Ocean Zone News Blog

From: Wahkiakum County Eagle

Wahkiakum County Marine Resources Committee will be hosting a workshop on Marine Spatial Planning on April 22 from 5-7 p.m. at the Grays River Valley Center at Johnson Park in Rosburg.

Marine spatial planning (MSP) is a public process for analyzing use of marine areas, with the goal of making informed and coordinated decisions on marine resource management. Those who could be affected by or have a vested interest in marine spatial planning include commercial and recreational fisherman, local ports, recreational users (beach goers, kayakers, surfers, etc.), and alternative energy developers. Some liken the process to zoning for the ocean.

From: Politico

The federal government should expand access to offshore oil and gas, phase out the wind production tax credit and preserve a key Energy Department loan guarantee program promoting clean energy, a broad coalition of former senators and industry, environmental and labor officials said as part of sweeping recommendations the group issued Wednesday.

The Bipartisan Policy Center’s 20-member Strategic Energy Policy Initiative dipped into other contentious debates over energy exports, military biofuels investment and climate change in recommending a host of ideas in its report. The recommendations are intended to expand both conventional and alternative energy production along with energy efficiency.

From: Free Press

Friends of the Weskeag will sponsor a public presentation by Susan Little Olcott of the Ocean Conservancy on Monday, February 18, at 6:30 p.m. at People’s United Methodist Church in South Thomaston. Olcott will provide background on the National Ocean Policy, established by the Obama administration in 2012 as a framework for federal agencies, states and ocean user groups to improve coastal and ocean planning. She will explain how New England states are engaged in the planning process and will discuss ways citizens can take part.

OLYMPIA – Washington’s coastal state legislators have been invited to share their perspectives on important ocean issues and legislative priorities at the Jan. 25, 2013, Washington Coastal Marine Advisory Council meeting in Olympia.

The public meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Pritchard Building, Washington Room, 415 Sid Snyder Ave. S.W., Olympia. The meeting agenda is at:http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/ocean/pdf/agenda_jan2013.pdf

Lawmakers have been invited to discuss marine spatial planning, ocean acidification recommendations and potential legislation affecting Washington’s coast. During work sessions, the advisory council will discuss 2013 priorities and prepare a timeline of activities for the coming year. They also will hear updates on other projects including marine spatial planning activities.

From: Human Events

Tucked inside a massive spending bill intended to help victims of Hurricane Sandy but loaded with pork projects is $150 million for President Barack Obama’s ambitious plan to zone the oceans.

If approved by the House today, the money will go to a regional ocean partnership to help begin implementation of Obama’s highly controversial National Ocean Policy.

But not without a fight from Rep. Bill Flores: The Texas Republican will introduce an amendment this afternoon to kill the funding for the “marine special planning” project.

Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) reportedly inserted the ocean zoning funding into the bill.