Coastal America Partnership Southeast Regional Implementation Team Dennis W. Barnett Co-Chair, SERIT (U. S. Army Corps of Engineers) NC State/Military Environmental Issues Working Group (SMEIWG) Meeting, October 27, 2004

Purposes Protect, preserve and restore the Nation's coastal ecosystems through existing Federal capabilities and authorities Collaborate and cooperate in the stewardship of coastal living resources Provide a framework for action COASTAL AMERICA

Department of Defense Department of Army Department of Air Force Department of Navy Department of Energy COASTAL AMERICA Federal Partners Department of Agriculture Department of Commerce Department of Interior Department of Transportation Environmental Protection Agency Department of Housing and Urban Development Executive Office of the President

COASTAL AMERICA Organization Coastal America DC Office Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers Local Project Teams Principals Group National Implementation Team Regional Principals Groups Regional Implementation Teams Working Groups

Operational Structure National Level Policy Formulation Role: Support action through existing programs and authorities Framework: Memorandum of Understanding Regional Level Planning Process Role: Develop regional strategies for joint action Framework: Regional Action Plan Local Level Project Implementation Role: Implement projects addressing coastal/watershed needs Framework: Project Working List COASTAL AMERICA

AKRIT PIRIT NWRIT SWRIT NERIT MARIT SERIT GMRIT GLRIT COASTAL AMERICA Regional Structure

Southeast Regional Implementation Team Key Focus Areas COASTAL AMERICA Project Identification and Implementation Military Involvement/Innovative Readiness Training Corporate Wetland Restoration Partnership Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers

COASTAL AMERICA A Collaborative Process - Local Level Local Projects Combine financial resources, technical expertise and legislative authorities to implement collaborative restoration and protection projects Example - Removing obstructions to anadromous fish migration in North Carolina Quaker Neck Dam - beforeQuaker Neck Dam - after

COASTAL AMERICA Example of Military Participation Active Duty Marines Use Explosives Rains Mill Dam (top left before) Explosive Removal on December 1, 1999 (right) and in the Spring After Demolition

The USACE Wilmington District and State of NC Division of Water Resources were lead agencies on the restoration project. Festival Park Ecosystem Restoration PROBLEM: 1,500 feet of coastal marsh and maritime forest were eroding along Festival Park’s shoreline. This habitat is important for oysters, fish and wildlife and supports commercial fisheries. US Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District COASTAL AMERICA

Marsh plants were installed by the Corps, Roanoke Island Festival Park and NC Coastal Federation staff, with help from local volunteers. Sand placed landward of the rock sill provides elevations suitable for marsh establishment. Festival Park, Ecosystem Restoration Marsh Planting COASTAL AMERICA

Festival Park Ecosystem Restoration Improved Site Conditions July 16, 2003 Feb 6, 2001 BEFORE Eroding Shoreline Lacking Low Marsh AFTER Stable Shoreline Low Marsh Fringe COASTAL AMERICA

Festival Park Ecosystem Restoration There now exists a project that all are proud to claim. A state environmental resource has been protected, friendships and relationships have been strengthened and the public will not only enjoy the site, but also become educated about the value of environmental restoration and management. ----Roanoke Island Commission Letter dated June 10, 2002 July 16, 2003 COASTAL AMERICA

Charleston Air Force Base Artificial Reef Project COASTAL AMERICA Project concept – Place clean concrete debris in designated offshore reef sites (SC Marine Artificial Reef Program) Source of material – Demolition activities associated with several C-17 aircraft bed-down construction projects Project Team (principal members) - Charleston Air Force Base - SC Department of Natural Resources - SC Army National Guard - Navy Caretaker’s Office (former Chas Naval Base) - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

COASTAL AMERICA Charleston AFB Reef Project SC DNR and USACE coordinated permit actions Charleston AFB entering into agreement with Navy Caretaker’s Office to allow use of quay wall area between piers Q and R at former Naval Base SC ARNG executed the material relocation and placement as readiness training – performed superbly! Project saved Air Force $450,000 in solid waste disposal costs

Debris From Apron Project COASTAL AMERICA Charleston AFB Reef Project Loading SC Army National Guard Trucks

Staging on Leased Quay Wall at Naval Base COASTAL AMERICA Charleston AFB Reef Project Loading Barge

Load In Route to Reef Site COASTAL AMERICA Charleston AFB Reef Project Depositing Material on the Charleston Near Shore Reef Near Shore Reef

COASTAL AMERICA Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers Purpose - to raise public awareness of critical coastal issues and encourage involvement in activities that benefit coastal ecosystems Program - the national network of CELCs combines the resources of regional educational centers of excellence with those of the federal partners to educate the public about the value of coastal resources National Aquarium in Baltimore Seattle Aquarium

Alaska Sealife Center Waikiki Aquarium Seattle Aquarium Aquarium of the Pacific New England Aquarium Mystic Aquarium SC Aquarium Dauphin Is Sea Lab National MS River Museum & Aquarium COASTAL AMERICA Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum Florida Aquarium Texas State Aquarium Monterey Bay Aquarium Hatfield Marine Science Center New York Aquarium National Aquarium in Baltimore NC Aquariums Shedd Aquarium

Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership Purpose - foster collaboration between the federal government, state agencies and private corporations to restore wetlands and other aquatic habitats Program - corporations contribute funds to implement habitat restoration projects endorsed by Coastal America Regional Implementation Teams National CWRP Kick-offNew England CWRP Event

National Sponsor – National Association of Manufacturers National Corporate Leaders  Duke Energy, Chair  Battelle  ENSR International  FMC Corporation  The Gillette Company, Vice Chair Regional Corporate Leaders  New England – The Gillette Co.  Gulf of Mexico – Duke Energy  Alaska – BP Exploration State Corporate Leaders  Massachusetts – The Gillette Co.  Maine – Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline  Connecticut – Northeast Utilities and Duracell  Rhode Island – Environmental Science Services & Narragansett Electric Co. Corporate Partnership Structure

COASTAL AMERICA A Partnership for Action COASTAL AMERICA PARTNERSHIP Leveraging resources, expertise and authorities …Collaborative problem-solving focus that expedites efforts …Action oriented approach which achieves results …Consensus building process that avoids conflicts …Partnership philosophy that encourages innovative solutions …Regional and local teams empowered to make a difference “Coastal America … demonstrates to the public that the federal government as a whole can act sensibly and efficiently in cooperation with state and local governments and the private sector.” National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, Fisheries and Wildlife Assessment

COASTAL AMERICA The Essence of the Coastal America Partnership There is no limit to what we can accomplish together if nobody cares who gets the credit.

COASTAL AMERICA Dennis W. Barnett Co-Chair, CA Southeast Regional Implementation Team U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division 60 Forsyth Street SW, Room 9M15 Atlanta, GA Voice: ; FAX: