Since 1999, the Coastal and Ocean Initiative at CUES has focused on the management, planning, policy, and economic aspects of a wide range of coastal and ocean issues. This initiative complements our longstanding growth management work and links landside activities with impacts on coastal and offshore areas. Past projects include the Biscayne Bay Partnership Initiative to ensure the bay’s future environmental integrity and a Master Plan for the Port of Fort Pierce. A more recent endeavor is our work with the Florida Hurricane Alliance to develop a framework for assessing key factors relevant to building hazard resiliency.

This issue spotlights projects undertaken by CUES with emphasis on Beach Management, the Marine Industry, Coastal Planning and Climate Adaptation, and Hazard Mitigation. It is noteworthy that stakeholder involvement, the major overarching theme to emerge, continues to be critical to project outcomes as well as to the successful implementation of recommended actions.

CUES Celebrates 35 Years
Over 300 people participated in a series of events in celebration of our 35th anniversary. The program, sponsored by FAU’s College of Architecture, Urban and Public Affairs (CAUPA), took place on Monday, November 19, 2007. It began with an academic panel on the recently published Growth Management in Florida: Planning for Paradise. CUES Director Jim Murley served as moderator while CAUPA faculty Efraim Ben-Zadok, Tony Abbate, David Prosperi, and Alka Sapat served on the panel. Also participating in the panel were Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Secretary Thomas Pelham and Florida State University professor Tim Chapin.

 

Following the panel and discussion, book contributors Tom Pelham, Tim Chapin, and Efraim Ben-Zadok signed books in the new John M. DeGrove Research Library, named in honor of CUES founder John M. DeGrove.

Program participants enjoyed a trolley ride to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. There, attendees enjoyed refreshments and live entertainment. They also listened to well wishes by FAU President Frank Brogan and heard the inaugural John M. DeGrove Lecture on Growth Management and Development, given by DCA Secretary Thomas Pelham. At this event, it was announced that Efraim Ben-Zadok has been appointed to the John M. DeGrove Eminent Scholar Chair in Growth Management and Development. Congratulations Dr. Ben-Zadok!

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Projects have involved the following partnerships, among others:

• Center for Visual Planning Technology (VPT) in FAU’s College of Architecture, Urban and Public Affairs
• Center of Excellence in Ocean Energy Technology (COET) at FAU
• FAU’s SeaTech Campus
• Florida Center for Environmental Studies (CES) at FAU
• Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF)
• Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) at the University of Miami
• South Florida Regional Planning Council (SFRPC)
• Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC)
• Urban Harbors Institute (UHI) at the University of Massachusetts – Boston

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Ongoing:

Economics of Florida’s Beaches – The Bureau of Beaches and Coastal Systems at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recognized the need for better public outreach to decision-makers and stakeholders on the importance of beach management to the state and national economies. In a multi-phased study that began in 2003, CUES has addressed issues about costs associated with placing sand on beaches and the economic benefits of beaches, including tourism. CUES surveyed Florida beach projects and state funding during the preceding decade and compiled a literature review of studies on the economics of beaches. In the tourism study, CUES found that visitors to beaches in the southeast region of Florida contributed most significantly to the state’s economy ($18.5 billion and more than 250,000 jobs), compared to other regions. Several beach studies have measured the economic value of beach tourism on specific communities. Following Florida’s recent active hurricane seasons, one study demonstrated the economic benefits of restored beaches on property values in several areas of Florida’s coasts after the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons. The most recent study complements these findings with an opinion survey of coastal residents that measures the public’s assessment of beach restoration in protecting their property. For more information, please visit http://www.cuesfau.org/projects/project.asp?ProjectID=65.

Recent:

Cumulative Impact Assessment for Florida’s Coral Reefs – Under a subcontract, CUES drafted a methodology to review and assess cumulative impacts of maritime industries and coastal construction projects on South Florida’s coral reefs from Miami-Dade to Martin counties. Cumulative impact reviews are required by such laws as the federal National Environmental Policy Act, among others. This work was conducted for DEP and the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Initiative. Project partners included CES, RSMAS, and the CEPEMAR Group. Final work products have recently been accepted and consist of items including the methodology, a cumulative impact assessment tool, and process flow chart. For additional information on SEFCRI and to access the work products, see http://www.dep.state.fl.us/COASTAL/programs/coral/reports/ – scroll down to “Maritime Industries and Coastal Construction Impacts” for the “MICCI Project 26” documents.

