III. BUILDING ON SUCCESS
The Coastal America Partnership has proven to be an effective mechanism for integrating Federal capabilities with State, local and nongovernmental efforts to address specific problems. This collaborative problem-solving approach is essential, as the degradation of our coastal environment cannot be attributed to a single source, nor can it be resolved by a single government agency or organization. It is also evident that a partnership between the resource, infrastructure, and defense agencies is critical to achieving sustainable development and ecosystem management objectives. Coastal America has shown that a problem-solving, partnership structure encourages the leveraging of resources, expertise, and authorities and enables the implementation of effective solutions.
In summary, the Partnership creates an environment that promotes:
- a collaborative problem-solving approach that encourages comprehensive and cost-effective solutions;
- a partnership network that enables the development of a broad consensus for action that ensures effective imolementation;
- a management structure that facilitates communication and conflict resolution among government agencies and across local, regional and national levels.
The partnership process encourages environmental restoration and protection while enabling and enhancing economic development. This concept of sustainable development is now incorporated in our national policies, regional plans, and local projects. At the national level, the 1994 Memorandum of Understanding commits the partners to throughouta national effort which is guided by the concepts of ecosystem management and sustainable development.throughout At the regional level, the strategies developed by the regional teams identify specific problems and geographic areas of concern within the context of sustainable development and ecosystem management objectives. At the local level, action-oriented projects make these concepts a reality.
Although all Coastal America efforts are guided by the principles of sustainable development and ecosystem management, the following selected project examples highlight the interrelationship of environmental restoration/protection and economic development:
Wetlands Restoration/lnfrastructure Development--CT, RI, MA
Restore tidal flow/wetlands in embayments constricted by road and rail beds as the transportation infrastructure is rebuilt, thus improving the environment and the regional economy.
Right Whale Protection/Vessel Traffic Safety--FL, GA
Prevent right whale strikes by ships and safely maintain vessel traffic speed by real-time monitoring of whale locations during calving season, thus protecting an endangered species and improving shipping.
Oyster Reef Creation/Coal Ash Disposal--TX
Establish oyster reefs in coastal waters using fly ash waste product from coal-fired power plants in the Houston/Galveston area, thus resolving a waste disposal problem and promoting oyster production.
Sonoma Baylands Restoration/Dredge Material Disposal--CA
Use dredge material from the Petaluma River and Oakland Harbor to restore wetlands in the Sonoma Baylands, thus enabling the deepening of ship channels and increased access to ports while improving the Bay habitat.
Duwamish River Restoration/Waterfront Development--WA
Restore the intertidal habitat important to the salmon fishery along the urbanized Duwamish River in Seattle, thus increasing salmon and other wildlife populations while enhancing public access and improving the quality of life in this active waterfront area.
In the future, Coastal America will continue to strengthen partnership efforts to address sustainable development objectives at the national, regional, and local levels. We will increase national efforts to identify and resolve policies/issues that prevent or inhibit effective action. We will refine our regional strategies to fully embrace an ecosystem approach that recognizes the importance of economic development and environmental protection. We will implement local projects that enhance the environment and benefit the community.
The sustainable development of our coastal environment will require a long-term concerted effort by Federal, State and local agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and an informed public. Although we have only begun to realize the benefits of collective action, the Coastal America Partnership has proven that it can provide a forum for collaborative problem-solving that will encourage environmental protection and economic development.
