THE BIG RIVER WORKS: Building Cooperation to Sustain the Mississippi River System September 5, 2012
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THE BIG RIVER WORKS: Building Cooperation to Sustain the Mississippi River System September 5, 2012 THE BIG RIVER WORKS: Building Cooperation to Sustain the Mississippi River System America’s WETLAND Foundation • Established in 2002 by LA Gov. Mike Foster after comprehensive coastal study alerted nation on how loss of state’s wetlands would impact the nation. • AWF serves as a neutral arbiter, bringing together diverse interests to ensure the sustainability of the Gulf coast. • Yields information on the Gulf Coast’s critical environmental and economic benefits to the nation, particularly the 31 states of the Mississippi watershed. America’s WETLAND Foundation Balanced Dialogue – Broadening participation on energy and environmental issues Executive Briefings & Public Events – Informing the Obama Administration, policy and legislative leaders at federal, state and local levels; engaging stakeholders and the public through information dissemination, media activities and high-profile events such as DELTAS2010 and DELTAS2013VIETNAM:World Delta Dialogues, and the Blue Ribbon Resilient Communities initiative. Response to Crisis – Creating a rational dialogue to support economic and energy sustainability while safeguarding the the ecological assets of a working coast. AMERICA’S ENERGY COAST Unique Positioning • Five Gulf States: Four energy producing states: Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, as well as Florida - collectively known as America’s Energy Coast. • Diverse Task Force of over 100 major businesses and industries, national environmental and conservation organizations, scientists and researchers, landowners and other coastal interests. • Network of local, state and federal elected and administrative leaders. AMERICA’S ENERGY COAST National & Local Voices • AEC Industry Council – consists of industry representatives from the Gulf Coast region. • Honorary Leadership Council – a growing coalition of over 150 federal, state and local officials from the four states. • AEC Task Force – comprised of over 100 leaders of government, industry, community, academia, NGOs, landowners from the region. • Experts and Research Leaders – Best minds assembled to collect most relevant data. • Elected & Administrative Officials – Non partisan elected representatives provide full participation. America’s Energy Coast Leadership Forums A National Project of the America’s WETLAND Foundation BLUE RIBBON RESILIENT COMMUNITIES Emergency Rule Regional Voice Red Tape, Conflicting Policy Local Choice Mitigation Correction Beneficial Use of Dredge Benefits & Incentives Harbor Trust Fund Open Beneficial Use of Carbon Environmental Mitigation No Net Loss of Wetlands No Net Loss of Culture Energy & Ecology United FEMA Maps and Insurability BLUE RIBBON RESILIENCY Leadership Forums of Americas Energy Coast ✓ Convene non-partisan, balanced regional dialogue on local coastal issues ✓ Identify specific vulnerabilities of communities who comprise America’s Energy coast from Texas – Florida ✓ Bring in unique expertise to address the issues ✓ Honor core values and build local pride ✓ Serve as a catalyst for empowerment of individuals and communities BLUE RIBBON RESILIENCY Leadership Forums of Americas Energy Coast Pre-Forum • Environmental scan • Meeting with local policy leaders • Individual interviews with diverse stakeholders • Focus group with diverse stakeholders Forum • Research findings & expert presentations • Working sessions Post Forum • Solicitation of public input • Report of Findings • Follow-up on recommendations for action AWF/ENTERGY GULF COAST Adaptation Study AWF/ENTERGY GULF COAST Adaptation Study AWF/ENTERGY GULF COAST Adaptation Study BLUE RIBBON FORUMS FINDINGS: Resilience Index RECOMMENDATIONS Seek Urgent Federal Action Resolve Conflicting Federal Policies & Practices 1 Contradictory rules, regulations and agency priorities impede coastal restoration by delaying projects and increasing costs. A more orderly, efficient process must be established to meet urgent needs. RECOMMENDATIONS Deploy Multiple Lines of Offense Decrease Regional Vulnerabilities Through Cooperative Action 2 Short-term thinking has led to consequence planning defined by inadequate, piecemeal fixes — mainly in the wake of disasters. The focus must shift to a long-term vision for the future that emphasizes adaptation by using innovative, systemic approaches that incorporate non- structural and structural elements. RECOMMENDATIONS Allow Innovation & Enterprise to Flourish Support Strategies To Facilitate regional Stewardship 3 Bureaucratic barriers and a lack of smart incentives hinder the development of creative, efficient coastal restoration strategies. Unless policies and plans harness the power of new