" ...what is even more significant than the important environmental work performed by the Coastal America
partners, is the way this virtual organization has changed the organizational behavior of its member agencies...
This new pattern of behavior is not only more cost-efficient and productive but also 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 and Wildlife Foundation
FY 1997 Fisheries and Wildlife Assessment
May 1996
I. PROMOTING A PARTNERSHIP MODEL
THE PROCESS
The Coastal America partnership was created to more effectively address the most critical coastal environmental problems facing our nation. It leverages the resources, expertise and authorities of the federal resource, infrastructure and military agencies with state, local, tribal and nongovernmental organizations to form an innovative action-oriented initiative that is a true partnership process, not just another program. The partnership was established by a Memorandum of Understanding among the federal partner agencies: the Departments of Agriculture, Air Force, Army, Commerce, Defense, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Navy and Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Executive Office of the President.
The partnership operates through a national, regional and local team structure that brings the stakeholders to the table at the appropriate level. This collaborative multi-agency structure enables national policy issues to be identified and resolved, regional plans to be developed and local projects to be implemented.
At the National Level
National policy issues are addressed by a Principals Group comprised of Under Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries from the federal partner agencies. A National Implementation Team, comprised of senior level representatives from the headquarters of the federal partner agencies cooperatively implement the policy directives of the Principals Group and fosters collaboration among the agencies. This multi-agency problem-solving approach ensures early identification of issues and encourages timely resolution by senior level policy-makers and program managers. For example, the cost-sharing policy for beneficial use of dredged material for wetland restoration was modified through this process and a broader legislative solution was implemented providing a more equitable cost-sharing formula which encourages the use of dredged material for habitat creation.
At the Regional Level
Regional strategies are developed by Regional Implementation Teams comprised of senior regional managers. These strategies serve as a framework for program implementation and project selection. This collaborative regional planning process is guided by the concept of sustainable development and seeks to incorporate both environmental and economic objectives into regional development plans. The process of formulating a comprehensive regional strategy encourages the early identification of opportunities to restore and protect the environment while moving forward with vital economic development.
At the Local Level
Local projects are implemented by partnership teams representing the stake-holders. The local teams leverage the resources and expertise of the federal, state and local agencies with nongovernmental efforts to accomplish tasks which no single organization could accomplish alone. This collaborative approach results in cost-effective and innovative solutions. Working in partnership, thousands of acres of wetlands are being restored, hundreds of miles of streams for anadromous fish are being reestablished, and endangered marine mammals, birds and fish are being protected. These restoration and protection efforts are often done in conjunction with needed infrastructure rehabilitation and improvements.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
TO DATE
- Collaborative partnership process established
- 175 projects underway or completed
- 26 states participating
- Two 2 territories and District of Columbia participating
- Over $50 million committed to projects
- Over 300 nonfederal partners participating
- Consensus reports on key issues published
- First two Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers designated
- First Regional Principals group established
- Increased intragovernmental trust
PROVIDING LEADERSHIP
Over the past five years, Coastal America has developed valuable insights into how to make partnership initiatives serve as powerful and effective tools for implementing projects that make a difference . The partnership process has been refined to the point that it can now be used as a model for other organizations who need to establish a collaborative problem-solving approach. In 1996, Coastal America shared this knowledge and extended the partnership by initiating the establishment of Regional Principals Groups and Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers.
Serving As A Model
In 1996, Coastal America team members had several opportunities to review the accomplishments of the partnership and set goals for the future, including the May 10th and October 23rd Principals Meetings and the national retreat held in November in South Carolina. At these meetings, there were extensive discussions on how Coastal America could assist Administration environmental initiatives, such as the Interagency Ecosystem Management Task Force and the President's Council on Sustainable Development, in developing an interagency cooperative process to implement their goals and objectives.
