Estero Bay Nutrient Management Partnership

Meeting Summary

1/17/03

Ø      Recap of the December 17, 2002 meeting. Acknowledgement of those contributing to the editing of the “Existing Projects List."  Everyone was provided an edited list for review and future reference.

Ø      The group discussed additional rationale for establishing a Nutrient Management Partnership for the Estero Bay Watershed.

o       Meet the requirements for a TMDL

o       A comprehensive watershed plan will improve community quality and maintain a strong economy

o       Regulatory agencies are treating symptoms not the causes

o       A watershed partnership could provide for a significant citizen component

o       Education is a key element

o       General commitment for need to conduct a watershed partnership

Ø      Reviewed current status of “Partnership”

o       DEP has submitted a letter of cooperation, pledging staff support

o       EPA has pledged significant funds to assist with the program

o       Other agencies are “at the table” and include: WERC, SFWMD, Lee County, SWFRPC, CHNEP, USFWS, The Conservancy of Southwest Florida, DEP Aquatic Preserves, Estero Bay ABM, SWFWC, FWC, Audubon of Florida.

Ø      Partnership Structure Discussion: Members of the group discussed potential ways the “Partnership” could be structured. One suggestion was to have a high profile “Champion” like Congressman Porter Goss who could help create and sustain momentum and help build trust etc. and a technical advisory and implementation committee. The Southwest Florida Watershed Council (SWFWC) has also proposed hiring a part time facilitator to handle the logistics of the program and work with the implementation team. Another member of the group suggested that for his agency to “sign on” they would have to know where the Partnership would be “housed” and what agency would administer the grant.

Ø      The group of primary partners also reviewed a list of potential “partners” that would eventually be invited to participate in the project and were asked to make suggestions for additional partners to the list.

Ø      The group concluded that the next step would be to invite the coordinator for the Tampa Bay Nitrogen Management Consortium to discuss how they organized their effort and to answer questions from our group. Jim Beever agreed to make the arrangements and to have the presentation made at the March 10, meeting of the Estero Bay Agency on Bay Management.