technologies, visionary research, market forces and local ingenuity, environmental degradation will continue to outpace restoration and protection efforts. RECOMMENDATIONS Revitalize Regional Strengths & Pride Empower Communities to Practice Self- Determination 4 Coastal degradation and mounting vulnerabilities threaten entire communities, cultures and a valued way of life. Local citizens must adapt to changing circumstances to preserve their cultural heritage and build the foundation for a stronger future. RECOMMENDATIONS Sustain Action Based on Recommendations Communicate Regional Visions for Resiliency 5 The degradation of the Gulf Coast will continue to accelerate without a robust, coordinated response that enlists all interested parties and every level of government. WORLD DELTA HOT SPOTS MS MK AWF TIMELINE GOALS • Increasing Public Awareness of the River's National Importance • Providing a Balanced Forum for Diverse Stakeholders • Reconnecting the Delta with Upriver Interests • Outlining Major Threats to Watershed Sustainability • Identifying Key Opportunities for Collaboration STATISTICS • 3rd largest delta in the world • 4th largest watershed in the world, covering 31 states • $7 billion in agricultural and forest products flow down river each year • Moves 500 million tons of cargo each year, including 60 % of nation’s grain exports, accounting for $8.5 billion in exports • Generates billions of tourism dollars • 60% of North American birds use the river as a migratory flyway • 25% of all North American fish species live in the watershed THE BIG RIVER WORKS New Orleans, LA - May 31, 2012 Focus: Connecting interests by identifying common purposes and shared goals. THE BIG RIVER THRIVES Ducks Unlimited HQ – Memphis, TN – October 17, 2012 Focus: Sustaining vital ecosystems and habitats, such as flyways, fisheries and estuaries through improved awareness and systems management. THE BIG RIVER LIVES St. Louis, MO – December 6, 2012 Focus: Improving water quality and quantity by outlining partnerships to manage river access and carbon and nutrient loads. THE BIG RIVER PROVIDES Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN – January 17, 2013 Focus: Connecting interests by identifying common purposes and shared goals. THE BIG RIVER MOVES Chicago, IL – February 26-27, 2013 Focus: Keeping the river a viable passageway for commerce while sustaining critical environmental features by connecting navigation, flood control, the beneficial use of dredge materials and coastal restoration. STEERING COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRS THE HONORABLE PAT QUINN ILLINOIS GOVERNOR THE HONORABLE JAY DARDENNE LOUISIANA LT. GOVERNOR STEERING COMMITTEE Joe Accardo Maj. Gen. Hunt Downer, ARNG, Ret. Susan Kaderka Sybil Seitzinger Executive Director, Ports Association of Former Speaker of the House, Louisiana South Central Regional Executive Professor, Institute of Marine and Coastal Louisiana Legislature Director, National Wildlife Sciences, Rutgers University Federation The Honorable John Alario, Jr. Sean Duffy William Clifford Smith Senate President, State of Louisiana Executive Director, Big River Coalition The Honorable Mitch Landrieu Member-Designee, Mississippi River Mayor, City of New Orleans, LA Commission Scott Angelle George Dunklin, Jr. Former Secretary, Louisiana Department Chairman, Arkansas Game and Fish Steve Mathies, Ph.D The Honorable Mike Strain, D.V.M of Natural Resources Commission America’s Great Watershed Commissioner, Louisiana Department of Initiative Agriculture & Forestry Phil Bass C. Berwick Duval, II Director, Gulf of Mexico Alliance Vice Chairman, Foundation for Louisiana Irvin Mayfield James Syvitski Artistic Director, New Orleans Jazz Executive Director, Community Surface Dr. Donald Boesch Efi Foufoula-Georgiou, Ph.D Orchestra Dynamics Modeling System, University of President, Center for Environmental Director, National Center for Earth-surface Colorado Science, University of Maryland Dynamics, University of Minnesota Paul McIlhenny Chairman & CEO, McIlhenny Torbjorn Tornqvist, Ph.D The Honorable John Breaux Karen Gautreaux Company (makers of Tobasco) Director, NICCR Coastal Center, Tulane U.S. Senator (LA) 1987-2005 Director of Government Relations, Louisiana University Chapter, The Nature Conservancy Doug Meffert, Ph.D Valerie Cahill Vice President, National Audubon Robert Twilley, Ph.D Chairperson of the Board, Port of New Teri Goodman Society Executive Director, Coastal Sustainability Orleans Assistant City Manager, City of Dubuque, IA Studios, Louisiana State University Dale Morris The Honorable Joel T. Chaisson, J.D. Claude Griffin Senior Economist, Royal The Honorable Jessica Upshaw, J.D. Former Senate President & 29th Judicial Social Investment Manager – Environment, Netherlands Embassy Representative, Mississippi House of District Court Judge, (ret.) Shell Representatives Louisiana