1997 NRLI Fellows

: Name	Organization	Position	Location
Brian Cole	United States Fish and Wildlife Service	North Carolina Supervisor for Ecological Services Program	Black Mountain, NC
RED WOLF WORKSHOP AND DIALOGUE IN EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA Introduction of the red wolf into eastern North Carolina by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been controversial.  Many landowners and other citizens are not well informed about the biology and management of the wolf.  By the same token, many people in the five-county region that the wolf now inhabits feel that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has not been responsive to their needs.  Brian organized a forum inviting NC Cooperative Extension Service agents and Fish and Wildlife field staff to share information about wolf management and the concerns of area residents in an effort to improve wolf and human coexistence.
Frank Findley	United States Forest Service	Assistant Ranger	Robbinsville, NC
SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL PLAN FOR GRAHAM COUNTY Frank serves on the Graham County Solid Waste Advisory Committee whose charge is developing a plan for handling the county's solid waste once the existing landfill is phased out.  Frank provided leadership to the committee by incorporating the interests of all the various groups and individuals with a stake in the outcome of the committee's decision.  His efforts led to a solid waste collection and disposal plan that has backing by most citizens of the county.
Peggy Finley	North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources	Hydrogeological Technician	Cornelius, NC
ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ALTERNATE WATER FUND FOR WATER SUPPLY WELLS CONTAMINATED BY NON-PETROLEUM UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS Peggy and a colleague at her agency, Karen Connell (NRLI Class of 1996), had witnessed too many incidents where people whose wells were contaminated with pollutants from sources other than petroleum underground storage tanks (USTs) had no quick recourse to a clean water supply.  They took the initiative to begin the process of establishing a fund in North Carolina to underwrite the costs of providing safe drinking water to citizens not eligible to receive funds from the petroleum UST trust fund.  Through Peggy's efforts, the NC Division of Water Quality included this project as one of its priority responsibilities and tasks.
John Fitzgerald	North Carolina Division of Soil & Water Conservation	Environmental Specialist	Morehead City, NC
PARTICIPATION AND LEADERSHIP IN THE WHITE OAK RIVER WATERSHED ADVISORY BOARD The White Oak River Watershed Advisory board is a group of citizen stakeholders from three counties who meet once a month to identify water quality problems in the watershed, gather information on the problems, and generate solutions by consensus.  Al joined the advisory board as a representative of private and public forestry, while John joined as a representative of agricultural interests.  The board recently convinced the NC DOT to re-engineer designs for a causeway expansion to protect the White Oak River from storm water runoff.  Al and John are actively participating in the board's current endeavor, which is an attempt to decrease the number and length of shellfish closures.
Michael Gryson	United States Forest Service	Recreation and Interpretive Service Manager	Pisgah Forest, NC
COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING FOR LAND USE ALLOCATIONS WITHIN AN URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENT The Bent Creek/ Lake Powhatan area in the Pisgah National Forest is managed as a multiple use trail system.  Conflicts between user groups have arisen due to the diversity in management objectives for the area and the high demand for trail use.  Michael is the project team leader of an effort to develop a partnership with the Bent Creek Experimental and Demonstration Forest, the NC Arboretum, the Cradle of Forestry in America Interpretive Association, the user public, and USDA Forest Service to develop, manage, and maintain a multiple-use trail system in the Bent Creek/ Lake Powhatan area.  Michael has successfully gathered key stakeholders together in a series of meetings to identify and analyze issues.  Under his leadership, the stakeholder group will next identify a trail system and collaboratively develop a management plan for the system.
Gary Gumz	Mountain Partners in Agriculture	Project Coordinator	Marshall, NC
COMMUNITY FARMLAND CONNECTIONS- A REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE FOCUSING ON THE INTEGRATION OF FARMING AND RURAL SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT North Carolina is  second only to Texas in the loss of farmland to development.  In line with this trend, the NC counties of Buncombe and Madison face a significant land transfer in the next decade as elderly farmers retire.  Gary opened up dialogue among a diverse group of representatives from 35 organizations and agencies by coordinating and convening the Community Farmland Connection, a one day regional roundtable that focused on the integration of farming and rural community sustainable economic development.  As a result of the roundtable, a working group has been formed to continue dialogue on community farmland protection and to formulate action plans.
Victor Harris	North Carolina Division of Forest Resources	Head of Engineering Services	Raleigh, NC
COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO INCREASE AFRICAN-AMERICAN PARTICIPATION IN THE FOREST RESOURCES PROFESSIONALS A lack of African-Americans in the Forestry profession prompted Victor to form a stakeholders group to address the low participation in this profession.  Stakeholders from universities, public schools, and private industry met in in June, 1998 to define the problem and identify informational needs.  The group established a process for obtaining reliable data and will develop an action plan for increasing the participation of African-Americans in the Forestry Profession.
