Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force Interim Report and Next Steps Mel Cote, EPA Region 1 Betsy Nicholson, NOAA Ocean Service Gulf of Maine Council December 10, 2009

Outline Overview of the Ocean Policy Task Force Interim Report of the Ocean Policy Task Force Proposed National Policy Proposed Policy Coordination Framework Proposed Implementation Plan Coastal and Marine Spatial Plan Framework Possible Role for GOMC IOPTF 2

Ocean Policy Task Force - Overview IOPTF 3

Ocean Policy Task Force - Overview Memo Established an Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force (OPTF) Chaired by the White House Council on Environmental Quality Members are Senior Policy-Level Officials Representation across the Federal Government Terminates once Duties Completed IOPTF 4

Ocean Policy Task Force - Overview OPTF Responsibilities - Within 90 Days: National Policy and Recommendations Ensure protection, maintenance, and restoration of the health of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems and resources Enhance sustainability of ocean and coastal economies Preserve maritime heritage Provide for adaptive management (linked to climate change) Coordinated with national security and foreign policy United States Framework for Policy Coordination Ensure integration and coordination across jurisdictional lines in meeting objectives of the national policy Implementation Strategy Identify and prioritize a set of objectives to meet the objectives of the national policy IOPTF 5

Ocean Policy Task Force - Overview OPTF Responsibilities – Within 180 Days: Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning Comprehensive Integrated Ecosystem-Based Addresses: Conservation, Economic Activity, User Conflict, and Sustainable use of Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Resources IOPTF 6

Ocean Policy Task Force – Interim Report Document Includes: - Suggested National Policy for the Stewardship of the Oceans, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes Policy Coordination Framework to Improve the Stewardship of the Oceans, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes Draft Strategy for Implementing the National Ocean Policy IOPTF

Ocean Policy Task Force – Interim Report The Interim Report contains: A vision of what a National Policy should achieve for the ocean, our coasts, and the Great Lakes; A brief context section describing the value of these important areas, the various issues confronting them, and the urgency to take effective action; The statement of our National Policy; and A set of overarching guiding principles for United States management decisions and actions affecting the ocean, our coasts, and the Great Lakes IOPTF

Ocean Policy Task Force – Interim Report It is the policy of the United States to: Support Healthy and Resilient Ocean, Coasts, and Great Lakes Support Safe and Productive Ocean, Coasts, and Great Lakes Understand and Treasure the Ocean, Coasts, and Great Lakes The U.S. will promote the objectives of this policy by: Ensuring a comprehensive and collaborative framework for the stewardship of the ocean, our coasts, and the Great Lakes that facilitates cohesive actions across the Federal Government, as well as participation of State, tribal, and local authorities, regional governance structures, non-governmental organizations, the public, and the private sector; Cooperating and exercising leadership at the international level, including by joining the Law of the Sea Convention; and Supporting ocean stewardship in a fiscally responsible manner IOPTF

Ocean Policy Task Force – Interim Report Principles of the National Policy Guided by Stewardship Ecosystem-based Management Manages and Balances Current and Future Uses Supports Disciplinary/Interdisciplinary Science, Research, Monitoring, Modeling, Forecasting, Exploration, and Assessment for Continual Improvement of Understanding Develops Improved Awareness of Changing Environmental Conditions Enhances Formal and Informal Education Demonstrates International Leadership Includes Measureable Benchmarks Supporting Stewardship Policies, Programs, and Activities Assessed and Conducted within Integrated and Comprehensive Interagency Planning Framework IOPTF

Ocean Policy Task Force – Interim Report Proposed Policy Coordination Framework - Modifications to the existing governance structure, including a stronger mandate and direction, and renewed and sustained high-level engagement. CEQ and OSTP would lead an interagency National Ocean Council to coordinate ocean-related issues across the Federal Government and to implement the National Ocean Policy Creation of a Governance Advisory Committee of the National Ocean Council to improve coordination and collaboration with State, tribal, and local authorities, and regional governance structures IOPTF

Ocean Policy Task Force – Interim Report The Task Force’s suggested implementation strategy identifies nine priority objectives that our Nation should pursue to implement the National Policy. For each priority objective, the National Ocean Council would be responsible for, and oversee development of, a strategic action plan within six to twelve months from its establishment. Each plan would: Identify specific and measurable near-term, mid-term, and long-term actions, with appropriate milestones, performance measures, and outcomes to fulfill each objective; Consider smaller-scale, incremental, and opportunistic efforts that build upon existing activities, as well as more complex, larger-scale actions that have the potential to be truly transformative; Explicitly identify key lead and participating agencies; Identify gaps and needs in science and technology; and Identify potential resource requirements and efficiencies; and steps for integrating or coordinating current and out-year budgets. IOPTF