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Ongoing:

Statewide Boating Access Facilities Inventory – To address the need for improved public water access in Florida’s 67 counties, a comprehensive Statewide Boating Access Facilities Inventory is being compiled by UHI and CUES, with other partners, under a contract with the Office of Boating and Waterways at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Data is being collected and GIS maps are being created for boat ramps, marinas, dry storage facilities, mooring fields, and docks. Michigan State University is preparing an economic study, and Bordner Research, Inc., is conducting site surveys. One goal is to enable FWC to develop an interactive website for Florida residents and visitors in search of opportunities for public water access. For project details, please go to http://www.cuesfau.org/projects/project.asp?ProjectID=114.

Florida Economic Research Network (FERN) – Enterprise Florida recently established FERN, a statewide economic development research network to discuss and address issues of relevance to Florida’s future economic development and prosperity. FERN is a partnership between Florida’s academic and economic development communities. FERN also showcases the economic research expertise of Florida’s universities, informing decision-makers and the broader economic development community and stimulating policy discussion in the state. CUES Director Jim Murley and Senior Research Associate MJ Matthews are active participants in this network and serve on its Environmental Working Group. Ms. Matthews wrote the article, “Stakeholder Involvement: Key to Success of Marine Industry Projects,” for the group’s inaugural newsletter, The Idea Exchange.

New:

Marine Workforce Study – Workforce One Broward has just awarded CUES a $50,000 grant to study the Tri-County Marine Workforce. This project will develop a Needs Assessment for retaining and expanding a productive marine workforce so that this industry remains a viable economic force in South Florida. This comprehensive study will assess current and future workforce needs of the marine trades industry, as well as identify methods to expand jobs for marine employees in the tri-county area of Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. The project will build on the 2007 Regional Marine Summit sponsored by MIASF and the Marine Master Plan for MIASF (with recommendations from its Workforce Task Force). Assisting CUES will be UHI at the University of Massachusetts – Boston. For questions, contact Dr. Lenore Alpert at CUES (lalpert@fau.edu), Principal Investigator. Dr. Alpert recently joined MIASF at its Annual Regional Summit on November 9 and made a presentation on this project.

Miami River Marine Industrial Economic Analysis – The economic viability of the Miami River marine industries has been challenged by real estate development pressure, funding lapses, permitting issues, and other governmental obstacles. This relatively high-wage industry would benefit from a comprehensive economic development strategy to support its continued growth. Now that the Miami River dredging project has been initiated and the real estate market (especially condominiums) is likely to slow considerably due to oversupply, the Miami River Commission has engaged CUES to undertake a detailed review, synthesis, update, and extrapolation of the body of economic analysis concerning South Florida marine industries to create an up-to-date economic report on the Miami River’s maritime businesses.

Recent:

Monroe County Marine Management Strategic Plan – Monroe County is experiencing the loss and conversion of waterfront marine facilities and their associated businesses. Public water access and the loss of boat ramps and dockage are of continuing concern. To address these challenges, the county contracted with the SFRPC and CUES to prepare a Marine Management Strategic Plan. Completed in 2005, the plan presented a coordinated implementation strategy to help preserve the working waterfront. Stakeholder interviews and public meetings were held throughout the process. In a second project phase, CUES and the SFRPC proposed amendments to the county’s Comprehensive Development Master Plan and Land Development Regulations to address the mandates of the 2005 Waterway and Waterfront Improvement Act, Ch. 342, Fla. Stat., which is designed to protect, preserve, and retain recreational and commercial working waterfronts statewide. As required by the 2010 Comprehensive Plan, a Marina Siting Plan was prepared and a countywide inventory of marine-related sites and facilities was compiled. Together, these components comprise the Monroe County Working Waterfronts Preservation Master Plan. The plans are available online at http://www.sfrpc.com/MCWorkwater.htm.

