1. Updates on and opportunities for the Gulf of Maine Council

2. Today’s Focus: Updates New Canadian assessment New US Gulf of Maine plan Opportunities Ways for GOMC to engage and benefit

3. Comprehensive plans get results! Great Lakes ($475 million) Puget Sound ($50 million) Chesapeake ($63 million)

4. A closer look at the Great Lakes Model: Multiple stakeholder involvement State and Federal Agency cooperation Shared investment in success RESULT: $475 million

5. US Gulf of Maine Habitat Restoration & Conservation Plan: A needs assessment for Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts

6. Plan quantifies needs for: Water quality Fish and wildlife habitat Invasive species Adapting to climate change impacts Long term science, planning and communications

7. Broad stakeholder involvement US state and federal agency officials MOST SERVE ON GOMC! NGOs Business interests Working together since early 2009

8. The wheel has been invented… The Plan is based on: 2004 GOMC’s Habitat Restoration Strategy 2010 President’s Ocean Task Force Numerous other plans and studies

9. …and GOMC is already involved US Association is the fiscal agent Members of Council on Steering Committee Website Hosting Numerous Council briefings since 2009 Habitat restoration is Top Council Priority

10. Options for GOMC’s future involvement

11. Affirm that Plan advances Council restoration priorities Press releases GOM Times articles Updates on website

12. Endorse & support continued Canadian efforts Assessments of need in New Brunswick Nova Scotia

13. Promoting awareness is key Council Options: Join NGOs, state agencies & businesses in media release Continue hosting web page & augmenting content Use Plan in developing 2012-2017 Action Plan

14. Use Plan to promote awareness Council Options: Support & join jurisdictional briefings Issue joint statement with NROC, NE Governors, etc. Promote economic benefits of Plan implementation

15. Other ideas Sustained six-month communications campaign with targeted audiences including US and CA decision makers at the city, RM, state, provincial, and federal levels—especially by encouraging constituents to contact their political leaders

16. Next steps a _______________

17. The Bottom Line: We believe GOMC will further its mission by embracing this Plan.