Envisioning the Future of Coastal Management Project
Hosted by the Rookery Bay Reserve


Floridians Envision the Future of the Coast at Rookery Bay Reserve

Eighty-six people gathered at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Naples on Friday, June 22, to engage in a national dialogue on the future of the nation’s coasts. Hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Coastal States Organization (CSO), and DEP’s Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA), the all-day workshop was designed to gather input from key stakeholders from across Florida for inclusion in new legislation for the Coastal Zone Management Act. The workshop was one of six meetings being held across the nation; others have been held in Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco and Honolulu.

Staff from DEP CAMA worked in coordination with NOAA and CSO to plan and facilitate the event, which took place at the Reserve’s new Environmental Learning Center. Officials from federal, state, and local government, and representatives from universities, non-governmental organizations, and private businesses including marine industry and sportfishing interests participated. DEP was well represented, including DEP’s Chief of Staff Kelly Layman, CAMA Director Stephanie Bailenson, Florida Coastal Program Manager Lynn Griffin, Rookery Bay Reserve Director Gary Lytton, Apalachicola Reserve Director Seth Blitch, and other DEP representatives from across the state including State Parks and District offices.

Evaluations

Evaluations indicated that participants appreciated the chance to network and discuss nationally important coastal issues, such as:

• “…the need for land managers and scientists to speak a common language.”
• “…the need to better plan and regulate use of the coast by integrating science into decision-making.”
• “…education is the strongest tool. Public and elected officials need to be educated on the coastal environment.”
• “…importance of communication with people from many different backgrounds and interests.”

Workshop Results

Results from the Rookery Bay workshop, and other national meetings will be integrated into draft legislation for the revised Coastal Zone Management Act, anticipated for introduction to Congress by NOAA and CSO.


More Information

For more information on the national meetings, visit www.colamedia.com/cm.