ACTION COORDINATION TEAMS
Climate Change | Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (IEA) | Marine Debris
Ocean Awareness and Literacy | Polluted Runoff | Renewable Ocean Energy | Seafloor Mapping
Sediment Management | Spartina Eradication | Sustainable Coastal Communities | Other Existing Groups
Lighthouse, Oregon
The Executive Committee established multiple workgroups, known as Action Coordination Teams (ACTs), to coordinate coast-wide implementation of the Action Plan. These teams were created to address or perform activities in the Action Plan for which multiple representatives from each of the three states with specific expertise or connections are required. The teams are developing work plans for accomplishing the actions assigned to them.
At the present time, there are ten functioning ACTs, with additional teams in the planning stages. Use the links above to jump to details about a specific ACT. Visit “Other Existing Groups” for external links to ongoing efforts or existing workgroups that are implementing the Action Plan.
CHARGE
ACTs are charged with serving as a region-wide facilitation and coordination group to inform and recommend how to best implement the actions presented in the Action Plan. They are not to dictate or supersede agency authorities, but are responsible for crafting a work plan to implement the action(s) in a timely manner using the best available science. Team members are ambassadors of the WCGA Action Plan, communicating not only with each other but also with other interested individuals and entities across the states.
MEMBERSHIP
Points of contact
Each team has a point of contact (POC) who is staff to or a member of the Executive Committee. The POC’s role is to act as liaison between the Executive Committee and the action team to communicate progress to the Executive Committee and to ensure the action team is progressing in accordance with need and expectations. The POC will report regularly to the Executive Committee.
Santa Monica Beach, California
Chair
Each ACT has an appointed chair or co-chairs to lead the group’s efforts. The chair will be responsible for communicating with the POC, coordinating and leading team meetings, and ensuring that the team is progressing on the work plan.
Invited members
The initial team structure includes one invited member from each state and from appropriate federal agencies. Tribal government representatives were also extended an invitation. These invited members are recognized as “connectors and communicators” with relevant background and interest on the topic, and are able to facilitate involvement of necessary technical experts and/or staff. Additional ACT membership is determined by these invited participants, with concurrence from the Executive Committee.
Additional members
The initial invited members identified (or will identify) additional team members who are needed to accomplish the action(s). The Executive Committee may provide suggestions on colleagues to consider and recommends that teams be no larger than 15 participants. Certain action teams may require scientific expertise and all teams should ensure the use of best available science. When identifying additional membership, all ACTs must consider the balance of affiliations and provide clear guidance on the roles of private sector members, non-governmental organizations, resource users, and academia.
WORK PLANS
Each ACT is developing a work plan outlining regional cooperation for achieving the goals of the WCGA Action Plan. Work plans are designed to coordinate across the three states and to meet regional needs for accomplishing the outcomes charged in the Action Plan. Work plans focus on identifying key activities to advance the actions, rather than producing a comprehensive list of all necessary tasks. ACTs outlined tangible actions for outcomes that can be achieved within 18 months after release of the Action plan. The work plans are a product of team collaboration and incorporate initial feedback from the WCGA Executive Committee.
Eight draft work plans were released for public comment in June 2009. The public comment period is now closed. Final work plans are anticipated for release in Fall 2009. In the meantime, ACTs will begin or continue to work on implementing the work plans using current resources or through leveraging efforts with similar, external activities.
A summary of the draft work plans' contents is available in this overview.
| Climate Change | ||
| Lead | Affiliation | Contact |
| Spencer Reeder | Washington Department of Ecology | pere461 at ecy.wa.gov |
Climate Change
Charge
Overarching Action 2:
"The West Coast states will focus initial efforts, in collaboration with the federal government, on a West Coast-wide assessment of shoreline changes and anticipated impacts to coastal areas and communities due to climate change over the next several decades, and work together to develop actions to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change and related coastal hazards."
Work plan
The Climate Change ACT draft work plan is available for download.
| Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (IEA) | ||
| Lead | Affiliation | Contact |
| Steve Rumrill | Research Scientist and Program Coordinator, South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve | Steve.Rumrill at state.or.us |
Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (IEA)
Charge
Action 3.2:
"Assess physical, biological, chemical, and socio-economic factors in ecosystem health across the West Coast to establish standards and indicators for ocean health."
Work plan
Development of the Work plan is in progress.
| Marine Debris | ||
| Leads | Affiliation | Contact |
| Chair Eben Schwartz | California Coastal Commission | eschwartz at coastal.ca.gov |
| Vice-Chair Nir Barnea | NOAA Office of Response and Restoration | Nir.Barnea at noaa.gov |
Marine Debris
Charge
Action 1.4:
"Establish baseline estimates of marine debris and derelict gear off the West Coast and set reduction goals. Support state and federal policies for achieving marine debris reduction goals, including debris prevention through expanded recycling, improved trash maintenance, public education, and enforcement of litter laws."
Work plan
The Marine Debris ACT draft work plan is available for download.
| Ocean Awareness and Literacy ("Education") | ||
| Leads | Affiliation | Contact |
| Co-Chair Nancee Hunter | Oregon Sea Grant | Nancee.Hunter at oregonstate.edu |
| Co-Chair Chris Parry | California Coastal Commission | cparry at coastal.ca.gov |
Ocean Awareness and Literacy ("Education")
Charge
Priority Area 5
Action 5.1:
"Integrate ocean science and conservation into expanded environmental education curricula by encouraging changes to education content standards enhancing ocean literacy."
