CICEET Progress Report for the period 3/01/08 Through 8/31/08

Project Title: The Coastal Plain Watershed Network: Adapting, Testing and Transferring Effective Tools to Protect Coastal Plain Watersheds
Principal Investigator(s): Karen Cappiella, Anne Kitchell, Chet Arnold
Project Start Date: October 5, 2007
Report Compiled by: Karen Cappiella

Tables

Table 1

Objective 5
Survey 100 progressive and unprepared communities to characterize the social, economic and technical factors that promote/impede the adoption of local watershed protection tools, and define their preferences and formats for future support.

Tasks to meet objectives
Objective 1
Task 2. Refine Coastal Land Cover Model
Task 4. Revise 8 Tool Framework for Coastal Plain Watersheds

Objective 5
Task 1.Needs Survey of Coastal Plain Planners and Coastal Communities

Progress on Tasks
Objective 1
During this project period, the team met to discuss development of the land cover model. The purpose of the model is to guide future coastal plain land use decisions. Based on this goal and due to the limited number of coastal plain studies and the wide range of conditions studied, the team agreed that the land cover model would be a conceptual model that would explore the following questions:
what indicators work best to predict conditions in coastal plain watersheds?

what are the implications for coastal plain land use managers?

The team brainstormed on specific indicators other than impervious cover to incorporate into the model (e.g., % wetlands, septic system density, # road crossings). The team developed a plan for organizing and summarizing the research related to each indicator and began research to add new studies to the database that was developed during the last reporting period.

The team met to discuss the format and content of the 8 tool framework and developed a draft outline (see Table 1). The proposed format for the 8 tools framework is to present the information as a special electronic issue of the journal Watershed Protection Techniques focused on coastal plain watersheds.

From 1994 to 2001, the Center published Watershed Protection Techniques, a periodic publication focused on watershed management. Techniques was launched as a forum to exchange ideas, data and experience about which practices work and don’t work and to promote the science of urban watersheds. This publication was well-used by the watershed community and even today the articles remain some of the most requested of Center publications. This journal provided a unique forum for academic researchers to reach a different audience: the end user.

The special issue would include the 8 coastal tools developed by the Center and also include articles and/or technical notes written by network members.

The Center has begun developing material for the Techniques article on coastal stormwater management, based on research from ongoing work to develop a coastal supplement to the State of Georgia’s Stormwater Management Manual. This includes conducting research and talking with practitioners to identify stormwater management constraints in the coastal plain and develop adaptations for stormwater BMPs to address these constraints.

Objective 5
A draft survey was pretested in July using a selected group of professionals working in the coastal plain. The survey was revised based on this feedback and was then put into an appropriate format for a web survey. The final survey had 140 questions and comprised of three separate sections to include: community contact information and demographics; technology and information needs; and questions to solicit information about watershed-based planning and management tools. The survey was emailed to 314 coastal plain community contacts in 13 states in late July. Some surveys bounced back due to inactive email addresses or replacement of staff. Survey contacts were updated with new staff and the survey was resent. We received a response rate of 24% with respondents from all 13 states. Survey responses were compiled during the second half of August.

Difficulties
Objective 1
None.

Objective 5
Development of the survey took longer than anticipated, which pushed back the start of the network and 8 tools framework tasks. These tasks will be started up during the next reporting period after the results of the survey have been evaluated.

Data Generated to date
Survey responses from 58 coastal plain communities.

Project Objectives for Next Reporting Period

Description of project objectives
Objective 1: Conduct a critical evaluation of existing watershed protection tools to produce revised, effective and simplified tools that are appropriate for coastal plain watershed and the smaller units of government contained within them over an 18 month period.

Objective 4: Create a collaborative network of at least 30 coastal plain watershed/land use planning experts to develop, review and endorse and disseminate the improved watershed tools. Partner with NEMO and other national organizations that represent coastal interests to amplify dissemination efforts.

Objective 5: Survey 100 progressive and unprepared communities to characterize the social, economic and technical factors that promote/impede the adoption of local watershed protection tools, and define their preferences and formats for future support.

Work Plan to Meet Objectives
Work will begin or continue on the following tasks in support of the above objectives:
Task 1. Needs Survey of Coastal Plain Planners and Communities
Task 2. Refine Coastal Land Cover Model
Task 3. Create Coastal Plain Watershed Network
Task 4. Revise 8 Tool Framework for Coastal Plain Watersheds

In support of Task 1, the project team will analyze the survey data and summarize the results in a memo. Results will be used to identify potential network members and identify areas of focus for the 8 tools framework.

Research will be conducted to develop the land cover model, which will be finalized during this reporting period. The model will be summarized in the Techniques issue, with a more detailed summary and annotated bibliography (database) developed for submission to CICEET.

In support of Task 3, the project team will compile an initial list of potential network members. The team will meet to further define the coastal plain watershed network, including the specific objectives, format of communications, benefits to members, and process for developing the network. Potential network members will be contacted with the end goal of 30 network members. Project staff will schedule meetings with each network member to a) discuss the needs of coastal managers as determined by the needs survey, and b) compile research to support the coastal land cover model or 8 coastal tools and get input on these deliverables.

In support of Task 4, the project team will refine the draft outline for the Techniques issue and conduct preliminary research on the coastal 8 tools. The survey results and results of interviews with network members will be the starting point for the 8 tools framework. A literature review will be conducted in support of the 8 coastal tools and additional information will be obtained from practitioners, as recommended by survey respondents and network members.

Expenditures
As of July 31, 2008, $48,416.18 of the project budget had been expended. This is within the range anticipated for the work accomplished to date.

What Else?
The Center has been working to obtain additional funds for the later tasks in this project, including testing of tools with local communities and dissemination of tools through training opportunities. So far, the Center has submitted 3 proposals to various funders for this work.