Managing Through Partnerships Ralph Cantral NOAA’s Ocean Service September 5, 2003

The Federal Role Identifying large scale themes Providing a central focus Developing guidance to create a consistent approach for partners to implement national, as well as state, priorities

Coastal Zone Management Act NOAA has provided guidance for: –State coastal programs Program approval Coastal nonpoint programs Coastal zone enhancement –National Estuarine Research Reserves Management plan approval Education, research, monitoring, stewardship

Other NOAA management efforts National Marine Sanctuaries have developed links to coastal communities Marine Protected Area Center is undertaking an inventory and is identifying need for a national MPA system

Recent NOAA initiatives CELP CSI CTP OPIS

Coastal and Estuarine Lands – Objectives Protect important coastal and estuarine areas that have significant conservation, recreation, ecological, historical, or aesthetic values, or that are threatened by conversion from their natural or recreational state to other uses Give priority to lands that can be effectively managed and protected and that have significant ecological value

Coastal and Estuarine Lands Program Created in FY 2002 through the Commerce- Justice-State Appropriations Act NOAA directed to develop guidelines for the program Senate authorization bills introduced in 2002 and 2003 Appropriations language codified at 16 USC 1456d – within CZMA section of US Code

Appropriations – $15.8M appropriated in FY 2002 directed to 22 Congressional projects $37.6M appropriated in FY 2003, directed to 18 Congressional projects Awards range from $400 K to $10 M; most are approximately $1-2 M

FY 2002 CELP Projects States with CELP Projects No CELP Projects CELP Project Site

Coastal Storms Initiative Purpose: to lessen the impacts to coastal communities from coastal storms Cross NOAA Involvement Tied to CZM Programs Pilots in Florida, Pacific Northwest, and Southern California

Types of CSI pilot projects Shallow water bathymetry St. Johns River circulation model Improved ocean and meteorological observations Ecological assessment of coastal storm impacts Improved prediction of coastal winds, waves and flooding

Types of CSI projects (cont.) Risk and vulnerability assessment tool Outreach and extension Data access and standards Operational inland flood evacuation planning and response tool

Expected Benefits More accurate storm warnings Increased evacuation time for populations Base for better planning and mitigation strategies Prevention of property loss or damage Lives saved

Coastal Training Program An initiative of the National Estuarine Research Reserves Provides up-to-date information on coastal management topics to a variety of coastal decision-makers Partners: –State coastal programs –State Sea Grant programs –A variety of local partners

Coastal Training Program (cont.) A host of topics: Protecting cultural resources Using prescribed burns to manage coastal lands Assessing damages from oil spills On-site disposal system maintenance

Ocean Planning Information System Built on state efforts (SORI) Provided a regional analysis tool for ocean resources and management authorities Established a framework for a national system and a base for developing new management tools

Florida BlueWays Based on landscape ecology principles – Identify ‘hotspots’ and ‘connectors’ –Ocean and estuarine resources –Management authorities and jurisdictions –Human Use Adapt multi-agency efforts Partnership with NOAA to provide data and help develop program

Performance measurement Coastal management programs need quantitative information to identify emerging issues as well as to determine whether management programs are being successful and to adapt management techniques.

Performance measurement A variety of audiences –Congress –State legislators –The public –Coastal managers A wide range of indicators are needed to address the breadth of the CZMA

Performance Measurement Purposes of reports: –To track the use of funding –To identify progress toward meeting specific goals –To illustrate the ‘state of the coast’ from a variety of perspectives – Environmental, cultural, economic

Performance Measurement … Federal role –Develop a framework for a national system –Provide assistance to states State role –Set state-specific goals –Identify information sources –Report status of indicators

The Future Focusing on Users – –Designing observing systems –Analyzing data –Translating for use –Training decision-makers Governors need to tell Ocean Commission how federal agencies can be most helpful