What is the essence of the Platform?

Protection can be achieved through a variety of regulatory and incentive based tools and both should be used.

At present, there is no common standard for regulations required of local governments nor a common approach for using other protection tools such as incentives.

Regulatory and voluntary protection tools are both important because theyaddress the need in complimentary but different ways.

Suggests a beginning set of principles to guide the development of the most effective protection strategies that achieve the protection goals and respect public trust and landowner needs, and reward good stewardship practices?

W4: Protection and Restoration

What aspects of the platform are headed in the right direction?

All agreed that protection is needed; question is balance of regulatory andvoluntary tools

Education is important

Include stakeholder interests in determining protection strategies

Increase voluntary action

W4: Protection and Restoration

What improvements were suggested by break-out session participants? (top 3-5)

Critical Areas Ordinances are only one tool—fill out protections strategies with other voluntary and incentive based tools

Agree on what “best available science” means; acknowledge uncertainties(regional)

Agree on standard/common definitions(e.g. stream types)

Monitor Programs (government and peers)

Use Conservation Districts more

W4: Protection and Restoration

What questions still remain to be answered? (top 1-2)

What is the most effective balance between regulatory and voluntary tools?

How to spend money most effectively?

How to develop and evaluate pilot projects?

How to generate the will to protect?

How to address the rural-urban differences?

W4: Protection and Restoration

What happens next and who will be involved or responsible in the next steps?

This is a long-term issue—more dialogue is needed

Increase public awareness about need and benefits of protection

Involve all key stakeholders to address this issue

W4: Protection and Restoration