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Identifying and organizing objectives across the 28 National Estuary Programs
Citation:
Fisher, W., A. Sullivan, AND S. Yee. Identifying and organizing objectives across the 28 National Estuary Programs. Association of National Estuary Programs Annual Meeting, San Juan, PUERTO RICO, December 02 - 04, 2015.
Impact/Purpose:
There are 28 National Estuary Programs spread widely across the US and its territories. Although each estuary has a unique set of challenges, placing stated objectives into a hierarchical framework revealed four fundamental objectives and multiple second level sub-objectives that were common among the programs. Third level sub-objectives reflected more of the specificity and uniqueness of different estuarine systems. Providing a framework allows generation of cross-NEP performance measures, means to achieve objectives, monitoring approaches and science gaps. Additionally, the objectives are likely similar for most estuarine ecosystems.
Description:
The National Estuary Program (NEP), established in 1987 by amendments to the Clean Water Act, is intended to support local communities to restore, protect and manage estuaries of national significance. Currently there a 28 NEPs spread widely across the U.S. and its territories. Each NEP has a unique set of environmental challenges and a unique set of social values held by the local community. Nonetheless, a review of the web sites and Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plans revealed many similarities in overall objectives. An objectives hierarchy (OH) is an often-used organizing framework for large or complex issues such as maintaining the integrity and social benefits of an estuarine ecosystem. The OH framework groups similar objectives and defines sub-objectives by continually asking “what do you mean by that?” The process leads to a clear and direct definition of intentions and clarifies means for achieving the objectives. Using the OH approach, we identified and grouped four fundamental objectives and several second tier sub-objectives across the 28 NEPs: (1) Maximize ecological integrity: minimize water quality degradation, maximize habitat quality and quantity, and maximize living resourcesMaximize social benefits: maximize beneficial uses by the public and minimize public health threats; (2) Maximize economic opportunities: maximize shellfish/finfish harvesting and maximize other economic opportunities; (3) Maximize stewardship: maximize stakeholder engagement, minimize negative effects from human activities, and foster good governance.