Coastal America PartnershipSoutheast 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

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Department of Defense

Department of Army

Department of Air Force

Department of Navy

Department of Energy

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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 AMERICAOrganization

CoastalAmerica

DC Office

Coastal EcosystemLearning Centers

Local ProjectTeams

Principals Group

NationalImplementation

Team

RegionalPrincipals

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

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AKRIT

PIRIT

NWRIT

SWRIT

NERIT

MARIT

SERIT

GMRIT

GLRIT

COASTAL AMERICARegional Structure

Southeast Regional Implementation Team

Key Focus Areas

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• Project Identification and Implementation

• Military Involvement/Innovative Readiness Training

• Corporate Wetland Restoration Partnership

• Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers

COASTAL AMERICAA 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 - before Quaker Neck Dam - after

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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 Corpsof EngineersWilmington District

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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

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Festival Park Ecosystem RestorationImproved Site Conditions

July 16, 2003

Feb 6, 2001

BEFORE•Eroding Shoreline•Lacking Low Marsh

AFTER•Stable Shoreline•Low Marsh Fringe

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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

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Charleston Air Force Base Artificial Reef Project

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• 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 Debris From Apron ProjectApron Project

COASTAL AMERICACharleston AFB Reef Project

Loading SC Army Loading SC Army National Guard TrucksNational Guard Trucks

Staging on Leased Quay Staging on Leased Quay

Wall at Naval BaseWall at Naval Base

COASTAL AMERICACharleston AFB Reef Project

Loading BargeLoading Barge

Load In Route to Load In Route to

Reef SiteReef Site

COASTAL AMERICACharleston AFB Reef Project

Depositing Material Depositing Material on the Charlestonon the Charleston Near Shore ReefNear Shore Reef

COASTAL AMERICACoastal 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 RiverMuseum & Aquarium

COASTAL AMERICACoastal Ecosystem Learning Centers

IGFA Fishing Hallof Fame & Museum

Florida AquariumTexas State Aquarium

Monterey BayAquarium

Hatfield MarineScience Center

New York AquariumNational Aquariumin 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-off New England CWRP Event

National Sponsor – National Association of ManufacturersNational Corporate Leaders Duke Energy, Chair Battelle ENSR International FMC Corporation The Gillette Company, Vice ChairRegional Corporate Leaders New England – The Gillette Co. Gulf of Mexico – Duke Energy Alaska – BP ExplorationState 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 AMERICAA Partnership for Action

COASTAL AMERICA PARTNERSHIPLeveraging 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

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The Essence of the Coastal America Partnership

There is no limit to what we can accomplish together if nobody cares who gets the credit.

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Dennis W. BarnettCo-Chair, CA Southeast Regional Implementation TeamU.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Atlantic Division60 Forsyth Street SW, Room 9M15Atlanta, GA 30303-8801Voice: 404-562-5225; FAX: 404-562-5233dennis.w.barnett@usace.army.milhttp://www.coastalamerica.gov/