Suzanne Hoover	North Carolina Division of Water Quality	Basinwide Planner	Raleigh, NC
ASSISTING RIVER BASIN REGIONAL COUNCILS TO DEVELOP A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO PROBLEM SOLVING The Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan developed through the Albermarle-Pamlico Estuarine Study called for the formation of regional councils in each of the five river basins in the Albermarle-Pamlico Region.  Suzanne attended the early formation meetings of four of the councils to introduce them to consensus decision-making.  Two of the four new regional councils decided to function by consensus.  Suzanne continues to attend meetings of the Tar-Pamlico river Basin Regional council to help the group focus on the process, while keeping apprised of the progress of the other three regional councils.  She will compare the effectiveness of the councils who use consensus-based decision-making to those who have chosen not to use the particular process.
Bob Houseman	North Carolina Division of Forest Resources	Forester	Whiteville, NC
DEVELOPING COLLABORATIVE SOLUTIONS TO THE "FIRE IN THE URBAN INTERFACE" PROBLEM "Fire in the urban interface" refers to wildfires that endanger homes built in woodland settings- a problem that occurs throughout coastal southeastern North Carolina.  Bob brought together New Hanover County Emergency Fire Agencies, the NC Forest Service, and New Hanover County Homeowners to gather information on the current urban interface condition in a locale of New Hanover County, and to formulate options for minimizing high risk conditions.  The stakeholder group successfully raised awareness of local officials about the dangers of wildfire urban-interface problems in the county, and will implement principles developed during this study in other highly susceptible areas of the county.
Todd Lowe	North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service	Agricultural Agent	Rockingham, NC
RESOLVING CONFLICT BETWEEN HUNTERS AND LANDOWNERS IN A RAPIDLY URBANIZING COUNTY IN NORTH CAROLINA In Moore County in1997, a dispute arose between landowners and deer hunters who hunt with dogs.  Landowners complained to the Moore County Commissioners about deer hunters hunting on their property without permission.  The Commissioners gave the landowners and hunters the opportunity to settle the conflict themselves.  Along with NRLI '96 Fellow Harry Huberth, Todd co-facilitated the group charged with developing solutions; the Moore County Landowners and Hunters Committee (MCLHC).  The MCLHC reached a  consensus on the recommendation of legislation which tightens restrictions on deer hunting with dogs in Moore County.  They submitted their recommendations to the Moore County Board of Commissioners.
Laura Lynch	North Carolina Coastal Federation	Program Associate	Newport, NC
DEVELOPING A MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE HOOP POLE CREEK AREA The NC Coastal Federation purchased 31 acres of land on Atlantic Beach surrounding Hoop Pole Creek.  The waters of the creek remain pristine and therefore constitute one of the only areas that stay open to shellfishing in Bogue Sound.  The land purchased by the Federation stands as a buffer between the coastal waters and the adjacent land uses.  Per a grant agreement and conservation easement, the Federation must maintain the land to protect adjacent water quality.  As the designated coordinator from the Federation staff, Laura convened a group of scientists, elected officials and people with local knowledge to develop a management plan.  Through a series of meetings, they developed a plan by consensus to guide the Federation's actions surrounding the creek.  The actions agreed upon would maintain the pristine water quality and develop uses of the area for recreation, observation and education while causing the least amount of impact to the natural features and functions of the land and water.
Beth McGee	Clean Water Fund	Environmental Planner	Raleigh, NC
A STAKEHOLDER APPROACH TO STATE WATER QUALITY RULE-MAKING Each state is required by federal law to review its water quality standards and classification rules every three years.  The review process is usually accomplished through the regular rule-making process, often resulting in emotionally charged public hearings and dissatisfied parties.  Beth assisted the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) staff in developing a new process which solicits input from the diverse public and private interests before the rule-making process begins.  The DWQ convened a Triennial Review Advisory Committee (TRAC) composed of stakeholders to assist in the development of proposed rule changes to bring to the Environmental Management Commission.  The TRAC successfully developed these rules and brought them to public meetings for comments.
Sally Malek	North Carolina Division of Health Promotion	Manager of Project ASSIST	Durham, NC
MANAGING TRANSITIONS IN NATIONAL AND STATE TOBACCO PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAMS The National Cancer Institute and American Cancer Society funded a research and demonstration project, Project ASSIST, in 1991 to provide extra aid to 17 states including North Carolina to reduce tobacco consumption.  Although Project ASSIST has proven successful in reducing consumption, conflict exists over the future of tobacco prevention and control programs, funding, and what the various federal roles should be in these programs.  As chair of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officer's Tobacco Prevention and Control Network, Sally  worked with federal and state agencies and national associations to develop a consensus document on key principles for a nationwide, federally funded tobacco prevention and control program.  The document has been presented to the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Donna Shalala.
