Natural Resources Leadership Institute

Mary Lou Addor
Natural Resources Leadership Institute - Raleigh, NC

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SOUTHERN CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE FORESTS

In 1995, the Governor's Task Force on Forest Sustainability recommended the establishment of a Southern Center for Sustainable Forests to carry out research necessary to provide a sound scientific basis for sustainable forestry practices. Recognizing that many people and organizations have different philosophies about forest sustainability, and have an interest in steering the Center's research agenda, the three participants have organized a forum where all interested stakeholders can work together to set priorities for the Center.

The outcome of the forum will be a blue print for action reflecting the interests of the forest industry, environmental organizations, and forest land managers from around the state.

COORDINATING WATER QUALITY PLANNING EFFORTS
IN THE CAPE FEAR RIVER BASIN

Three river advocacy organizations have been active in the Cape Fear River Basin over the past 20 years, providing a voice for improving water quality in the basin. The NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ), in its effort to coordinate river basin planning has relied on these organizations for input and guidance, but has been frustrated by the sometimes conflicting goals and philosophies of the different organizations.

Alice, a board member of one of the three major organizations has begun working with the DWQ to form a single river basin council, comprised of all the primary stakeholders in the basin.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SOUTHERN CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE FORESTS

In 1995, the Governor's Task Force on Forest Sustainability recommended the establishment of a Southern Center for Sustainable Forests to carry out research necessary to provide a sound scientific basis for sustainable forestry practices. Recognizing that many people and organizations have different philosophies about forest sustainability, and have an interest in steering the Center's research agenda, the three participants have organized a forum where all interested stakeholders can work together to set priorities for the Center.

The outcome of the forum will be a blue print for action reflecting the interests of the forest industry, environmental organizations, and forest land managers from around the state.

DEVELOPING A FEDERAL-STATE PARTNERSHIP FOR FOREST MANAGEMENT
AT CORPS OF ENGINEERS RESERVOIR PROJECTS

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers owns land surrounding three large reservoir projects in northcentral North Carolina. The State Division of Parks and Recreation leases and manages portions of the property surrounding the lakes. The two agencies have differing philosophies regarding the management of public forest lands at the reservoir projects. Over the course of several years, discussions on forest management has evolved into general disagreement over active management versus preservation of this resource.

Carol worked to bring these two agencies to the table to negotiate a management plan that will satisfy the interests of both agencies.

Scott Bebb
Ft. Bragg Public Works - Raeford, NC

APPLYING A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS TO INTEGRATED
NATURAL RESOURCES PLANNING AT FORT BRAGG, NC

Fort Bragg is required by Army regulations to implement an Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan that addresses all renewable natural resources and areas of critical or special concern both from policy and technical standpoints. The planning process requires considerable input both from in-house staff, other signatories, special interest groups and the using public.

Rather than rely on conventional regulatory review and comment procedures for this input, Scott will apply collaborative processes to foster ownership of the plan by involving stakeholders in the planning process, resolve conflicts, address competing land uses, and build an alliance of well informed, communicating stakeholders.

LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR OPERATION SPRING PLANT GOVERNING BOARD

Operation Spring Plant is a community organization funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to foster rural leadership and assist limited resource farmers in NC's central northern tier counties. Maccene has been working with the organization's governing board and staff to assist them in achieving their mission.

The training program Maccene has developed is modeled from the NRLI curriculum and focuses on relationship building, trust building, and developing collaborative decision making and problem solving skills.

PROTECTING UNDERGROUND WATER SUPPLIES IN
EDGECOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

Edgecombe County is a rural county on the western fringes of North Carolina's Coastal Plain. Groundwater is an important resource for county residents -- nearly two-thirds of the county population rely on groundwater as a drinking water source. Presently there are 86 active groundwater contamination incidents being monitored by the NC Division of Water Quality.

Hal worked with the county government and a group of stakeholders to develop consensus policy recommendations for water quality protection.

