1. Maryland Delaware New York District of Columbia Virginia West Virginia Pennsylvania Regional Management in the Chesapeake Bay Bill Matuzeski September 4, 2003

2. Chesapeake Bay Watershed Maryland Delaware New York District of Columbia Virginia West Virginia Pennsylvania

3. What are we Reacting to? Proposal for a National Ocean Council Proposal for Regional Ocean Councils Guidance for “Regional Ecosystem Management Plans” –What do these words mean? Do we really want another “plan”? –The public understands and values “places” – Chesapeake, Puget Sound, Tampa Bay, Big Sur. –How to build on what is already underway in many “places”? –How to deal with the reality that the “places” don’t add up to a whole?

4. Looking at the Chesapeake Experience Starting in the Bay itself and evolving to a watershed -- a 25 year effort. An enormous land area, but little ocean frontage – how to relate to a regional ocean focus? Expansion experiences – within the watershed – breaking down the resistance. Expanding to the coasts of DE, MD and VA – like landing on a different planet. Culture and history are the defining elements – common legacies, not common ecosystems.

5. Going Operational Clear goals agreed to at the highest political level. Scope and complexity of goals can evolve over time. Regular meetings of signatories to review progress. Each jurisdiction meets the goals it’s own way, based on traditional ways of governing and cooperating

6. The Three Great Challenges Cooperation and coordination among Federal agencies. Federal/state and interstate trust. Defining a meaningful way for local governments to participate.

7. To Make This New Regional Idea Work Respect existing regional management efforts. Do not dictate regional boundaries; let them evolve over time. Set up incentives to encourage interstate cooperation. Consider using the Coastal Zone Management Act, which has nearly all the necessary authorities.

8. Lessons Learned Boundaries and issues are more cultural than ecological – do not underestimate the “mystique” of places. The key is clear simple goals about things people care about, set on a cooperative basis at the highest political level. “Oceans” is not necessarily (in the public mind) a logical organizational concept for regional efforts. Therefore, be flexible and patient as the ideas take root.