White House Seeking Comments on Ocean Policy
September 26th, 2009
US Ocean Policy - The White House Council on Environmental Quality is seeking public comments a draft report prepared by the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force which provides recommendations to the President of the United States that address: (1) a national policy for the oceans, our coasts, and the Great Lakes; (2) a United States framework for policy coordination of efforts to improve stewardship of the oceans, our coasts, and the Great Lakes; and (3) an implementation strategy that identifies and prioritizes a set of objectives the United States should pursue to meet the objectives of a national policy. Public comments are due by October 17, 2009.
On September 10, 2009, the Task Force submitted its interim report to the President addressing the first three tasks laid out in the President’s Memorandum. To allow for additional public engagement and comment before the President makes any final decision on the interim report, the Task Force is issuing it for a 30-day public comment period. Though the main focus of the Task Force now turns to developing a recommended framework for effective coastal and marine spatial planning, due to the President by December 9, 2009, the Task Force anticipates that the Interim Report will be refined as the Task Force receives further thoughtful input from the public. With this continued public participation, the Task Force will be able to provide the President with the best possible final recommendation.
Aquaculture is referenced in the Interim Report as one of several areas of interest because of existing operations in coastal areas and the potential to expand into the ocean environment under a regulatory framework for sustainable development.
The September 23, 2009 White House CEQ Federal Register Notice is posted at
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-22868.htm
Information about the CEQ Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force is posted at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/oceans/
The Interim Report is posted at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/oceans/interimreport/
* specifically at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/09_17_09_Interim_Report_of_Task_Force_FINAL2.pdf
