ABSI CAB Questionnaire Summary Report...QUESTIONNAIRE SUMMARY October 2019 I. INTRODUCTION The Community Advisory Board (CAB) is being convened to develop consensus on a science-based

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ApalachicolaBaySystemInitiative(ABSI)

https://marinelab.fsu.edu/absi/

ABSICOMMUNITYADVISORYBOARDQUESTIONNAIRESUMMARY

DESIGNED AND COMPILED BY

ROBERT M. JONES & JEFF A. BLAIR

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TABLEOFCONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION 3

II. MOSTIMPORTANTSHORTANDLONGTERMABSIOUTCOMES 3A. SHORTTERM 3B. LONGTERM 4

III. LOOKINGBACK 5A. FORBETTER 5B. FORWORSE 6

IV.LOOKINGAROUND 7A. TAILWINDS 7B. HEADWINDS 9C. TRENDS 10D. CRITICALABSICHALLENGESANDISSUES 12

1. Oysterreefs:suitablelocations,heights,substrate,andsalinity 122. Waterquantityandtiming:freshwaterflow,quantity,timing,salinity

balance,predationanddrought 143. Lackofaholistic,sustainableApalachicolaBaymanagementplaninformed

byscience 164. Overharvesting,andconsiderationformanagingalimitedeffortoysterfishery 175. TheemergenceofaquacultureintheABSanditsrelationshiptowildharvesting196. Oystersandbayindecline 217. Sustainabilityasacommunity:culture,economy,education,andretraining 228. Landuse,development,andtourismimpactsonthefisheryandbaysystem 249. ABSIprocessandconsensus 25 10. OtherissuestheCABmightexplore 26

V. CRITICALABSIDATAANDSCIENCEAREASANDGAPS 28

VI. LOOKINGFORWARD 30A. AVERYUNDESIRABLEFUTUREFORTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEMIN2030 30 B. ENVISIONASUCCESSFULFUTUREFORTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEMIN2030 31 C. DRAFTVISIONOFSUCCESSTHEMES(DRAWNFROMTHERESPONSES) 34

VII. OTHERCOMMENTS 35StakeholderWorkingGroupMembersResponding 35

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ABSICOMMUNITYADVISORYBOARDQUESTIONNAIRESUMMARY

October2019

I. INTRODUCTION

TheCommunityAdvisoryBoard (CAB) is being convened todevelop consensuson a science-based ecosystem-based oyster management and restoration plan for the Apalachicola BaySystem(ABS).Tohitthegroundrunning,inadvanceoftheorganizationalmeetingonOctober30,2019,weaskedCABmemberstorespondtothisquestionnaire.Inadditiontothissummary,wehaveincorporatedCABmemberresponsesintotheorganizationalmeetingagendapacket.

II. MOSTIMPORTANTABSISHORTANDLONG-TERMOUTCOMESMemberswereaskedtonamethesinglemostsuccessfuloutcomefortheApalachicolaBaySystemInitiative(ABSI)processtoachieveintheshorttermandthelongterm?

A. OVERTHESHORTTERM

SUCCESSFULSHORT-TERMOUTCOMESFORTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEMINITIATIVE(ABSI)PROCESS

ListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses1. Aconsensusonavisionandplanthatisadoptedandimplemented(9)2. Openandinclusiveprocess(4)3. Thebayrevitalized(2)4. Determinewhyoystershavenotreturned(2)5. Ongoingmonitoringofwaterquality(1)MemberResponses

Aconsensusonavisionandascienceinformedplanthatisadoptedandimplemented(10)• Longtermconsensusplandevelopedandimplemented.• Developalong-termplanthataddressesallaspectsofthissystem.• AclearlyarticulatedandsharedvisionofwhatasuccessfulABSwouldlooklikeANDthe

developmentofaplantoachievethatvision.• Avibrantandprosperouscoastalcommunitysupportedbyahealthybaysystemthatboasts

cleanwater,restoredoysterreefsandothercoastalhabitats,andsustainableandproductivefisheryresources.

• Consensusonthescienceweneed.• Consensusonbestwaystomoveforwardforsomeimmediatepositiveresultsbutalsoa

long-termgameplanforsustainability.• Quicklydevelopplantorebuildoysterreefs.• Anoystermanagementplanisadopted.• Completionandimplementationofabaymanagementplanandarestorationplan.

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Openandinclusiveprocess(5)• Theprocessisrecognizedandacceptedasopenandinclusiveandwillbeviewedashaving

thepotentialtochangealonghistoryofnotworkingtogetherandnotchangingthedeclineoftheriverandbaysystem.Eachofusrepresentsawholelotofotherfolksthatcouldhavebeenselectedfortheadvisoryboardandweneedtomakesuretheyknowtheyarepartoftheprocess.

• Aprocessthatincludesviewsfromthelocaloysterharvestersanddealersandresultsinausefulproductthatallowsustomoveforward.

• AttheoutsetanABSIprocessthatisinclusive,acceptingandfriendlytothesomanypeopleandorganizationsthathaveworkedsohardoverthedecadestotryandsavetheApalachicolaRiverSystemthatincludesnotonlythebaybuttheApalachicolaRiverBasin.InmyworkonthisissueIfindandsensealevelofdisorganizationwithintheApalachicolaRiverandBaySystem,notallthedifferentfrommyexperienceworkingthelargerACFbasinissues.Facilitation,outreach,educationandinclusionwillbeinvaluableattheoutsetforeachofusselectedtobeamemberofthisadvisorygrouphasaherdoffolkswithandbehinduswithaworldofemotionsandexperienceinthisbasin.

• Providingtheforumandpavingthewayforhonest,respectful,meaningfulcommunicationbetweenstakeholdersregardingtheApalachicolaBaySystem'sissues,andpotentialstrategiestoaddressthoseissues.It'sallaboutcommunication.

• Communitybasedmanagementplanforsustainablefisheries.

TheBayrevitalized(2)• Revitalizationofthebay.• Bayreturnstonormal. Determinewhyoystershavenotreturned(2)• Determinewhytheoystershavenotreturnedeventhoughriverflowshaverecovered.• Figureoutwhythebayhassofewoysters.

Monitoringwaterquality(1)• Monitorwaterqualityofriverandbay.B. OVERTHELONGTERM

SUCCESSFULLONG-TERMOUTCOMESFORTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEMINITIATIVE(ABSI)PROCESS

ListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses1. Asystemofoysterreefsandoysterbarsforasustainablefishery(6)

Consensusonalong-termrecoverystrategyandsustainablemanagementplan(6)2. TheBayandit’scommunitiesarevibrant,thriving,productiveandresilient(3)MemberResponsesConsensusonalong-termrecoverystrategyandsustainablemanagementplan(6)• Consensusonlong-termstrategy.• Designsustainablemanagementplan.• Abaymanagementplanandoysterrecoveryplanbornoutofahighlytransparentprocess

reflectiveoflocalstakeholdervaluestoprotectthebayandriverhelpsthebayandoysters

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recoverandhasapermanentadvisorycommitteeintothefuturethathasrepresentationfromharvesters,dealers,localleadersandagencies.

• ArecoveryandmanagementplanforthebaythatisapartofarecoveryandmanagementplanfortheApalachicolaRiverBasinthatispartofanApalachicola,Chattahoochee,Flint(ACF)transboundarywatermanagementinstitutionthatincludesthefeds,statesandallthestakeholders.

• AnACFtransboundarywatermanagementinstitution,thatincludesanApalachicolaRiverrecoveryandmanagementplanandprocessthathasallthecomponentslikeabaymanagementandrecoveryplanandprocessremainsmygoal.Iaminmythirddecadeofadvocatingforsustainable,nowresilient,recoveryandmanagementplansandprocesses,institutionsifyouwill,fortheChipolaRiverwatershedwhereIlive,theApalachicolaRiverandBaySystem,andtheApalachicola,Chattahoochee,FlintRiverbasin,includingtheeasternGulfofMexico.

• Moreonthesocialsciencesideofthings:tofosterasenseoftrustamongthestakeholdersthatleadstoageneralconsensusontheprimarymanagementobjectivesandstrategiestoimprovetheecosystemfunctionsoftheApalachicolaBaySystem.

Asystemofoysterreefsforecosystemservicesandoysterbarsforasustainablefishery(6)• Asystemofoysterreefsprovidingecosystemservicesandhighproductivefishery.• Renewoysterbars.• Increasednaturaloysterbarproduction.• Sustainablecommercialoysterfishery.• Wildoysterharvestingtoresumetoasomewhatnormallevel.• Asustainablefishery-oyster,shrimp,crab,etc.