DEVELOPING A RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN FOR NORTH CAROLINA

The endangered red-cockaded woodpecker occurs in scattered locations throughout coastal North Carolina and is protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. The participants involved in this project are working with private landowners, state and federal agencies, farming organizations, environmental organizations and others to develop a habitat conservation plan that will assist private landowners statewide to manage their lands in such a way as to protect the woodpecker while providing the landowner flexibility to derive an income from their lands.

COORDINATING THE INTERAGENCY SYMPOSIUM ON REGULATORY ISSUES
IN VEGETABLE PRODUCTION

The regulatory requirements governing vegetable production in Florida are complex and, as a result, often misunderstood by farmers and others who must abide by them. To address this situation, Roy developed a new state major program for Florida Extension. The goal of Roy's project is to improve communication and understanding between farmers and the public agencies that write and enforce the rules.

Roy convened meetings of the major stakeholders and created a symposium to bring all the players together and establish needed communication links.

DESIGNING A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF EXISTING HOG FARM OPERATIONS IN ROBESON COUNTY, NC

Intensive swine and poultry production in eastern NC has led to many conflicts between farmers and their neighbors over odor and water pollution. Robeson County has enacted a local ordinance to reduce this conflict, but the county's regulations pertain only to new and expanding livestock operations and do not address odor and water quality complaints about existing facilities. Some county residents view the existing ordinance as insufficient, while others see signs of impending regulation of existing facilities as a threat to their livelihoods. James has convened a group of stakeholders to develop an official process to log, initiate and attempt resolution of animal farm nuisance complaints without additional regulations on existing livestock operations.

CONVENING NEGOTIATIONS TO REPLACE A CONTAMINATED WATER SOURCE FOR A COMMUNITY IN GASTON COUNTY

Several water supply wells near the Springwood community in Gaston County, NC have been contaminated from nearby commercial and industrial sources including a former gas station, an old drum storage area, a landfill, and other sources yet to be identified. Residents have been supplied water from several temporary sources at high cost to homeowners and others.

Karen worked with all the responsible parties, municipalities, and affected residents to attempt to secure a permanent source of drinking water for the Springwood community. As of this date, negotiations are still under way

DEVELOPING A HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN TO PROTECT
THE VIRGINIA LONG-EARED BAT

A 500-acre tract of land in Avery County, NC owned by Columbia Forest Products contains abandoned mine shafts that harbor populations of the Virginia long-eared bat, an endangered species.

Greg worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission to develop a habitat conservation plan to protect the bat and reduce the liability of Columbia Forest Products should anyone be injured while exploring the mine shafts.

FACILITATING THE WARREN COUNTY/STATE JOINT PCB WORKING GROUP

A landfill designed to accept PCB wastes was sited in Warren County, NC despite protests that attracted national attention. Since that time, the state has made efforts to detoxify the landfill. The Warren County/State Joint PCB Working Group was appointed by the Governor to set priorities for handling the wastes and cleaning up the site. The level of distrust between the local and state members of the group was high, constructive communication was minimal, and little was being accomplished.

Nan, a member of the Working Group, volunteered to facilitate the meetings. By establishing ground rules and getting members to move from positions to interests, Nan has been able to help the group move positively toward eventual clean up of the site.

REINVENTING THE NC NATIONAL PARKS,PARKWAY AND FORESTS
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Since 1947, the NC National Park, Parkway and Forests Development Council has acted as an advisory body to the federal land management agencies in Western NC, addressing development of recreational facilities, travel and tourism, and transportation. Over the years, the Council's activities stagnated, and the partnership between federal and state agencies weakened. Nann and Lanny organized a retreat for the Council to come together and develop a new mission and vision.

Since the retreat, the Council has met monthly, fulfilled its short-term objectives,sent six resolutions to the Governor, and made substantial progress in addressing a 30-year dispute between Swain County and the Federal Government.

DEVELOPING A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO THE CONVERSION OF
RAILS TO TRAILS IN EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA

A coalition of diverse stakeholders was organized to investigate the potential to convert an abandoned rail line to recreational trails in three eastern NC counties. The goal of the group is to establish a trail for public enjoyment of the local natural resources while maintaining its potential as a future transportation infrastructure.

Bryant's role has been to serve as a leader of the coalition and to organize and facilitate information sessions to gather public input into how the trails should be developed.

REINVENTING THE NC NATIONAL PARKS,PARKWAY AND FORESTS
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Since 1947, the NC National Park, Parkway and Forests Development Council has acted as an advisory body to the federal land management agencies in Western NC, addressing development of recreational facilities, travel and tourism, and transportation. Over the years, the Council's activities stagnated, and the partnership between federal and state agencies weakened. Nann and Lanny organized a retreat for the Council to come together and develop a new mission and vision.

Since the retreat, the Council has met monthly, fulfilled its short-term objectives,sent six resolutions to the Governor, and made substantial progress in addressing a 30-year dispute between Swain County and the Federal Government.

PREVENTING SEDIMENTATION FROM TIMBER HARVESTING IN
NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

Loggers and timber buyers in northwest NC have been in dispute with the NC Division of Forest Resources (NCDFR) over compliance with the forest practice guidelines provisions of the state's sedimentation pollution laws. Reid convened a meeting of timber buyers, loggers, consultant foresters, and landowners to develop a formal agreement between stakeholders and the NCDFR to prevent water quality degradation during timber harvesting while respecting the needs and constraints of the stakeholders.

The outcome was a cooperative working relationship between the NCDFR and independent loggers and timber buyers where loggers now bring NCDFR onto the job site to assist them in complying with the forest practice guidelines.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A LITTLE TENNESSEE RIVER BASIN COUNCIL

The NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ) has undertaken the task of assembling river basin councils in the Albemarle-Pamlico basins to provide guidance to state officials on strategies to protect water quality. Bill attempted to extend this model to the Little Tennessee River basin in western NC. However, the Division of Water Quality is not yet prepared to form such a council outside of the A-P region.

Bill will continue to work on this effort, with the intent of forming a basin council independent of DWQ.

DEVELOPING A RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN
FOR NORTH CAROLINA

The endangered red-cockaded woodpecker occurs in scattered locations throughout coastal North Carolina and is protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. The participants involved in this project are working with private landowners, state and federal agencies, farming organizations, environmental organizations and others to develop a habitat conservation plan that will assist private landowners statewide to manage their lands in such a way as to protect the woodpecker while providing the landowner flexibility to derive an income from their lands.

NEGOTIATING ACCESS TO THE NANTAHALA RIVER

The U.S. Forest Service has begun to enforce a permit system to regulate access to the Nantahala River in response to a rapid increase in river use. As a result, several summer camps lost access to the river for their canoe and rafting programs. In response to complaints from the camps, the Forest Service granted a permit to the American Canoeing Association (ACA), so that the camps could book their days on the river through the ACA. Unsatisfied with the outcome, the summer camps appealed the permit.

Chuck, a member of the camp association that protested the permit, approached the Forest Service and the ACA in an attempt to resolve the conflict through a negotiated outcome that all could agree to. He convened meetings of representatives from the three parties in the fall of 1996 and helped them to negotiate an outcome that met all interests.

INTEGRATING A PLANNING TEAM APPROACH IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WIDE-AREA NETWORK FOR THE NC DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY CHEMISTRY LABORATORY

Clemenstene has been working with the Dept. of Environment, Health and Natural Resources (DEHNR) Chemistry Lab, DEHNR Section Chief, and regional supervisors to establish a wide-area computer network within her agency.

She has acted as convener and facilitator to bring the parties together and develop a solution that works for all units of the agency.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SOUTHERN CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE FORESTS

In 1995, the Governor's Task Force on Forest Sustainability recommended the establishment of a Southern Center for Sustainable Forests to carry out research necessary to provide a sound scientific basis for sustainable forestry practices. Recognizing that many people and organizations have different philosophies about forest sustainability, and have an interest in steering the Center's research agenda, the three participants have organized a forum where all interested stakeholders can work together to set priorities for the Center.

