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?