WILLIAM T. ROHRING, ESQ.

6501 Red Hook Plaza, Suite 201 ·St. Thomas, VI 00802-1306

340-642-2938 · E-mail: br_czm at yahoo.com

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WORK EXPERIENCE:

Government of the United States Virgin Islands United States Virgin Islands

Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Division of Coastal Zone Management

1996 - 2007

Main Accomplishments

St. Croix East End Marine Park. Guided development of first territorial marine park in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Responsibilities included creation of advisory committee, management plan, socio-economic study, historical analysis of MPAs in territory, system-wide network planning

Virgin Islands Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Program. Developed framework and strategic plans for creation of federally certified coastal nonpoint source pollution program. Responsibilities included development of watershed management plans, major permit environmental assessment report review processes, on-site disposal system program

Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Program. Created CZM GIS infrastructure for integration and modeling of environmental and coastal use data to assist in planning and response (violations, emergencies). Responsibilities included program strategic planning, computer equipment purchase and coordination of personnel training

Assistant Director (June 2004-January 2007)

Oversee all aspects of operating the Division of Coastal Zone Management, St. Thomas/St. John District including:

• Representing the U.S. Virgin Islands at U.S. Coral Reef Task Force meetings and other meetings with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Interior and other federal, state and territorial government agencies,
• Reviewing, maintaining, and processing divisional paperwork, including: budgets, staff timesheets, Major and Minor Permit Applications, violations of the CZM Act, and implementing other program requirements consistent with the CZM Act,
• Participating in all aspects of legal issues facing the Division, including: enforcement actions, responses to filing, and preparations for court cases,
• Conducting interviews and participating in the departmental process for hiring and promoting personnel and staff,
• Working with the CZM Commission, departmental Commissioner, Legislature and public interest groups and other stakeholders to address issues of mutual concern,
• Writing grants, working with other local, federal and nongovernmental agencies to complete project tasks and writing required grant reports.

Acting Director (September 2003-June 2004)

Oversaw all aspects of operating the Division of Coastal Zone Management, including:

• Represented the U.S. Virgin Islands at U.S. Coral Reef Task Force meetings and other meetings with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Interior and other federal, state and territorial government agencies,

• Reviewed, maintained, and processed divisional paperwork, including: budgets, staff timesheets, Major and Minor Permit Applications, violations of the CZM Act, and implementing other program requirements consistent with the CZM Act,
• Participated in all aspects of legal issues facing the Division, including: enforcement actions, responses to filing, and preparations for court cases,
• Conducted interviews and participated in the departmental process for hiring and promoting personnel and staff,
• Worked with the CZM Commission, departmental Commissioner, Legislature and public interest groups and other stakeholders to address issues of mutual concern,
• Wrote grants, worked with other local, federal and nongovernmental agencies to complete project tasks and wrote required grant reports.

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Planner (2001-2003)

Began establishment of a GIS program within the Division of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). Responsibilities included:

• Training the Coastal Zone Commission and CZM staff in GIS uses and technologies.

• Satisfying divisional requirements for mapping, map generation, aerial photo interpretation, data gathering and management, hydrologic simulation and modeling and stormwater runoff calculations,
• Writing grants and coordinating and overseeing grant requirements and tasks for three major NOAA grants, sections 309 and 310 of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments (CZARA) of 1990, and the V.I. Marine Park System,
• Ensuring the St. Croix East End Marine Park was established through law enacted by VI Legislature and signed by Governor.
• Coordinating with the Coral Reef Task Force, the Virgin Islands Marine Park Committees, other local governmental and interagency committees, and the federal government on both locally- and federally-funded projects,
• Reviewing Environmental Assessment Reports for major development permit applications,
• Meeting with public interest groups and other stakeholders, and
• Developing and reviewing management plans for the section 6217 program, the V.I. Marine Park System and other areas of particular concern to the local government.

Coastal Nonpoint Source Coordinator (1999-2001)

Guided and managed the VI Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Control (NPS) Program, which is designed to reduce and eliminate pollution from urban run-off, septic systems and waste throughout the Virgin Islands, to final approval from the federal government. One of the first ten programs to become fully approved under section 6217 (now section 310) of CZARA.