The outcome of the forum will be a blue print for action reflecting the interests of the forest industry, environmental organizations, and forest land managers from around the state.

Jennifer Platt
Town of Cary - Cary, NC

FORMING AN ADVISORY GROUP TO DEVELOP A WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM
FOR THE TOWN OF CARY, NC

Jennifer is facilitating an interdisciplinary water conservation work team charged with developing water conservation strategies that work. The work team is comprised of members from town departments with potentially conflicting goals relative to water conservation.

She is also working with local municipal officials to explore options to involve the public in water conservation planning.

Kim Quintal
Educational Consultant - Garner, NC

ORGANIZING A COMMUNITY DIALOGUE AROUND ISSUES SURROUNDING RED-WOLF REINTRODUCTION NORTH CAROLINA

Reintroduced into eastern NC in 1987 by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), approximately 50 endangered red wolves range across Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell, and Washington counties. There has long been an element of distrust between the FWS and local government officials and citizens. Opportunities for public participation about how the wolves are managed have been limited. To deepen participants’ understanding of an issue by focusing on the values that underlie opinions, Kim has been working to develop and implement a series of informal, practical, and effective meetings, or "study circles" around the issue of red wolf reintroduction.

DEVELOPING A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS FOR STAKEHOLDER INPUT INTO
THE CHOWAN RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT PLAN

The NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ) has undertaken the task of assembling basin-wide workshops to provide input into each of the state's watershed plans. Groups of stakeholders provide guidance to DWQ on implementing strategies at the local level to protect the river basins and improve water quality. The planning workshops usually occur at one site on a single date. Marjorie organized a series of stakeholder focus groups for the Chowan Basin to provide a better opportunity for groups to have input into the planning process.

NEGOTIATING THE EXPANSION OF A MAJOR INDUSTRIAL FACILITY IN
A WATER SUPPLY WATERSHED IN FORSYTH COUNTY

A major industrial facility in Forsyth County, NC that employs 400 workers announced intentions to expand its plant. The facility, which produces and stores hazardous materials, is located within the protected area of a water supply watershed. The county development ordinance restricts industrial expansion within the protected area. The facility owners indicated that they would have to close the plant if they are not able to expand as planned. A local environmental organization, the county planning department, and the county environmental affairs department staked counter positions. Chuck, acting in the interests of the county environmental affairs department, negotiated a settlement of the dispute.

DEVELOPING THE SOUTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL AND
NATURAL RESOURCES LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

In South Carolina, conflicts over the use and protection of natural resources have been increasing, particularly in the use of forest lands, agriculture, and wetlands. To help people become more effective in resolving these conflicts, Chris launched the South Carolina Agricultural and Natural Resources Leadership Institute.

Modeled after the NRLI, the South Carolina program focuses on the interface between agriculture and the environment. The first Institute was held at Clemson University in the spring of 1997.

DEVELOPING A RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN
FOR NORTH CAROLINA

The endangered red-cockaded woodpecker occurs in scattered locations throughout coastal North Carolina and is protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. The participants involved in this project are working with private landowners, state and federal agencies, farming organizations, environmental organizations and others to develop a habitat conservation plan that will assist private landowners statewide to manage their lands in such a way as to protect the woodpecker while providing the landowner flexibility to derive an income from their lands.

NEGOTIATING USES OF PRIVATELY HELD COMMON LANDS ON
LITTLE CUMBERLAND ISLAND, GA

Little Cumberland Island is a privately-owned wilderness island off the coast of Georgia. The island is owned by 100 stockholders, who individually own a 2-acre lot plus a common and undivided ownership of the remaining 2,200 acres of beach, undeveloped land and salt marsh. Management of the common lands is governed by restrictive covenants placed on the individual parcel deeds and agreement with the US Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Concern has arisen among the stockholders that loopholes exist in these agreements.

Charlie convened and facilitated a meeting of key stakeholders and the Board of Directors to develop a set of rules on the use of the common lands.