1. The RI Bays, Rivers, & Watersheds Coordination Team Articulating & Communicating Science & Monitoring Priorities for Narragansett Bay Water Quality Ames B. Colt, Ph.D. Chair RI BRWCT

2. Transcend the [discrete] responsibilities and jurisdictions of each agency. Address complex issues using an ecosystem-based management approach. Integrate environmental & economic considerations.(RIGL 46-31) The RI Bays, Rivers, & Watersheds Coordination Team

3.  Establishes ‘overall goals’ for Narragansett Bay management & sustainable use  Basis for strategic allocation & cultivation of resources for science & monitoring  Coordinate the diverse spectrum of federal, state, & local organizations responsible for studying, assessing, and managing the Bay RI Bays Rivers & Watersheds Systems-Level Plan: 2009-13

4. DEM CRMC Div. Of Planning EDC Water Resources Board RI Rivers Council Science Advisory Comm. Env. Monitoring Collab. GovernorMunicipalities Narr. Bay Commission General Assembly

5. BRWCT- Knowledge Provision Comprehensive strategic planning cycle Scientific & monitoring information dissemination environmental & economic policy analysis Agency “portal” for communications to public & elected leadership

6. BRWCT Support for CHRP II Worked with Dan and Libby Jewett in 2010 to provide state support for the project to strengthen proposal BRWCT agreed to fund CHRP II $25,000 annually. The PI’s recommended that the BRWCT provide - $10,000 to support field survey of DO concentrations - $15,000 to support Ullman modeling runs

7. Collaboratively Establish Monitoring & Research Priorities for Assessing Systemic Responses to WWTF BNR Enhancements in the Narragansett Bay Watershed Utilize BRWCT, its Science Advisory Committee, & the RI Env. Monitoring Collaborative to produce & disseminate a single, comprehensive statement of priorities & needs for the next 5-10 years

8. BRWCT responsible for “overall goals” for management, restoration, & utilization of Narragansett Bay. RI Environmental Monitoring Collaborative is responsible for designing and implementing a state-wide environmental monitoring system.

9. BRWCT discretionary project funds: $200,000 to 240,000 annually. With the RI Env. MC and the Science Advisory Committee, the BRWCT allocates $250,000 annually to environmental monitoring. The BRWCT Chair is a gubernatorial appointee.

10. The BRWCT must report on progress annually to the Governor and the General Assembly. The BRWCT must submit a comprehensive annual work plan as part of the Governor’s annual budget, including a statement of research and monitoring priorities.

11. Provides science & monitoring community an opportunity to speak in a unified manner, and to be heard by executive and legislative authorities. Catalyze external funding from state(s), federal agencies, and other sources.

12. It’s state law. The GA and the Governor seek coordination and consistency of leadership. The GA, and the Governor, have provided a strategic framework, a process, staff resources, and funds for scientists & managers to work together and engage with elected leadership, & the public

13. Sisyphus The struggle itself...is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy. Albert Camus Titian, 1549

14. www.coordinationteam.ri.gov ames.colt@dem.ri.gov