EPA Region 2 NEP CAC Meeting Tuesday October 5, 2010 EPA Region 2, NYC NOTES FROM AFTERNOON CAC-0NLY SESSION

Transcription

1 EPA Region 2 NEP CAC Meeting Tuesday October 5, 2010 EPA Region 2, NYC NOTES FROM AFTERNOON CAC-0NLY SESSION The following bulleted items were taken from the flipchart notes generated during the afternoon s facilitated discussions: List of Issues/Concerns from Initial Brainstorm: Access to water and land Communicate better with diverse groups, environmental justice, poor Funding to address impacts of upper Hudson on HEP How to operationalize America Great Outdoors Initiative Tie estuary/environmental health to human health Emphasize adaptation Unfunded mandates for NEPs on monitoring and assessment Challenges of large geographic area and population for LISS CACs need to align better with Federal and State partners Smaller programs don t get as much money and attention Engaging local governments, general meetings don t attract attendance Share media market. Need to improve communication, use modern methods, i.e. internet Coordination across jurisdictions can be resource intensive Targeting divers communities within CAC Import/export ships pose problems Balance dredging for transport (ships, Army Corps. priority) and security with recreational opportunities via maintenance dredging. EPA needs to be more involved in municipal stormwater program. Consider basin-wide MS4 permits. Need more on adaptation difficult to communicate its importance to communities Concern about uncertainty of funding for energy audits and other items. Will the money be available? Talking together after session Reauthorization of NEPs and changes that will ensue lobbying NY programs needs to better coordinate with States Funding for program outcomes, results Need better public education no one believes they are the problem HEP wants more information on CRE program 1

2 More insight on polling-research shared information Defining parameters of advocacy Responsibility for accountability Need economic value data Communicate success stories Note that earlier in the day, after opening remarks from Regional Administrator Judith Enck, a number of additional issues/concerns were raised including: Stormwater need strong regulatory structure, EPA role and permits, hold states accountable, consider basin-wide MS4 permits. Attention to dredging needs Help get other agencies to participate Since we share a media market, we could create a communication network It would be helpful to have EPA conduct a natural capital study to determine the economic value of the NEP waters. ADVOCACY DISCUSSION Prioritize advocacy targets Limited ability to advocate from government employees How to be more effective advocates? Lessons Learned from Advocacy: Use science Create and rely on policy committee for alignment and priorities Partner with and piggy back on other advocacy groups Focus on broad, agreed upon issues, i.e. funding, open space 2

3 OPPORTUNITIES DISCUSSION: Lessons Learned and Possible Steps: Intervention in sale and distribution of fertilizer Media campaign. Approach foundation together, more power with 6 estuaries Use celebrities to gain access to big media markets Pursue money from feds based on trend in federal government for funding for regional plans LISS did public perception survey in 2006, needs follow up. NY NEPs can collaborate on social marketing PROCESS DISCUSSION Process takes resources How to interact effectively with EPA Need better understanding of EPA contact s responsibility Combining partnership and program confuses public Process has impact on diversity. Need to figure out how to optimize. Lessons Learned: Know your EPA contact s job responsibilities to know how to interact Staff support comes from member organizations. Works in LISS without pushing organization s own agenda. Form new nonprofit for CAC. Could create problem of taking funds from CAC. Delaware Estuary formed 501 (c) (3) as a separate partnership from program Consider forming 501 (c) (4) because it can lobby more than 501 (c) (3), but can t get education grants with a (c) (4). By focusing on big picture of LIS, you can have a bigger voice than individual groups. 3

4 COMMUNICATION DISCUSSION Get message straight before communicating Getting into media is difficult Public s lack of knowledge, i.e. don t understand watersheds Need professional ad campaign Relating to people s personal lives Quantifying change of behavior results, need EPA help Need more funding for outreach and education LESSONS LEARNED Befriend media personalities and staff Invite media to events, such as cleanups Use signage Give basic information Use PSAs and relate to personal lives Be careful with terms Bring in professionals Outreach is more expensive than you think Collaboration Ideas: NY and NJ NEPs coordinate on how to address dredging problems FINAL SESSION: TOP ISSUES Reauthorization of NEP bill Create central repository for best practices Create a coordinated estuary/watershed message with internet, signage and media Coordinate effort and money for media and communication. Nitrogen. Share data on science and polling, possible through ANEP? Educating visitors Impact of visitors Linking health with urban areas Work together for state and federal funding Climate change/adaptation 4

5 NEXT STEPS AND COMMUNCATION Central repository NNE(?), NOAA, ANEP to coordinate? EPA must get to phase 2 of CRE Ask Sean Mahar and LISS to coordinate reauthorization. Kevin McDonald will help. ANEP should contact co-chairs Use ANEP annual meeting for more sharing of information Summary should be reviewed at next individual CAC meetings and cochairs should coordinate with EPA. Choose top 2 priorities, report to EPA, and EPA should coordinate action. MESSAGE TO EPA Assistance from EPA with initial organization of group requested for administrative and technical help. EPA should give CACs access to ANEP and link to reauthorization bill. EPA de-emphasizes communication and outreach. This group focused on communication. EPA needs stronger leadership in MS4 permitting. Education from EPA should be shared. EPA should use CACs to help sell MS4 program to municipalities. EPA should organize and arrange an annual meeting for CACs. 5