Master Plan for MIASF – In Fall 2001, CUES, in conjunction with VPT and UHI, developed a Master Plan for MIASF to help direct growth of the marine industry in Broward County. The study focused on several sectors: support businesses related to manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, dockage, and marine services. The strategy integrates growth projections and needs, local economic development and land use objectives, and protection of natural resources. To expand the industry, improved interaction with municipalities was recommended, together with the amendment of existing laws, policies, and regulations. Following a marine summit in Fall 2002, stakeholder committees began implementing the Master Plan. Representatives from local governments, marine-related businesses, and both public and private educational and training institutions continue to participate in this effort. Resulting projects have included preserving water-dependent uses and identifying potential industry sites, maintaining a job bank and training and recruiting workers for related careers, and educating the public on the importance of the marine industry as an economic engine for the region and the state. For more information on this project, see http://www.cuesfau.org/projects/project.asp?ProjectID=68.

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Ongoing:

Florida Ocean Alliance (FOA) – FOA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public/private partnership of government, academic, and private sector interests formed in 1999 to promote awareness and understanding of the ocean’s importance to the state’s ecology and economy. CUES houses the Florida Ocean Alliance, with Director James F. Murley, Esq., serving as Secretary and Dr. Lenore Alpert, Assistant Director of Research, serving as Executive Director. CUES helps FOA organize Florida Oceans Day, an annual event in Tallahassee during which legislators join scientists, researchers, and maritime interests to raise public awareness and enhance the stewardship of the state's ocean resources. In 2008, Oceans Day will be held on March 12th in Tallahassee. FOA’s theme, “Ocean Technology: Protecting Florida's Oceans/Sustaining Florida's Economy,” will focus on emergent ocean technologies, sustainable energy development, and coral reef protection in this International Year of the Reef. A roundtable on the issues and public exhibits - sponsored by the Florida Institute of Oceanography - in the Capitol Rotunda and Courtyard are planned. Other event sponsors include Mote Marine Laboratory. For more on FOA see http://www.floridaoceanalliance.org. 

Center of Excellence in Ocean Energy Technology – CUES assisted with organizing the first public meeting of FAU’s Center of Excellence in Ocean Energy Technology. The meeting was held on October 17th at the SeaTech Campus with 45 participants in attendance. In her opening remarks, Camille Coley, JD, FAU Assistant Vice President for Research and COET Program Manager, noted that the event was designed to introduce the public and local government to COET, its goals and current pilot project, as well as to gather audience feedback. Dr. Manhar R. Dhanak, SeaTech Director and Chair of FAU’s Ocean Engineering Department, gave an overview and showed the recent Discovery Science Channel video documentary on “Green Energy,” which featured COET’s pilot project and interviews with Dr. R. Frederick Driscoll, COET Director, as well as Dr. Dhanak. The kinetic energy of the Gulf Stream has significant potential to supply Florida with much of its needed consumer electricity, provided that technically feasible and environmentally friendly harvesting technology can be developed. To date, no system has been installed for more than a few hours. The video raised some of the engineering issues involved in putting a turbine in the Gulf Stream. COET intends to install a small-scale experimental ocean current turbine offshore South Florida in the next several months.

Intracoastal Waterway Plan for Palm Beach County – CUES is assisting the TCRPC in the development of an Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) Plan for Palm Beach County. The development of a Waterways Plan for the ICW will assist the County in implementing its transportation planning (landside and waterside), as well as its economic and natural resource goals. Specifically, CUES is providing: (1) A Summary and Analysis of existing waterway planning efforts in Palm Beach County, and (2) A Scan of case studies on similar efforts in Florida, the U.S., and internationally. The Summary and Analysis of waterway plans will provide important background to the Steering Committee in its work. Public meetings and a design charrette are being planned. The Scan of other case studies may provide ideas, such as characteristics of interest, for potential incorporation in the County’s Plan and will be useful in preparing for the charrette. For further information, please contact MJ Matthews, JD, Principal Investigator, at mmatthew@fau.edu.

