Download the Fall 2007 Newsletter.

NCBIWA Executive Director Goes to Washington
By Chris Wagner, Marlowe & Company LLC

Mayor Harry Simmons, Executive Director of NCBIWA, has been spending some quality time in Washington, DC lately. In August and September Mayor Simmons met with a number of outside interest groups to discuss common water resource interests and to help advance NCBIWA’s goals in Washington. Meetings with the National Marine Manufacturers Association, BoatUS, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Associated General Contractors of America, and the American Public Works Association have been very productive. NCBIWA will be continuing discussions with these groups over the coming months to develop an agenda that improves water resources policy and funding for North Carolina and the nation.

In addition, Mayor Simmons also met with the White House Office of Management and Budget. In that meeting he stressed the importance of supporting periodic renourishment and made a strong case for supporting Regional Sediment Management.

Simmons also had the opportunity in early September to testify before the U.S. Access Board regarding their proposed new guidelines to implement ADA standards designed to increase access for people with disabilities to federal outdoor areas, such as beaches that are a part of the federal program. The proposed guidelines are far reaching and unfeasible within the nature of a beach. Mayor Simmons’ comments were well received and NCBIWA and Marlowe & Company will be working with the Access Board to improve upon the guidelines.

Mayor Simmons also made it up to the Hill to visit Congressman Frank Pallone’s (DNJ) office. Rep. Pallone has always been a strong supporter of our coastal treasures and an ally of NCBIWA. He is also the Chairman of the Congressional Coastal Caucus. The topics of discussion at the meeting were Pallone’s bill to reauthorize the BEACH Act (beach water quality) and how to revive the Coastal Caucus in the 110th Congress.

Comments Off