Action 5.2:
"Support ocean awareness efforts for the public and for decision-makers at all levels and encourage improvement and expansion of self-directed learning institutions and volunteer programs."
Work plan
The Ocean Awareness and Literacy ACT draft work plan is available for download.
| Polluted Runoff | ||
| Lead | Affiliation | Contact |
| Chair Greg Gearheart | California State Water Resources Control Board | ggearheart at waterboards.ca.gov |
Polluted Runoff
Charge
Action 1.2:
"Combat polluted runoff through a variety of methods including low impact development (LID) and sharing strategies employed for existing and planned incentive programs to state and local governments on this objective."
Work plan
The Polluted Runoff ACT draft work plan is available for download.
Training
Action 1.2 of the WCGA action plan includes the delivery of Coastal Community Planning and Development (CCPD) training to six West Coast communities, two each in Washington, Oregon, and California. This training, developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), enables participants to understand, plan, and guide efforts to implement alternative growth and development approaches in their coastal communities.
The WCGA Executive Committee released a notice of opportunity for communities interested in coastal community planning and development training. A staff memo describes the selection process and the four initial communities that will receive the training in 2009-2010. They are:
- Humboldt County, California
- San Luis Obispo County, California
- Lincoln County, Oregon
- Grays Harbor County, Washington"
For more information about the training course or to express your interest in receiving the training, please contact Susan Fox (Susan.Fox@noaa.gov, 843-740-1144).
Return to Top| Renewable Ocean Energy | ||
| Leads | Affiliation | Contact |
| Co-Chair Paul Klarin | Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development | Paul.Klarin at state.or.us |
| Co-Chair Maurice Hill | Minerals Management Service | Maurice.Hill at mms.gov |
Renewable Ocean Energy
Charge
Action 4.2:
"Explore the feasibility for offshore alternative ocean energy development and evaluate the potential environmental impacts of these technologies."
Work plan
The Renewable Ocean Energy ACT draft work plan is available for download.
| Seafloor Mapping | ||
| Leads | Affiliation | Contact |
| Co-Chair Sam Johnson | US Geological Survey | sjohnson at usgs.gov |
| Co-Chair Chris Goldfinger | Oregon State University | gold at coas.oregonstate.edu |
Seafloor Mapping
Charge
Action 6.3:
"Complete a seafloor map of the bathymetry, benthic substrate, relief, geology, and habitat of all state tidelands and submerged lands out to three miles."
Work plan
The Seafloor Mapping ACT draft work plan is available for download.
| Sediment Management | ||
| Lead | Affiliation | Contact |
| Chair Jim Haussener | California Marine Affairs and Navigation Conference | Jim at cmanc.com |
Sediment Management
Charge
Action 7.4:
"Develop regional sediment management plans that increase beneficial use of sediment in an environmentally responsible manner to protect and maintain critical community economic and environmental infrastructure."
Work plan
The Sediment Management ACT draft work plan is available for download.
| Spartina Eradication | ||
| Leads | Affiliation | Contact |
| Co-Chair Maxine Spellman | California State Coastal Conservancy | mspellman at scc.ca.gov |
| Co-Chair Mark Sytsma | Oregon Invasive Species Council | sytsmam at pdx.edu |
Spartina Eradication
Charge
Action 2.4:
"Focus efforts on eradicating non-native cordgrasses (genus Spartina), which are transported between the three states on ocean currents, as a pilot coast-wide eradication."
Work plan
The Spartina Eradication ACT draft work plan is available for download.
| Sustainable Coastal Communities | ||
| Lead | Affiliation | Contact |
| Co-Chair Katrina Hoffman | Washington Sea Grant | kathoff at u.washington.edu |
| Co-Chair Glenn Dolphin | Oregon State Marine Board | glenn.dolphin at state.or.us |
Sustainable Coastal Communities
Charge
Action 7.1:
"Support local planning efforts for working waterfronts to promote sustainable fisheries and prioritize coastal-dependent businesses and infrastructure through grant processes and federal assistance programs."
Action 7.2:
"Promote and expand environmentally responsible operations and infrastructure at ports and harbors, such as through Green Ports and Clean Marinas programs. Support revitalization efforts for struggling ports."
Work plan
Development of the Work plan is in progress.
Seattle waterfront, Washington
Other Existing Groups
Pacific States Ballast Water Workgroup
http://www.psmfc.org/Pacific_Ballast_Water_Group
WCGA Connection
Action 2.3:
"Prevent the future introduction of marine invasive species."
Pacific States/British Columbia Oil Spill Task Force
http://www.oilspilltaskforce.org
WCGA Connection
Action 1.5:
"Ensure adequate oil spill prevention, preparedness, and response capabilities on the West Coast and enhance federal and state collaboration. Develop additional capacity for rescue and salvage operations."
West Coast EBM Network
http://www.westcoastebm.org
WCGA Connection
Action 3.1:
"Examine ongoing community-based efforts using ecosystem management principles in all three states and share lessons learned from these initiatives to encourage effective ecosystem-based management efforts across the West Coast."
