January 4, 1996
Contact: Anne Donovan
(617) 727-9530, x 411

Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management (CZM) announces the appointment of Truman Henson, Jr., who currently serves as the Harbormaster and Shellfish Constable for the Town of Orleans, as CZM's new Cape Cod/Islands Regional Coordinator. "I am extremely pleased to be able to hire someone with Truman's knowledge of the area and hands-on experience with coastal management," emphasized Peg Brady, Director of CZM. "Truman knows the players, he knows the local perspective, and he knows how to get things done. He will be a tremendous addition to the CZM team."

Mr. Henson has served as Orleans' Harbormaster, Shellfish Constable, Marine Oil Spill Coordinator, and Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator for over six years. His dedication to coastal management in Orleans has given him a thorough knowledge of local, state, and federal permitting requirements and procedures; direct experience with resource planning and protection; and a tried and tested ability to resolve conflict among individuals and groups with different interests. Some of Mr. Henson's most significant accomplishments include: initiating and assisting in the development of a Resource Management Plan for the Pleasant Bay Area of Critical Environmental Concern; planning for and overseeing major improvements at Rock Harbor; prioritizing water quality problems and working with the state and local interest groups to help address these problems; and writing an aquaculture bylaw that was adopted by the Town.

When asked about his new position, Mr. Henson replied, "I am very pleased to have an opportunity to offer my experience and first-hand understanding of coastal issues to the communities of the Cape and Islands. I also look forward to the continuation of the many professional associations that I have developed with local, state, and federal officials in a continuing effort to successfully address these coastal issues."

Before working for the Town of Orleans, Mr. Henson owned and operated his own marine construction business. His company constructed piers, floats, and mooring systems throughout the Cape area, and was also responsible for getting permits for these structures. This experience gave him first-hand knowledge of the opportunities and challenges facing small, coastal businesses.

CZM's Cape Cod/Islands Regional Office serves the 15 towns of Barnstable County, along with Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and the Elizabeth Islands. These communities are: Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Chilmark, Dennis, Eastham, Edgartown, Falmouth, Gay Head, Gosnold, Harwich, Mashpee, Nantucket, Oak Bluffs, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Tisbury, Truro, Wellfleet, West Tisbury, and Yarmouth. Along with Mr. Henson, the Cape Cod/Islands Regional Office will be staffed by an assistant to ensure that the many communities in this region are served effectively. Mr. Henson will start in this position on January 16, when he can be reached at the CZM Cape Cod/Islands Regional Office, 3225 Main Street, Barnstable, MA 02630, (508) 362-3828.