Received this message from Dr. Jim L. Chambers, Weaver Brothers Distinguished Professor of Forestry at the School of Renewable Natural Resources at Louisiana State University:

CIAP Coastal Forest Conservation Initiative
Geospatial Decision Support Tool

SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, November 12, 2008

As you are aware, the Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration (OCPR) has been developing the CIAP-funded Coastal Forest Conservation Initiative (CFCI) to protect coastal forests in Louisiana which 1) exhibit storm damage reduction potential for population centers or hurricane protection infrastructure, 2) are in danger of land-use conversion, and/or 3) provide significant ecological value. This program is not limited to cypress-tupelo swamps, but will include all coastal forest types that meet certain criteria. We have worked with GEC, Inc. to produce a Synthesis Report summarizing other conservation programs across the country and have developed Minimum Program Standards (eligibility requirements) and Project Selection Criteria, building on lessons learned from other programs. We have also been working with GEC, Inc. to develop a geospatial analysis tool to assist in the evaluation and selection of candidate parcels of coastal forest stands that best meet the program conservation objectives. Many of you attended the May 12th CFCI Project Selection Criteria Meeting, at which we presented the proposed selection criteria and geospatial tool. On the basis of the comments generated from this meeting, we have produced a final array of selection criteria and incorporated these criteria into the geospatial tool, which we are now pleased to present to you, based on your request.

· We would like to demonstrate our geospatial tool and provide opportunity for your expert feedback prior to implementation.

· We have scheduled this meeting for Wednesday, November 12th 2008 at the Dalton J. Woods Auditorium in the Energy, Coast, and Environment Building on the LSU Campus. OCPR will provide campus parking passes for all attendees.

· In order to get the maximum benefit and discussion with everybody invited, we are requesting that each agency or group limit their attendance to one representative.

· We will be distributing materials in advance of the meeting, and we will be accepting written comments for a period after the meeting to allow those not able to attend the opportunity to comment and provide feedback.

· We will also be requesting an RSVP so that we can plan space and refreshments accordingly.

Please RSVP via reply to this e-mail. More information will follow.

Thank you! I look forward to your feedback.

Richard C. Raynie
Coastal Resources Senior Scientist
Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
Coastal Restoration Division
PO Box 44027
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804-4027
ph: 225-342-9436