Activity 1

Mock Watershed Community Meeting

Student Objectives:

Students will:

• connect specific ecological services to processes and issues in a watershed

• interpret how different user groups would hold different positions based on their interests

• develop and present a position statement related to an environmental case study

Materials: Community group cards

Background: The construction of a marina adjacent to sensitive estuarine habitat has been proposed. The residents that live in the watershed have different perspectives about how a new marina will impact the estuary and the ecosystem services that it provides. A Community Meeting has been scheduled to debate and discuss the proposed marina. If supported by the meeting participants, the proposal will go to vote within the municipalities of the watershed. Several groups have requested to make a presentation at the meeting so that the community can have a complete perspective on what this marina will mean for various groups and special interests. Each of the groups introduced will prepare a short presentation for the meeting and take questions from the assembly on their perspective and information. The class should choose from one of the four sites to develop their meeting. Each location has different players and ecology. The teacher or students can form the decision making assembly.

Student group presentations should include:

• How the marina will impact (negatively or positively) the ecosystem services provided by the estuary.

• Why your group supports, does not support, or is neutral about the development of the marina.

Additionally be prepared for questions. Think about from your group’s perspective if you are willing to compromise with opposing interests. For example:

• If your group is against the construction of the Marina, think of what the developers may be able to offer your group that would garner your support (e.g., money for conservation and restoration efforts)

• If your group supports the construction of the Marina, think of what you are willing to offer the other interest groups to garner their support for your cause

Follow-up Student Steps:

1. After each group is presented, give them 5-10 minutes to form an alliance with at least one other group. As a result of their alliance they must work with the other group(s) to reach consensus on a plan to address the Marina issue. Students will need to articulate why the alliance was developed and they must have a sound reason for doing so.

2. After each group has time to develop their alliance, a representative of the group will present to the others their new position and why they formed the alliance.

3. As groups present, give them one point for each group they formed a valid alliance with ( each group in the alliance gets those points).

4. After deliberation, the assembly will then announce which plan they have agreed to go forward with. (This is the plan with the largest alliance backing it. If there is a tie in the number of alliances, choose the alliance with the best articulated argument).

It might be useful for your students to be aware of the relevant coastal legislation in order to develop their presentations. The following is a list of relevant legislation by NERR site:

Chesapeake Bay, MD

• Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Law (COMAR 14.15) 

• Areas of Critical State Concern. The Critical Areas are integrated into local Comprehensive Plans (The Planning Act, art.66B). 

• Smart Growth (Executive Order 01.01.1998.04) 

• New Tidal Wetland Regulations for Living Shorelines

• Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) - Maryland's State Regulations, online. 

  • Nontidal wetlands - Subtitle 23

  • Tidal wetlands - Subtitle 24

  • Water Management - Subtitle 17

New Jersey 

• Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) (N.J.S.A. 13:19) 

• Waterfront Development Law (N.J.S.A. 12:5-3)

• Tidelands Act (N.J.S.A. 12:3) & (N.J.A.C. 7:7)

• Wetlands Act of 1970 (N.J.S.A. 13:9A) Coastal Wetlands

• Coastal Permit Program Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:7)

  • Procedures for obtaining/appealing coastal permits (including CAFRA/Waterfront Development/Coastal Wetlands) as well as enforcement of same

• Coastal Zone Management Rules ( N.J.A.C 7:7E)

  • coastal zone policies which govern permit decisions