Organization

Task Force Description

Typically referred to as the "Task Force" (TF), it is comprised of one member of each, respectively, from five Federal Agencies and the Local Cost Share Sponsor, which is the State of Louisiana. The Federal Agencies of CWPPRA include:

the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) of the US Department of the Interior,
the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),
the National Marine Fisheries Service of Department of Commerce (USDC),
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

The Governor's Office of the State of Louisiana represents the state on the TF. The TF provides guidance and direction to subordinate organizations of the program through the Technical Committee (TC), which reports to the TF. The TF is charged by the Act to make final decisions concerning issues, policies, and procedures necessary to execute the Program and its projects. The TF makes directives for action to the TC, and the TF makes decisions in consideration of TC recommendations.

The District Commander of the USACE, New Orleans District (NOD), is the Chairman of the TF. The TF Chairman leads the TF and sets the agenda for action of the TF to execute the Program and projects. The District Commander of the USACE, New Orleans District (NOD), is the Chairman of the TF. The TF Chairman leads the TF and sets the agenda for action of the TF to execute the Program and projects. At the direction of the Chairman of the TF, the NOD:

provides administration, management, and oversight of the Planning and Construction Programs, and acts as accountant, budgeter, administrator, and disburser of all Federal and non-Federal funds under the Act,
acts as the official manager of financial data and most information relating to the CWPPRA Program and projects.

Task Force

Secretary of Army (Chairman)	Cullen A. Jones, P.E., PMP Colonel, Engineer District Commander & District Engineer cullen.a.jones@usace.army.mil Phone:(504) 862-2077 Fax: (504) 494-4283 New Orleans District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 7400 Leake Avenue New Orleans, LA 70118
CPRA Chairman State of Louisiana	Bren Haase Deputy Director bren.haase@la.gov Phone:(225) 352-2179 Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Baton Rouge Headquarters 150 Terrace Avenue Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Administrator, EPA	Charles W. Maguire Director, Water Division maguire.charles@epa.gov Phone:(214) 665-8138 Fax: (214) 665-7373 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6 1201 Elm St., Suite 500 Dallas, TX 75270
Secretary, Department of the Interior	Jeff Weller Program Supervisor (AR, LA, MS, AL) jeff_weller@fws.gov Phone:(337) 291-3115 Fax: (337) 291-3139 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Louisiana Field Office 646 Cajundome Blvd., Suite 400 Lafayette, LA 70506
Secretary, Department of Agriculture	Chad Kacir State Conservationist richard.kacir@usda.gov Phone:(318) 473-7751 Fax: (844) 325-6947 Natural Resources Conservation Service 3737 Government Street Alexandria, LA 71302
Secretary, Department of Commerce	Leslie Craig Supervisor, Office of Habitat Conservation Southeast and Caribbean Region leslie.craig@noaa.gov Phone:(301) 427-8660 Fax: (301) 713-0184 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service 1315 East-West Highway, Room 14853 Silver Spring, MD 20910

Technical Committee Description

The Technical Committee (TC) is established by the Task Force (TF) to provide advice and recommendations for execution of the Program and projects from a number of technical perspectives, which include:

engineering,
environmental,
economic,
real estate,
construction,
operation and maintenance, and
monitoring.

The TC provides guidance and direction to subordinate organizations of the program through the Planning & Evaluation Subcommittee (P&E), which reports to the TC. The TC is charged by the TF to consider and shape decisions and proposed actions of the P&E, regarding its position on issues, policy, and procedures towards execution of the Program and projects. The TC makes directives for action to the P&E, and the TC makes decisions in consideration of the P&E recommendations.

The Chair's seat of the TC resides with the USACE, NOD. The TC Chairman leads the TC and sets the agenda for action of the TC to make recommendations to the TF for executing the Program and projects. At the direction of the Chairman of the TF, the Chairman of the TC guides the management and administrative work charged to the TF Chairman.

