a follow-up project of the
RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
U.S. Geological Survey
USDA Forest Service
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

The coasts are a vital ecological and economic resource. Yet, as reported by both the Pew Oceans Commission and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, the nation's oceans and coasts are in need of serious attention. While the effects of coastal resource problems are most dramatic along the coasts, the causes can develop far inland. Building capacity to address these issues at all levels--from local communities (both coastal and inland) to federal agencies--is critical to finding and implementing solutions.

Resolving marine and coastal resource issues requires a multidisciplinary look at the causes and solutions. Therefore, RNRF convened a national "Congress on Building Capacity for Coastal Solutions." The Congress brought together more than 80 scientists, managers, and professionals, from 65 organizations, to consider findings and recommendations, and to identify other high priority activities for early action. Specific goals of the congress were to consider findings and recommendations of the oceans commissions, and to identify high priority activities for early action. 

This website was developed in response to the many excellent findings and recommendations of the Congress delegates. Information on the tools available at this website appears below:

Final Report of Findings and Recommendations	A final report of findings and recommendation of the congress delegates was released in early 2005. A summary of key findings and recommendations is available as a PowerPoint presentation (2.4 mb) or PDF (2.1 mb). An additional PowerPoint presentation (3 mb) or PDF (3 mb) on Lessons Learned from the Gulf of Maine (the congress's case study) also is available.
Ocean and Coastal Bills Introduced in Congress	Following release of the Pew and U.S. Oceans Commissions' reports, numerous bills were introduced in the U.S. House and Senate. RNRF has compiled a listing of ocean and coastal bills introduced in the 109th Congress. Information from past U.S. congresses also is available.
Database of Key Activities in Data Standards	One recommendation of the congress was the need to develop standards to allow for easy integration and sharing of data from a variety of sources. Such efforts already are underway. However, delegates made the following recommendation: "To avoid duplication of existing efforts, a dynamic database of key activities underway in data standards, inventories, classifications, and frameworks should be implemented." RNRF is undertaking the preparation of such a database. Information about the Database of Key Activities in Data Standards is available here.
Bibliography of Background Materials	In advance of the congress, delegates were provided with a notebook of background materials. These materials featured reports and information items from federal and state agencies and recognized authors and organizations on topics to be discussed at the congress. Many delegates commented on the usefulness of the information and the fact that it had not previously been assembled in a cohesive manner. A bibliography of these items along with internet sites (where available) is available here.
Commissions News	Both the Pew Oceans Commission and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy completed their formal duties by late 2004. However, commissioners from both groups vowed to continue their efforts on behalf of the oceans. To that end, they have formed the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative. The initiative has issued several calls for increased attention to our oceans and coasts. Below are links to their most recent efforts.
Details from RNRF Congress	RNRF's "Congress on Building Capacity for Coastal Solutions" was presented at American Geophysical Union Headquarters, in Washington, D.C., December 6-7, 2004. Details on the Congress, including the program, presentations, delegate affiliations, the program committee, and photographs are available below.

Congress on Building Capacity for Coastal Solutions

December 6-7, 2004
American Geophysical Union Conference Facility
Washington, D.C.

