The following strategic document was adopted by the Board of Directors, Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association on July 10, 2000. It’s purpose is to provide guidance for the Association in establishing priorities and allocating resources over time.

It represents our long-term plan of action to sustain the health of the organization, protect the state dedicated funding source for beach management, and promote a viable shore-protection partnership with the federal government. Enhanced educational and public relations initiatives are noted.

This general plan of goals, objectives and implementation options is supported by a working set of specific tasks and timetables considered by the Board in September. This in-house operating document will serve as the baseline for annual allocation of staff and financial resources, setting annual lobbying priorities, and frequent Board review of performance.

I. THE LEGISLATIVE/POLICY COMPONENT

ELEMENT 1: STATE STRATEGY

q GOAL: To protect and enhance an adequately-funded and cost-effective statewide beach management program

q OBJECTIVE 1: To protect dedicated funding source

Implementation Options:

A) Continue monitoring/lobbying strategy. Ongoing process to identify and secure House and Senate advocates. Monitor annual appropriations process. Protect against ineligible uses, efforts to divert or reduce funding, and unfavorable proviso language

B) Prepare and publish a biennial, pre-session newsletter for legislators. Encourage FSBPA participation in other group/interest events or legislative functions

C) Monitor and improve the timeliness of annual beach erosion control project funding requests

q OBJECTIVE 2: To further promote timely project construction and use of allocated state dollars

Implementation Options:

A) Consider legislation to establish a state revolving loan fund to front federal cost-shares

B) Assist the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in developing a rational short-fall policy to cover additional state share without causing construction delays, or making local sponsors go through another annual application process

q OBJECTIVE 3: To support efforts and/or undertake activities to improve program and project performance and cost-effectiveness, as well as insure program accountability to decision-makers and local communities

Implementation Options:

A) Formally designate FSBPA Board Member(s) to monitor specific rule-making (F.A.C.) workshops and hearings to advise the Board and provide issues of interest for Association publications

B) Use FSBPA as vehicle for conflict resolution between DEP and local government sponsors.

C) Continue, as appropriate, to hold workshops and other forums on subject-specific issues

D) Designate an FSBPA Board Member, who also serves on DEP’s Technical Advisory Committee, to present issues of importance to the Association for appropriate legislative or administrative follow-up

ELEMENT 2: FEDERAL STRATEGY

q GOAL: To insure a dependable, adequately-funded federal shore- protection program

q OBJECTIVE 1: Secure a federal dedicated funding source for the Corps’ shore-protection program

Implementation Options:

A) FSBPA participates as part of the American Coastal Coalition (ACC) or multi-state coalition’s legislative strategy

B) Secure ongoing Congressional funding for Florida’s priority projects. Introduce new project funding

q OBJECTIVE 2: To insure the continued viability of the local-construction option (under Sec. 206 of WRDA 92, or other reimbursable authorities)

Implementation Options:

A) Retool Sec. 206, providing a traditional funding track option, Corps-administration and budgeting with local sponsor responsibility for design/engineering/construction, work toward inclusion in future Water Resources Development Acts (WRDA)

B) Prepare 206 revisions. Continue to pursue a more traditional funding track option for 206 projects in WRDA 2002

C) Document cost-savings and favorable community response to locally-constructed beach nourishment projects

q OBJECTIVE 3: To work to insure adequate and timely federal funding for all of Florida’s reimbursable projects

Implementation Options:

A) Develop and implement long-term strategy to promote Corps institutionalization of standard budgeting procedures for all reimbursables, to include a “meaningful” Congressional notification process

B) Establish reporting/monitoring system for all Florida projects during Corps processing of Section 102 (Appropriations 2000) notification and Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) development

C) Improve protocol for Section 102 Congressional notification.

D) Work/track efforts of other interest groups (Flood control, dredgers, ports and ACC) to repeal Sec. 102

q OBJECTIVE 4: To reverse current Administration policy toward new shore-protection projects.

Implementation Options:

A) Oppose Administration’s WRDA 2000 provision deauthorizing projects not receiving initial or scheduled nourishment funding within a time certain

B) Develop sub-strategy to influence policies of future Administrations. Prepare, publish supporting documents, as necessary

C) Participate, if possibly beneficial, in future negotiations with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding cost-sharing, project life, and reimbursables.

ELEMENT 3: THE FUTURE ROLE OF BEACHWATCH

q GOAL: To maintain a viable lobbying component of FSBPA, targeting the political, funding and policy needs of our member coastal governments.

q OBJECTIVE 1: To maintain/expand current annual membership numbers

Implementation Options:

A) BeachWatch Annual Report to current members and potential members

B) Continue annual member needs survey. Provide ongoing survey opportunity for members to suggest other needs that might be addressed through BeachWatch, or to critique existing services

q OBJECTIVE 2: To increase number of governments and geographical areas represented by BeachWatch

Implementation Options:

A) Review annual local sponsor funding requests to DEP and cross reference to new member solicitations

B) Coordinate with the coastal engineering community more effectively to identify potential BeachWatch members

q OBJECTIVE 3: To offer new and expanded BeachWatch services

Implementation Options:

A) Incorporate new or expanded services resulting from adoption of a FSBPA long-range strategic plan

B) Assess/address unmet needs of members, BeachWatch performance, and information-dissemination services.

II ADMINISTRATIVE / OPERATIONAL COMPONENT

ELEMENT 1 -- FSBPA FINANCES

q GOAL: To insure FSBPA’s financial strength and stability so that the association can fulfill its missions.

q OBJECTIVE 1: Ensure that FSBPA remains financially healthy

so that it can fulfill the basic purposes of the association and meet the challenges ahead.

q OBJECTIVE 2: By the end of the decade, increase FSBPA’s

year-end reserve to at least half of the annual budget.

Implementation Options:

A) As a policy of the Board, in preparing the annual

FSBPA budget each year, set aside an amount equal to 2.5% of the annual budget under the category “savings.” The intent is to gradually increase FSBPA’s year-end budget surplus until it reaches an amount equivalent to 50% of the annual budget.

B) Undertake a major effort to increase attendance and

sponsorships at the three annual conferences sponsored by FSBPA.

C) With the active assistance of the Board of Directors,

undertake a membership development campaign targeting primarily municipal and county governments, TDCs, and coastal hotels and resorts.

ELEMENT 2 MEMBERSHIP

q GOAL: To substantially increase our membership, especially our primary

member base of local governments.

q OBJECTIVE 1: Maximize membership of coastal municipalities,

coastal counties and related districts in FSBPA.