity in Contracting
Based on consultation with the Diversity in Contract team, and based on their review of
subcontracting opportunities, this contract doesn’t appear to be viable for WMBE goal
considering its scope and intent.
The administrative home of the Quiet Sound program, Maritime Blue, has a robust equity
engagement program to support youth seeking careers in the maritime industry.
DETAILS
The project will support the implementation of the Quiet Sound program, a program of the non-
profit Maritime Blue. Quiet Sound staff will implement projects focused on reduction of
underwater noise from large commercial vessels in Puget Sound, coordinating with partners,
such as Canada’s ECHO program and local whale sightings organizations. Funding for this program
was included in the 2025 annual budget and will be requested annually for the duration of the
contract (five years total).
Scope of Work
Work will include efforts in the following areas to advance diverse efforts to reduce underwater
noise.
(1) Program Coordination, Stakeholder Engagement, and Management
(2) Whale Detections and Alerts to Mariners projects
(3) Voluntary Vessel Operational Measures projects
Schedule
Anticipated annual schedule and milestones, which will be reviewed at the start of each program
cycle.
Activity
Commission approval of competition waiver 2025 Quarter 2
Project start 2025 Quarter 2
Project progress memos Annually
Project ends 2030 Quarter 4
Cost Breakdown This Request
Total Project
Year 1 $50,000
$250,000
Total $0
$250,000
Years 2-5 budget is anticipated to be $50,000/year for a total of $250,000 over five years.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8j Page 4 of 7
Meeting Date: May 13, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Given the Quiet Sound program’s unique position to develop and implement actions to reduce
underwater noise from large commercial vessels there is not a comparable program in
Washington State to easily evaluate alternatives. Quiet Sound is a unique program in Washington
State working with industry, local and state governments, and non-governmental organizations
on the issue of underwater noise, particularly in development of technology to use whale
sightings data to advise ship pilots of marine mammal presence and the ability to coordinate
vessel slowdowns, which reduces underwater noise generated by ships transiting through the
inland waters of Puget Sound.
Alternative 1 – Decide against funding the Quiet Sound program
Cost Implications:
Reduces expense budget by approximately $50,000 annually for 5 years.
Pros:
(1) Reduces Maritime Environment & Sustainability’s expense budget by approximately
$50,000 annually
Cons:
(1) Limits Port’s engagement in underwater noise management related to protection of
Southern Resident Killer Whales
(2) Potentially increases Port underwater noise mitigation requirements for capital projects
that generate underwater noise as Port participation in Quiet Sound demonstrates
Port’s commitment to reduction of underwater noise.
(3) Negatively impacts the Port’s Green Marine certification level related to underwater
noise
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 2 – Pursue a competitive contract to implement this scope of work
Cost Implications: It is not possible for the Port to recreate the entire Quiet Sound program
without substantial investment. Pursuing a separate contract for this scope of work would result
in higher cost to the Port.
Pros:
(1) This option could provide the opportunity to competitively procure services for similar
work.
Cons:
(1) Pursuing a competitive contract for similar work would likely incur a much higher cost
for this scope of work. For example, a recent hydrophone baseline study contracted by
the Port has a value of $200,000 for a single year of work. Their scope does not include
the broad stakeholder engagement or whale sightings work that Quiet Sound covers.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8j Page 5 of 7
Meeting Date: May 13, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
(2) This option would likely duplicate current initiatives and reduce efficiency related to
reduction of underwater noise from large commercial vessels within Puget Sound.
(3) There are no known firms that undertake the specific combination of work
encompassed in the Quiet Sound program – the combination of convening diverse
stakeholder groups, implementing an annual voluntary vessel slowdown, strengthening
the data stream of whale sightings to mariners, while also testing innovative whale-
detection approaches.
This is not the recommended alternative.
Alternative 3 – Fund Quiet Sound at the requested level of $250,000 over 5 years
Cost Implications: Requires annual funding of $50,000 from the expense budget
Pros:
(1) Supports continuity in progress related to underwater noise reduction already
established by the Quiet Sound program;
(2) Cost efficient method to achieve goals around underwater noise reduction, including
Green Marine certification, alignment with state goals related to underwater noise
reduction, and support Port capital project permitting.
(3) Aligns with stated shared goals between Maritime Blue and the Port of Seattle related
to marine conservation and sustainability as described in the Memorandum of
Understanding.
Cons:
(1) None
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The Quiet Sound program is an integral part of the Port’s Green Marine certification program and
supports the Port’s pursuit of a healthy Puget Sound to become the “cleanest, greenest port in
North America.”
Cost Estimate
/Authorization Summary Capital
Expense
Total
COST ESTIMATE
Original estimate $0
$250,000
$250,00
AUTHORIZATION
Previous authorizations 0
0
0
Current request for authorization 0
250,000
250,000
Total authorizations, including this request 0
250,000
250,000
Remaining amount to be authorized $0
$0
$0
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8j Page 6 of 7
Meeting Date: May 13, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
Annual Budget Status and Source of Funds
This has been budgeted in the 2025 expense budget for Maritime Environment and Sustainability.
It will be included in future annual budget requests.
Financial Analysis and Summary
Project cost for analysis $250,000 over 5 years
Business Unit (BU) Maritime Environment and Sustainability
Effect on business performance
(NOI after depreciation)
NA
IRR/NPV (if relevant) NA
CPE Impact NA
Future Revenues and Expenses (Total cost of ownership)
NA
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
The background for this initiative originates from former Washington State Governor Jay Inslee’s
Southern Resident Orca Task Force Report and Recommendations (November 16, 2018). Task
Force Recommendation #22 included:
1. Create a program similar to Port of Vancouver’s Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation
program (ECHO) for Washington State, including participation by ports, whale watching
operators, private vessel operators and Tribal governments as desired.
2. Coordinate with the ECHO Program on transboundary efforts to reduce noise impacts to
Southern Residents. Provide funding to complete an underwater acoustic monitoring network
for Puget Sound, filling in gaps — such as on South San Juan Island — and supporting acoustic
and visual mapping to improve the ability to identify when and where Southern Resident orcas
are present.
The implementation details associated with Recommendation #22 encourage collaboration with
strategic Canadian, U.S. and Washington state partners, including the Coast Guard, Washington
State Ferries, Puget Sound ports, the Pacific Merchants Shipping Association, the Puget Sound
Pilots, OrcaSound, Tribal co-managers, ECHO and others, with a goal to support “parallel and
adaptive implementation of ECHO and related shipping noise-reduction initiatives while
promoting safe, sustainable shipping practices.”
Following the report, the Port of Seattle initiated a partnership and the establishment of a
program to achieve the Task Force Report and Recommendations. The Quiet Sound program
was formalized as an independent program to be housed within Maritime Blue in 2021. The Port
and its partners, including the Quiet Sound program, have made notable progress related to
COMMISSION AGENDA – Action Item No. 8j Page 7 of 7
Meeting Date: May 13, 2025
Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).
commercial vessels and underwater noise in Puget Sound. For this progress, NOAA recognized
the Quiet Sound program as its “2023 Partner in the Spotlight” for Quiet Sound’s exceptional
efforts related to the conservation and recovery of Southern Resident Killer Whales.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS REQUEST
(1) Presentation
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
November 19, 2024 (Item 10a) – Renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between
the Port of Seattle and Washington Maritime Blue continuing their long-standing
collaboration on maritime innovation and environmental stewardship.
November 16, 2021 (Item 8j) – The Commission authorized a legal settlement between the
Port and the Center for Biological Diversity. As part of that settlement agreement, the
Port was required to fund Quiet Sound, a program of Maritime Blue, for a total of $42,000.
