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Public Outreach Committee

Description of the Public Outreach Committee

Scott Wilson, USGS Chairman Scott_Wilson@usgs.gov Tel (337) 266-8644 Fax (337) 266-8513 United States Geological Survey National Wetlands Research Center 700 Cajundome Blvd. Lafayette, LA 70506

Dave Marks, USGS Outreach Coordinator marksd@usgs.gov Tel (337) 266-8623 Fax (337) 266-8513 United States Geological Survey National Wetlands Research Center 700 Cajundome Blvd. Lafayette, LA 70506

Adele Swearingen, USDA-NRCS Public Affairs Specialist Adele.Swearingen@la.usda.gov Tel (318) 473-7687 Fax (318) 473-7682 United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service 3737 Government St. Alexandria, LA 71302

Rex Caffey, Ph.D., LSU Associate Professor, Wetlands & Coastal Resources RCaffey@agcenter.lsu.edu Tel (225) 578-2393 Fax (225) 578-2716 LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant Department of Agriculture Economics Room 179 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803-5604

Minnie Rojo, EPA Environmental Scientist Rojo.Minerva@epa.gov Tel (214) 665-3139 Fax (214) 665-6689 Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6 Water Quality Protection Division (6WQ-EMC) 1445 Ross Avenue Dallas, Texas 75202-2733

Cheryl Brodnax, NOAA Marine Fisheries Habitat Specialist cheryl.brodnax@noaa.gov Tel (225) 578-7923 Fax (225) 578-7926 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Restoration Center LSU Sea Grant, Room 124C Baton Rouge, LA 70803-6100

Susan Testroet-Bergeron, BTNEP Formal Education Coordinator susan@btnep.org Tel (985) 447-0868 Tel (800) 259-0869 Fax (985) 447-0870 Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program P.O. Box 2663 Thibodaux, LA 70310

Rachel Rodi, USACE Outreach Program Specialist Rachel.Rodi@usace.army.mil Tel (504) 862-2587 Fax (504) 862-1892 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District Public Affairs Office P.O. Box 60267 New Orleans, Louisiana 70160-0267

Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana coalition@crcl.org Tel (225) 767-4181 Fax (225) 768-8193 Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana 6160 Perkins Road Suite# 225 Baton Rouge, La 70808

Chris Macaluso, Louisiana CPRA chris.macaluso@la.gov Tel (225) 342-3968

Michele Deshotels, Louisiana CPRA Michele.Deshotels@la.gov

CWPPRA Organizational Chart

Public Outreach Committee Description

The Public Outreach Committee (OC) is comprised of members from the participating Federal agencies, the State of Louisiana, other coastal programs, and non-profit organizations. Only the core group members, representing the CWPPRA entities, are eligible to vote on budget matters. The committee is currently responsible for

• formulating information strategies and public education initiatives,
• maintaining a Web site of complex technical and educational materials,
• developing audio-visual presentations,
• exhibits,
• publications and news releases,
• conducting special events and project dedications and groundbreakings.

Additionally, the committee represents the CWPPRA Task Force at expositions and workshops to promote coastal wetlands restoration.

The Public Outreach Committee performs the functions of communications and public relations for the program on behalf of the Task Force. The primary function of the OC is to coordinate ongoing and future outreach activities with the CWPPRA agencies and the various partner groups and stakeholders. The OC reports to and takes direction from the Task Force. Yearly budgetary planning is coordinated with the Technical Committee.

The Chairman and coordinator for the outreach are located in Lafayette, Louisiana at the USGS National Wetlands Research Center. The Chairman manages OC functions and budgetary issues. The budget allocation for the outreach program is forecasted, submitted for approval, and managed by the chairman. The Chairman and coordinator manage all outreach activities for the TF. The coordinator position interprets for general audiences the scientific functions and values of wetlands, the scientific causes for Louisiana's coastal land loss, and the various approaches underway or being considered to reduce the land loss rate and create new vegetated wetlands. The outreach coordinator also develops and arranges presentations and provides information material for other officials making public comments as well as providing liaison with local officials and media. The outreach coordinator also manages the educational program, which provides information and materials for classroom use throughout the state. The Chairman and coordinator for outreach serve on local and regional planning efforts and act as the liaisons between the public, parish governments, and the various Federal agencies involved in CWPPRA.

CWPPRA Organizational Chart