Technical Committee

Mark Wingate, Chairman
Deputy District Engineer

mark.r.wingate@usace.army.mil

Phone: (504) 862-2204
Fax: (504) 862-1259

Department of the Army
New Orleands District, Corps of Engineers
Office of the Chief
7400 Leake Ave
New Orleans, LA 70118

Kevin Roy
Senior Field Biologist

kevin_roy@fws.gov

Phone: (337) 291-3120
Fax: (337) 291-3139

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
200 Dulles Drive
Lafayette, LA 70506

Brian Lezina
Division Chief, Planning and Research

brian.lezina@la.gov

Phone: (225) 342-1475
Fax: (225) 342-1377

Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
State of Louisiana
P.O. Box 44027 Capitol Station
Baton Rouge, LA 70804

Patrick Williams
Fishery Biologist

patrick.williams@noaa.gov

Phone: (225) 389-0508, x203
Fax: (225) 389-0506

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service c/o LSU
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Karen McCormick
Chief
mccormick.karen@.epa.gov

Phone: (214) 665-8365
Fax: (214) 665-6689

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6
Water Division, Ecosystems Protection Branch
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75202

Britt Paul, P.E.
Assistant State Conservationist/Water Resources

britt.paul@la.usda.gov

Phone: (318) 473-7756
Fax: (318) 473-7682

Natural Resources Conservation Service
3737 Government Street
Alexandria, LA 71302

Public Outreach Committee Description

The Public Outreach Committee (OC) is comprised of members from the participating Federal agencies, the State of Louisiana, other coastal programs, and non-profit organizations. Only the core group members, representing the CWPPRA entities, are eligible to vote on budget matters. The committee is currently responsible for

formulating information strategies and public education initiatives,
maintaining a Web site of complex technical and educational materials,
developing audio-visual presentations,
exhibits,
publications and news releases,
conducting special events and project dedications and groundbreakings.

Additionally, the committee represents the CWPPRA Task Force at expositions and workshops to promote coastal wetlands restoration.

The Public Outreach Committee performs the functions of communications and public relations for the program on behalf of the Task Force. The primary function of the OC is to coordinate ongoing and future outreach activities with the CWPPRA agencies and the various partner groups and stakeholders. The OC reports to and takes direction from the Task Force. Yearly budgetary planning is coordinated with the Technical Committee.

The Chairman and coordinator for the outreach are located in Lafayette, Louisiana at the USGS National Wetlands Research Center. The Chairman manages OC functions and budgetary issues. The budget allocation for the outreach program is forecasted, submitted for approval, and managed by the chairman. The Chairman and coordinator manage all outreach activities for the TF. The coordinator position interprets for general audiences the scientific functions and values of wetlands, the scientific causes for Louisiana's coastal land loss, and the various approaches underway or being considered to reduce the land loss rate and create new vegetated wetlands. The outreach coordinator also develops and arranges presentations and provides information material for other officials making public comments as well as providing liaison with local officials and media. The outreach coordinator also manages the educational program, which provides information and materials for classroom use throughout the state. The Chairman and coordinator for outreach serve on local and regional planning efforts and act as the liaisons between the public, parish governments, and the various Federal agencies involved in CWPPRA.

Public Outreach Committee

Dr. Scott Wilson, Chairman
Chief of Operations

wilsons@usgs.gov

Phone:(337) 266-8644
Fax: (337) 266-8513

United States Geological Survey
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
700 Cajundome Blvd.
Lafayette, LA 70506

Lauren Leonpacher
Public Outreach Coordinator

lleonpacher@contractor.usgs.gov

Phone:(337) 266-8626
Cell (337) 254-4364

United States Geological Survey
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
700 Cajundome Blvd.
Lafayette, LA 70506

Kacie Wright
Community Outreach Specialist

kmwright@usgs.gov

Phone:(337) 266-8626
Fax: (337) 266-8513

United States Geological Survey
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
700 Cajundome Blvd.
Lafayette, LA 70506

Kathy Ladner
Physical Scientist

ladnerk@usgs.gov

Phone:(337) 266-8659
Fax: (337) 266-8513

United States Geological Survey
Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
700 Cajundome Blvd.
Lafayette, LA 70506

Terri von Hoven
Project Manager

terri.m.vanhoven@usace.army.mil

Phone:(504) 625-1744

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
New Orleans District
7400 Leake Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118

Angela Trahan
Wildlife Biologist

angela.trahan@usda.gov

Phone:(337) 291-3142

United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
646 Cajundome Blvd. Suite 180
Lafayette, LA 70506

Jennifer Spencer Smith
Contractor, ERT

jennifer.smith@noaa.gov

Phone:(225) 757-5230
Cell (225) 954-6654
Fax: (225) 778-7367

NOAA Restoration Center
5304 Flanders Dr. Suite B
Baton Rouge, LA 70808-7206

Sharon Osowski Morgan, Ph.D., CWB
Ecologist/Life Scientist

osowski.sharon@epa.gov

Phone:(214) 665-2712
Fax: (214) 665-6689

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6
Water Division
1201 Elm St., Suite 500
Dallas, TX 75270

