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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

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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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