2003 NRLI Participants

Name	Organization	Position	Location
Matthew Barker	NC Division of Forest Resources	Service Forester	Gaston County
HANDLING CHANGES IN THE 2003 PRESENT USE LEGISLATION IN CATAWBA COUNTY Catawba County is situated in the foothills of North Carolina. Although increasingly urbanized, a large percentage of the population continues to be employed by forest product related industries. Obviously, the need for sustainable, managed forests exists. Changes made in 2003 to the Present Use Valuation legislation mean that several thousand acres of woodland previously assessed as agricultural land now have to have woodland management plans. Initial deadlines for the submission of plans were unachievable and conflicts arose over different perspectives and misunderstandings about the program. Matt conducted meetings with county tax office staff, landowner representatives, Division of Forest Resources personnel, and other agricultural related government agencies to resolve these conflicts. As a result, 80-plus landowners who would not have received a management plan in time have been given an extension. Additionally, better working relationships are now in place that will serve to facilitate future engagements. Over the long term, many environmental benefits can be expected from sustainable, managed forests in Catawba County. Furthermore, the economic incentives that present use offers may serve to lessen the fragmentation of the land base.
David Brown	US Fish and WIldlife Service	Habitat Protectoion Biologist	Chowan County
PROMOTING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING AND DIALOGUE, AT THE LOCAL, REGIONAL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL, REGARDING SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND CONSERVATION ISSUES WITHIN THE LOWER ROANOKE RIVER Federally owned and operated water impoundments are regulated under the Flood Control Act. Section 216 of this act authorizes environmental studies of dam and reservoir operations. The US Army Corps of Engineers operates Kerr Dam on the lower Roanoke River. Operation of the dam and the resulting changes in river levels affect people, land and ecosystems downstream. In response to the ongoing Section 216 process, stakeholders downstream of Kerr Dam were convened by the members of the practicum group. The purpose was to inform stakeholders of the 216 process, solicit comments and to enable a dialogue with the downstream stakeholders throughout the process. Fifty people attended two meetings where facilitated dialogue raised issues and communication mechanisms were discussed and to encourage their participation throughout the process
LuAnn Bryan	NC Div. of Parks & Recreation & Recreation Resources Service (NCSUP	Recreation Consultant	Buncombe County
A GENERAL ASSESSMENT OF THE RECREATION & PARKS PROGRAMS OF THE EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS The purpose of this assessment was to ensure that the recreation programs of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) were meeting the needs of the community. LuAnn Bryan led the assessment with Dr. Beth Wilson and Jack "Swede" Frauson. The team met with EBCI members, staff, and citizens - seniors, youth and children in formal and informal settings. They also reviewed the EBCI 1995-2000 Cherokee comprehensive recreation and parks master plan titled" Where the Mountains Meet The River - Cherokee's Plan for Parks, Trails, Bike Paths and Greenways." The outcome of the project was the merger of the wellness and parks and recreation staff under the administration section to better manage the facilities of the EBCI and underscore the importance of public recreation to the health of the community. LuAnn continues to work with the EBCI on this project.
Laura Bush	NC State University	Student	Wake County
ALBEMARLE-PAMLICO NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT The Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary was among the first national estuary programs established by the US EPA in 1987. The mission of the APNEP is to identify, restore, and protect the significant resources of the Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system. Unlike traditional regulatory approaches to environmental protection, the APNEP is a cooperative effort jointly sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in cooperation with the Virginia Department on Conservation and Recreation (DCR). This unique program targets a broad range of issues and strives to engage local communities in the process. In 2004, the DENR contracted with both the Watershed Education for Communities and Local Officials and the Natural Resource Leadership Institute to identify reasons behind the decline in participation and recommend strategies for improvement. A strategic assessment was conducted using a survey instrument to gather input from stakeholders currently or historically associated with the APNEP because the decline has occurred over many years through many administrative changes. The survey findings were compiled and presented to both the APNEP administrators and interested stakeholders during a retreat held in April 2004. Stakeholders that took part in the process were asked to confirm the findings or refine them for clarity. Recommendations made by the assessment team have been presented for program improvement.
