Chapter V 



Implementing the Comprehensive 

 Conservation and Management Plan 



Every estuary program strives for the ultimate goal of restoring the 

 estuary to a better condition. The process described in this Primer 

 is designed to meet this end. But, even if everything is done right, 

 CCt^Ps themselves will not protect and restore the estuary. The 

 CCMP actions must be implemented. 



Throughout this document, public involvement and support have 

 been stressed. Political commitments have been emphasized. It 

 has been stated that each action plan must identify who pays. 

 These are the keys to implementation. 



Implementation must be built into each action plan. However, 

 implementation need not wait until a formal CCMP is submitted and 

 approved by the EPA Administrator. If an action receives com- 

 munity support and funding can be secured, then implementation 

 should begin. Implementation of an action should proceed at any 

 point in the process that is possible, legally supportable, and makes 

 sense. Implementing an action can be a local, state, or federal 

 decision. Funds can come from a court settlement, a state or federal 

 appropriation, or even private sources. Creating funding sources 

 can be a challenge in itself. To ensure funding, however, a funding 

 strategy should be part of the CCMP or each action plan. (Appendix 

 E addresses funding alternatives.) 



This primer has stressed the importance of informing and involving 

 the public throughout the life of the estuary program. To ensure 

 public participation, a well-designed public participation strategy 

 needs to be developed as an outgrowth of early Management 

 Conference activities. The strategy should present ways to inform 

 the public. It should describe methods for soliciting the concerns 

 and opinions of affected persons and organized groups essential 

 to the collaborative problem-solving and decision-making proces- 

 ses. It should be designed to mobilize support for the CCMP and 

 its implementation. 



Funding 



A Plan for Public 

 Information and 

 Involvement 



55 



