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An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century

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The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy

• 16-member, independent, bi-partisan group

• 26 scientific advisors

• 16 public meetings

• 18 regional site visits

• 450 witnesses

• extensive scientific and stakeholder review process

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What We Found• Oceans and coasts are major contributors to the

U.S. economy

• Ocean and coastal resources and ecosystems are in trouble

• The existing management structure is incompatible with the complexity of ecosystems

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Cross-cutting Themes

Ecosystem-based Management

MoreEffective

Governance

ImprovedScience for

Decision Making

StrengthenedEducationalPrograms

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More Effective GovernanceProposed Structure for Federal Coordination

National Ocean Council

Chair: Assistant to the President

President’s Council of Advisors on Ocean Policy(Nonfederal)

Committee on Ocean Resource Management

Committee on Ocean Science, Education,

Technology, and Operations

Independent Ocean Advisory Councils

Executive Office of the

President

President’s Council of

Advisors on Science and Technology

Reporting LinesCommunication LinesAdvisory Lines

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More Effective Governance (con’t)

• better regional organization, including regional ocean councils

• a coordinated offshore management regime

• a strengthened and streamlined federal agency structure

• a National Ocean Council

• a President’s Council of Advisors on Ocean Policy

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Enhanced Science and Data

• Increase ocean and coastal research, including socioeconomic studies

• Support ocean exploration

• Implement the national Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)

• Expand and integrate the national monitoring network, including good coverage of coastal areas

To provide better information to decision makers:

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Improved Public Education

• Broaden public awareness of ocean issues and promote a sense of stewardship

• Improve scientific literacy using ocean themes

• Take advantage of both formal structures (schools and colleges) and informal avenues (such as aquariums, marine labs, and museums)

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Specific Management Challenges

• Balancing economic growth and conservation along the coast

• Maintaining coastal and ocean water quality

• Achieving sustainable use of ocean resources

• Promoting international partnerships

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Balancing Economic Growth and Conservation Along the Coast

Challenges: Coastal population growth; habitat degradation; natural hazard mitigation; sedimentation; and economic viability.

Solutions: Enhanced management capacity of state and local governments; link coastal and watershed management; consolidate federal programs; reduce incentives for inappropriate growth; coordinate habitat conservation and restoration programs; improve mechanism to synthesize and deliver useful data and information to managers

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Maintaining Coastal and Ocean Water Quality

Challenges: Point, nonpoint and atmospheric sources pollution; nonindigenous aquatic species

Solutions: Transition toward an ecosystem-based management approach; support improvements in pollution infrastructure; improve federal coordination; clarify statutory authority to control nonpoint sources; support market-based approaches and incentives; establish ballast water standards and improve enforcement; reestablish a marine debris program.

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Achieving Sustainable Use of Ocean Resources

Challenges: Declining LMR populations; lack of coordination and uncertain authorities for many emerging offshore uses; inadequate scientific information; socio-economic impacts

Solutions: Specific—RFMC changes; implement DAP/IFQs; expanded marine mammal and endangered species protection programs. Thematic—move towards ecosystem-based management; strengthen science/management link; clarify LMR management authorities; and create a regime for offshore management; and enhance socio-economic research

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Promoting International Partnerships

• Adopting exemplary policies at home

• Acceding to the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea

• Integrating ocean-related expertise into U.S. international policies

• Assisting other nations to build their scientific and management capacity

• Many of the problems we identified in U.S. waters are mirrored around the globe

The U.S. should demonstrate leadership by:

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Costs and Revenues• Total new cost to implement Commission

recommendations is approximately $3.9 billion per year (includes $1 billion to the states)

• Create an Ocean Policy Trust Fund in the U.S. Treasury to support both state and federal responsibilities

• Source of Revenue: approximately $4 billion in offshore oil and gas revenues plus any revenues generated by new offshore uses

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Summary of Changes• Clarified the role of states and stakeholders• Additional emphasis on watershed management• Revise regional governance recommendations• Expanded discussion of climate change and

submerged cultural heritage• Consolidated and expanded discussion on

funding

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Next Steps

White House review: September 20 – December 19Congressional action

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The Time to Act is Now

• Collective and sustained efforts by stakeholders at all levels are needed

• We can build on the current political interest and receptiveness

• Additional fiscal resources will be needed

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