Internationalizing the Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership Dr Karla

Internationalizing the Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership Dr. Karla Heidelberg U. S. Department of State (for George Olson)

What is the CWRP? Public/private collaboration of government agencies, business, and NGOs to preserve and restore wetlands and associated habitats. Business, the new player – provides key match needed to leverage government & foundation funds, for government-approved projects Sagamore Marsh Restoration, MA Ed Bills Pond Fish Ladder, CT

PARTNERS Ø > 140 Corporate Partners Ø Federal Partners: Coastal America Partnership comprised of 12 government entities (Agriculture, Air Force, Army, Navy, Commerce, Defense, Energy, HUD, Interior, State, Transportation, US EPA) Executive Office of the President, CEQ - Chair Ø Community State & Local Governments NGOs (e. g. , Ducks Unlimited and The Nature Conservancy) Universities (e. g. , UMASS and URI)

Organized by a National Advisory Council Sponsor Ø National Association of Manufacturers Corporate Members Ø Duke Energy, Chair Ø The Gillette Company, Founding Corp. & Vice Chair Ø Ø Battelle ENSR International FMC Corporation JEM Environmental, Founder Advisors Ø Restore America’s Estuaries Ø Coastal America

Key Points for National Program Ø Voluntary Participation with contributions to 501(3)(c) Foundation • Mitigation projects & permit-related conditions, not accepted Ø Simple goal: Preservation, enhancement, restoration, & education Ø Organization: National Council coordinating State Boards

Implementation Status BP Exploration Duke Energy & Gillette Restore America’s Estuaries (PAC-NW) Maritimes & Northeast Jacques Pipeline Whitford & PSNH Gillette (MA & NE) ESS & Narragansett Elec. NE Utilities & Duracell Dow Chemical PSEG & LME Consulting (NY/NJ & Mid-Atlantic) Legend Established Framework & Process Developed Early Planning Stages Not Yet Active Battelle (FL & Southeast) Duke Energy

Results to Date Ø > 140 Corporate Partners cooperating with state and federal agencies and NGOs. Ø > $2. 5 million in pledged funds & in-kind services used to leverage > $10 M in matching state/federal grants. Ø Initiated 85 projects nationwide. Ø 20 restoration projects completed to date • > 1000 acres of aquatic habitat restored • > 300 linear miles of riparian & anadromous fish habitat opened.

Benefits of Partnership Ø Tax-deductible contributions provide local match required to leverage federal dollars. Ø Expedites project implementation. Ø Improves stakeholder buy in/trust for environmental awareness. Ø Expands public-private partnerships. Ø Unique opportunity for corporate citizenship. Ø Tangible improvements & highly visible projects. Ø Positive media/public relations & high-level recognition. Ø Clear societal, environmental & economic benefits.

Support & Recognition Ø Presidential recognition (Bush I and II) “My Administration strongly supports efforts like this that bring together a variety of resources – public, corporate, and nonprofit – that meet common goals and address challenging environmental and economic needs. I appreciate your dedication to making this partnership grow and succeed in restoring our wetlands and aquatic resources. ” - President George W. Bush Ø Widespread bipartisan endorsement Ø Support of regulatory agencies & community groups

High-level recognition

CWRP makes good sense! Benefits for the community, environment and business.

Internationalizing CWRP (ICWRP) Objectives Ø Adapt highly flexible framework & processes of CWRP to different international situations. Ø Develop self-sustaining international stakeholder consortiums. Ø Enhance existing organizations and create new synergies (no need for new institutions)

Ø Duke Energy providing leadership for the development of a similar program in Canada Ø Gillette providing leadership for a modified program designed for developing countries • Developing broad international frameworks utilizing existing international structures with similar missions. • Working on two program options International Ramsar Convention for Wetlands

I-CWRP Framework

Site Selection/Priority - Use existing international program structure - Target sites already recognize as important UNESCO RAMSAR World Heritage Priority Program COUNTRY

I-CWRP – “Potential” Partners ØPrimary Agencies/Foundations: Ramsar, UNESCO & UNF ØSpecial Advisors • Other UN Agencies, Coastal America/CAF, US State Dept. , US FWS, NOAA, EPA, related agencies in other countries. ØBusiness • Gillette & Duke Energy, UNF Members, CWRP Partners (e. g. , BP, GE), Advisors (e. g. , NAM, International Chamber of Commerce) ØConservation Groups • The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, Restore America's Estuaries, Sierra Club, Audubon, WWF, Bird. Life Inter. , & National Geographic Society. ØAcademia: Both in country and US programs ØLocal Communities: Involvement critical. Developing mechanisms to ensure local involvement

Visit our websites at http: //www. CWRP. org http: //www. Coastal. America. gov Contact: George L. Olson The Gillette Company CWRP National Advisory Council, Vice-Chair 781. 292. 8141 George_Olson@Gillette. com