CALL FOR NOMINATIONS TO THE NATIONAL MARINE WILDLIFE AND HABITAT COMMITTEE 

The national Marine Wildlife and Habitat Committee is recruiting additional members to work on issues such as aquaculture, coastal zone management, marine protected areas, marine mammals, coastal water pollution, marine fisheries, offshore energy issues, and ocean governance reform. We are looking for volunteers who have some background in marine issues. In addition, we are looking to fill in geographic balance with the existing committee membership. It is important that applicants have the time and commitment to work on marine issues. 

Appointments will be made by the Wild Planet Strategy Team, which supervises the Marine Committee. All applicants should have a demonstrated ability to work within a committee structure, including frequent consultation and communication with fellow committee members by phone and email. Face to face meetings occur every year or two. The committee covers issues that are national in scope so members frequently are involved in the analysis of and action on federal legislation in cooperation with the Club's Conservation Department, especially the DC office. The committee will typically have 9 members. Current committee members are: Caroline Karp, Rhode Island; John Swingle, Florida; Vivian Newman, Maine; and Tonya Huff, California. 

The committee's work includes the following: 

*** permanent protection of environmentally sensitive areas now covered by a  moratorium on offshore oil leasing and development; 

*** implementation and reauthorization of the Sustainable Fisheries Act, with  emphasis on protecting Essential Fish Habitat, and overfishing, and bycatch; 

*** implementation and reauthorization of the Coastal Zone Management Act,  with emphasis on the "consistency" provision, the coastal nonpoint pollution control program and Estuarine Research Reserves; 

*** strengthened management of Marine Sanctuaries and Estuarine Research Reserves for increased protection of marine and coastal ecosystems and biodiversity, and promote establishment of new federal and state Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Marine Managed Areas (MMAs); 

*** implementation and reauthorization of the Marine Mammals Protection Act, review and comment on federal actions related to marine mammals such as NMFS  listing of endangered or threatened species, federal dolphin-safe tuna regimes, and US 

Navy active sonar programs that may endanger marine mammals  and other ocean wildlife; monitoring international agreements affecting marine  mammals such as the International Convention on the Regulation of Whaling; 

*** implementation of the President's Executive Order establishing the U.S.  Coral Reef Task Force, and strengthening coral reef protection through local action; 

 *** establish greater protections for natural coastal and marine habitat and biodiversity through initiatives to limit the negative environmental impacts of aqua and marine culture 

 *** build national and regional networks to support the work of chapters and groups on other coastal/marine issues as needed, including coastal development, shoreline erosion, ports and navigational dredging; provide information, technical assistance, and referrals. 

Sierra Club of Canada members are not eligible to apply. Please contact Sierra Club Canada at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> for information on Canadian participation. If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else for membership on the Marine Committee, please fill out the application form below and send the application to: 

Richard Worthen, Chair of Marine Search Committee 
Wild Planet Strategy Team 
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> 

Deadline for applications is March 24, 2006 

APPLICATION FORM


1. Name, address, phones, e-mail address, and best times to reach you:

2. Sierra Club Membership # and renewal date:

3. Sierra Club activities and leadership positions held, with dates:


4. Other relevant environmental experience and qualifications:

5. Statement of interest in serving on the Marine Committee (150
words max please):


6. What particular skills and abilities will you being to this endeavor? 


7. Names, phones, and e-mail addresses of three Sierra Club references, including best times to reach them:



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