Obama Administration Marks Next Steps in Implemeting Nation's First Ocean Stewardship Policy
Kristin Goree
ACWA
06/03/2011
On June 2 the Obama Administration announced a series of public meetings and the release of nine draft Action Plans to implement the nation's first comprehensive ocean policy.
Listening sessions will be held throughout the month of June in Washington, DC, Barrow, AK, Anchorage, AK, Chicago, IL, Jacksonville, FL, Honolulu, HI, Exeter, NH, Galveston, TX, Ocean Shores, WA, San Francisco Bay Area, CA, West Long Branch, NJ, and Portland, OR.
The National Ocean Council, charged with implementing the policy, also announced a month-long online public review period for nine draft strategic action plan outlines. These include: incorporating ecosystem-based management; implementing coastal and marine spatial planning; informing decisions and improving understanding to respond to changes and challenges facing our resources; improving coordination and support for Federal, state, tribal, local and regional management of our resources; addressing changing conditions in the Arctic; enhancing water quality; implementing a regional ecosystem restoration and protection strategy; strengthening and integrating ocean, coastal and great lakes observations, mapping and infrastructure, and strengthening the resiliency of coastal communities and their abilities to adapt to climate change impacts.