Marina Gelpi Clay
Director of Communications and Engagement

marina.clay@la.gov

Phone:(225) 342-0168
Fax: (225) 342-3773

Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
The Water Campus
150 Terrace Ave
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Dani DiIullo
Director of Education and Engagement

ddiiullo@lsu.edu

Phone:(225) 578-6448

Louisiana Sea Grant
201 Sea Grant Building Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Emily Knobloch
Communications and Public Relations Coordinator

emilyk@btnep.org

Phone:(985) 447-0868
Fax: (985) 447-0870

Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program
P.O. Box 2663
Thibodaux, LA 70310

Corey T. Miller
Director of Community Resilience

coreym@crcl.org

Phone:(504) 264-6891

Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
3801 Canal Street
Suite 400
New Orleans, LA 70119

Planning and Evaluation Subcommittee Description

The Planning and Evaluation Subcommittee (P&E) is the working level committee established by the Technical Committee (TC) to form and oversee special technical workgroups to assist in developing policies and processes, and recommend procedures for formulating plans and projects to accomplish the goals and mandates of CWPPRA.

The seat of the Chairman of the P&E resides with the USACE, NOD. The P&E Chairman leads the P&E and sets the agenda for action of the P&E to make recommendations to the TC for executing the Program and projects. At the direction of the Chairman of the TC, the Chairman of the P&E executes the management and administrative work directives of the TC and Task Force (TF) Chairs.

Planning and Evaluation Subcommittee

Brad Inman, Chairman
Senior Project Manager

brad.l.inman@usace.army.mil

Phone:(504) 862-2124
Fax: (504) 862-2572

Department of the Army
New Orleans District, Corps of Engineers
Room 331
7400 Leake Ave
New Orleans, LA 70118

Robert Dubois
Senior Field Biologist

robert_dubois@fws.gov

Phone:(337) 291-3127
Fax: (337) 257-4345

CWPPRA Program Coordinator U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
200 Dulles Drive
Lafayette, LA 70506

Patty Taylor
Environmental Engineer

taylor.patricia-a@epa.gov

Phone:(214) 665-6403
Fax: (214) 665-6689

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6
Water Quality Protection Division (6WQ-EC)
1201 Elm St., Suite 500
Dallas, TX 75270

Angela Trahan
Wildlife Biologist

angela.trahan@la.usda.gov

Phone:(337) 291-3142 Fax: (844) 325-6947

USDA - NRCS
Water Resources Office
646 Cajundome Blvd, Suite 180
Lafayette, LA 70506

Kent Bollfrass
Coastal Resources Scientist Supervisor

kent.bollfrass@la.gov

Phone:(225) 342-4733
Fax: (225) 342-3403

Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
State of Louisiana
The Water Campus
150 Terrace Ave
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Jason Kroll
Civil Engineer
National Marine and Fisheries Service

jason.kroll@noaa.gov

Phone:(225) 335-9659

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
5304 Flaunders Drive, Suite B
Baton Rouge, LA 70808-7206

Environmental Work Group Description

The Environmental Work Group (EnvWG), under the guidance and direction of the Planning and Evaluation Subcommittee (P&E), reviews candidate projects to:

suggest any recommended measures and features that should be considered during engineering and design for the achievement/enhancement of wetland benefits, and
determine the estimated annualized wetland benefits (Average Annual Habitat Units) of those projects.

The seat of Chairman of the EnvWG resides with the USFWS. The EnvWG Chairman leads the EnvWG to accomplish its work.

Environmental Work Group

Kristen Ramsey, Chairman
Fish and Wildlife Biologist

kristen_ramsey@fws.gov

Phone:(337) 291-3137
Fax: (337) 705-9098

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Louisiana Ecological Services
200 Dulles Drive
Lafayette, LA 70506

Kent Bollfrass
Coastal Resources Scientist Supervisor

kent.bollfrass@la.gov

Phone:(225) 342-4733
Fax: (225)342-3403

Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
State of Louisiana
The Water Campus
150 Terrace Ave
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Ron Boustany
Wildlife Biologist

ron.boustany@la.usda.gov

Phone:(337) 291-3067
Fax: (337) 291-3085

Natural Resources Conservation Service
646 Cajundome Blvd., Suite 180
Lafayette, LA 70506

Dawn Davis
Fishery Biologist

dawn.davis@noaa.gov

Phone:(225) 389-0508 ext 206
Fax: (225) 389-0506

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service c/o LSU
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Sharon Osowski Morgan, Ph.D., CWB
Ecologist/Life Scientist

osowski.sharon@epa.gov

Phone: (214) 665-7506
Fax: (214) 665-6689

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6
Water Division
1201 Elm St., Suite 500
Dallas, TX 75270