• Successfully authored grant proposals securing over $250,000 for the NPS Program, and was responsible for administering the NPS Program budget.
• Successfully co-authored a $225,000 grant proposal to create a territorial marine park to protect the Virgin Islands coral reefs and related ecosystems.
• Co-chair/Secretary of committee developed to create the Virgin Islands Territorial Marine Park.
• Created and organized the implementation of comprehensive watershed management plans for the territory.
• Drafted rules and regulations to achieve the NPS Program goals and coordinated with other federal and local government agencies to upgrade and enact pollution control laws.
• Reviewed Environmental Assessment Reports and applications for major development permits.
• Participated in a committee that educates territorial officials about nonpoint source pollution.

Environmental Specialist (1998-1999)

Developed education and public awareness projects for the Virgin Islands Coral Reef Initiative (CRI).

• Assisted in the plan for creating a new marine park and conservation areas to be funded through the CRI grant.
• Authored the script and produced an educational video about the Virgin Islands' coral reef ecosystems.
• Wrote proposal to create a Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Division library.

Coastal Zone Management Division Office of Legal Counsel (1996-1998)

Provided comprehensive legal services to the CZM Division and the Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Commission.

• Prepared the enforcement regulations for the new Virgin Islands Building Code and coordinated enforcement actions for violations of various environmental regulations and laws.
• Successfully developed and implemented the procedures for processing violations of coastal zone permits and flood plain permits.
• Researched legal, environmental and scientific issues for CZM.
• Drafted legal memoranda and Notices of Violation. Drafted and submitted briefs to the agency that reviews CZM and building permit issues.

Associations:

U.S. Coral Reef Task Force

• Point of Contact for United States Virgin Islands. USVI territorial government liaison for coral reef protection and coastal sustainability (2002 – 2007)
• Steering Committee Member. Instrumental in creating plans and programs for task force, provided comments of U.S. Ocean Commission Report (2002 – 2007)
• Co-Chair for US All-Islands Coral Reef Initiative Coordinating Committee. Coordinate jurisdictions with coral reef on policy and management initiatives and US coral reef strategic planning. (2004-2005)

U.S. Coastal States Organization

• Executive Committee Member. Oversee fulfillment of mission, priorities and objectives for coastal states and territories to ensure Organization’s continued effective operation (2005- 2007)
• Chair, Island Affairs Committee. Represent U.S. Island State and Territories in the development of policy and program initiatives within the Coastal States Organization (2005 – 2007)
• Virgin Islands Representative. Advocate policy to promote the interests of U.S. Virgin Islands coastal resources (2003 – 2007)

SIMOR

• Committee Member. Represent Atlantic/Caribbean island interests in development of ocean resource management strategies (2005 – 2007)

Virgin Islands Nonpoint Source Pollution Committee

• Committee Member. Represent Virgin Islands Coastal Zone Management Program in coordination of territorial nonpoint source pollution programs (1999 – 2007)

EDUCATION:

TULANE LAW SCHOOL New Orleans, Louisiana

Juris Doctor (1996)

Member: Tulane International Law Society

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bachelor of Arts, International Relations (1993)

Cum Laude

Eight-month research project in Senegal, West Africa for Senior Thesis on the use of advanced farming techniques to slow rural-to-urban migration.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

Certificate courses: Urban Hydrology for Small Watersheds (TR-55), Grant Writing for Professionals, Basic and Advanced Aerial Photo Interpretation, Geographical Information Systems (Basic and Intermediate ArcView), Project Design and Evaluation, Grants Administration, Public Issues and Conflict Management

HONORS: 2003 Employee of the Year – St. Thomas-St. John District, Div. of Coastal Zone Management

TRAVEL EXPERIENCE: United States; Europe; Senegal, West Africa; Yucatan, Mexico; Pacific Islands; Costa Rica, Central America

INTERESTS: SCUBA Diving, Sailing, Photography

REFERENCES: Available upon request