TheBayandit’scommunitiesarevibrant,thriving,productiveandresilient(3)• Avibrantandprosperouscoastalcommunitysupportedbyahealthybaysystemthatboasts

cleanwater,restoredoysterreefsandothercoastalhabitats,andsustainableandproductivefisheryresources.

• Makethebayproductiveagain.• Thrivingandresilientecosystem.

III. LOOKINGBACK

Lookingback,memberslistedkeymilestones/erasandpeoplethathavemadeadifference(forbetterorforworse)fortheApalachicolaBaySystem.A. FORBETTER

Milestones/Eras• GiventhecurrentstateoftheABS,I'mnotsureIcanpointtomany(ifany)successstories.• Expansivemanagementplansthathavehelpedprotectwaterflowsandhealth.• FloridadenialoftheUSArmyCorpsofEngineerspermittodredgetheriver.• FormationoftheApalachicolaRiverkeeperin1998andACFStakeholders,Inc.2009.(2)• Checkstations.• Publiclandsacquisitionandconservationefforts.

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• DenialofthepermitforCorpsleveldredgingoftheriver.• Seafoodindustrypreventedoverdevelopment.• 2013-2016-Intensiveresearchonthepotentialcausesofoystermortality.• EstablishmentoftheANERRforlocalresearchdata,designationasaBiosphereReserve,

ApalachicolaRiverkeeperinvolvement.• ANERR.• Publicawarenessthatanissueexistsandstatesupporttoaddressissues.• Stateshellingprogram.• NWFWMD.• FSUTriumphfundedproject. People• Thereareanumberofdedicatedfolkswhohavetriedtoshedalightonthemyriadofissues

plaguingthebay,butthosemessageshavenotbeenheardorwellreceived.• Toomanyfolkstolistwhohavegiventheircareersandvolunteertime.• Atoolonglistofpeopletolistatthefederal,stateandlocallevels.• HelenLeitman,USGS.• DanTonsmeire,ApalachicolaRiverkeeper.• AngusGholsonChattahoocheeFloridabotanist.• Gov.BobGraham,perhapsit'sgreatestpoliticaladvocate,it'snotreallyfairtostartnaming

allthefolks.• BobGraham.• DanTonsmerie.• SteveLeitman.• SteveRash.• WoodyMiley,thefirstResearchReservemanager.Herespectedlocalfishermanand

harvestedandincorporatedtheirextensiveknowledgeofthebay.• SmokeyParrishunderstandsthatweareuniqueandwehaveauniqueopportunityto

preservethebayandriver,whatmakesApalachicolaspecial.B. FORWORSE

Milestones/Eras• HistoricdroughtsinSEUS.• Naturaldisturbanceevents.• Lackofhistoricaverageriverflowrates-Georgia.• Lackoffreshwater.• Lackofriverflow.• Reducedwaterquality.• Watercontrolstructuresholdingbackflowduringlowwaterperiods.• USACErestrictingwaterflowsin2004(?)tolessthan10cfs.Everyonetoldthemthatit

wouldbethedeathofthebay.• Lostinthecourtsystemfordecadesand$100+millionthathasstifledscientificworkand

collaborationamongallthestakeholderswhiletheriverandbayhavesufferedthedeathofathousandlashes.

• The"WaterWars"legalchallenges/obstacles.

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• Constructionofthedamsandreservoirs.• USArmyCorpsEngineers.• Lackofconsensusonlong-termbayhealth.• Oystermanagementandlackoflong-termvision/planforsustainability.• Myopiceconomicpolicyandlossofbiodiversitythroughhabitatdestruction.• Habitatdegradation.• Increasingwaterusageupstream.• IncreasingagriculturalwithdrawalsinFlintRiverBasin.• Extensiveagriculturecenterpivotirrigationconsumptiveuse.• Rapidunsustainablepopulationgrowthsincethe1970's.• Landscapelevellanduseforurbanizationandagricultureandplantationforest

management.• Poorplanningandgrowthmanagementinthebroaderregion,ill-advisedland-useand

allocationofwaterresources.• Summerof2012-oysterresourcescrashedprecipitously.• Unsustainableharvestoffisheryresources.• BobSikes/governmentcut.• OpeningofSikescut.• BPoilspillaftermath.• Oilspill,andoystermenthemselves.

People• It'salonglistandI'llnotblameindividuals.• Nocommentonpeoplewhohavemadethisworse,can'tseeanybenefittothat,though

therearemany.

IV. LOOKINGAROUND

Membersrespondedtoquestionsthecurrent factors, trendsandcritical issues impactingthesystemtoday.A. TAILWINDS

MemberslistedfactorsenhancingthesuccessandhealthoftheApalachicolaBaySystem:

TAILWINDS-ENHANCINGTHEHEALTHOFTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEMListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses

1. Multiplestakeholders,electedleadersandpublicinterestedinimprovingtheBay’shealth(3)

2. ACFandtheSupremeCourt(3)3. OngoingmonitoringformanagingtheBay(2)

Conservationprotectedland(2)4. Aquaculture(1)5. Fundingavailableforprojects(1) 6. TheApalachicolaBaySystemInitiative(1)7. Freshwatercontinues(1)

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8. Littleharvesting(1) Multiplestakeholders,electedleadersandthepublicinterestedinimprovingtheBay’shealth• ResilienceofpeopleconnectedtotheBay.• Multiplestakeholdersinterestednowinimprovingtheoverallhealthofthebaywithsome

ofinfusionofresourcestotakeaction.• Peopleseemwillingtolistentothescience.• Localpopulationandlocalleadershipthathasastrongknowledgeanddesiretopreserve

thebayandriver.Theareaisanaquaticpreserve,andoutstandingwaterandareaofcriticalconcern,plus89%instateandfederalwildlands.Noteasytobuildaneconomy.However,thereisstillaverystrongdesiretopreservewhatmakesthisareaoneofakind.Seafoodharvesting(wildcaughtoysters)workswellwithpreservingthebay.Also,localpopulationshaveadeepknowledgeandskillsofthemaritimeenvironment.Readytoworktosaveanddiversifyit.

ACFandtheSupremeCourt• Potentialbasinwidecollaborativeplanning,managementandimplementationofwaterand

othernaturalresources,RCSCandACFStakeholders.• A"successful"outcomeintheSupremeCourt.ABSI.• ACFStakeholders,Inc.SustainablewatermanagementplanfortheACFbasin,apossible

positiveoutcomeoftheSupremeCourtcase.

Conservationprotectedland• Continuestoberelativelyundeveloped-veryfewnearbylanduses/infrastructuresthat

couldcauseharmtothebay.• Lowerlevelsofdevelopment,ApalachicolaNERRdataandresources,localeconomy

stronglybasedontourismandfisheries.

OngoingmonitoringformanagingtheBay• Monitoringbayandcomponentsfrommultipleagencies,contributingtomanagementand

layingthefoundationforsustainability.• On-goingmonitoringforbiologicalandwaterqualitybaselinedata,elevationofthisissueto

thenationalstage.

Aquaculture• Oysterfarming

Fundingavailableforprojects• Restorationandresearchfundsandprojects.ApalachicolaBaySystemInitiative(ABSI)

Freshwatercontinues• Continuedfreshwater.

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Littleharvesting• Lackofharvesting.

B. HEADWINDS

MemberslistedfactorsimpedingthesuccessandhealthoftheApalachicolaBaySystem.

HEADWINDS-IMPEDINGTHEHEALTHOFTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEMListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses

1. Lowfreshwaterdelivery-frequency,magnitude,duration(7)2. ChangingBayecosystem(4)

Lackofconsensus,mistrustandlackofunity(4)Poorlyplannedgrowththroughoutthebasin(4)

3. “Waterwars”(3)4. Oysterreefecosystemunderstress(2)5. PoorfundingdecisionsregardingrestorationofBay(1)

Politics,notscienceandpolicyguidingdecisions(1)Lackofenforcement(1)Oppositiontoaquaculture(1)

Noshellingprogram(1)DeepWaterHorizon(1)

MemberResponsesLowfreshwaterdelivery-frequency,magnitude,duration• Continuedissueswithregardtofreshwaterdeliverytothesystem.• Increasesinfreshwaterflowintheriver.• Furtherdegradationinfrequency,magnitudeanddurationoflowflowsaswellasmidand

highflows.• ContinuedlowflowsintheApalachicolaRiverduringdroughtconditions.• Lackofriverflow.• Waterflow/quantities.• GatesystemonBobSikescut.