Coastal America's leadership in partnerships was also recognized by two outside groups in 1996. The Partnership was nominated for the Innovations in American Government Awards Program sponsored by the Ford Foundation and Harvard University. Each year, the program recognizes government programs that represent creative, highly effective approaches to meeting public needs. This year, Coastal America was among 100 semifinalists for the award, putting it in the top six percent of applicants. The 1996 semifinalists included 22 federal programs, 32 state initiatives and 46 local programs. In a press release announcing the semifinalists, the Director of the awards program at Harvard University said, "During a time of continued budget trimming, public policy officials are restructuring government programs, and in some cases, creating more effective and cost-efficient new ones. The Innovations Program honors these initiatives and encourages other officials, at all levels of government, to adopt the spirit of innovation. Every semifinalist deserves praise as a model of creativity for policy makers nationwide."
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of fish, wildlife and plant resources produces an annual assessment of the federal agencies with major responsibilities for the conservation and enhancement of the nation's fish, wildlife and plant communities. In a three page review of the partnership, Coastal America was praised for its accomplishments and its potential to serve as a model of good government.
The review noted that "Coastal America has evolved into a uniquely successful exercise in interagency coordination." and that "As a network, Coastal America has made partnerships a priority, both among federal agencies and with the states and nongovernmental organizations. It also encourages agencies to look for cost-efficient ways to further each other's objectives and to remove bureaucratic obstacles that cost money or impede attaining shared goals."
Recognition from such respected groups has provided encouragement to those who are working hard to make the Coastal America process so successful. It has also shown that there is a need to increase understanding of the partnership process so that it can be applied to other critical problems facing our nation.
Regional Principals Groups
Recognizing the need to involve high level regional decision-makers in the partnership process, several Coastal America Regional Implementation Teams have organized meetings of their region's environmental leaders. The first Regional Principals Group meeting was held in the Northeast Region on September 24, 1996. It was attended by Regional Administrators, Directors and heads of Coastal America's federal partnership agencies and invited guests.
Presentations and discussions at the meeting focused on how to collaboratively define, implement and achieve ecosystem management and sustainable development within the partners' collective programs. The Regional Principals agreed that it was important to hold regular meetings at the executive level to develop an ecosystem approach that effectively addresses long term environmental concerns in the region, and that the key to success is the continued personal commitment of each executive.
"This learning center is going to be a golden opportunity to help give the public a much greater understanding of the connection of the coastal environment to our economy and to our lives...and I think it will be a wonderful model of what we can do all around the nation."
U.S. Senator John F. Kerry (MA)
New England Aquarium Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center Dedication
September 1996
COASTAL ECOSYSTEM LEARNING CENTERS
Recognizing the increased public interest in coastal ecosystems and the importance of an informed public, the Coastal America Partnership is establishing a national network of Regional Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers. The program was initiated to address the rapidly escalating requests from the public for more information about coastal ecosystems. Coastal America's federal partners have a wide variety of resources that could be utilized by the Coastal Learning Centers, including expert speakers on specific programs and topics, educational publications, lesson plans and films. By extending the partnership to these facilities and sharing the expertise and materials of the Coastal America partners, a more efficient and effective coastal information network can be created to educate the public on the value of our coastal resources.
The New England Aquarium in Boston, Massachusetts, was designated as the nation's first Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center on September 24, 1996. Keynote speakers at the designation ceremony included Senator John F. Kerry and Congressman Gerry E. Studds. Senator Kerry said, "The Aquarium's work as a public expositor of aquatic issues is critical to creating the kind of awareness desperately needed for future decisions affecting our environment. I wholeheartedly support their designation by Coastal America." Robert Perciasepe, Assistant Administrator for Water for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Chair of Coastal America was the designating official. Jerry Schubel, President of the New England Aquarium, received the designation plaque for the Aquarium. Following the formal designation, the regional heads of Coastal America's partnership agencies made commitments to the Aquarium, including the provision of educational materials and technical expertise.
The Florida Aquarium in Tampa, Florida, was designated as the second Coastal Ecosystem Learning Center on November 8, 1996. Federal, state and local officials attended the event (please see page 9 for more information). These designations mark the beginning of a public-private partnership that is designed to increase the public's understanding and appreciation of coastal and marine issues. The Coastal America partnership agencies are dedicated to providing support for these aquariums and other Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers throughout the country in their efforts to create an information network that will more effectively meet the growing public need for coastal ecosystem information.
