Project Description: APNEP is involved in the development of a pilot workshop that will be offered to elected officials that will provide an overview of water resource science; land use and water resource connections; and implications and applications for local public policies including planning, zoning, and stormwater management.
Consortium Members: NC Sea Grant, NC State University (Natural Resources Leadership Institute and Watershed Education for Communities and Officials), NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Coastal Nonpoint Source Program, NC National Estuarine Research Reserve, and Albemarle Pamlico National Estuary Program), NC Coastal Federation, UNC School of Government, UNC Coastal Studies Institute, and NC Eastern Region
Outcomes:
Participants will…
(1) have an increased awareness of the environmental impacts of certain local land use and economic development decisions, understand economic viability is inextricably linked to environmental quality, and be in a better position to ask questions and find information regarding inclusion of natural resource protection (and water resource protection in particular) in their planning efforts;
(2) have an increased understanding of how collaborative efforts have benefited other coastal communities, how those efforts were started, the stakeholder groups that participated, and how similar efforts might be initiated and maintained for environmental issues they face; and
(3) have an increased capacity to lead community efforts in adopting and
implementing environmentally sustainable policies and projects that benefit their communities.