ChangingBayecosystem• Dynamicchangingecosystem.• Lossofbiodiversityandhabitat.• Sealevelriseandclimatechange.• Climatechange-changingwatertemperatures,salinity,ph.,levels.Lackofconsensus,mistrustandlackofunity• FailuretoworktogethertowardeffectiverecoveryandmanagementplansfortheACF

system,includingtheBayandtheeasternGulfofMexico.• Disconnectedstakeholders;nocomprehensivePLANbythestateforriverandbay

managementLackofconsensusmaydevelop.• Disagreement/mistrustbetweenlocalstakeholdergroupsonsomeissuesandcauses-we

needtobeunified-Ihearthingssaidlikethestatewantsthebaytofail;thefossilshelliswhatiskillingthebay,thebayhasbeenresearchedtodeath,etc.

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• CountyCommissionshouldbeunifiedintellingtheresourcemanagerstodowhattheyneedtodoandtheresourcemanagersshoulddowhattheyknowisbestfortheresource.Rightnow,itseemsliketheyarebothwaitingoneachothertomakethecallsforfearofpublicreprisalifstakeholdersaren'thappy;sorry,tryingtobehonesthere.

Poorlyplannedgrowththroughoutthebasin• Lackofcomprehensivemanagementplan.• Uncontrolled,poorlyplannedgrowthanddevelopment,M-coreasanexample.• Futureunplannedandunsustainableeconomicgrowthanddevelopment.• Upperusesofwaterinthebasin.Commodityfarmsincreasing.Theyusemorewater.

“Waterwars”• "Waterwars"ingeneralandfocusonneedsforoysterhealthratherthanbroader

ecosystemneeds.• Continuationoflitigation.• UnsuccessfuloutcomeintheSupremeCourt.Oysterreefecosystemunderstress• Lackofoysterstoproducespat,lackofshellstockonbars.• Reductioninthesuitablesubstrateforspatrecruitment.Reductioninthespawningstock.

Poorfundingdecisionsregardingrestorationofbay• Poordecisionsregardingtheexpendituresofdollarsthatmightbeusedtomosteffectively

restorethebay. Politics,notscienceandpolicyguidingdecisions• Badpoliticalinfluenceofotherwisegoodpublicandscientificinformationandpolicy.

Lackofenforcement• Lackofoysterenforcements,closures.

Oppositiontoaquaculture• Countyoppositiontomariculture.

Noshellingprogram• lackofshellingprogram. Deepwater Horizon

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C. TRENDS

MemberslistedtrendsimpactingthesuccessandhealthoftheApalachicolaBaySysteminthecomingyears.

TRENDSIMPACTINGTHEHEALTHOFTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEMListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses

1. Growth(7)2. Upstreamagricultureandforestmanagementimpactsonwaterqualityandsupply(5)

Climatechangeimpacts(5)3. Bay’sandindustry’sdeclineandlossofseafoodculture(3)4. Enforcement(2)

Disagreementonhowtoachievesustainability(2)5. Riseofaquaculture(1)

Growingtourismeconomy(1)Lossofbiodiversity(1)

Growth(7)• Atlantametroareagrowth.• Myopiceconomicdevelopmentpoliticsandpolicy.• OnthepathtobeliketherestofFlorida.• Changesinuseofthesurroundingarea,development.• Populationgrowth.• Economictroubles.• Short-sightednessonthepartofkeydecisionmakers.• Developmentpressures.

Climatechangeimpacts(5)• Afailuretoadapttotheimpactsofchangingclimate.• Climatechangeandlackoffaithinscience.• Climatechange,risingsealevel,morepowerfulhurricanes.• Droughtfrequency,durationandmagnitude.• LackoffreshwaterduetoSEdroughtthatmaycome.

Upstreamagricultureandforestmanagementimpactsonwaterqualityandsupply(5)• Waterqualityissuesfromtheconversionofforestlandtorange/pasturelandforcattleby

DeseretRanch.• Largescalecattleoperationseffectingwaterandhabitatquality.• Changesinfarm,forestandlandmanagement,likelongleafpine.• Sodbasedirrigatedrowcropagriculture.• Growthofcotton,cornandsoybeansontheFlintRiver(higherwaterusethanvegetables).Bay’sandindustry’sdeclineandlossofseafoodculture(3)• IfthisBaycontinuestodeclinetheseafoodculturewilldisappearinlargepartfromthe

area.

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• Also,thelossofoysterdealersandharvesters.Itusedtobeamulti-million-dollareconomyandrelativelywell-payingjobs.Theindustryhascollapsed.

• Oysterharvestingisbecominglessandlesslikelytosurviveasameanstomakealiving. Disagreementonhowtoachievesustainability(2)• Disagreementonhowtoachievesustainability.• Setting/meetingexpectationsontimeframetoachieve.

Enforcement(2)• Inabilityofenforcement.• Lackofethicsamongcurrentoysterharvesters. RiseofAquaculture(1)• Aquacultureisgrowing;however,naturaloysterreefsarestillneeded.

Tourismeconomy(1)• Ithinkthattherewillbeacontinuedshifttowardtourismastheprimaryeconomicdriverof

thecounty.Ithinkthattherewillbemoredevelopmentandsupportforbusinessessupportingtourism.

Lossofbiodiversity(1)• Lossofbiologicaldiversitythroughthedestructionofhabitat. D. CRITICALABSICHALLENGESANDISSUES

Members noted any key strategic issues and challenges that the Community Advisory Boardshould focus on in the following areas that were identified in the Stakeholder Assessmentreport.

1. Oysterreefs:suitablelocations,heights,substrate,andsalinity.

VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg4 3 2 1 0 12 4 0 0 0 3.75of4

OYSTERREEFS-ISSUESANDINFORMATIONNEEDEDListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses

ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:1. Substrateandreefs(7)2. Oysterfarmingandrelationtooysterreefecosystem(3)

LakeWimicoandconnectiontotheBay(3)Waterchemistryandoysterreefecosystem(3)

3. FlowsandconnectiontoRiversystem(2)SikesCut(2)

4. Enforcementofrules(1)Dredging(1)

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Sealevelrise(1)INFORMATIONNEEDED• Commonagreedupondata,informationandmodelingandassessmenttools(8)• UnderstandingHistoricchangestotheriverandBay(6)• Oysterfarminginimpactonoysterreefsystem(1)• Dataonlocalenforcement(1)ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:

Substrateandreefs• Weneedtounderstandthewaterchemistryandbesurethatreefbuildingeffortsarenotin

vainregardingchangingpHvalues.• Suitabilityandavailabilityandpublicperceptionsregardingsubstratematerials.• Aplantohelpthepublicunderstandthefactsbetteraboutsubstratesuitability.• Plantingofpropershellstock.• Gettingshellondepletedreefs.• Sourcematerialwillgetmoreexpensiveandvariousoptionsneedtobeexplored

thoroughly.• Substrateplacement

Oysterfarmingandrelationtooysterreefecosystem• HelpingBayrecoverbyhelpingthelocalharvestertransitionintoaquaculture.• Oysterfarming/aquaculturetosupplement/helpfishery.• Oysterfarming,aretheyplacedinareaswheretheycanspawnandenhancegrowthon

naturalbars?

LakeWimicoandconnectiontotheBay• St.JoeCanalandIntercoastalWaterway.• InstallcontrolstructureinLakeWimico,studyhowthatchangesfreshandsaltwaterflows

toApalachicolaandSt.JoeBay,asanexample.• LakeWimico,sloughrestoration.

Waterchemistryandoysterreefecosystem• WaterchemistrytrendsregardingpH.• Sciencedriven.• Restorationstrategiesandlocalcommunitybuy-inandstewardship.

SikesCut• SikesCut.• PossibleinfrastructuretomanagefreshandsaltwaterinflowsatSikesCut. FlowsandconnectiontoRiversystem• ConnectiontoRiversystem.• Flowsandbasinwidemanagement.

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Otherissues• Enforcementofrules.• Dredging.• Sealevelrise.

INFORMATIONTHECABMAYNEED

Commonagreedupondata,informationandmodelingandassessmenttools• Understandhowoystersoperate.• Mostimportantisweneedtoknowwhatisoutthere.• Commonagreedupondataisanissuehaschallengedusthroughoutthebasin.• Somanyissuesneededinthelistingandcommoninformationanddatatoworkfromfor

decision-making.• Mapsofreefs-historic,currentefforts,whatarethepriorityareastobemapped.• Oysterlarvaltransportmodels.• Hydrodynamicmodeling-toidentifykeyplacesformajorrestorationwork.• Habitatsuitabilitytools.Historicchangestotheriverandbay• Understandingupstreamwateruseandhistoryofwaterdecline.• Understandinghistoricalchangestotheriverandbay.• Historicalchangestotheriverandbay,dredging,SikesCut,St.JoeCanalandIntercoastal

Waterway.InstallcontrolstructureinLakeWimico,studyhowthatchangesfreshandsaltwaterflowstoApalachicolaandSt.JoeBay,asanexample.

