© 2003, Rotary Club of Charleston

P.O. Box 21029
Charleston, SC 29413-1029

Club secretary:
Carroll Schweers
chasrot@comcast.net

For the sake of ecology and commerce
NOAA Center's mission achieved through science

FEB. 10, 2004 - At first glance, Dr. Geoff Scott's objectives may seem paradoxical: provide needed research designed to both protect coastal resources and improve commerce and our economy.

Actually, as Scott told Rotarians, they fit very well together. That is, the more we can learn about preserving marshlands, rivers, creeks and oceans, the more productive our fisheries, farmlands and natural tourist attractions will be - and the more pristine our coast will remain.

It's an objective that relies on leading-edge scientific research pursued daily by NOAA's Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomecular Research (CCEHBR), which Scott directs. Located at Fort Johnson along with the Hollings Marine Laboratory and other facilities, CCEHBR examines many pristine coastal areas and compares them to those that host commercial activity, such as industry, port operations, urbanization and agriculture. By researching how some "stressors," such as pollution, land and resource use, and extreme natural events, affect ecosystems, we can better predict what impacts future development may cause and recommend ways to reduce those impacts.

Scott says the center has yielded recommendations in development and business practices for many commercial activities. CCEHBR's research, for example, has enabled NOAA to consult with developers on ways to change golf course design and maintenance to greatly reduce pesticide run-off. Other recommendations include ways for some farmers to use significantly less pesticide, which saves them a lot of money, saves our coastal ecosystems, and preserves sweetgrass crops so basket makers can continue harvesting the grass for years to come.

While Scott and the CCEHBR are engaging in world-class biomedical research, they're also delivering another significant economic benefit to our region - the basis for a group of biotechnology businesses and disciplines that bring very high-paying jobs to our regional economy. The Center, MUSC and other facilities here provide the foundation for a bioscience "cluster" that is diversifying our economy and raising the region's standard of living.

In other business…

Joan Ustin gave the invocation and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Ted Creech welcomed our guests and visiting Rotarians. Bill Thompson offered Health and Happiness. Derek Sharrer made announcements about Paul Harris fellows. Bill Eaton made an announcement about the eldercare trust fund. Finally, Jim Geffert introduced our guest speaker, Geoff Scott.

-- Amy Jenkins