The RI Bays, Rivers, & Watersheds Coordination Team

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The RI Bays, Rivers, & Watersheds Coordination Team Articulating & Communicating Science & Monitoring Priorities for Narragansett Bay Water Quality Ames B. Colt, Ph.D. Chair RI BRWCT

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The RI Bays, Rivers, & Watersheds Coordination Team Articulating & Communicating Science & Monitoring Priorities for Narragansett Bay Water Quality Ames B. Colt, Ph.D. Chair RI BRWCT. The RI Bays, Rivers, & Watersheds Coordination Team. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of The RI Bays, Rivers, & Watersheds Coordination Team

Page 1: The RI Bays, Rivers, & Watersheds Coordination Team

The RI Bays, Rivers, & Watersheds Coordination Team

Articulating & Communicating Science & Monitoring Priorities for

Narragansett Bay Water Quality

Ames B. Colt, Ph.D.Chair

RI BRWCT

Page 2: The RI Bays, Rivers, & Watersheds Coordination Team

• Transcend the [discrete] responsibilities and jurisdictions of each agency.

• Address complex issues using an ecosystem-based management approach.

• Integrate environmental & economic considerations. (RIGL 46-31)

The RI Bays, Rivers, & Watersheds Coordination Team

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Establishes ‘overall goals’ for Narragansett Bay management & sustainable use

Basis for strategic allocation & cultivation of resources for science & monitoring

Coordinate the diverse spectrum of federal, state, & local organizations responsible for studying, assessing, and managing the Bay

RI Bays Rivers & Watersheds Systems-Level Plan: 2009-13

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DEM

CRMCDiv. Of Planning

EDC

Water Resources Board

RI Rivers Council

Science Advisory Comm.

Env. Monitoring

Collab.

Governor Municipalities

Narr. Bay Commission

General Assembly

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BRWCT- Knowledge Provision 

Comprehensive strategic planning cycle

Scientific & monitoring information dissemination

environmental & economic policy analysis

Agency “portal” for communications to public & elected leadership

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BRWCT Support for CHRP II

Worked with Dan and Libby Jewett in 2010 to providestate support for the project to strengthen proposal

BRWCT agreed to fund CHRP II $25,000 annually.

The PI’s recommended that the BRWCT provide

- $10,000 to support field survey of DO concentrations- $15,000 to support Ullman modeling runs

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Collaboratively Establish Monitoring & Research Priorities for Assessing Systemic Responses to WWTF BNR Enhancements in the Narragansett Bay Watershed

Utilize BRWCT, its Science Advisory Committee, & the RI Env. Monitoring Collaborative to produce & disseminate asingle, comprehensive statement of priorities & needs for the next 5-10 years

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BRWCT responsible for “overall goals” for management, restoration, & utilization of Narragansett Bay.

RI Environmental Monitoring Collaborative is responsible for designing and implementing a state-wide environmental monitoring system.

Page 9: The RI Bays, Rivers, & Watersheds Coordination Team

BRWCT discretionary project funds: $200,000 to 240,000 annually.

With the RI Env. MC and the Science Advisory Committee, the BRWCT allocates $250,000 annually to environmental monitoring.

The BRWCT Chair is a gubernatorial appointee.

Page 10: The RI Bays, Rivers, & Watersheds Coordination Team

The BRWCT must report on progress annually to the Governor and the General Assembly.

The BRWCT must submit a comprehensive annual work plan as part of the Governor’s annual budget, including a statement of research and monitoring priorities.

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Provides science & monitoring community an opportunity to speak in a unified manner, and to be heard by executive and legislative authorities.

Catalyze external funding from state(s), federal agencies, and other sources.

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It’s state law.

The GA and the Governor seek coordination and consistency of leadership.

The GA, and the Governor, have provided a strategic framework, a process, staff resources, and funds for scientists & managers to work together and engage with elected leadership, & the public

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SisyphusThe struggle itself...is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.

Albert Camus Titian, 1549