Sharon Clarke	The Conservation Fund	Cultural Projects and Communication Manager	Orange County
Gary Curcio	NC Division of Forest Resources	Fire Staff Specialist	Greene County
Robin Ferguson	Marine Corps Air Station-Cherry Point	Natural Resources Specialist	Craven County
MISSION COMPATIBLE PLAN FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF FOREST RESOURCES IN SUPPORT OF THE RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER, MARINE CORPS AIR STATION (MCAS) CHERRYPOINT The Mission Compatible Plan will define and implement forest management measures on Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point with the intention of enhancing the value of the station's timberlands for the red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW), a federally listed endangered species. RCW occur on properties around MCAS Cherry Point, but are not known to occur on the station at this time. The plan will be the major component of a formal Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation between the Marine Corps and the US Fish and Wildlife Service on the potential for mission impacts on future RCW individuals and habitat, in advance of the species occurrence. This is a big effort with many long-term steps. A short-term outcome of Robin's project led to the establishment of new networks between MCAS Cherry Point and federal and state natural resources agencies to research and discuss the idea; and then to use the data gathered during these discussions to obtain concurrence from the Marine Corps command before initiating formal ESA consultation.
Jeff Gearhart	NC Div. of Marine Fisheries	Marine Biologist	Carteret County
FORMATION OF THE NORTH CAROLINA SEA TURTLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE In recent years, the bycatch of sea turtles has resulted in severe fishing restrictions imposed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and NC Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF). As sea turtle populations continue to expand under the protection of the Endangered Species Act the number of fisheries interactions is likely to increase. Recently, NMFS outlined a plan for sea turtle conservation and recovery along the east coast and Gulf of Mexico. Traditionally, the opportunity for the public to participate in governmental decision making concerning endangered species has been very limited. Fishermen have been frustrated with the lack of public involvement in the decision making process. Under Jeff's and Jenny's leadership, NCDMF formed a stakeholder advisory committee to assist managers in dealing with this multifaceted problem. Previously, such advisory panels were aimed at providing input on fisheries issues on a species or regional basis. This is the first committee that is solely concerned with bycatch and the first committee concerned with protected species influence on fisheries management.
David Green	International Paper	Forester	Durham County
DEVELOPING A PLAN FOR WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL PAPER LANDS IN SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA David's practicum was an effort to improve his facilitation skills and create consensus in a group. David brought together a group of experts in the fields of wildlife management and silviculture in an effort to develop a wildlife management plan for International Paper (IP) foresters to use in making day-to-day decisions. The team established goals and objectives for the project, decided on the content of the plan, and drafted recommendations and suggestions for practices that would enhance or improve IP's current efforts for managing their wildlife resource. The outcome was a wildlife management plan that outlines best practices for managing and improving the wildlife resource. The team also drafted a Memorandum of Understanding to create a partnership for managing wildlife on a landscape level in southeastern North Carolina. It is anticipated that the MOU will be signed later this year.
Annette Hiatt	Land Loss Prevention Project	Staff Attorney	Durham County
AN ANALYSIS OF ATTORNEY PARTICIPATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LITIGATION IN NORTH CAROLINA The Land Loss Prevention Project is working in conjunction with the University of North Carolina and the NC Environmental Justice Network on a grant funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Science. Annette developed a survey to measure the level of knowledge held by attorneys in North Carolina about environmental health issues and the use of expert witnesses in litigation. Based on the information gathered, educational materials will be developed and implemented in the form of a continuing legal education course centering around environmental justice and expert witnesses. The ultimate goal of the project is to bring together community members and advocates, medical service providers, environmental health researchers and attorneys to successfully learn about and eventually combat environmental harms that are impacting North Carolina communities.
Michael Holmes	NC State University	Research Associate	Wake County
RURAL LANDSCAPE PRESERVATION PROJECT: CREATING A VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF THE COMMUNITY OF GREEN LEVEL, NC Green Level, NC, an unincorporated rural community located just outside the western boundary of the town of Cary, is under pressure to be developed. This pressure threatens significant cultural and natural resources located within Green Level. Community concerns focus on how to protect these resources without infringing on an individual's interest or property right. Through a series of workshops led by Michael, over 100 members of the Green Level community created a community vision. This vision addresses issues related to development, farmland/rural areas, historic districts and landmarks, parks and open space, property rights, traffic, and watershed/ environment. Additionally, this effort identified places important to Green Level residents, provided educational information to assist individuals and the community with conservation initiatives, and improved communication between the Green Level community and the Town of Cary. The results of this practicum are helping to inform the decision-making process, as well as provide opportunity for additional community participation as the Town of Cary updates its land use plan.
