Sylvain De Guise
Maritime Studies Capstone Seminar Oral History Project
MAST 4994W/AMST 3265W Capstone students at the University of Connecticut produced podcasts from oral histories that they collected during the Spring semester 2020.
National Capital Contracting
Sylvain De Guise is an academic and researcher specializing in marine spatial planning. His career includes significant contributions to developing and implementing environmental management plans, notably the Blue Plan for Long Island Sound. De Guise's expertise lies in understanding and documenting natural resources and human activities within marine environments. His work often involves engaging with stakeholders to create comprehensive, data-driven plans that balance ecological preservation with sustainable development. De Guise's approach emphasizes transparency and inclusiveness, aiming to address and mitigate potential conflicts through informed decision-making. He has collaborated with various experts and organizations, drawing from international experiences to adapt marine spatial planning techniques to local contexts. His efforts have been instrumental in advancing legislative support for environmental planning initiatives. De Guise continues to contribute to the field through ongoing research, policy development, and public engagement.
Scope and Content Note
The interview with Sylvain De Guise, conducted by Antonio Bustamante, focuses on De Guise's involvement with the Blue Plan, a marine spatial planning initiative for Long Island Sound. De Guise provides an overview of the Blue Plan, explaining its purpose in documenting natural resources and human activities to facilitate informed decision-making and conflict avoidance. He describes the origins of the Blue Plan, including its conceptualization influenced by European marine spatial planning practices and the subsequent legislative support in Connecticut. The interview highlights the extensive stakeholder engagement process, addressing concerns and garnering support for the plan. De Guise discusses the challenges encountered, such as fear of new regulations and technical issues related to defining plan boundaries. He elaborates on the strategies used to overcome these hurdles, including clear communication, public hearings, and developing companion documents like a user's guide. The interview concludes with De Guise reflecting on the ongoing review and adaptation processes to ensure the Blue Plan's effectiveness and relevance.
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