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Steering Committee

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

David Burke - Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Heather Stewart - 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. Carla Fry - Florida Department of Health
Gil McRae - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Armando Vilaboy - South Florida Water Management District
Emily Koenig- Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority
Andrea Leal - Florida Keys Mosquito Control District
Sue Heim - 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
Vacant - City of Key Colony Beach
George Garrett - City of Marathon
Vacant - 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

Steering Committee Resolutions

Roadways and Water Quality - March 9, 2023

Steering Committee Meetings

March 4-5, 2026

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary's Water Quality Protection Program (WQPP) will meet on Wednesday - Thursday, March 4-5, 2026. The meeting details are as follows:

WQPP Steering Committee Meeting - March 4, 2026

The WQPP Steering Committee will convene to review the status of Florida Keys water quality projects and complementary efforts, and discuss timely issues and future actions related to water quality priorities.

  • **Please register in advance for this meeting to help us track both in-person and virtual attendance

    • WQPP Mini-Research Symposium - March 5, 2026

    The WQPP Steering Committee will invite a series of presentations on outcomes and management recommendations from research projects and special studies of relevance to Florida Keys and south Florida water quality and marine resources.

    • Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
    • Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
    • Location: Marathon City Hall, 9805 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050.
      • A virtual, listen only option will also be available via GoToWebinar
    • Supporting Meeting Materials:
    • **Please register in advance for this meeting to help us track both in-person and virtual attendance

      • Previous Steering Committee meeting materials can be found below