Ocean Policy Task Force – Interim Report Proposed National Priority Objectives -- How we do business: Ecosystem-Based Management: Adopt ecosystem-based management as a foundational principle for the comprehensive management of the ocean, our coasts, and the Great Lakes. Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning: Implement comprehensive, integrated, ecosystem-based coastal and marine spatial planning and management in the United States. Inform Decisions and Improve Understanding: Increase knowledge to continually inform and improve management and policy decisions and the capacity to respond to change and challenges. Better educate through formal and informal programs the public about the ocean, our coasts, and the Great Lakes. Coordinate and Support: Better coordinate and support Federal, State, tribal, local, and regional management of the ocean, our coasts, and the Great Lakes. Improve coordination and integration across the Federal Government, and as appropriate, engage with the international community. IOPTF

Ocean Policy Task Force – Interim Report Proposed National Priority Objectives -- Areas of Special Emphasis: Resiliency and Adaptation to Climate Change and Ocean Acidification: Strengthen resiliency of coastal communities and marine and Great Lakes environments and their abilities to adapt to climate change impacts and ocean acidification. Regional Ecosystem Protection and Restoration: Establish and implement an integrated ecosystem protection and restoration strategy that is science-based and aligns conservation and restoration goals at the Federal, State, tribal, local, and regional levels. Water Quality and Sustainable Practices on Land: Enhance water quality in the ocean, along our coasts, and in the Great Lakes by promoting and implementing sustainable practices on land. IOPTF

Ocean Policy Task Force – Interim Report Proposed National Priority Objectives -- Areas of Special Emphasis: Changing Conditions in the Arctic: Address environmental stewardship needs in the Arctic Ocean and adjacent coastal areas in the face of climate-induced and other environmental changes. 5. Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Observations and Infrastructure: Strengthen and integrate Federal and non-Federal ocean observing systems, sensors, and data collection platforms into a national system and integrate that system into international observation efforts. IOPTF

Ocean Policy Task Force Public Engagement Process 24 Expert Roundtables (+14 CMSP) Stakeholders and Interest Groups State, Local, and Tribal Governments 6 Regional Public Meetings Anchorage, Alaska - August 21 San Francisco, California – September 17 Providence, Rhode Island – September 24 Honolulu, Hawaii – September 29 New Orleans, Louisiana – October 19 Cleveland, Ohio – October 29 30 day public comment period IOPTF 16

Ocean Policy Task Force Themes from Public Comments Ecosystem-based Management as a Guiding Principle Support for Science-based Decision Making Need for Improved Governmental Coordination and Collaboration, Transparency, and Public Participation Improving Education about Oceans, Coasts, and Great Lakes Ensuring Policies are Adequately Funded Support for Accession to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea IOPTF 17

Ocean Policy Task Force – Next Steps Synthesis of public comments (comment period closed October 17) Complete CMSP section and submit to President Obama by December 9, 2009 30 Day Public Comment on CMSP Framework Finalize Interim Report and CMSP Framework Presidential Action (?) IOPTF

Emerging Themes for Coastal & Marine Spatial Plans Created collaboratively by regional planning bodies Integrate with existing state/regional plans Non-regulatory; voluntary adherence Mean high water -> 200 miles offshore Implement using existing authorities May vary in emphasis among regions Will not halt or delay ongoing decisions Will enhance regional governance Will be completed in 3-5 years

U.S. Federal Contributions National Ocean Council will: Develop objectives, criteria, guidance Coordinate with Regional Planning Bodies Coordinate federal activities Certify regional plans Evaluate adherence to regional plans Provide guidance on data and decision support tools Assess resource needs and provide initial support

What May Be Expected of Regions? Phased approach: Identify regional objectives Identify existing efforts to be built upon Stakeholder involvement Consult scientists and technical experts Conduct regional assessments Develop alternative future use scenarios/ tradeoffs Create draft CMS plan Finalize CMS plan for certification Implement, monitor, evaluate, modify plans

Possible Role for GOMC National Policy/Policy Coordination Framework Governance Advisory Body will include regional ocean governance bodies (e.g., NROC) and state reps Principle objective includes better coordination and engagement with international community Regional Coastal & Marine Spatial Plan Canadian ex officio member invited to join regional planning body Identify complementary work in CAN waters to maximize benefit to GOM projects and organizations Inventory existing GOM wide work that can contribute to this U.S. initiative to avoid duplication and maximize dollars available

Discussion What is the interest level in the GOMC staying informed and becoming involved? What other benefits/role from this initiative do you see for the GOMC? IOPTF