Overcoming Permitting Barriers to Unlock Coastal Resilience

Recent legislative and executive actions have unlocked historic funding for improving coastal resilience, but permitting processes can present formidable barriers. This webinar will first present results from a survey of state-level policy trends and gaps related to coastal protection and restoration, as well as difficulties posed by the “green tape” of permitting. Experts from North Carolina and Washington will share examples of recent policies and programs addressing coastal restoration permitting in their states. They’ll discuss the development, implementation, utilization, and impact of these permitting reforms—and offer insights to help coastal restoration practitioners in other states address similar challenges.

You can download the full report here: State of the Coast: A Review of Coastal Management Policies for Six States

This event is co-hosted by Restore America’s Estuaries and Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability.

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Panelists

Rachel Karasik – Senior Policy Associate, Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment, & Sustainability

Rachel joined the Nicholas Institute in January 2019 and works for both Oceans and Coastal Policy and Ecosystem Services Programs. Rachel’s work focuses on the global plastics policy landscape, socioeconomic outcomes of coastal restoration, equity in environmental management, and STEM outreach. Prior to joining the Nicholas Institute, she worked for the Environmental Defense Fund and the Nicholas School of the Environment, focusing on fisheries management. Rachel received her Master’s degree in Environmental Management from Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment and her Bachelor’s degree from New York University. Her Master’s research was on seafood access in food deserts in North Carolina.

Todd Miller – Executive Director, North Carolina Coastal Federation

Todd Miller is the founder and executive director of the North Carolina Coastal Federation, a nonprofit working for a healthier North Carolina coast. A coastal North Carolina native, it was there in 1982 that Miller found his passion—working to keep the coast a great place to live, work and play. Forming partnerships and rallying volunteers, Miller grew the organization from a one-man venture to a 30+ staff in three offices covering the North Carolina coast. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, from which he holds undergraduate and master’s degrees. Miller is a founding board member and still serves on the board of Restore America’s Estuaries and currently serves on the Board of Visitors for the UNC Institute for the Environment and as a board member on the Leadership Committee for the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership.

Sylvia Troost – Senior Manager, Pew Charitable Trusts

Sylvia Troost is a senior manager with Pew’s conserving marine life in the United States project. Her portfolio includes advancing coastal blue carbon management strategies in state climate mitigation and adaptation efforts and helping states leverage the federal Coastal Zone Management Act in support of conservation and resilience goals. Troost also assists with program and campaign management across the project. She previously supported Pew’s oceans conservation work through strategic planning, operations and budgets, and campaign management within the federal fisheries project. Troost earned a bachelor’s degree in public policy from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a master’s degree in international affairs from George Washington University.

Gina Piazza – Habitat Recovery Pilot Program Coordinator, Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Gina Piazza is the Habitat Recovery Pilot Program Coordination for the WDFW. She has been a biologist with the agency for over fifteen years providing technical assistance for the protection of fish life and fish habitat. Gina has a Masters degree in Conservation Biology and is passionate about protecting and restoring Washington’s fish and wildlife.