• Whatimpactshavehistoricaldevelopmentlikethecausewaysanddredginghadonflows,directions,locations,salinity,etc.

• Bayconditionsrecent,pastandongoingintothefuture.• Historicalrestorationstrategiesandstrategiesusedinotherareas.

Oysterfarminginimpactonoysterreefsystem• Oysterfarming-aretheyplacedinareaswheretheycanspawnandenhancegrowthon

naturalbars.

Dataonlocalenforcement• Localenforcement–fines. 2. Waterquantityandtiming:freshwaterflow,quantity,timing,salinitybalance,predation

anddrought.


WATERQUANTITYANDTIMINGINTHEBAYSYSTEM-ISSUESANDINFORMATIONNEEDEDListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses

ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:1. Hydrology,droughts,freshwaterflowsandsalinity(4)

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2. Whatisalreadyaccomplishedandbeingdone?(2)3. HistoricalchangestotheriverandBay(1)

Upstreamwateruse(1)Oysterfarmingimpactonnaturalbars(1)Increaseresiliencyofthesystem(1)

INFORMATIONNEEDED• Mappingandidentifyingsystemcomponentsandinterconnectivity• Hydrodynamicmodeling• Upstreamwatermanagement• Localmonitoring• ACFwaterwars• ACFStakeholdersplanandassessment• Researchfromplaceswiththesameissues

ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:Hydrology,droughts,freshwaterflowsandsalinity(4)• Howthehydrologyofthebayischangingandmaychangewithfuturedroughts.• Howdoesthatinformationguiderestorationandfuturemanagementofthefishery?• Howtomaintainproperfreshwaterflow.• Salinityhasbeenimproving

Whatisalreadyaccomplishedandbeingdone?(2)• TheACFStakeholders,Inc.completedaSustainableWaterManagementPlanfortheACF

basin.• DevelopingoysterbedsnorthoftheGorrieBridgeinfresherwater. HistoricalchangestotheriverandBay(1)• Dredging,SikesCut,St.JoeCanalandIntercoastalWaterway.Installcontrolstructurein

LakeWimico,studyhowthatchangesfreshandsaltwaterflowstoApalachicolaandSt.JoeBay,asanexample.

Upstreamwateruse(1) Oysterfarmingimpactonnaturalbars(1)• Oysterfarms,aretheyplacedinareaswheretheycanspawnandenhancegrowthon

naturalbars?

Increaseresiliencyofthesystem(1)• Increaseresiliencyofthesystemsoitcansurvivechallengingcondition.

INFORMATIONTHECABMAYNEEDMappingandidentifyingsystemcomponentsandinterconnectivity

• Mappingofoysterresourcesinthebay.• Examininghistoricalmappingwithwaterregimes.• Identifyingprimaryecosystemcomponentsandtheinterconnectivity

dataonthegeologicalsubstrate.

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Hydrodynamicmodeling

• Hydrodynamicmodeling.• Hydrologicalmodelingandbiologicalneedsofthesystem.Goingtoneedsome

presentationsandlinkstoinfo.

Upstreamwatermanagement• Howwaterishandled/managedupstream.

ACFwaterwars

• Understandingthewaterwars.• Reservoirdroughtrules.

Monitoring

• Localmonitoringdata,morelocalmonitoringdonere:predation.

ACFStakeholdersplanandassessment• AlinktotheACFStakeholdersInc.SustainableWaterManagementPlanandarecent

ACFStakeholdersBayAssessment.

Researchfromplaceswiththesameissues• Researchfromotherareasthathavehadthesameissues.

3. Lackofaholistic,sustainableApalachicolaBaymanagementplaninformedbyscience.


HOLISTIC,SUSTAINABLEAPALACHICOLABAYMANAGEMENTPLAN

ISSUESANDINFORMATIONNEEDSListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses

ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:1. Longtermplanlayingoutthebasicelementsiscritical(3)TheBaycollapseandtheACFsystem(3)2. Enforcementofharvestrules(2)3. Investinscience(1)

Healthyproductiveecosystemprimaryconsideration(1)Ongoingprocessconveners(1)

INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED• Analysisofsimilarscience-basedrestorationefforts• Statemanagementefforts• SummariesofprevioussignificantworkdoneontheABS• HowsalinityworksintheBay• Betterfisheriesdata• HistoricaluseoftheBay

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• SeafoodharvestrulesinformationISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:

Longtermplanlayingoutthebasicelementsiscritical• Comprehensivelong-termplaniscritical.• Wemusthaveacomprehensiveplan.• Planneedstobesimpleenoughinconceptuallayoutandcontentsothatallstakeholders

willbeattractedtolookatitandabletounderstanditsbasicelements,soitwillbecriticalthattherebea"short-version"thatlaysoutthebasicelementsinaneasytounderstandmanner.

Enforcement• Strictandenforceablerules,maybelimitedentry.• EnforcementbyagencieslikeFWC.

TheBaycollapseandtheACFsystem• Needtoknowwhythisisthecase.Isittransboundaryissues,thelitigation,failureofthe

statetomanagethebaysystem?• TheACFisaconnectedsystem.• Indicationsarethatallfisheriesareindecline.Whataretheunderlyingcauses?

Investinscience• Thereappearstobelittleappreciationbyfundingentitiesandkeydecisionmakersforthe

needtoinvestinsciencetoinformsuccessfulrestorationeffortsthatareessentialtosustainedeconomicbenefit.Likewise,thereseemstobelittleappetiteforinvestmentsinandcommitmenttomonitoringtoevaluaterestorationeffortsandotheractions.

Healthyproductiveecosystemprimaryconsideration• Primaryconsiderationshouldbehealthyecosystemandproductivitybeforeexploitation.

Ongoingprocessconveners• TheWaterManagementDistrictshouldbetheconvenersofsuchanongoingprocessthat

includesallthestakeholdersandthatincludesthefeds,thestate(s)andthebasinstakeholders.That'snothappening.


• Analysisofsimilarscience-basedrestorationeffortsfromelsewhere(e.g.NorthCarolina,ChesapeakeBay,etc.).

• Statemanagementefforts.I'dliketoknowwhatthestateagencyfolksonourboardexplainisthereasonforthis"lack"?

• SummariesofprevioussignificantworkdoneontheABS-synthesistoanunderstandable,laymenlevelofthemodelingthathasbeendoneregardingsalinityinthesystem.

• Betterfisheriesdata-notjusttriptickets,butmoreinformationaboutlocationofcatch(i.e.thecrabfisheryhasworkedaroundthemouthoftheriver;shrimpersdobetteroffshorethaninthebay).

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• Historicaluseofthebay. • Howsalinityworksandisaffectedinthebay.• Seafoodharvestrulesinformation.Informationonallseafoodharvestrules(commercial&

recreational). • Scienceinformedthresholdswhentoopenandclosethebaydefinedinthemanagement

plan. • Abuy-inonthedataandplanatsomelevelfromALLkeystakeholdergroups,i.e.

consensusthinking. 4. Overharvesting,andconsiderationformanagingalimitedeffortoysterfishery.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 5 9 2 0 0 3.2of4

OVERHARVESTINGANDCONSIDERATIONOFALIMITEDOYSTERFISHERY


ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:1. Addressinthemanagementplan(4) 2. Enforcementofharvestingrules(3)3. Modelingscenariosregardingharvestandrecoveryrates(2)HarvestinginformationandBayclosure(2)4. Extentofhistoricalreefsandexpectationsforrobustfishery(1)INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED• Statusandconditionofoysterbedsandoysterfishery• Overharvestingdataandsustainableharvestlevel• EnforcementdataISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:

Addressinthemanagementplan• Thresholdswhentoopenandclosethebaydefinedinthemanagementplan.• Shouldbepartofthebaymanagementplan.• Allmanagementmustbereevaluated.• IthinktheFWCiscapableofproperlymanagingthefisherygivenadequateresourcesand

accesstodata. Enforcementoftheharvestingrules• Morenighttimemonitoringofoysterpoachers.• Strictandenforcedharvestingrules.• Enforcement.

Modelingscenariosregardingharvestandrecoveryrates• PerhapssomemodelingthatwouldexhibitvariousscenariosonhowmuchaBayrecovery

willbedelayedgivencontinuingharvestandvariousrecoveryrates;manyjustdon'tseem

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torealizethefutureimpactstopotentialrecoverythatcontinuedharvestingduringrecoverywillhave.

