1 an ocean blueprint for the 21st century presented by adm richard west, usn (ret.) president, core...
TRANSCRIPT
1
An Ocean Blueprint
for the 21st
Century
Presented by ADM Richard West, USN (Ret.)
President, CORE
Hydrographic Services Review Panel
15-16 November 2004
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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
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• Held open public meetings with 450 invited experts and public comment in all coastal areas of the U.S. (Sept. 2001 – Oct. 2002)
• 9 Regional Meetings– 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.
Information Gathering Was Extensive
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• 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
Commission Released Final Report, Recommendations on Sept. 20, 2004
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The Report’s Cross-cutting Themes
Ecosystem-based Management
MoreEffective
Governance
ImprovedScience for
Decision Making
StrengthenedEducationalPrograms
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Next Steps
• White House response to report due Dec. 19• Ongoing Congressional support critical to successful implementation of recommendations
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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
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