Building Consensus to Solve a Decades-Long IssueBuilding Consensus to Solve a Decades-Long Issue

June 2012June 2012

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What Was the Situation?What Was the Situation?

For several decades the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board debated how best to clean up sediment in San Diego Bay generated from 100 years of industrial activities around the Bay

Several clean-up plans of varying size and scope were considered over the years but none were adopted

By late 2011, they were considering a middle-ground approach balancing the needs of industry and environment

A public hearing was held in November 2011 to determine whether to adopt this order, change the scope, or start all over again

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Financial risk to NASSCO

(Cost of clean up plan)

Strength and credibility of opposition

(EHC / Coastkeeper)

Duration of the issue (20+ years)

Number of parties involved and lack of consensus between those parties

What Were the Challenges?What Were the Challenges?

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Who Was Involved?Who Was Involved?

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Who Was the Opposition?Who Was the Opposition?

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Campaign Objective and Strategic ApproachCampaign Objective and Strategic Approach

OBJECTIVE:

Through the use of third-parties, NASSCO would ensure that the Regional Water Board adopt the tentative Cleanup and Abatement Order (CAO) in its current format

STRATEGIES:

1.Develop and use a research-based message platform

2.Engage elected officials to urge support

3.Create positive media coverage

4.Build and mobilize a broad third-party coalition supporting the order

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Research-Based Message PlatformResearch-Based Message Platform

Key Opinion Leader Audit (22 community and industry stakeholders) High-paying and quality jobs considered strongest contributions by shipyards

Public Opinion Survey (604 San Diego Voters Polled) Widespread and strong support for the cleanup plan Naval operations, by far, are seen as the most important future

use for San Diego Bay General Dynamics NASSCO is well known and respected Jobs and economic concerns are top voter concerns

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Message PlatformMessage Platform

Third Parties

1.The Water Board developed this cleanup plan after many years of working with stakeholders in the area.

2.This order would protect San Diego Bay so it can safely be used for the activities that people enjoy in this area such as marine life, recreation and watersports.

3.As developed by the Board’s team of professional scientists, the plan balances environmental and economic considerations by focusing on the most critical areas and implementing a reasonable and effective way to clean them up.

NASSCO

1.We are committed to working with the Water Board to find a balanced solution that cleans the Bay and protects the maritime industry in San Diego.

2.We have been involved in seeking a solution to this issue for many years, proactively bringing all of the involved parties to the table to resolve this issue.

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Elected Officials: Who Was Engaged?Elected Officials: Who Was Engaged?

• California State Senator Juan Vargas• California State Assemblymember Ben Hueso• San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox• City of San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders• City of San Diego Councilmember David Alvarez

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Elected Officials: How Did They Support?Elected Officials: How Did They Support?

San Diego Mayor• Championed meeting of named parties

Support Letters to Water Board• Senator Juan Vargas• Assemblymember Ben Hueso• Supervisor Greg Cox

Public Testimony• Senator Juan Vargas• Assemblymember Ben Hueso• Supervisor Greg Cox

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Creating Positive Media CoverageCreating Positive Media Coverage

Opinion Editorial Co-authored by Senator Juan Vargas and

Assemblymember Ben Hueso

Letters to the Editor Employees Third party supporters

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Building a Broad CoalitionBuilding a Broad Coalition

Shipyard Employees

San Diego Labor Groups San Diego and Imperial Valley Labor Council Boiler Makers Union Local 1998 IAMAW District Lodge 1947

Community-Based Organizations Barrio Logan Smart Growth Coalition SDMAC Industrial Environmental Association Groundwork San Diego

Business Associations San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce San Diego Port Tenants Association Working Waterfront Group Port of San Diego Ship Repair Association

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Mobilizing the CoalitionMobilizing the Coalition

Support Letters Employee Training Ship Repair Email Campaign Public Testimony Port Tenants Hearing Presentation

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Public Hearing Testimony Public Hearing Testimony

November 9, 2011

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Successful OutcomeSuccessful Outcome

'Monumental' SD Bay cleanup plan approved

Water regulators approve historic bay cleanup