Gulf of Mexico Alliance

Charlotte Harbor Community Workshop

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Sarasota, Florida

9:00 a.m. Reception, Coffee

10:00 a.m. Welcome and Introductions

Lisa B. Beever, Ph.D., AICP, Director, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program

10:10 a.m. Gulf of Mexico Alliance Overview/Partnership Role of NEPs and NERRS

Gary D. Lytton, Administrator, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

10:30 a.m. U.S. Ocean Action Plan and Opportunities for the Gulf of Mexico

Frank Müller-Karger, Ph.D., Commissioner, U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy; Associate Professor, University of South Florida, College of Marine Science

11:00 a.m. Challenges from Local Perspectives: Brainstorming Possibilities

Brie Kessler, NOAA Coastal Services Center

11:45 p.m. Lunch

12:55 p.m. Overview of Alliance’s Priority Issues and White Papers

Gary Lytton, Administrator, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

1. Reductions in nutrient loading

2. Improving water quality, emphasis on beaches & shellfish beds

3. Restoration of coastal wetlands

4. Identification of Gulf habitats

5. Gulf of Mexico environmental education

1:30 p.m. Overview of Needs to Resolve Issues by Federal, State and Local Elected Officials Panel Discussion: What does each need to resolve issues and what can they best provide?

Hon. Adam Cummings, Charlotte County, Board of County Commissioners

Hon. Patricia Glass, Manatee County, Board of County Commissioners

Dick Keen, District Manager, Office of Congressman Mark Foley

Cheryl Ennis, Chief Legislative Aide, Office of Michael Bennett, Florida State Senate

Mark Robson, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Bruce Wirth, Deputy Executive Director, Southwest Florida Water Management District

Carla Palmer, Director of the Stormwater Management Division, South Florida Water Management District

Jon Iglehart, Director, South District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

2:50 p.m. Afternoon Breakout Session Games and Rules

Lisa B. Beever, Ph.D., AICP, Director, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program

3:00 p.m. Break

3:20 p.m. Charlotte Harbor Hearts: Develop Specific Actions for Public, Federal, State and Local Governments for Implementation

Facilitated breakout session game to respond to the following questions:

1. How do you define this issue with respect to the health of the Gulf of Mexico?

2. Where do you go for information and assistance (e.g. technical, financial, etc.) on this issue?

3. What constraints have kept you from helping to resolve this issue?

4. What role should the public play in helping to resolve this issue?

5. What role should the government play at the local, state and federal level in helping to resolve this issue?

6. As a representative from the public or local, state or federal government, what can you as an individual provide to the public or local, state or federal government in helping to resolve this issue? What do you need from them in return?

4:30 p.m. Summary of Breakouts & Wrap Up

Lisa B. Beever, Ph.D., AICP, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program and

Brie Kessler, NOAA Coastal Services Center

5:00 p.m. Adjourn