New:

Florida’s Coastal Economy – CUES has been contacted by the National Ocean Economics Project (NOEP) to help evaluate the economic value of Florida’s coastal assets, as part of a project funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. As part of a statewide assessment of coastal recreational activities, the CUES team will develop measures of coastal recreational use at the county level. Due to the state’s diverse coastline and recreational activities, we expect variation on these measures in different areas of the state.  The study will provide estimates on the level of coastal use in six areas (beach visitors, recreational fishing, SCUBA diving and snorkeling, recreational boating, surfing, and others) and the economic value of each use. A mapping phase will visually display the types of coastal use for each of Florida’s 35 coastal counties. There will also be an economic analysis of coastal tourism, including estimates of the value and characteristics of tourist-related businesses on the Florida coasts, such as hotels, restaurants and retail stores. Additional phases of the study will assess the value of coastal real estate and the cruise industry. Dr. Lenore Alpert is the Principal Investigator for the project and will be working with Dr. William Stronge, Professor Emeritus from the FAU Department of Economics and Senior Fellow at CUES.

Population Evacuation Planning for Monroe County – CUES has recently entered into an agreement with the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to provide an update to and modification of socio-economic data used for evacuation planning in the Florida Keys. The project will produce estimates of target populations to be evacuated from the Keys before a storm. Accurate population estimates are critical inputs to the hurricane evacuation model for the Keys. Of particular importance are the estimates of the numbers of people there during hurricane season and the trends in population change. This research will not address “participation rates,” traffic movement, zones, or other variables that affect evacuation procedures. Instead, estimates of the permanent resident population will be prepared, and categories of dwelling units and the occupancy rate for each will be characterized. CUES is working on the project with Dr. Charles Blowers, an economist and planning research consultant, who previously served as Research Division Chief with Miami-Dade County’s Planning and Zoning Department. For more information, please contact MJ Matthews, JD, at mmatthew@fau.edu.

Recent:

Palm Beach County Manatee Protection Plan (MPP) – The Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management engaged CUES to develop the county’s MPP. This included an updated Boat Facility Siting Plan and review of current manatee education and awareness programs. The goal of the state-mandated Plan is to minimize interactions between manatees and boats. The resulting siting criteria will be used during review of permit applications for boating facilities so that impacts to manatees and their habitats can be addressed. The final draft was approved by the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners in June 2006. After additional review and revisions made by FWC, the County approved a revised MPP in 2007. To access the MPP, please visit http://pbcgov.net/erm/enhancement/manatees.asp.

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Ongoing:

Coastal High Hazard Areas Would Benefit from Holistic Policymaking
This project is a continuation of the Center’s ongoing partnership with the Florida Hurricane Alliance, a group of university researchers seeking to improve hurricane preparedness and resiliency in vulnerable areas. This phase of the study evaluates the 2006 legislative change to Coastal High Hazard Area (CHHA) definition changes and the resulting changes in boundaries and policy impacts. The findings show that the new CHHA definition redefines the boundary of the regulated area in ways that may compromise resiliency and that additional evaluation of the CHHA policies are warranted before implementation. As policymakers address the coastal development and preservation issues against the backdrop of increased coastal storm activity, sea-level rise, beach erosion, water supply and quality issues etc., it is time to reassess the efficacy of the current complex web of multi-agency regulations. Today’s framework allows for overlapping review and oversight, but also engenders gaps and implementation complexities. The time has come to holistically consider the environmental, hazard mitigation, land-use and economic development coastal planning. This does not imply that that we desire for uniformity throughout the state. Rather, that in terms of the Coastal High Hazard Area, it should be broadened to embrace diverse aspects of natural hazard mitigation. It may be defined at a regional scale that reflects variability of local geo-morphology and socio-political linkages among neighboring jurisdictions. For more information on this project, contact Ana Puszkin-Chevlin at apuszkin@fau.edu.

