gulf recovery team report steps toward restoring longleaf, restoring the gulf team chair vernon...

Gulf Recovery Team ReportSteps Toward Restoring Longleaf,

Restoring the Gulf

Team Chair Vernon Compton with Lark Hayes and Tom DardenLongleaf Partnership Council Meeting

April 8, 2014Biloxi, MS

Recapping LPC Interest

▹Mobile, Spring ‘13 LPC Letter and Framework▹Charleston, Fall ’13 Gulf Recovery Team formed

Gulf Recovery Team Objectives▹Develop portfolio of longleaf-centric, -related projects▹Network/coordinate partners and allies▹Strengthen scientific/economic/defense rationale▹Decipher/engage in multiple funding processes

Actions for Portfolio Development

▹Scanning and “sensing”▹Review of official project listings▹Nat’l, Regional, & State-by-State Outreach, Incl. LITs▹Highlights = Restoration Teams/Burning/Acquisitions

Coordination of Partners and Allies

▹Many, many bases to be touched▹US Endowment and State Foresters▹Coherence & synergy, not duplication or gaps

Strengthening the Scientific/Economic/Defense Rationale

▹Building on landscape-level approach of Range-wide Plan & SGAs

▹Emerging watershed approach with project mapping▹Outreach to experts for research, data, models, etc.

Funding Processes and Emerging Considerations

▹Challenging “first off” efforts with variable forward motion▹Statutory and/or settlement purposes must be addressed▹Early marine/coastal focus, but longleaf in the mix▹Treasury Rule pending for RESTORE geo scope▹Multi-state, scaleable, NEPA ready

Looking Ahead

▹Network and momentum is building▹Continued longleaf portfolio development▹ Initial proposals to RESTORE Council, Fall ‘14?