Jeffrey Horton	The Nature Conservancy	Roanoke/Albemarle Steward	Bertie County
PROMOTING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING AND DIALOGUE, AT THE LOCAL, REGIONAL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL, REGARDING SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND CONSERVATION ISSUES WITHIN THE LOWER ROANOKE RIVER Federally owned and operated water impoundments are regulated under the Flood Control Act. Section 216 of this act authorizes environmental studies of dam and reservoir operations. The US Army Corps of Engineers operates Kerr Dam on the lower Roanoke River. Operation of the dam and the resulting changes in river levels affect people, land and ecosystems downstream. In response to the ongoing Section 216 process, stakeholders downstream of Kerr Dam were convened by the members of the practicum group. The purpose was to inform stakeholders of the 216 process, solicit comments and to enable a dialogue with the downstream stakeholders throughout the process. Fifty people attended two meetings where facilitated dialogue raised issues and communication mechanisms were discussed and to encourage their participation throughout the process
Kathryn Kay	The Nature Conservancy	Office Manager	Moore County
ALBEMARLE-PAMLICO NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT The Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary was among the first national estuary programs established by the US EPA in 1987. The mission of the APNEP is to identify, restore, and protect the significant resources of the Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system. Unlike traditional regulatory approaches to environmental protection, the APNEP is a cooperative effort jointly sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in cooperation with the Virginia Department on Conservation and Recreation (DCR). This unique program targets a broad range of issues and strives to engage local communities in the process. In 2004, the DENR contracted with both the Watershed Education for Communities and Local Officials and the Natural Resource Leadership Institute to identify reasons behind the decline in participation and recommend strategies for improvement. A strategic assessment was conducted using a survey instrument to gather input from stakeholders currently or historically associated with the APNEP because the decline has occurred over many years through many administrative changes. The survey findings were compiled and presented to both the APNEP administrators and interested stakeholders during a retreat held in April 2004. Stakeholders that took part in the process were asked to confirm the findings or refine them for clarity. Recommendations made by the assessment team have been presented for program improvement.
Karen Lynch	NC Dept. of Transportation	Environmental Specialist	Wake County
EDUCATION GUIDE TO FRESHWATER MUSSELS OF NORTH CAROLINA In North Carolina, biologists must be licensed before they can survey for or identify mussels in state waters. The process by which one becomes licensed is vague. Licenses or permits are issued by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission after a recommendation letter is a provided to them from a mussel expert on behalf of the biologist seeking the mussel permit. Correct mussel identification is important for conservation of endangered and threatened species. Yet, there are few educational materials available to accelerate training in mussel identification. In response to this need, Karen is working with the NC Wildlife Resource Commission, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and biologists from NCDOT and the NC Natural Heritage Program as well as environmental consultants in the mussel field to produce an educational field booklet called "A Field Guide to NC Mussels" that provides information, drawings, descriptions and range maps to improve biologists' knowledge and identification skills for these aquatic species.
Tavey McDaniel	UNC - Greensboro	Environmental & Sustainability Manager	Guilford County
INSTITUTIONALIZING SUSTAINABILITY AT UNC GREENSBORO For her practicum project, Tavey set out to accomplish two goals: (1) conduct a campus sustainability assessment at UNC-G to measure the university's performance, help clarify the dialogue and provide clear action items; and, (2) form a campus sustainability committee that will, through a multi-stakeholder approach, find ways to address these action items and inform the University community about their environmental impacts. The first goal is almost complete. Tavey interviewed campus stakeholders to gather information and educate them throughout the process. She held targeted educational meetings at the initiation of the assessment and at its completion. The dialogue and awareness produced from the assessment process has been invaluable in moving the campus towards a more sustainable future. Tavey has begun work on forming the sustainability committee.
Gary Peeples	US Fish and WIldlife Service	Outreach and Extension Specialist	Buncombe County
WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES TO ADDRESS STREAM INTEGRITY IN THE GOOSE CREEK BASIN OF UNION COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA The Goose Creek basin is home to the federally endangered Carolina heelsplitter mussel. It is also in the shadow of Charlotte, North Carolina, whose suburban areas are growing rapidly. The purpose of this project was to work with local leaders and governments to take steps to protect the heelsplitter and the streams it depends on in light of pending landscape changes, including the large scale conversion of rural land to suburban areas. A catalyst for these changes is the proposed Monroe Bypass, which would be an interstate quality road carrying people through Union County, in and out of Charlotte. In its review of the Monroe Bypass project, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is extremely concerned about the secondary and cumulative impacts to the basin's streams. In previous discussions, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and the service have negotiated with Union County officials. Through this practicum, Gary opened lines of communication with the three Union County towns that occupy the Goose Creek Basin -- Fairview, Stallings, and Indian Trail. These towns and agencies have begun discussions as to how they can work together to protect the heelsplitter and the streams on which it depends.