State Policy Framework for Adaptation to Climate Change
This project is collaboration between CUES and the project funder, the National Commission on Energy Policy, a bipartisan group of top energy experts from industry, government, labor, academia, and environmental and consumer groups whose work is focused on oil security, climate change, and energy infrastructure adequacy and siting. It is funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and its partners. (see www.energycommission.org)

The project was inspired in large part by very important developments in Florida’s commitment to address climate change that have gathered significant momentum this year. In addition to the Governor’s commitment, the Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida’s 2007 report includes a recommendation that states, “Develop an initial state strategy to address climate change, which will include recommendations for priority action steps to both mitigate impacts and to plan for its potential effects, including sea level rise.” Plus, the Florida Energy Commission (FEC), a nine member panel charged with recommending to the Florida Legislature the best ways to secure Florida’s energy future, adopted a recommendation to create a Florida Climate and Energy Commission (to replace the FEC), among whose responsibilities would be “….to make recommendations to the Legislature and Executive Branch on…climate change adaptation strategies….”

The final report will present a comprehensive policy framework which – it is hoped – will assist Florida state government 1) to assess the likely impacts of climate change on its coastal regions and communities and then 2) develop and adopt policies and programs that will enable the state, its communities and its residents to adapt to and adaptively manage those impacts over the near- and long-term. We hope the critical questions raised in the report and the policy options presented for consideration will be useful to the Governor and Legislature, state agencies, and a broad array of interested parties – local governments and regional planning agencies; business, environmental and social justice organizations; the media and public affairs educators; and the general public. Because the report is among the first attempts across the country to develop such a comprehensive policy framework, we hope it will also be useful to other states and national authorities, particularly those with a particular interest in the impact of climate change on our nation’s coastal regions and communities.

New:

Hazard Mitigation Plan for FAU’s Boca Raton Campus
CUES has been authorized to prepare a Hazard Mitigation Plan for FAU’s main campus in Boca Raton. Funding of $133,000 for this project was recently approved by DCA and FEMA under the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program. The project will be completed within a one-year timeframe and is expected to begin in January 2008. FAU is a key component of the research and educational infrastructure of the state and the nation. Critical research is conducted at FAU, and this work has the potential for influencing and supporting the standards of living, the way of life, and the technological and cultural leadership of the United States in the world arena. Damage to the university as a result of impacts from natural hazards may have severe consequences for research and educational activities, plus the potential for loss of life and injury to students, faculty, and staff. FAU needs to do all it can to protect lives and to reduce the potential for damage to its facilities. FAU’s Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Boca Raton Campus can be incorporated into the Campus Master Plan. The Project Team will be assisted by an Advisory Committee. Work products include an education and outreach component, risk assessment, hazard mitigation strategy, and computer animation and simulation. The Plan will meet the criteria of 44 CFR Part 201 and will be submitted to DCA and FEMA for review and approval.

Recent:

Analysis of Statutes and Rules for Coastal High Hazard Study Committee (CHHSC) – This report was prepared by CUES under contract with DCA in response to Section 7 of Executive Order 05-178, which created the CHHSC. A comprehensive review of applicable statutes and rules was conducted to ensure consistency with and support of the objectives set forth in Section 4 of the Executive Order, relating to protecting and conserving coastal resources while minimizing vulnerability of coastal communities, balancing risks, and developing cost-effective methods for hazard mitigation. Chapters 163, 186, 187, 252, and 380, Fla. Stat., were analyzed, together with the implementing rules, where applicable. The CUES assessment demonstrated that Florida already has a considerable number of existing statutes, regulations, programs, and projects in place that relate to the Section 4 objectives. Final analysis of their effectiveness requires more in-depth assessment of the administration and intergovernmental coordination issues incumbent upon the required implementation.

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It is evident that the success of projects undertaken by CUES in the coastal and ocean policy area depends in large part on stakeholder involvement and public participation, when available, during all phases of project development and implementation. Consensus-based recommendations are key to addressing critical issues by designing effective strategies to ensure that project goals are achieved. Stakeholder involvement can also lead to improved interagency communication and intergovernmental coordination, resulting in conservation of public resources and balanced decision-making. Finally, successful collaboration among project partners ensures that work products benefit from the skills and talents of different individuals and the organizations with which they are affiliated.

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