Ocean Zone News Blog

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503

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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.

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.

Ocean Leadership
From the President’s Office
The event will take place on Thursday, September 17th from 2:30-6:00 pm at the Hyatt Regency at Embarcadero Center in San Francisco. The public is encouraged to attend and provide public comment to Administration officials in attendance including CEQ Chair Nancy Sutley and NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco. We encourage you to attend so that science is well represented. Ocean Leadership has been very engaged in providing information including the following presentation (http://www.oceanleadership.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/national_ocean_policyrole_of_science.ppt) to the task force as it has been drafting a national ocean policy. The policy may be released as early as next week and will likely be followed by a public comment period, so stay tuned.

By Richard Gaines
Staff Writer

Well endowed and powerful environmental philanthropies — notably the Pew Charitable Trusts — have wrested control over the agenda for ocean policies from traditional, broad-based political forces, according to lawyers writing in an American Bar Association newsletter.

The authors James P. Walsh and Gwen Fanger of the San Francisco firm Davis Wright Tremaine LLP warn that Pew and similar groups — though no others are named — are moving aggressively and even cynically to shape ocean policies.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, in coordination with White House and federal agency officials, will be traveling throughout the Arctic region, Aug. 17-21, to participate in the new Ocean Policy Task Force, observe ongoing activities and meet with local and indigenous community leaders and industry representatives.

Adm. Thad Allen, will be accompanied by:

David Hayes, deputy secretary of the Department of the Interior
Dr. Jane Lubchenco, under secretary for Commerce of Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA administrator
Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality
Heather Zichal, deputy assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change
The increasingly accessible and active Arctic region has significant environmental, scientific, economic and security impacts that have broad implications for all of the agencies participating and the public responsibilities they hold.