• Thelocalcultureseemstobelievethattheyneedtokeeppurchasingtheharvesterlicensesortheymaygetlockedoutwiththeimplementationofalimitedfishery;howevertheydon'trealizethatwithcurrentconditionsthereisalreadyalimitedfisheryduetoadecimatedoysterpopulation,partlyduetoanunlimitedfisheryregime.

Extentofhistoricalreefsandexpectationsforrobustfishery• Extentofhistoricalreefscomparedtothefishery,relativetocurrentstatus/conditions.• Needtosetrealisticexpectationsforrobustfishery

HarvestinginformationandBayclosure• Thereismisinformationonoverharvesting.WHENandWHEREandWHY?Thereislittleto

harvestcurrently.FWCshouldclosetheBaytoharvesting.• Listentotheseafoodindustrystakeholdershere.ClosetheBay.


Statusandconditionofoysterbedsandoysterfishery• Overviewpresentationontheissue.• Statusandconditionoftheoysterbedsonanongoingbasis.• HistoricaldataonoysterfisheryandMSY.• Viabilityofoysterfisherynearby/elsewhereandfarminginthebay.

Overharvestingdataandsustainableharvestlevel• Whatitwouldlooklike:WithXXbeingasustainableharvestlevel,howmanyfisherscould

participateinthefishery?• Dataonharvestsinopenareasandevidenceofoverharvestafterarecentlyshelledareais

openedtounlimitedharvesting.

Enforcementdata• Numberofcitationsissuedeachyearfrom1998-present.• Dataonoysterpoachinginclosedareas.• Howwillingistheseafoodindustrytocooperate?• HowtogettheBaygoing.

5. Theemergenceofaquaculture,anditsrelationshiptowildharvestingintheABS.

VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 3 1O 2 1 0 2.9of4

THEEMERGENCEOFAQUACULTUREINTHEBAY


ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:1. Doboth-wildharvesting/oysterreefsandaquacultureareneeded(3)

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Conflictresolutionandlocalgovernmentviewofaquaculture(3) 2. AquacultureimpactontheBayandoysterreefsystemecology(2)

Bestsitelocationsforaquaculture(2)Education,Funding/capitalforstartingaquacultureoperations(2)

3. LawEnforcement(1)INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED• Economicandmarketingdataonbenefits/coststousinglocalaquaculture• CarryingcapacityforaquacultureintheBay• Impactsonotherusersandresources• Bestpractices • IndustryparticipationISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:

Doboth-wildharvesting/oysterreefsandaquacultureareneeded• Weshouldbeabletodoboth,ANDacommerciallyviablewildharvestforoystersisagood

indicatoroftheoverallsystemhealth.• AllowmaricultureinApalachicolaBay.• Arecognitionthatnaturaloysterreefsareneeded.

Conflictresolution• Anticipateaneedforconflictresolution.• Lesscriticalintermsofecologicalconsequencesbutfairlyimportantintermsofpublic/local

perceptionregardingmarketsandprices.• WhydoesthelocalgovernmentopposeandwhydoesthestateallowlocalGov'ttocontrol?

AquacultureimpactontheBayandoysterreefsystemecology• Agriculture/aquacultureisgenerallynotfriendlytothenaturalenvironmentandweshould

makesurethatis/willnothappeninthebay.• Useofnon-sexualreproductivestrainsversusreproductivestrains.Bestsitelocationsforaquaculture• Bestsitelocations.• Oysterfarmleases.

Education,funding/capitalforaquacultureoperations• Localpopulationswitchingfromwildharvesttoaquaculture.Needfundingtohelpthem

getcapitalandknowledgeofrunninganaquaculturebusinesstostartanoperation.• Engagementofoystermeninaquacultureandeducation/trainingforwildoystermenon

farmingpractices.

LawEnforcement• LawEnforcement-howdoyouprotectinterestsfrombeingsabotaged?INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED

Economicandmarketingdataonbenefits/coststousinglocalaquaculture

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• Economicdataonthebenefitstolocalrestaurantsutilizinglocal,farm-raisedproductversusbringinginfromotherlocations.

• Actualmarketingdatafromaquacultureoperationsingeneralterms,i.e.notthespecificcustomerinfobutthetypeofcustomerinfo;forbothsegmentsoftheindustry(wildandaquaculture).

CarryingcapacityforaquacultureintheBay• Whatisthecarryingcapacityofanaquacultureindustryinthebay?• Whatisthepotentialyieldfromarestoredoysterpopulation?

Impactsonotherusersandresources• Whatimpactsmighthighdensityaquaculturehaveonotherresourcesandotheruser

groups?• OverviewofcoexistenceofaquacultureinotherareasinFloridalikeCedarKey.

Bestpractices• Discussionfromoysteraquacultureexpertsinregion/gulfonbestpractices.• Lookathowothersaredoingitsuccessfully.

Industryparticipation• Willtheindustrybuyinareaswherenewaquacultureleasescanbeobtainedin

ApalachicolaBay?

6. OystersandBayindecline:aftertheperfectstorm,statusquoisfailing.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 4 5 3 0 3 3.1of4

OYSTERSANDBAYINDECLINE

ISSUESANDINFORMATIONNEEDSListedInorderoffrequencyfromtheQuestionnaireresponses

ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:1. Enforcement,harvestingethicsandlimitedentry(5) 2. Learnwhythedeclinefrompastfailures(3)

Supportforaquacultureinlightofdecline(3)4. Adaptivemanagementandpartnerships(2)5. AlternativeeconomiesfortheBay(1) Lackofspat(1) INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED• Researchonthedecline• Recruitment• Shellbudget• Limitedentry• Aquaculturecosts

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ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER:

Enforcementandharvestingethics(7)• Enforcement.• Failuretoenforcesizeandlimits.• Rulechangesandlocalenforcement.• Localharvestingethics.• Peopleshouldseetheblackandwhiteofthesituationinnumbersandsizeclassofoysters

duringroutinesurveys.• Wehavetochangetheculture.• Considerclosingthebaytoharvest.

Learnwhythedeclinefrompastfailures(3)• Whatlessonscanbelearnedfrompastfailures?Ithinkweknowalotalready.• Why,needtoknowinordertogetoffthepathweareon.• Sortoutcauseandeffectissue-by-issue,andcombined.

Supportforaquacultureinlightofdecline(3)• Localpopulationneedshelplearninghowtomanageafarmingoperation.• Alsoneedinsuranceandaccesstocapital$$.• Opportunities(funding)forengagementwiththeseafoodindustry.

Adaptivemanagementandpartnerships(2)• Wemustbeproactiveandengageadaptivemanagement.• Whatisneededtobuildapartnershiptoenablethebaytosucceed. AlternativeeconomiesfortheBay(1)• Willbegoodtoknowwhatthealternativeslooklike,ifnotanaturalresource,

seafood/tourist-basedeconomy,what'sthealternative/s?Betterorworse?

Lackofspat(1)• Lackofoysterstoproducespat

INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED

Researchonthedecline• Research/monitoringdatarelatedtothedecline.• Moresurveydataontheactualreefsifitisnotbeingdonetoasufficientlevelforagood

pictureofthesituation.• Whatisneededtogetthebarsproducingagain.

Recruitment• Whataretheunknownfactorsaffectingrecruitmentsuchaspredatordistribution,

spawningstocknumbers,isolatedspawningstock?

Shellbudget• Effectsof(not)returningshelltowater,shellbudgethistoricalvs.futureneeds.

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Limitedentry• Effectsoflimitedentry.

Aquaculturecosts• Costsofstartingaquacultureoperation.7. Sustainabilityasacommunity:culture,economy,education,andretraining.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 6 9 1 0 0 3.3of4

SUSTAINABILITYASACOMMUNITYISSUESANDINFORMATIONNEEDS

ListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponsesISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER1. Enforcement,harvestingethicsandlimitedentry(5) 2. Learnwhythedeclinefrompastfailures(3)

Supportforaquacultureinlightofdecline(3)3. Adaptivemanagementandpartnerships(2)4. Alternativeeconomiesandretrainingfortheindustry(1)

Lackofspat(1) INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED• ModelingscenariosontimelinesforeconomicsuccessinFranklinCounty.• Whataretheoptionsforretraining?-Needtohearfromstakeholders. • Fundingopportunitiesforengagingtheseafoodindustry.Whatarethecostsofstarting

aquacultureoperation?• Whathasnotworkedinthepast?Whataresimilarseafoodcommunitiesthathadissues

withresourcedepletion?

ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER

Economicalternativesandseafoodculture• Willbegoodtoknowwhatthealternativeslooklike,ifnotanaturalresource,

seafood/tourist-basedeconomy,what'sthealternative/s?Betterorworse?• Localharvestingethics• Manyofthetraditionalharvestersareeithernotinterestedornotcapableofretrainingfor

otherskilledjobstosomesignificantdegree.Asalreadymentioned,continueddeclineinthesystemalsoerodesthetraditionalseafoodculture.

• Economicaspectscanbeoffsetbyaquacultureoystersbutitwillbeadifferentsegmentofthecommunityinvolvedwiththatinlargepart.Inotherwords,theseafoodculturemayremainasfarasoystersgobutitwillbecomposedofdifferenthumanandmarketelements.

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Defininga“sustainablecommunity”• Whatdoesasustainablecommunitylooklikeinthefuture?Doeseverybodyhavethesame

vision?Canalltheinterested/affectedpartiescometoconsensusonapathforward?• Communicationofbestapproachidentifiedbyconsensus,withrealisticlevelof

expectations.• Stewardshipandlocal,activeengagementinrestorationandresiliencyofthesystem.• ConsiderLimitedentrytosustainculture.

Managinganaquaculturefarmingoperation• Localpopulationneedshelplearninghowtomanageafarmingoperation.Alsoneed

insuranceandaccesstocapital$$.

Involveindustryinresearch,monitoringandrestoration• Exploreopportunitiestoretaininstitutionalknowledgebyhavingharvestersparticipatein

research,monitoringandrestoration.

INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED• Modelingscenariosonprojectedtimelinesforsuccess.• WhataretheoptionsforretrainingthatfitthepopulationdemographicsofFranklin

County?• Whatarethecostsofstartingaquacultureoperation?• Opportunities(funding)forengagementwiththeseafoodindustry.• Whathasnotworkedinthepast?• Historicalinfofromsimilarseafoodcommunitiesthathadissueswithresourcedepletion.• Needtohearfromstakeholders. 8. Landuse,development,andtourismimpactsonthefisheryandBaySystem.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 3 8 4 1 0 2.8of4

LANDUSE,DEVELOPMENTANDTOURISMIMPACTSONTHEBAYSYSTEM


ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER1. Developmentimpacts(e.g.stormwaterrunoff)onthefishery(5) 2. Stormwaterrunoff(4)3. Planningforresilience(2)4. CattleoperationsintheBasin(1)

Aquacultureasaneyesore(1)Ruralfishinglifestyle(1)

INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED• Development,futurelanduseandpopulationprojections• Pollutionandimpactsrelatedtodevelopment

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Developmentimpacts(e.g.stormwaterrunoff)onthefishery• AreviewofcomprehensiveplanningandhowithaschangedinFloridainrecentyears.• Landuseanddevelopmentcouldimpactthefishery,socontinuethoughtful/purposeful

developmentthatwillnotimpactthebay'sresources.• Don'tbelievelocallanduseissuesareapriorityatthisstage.• Uncontrolled,poorlyplanneddevelopmentisoneofthefourthreatstheRiverkeeper

identifiedtotheABS.• Growthmanagementimpactstofisheriesrelyingonoysterhabitat.

Stormwaterrunoff• RunofffromSGI.• Stormwaterrunoff.• Developmentandrunoffhaveimpact.• Pollutioncurrentandpotential.

Planningforresilience• Resilienceplanning.• Equitableresourceallocation.

CattleoperationsintheBasin• Itisnotjustpeople,thereisaverylargecattleoperationmovingintoourbasin.

Aquacultureasaneyesore• Aquaculturebecoming"aneyesore"tonewpeoplemovingtothearea.

Ruralfishinglifestyle• Maintenanceofaruralfishinglifestyle.INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED

Development,futurelanduseandpopulationprojections• Whatarethelong-termdevelopmentplansforthisregion?• Futurelanduseandpopulationprojectionsandimpactstofisheriesrelyingonoyster

habitat.• Notsureoftheappropriatetimeline,butkeepthegroupawareofpotential

development/landuseissuesastheycomeup.• Setbacksfromtheshorelinesfordevelopment.

Pollutionandimpactsrelatedtodevelopment• Ispollutionrelatedtodevelopmentoccurring?• Developmentimpactstofisheriesrelyingonoysterhabitat.

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9. ABSIprocessandconsensus.


ABSIPROCESSANDCONSENSUS--ISSUESANDINFORMATIONNEEDSListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponses

ISSUESTHECABSHOULDCONSIDER1. Open,transparent,userfriendlycommunicationwithcommunity(4)Howwillscienceinformthemanagementandrestorationplan?(4) 3.Equitablerepresentationandrespect(3)4. ABSICommunityAdvisoryBoardimpactonmanagementdecisions(2)INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED• Historyofstakeholderpointsofcontention• Communicationandpublicexpectations


Open,transparent,user-friendlycommunicationwithcommunity(4)• Willneedopenandfrequentcommunicationwithcommunity.• Transparency.• Tooearlytoanswerbutwheredowedirectquestions,comments,suggestions?• NeedtobeuserfriendlyandnotjusttoourCommunityAdvisoryBoardmembers.

Howwillscienceinformthemanagementandrestorationplan?(4)• Howwillsciencebemeldedintostateandcommunityactionandrulechanges?• ABSIisbasicallytheonlyrestorationeffortbeingconducted.• Takepoliticsoutoftheequation.• Conditionofthebay. Equitablerepresentationandrespect(3)• Equitablerepresentationandrespectforbuildingalong-termsolutiontorestorethebay.• Keepgroupdiscussionsopenandtransparent.• Thiswillbehardtodobutitiscritical.

ABSICommunityAdvisoryBoardimpactonmanagementdecisions(2)• Thismaybeourlast,bestshotatbringingourvoicetogethertohaveatangibleimpacton

managementdecisionsbeforeit'stoolate.• High-levelagencyinvolvement.

INFORMATIONTHATMAYBENEEDED

• Historyofstakeholderpointsofcontentionbetweenstakeholdergroupsregardingissuesandsolutions.

• Publicexpectations,communicationtactics,andcommunitysurveys.• Willingnessofagenciestostayinvolvedatahighlevel.

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WHATOTHERISSUESSHOULDTHECABEXPLORE

10. WhatotherissuesdoyoubelievetheCABshouldexplore:OthercriticalissueswereidentifiedintheABSIStakeholderAssessmentReport.ThemembersaverageratingforeachcriticalissueislistedbelowinorderofthemosttoleastcriticalIssues.

a. PoliticsandmanagingtheABS.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 10 5 0 0 0 3.7 of4

b. Waterwars(ACF).VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 8 6 1 0 1 3.4of4

Larvae/spat/spawning.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 9 3 1 0 1 3.4of4

Ecosystembenefitsofoysters.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 7 7 1 0 0 3.4of4

c. ABSI:thegetsomethingdoneproject.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 5 6 1 0 3 3.3of4

Enforcementofregulations.


d. ShiftinCommunityPerspectivesonthehealthofApalachicolaBay.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 7 3 2 1 2 3.2 of4

e. Damsandstorage.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 4 8 2 0 1 3.1of4

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WaterqualityintheABS.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 6 5 4 0 0 3.1 of4

f. ClimatechangeandABSI.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 6 3 6 0 0 3.0of4

g. HurricaneMichaelandresiliencyintheABS.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 2 6 6 1 0 2.6of4

h. BobSikesCut.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 1 5 7 0 2 2.5of4

i. DredgingandflushingtheBay.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 2 5 5 1 1 2.4of4

j. Impactsofsilviculture(afterHurricaneMichael)andupstreamagriculture.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 1 3 8 2 0 2.2of4

k. DeepWaterHorizonSpill.VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 2 3 5 5 0 2.1of4

Comments• Modelingforsuitable/bestlocationsforrestorationofreefsmustalsotieineffectsfrom

climateeffect(sealevel,temps,salinity)togaugeshort,near,long-termrestoration/managementplan.

• Pleasestopusingacronyms.Italienatesthepublicespeciallyiftheyarealreadyhesitanttotrust.

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V. CRITICALABSIDATAANDSCIENCEAREASANDGAPSMembersratedhowcriticaltheybelievedarethefollowingscienceareasandgapsthatwereidentifiedintheStakeholderAssessmentreport.Theareasandgapsarelistedinorderofmosttoleastcriticalreflectedintheaverageratingforeach. A. ABSI data gaps and concerns with access to science. Coordination of data. Insufficient monitoring data. Oyster bar mapping. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 8 5 1 0 1 3.5of4

Comment:• Abigprobleminourbasinhasbeenafailuretoagreeuponcommonlyaccepteddata,

methodsandmodels.Weneedagooddatabaseeasilyaccessibleandavailabletoall.Perhapsa"dashboard"forourwebsite.

