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The coastal zone of the Northeastern United States, from New York Harbor to Maine, includes some of the most highly urbanized areas of the Nation. The scientific issues and management problems surrounding coastal ecosystems and resources in this region are complex, demanding a research approach that is multi-disciplinary, inclusive of the four major specialty areas within the USGS, and collaborative with colleagues and partners outside USGS. To be most effective, a comprehensive USGS research program in the northeastern coastal zone should be regionally integrated and focused on the primary ecosystem threats and ecological responses in coastal environments.
A workshop to develop a USGS Integrated Science Plan for addressing northeastern coastal ecosystems and resources was held January 7-8, 2003, at the University of Rhode Island Coastal Institute. Throughout 1½ days, 72 participants from USGS and more than a dozen partner organizations worked to identify the major societal issues, scientific questions, and opportunities for USGS integrated science in the northeastern coastal zone. The workshop was highly successful. Many activities were packed into the workshop, ranging from plenary sessions with guest speakers to discussion groups, from an evening poster session demonstrating USGS work in the region to a half-hour music-comedy presentation called “Estuaries Cabaret.” Participants gave the workshop high marks, remarking that the forum provided opportunity to exchange information, to network, and to discuss the varied and complex issues associated with coastal research in the Northeast.
Speakers in the opening session challenged participants to rise above the narrow focus of individual projects and scientific interest to think broadly about societal needs in the Northeastern Region. Participants brainstormed, clarified, and prioritized key issues associated with major threats in the coastal zone (fluxes of water and material from watersheds to coastal environments, coastal hazards, and urbanization) and consequences for coastal ecosystems and resources. A set of realistic short-term interdisciplinary efforts was outlined. Geographic targets for long-term efforts were explored.
Next steps include the preparation of a brief meeting summary and drafting of a 10-page science action plan by a writing team. Writing Team members include a representative of each USGS discipline and a liaison from the Workshop Organizing Committee. Review copies will be circulated to workshop participants by late March. The Organizing Committee will prepare a post-meeting evaluation and develop a communication plan. The communication plan will outline tactics to engage internal and external stakeholders to garner buy-in for an integrated USGS effort on the Northeastern coastal research. The Organizing Committee will recommend ways to reach traditional partners within the state governments of New England and New York, Federal agencies, and regional coalitions as well as non-traditional partners in non-governmental organizations, tourism, recreation, and harbor industries.
January 21, 2003