Dave Mitchell	Duke Energy Corporation	Manager of Corporate Standards	Charlotte, NC
ESTABLISHMENT OF A MULTI-ORGANIZATION PARTNERSHIP TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE WILDLIFE, HABITATS, AND ASSOCIATED WILDLIFE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES AROUND MOUNTAIN ISLAND LAKE, NC Mountain Island Lake on the Catawba River near Charlotte, NC  provides drinking water for 583,000 people in surrounding municipalities, habitat for wildlife, recreational activities, and water for power generation by Duke Energy Company.  Continuing population growth and development poses future risks of pollution and degraded wildlife habitat.  Over 30 different environmental, conservation, educational, and other organizations have a stake in the lake area, but have not typically collaborated on issues affecting the lake.  Dave, Kermitt, and Stacey brought these stakeholder groups together to establish the Mountain Island Lake Partnership.  The partnership of organizations is dedicated to focusing efforts on the wildlife and related educational and recreational opportunities in the Mountain Island Lake area.  The Partnership has developed a momentum of its own and is expected to soon become self-sustaining.
Lynda Muriera	Sierra Club	Volunteer	Chapel Hill, NC
Jeff Owen	North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service	Area Christmas Tree Extension Specialist	Marshall, NC
ESTABLISHING COMMUNITY DIALOGUE ON SUSTAINABILITY OF AGRICULTURE IN AVERY AND WATAUGA COUNTIES Avery and Watauga Counties are undergoing a period of increased growth. As a result, agriculture is no longer the leading economic source for the counties. Increasingly, farmers must contend with an influx of new neighbors who often hold very different attitudes about land use and agriculture. Primary areas of concern have involved pesticide and fertilizer usage by farmers and the quality of surface and ground water in the community. To prevent future polarization and conflict regarding agricultural practices and land use, Jeff is establishing a process for dialogue on agricultural sustainability among stakeholders in Avery and Watauga Counties. He is convening a stakeholder planning group to address the issue, "how can we sustain the agricultural way of life in our mountain communities while accommodating the needs of a growing population of increasingly diverse, non-agricultural people?" The first planning group meeting was held in October of 1998.
Mary Jo Padgett	Environmental and Conservation Organization of Henderson County	Executive Director	Hendersonville, NC
DEVELOPING AN ACTION PLAN TO REDUCE EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION FROM CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT IN HENDERSON COUNTY,NC Because Henderson county is the fastest growing county in Western North Carolina, sedimentation has had a major impact on local streams.  Over the last few years, citizens and environmental groups have been pressing County Commissioners to pass a local ordinance to help control sedimentation.  Mary Jo's organization, the Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO) has played a leadership role in promoting a local erosion control ordinance in the county.  Mary Jo has utilized her conflict resolution skills learned at the Natural Resources Leadership Institute to appeal to the local Chamber of Commerce, County Commissioners, the Governor, and local legislators to garner support for a plan to reduce erosion and sedimentation in Henderson County.
Jacquelyn Pikul		Community Organizer	Raleigh, NC
INVOLVING CITIZENS IN IMPROVING ENFORCEMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA'S ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS In the summer of 1997, the Clean Water Fund of North Carolina (CWFNC) began a campaign for greater enforcement of environmental regulations in NC.  As Community Organizer for CWFNC, Jacquelyn has facilitated a number of public enforcement forums that brought together community members, legislators, county commissioners, and public works commissioners to try to solve problems with environmental law enforcement in their communities.  Jacquelyn and the CWFNC are continuing a dialogue with the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources about improving enforcement policies.
Mike Regans	North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service	Area Specialized Agent in Environmental Education	Snow Hill, NC
LEADING THE MID-NEUSE BASIN NONPOINT SOURCE TEAM TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN THE NEUSE RIVER The EMC proposes to reduce the annual load of nitrogen to the Neuse River Estuary by 30% by the year 2001.  Three non-point source (NPS) teams comprised of individuals from communities, local government, interest groups, agencies, and industries have been formed to identify, prioritize, and address basin NPS problems.  As a co-facilitator of the mid-Neuse NPS team, Mike is involved in designing the meeting process and guiding meetings.  The mid-Neuse NPS team chose to establish the Stoney Creek Watershed Project.  The project will develop an educational program, establish demonstration sites for Best Management Practices (BMPs), install and evaluate BMPs, and assist in the development of storm water plans by the City of Goldsboro and County of Wayne.  The mid-Neuse NPS team was recently awarded a substantial EPA 319 grant to fund the Stoney Creek WAtershed Project.  The 319 Work Group that administered the grant indicated that a major factor in their decision to award the grant was the teamwork demonstrated by the mid -Neuse NPS team in the writing and presentation of the grant proposal.
