U.S. Geological Survey 
Eastern Region

Focus Area on Northeastern U.S. 
Coastal Ecosystems and Resources 

USGS Northeastern Coastal Ecosystem and Resources Workshop - January 7 & 8, 2003

Steering Committee Charge, May 23, 2002

The Steering Committee for the USGS Focus Area on Northeastern U.S. Coastal Ecosystems and Resources is charged to establish and implement the process to create an integrated Science Plan.  This science plan for the focus area will identify high-priority scientific objectives and make recommendations for achieving them by capitalizing on scientific strengths of the various USGS disciplines.  The Steering Committee will consist of eight members, including two representatives from each of the four USGS disciplines, and this balanced representation will be maintained.  Working as an integrated part of the NEDMAC planning process, the Steering Committee will exercise internal leadership and energy to carry out this charge, subject to general guidance and approval by the Office of the Eastern Regional Geologist and the Eastern Region Leadership Team.  At its first meeting, the Steering Committee shall elect a Chairperson and designate individuals responsible for communication with USGS managers and others whose support is vital for success.  The committee shall then agree on the scope of the focus area (geographically and topically) and chart a general course of action for workshop(s) or other steps to reach the goal of a Science Plan.  The Science Plan should be completed no later than May 31, 2003, and the work of the Steering Committee will be complete upon its approval and release.

The following elements should be considered in developing the Science Plan:

• five-year time frame for science-plan objectives
• majorscientific questions
• major societal issues
• consistency with USGS mission and USGS Strategic Plan
• compatibility with USGS strengths and capabilities
• balanced representation and integration of all USGS Disciplines
• relation to, and coordination with, internal and external programs and activities
• opportunities for integration of existing USGS projects
• participation and perspectives of customers and cooperators
• pertinent earlier reports and workshop results
• related workshops, etc. planned by others
• need for workshop(s) involving USGS and/or customers
• internal and external funding sources (financially realistic)
• implementation milestones, responsibility, and coordination
• communication (in-reach and outreach)

Plans for any workshop should begin with a clear statement of its purpose and intended outcome, and consider how this should influence the format (such as talks, posters, panel discussions, breakout groups, writing groups, professional facilitators, etc.).  Careful consideration should also be given to the optimum time and place (including local host) and who to involve at what stage (such as USGS scientists, program coordinators, customers and cooperators).

USGS Northeastern Coastal Ecosystem and Resources Steering Committee