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An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century Presented by ADM Richard West, USN (Ret.) President, CORE Hydrographic Services Review Panel 15-16 November 2004. U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. 16-member, independent, bi-partisan group 26 scientific advisors 16 public meetings
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An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century Presented by ADM Richard West, USN (Ret.) President, CORE Hydrographic Services Review Panel 15-16 November 2004
U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy • 16-member, independent, bi-partisan group • 26 scientific advisors • 16 public meetings • 18 regional site visits • Extensive scientific and stakeholder review process
Information Gathering Was Extensive • Held open public meetings with 450 invited experts and public comment in all coastal areas of the U.S. (Sept. 2001 – Oct. 2002) • 9 RegionalMeetings– Mid-Atlantic/South Carolina; Caribbean & Southeast/Puerto Rico & Florida; Gulf of Mexico/New Orleans; Southwest/Los Angeles; Pacific Islands/Hawaii; Northwest/Seattle; Northeast/Boston; Alaska; and Great Lakes/Chicago • 18 site visits in addition to regional meetings in every coastal area of the U.S.
Commission Released Final Report, Recommendations on Sept. 20, 2004 • Major message - Oceans and coasts in serious trouble • Report calls on President, Congress, federal agencies, states and locals to take action • 212 recommendations • No unfunded mandates – proposes Ocean Policy Trust Fund to pay for implementation
The Report’s Cross-cutting Themes Ecosystem-based Management More Effective Governance Strengthened Educational Programs Improved Science for Decision Making
Improved Science Considered Critical • Double U.S. investment in ocean research • Strengthen NOAA and improve federal agency structure • Strengthen the link between coastal and watershed management
Double U.S. Investment in Ocean Research • Increase ocean and coastal research, including socioeconomic studies • Support ocean exploration • Implement the national Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) • Expand and integrate the national monitoring network, including good coverage of coastal areas
Costs and Revenues • Total new cost to implement Commission recommendations is approx. $3.9 billion per year • Commission proposed creating an Ocean Policy Trust Fund in the U.S. Treasury to support both state and federal responsibilities • Source of Revenue: Approx. $4 billion in offshore oil and gas revenues plus any revenues generated by new offshore uses
Our Vision of the Future • Economically vibrant coastal regions • Healthy, productive, diverse ecosystems • Improved public health and safety • Science-based decisions • Higher student achievement and a widespread stewardship ethic • Strong U.S. involvement in international ocean policy
Next Steps • White House response to report due Dec. 19 • Ongoing Congressional support critical to successful implementation of recommendations
The Time to Act is Now • Collective and sustained efforts by stakeholders at all levels are needed • Embrace the report as a whole • We can build on the current political interest and receptiveness • Additional fiscal resources will be needed WWW.OCEANCOMMISSION.GOV