Advocacy is a significant part of our work at Orange County Coastkeeper. We believe that while protection of the environment and economic interests may not always seem to go hand in hand, they can be realized through policies of cooperation. Coastkeeper joins forces with a variety of stakeholders in seeking solutions that are good for Orange County and also protect coastal resources. We use this community approach to watershed management in an effort to avoid conflicts and seek agreements on actions that benefit society at large. In the process, Coastkeeper
increases the likelihood of sustaining long-term environmental improvements. Through our advocacy program, we:
- work with the development community to achieve improved water quality management plans that reduce polluted runoff from new development projects;
- work with local and regional officials to ensure water quality objectives;
- work with local government agencies to develop financing strategies for water quality capital improvements;
- raise awareness of new water quality technologies;
- partner with governmental agencies and businesses to develop solutions to numerous urban runoff problems impacting our waterways, harbors, and beaches;
- encourage organizations and individuals with interests in the watershed to take action;
- enhance local and regional economic viability in ways that are environmentally sound and are consistent with watershed objectives;
- ensure compliance with Clean Water Act requirements and goals;
- identify environmental objectives based on the condition and vulnerability of resources, the needs of the aquatic ecosystem and the needs of people within the community.
Coastkeeper is a member of task forces working on local watershed issues:
- Nitrogen-Selenium Management Program- Coastkeeper participates in the NSMP working group, developed by the County of Orange. The working group meets every 4-6 weeks to address nitrogen and selenium water quality issues in the Newport Bay Watershed.
- Wintersburg Channel Management Plan- The Army Corps of Engineers and the County of Orange are holding a Public Scoping Meeting on Wednesday, January 25th, 2006 to discuss the Westminster Watershed Study. Participants include the Orange County Coastkeeper, public agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Coyote Creek Watershed Management Plan- As member of the Coyote Creek Watershed Council, Coastkeeper works with the County of Orange andthe Army Corps of Engineers to develop an economically viable management plan for the Coyote Creek Watershed.
- Citizen Watershed Monitors of Orange County- Our associate director Ray Hiemstra is the facilitator of CWMOC, a partnership of several groups concerned with water quality in Orange County. We take a leadership role in creating a forum for the sharing of information and technology between CWMOC members.
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