Purpose
The purpose of the Steering Committee for the Water Quality Protection Program is to set guidance and policy for the development and implementation of the Program. The Committee will work together to ensure that the components (corrective actions, monitoring, research/special studies, and public education/outreach) of the Program are implemented and to seek adequate funding.
Members
Co-Chairs
Wade Lehmann - U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Lawrence Glenn - Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Federal Agency Seats
Edward Kertis - Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Jeremy Dixon - Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges
Tylan Dean - National Park Service, Everglades and Dry Tortugas
Mark Schafer - U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
State and Local Agency Seats
Yazmin Valdez - Florida Commerce
Dr. Mark Roby - Florida Department of Health
Gil McRae - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Armando Vilaboy - South Florida Water Management District
Emily Koenig McDowell - Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority
Andrea Leal - Florida Keys Mosquito Control District
Peter Rosasco - Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District
Local Government Representatives
Commissioner Craig Cates - Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
Capt. Steve Friedman - Islamorada Village of Islands Council
Vacant - City of Layton
Mayor Freddie Foster - City of Key Colony Beach
Brian Shay - City of Marathon
Mayor Danise Henriquez - City of Key West
Citizen Representatives
Chris Bergh - The Nature Conservancy
Patience Cohn – Marine Industries Association of South Florida
Marisa Carrozzo - Sanctuary Advisory Council
Shelly Krueger - Florida Sea Grant
Sandra Walters – Eco Legacy Solutions, LLC
George Garrett - Citizen at Large
Steering Committee Resolutions
Steering Committee Meetings
July 15, 2026
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary's Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP) will meet on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The details are as follows:
The meeting details are as follows:
- Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
- Time: 9:00 am - 12:20 pm (audio check will commence at 8:45 am for committee members and speakers)
- Location: This is a virtual meeting using GoToWebinar.
- Meeting Registration:
- Please register in advance at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7471365584702662486. The webinar ID is 272-756-843. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
- Public Comment:There will be an opportunity for verbal public comment. In order to provide public comment, participants must join the webinar online. Participants can sign up to speak by typing "public comment sign up" and their name in the webinar question box at any point before the public comment period begins.
- Supporting Meeting Materials: