Managing Through PartnershipsManaging Through Partnerships

Ralph Cantral

NOAA’s Ocean Service

September 5, 2003

The Federal Role The Federal Role

Identifying large scale themesProviding a central focusDeveloping guidance to create a

consistent approach for partners to implement national, as well as state, priorities

Coastal Zone Management ActCoastal 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 Other NOAA management effortseffortsNational 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 initiativesRecent NOAA initiatives

CELPCSICTPOPIS

Coastal and Estuarine Lands –Coastal and Estuarine Lands –ObjectivesObjectives

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 ProgramCoastal 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 – 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 ProjectsFY 2002 CELP Projects

States with CELP Projects

No CELP Projects

CELP Project Site

Coastal Storms InitiativeCoastal Storms Initiative

Purpose: to lessen the impacts to coastal communities from coastal storms

Cross NOAA InvolvementTied to CZM ProgramsPilots in Florida, Pacific Northwest,

and Southern California

Types of CSI pilot projectsTypes of CSI pilot projects

Shallow water bathymetrySt. Johns River circulation modelImproved ocean and meteorological

observationsEcological assessment of coastal

storm impactsImproved prediction of coastal

winds, waves and flooding

Types of CSI projects (cont.)Types of CSI projects (cont.)

Risk and vulnerability assessment tool

Outreach and extensionData access and standardsOperational inland flood evacuation

planning and response tool

Expected BenefitsExpected Benefits

More accurate storm warningsIncreased evacuation time for

populationsBase for better planning and

mitigation strategiesPrevention of property loss or

damageLives saved

Coastal Training ProgramCoastal 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.)Coastal Training Program (cont.)

A host of topics:Protecting cultural resourcesUsing prescribed burns to manage

coastal landsAssessing damages from oil spillsOn-site disposal system

maintenance

Ocean Planning Information SystemOcean 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 BlueWaysFlorida 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 measurementPerformance 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 measurementPerformance 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 MeasurementPerformance 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 …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 FutureThe 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