David Phlegar	City of Greensboro	Water Quality Supervisor	Guilford County
A VEGETATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY UNDER HIGH TRANSMISSION POWER LINES AT NORTH BUFFALO CREEK IN GREENSBORO, NC. Vegetation maintenance under high transmission lines in Greensboro has been conducted with a single objective in mind: to prevent the vegetation from growing beyond the 15' height needed to ensure uninterrupted power integrity. Many of these transmission line Right-of-Ways (R/W's) intersect public parks, streams, sensitive ecological areas and neighborhoods. R/W maintenance practices have resulted in public outcry and public relation issues for Duke Power and the city of Greensboro. In response, David formed a stakeholder group of utility managers, city of Greensboro management, neighborhood residents and parks users throughout the R/W corridor with a mission to develop a new R/W vegetation management strategy. A project outcome was the transfer of vegetation maintenance responsibility to the city of Greensboro through a third-party contract with the power company. The city then met with the various stakeholders, documented their needs and expectations, and bid out the maintenance work as specified by the stakeholder group. So far, this has resulted in a more cooperative and involved stakeholder group, as citizens seem to appreciate having a voice in the process. This project has significantly improved the public relations issues for both the city and the power company while maintaining power service integrity.
Gloria Putnam	NC Division of Water Quality	Coastal Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator	Wake County
ESTABLISHING PRIORITY ISSUES AND PROJECTS FOR THE NC COASTAL NONPOINT SOURCE PROGRAM Gloria Putnam, with the NC Division of Water Quality, undertook a project to collaboratively establish priorities and identify projects for the NC Coastal Nonpoint Source Program. As coordinator for the program, Gloria experienced challenges with prioritizing time and funds to projects that meet federal program mandates and achieved the goals of protecting and restoring coastal waters from nonpoint source pollution (polluted runoff). A project was undertaken to establish an advisory group for the program with Gloria serving as the primary organizer. One meeting was held in March 2004 with water quality and coastal resource managers from state governments, and one was held in May 2004 with forestry interests. A process was identified to establish priority issues and projects for the Program, and initial steps were taken towards that end.
Jean Richter	US Fish and WIldlife Service	Wildlife Biologist	Bertie County
PROMOTING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING AND DIALOGUE, AT THE LOCAL, REGIONAL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL, REGARDING SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND CONSERVATION ISSUES WITHIN THE LOWER ROANOKE RIVER Federally owned and operated water impoundments are regulated under the Flood Control Act. Section 216 of this act authorizes environmental studies of dam and reservoir operations. The US Army Corps of Engineers operates Kerr Dam on the lower Roanoke River. Operation of the dam and the resulting changes in river levels affect people, land and ecosystems downstream. In response to the ongoing Section 216 process, stakeholders downstream of Kerr Dam were convened by the members of the practicum group. The purpose was to inform stakeholders of the 216 process, solicit comments and to enable a dialogue with the downstream stakeholders throughout the process. Fifty people attended two meetings where facilitated dialogue raised issues and communication mechanisms were discussed and to encourage their participation throughout the process
Daniel Robison	NC State University	Assistant Professor	Wake County
THINK TANK AND BREAK-THROUGH TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE FOR THE COLLEGE OF NATURAL RESOURCES, NC STATE UNIVERSITY Dan initiated an institutional mechanism to foster a greater amount of critical, creative and cooperative thinking and problem solving by faculty within the College of Natural Resources - - to address critical world needs in natural resources management. To achieve this, Dan developed a prospectus to create a college "think tank" and facilitated a planning retreat to discuss it. The outcome of this effort was significant interest by faculty college-wide to participate in some form of think tank initiative, and to merge this idea with the formation of a college-wide scholars leadership team. This combined effort will serve as an intellectual catalyst for college faculty and programs, advance the teaching-research-extension missions of the university, and be a mechanism for developing new programs and pursuing funding for college activities.
Jessica Ruegg	Arthur Morgan School	Development Coordinator	Yancey County
WHY WE DROPPED OUT - YANCEY COUNTY TEENS TALK ABOUT SCHOOL The high school dropout rate in Yancey County is well above the state average. Residents of the county, especially those who have not finished school, face limited employment options. By identifying the main causes of the high school dropout rate, Jessica sought to contribute to the design of educational and supplemental programs that support Yancey County students through graduation, preparing them for economic success. Jessica developed a survey process for gathering information on the root causes of students quitting school. Although she had the support of teachers and administrators for her project, and passed the NC State University institutional review for use of human subjects in research, she was not granted permission to use school resources to carry out her project. Jessica continues to pursue her practicum, seeking other venues to for her research.
