Priority Problems 



Addressed In the 



CCMP 



Although the characterization report may include all the problems 

 that were identified in the estuary, the Conference must select 

 those that the CCf\/IP will actually address. This selection process 

 entails considering costs and benefits. It also requires assessing 

 the length of time for problem resolution and the likely success of 

 efforts. Using the criteria in Table 4.2, the conferees then rank 

 priority problems. After conferees have developed and recom- 

 mended a remedial course of action for the highest ranked 

 problems, other problems can be addressed. 



Table 4.2. — Selection Criteria for Priority Problems 



• Does the problem affect a number of resources and/or uses of the 

 estuary? 



• Does the problem adversely affect public health? 



• Does the problem have a systemwide impact? 



• Does the problem have a number of major local impacts of high 

 priority to the general public? 



• Is the problem of great concern to the public, major users, and 

 political leaders? 



• Can the problem be corrected through timely institutional or 

 regulatory mechanisms? 



• Can the problem be controlled at reasonable cost with existing 

 technology? 



• Does the problem require further research, thereby precluding 

 immediate action? 



An obvious problem may be addressed early in the program, even 

 before characterization. If the problem and a proposed action for 

 adressing it meet the criteria set for an Action Plan Demonstration 

 Project, funding can be sought from EPA. Such a project would 

 have to demonstrate the effectiveness of a small-scale remedial 

 strategy, while providing information that could be applied basin- 

 wide. Another problem may be addressed because of early backing 

 from a state legislature. But certain problems may be so complex 

 that abatement or cleanup could consume all of an estuary 

 program's resources. In these cases, the Conference should ex- 

 plore other funding sources. Some estuary programs may rely on 

 creative financing, while others may redirect existing resources to 

 a priority problem or tap funds held by Conference members. 

 (Information on funding alternatives is included in Appendix E.) 



Setting priorities requires great effort. After the characterization 

 report has been released, the Conference holds workshops, meet- 

 ings, and media briefings to educate all affected publics. The CAC, 

 LGC, and STAC explain the characterization findings, and the 

 management committee hears the concerns of citizens groups, 

 local officials, users, and the regulatory community. 



Figure 4.2 depicts a problems/causes matrix used to help present 

 the characterization findings, it identifies problems and causes 

 typically found in an estuary. The matrix may be a useful tool for 

 explaining problems and determining priority problems. 



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