Kristen Butcher
Biologist

kristen.butcher@usace.army.mil

Phone:(504) 862-1390
Environmental Resources Specialist Department of the Army
New Orleans District, Corps of Engineers
P.O. Box 60267
New Orleans, LA 70160-0267

Engineering Work Group Description

The Engineering Work Group (EngWG), under the guidance and direction of the Planning and Evaluation Subcommittee (P&E), provides

engineering standards,
quality control/assurance, and
support,

for the review and comment of the cost estimates for:

engineering,
environmental compliance,
economic,
real estate,
construction,
construction supervision and inspection,
project management,
operation and maintenance, and
monitoring,

of candidate and demonstration projects considered for development, selection, and funding under the Act.

The EngWG Chairman leads the EngWG in its tasks. The seat of Chairman of the EngWG resides with the USACE NOD.

Engineering Work Group

John Petitbon, P.E., Chairman
Civil Engineer

john.b.petitbon@usace.army.mil

Phone:(504) 862-2732
Fax: (504) 862-1356

Department of the Army
New Orleans District, Corps of Engineers
Room 205
7400 Leake Ave
New Orleans, LA 70118

Jacques Boudreaux P.E.
Engineer

jacques.boudreaux@la.gov

Phone:(225) 342-0242
Cell: (225) 603-9733

Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
State of Louisiana
The Water Campus
150 Terrace Ave
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Brandi Gene Spano
Environmental Engineer/Project Manager

spano.brandi@epa.gov

Phone:(214) 665-7329
Fax: (214) 665-6689

U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency, Region 6
Marine, Coastal and Non-Point Source Section
1201 Elm St., Suite 500
Dallas, TX 75270

Robert Dubois
Fish and Wildlife Biologist

robert_dubois@fws.gov

Phone:(337) 291-3127
Fax: (337) 291-3139

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
200 Dulles Drive
Lafayette, LA 70506

Jason P. Kroll
Civil Engineer

jason.kroll@noaa.gov

Phone:(225) 757-5411
Fax: (225) 778-7367

NOAA Restoration Center
5304 Flanders Dr. Suite B
Baton Rouge, LA 70808-7206

Eric Whitney, E.I.
Civil Engineer

eric.whitney@usda.gov

Phone:(337) 291-3069

USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service
Lafayette FOPSS Office
646 Cajundome Boulevard
Lafayette, LA 70506

Economics Work Group Description

The Economics Work Group (EcoWG), under the guidance and direction of the Planning and Evaluation Subcommittee (P&E), reviews and evaluates candidate projects that have been completely developed, for the purpose of assigning the fully funded first cost of projects, based on the estimated 20-year stream of project costs.

The USACE NOD holds the EcoWG Chairman seat. The EcoWG Chairman leads the EcoWG to complete their evaluations.

Economics Work Group

Matthew Napolitano, Chairman
Economist

matthew.p.napolitano@usace.army.mil

Phone:(504) 862-2445
Fax: (504) 862-1299

Department of the Army
New Orleans District, Corps of Engineers
Room 119
7400 Leake Ave
New Orleans, Louisiana 70118

Gary Barone
Financial Scientist

gary.barone@noaa.gov

Phone:(301) 713-0174
Fax: (301) 713-0184

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries
1315 East-West Highway, Room 14853
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Monitoring Work Group Description

The Monitoring Work Group (MWG), under the guidance and direction of the Planning and Evaluation Subcommittee, develops standard operating procedures and oversees the development and implementation of field monitoring programs for the CWPPRA program.

The seats of Co-Chairman of the MWG resides with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LADNR) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). These Chairmen lead the MWG in monitoring program activities.

Monitoring Work Group

Leigh Anne Sharp, Co-Chairman
Coastal Resources Scientist Manager

leighanne.sharp@la.gov

Phone: (337) 482-0659
Fax: (337) 482-0687

Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, Operations Division
P.O. Box 62027
Lafayette, LA 70596-2027

Sarai Piazza, Co-Chairman
Ecologist

piazzas@usgs.gov

Phone: (225) 578-7044
Fax: (225) 578-7927

U. S. Geological Survey
c/o Livestock Show Office, LSU
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Ron Boustany
Natural Resources Specialist

ron.boustany@la.usda.gov

Phone: (337) 291-3067
Fax: (844) 325-6947

Natural Resources Conservation Service
646 Cajundome Blvd., Suite 180
Lafayette, LA 70506

