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

• 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

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

DEM

CRMCDiv. Of Planning

EDC

Water Resources Board

RI Rivers Council

Science Advisory Comm.

Env. Monitoring

Collab.

Governor Municipalities

Narr. Bay Commission

General Assembly

BRWCT- Knowledge Provision 

Comprehensive strategic planning cycle

Scientific & monitoring information dissemination

environmental & economic policy analysis

Agency “portal” for communications to public & elected leadership

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Albert Camus Titian, 1549

www.coordinationteam.ri.govames.colt@dem.ri.gov