with support from

Monday, December 6, 2004
	8:30 am - 9:00 am	Registration and Continental Breakfast
	9:00 am - 9:05 am	Welcome and Opening Remarks Albert A. Grant, RNRF Chairman
	9:05 am - 9:20 am	Congress Context and Goals Margaret Davidson, Chair, Congress Program Committee, and Director, NOAA Coastal Services Center
	9:20 am - 9:50 am	Introduction to the Nation's Coasts: Findings from the Pew and U.S. Oceans Commissions Christophe Tulou, President, Center for SeaChange, former Executive Director, Pew Oceans Commission (PowerPoint Presentation)
		The speaker introduced delegates to the nation's coastal resources through the recent efforts of the Pew Oceans Commission and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. Particular topics included the diversity of resources, human population characteristics, critical habitat and its importance, governance, and information technology. A brief overview of the results of EPA's National Coastal Condition Report II also was included.
	9:50 am - 10:10 am	Discussion and Questions
	10:10 am - 10:35 am	The Complexities of Coastal Governance Timothy Hennessey, Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Rhode Island (PowerPoint Presentation)
		More than half of the fifteen existing cabinet-level departments, plus several independent agencies, play important roles in the development of ocean and coastal policy. Many individual programs within these departments and agencies administer specific initiatives that address varying, and sometimes overlapping, ocean and coastal issues. State and local governments also have responsibilities along the coast. The speaker examined this overlapping and sometimes conflicting division of power and opportunities for reconciliation, and identified needs and opportunities for cooperation among federal, state, county, and local agencies.
	10:35 am - 10:55 am	Discussion and Questions
	10:55 am - 11:15 am	Break
	11:15 am - 11:40 am	Building Networks for Solutions: Information Technology and Science Margaret Davidson, Director, NOAA Coastal Services Center (PowerPoint Presentation)
		Solving coastal resource issues will require cooperation and coordination on a variety of levels. The speaker discussed current barriers to effective utilization of information technology (including data sharing, integration, and communication). Science capacity and knowledge also are essential to finding and implementing coastal solutions. Opportunities for overcoming current barriers also were discussed.
	11:40 am - 12:00 pm	Discussion and Questions
	12:00 pm - 12:25 pm	Mobilizing and Empowering Communities Michael Orbach, Director, Duke University Marine Laboratory (PowerPoint Presentation)
		While the effects of coastal resource problems are most dramatic along the coasts, the causes can develop far inland. Local communities may have the greatest opportunity to address these issues, but they need the necessary knowledge and ability to actively engage. The speaker discussed how communities can organize and constructively contribute to protecting and conserving coastal resources.
	12:25 pm - 12:45 pm	Discussion and Questions
	12:45 pm - 1:45 pm	Lunch
	1:45 pm - 2:15 pm	Case Study I: Gulf of Maine-Governance David Keeley, State Planner, Maine State Planning Office (PowerPoint Presentation)
	2:15 pm - 2:35 pm	Discussion and Questions
	2:35 pm - 3:05 pm	Case Study II: Gulf of Maine-Information Technology Tom Shyka, Program Specialist, Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (PowerPoint Presentation)
	3:05 pm - 3:25 pm	Discussion and Questions
	3:25 pm - 3:55 pm	Case Study III: Gulf of Maine-Community Empowerment Ben Neal, Marine Program Specialist, Island Institute (PowerPoint Presentation)
	3:55 pm - 4:15 pm	Discussion and Questions
	6:30 pm - 8:30 pm	Dinner Featured Speaker: Richard Spinrad, NOAA Assistant Administrator Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management (PowerPoint Presentation)
Tuesday, December 7, 2004
	8:30 am - 9:00 am	Continental Breakfast
	9:00 am - 9:35 am	Regional Ecosystem Assessments ..from Planning to Action Michael Beck, Senior Scientist, Marine Initiative, The Nature Conservancy
		The cooperation of all levels of government and the local community, plus the availability of information and scientific capacity are essential to the success of ecosystem-based management. However, each region is acting independently, without a set of common goals and priorities. As a nation, and within the professional and scientific community, the effort must be made to determine what is valuable and the desired outcomes of coastal resource management. The speaker discussed the steps necessary to establish and pursue common goals.
	9:35 am - 10:00 am	Discussion and Questions
	10:00 am - 10:10 am	Explanation of Working Group Procedures Ryan Colker, RNRF Director of Programs
	10:10 am - 10:30 am	Break
	10:30 am - 11:40 am	Working Group Session I Working Group Chairs: Margaret Davidson, RNRF Board of Directors, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Timothy Hennessey, University of Rhode Island Tony MacDonald, Coastal States Organization Michael Orbach, Duke University Marine Laboratory Working Group Reporters: Sarah Ball, Virginia Tech Joseph Gordon, National Environmental Trust Mia Sealey, Environmental Council of the States Laura Walko, NOAA
	11:40 am - 12:40 pm	Working Group Session II
	12:40 pm - 1:40 pm	Lunch
	1:40 pm - 2:40 pm	Working Group Session III
	2:40 pm - 3:00 pm	Break
	3:00 pm - 4:00 pm	Working Group Session IV
	4:00 pm - 4:15 pm	Necessary Next Steps and Concluding Remarks Robert Day, RNRF Executive Director

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Pictured below (L-R): Margaret Davidson (RNRF and NOAA Coastal Services Center), Christoph Tulou (Center for SeaChange), Timothy Hennessey (Univ. of Rhode Island), and  Michael Orbach (Duke Univ. Marine Laboratory)

Pictured below: David Keeley (Maine State Planning Office), Tom Shyka (Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System), Ben Neal (Island Institute), and Richard Spinrad (NOAA Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management)

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Program Committee

CHAIR:
Margaret A. Davidson, RNRF Public Interest Board Member; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

MEMBERS:
Kelly Barnes, American Society of Civil Engineers
Thomas Bigford, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Deen Boe, Society for Range Management, RNRF Board Member
James Colby, Coastal America
Robert Day, Executive Director, Renewable Natural Resources Foundation
Peter Folger, American Geophysical Union
Thomas M. Franklin, The Wildlife Society, RNRF Board Member
Albert A. Grant, RNRF Chairman, RNRF Public Interest Board Member
John W. Haines, U.S. Geological Survey
Kenneth J. Lanfear, American Water Resources Association, RNRF Board Member
Larry R. Pettinger, American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, RNRF Board Member
Ghassan N. Rassam, American Fisheries Society, RNRF Board Member
Priscilla Reining, RNRF Public Interest Board Member
Douglas B. Richardson, Association of American Geographers, RNRF Board Member
Howard N. Rosen, Society of Wood Science and Technology, RNRF Board Member
Barry W. Starke, RNRF Vice-Chairman, American Society of Landscape Architects
Deanna J. Stouder, USDA Forest Service
David L. Trauger. College of Natural Resources, Virginia Tech
Staff Liaison: Ryan M. Colker, Program Director, Renewable Natural Resources Foundation

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Delegate Affiliations
 

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