Glenn Sappie	NC Div. of Air Quality	Economist	Wake County
STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION IN EARLY ACTION COMPACTS The purpose of Glen's practicum was to learn about and evaluate the public participation and stakeholder processes used by local air quality planners developing Early Action Compacts, a new program of the NC Division of Air Quality. In exchange for early air quality planning, this type of compact allows metropolitan areas that were about to be designated as 'non-attainment' for new tougher ozone standards more time to reach the standards. This project afforded Glen new opportunities to gather information about these processes which will be used to better inform air quality planning in North Carolina. Glen found that involving local officials in the ozone implementation process has built support for the Early Action Compact program by showing them what they need to do in order to meet the national requirements. The processes were inclusive with Lots of time spent to insure valuable input from affected stakeholders.
Jennifer Scarborough	Ocracoke Preservation Society	Asst. Shop Manager	Hyde County
FORMATION OF THE NORTH CAROLINA SEA TURTLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE In recent years, the bycatch of sea turtles has resulted in severe fishing restrictions imposed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and NC Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF). As sea turtle populations continue to expand under the protection of the Endangered Species Act the number of fisheries interactions is likely to increase. Recently, NMFS outlined a plan for sea turtle conservation and recovery along the east coast and Gulf of Mexico. Traditionally, the opportunity for the public to participate in governmental decision making concerning endangered species has been very limited. Fishermen have been frustrated with the lack of public involvement in the decision making process. Under Jeff's and Jenny's leadership, NCDMF formed a stakeholder advisory committee to assist managers in dealing with this multifaceted problem. Previously, such advisory panels were aimed at providing input on fisheries issues on a species or regional basis. This is the first committee that is solely concerned with bycatch and the first committee concerned with protected species influence on fisheries management.
Kurt Smith	Wake County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space	Open Space Planner	Wake County
REINVENTING PARTNERS FOR OPEN SPACE AND THE ENVIRONMENT Responding to citizens' concerns about disappearing open space, Wake County has embarked on a course to elevate the preservation of open space throughout out the county. County government raised funds through a bond issue to purchase lands for conservation and have made these funds available to municipalities on a matching basis. Kurt's goal was to create a shared vision among the towns and cities of Wake County for open space preservation. To accomplish this, Kurt reorganized and reinvigorated a county-wide open space planning group, Partners for Open Space and the Environment (POSE). Through Kurt's efforts, POSE is now an effective forum for local governments and interested parties that works to coordinate purchase of open space and get projects off the ground.
Caroline Struthers	Community Mediation Ctr. of Cape Fear, Inc. and Volunteer	Asst. District Counsel	New Hanover County
EXPLORATION OF PROVIDING SERVICES IN PUBLIC DECISION-MAKING BY A COMMUNITY MEDIATION CENTER Initially, Caroline set out do a specific public facilitation project as the beginning of establishing a public decisions program in the Mediation Center of Cape Fear in Wilmington. Very early, the purpose shifted from the stalled specific project to other public facilitation projects through which the potential for establishing such a program is being explored. The outcomes of the practicum have been the provision of third-party assistance to the city of Wilmington in responding to citizen complaints, identification of agreed upon actions to address a matter of concern to teachers and principals of a high school, public examination of the impacts of the local university on city neighborhoods and the development of recommendations to the city and the university for action, and information for the center about the demand for public decision-making services and about the requirements for providing such services.
Fred Tarver	NC Div of Water Resources	Environmental Specialist	Wake County
BUCK CREEK FLOW REQUIREMENT DETERMINATION FOR LAKE TAHOMA DAM, MCDOWELL COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA Buck Creek, a tributary of the Catawba River, was dammed in the 1920's to form Lake Tahoma for the purpose of recreation and hydropower generation. The three-mile reach of Buck Creek from the dam to the confluence with the Catawba River contains a water supply intake for the city of Marion, and is managed by the NC. Wildlife Resources Commission as a brown trout fishery. Almost the entire creek corridor below the dam is in private ownership. Given the potentially conflicting demands for water downstream, Fred set out to determine a flow requirement and mechanisms to both provide and monitor the flow so that water quantity and quality standards are met, Marion has sufficient water supply, and water levels in Lake Tahoma are acceptable to the lake owners.
Lisa Wimpfheimer	NC Cooperative Extension Service	Agricultural Agent	Carteret County