B. Research on rebuilding reefs. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 9 5 1 0 0 3.5of4

C. Restoration research. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 8 7 1 0 0 3.4of4

D. Research on larval transport and spat survival. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 8 6 0 1 1 3.4of4

E. Research to establish thresholds for sustainable harvest. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 8 7 1 0 0 3.4of4

F. Research on upstream impacts on the Bay. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 5 10 1 0 0 3.25of4

G. Modeling and quantitative tools to analyze management strategies. Research to establish thresholds for sustainable harvest. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 7 3 4 0 1 3.2of4

Comment:

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• Shouldincludesomeactualdatacollectiontoinformrestorationeffortsandothermanagementactions/interventions.Dataareneededalsoforassessmentofactionsandtoguideanynecessaryadjustments.Actualdataareanessentialcomplementtomodels.

H. Research on oysters and freshwater flow. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 6 7 3 0 0 3.2of4

I. Research on the ABS collapse. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 6 7 1 2 0 3.1of4

J. Research on climate and rising sea levels. VeryCritical Critical LessCriticalNotCriticalDon’tKnowRatingAvg

4 3 2 1 0 2 6 8 0 0 2.6of4

MemberGeneralComments:• Thereisasenseofurgencyto"dosomething."Researchisimportant.However,the

"action"ofFloridatakingstepsfortheoverallhealthandrecoveryoftheApalachicolaRiverandBayareneeded.Lesstalkmoreactionis

• Needtothoroughlyandobjectivelyknowhowwegotherebeforewecanproceed,alltheaboveinformationisveryimportantforthat.

• Moveforward.Don'tspendalotoftimeonresearchthatisnotdirectlyrelatedtothesituation.Publicalreadybelievesthebayhasbeen"studiedtodeath"andnooneknowswhatishappeningSTILL.

• IbelievewehavetheresearchthatbacksupFlorida'sneedsregardingthewaterintheACFsystem.Thisjustneedstobebroughttolightonthelargerstage.

• Moreresearchneedstobefocusedonjuvenileoystersurvivalandrecruitmentandonoysterreefstructuralstabilityovertime.Let'snotspendourtimeandmoneyduplicatingresearchthathasalreadybeendone.

VI. LOOKINGFORWARD:ENVISIONINGASUCCESSFULFUTUREFORTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEMIN2030

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A. AVERYUNDESIRABLEFUTUREFORABSIN2030

MemberswereaskedtodescribewhataveryundesirablefuturewouldlooklikeforApalachicolaBaySystem.

AVERYUNDESIRABLEPICTUREOFAPOSSIBLEFUTUREFORTHEAPALACHICOLABAYSYSTEM

ListedInorderoffrequencyfromthequestionnaireresponsesCollapsedfisheriesandreefsystemwithnosignofrecoveryinthebay(11)BaydeclineduetochangingconditionsnotpredictedandlossoffishinglifestyleinApalachicola(6)Unsustainabledevelopmentduetolackofrecoveryofoysterharvestingandthereefecosystem(6)Bayhabitatdegradedandfragmented(2)Povertyandunemployment(1)Commercialdredgingresumes(1)Upstreamagriculturalirrigationcontinuestoexpand(1)

MemberswereaskedtodescribewhataveryundesirablefuturewouldlooklikeforApalachicolaBaySystem.Collapsedfisheriesandreefsystemwithnosignofrecoveryinthebay• Collapsedfisheries.• NosignsofrecoveryintheoysterecosystemintheBay.• Restoredreefsnotresilient,inthewronglocations.• Oysterfisherynotproductive;ecosystemserviceswaydownduetolackofsustainable

oysterhabitatnegativelyimpactingwaterquality,otherfisheries,etc.• Nowildcaughtoysters,shrimp,orfish.Havingtosay,“Rememberthewayitwas?”• Nooysters.• Weseeashiftinthespeciesthatareusingthebay.Oystersarefewandfarbetween.• TheBayisdead.Morepeopleleave.• TheBaywouldcontinuetohavereducedfreshwaterflows,nutrientloadingwouldbecome

anissueanddevelopmentwouldfurtherimpactwaterqualityandquantity.• TheBayissameasnow.

BaydeclineduetochangingconditionsnotpredictedandlossoffishinglifestyleinApalachicola• Baycontinuestodecline.• Changingconditionsinsystemnotmodeledorpredicted.• CrashorunrecoveredsystemandlossoftheruralfishinglifestyleinApalachicola.• Anunproductivebay.• Deadbay.• Becauseofrisingtemperaturesandthereductionofnumbersofnightsbelowfreezing,we

seetheestablishmentofmorenativeandnon-nativespeciessuchasmangroves.

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Unsustainabledevelopmentduetolackofrecoveryofoysterharvestingandthereefecosystem• EastpointlookslikeminiDestin.FranklinCountybecomes"homogenized"andlookslike

othercoastalcommunities/losesitscharacterwhichincludesourworkingwaterfront.• Lackofrecoveryofoysterbarsleadingtoincreaseddevelopmentduetolanduserules

beingchanged,manyarerelatedtooysterharvestingneeds.• Populationgrowthexpandslandconversionfromfarmandforestlands.• OurestuariesandthecoastlooklikemuchoftherestofFloridawithhighdensityandhigh-

risedevelopment.• OverdevelopmentlikeeverywhereelseinFlorida.• Ifwestayonthepathweareon,wewillgettowherewearegoing.

Bayhabitatdegradedandfragmented• Thenaturalresourcesinthebasinaredegradedandfragmentedbeyondeventodayslevels.• Degradedhabitats.

Povertyandunemployment• Widespreadpovertyinaffectedcoastalcommunities.

Commercialdredgingresumes• Commercialdredgingfora9x100footchannelisresumed.

Upstreamagriculturalirrigationcontinuestoexpand• Agriculturalirrigationconsumptiveusecontinuestoexpand.

B.ENVISIONASUCCESSFULFUTUREFORTHEABSIN2030Memberswereaskedtoenvisionasuccessfulfuturein2030inwhicheverythingisgoingrightforahealthyApalachicolaBaysystem.Amanagementandrestorationplanisbeingfunded,implementedandmeetingitstargets.Theywereaskedtodescribewhatthisidealfuturewouldlooklikebyansweringthefollowingquestions:1. It's2030.YouaredraftingacolumnfortheApalachicolaTimesonthestellar

accomplishmentsinimprovingthehealthoftheApalachicolaBaysystemandthemanagementandrestorationplanthatisbeingfundedandimplemented.Whatwouldbetheheadline?

Memberswerethenaskedtoenvisionasuccessfulfuturein2030inwhicheverythingisgoingrightforahealthyApalachicolaBaysystem.Amanagementandrestorationplanisbeingfunded,implementedandmeetingitstargets.

SUCCESSHEADLINES-2030-APALACHICOLATIMESThe Bay is coming back!

Our Bay is back to the good old days. Apalachicola Bay Recovers!

Good times ahead for restoration effort and improved Bay management!

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ACF Group meets in Apalachicola to Celebrate 10 years of recovery. Incremental steps trending in a positive direction regarding Bay recovery in 2030. Community sees real benefits from long-range science-based sustainability plan.

Healthy and resilient Apalachicola Bay System supports commercial fishing, aquaculture and tourism businesses.

Oysters are Back! Oysters are again very abundant in the Bay.

The Billion Oyster Project launched as the Apalachicola recovery proceeds. Oyster harvests reach record levels over $8 million mark as Bay recovers supplying

major markets in the Northeast. Memberresponses:• ApalachicolaBayRecovers!Theoystersareback.Fishandotherspeciesareontherise.

Climatechangeispro-activelyaddressed.We'reALLworkingtogethertoprotecttheBay(akintotheChesapeakeBayrecovery).

• Oystersareback!Thewaterflowisbackandfisheriesarethriving.• TheBayiscomingback.• OurBayisbacktothegoodolddays.• GoodtimesaheadforRestorationeffortandimprovedBaymanagement!Afteradecade

ofdedicatedrestorationeffortandimprovedmanagement,theApalachicolaBaySystemisreapingbigrewards.Thewaterinthebayiscleanandproductive,fishandoystersareabundantandwaterfrontcommunitiesareprosperous.

• CommunitySeesRealBenefitsfromlong-rangescience-basedSustainabilityPlan.Developedwithkeystakeholdersandregionalscientists,anoysterfisheryisonceagainemergingasoneofthemostproductiveinthestateafteradecadeofstudyingandimplementingascience-basedrestorationandmanagementplan.Nowtherearemorehealthyoysterreefsinthebaythananytimeintherecentpastfewdecadeswitharobustandcloselymonitoredmanagementplantocurtailoverfishingandtoenhanceecosystemservicesprovidedbythereefs.