Robert Dubois
Fish and Wildlife Biologist

robert_dubois@fws.gov

Phone: (337) 291-3127
Fax: (337) 291-3139

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
646 Cajundome Blvd.
Lafayette, LA 70506

Sharon Osowski Morgan, Ph.D., CWB
Ecologist/Life Scientist

osowski.sharon@epa.gov

Phone: (214) 665-7506
Fax: (214) 665-6689

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6
Water Division
1201 Elm St., Suite 500
Dallas, TX 75270

Joy Merino
Fisheries Biologist

joy.merino@noaa.gov

Phone: (337) 291-2109
Fax: (214) 665-6689

NOAA Fisheries Southeast Science Center
646 Cajundome Blvd.
Lafayette, LA 70506

Terri von Hoven, Ph.D.
Mechanical Engineer

terri.m.vonhoven@usace.army.mil

Phone: (504) 862-1744

Programs and Project Management Division
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
7400 Leake Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118

Academic Advisory Work Group Description

While the agencies sitting on the Task Force (TF) possess considerable expertise regarding Louisiana's coastal wetlands problems, the TF recognized the need to incorporate another invaluable resource: the state's academic community. The TF therefore retained university services to provide scientific advisors to support the Program.

The Academic Advisory Work Group (AAG), under the guidance and direction of the Planning and Evaluation Subcommittee (P&E); provides support during the screening and development, and ranking of candidate and demonstration projects. The AAG works with the Environmental Work Group (EnvWG) and Monitoring Work Group (MWG) in support of their respective work in project development. The AAG also assists the FC in carrying out the feasibility studies authorized by the TF.

The AAG Chairman seat, which is traditionally held by a university academic, leads this group in completing their work.

Academic Advisory Work Group

Dr. Charles Sasser, Chairman
Professor of Research

csasser@lsu.edu

Phone: (225) 578-6375
Fax: (225) 578-6326

School of the Coast and Environment
Energy, Coast and Environmental Building, LSU
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Dr. Larry Rouse
Associate Professor

lrouse@lsu.edu

Phone: (225) 578-2953
Fax: (225) 578-2520

Oceanography and Coastal Sciences
Energy, Coast and Environmental Building, LSU
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Erick Swenson
Research Associate

eswenson@lsu.edu

Phone: (225) 578-2730
Fax: (225) 388-6326

Oceanography and Coastal Sciences
Energy, Coast and Environmental Building, LSU
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Dr. J Andrew Nyman
Professor, Wetland Wildlife Ecology

jnyman@lsu.edu

Phone: (225) 578-4220
Fax: (225) 578-4227

School of Renewable Natural Resources
327 Renewable Resources Building, LSU
Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Finance Committee

Description of the Finance Committee

Susan Mabry, Lead
Program Analyst

susan.m.mabry@usace.army.mil

Phone: (504) 862-2693
Fax: (504) 862-2572

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District
Protection and Restoration Office, Restoration Branch
P.O. Box 60267
New Orleans, Louisiana 70160

Darryl Clark
Senior Field Biologist

Darryl_Clark@fws.gov

Phone: (337) 291-3111
Fax: (337) 291-3139

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
646 Cajundome Blvd
Suite 400
Lafayette, LA 70506

Michelle Klecker
Project Support Manager

michelle.klecker@la.gov

Phone: (225) 342-9662
Fax: (225) 242-4674

Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
State of Louisiana
450 Laurel St., 15th Floor
Baton Rouge, LA 70801

Gary Barone

gary.barone@noaa.gov

Phone: (301) 713-0174
Fax: (301) 713-0184

NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service
Office of Habitat Conservation
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Sondra McDonald

mcdonald.sondra@epamail.epa.gov

Phone: (214) 665-7187
Fax: (214) 665-6490

Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6
Water Quality Management Division (6WQ-EC)
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, TX 75202

Mitzi Gallipeau
Program Assistant

mitzi.gallipeau@la.usda.gov

Phone: (318) 473-7607
Fax: (318) 473-7632

Water Resources Staff
3737 Government Street
Alexandria, Louisiana 71302

Finance Committee Description

Back to Organizational Chart

The New Orleans District: (1) provides administration, management, and oversight of the Planning and Construction Programs, and acts as accountant, budgeter, administrator, and disburser of all Federal and non-Federal funds under the Act, (2) acts as the official manager of financial data and most information relating to the CWPPRA Program and projects. Under the direction of the District Commander, the Project Management - Restoration Section of the Corps functions as lead agency and representatives of the Program

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