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Investigators:
Dr. Francisco C. San Juan,
Professor, Elizabeth City State University(left)
Ms. Elizabeth B. Noble,
Marine Fisheries Biologist II, North Carolina DMF
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Funding Request: $299,642
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Project Period: Starting Date: October 1, 2001 Ending
Date: September 30, 2004
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Objectives,
Methodology and Rational:
The project supports the engagement of Elizabeth City State
University faculty and students in a demonstration project
to apply directed scientific research to the design of an
implementation strategy for a major environmental restoration
and ecosystem protection initiative of the State of North
Carolina, known as the Coastal Habitat Protection Plans (CHPP).
This initiative embraces a comprehensive evaluation of the
river basin systems connected to North Carolina's coastal
zone, and will provide detailed plans aimed at the enhancement
and restoration of estuarine and coastal fisheries habitats,
and the elimination or prevention of existing and potential
pollution that has degraded and threatens the integrity of
these habitats.
A key element for the success in the development of the CHPP
is the ability to evaluate and apply the data available from
remote sensing. A key element for this project proposal is
to explore the potential applications of satellite imageries
in support of North Carolina's CHPP. This element, along with
others, will be pursued in partnership with the North Carolina
Division of Marine Fisheries and the Division of Coastal management.
The proposed effort will be directed at the manner in which
river basins already altered by development, or under the
pressure of new or continuing development, can be projected
for the preservation or rehabilitation of essential marine/estuarine
habitats, with a focus on providing supporting research for
the design of a strategy for regulation, or other government
action, that would achieve the intent of the Coastal Habitat
Projection Plans. This strategy, along with the supporting
scientific research, is needed by, and will be presented to
the Coastal Resources Commission for consideration, and to
the other two commissions, the Environmental Mangement Commission
and the Marine Fisheries Commission, all of which are obligated
under the CHPP implementating legislation to undertake appropriate
rule-making actions to implement the Coastal Habitat Projection
Plans.
There are many associated pressing issues that can affect
the success of the CHPP implementation, such as beach re-nourishment,
cumulative impacts of hardened erosion control structures
in esuarine areas, and cumulative impacts of fill of freshwater
wetlands, inter-alia. These issues are in need of scientific
research to identify appropriate regulatory approaches that
will balance environmental protection needs and societal growth
within a sustainable development paradigm. The proposed project
seeks to establish mechanisms for ongoing collaborative research
in these areas; these research efforts will involve students.
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Related Links
http://nia.ecsu.edu/noaa/noaa-grant.htm
http://www.ecsu.edu/ECSU/AcadDept/Geology/ecsu_geology1.htm
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
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