|
Program > Program Management > Independent Scientific Review Panel
Independent Scientific Review Panel
NAS Documents ::
Section 601(j) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-541) requires the establishment of an independent scientific review panel to review the Plan's progress toward achieving the natural system restoration goals of the Plan. Specifically, the law requires:
"(j) Independent Scientific Review. -
(1) IN GENERAL. - The Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Governor, in consultation with the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, shall establish an independent scientific review panel convened by a body, such as the National Academy of Sciences, to review the Plan's progress toward achieving the natural system restoration goals of the Plan.
(2) REPORT. - The panel described in paragraph (1) shall produce a biennial report to Congress, the Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Governor that includes an assessment of ecological indicators and other measures of progress in restoring the ecology of the natural system, based on the Plan."
On June 14, 2004 an agreement was signed among the Department of the Army, the Department of the Interior, and the State of Florida to provide an independent scientific review panel for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). The review will be accomplished by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and will produce biennial reports on the progress of CERP to Congress.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, has entered into a cooperative agreement with the National Academy of Sciences. NAS will convene an Independent Science Review Panal composed of a diverse team of internationally recognized experts in restoration science. The panal will produce biennial reports to Congress, which will include an assessment of ecological indicators and other measures of progress in restoration of the Everglades.

|