Current and newly-elected local government officials were invited to the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge to discuss watershed management issues in the face of declining federal, state, and local budgets.  The meeting highlighted success stories of both the Ten Towns Great Swamp Watershed Management Committee and the Refuge in ecological restoration efforts.  Representatives from each of the ten municipalities of the Great Swamp watershed attended, and a strategic plan was formulated to continue successful restoration and storm water management projects well into the future.  The committee was tasked by local government to economize its operations so that towns could better justify their returns from financially participating in the watershed-wide program.  Completion of on-the-ground projects as well as assisting member municipalities in navigating newly adopted New Jersey environmental regulations were emphasized as key functions for the Ten Towns Committee as watershed management efforts move forward.  The Great Swamp Watershed Association co-hosted the event which was coordinated by refuge biologists Mike Horne and Colin Osborn.  Following the meeting refuge staff gave a tour of the refuge to 32 of the municipal representatives.