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Coastal Marine Spatial Planning for Washington’s Pacific Coast
The State of Washington passed a state law that required an interagency team to provide recommendations to the legislature about how to effectively use marine spatial planning in Washington. A key element of this is figuring out how to integrate marine spatial planning into existing state management plans and authorities.
Washington recently released a diagram and summary of how it will proceed with CMSP. It is available here.
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SeaSketch, the next generation of UCSB’s MarineMap program, will aid marine spatial planning (Phys. org)
From: Phys.org
Since 2009, a free Web-based marine mapping and spatial planning program created by UC Santa Barbara scientists has proved to be an essential tool for fishermen and other stakeholders along the California coastline. Now, the next-generation tool is going global.
Thanks to a $500,000 gift by Jack Dangermond, the president and founder of Esri, the world’s largest geographic information systems (GIS) software company, Will McClintock and his team of researchers at UCSB’s Marine Science Institute are finalizing SeaSketch –– the next generation of MarineMap. SeaSketch will allow people all over the world, even those who are not experts in GIS applications, to create plans designed to protect marine life based on scientific values and governmental policies.
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Congress takes another ax to NOAA budget (Alaska Journal of Commerce)
Frustrated senators from coastal states are wielding the power of the purse to rein in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and refocus the agency’s priorities on its core missions.
During recent appropriations subcommittee hearings April 17, Sen. Lisa Murkowski ensured no funds would be provided in fiscal year 2013 for coastal marine spatial planning, a key component of President Barack Obama’s National Ocean Policy.
Murkowski also pushed for an additional $3 million for regional fishery management councils and secured $15 million for the Pacific Salmon Treaty that was in line to be cut by NOAA’s proposed budget (for $65 million total).
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Witnesses: President’s Ocean Zoning Threatens Alaska’s Economy (House Committee on Natural Resources)
From: House Committee on Natural Resources
The Natural Resources Committee held an oversight field hearing in Anchorage, Alaska on, “Alaska’s Sovereignty In Peril: The National Ocean Policy’s Goal to Federalize Alaska.” The hearing focused on how President Obama’s plan to mandate ocean zoning through implementation of the National Ocean Policy threatens Alaska’s sovereignty and economic livelihood.
“Nowhere in the United States will the effects of the National Ocean Policy be felt to the extent that it will in Alaska. The reach of this ‘ocean’ policy will stretch throughout the entire state and affect almost any activity that requires a federal permit. As we will hear from our witnesses today, the State’s economic vitality is a direct result of our ability to use our natural resources. Any new federal initiative that affects our ability to use these natural resources will cost jobs,” said Rep. Don Young (AK-At large).
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Fisheries Services Released Progress Report on Marine Spatial Planning
The National Marine Fisheries Service released an update on the “Administration Activities on Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning &
National Ocean Council”
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Panel chairman moves to block ‘ocean zoning’ money (Gloucester Times)
From: Gloucester Times
By Richard GainesStaff Writer
The chairman of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, backed by a national coalition that ranges from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association, is urging a shutoff to all funding geared toward implementation of a National Ocean Policy created by an executive order signed by President Obama, rather than congressional action.
Chairman Doc Hastings, R-Washington, has asked the House Appropriations Committee to freeze spending on the administration initiative, a piece of legislation has been perennially failed to launch.
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Rep. Bill Flores denounces administration ocean policy and its ‘ocean czar’ (My San Antonio)
From: My San Antonio
Texas Rep. Bill Flores thinks that the Obama administration’s new National Ocean Policy should be deep sixed.
Speaking on “Fox and Friends,” the first-term Republican congressman from Bryan, said that the executive order was unnecessary and unwanted.
“They’re essentially trying to [protect the oceans] from here in Washington with unelected, unaccountable — and now with the GSA activities — irresponsible bureaucrats,” Flores said.
President Obama’s National Ocean Policy holds federal agencies responsible for protecting the oceans, coasts and the Great Lakes. Its goal: to “improve the health of oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes, which support tens of millions of jobs” and contribute greatly to the “national economy” and are “essential to the public health and national security.”
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Chairman Hastings Asks House Appropriators to Halt Funding and Hit “Pause” on President’s Ocean Zoning Policy
From: House of Representative Natural Resources Committee
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) sent a letteryesterday to Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (KY-05) asking that each appropriations bill include language to prohibit the use of funds for the implementation of President Obama’s ocean zoning and National Ocean Policy.
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Obama Administration Refuses to Allow Public More Time to Weigh-in on President Obama’s Plan to Zone the Oceans
From: Tom Remington
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 28, 2012 – House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04) today received notice from the Obama Administration that they will not agree to his request for a 90-day extension of the public comment period on the draft National Ocean Policy Implementation plan.
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National Ocean Policy is an executive power grab (The Hill)
By Congressman John Fleming
From: The Hill
