The decline of our environment is one of the major social problems facing the nation and the world. That decline is challenging science and technology, philosophy, economics, law and politics to develop policies that can effectively guide management and restoration of the environment. If we are to have any success in developing such policies, we must examine new ways of thinking about solutions that integrate all of our intellectual resources.

The Coastal and Environmental Policy Program (CEPP) is a pioneering approach to environmental problem-solving that pursues real-world solutions through policy research, education and public service across traditional disciplines of science, economics, law and philosophy. Along with the Environmental Finance Center, CEPP is located at Maryland Sea Grant.

CEPP Administration

The Coastal and Environmental Policy Program, formed in 1987, is a joint venture among Maryland Sea Grant, the University of Maryland School of Law, University of Maryland School of Public Affairs, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES), and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Rather than granting degrees, CEPP's programs serve and draw upon graduate students and faculty throughout the University System of Maryland. The Deans and Directors of the member schools form the governing body of CEPP and classes are available from the member schools.

What distinguishes CEPP from traditional environmental studies is the capacity to view the ecosystem in the broadest possible sense. CEPP recognizes the vitally important interconnections among the natural and social sciences and the need to effectively integrate science, policy and management perspectives in a practical, conceptual framework. By fostering collaboration of institutions and human endeavors, CEPP seeks to build a strong foundation for effective environmental management and resource protection.

For example, the Coastal and Environmental Policy Program was part of a very successful interactive teleconference on environmental finance on September 13-14, 1995, which was broadcast from the University of Maryland to several locations nationwide using state-of-the-art interactive software. This conference was a cooperative effort between CEPP, the Environmental Finance Center and the School of Public Affairs at the University of Maryland with the Environmental Finance Center at the University of New Mexico and the Municipal Technical Advisory Service at the University of Tennessee.

Of special importance is understanding economics in an ecological context. The University of Maryland Institute for Ecological Economics has played a key role in helping to explore and articulate the links between human systems and natural systems.

Publications

CEPP has helped produce publications that address the social and economic challenges of environmental protection faced by communities:

• With Maryland Sea Grant CEPP published "Our Coastal Seas: What is Their Future," a summary of an international conference on The Management of Enclosed Coastal Seas.
  
  
• With the Environmental Finance Center CEPP distributes a report from the Governor of Maryland's Blue Ribbon Panel on Financing Alternatives for Maryland's Tributary Strategies. This report discusses non-regulatory approaches for States and local governments to meet the costs associated with cleaning up and restoring the Chesapeake Bay.
  
  
• Also available from CEPP is an executive summary (14pp) from the 1991 "Environmental Leadership Report: Environmental Activism in Maryland."

More Information

For more information concerning CEPP, including a catalog of CEPP course or information on receiving publications, please write or call:

Coastal and Environmental Policy Program
4321 Hartwick Road, Suite 300
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland 20740
(301) 405-7500
FAX (301) 403-4255
Internet: cepp@mdsg.umd.edu