Who's Who in the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program Management Conference

The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program offers a valuable opportunity to utilize the scientific information concerning the estuary and watershed to build upon the progress of other resource management efforts which have preceded the CHNEP. By involving the top level policy makers from local governments as well as resource management agencies in the Management Conference, the program has the potential to reach beyond the accomplishments of previous harbor and/or watershed management efforts. The CHNEP will place special emphasis on involving local governments through each step of the process -- characterization, comprehensive resource planning, and implementation. The Management Conference is structured with the realization that strong and active local government involvement in each step of the process is vital to the success of the program. The Management Conference participants recognize the unique ability of local governments to influence the environmental integrity of Charlotte Harbor and its watershed through comprehensive plans and implementing ordinances. Participants in the Management Conference want and expect the citizens of the communities to be actively involved in the program. Involvement is necessary to instill a sense of ownership and responsibility of citizens for the environment. This will entail a significant education component with a strong emphasis on involving school-aged children. Equally important is the need to educate the electorate on the importance of proper resource management to the environmental and economic well-being the community. The basic structure of a successful NEP management conferences is retained.

All meetings are open to the public.

The Management Conference is comprised of a:

• Policy Committee

• Management Committee

• Technical Advisory Committee and its subcommittees

• Science Forum

• Citizens Advisory Committee and

• an independent program office. The Program Office answers directly to the Policy Committee and works closely with all of the committees in each aspect of the NEP.

• The Legislative Subcommittee was established by the Policy Committee at its May 28, 2003 meeting with members representing the Program's Policy, Management, Technical Advisory and Citizens Advisory Committees.

• 2009 Meeting Schedule of all CHNEP committees with agenda packets, meeting location and directions

• 2008 Meeting Schedule of all CHNEP committees with agenda packets, meeting location and directions

• 2007 Meeting Schedule of all CHNEP committees with agenda packets, meeting location and directions

• 2006 Meeting Schedule of all CHNEP committees with agenda packets, meeting location and directions

• Minutes of meetings held since 2000

Memorial Page: As a partnership program, the CHNEP has had hundreds of people help further its efforts to protect and restore the natural environment of southwest Florida. CHNEP has created a memorial page on this website to honor those who have contributed to the Program. Please send information about others who've contributed to CHNEP who should be added to this page by email to mhilgendorf@swfrpc.org.

Policy Committee

The Policy Committee was appointed to establish general policies and goals for the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program and to execute ultimate authority in program administration. This committee:

• Reviews and approves all substantial expenditures of funds under the program;

• Appoints members of the various Management Conference committees and subcommittees and the program's staff;

• Approves the work plans;

• Evaluates progress of the program towards established goals; and

• Provides broad-based support for the program and its implementation in policy and political matters.

The Policy Committee has developed and adopted bylaws to govern its activities and will modify those bylaws should it become necessary. Committee bylaws are available.

For additional information about this committee, contact Program Director Lisa Beever at lbeever@swfrpc.org.

Policy Committee Members (as of January 2008)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, Co-Chairperson: Tom Welborn

Florida Department of Environmental Protection South District, Co-Chairperson: Jon Iglehart

X = member A = alternate, CAC = represents CAC, TAC = represents TAC

Management Committee

The Management Committee develops and reviews work plans, funding requests, work products, and all other activities of the program. The Management Committee also makes recommendations to the Policy Committee and coordinates all activities of the committees and NEP Program Office to ensure that schedules are adhered to and milestones and objectives are accomplished. The Management Committee also serves as liaison between the Policy Committee and the Technical and Citizens Advisory Committees, advising the Policy Committee on all matters for which the various committees have direct responsibilities. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned at the direction of the Policy Committee. Committee bylaws are available.

For additional information about this committee, contact Program Director Lisa Beever at lbeever@swfrpc.org.

Management Committee Members (as of January 2008)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, Co-Chairperson: Bob Howard

Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, Co-Chairperson: Ken Heatherington

X = member A = alternate, CAC = represents CAC, TAC = represents TAC

---

Legislative Subcommittee

The Legislative Subcommittee includes members of the program's four Management Conference Committees. The Legislative Subcommittee was established to (1) refine the Legislation Agenda for consideration by the Policy Committee, (2) increase communication and discussion on proposed legislation which may affect the CHNEP’s ability to implement the CCMP, (3) provide members an opportunity to learn about and consider proposed legislation for action by their member organizations, (4) establish a quick response for CHNEP to have a voice in proposed legislation, following the Advocacy and Review Procedures adopted February 21, 2003, and (5) provide an informal subcommittee structure for direct communication among conference members of different roles -- citizen, scientist, manager, agency official, and elected official.

The Subcommittee met for the first time on September 29, 2003, and will meet as frequently as needed. For additional information about this committee, contact Program Deputy Director Liz Donley at ldonley@swfrpc.org.

Meeting information is available.

---

Citizens Advisory Committee

The major role of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) is to provide a structured mechanism for citizens input to the CHNEP and assist in the dissemination of relevant information to the public. This committee works closely with the CHNEP staff developing and promoting the public education and participation program. The CAC chair sits as a voting member on the Management Committee. Committee bylaws are available.

For additional information about this committee, contact Program Communications Manager Maran Hilgendorf at mhilgendorf@swfrpc.org.

Citizens Advisory Committee Chairs: Kayton Nedza, Wilma Katz and Bobbi Rodgers

Citizens Advisory Committee -- Members appointed by the Policy Committee (as of January 2008)

As of May 2007 members of the CAC who wish to vote on issues must first be nominated by the CAC and then appointed by the Policy Committee. This list may be amended at each quarterly Policy Committee meeting and if members become inactive. As of September 2008 people who'd like to be considered for nomination are asked to complete a one-page form. A directory of CAC voting members as of October 2008 is available.

Technical Advisory Committe

The TAC consists of representatives from the scientific and technical staff of local, regional, state and federal agencies with regulatory or management mandates that affect the CHNEP study area, academia, the private and public sectors, and affected user groups interested in furthering and achieving the goals and objectives of the CHNEP. TAC representatives have scientific or technical expertise that assists the CHNEP Management Conference in the evaluation of the complex environmental issues involving the study area and implementation of the CCMP.

Representatives and alternates with technical expertise in the various disciplines from the member organizations are nominated by their respective constituencies to serve on the CHNEP TAC. The nominees are reviewed and appointed by the Policy Committee to the TAC. In those cases where the TAC representative and his/her appointed alternates are unable to attend a particular TAC meeting, the TAC representative may appoint an alternate to attend and participate in that particular meeting. The TAC representative will transmit (either in hard copy or electronically) to the TAC via the CHNEP staff a written notice of the appointment of an alternate for the particular meeting. Committee bylaws are available. (updated 9/08)

For additional information about this committee, contact Program Scientist Judy Ott at jott@swfrpc.org.

Technical Advisory Committee Member (as of July 2008)

M = member with voting rights; A = alternate

Science Forum

In 2007, the CHNEP began holding Science Forums to present the latest scientific findings for wide-ranging discussion. The Science Forums are a popular and exciting venue for scientists, citizens and decision-makers to discuss emerging issues as they relate to the CCMP. Recommendations are not derived at these forums but instead ideas are developed for later discussion and action by the committees. The Science Forum is often held the same day as the TAC meeting. All CHNEP meetings are open to the public; the Science Forums are wonderful opportunities for those who don't regularly participate in CHNEP meetings to learn about issues and share their knowledge.