I took a Dramamine Thursday evening after boarding a boat anchored in the coffee-colored water of the Freeport Harbor Channel. When I woke up the next morning I was surrounded by water so clear you could see the coral 70 feet below the surface. At 7 a.m., before the sun was above the horizon, I wiggled into my wetsuit, set up all my gear, and jumped into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
September 21, 2009
U.S. Moves Toward Marine Spatial Planning
The White House Council on Environmental Quality just released a report on interagency Ocean policy that elevates the protection of ocean resources as a national priority. The report outlines steps for an ecosystem-based approach for environmental protection and establishes an ocean council to guide this approach.
President Obama issued a directive in June that created the ocean task force that pulled together this report. The directive also called for a national framework for marine spatial planning by the end of this year.
September 18, 2009
‘Healthy Oceans Matter’ To This Administration Says NOAA Head
BY ROB MANNING
Portland, OR September 18, 2009 9:25 a.m.
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Leading federal officials from D.C. met in San Francisco Thursday and presented plans for what lies farther west.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration head, Jane Lubchenco emphasized the importance of putting a new ocean council in the White House.
Jane Lubchenco: “Today the federal government says loudly and clearly ‘healthy oceans matter.’ Our individual and national prosperity, health, security, and well-being depend on it.”
Rob Manning reports.
The bottom line is that the government hasn’t been doing the best job managing the ocean – according to Susan Allen with the advocacy group, Our Ocean.
CEQ Issues Interim Ocean Policy Report
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
——————————————————————————–
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 17, 2009
Obama Administration Officials Release Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force Interim Report
WASHINGTON, DC – Obama Administration officials today released the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force Interim Report for a 30-day public review and comment period. The Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, led by White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley, consists of 24 senior-level officials from Administration agencies, departments, and offices. The report provides proposals for a comprehensive national approach to uphold our stewardship responsibilities and ensure accountability for our actions.
September 17, 2009
U.S. National Oceans Policy: important task force in charge of charting the future
Did you know that June was National Oceans Month? Neither did I but a proclamation was made by the Obama administration to that effect – one of many proclamations that are made, distributed, and then (if not picked up by the media) sink into oblivion.
It actually comes on the heels of a more important presidential memorandum where President Obama outlines the needs and a time frame for a National Oceans Policy. This too has been going on a bit on the sidelines, what with all the attention on healthcare reform, a unifying energy policy, and foreign policy. But as critical as the oceans are to the future of this planet, for the United States to have a national policy regarding our coastlines, rivers, and lakes is paramount.