• ACFGroupmeetsinApalachicolatoCelebrate10yearsofrecovery.TheApalachicolaBaySystemInitiative’scontinuingsuccessintheongoingrecoverybolsteredbyresearchonoystersistheheadlineforthequarterlymeetinginApalachicolaoftheACFTransboundaryWaterManagementInstitutioncreatedbystakeholders,universitiesandagenciesintheACFsystem.ThemembersalwayslookforwardtocomingtoApalachicolatoenjoysomeoftheworld'sfinestfreshoystersandseafoodandtoinsuretheseresourcesareavailableandsharedthroughouttheACFbasin.Theworkandcollaborationofthisinstitutionandthesestakeholdershasturnedaroundwhatlookedadecadeagoasadimfuture,andtodayhassavedthisAmericantreasurethatistheApalachicolaRiverandBay.

• Incrementalstepstrendinginapositivedirectionregardingbayrecoveryin2030.• Oysterharvestsreachrecordlevelsover$8millionmarkasbayrecoverssupplyingmajor

marketsintheNortheast,alongwithotherseafoodandrecreationharvestscreatinganeedforstricterwaterqualityrulesandlanduseregulations.ApalachicolaBayHarvestsexceed$8milliondollarmarknotseensince2012.ApalachicolaBayoystersonceagainsupplyingmajormarketsintheNortheast.

• Oystersareagainveryabundantinthebay.

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• TheBillionOysterProject-TherecoveryofApalachicolaBayinsupportofasustainablefishery.Multiplerestorationprojectshavebeenfundedandimplementedsynergistically.Adaptivemanagementhasaddressedchangingconditionslikefuturedroughts,reducedflowsandrisingseas.Aquaculturehashelpedfillthegapsasneeded.

• HealthyandResilientApalachicolaBaySystemSupportsCommercialFishing,AquacultureandTourismBusinesses.

2. Whatwouldthosemanaging,usingandenjoyingtheApalachicolaBaySystembedoingin

2030thatisdifferentfromwhattheyaredoingtoday?

2030--WHATTHOSEMANAGING,USINGANDENJOYINGTHEBAYAREDOINGDIFFERENTLYWorkingtogetherimplementingthecomprehensiverecoveryandmanagementplananddoingwhatisneeded.Oystersupplyfortheregion.Fullyfundedfisheriesresearch,monitoringandmanagement.RecognizingtheimportanceofoysterreefstotheBay’shealthandrecyclingshellsforreefs.Tupelohoneyisplentiful.

Memberresponses:Workingtogetherimplementingthecomprehensiverecoveryandmanagementplananddoingwhatisneeded.• We'dbeimplementingacomprehensiverecoveryandmanagementplanforthe

ApalachicolaRiverSystem,nothopingforone.• OverseenbyafullyfunctioningBayManagementCommitteethatismutuallyrespectfuland

anindustrythatisself-policingandunderstandsthevalueofworkingtogetherforthelongterm.

• Payingattentionanddoingwhatisneeded.• Workingcollaborativelyandrespectingeachpieceofthemanagementpuzzle(regulations,

closures,novelrestoration).• Worktogetherwithsupportandresourcesfromthestate.

Oystersupplyfortheregion.• Catchingoysters.• Supplyingtheregionwithfreshwild(andfarmed)oysters.• LimitedharvestofoystersisresuminginselectportionsoftheBaythataredoingwell.• We'dbeeatingfreshoystersfromApalachicolaBayandnotpaying$100/bag.

Fullyfundedfisheriesresearch,monitoringandmanagement.• Relatedfisheriesthrivingbutalsomonitoredandmanagedclosely.• Fullyfundedresearchandmonitoringofsustainabilityofharvestregulationsandrules,with

modificationsbeingmadeasneeded.

Recognizingtheimportanceofoysterreefstothebay’shealthandrecyclingshellsforreefs.• Recognizingtheimportanceofoysterreefsforecosystemneeds.• Returningmostoftheshellremovedtothebay.

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Tupelohoneyisplentiful.• Tupelohoneywouldbe$10/quart,not$40. C. ABSIVISIONTHEMESBasedonthemember’sresponsesforsuccessin2030,theylistedanykeyvisionthemesorelementsofthedesiredfuturefortheABSin2030.

SUMMARYOFVISIONOFSUCCESSTHEMESFROMQUESTIONNAIRE1. Science-based,fundedrecoveryplanofactionandprogramsupportedbythecommunity.2. ImprovedandsustainablefisherymanagementtoaidinBayrecovery.3. HealthyBayEcosystem.4. Communityoutreach,education,supportandengagement.5. Economicsupportandjobstomaintaintheruralfishinglifestylethroughtourismandthe

seafood/aquacultureindustries.6. Sustainableandresilientcoastaldevelopmentconsistentwiththeruralfishinglifestyle.

Memberresponses:Science-basedfundedrecoveryplanofactionandprogram.

• Lesstalkmoreaction.Let'stakerealstepstorecovertheBay.• Inclusive,collaborative,wellsupportedandfundedcomprehensiveplansand

implementation.Adaptivemanagementtochangewhenneeded.• Science-basedmanagementanddecisionmaking.• Sciencebasedrecoveryprogram.• Consistentsourceoffundsforshellrecycling,scienceandmanagement,monitoring,and

enforcementasfisheriesareharmonized.• Addressingchangetocircumstancesoutofourcontrol,suchasinfrastructuretoaddress

sealevelriseandlowerflows.

Improvedandsustainablefisherymanagementtoaidinbayrecovery.• Improvedfisherymanagement.• Thrivingfisheries.• Sustainablefishery.• LIMITEDharvestresuming(meaningithasbeenclosedforasignificantperiodto

determinethatthebayisinasignificantrecoverymode).• Commercialharvestofover500,000bushelsperyear.

HealthyBayecosystem.

• Healthyecosystem.• Vastoysterecosystem,highnaturalproductivity,somereefspermanentlypurposefully

unexploited.• Improvedwaterqualityandfreshwaterdelivery,restoredhabitats.• SustainedorimprovedWQ,morenaturalFWflowsduringappropriateseasons,either

naturalorassistedfisheriesrecovery.

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Communityoutreach,education,awareness,supportandengagement.• Outreachandeducationtobringourfellowcitizensalonganduptospeed.• Communitysupportandengagementinsustainabilityplan.• EnhancedcommunityawarenessofBayconditionsthroughmonitoringand

education/outreach.

Economicsupportandjobstomaintaintheruralfishinglifestylethroughtourismandtheseafood/aquacultureindustries.

• Healthyresilientsupportfortourismandseafood/aquacultureindustries;maintenanceofruralfishinglifestyle.

Sustainableandresilientcoastaldevelopmentconsistentwiththeruralfishinglifestyle.• Sustainablecoastaldevelopmentandresilienceplanning.

VII. OTHERCOMMENTS

• Thanksfortheopportunitytoparticipatehere. • Produceaplanandbodytooverseewithoutthefundsdisappearingintoaprofessor's

researchnevertobeunderstoodbythelargerpublic. • Icoulddomorehere,butthisisallthetimeIhavefornow,andI'mfallingasleep.Idon't

thinkwe'llsavethebaybyjusttryingtosavethebay.IntheFloridaSpringsInitiativewepromotedthephrase,"toprotectthewatersyoumustfirstprotecttheland."Toparaphrasethat,"toprotecttheApalachicolaBayyoumustalsoprotecttheApalachicolaandChipolaRiverSystemandtheChattahoocheeandtheFlint,theACF.Ithinkthat'swhyI'monthisadvisoryboard,tobringthatperspectivetothetable.I'lldowhatIcanandlookforwardtothiswork.

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ABSICOMMUNITYADVISORYBOARDMEMBERPRE-MEETINGQUESTIONNAIRESUMMARY

Membersresponding Membersunabletorespond1. GeorgiaAkerman2. LeeEdmiston3. JimEstes4. TomFraser5. AnitaGrove6. ChadHanson7. JennaHarper8. ErikLovestrand9. ChuckMarks10. VanceMillender11. MikeO’Connell12. BeckyPrado13. StevenRash14. PortiaSapp15. JohnSolomon16. ChadTaylor

• ChipBailey• FrankGidus• ShannonHartsfield• KevinLandry• SmokeyParrish• PaulThurman• T.J.Ward

Documents

ABSI CAB Questionnaire Summary Report...QUESTIONNAIRE SUMMARY October 2019 I. INTRODUCTION The Community Advisory Board (CAB) is being convened to develop consensus on a science-based