Tom Smith	North Carolina Division of Forest Resources	Pest Control Forester	Kenly, NC
DEVELOPING A POLICY ON THE SOUTHERN PINE BARK BEETLE WITH THE NC DIVISION OF PARKS AND RECREATION The Southern Pine Bark Beetle is a native pest species that kills thousands of North Carolina pine trees each year.  The state parks of NC traditionally have not controlled the pest, rather allowing natural processes to occur within the parks.  This policy has lead to conflict with neighboring landowners when infestations have moved onto their properties.  In contrast, the Division of forest Resources and the U.S. Forest Service actively control the insect pest to protect timber stands.  Tom worked with the Division of Parks and Recreation to develop a group of stakeholders who provided input on a potential policy to control the beetle on state parks.  A policy has been developed, and in the process Tom has developed a positive working relationship with the Division of Parks and Recreation.
Kermitt Taylor	Crescent Resources, Incorporated	Forester	Terrell, NC
Vickey Wade	Western Carolina University	Director Local Government Training Program	Cullowhee, NC
CREATION OF "LEADERSHIP JACKSON", A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN JACKSON COUNTY, NC Jackson County, North Carolina has been experiencing significant social and economic pressures in recent years, resulting in high dropout rates and high unemployment among other problems.  Vickey's organization, the Mountain Resource Center (MRC) gathered a group of stakeholders together to plan and implement a leadership training program to educate a diverse group of participants from Jackson County.  The program, Leadership Jackson, provided 24 participants with a broader view of issues affecting their communities and with an opportunity to learn skills in leadership, consensus building, team building, speaking, and conflict resolution.  Participants also conducted community service projects in Jackson County.  Leadership Jackson will continue to run on a bi-yearly basis.
Greg Walker	Cape Fear Resource Conservation & Development	Executive Director	Wilmington, NC
ESTABLISHMENT OF A STAKEHOLDER ROUNDTABLE TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION ON ANIMAL WASTE MANAGEMENT IN NORTH CAROLINA The issue of animal waste management is a volatile issue in North Carolina, which is now the leading meat-producing state in the nation.  Concerns over air and water quality and odor have led to the General Assembly enacting a moratorium on new and expanding hog facilities to provide time to advance new technologies in water quality improvement and odor control.  The NC Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) decided that an opportunity exists during the moratorium to provide and share information on the status of NC's resources and up-to -date technologies.  As a member of the NC SWCS and chair of their Animal Waste Management Position Statement Committee, Greg is guiding the NC SWCS in the organization of a forum that gathers partners from government agencies, environmental groups, and animal production interests.  This working group of partners, entitled the May 21 Group, have been meeting and engaging in a dialogue on the issues of animal waste management in North Carolina.
Rich Watts	Sarasota County Division of Natural Resources Management	Director	Venice, FL
Al Weller	Weyerhaeuser Company	Forester	Washington, NC
PARTICIPATION AND LEADERSHIP IN THE WHITE OAK RIVER WATERSHED ADVISORY BOARD The White Oak River Watershed Advisory board is a group of citizen stakeholders from three counties who meet once a month to identify water quality problems in the watershed, gather information on the problems, and generate solutions by consensus.  Al joined the advisory board as a representative of private and public forestry, while John joined as a representative of agricultural interests.  The board recently convinced the NC DOT to re-engineer designs for a causeway expansion to protect the White Oak River from storm water runoff.  Al and John are actively participating in the board's current endeavor, which is an attempt to decrease the number and length of shellfish closures.
Stacey West	Clemson University	Wildlife Biologist	Pendleton, SC
PARTICIPATION AND LEADERSHIP IN THE WHITE OAK RIVER WATERSHED ADVISORY BOARD The White Oak River Watershed Advisory board is a group of citizen stakeholders from three counties who meet once a month to identify water quality problems in the watershed, gather information on the problems, and generate solutions by consensus.  Al joined the advisory board as a representative of private and public forestry, while John joined as a representative of agricultural interests.  The board recently convinced the NC DOT to re-engineer designs for a causeway expansion to protect the White Oak River from storm water runoff.  Al and John are actively participating in the board's current endeavor, which is an attempt to decrease the number and length of shellfish closures.