Boston Harbor Islands Partnership Natural Resource & Science Initiatives (2001-2006)

Boston Harbor Islands Partnership

Meeting on December 19, 2000, the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership adopted six initiatives as the beginnings of a strategic plan. Because implementation estimates had only been developed for capital and one-time costs—omitting annual operating costs—the Partnership voted to adopt the initiatives as an interim "capital plan" rather than a 5-year strategic plan. Concurrent with the strategic planning work the Partnership also developed a general management plan, with a 20-year planning horizon. On July 17, 2001, the Partnership voted unanimously to transmit the agency review draft of the general plan for final review and adoption. The approval endorsed the same six initiatives as adopted in the "capital plan" along with attendant estimates for infrastructure and other one-time costs. The initiatives comprise Phase One—the first five years--of the general management plan. Each initiative includes long-term goals that broadly define the desired outcomes of Phase One, and the types of implementing actions needed. The long-term goals address the park mission and mission goals presented in the general management plan. The proposed actions, which were further described in the December 2000 document adopted by the Partnership, are captured in detailed cost estimates and as the substance of implementation plans. The initiatives are: • Natural Resource Inventory & Monitoring Initiative • Resource Stabilization & Remediation Initiative • Cultural Resource Baseline Initiative • Visitor Access Initiative • Interpretation & Education Initiative • Partnership Effectiveness Initiative More specific Phase One implementation plans are being developed as funding and other commitments for action become clear. The specific actions called for are evaluated for potential effects on the human environment, including park cultural resources, as called for in the park general management plan. The initiatives do not represent all of the work of the Partners, rather they highlight goals adopted for special emphasis by the Partnership as a whole.