northeast regional planning body spring 2017 meeting · northeast regional planning body spring...
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NortheastRegionalPlanningBodySpring2017MeetingSummary
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NortheastRegionalPlanningBodySpring2017Meeting
May24,2017NOAANationalMarineFisheriesService
GreaterAtlanticRegionalFisheriesOffice,Gloucester,MA
MEETINGSUMMARY
PreparedbyTheConsensusBuildingInstitute
NortheastRegionalPlanningBodySpring2017MeetingSummary
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TableofContents
WelcomeandIntroductions...................................................................................................................3
OverviewofImplementationActivities...............................................................................................4
UseoftheNortheastOceanPlanandtheNortheastOceanDataPortal.......................................6
NortheastOceanDataPortal:Progress&ProposedNextSteps.....................................................9Updatingoceanactivitydataandoutreachtorelatedstakeholdersandexperts..................................9Updatingmarinelife,habitat,andimportantecologicalarea(IEA)dataproducts..............................13
PlanPerformance:Progress&proposednextstepstodevelopanapproachforevaluatingtheRPB’simplementationofthePlan.....................................................................................................16
MonitoringEcosystemChange:ProposednextstepsfordevelopinganOceanHealthIndex(OHI)fortheNortheast........................................................................................................................19
RPBDiscussionandDecisionsAbouttheWorkPlanThrough2017.............................................23
PublicComment....................................................................................................................................23
Appendices.............................................................................................................................................28AppendixA:ForumAttendance.....................................................................................................................29AppendixB:ForumAgenda............................................................................................................................32
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OnMay24,2017,theNortheastRegionalPlanningBody(RPB)hosteditsSpring2017Meeting.Approximately20membersoftheRPBattendedasmeetingparticipants,alongwithroughly50membersofthepublic,whoattendedasobservers.1Theobjectivesofthismeetingwereto:
• HearfromRPBmembersabouthowtheirorganizationisusingtheNortheastOceanPlanandtheNortheastOceanDataPortal.
• ReviewprogressimplementingtheNortheastOceanPlan.• ObtainpublicinputanddecideonnextstepsforimplementingthePlanthroughtheend
of2017.TheConsensusBuildingInstitute(CBI)draftedthissummary.PresentationslidesandothermaterialsfromthemeetingareavailableatthefollowingURL:http://neoceanplanning.org/may-24-2017-northeast-rpb-meeting/.
WelcomeandIntroductionsMelCoté,theRPBfederalco-lead,introducedhimselfandwelcomedparticipants.HenotedthatthiswasthefirstofficialRPBmeetingsincethecompletionoftheNortheastOceanPlan,andacknowledgedtheimportantworkofthepriorco-leads—BetsyNicholson,GroverFugate,andRickGetchel—wholedtheRPBthroughtheprocessofdevelopingthePlan.HealsoexpressedgratitudetowardsRPBstaffandconsultingfirmswhohavehelpedmovetheworkforward,includingNickNapoli,EmilyShumchenia,JohnWeber,andtheteamsfromtheConsensusBuildingInstitute,DukeUniversity,andothers.HenotedthatthePlanrecentlyreceivedrecognitionatthenationallevelthroughalettertoPresidentTrumpfromCEOsintherecreationindustry,expressingsupportforregionaloceanplanningingeneral,andforthenortheastandmid-Atlanticplansinparticular.BetsyNicholson,NOAA,offeredwordsofremembranceforMargaretDavidson,aleaderinthefieldofcoastalmanagementwhorecentlypassedaway.ShethenreportedonherrecentreceiptonbehalfoftheRPBofthePeterBenchleyOceanAward,whichrecognizestheRPBforitseffortsincompletingthefirstregionaloceanplanintheU.S.DanMorris,DeputyRegionalAdministratoroftheNOAAFisheriesGreaterAtlanticRegionalOffice,offeredadditionalwordsofwelcome.HeexpressedappreciationfortheRPB’sworkonthePlananditscommitmentbothtogoodandefficientgovernanceandtorepresentingtheinterestsofallpartiesandstakeholders.HenotedthatwhileNOAAhassteppeddownfromitsroleasfederalco-lead,itremainscommittedtotheregionaloceanplanningprocess.
1ThelistofregisteredparticipantscanbefoundinAppendixA.Itislikelythatitdoesnotcaptureallthemeetingattendees.
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BruceCarlisle,DirectoroftheMassachusettsOfficeofCoastalZoneManagement,welcomedparticipantsonbehalfofGovernorCharlieBakerandtheSecretaryofEnergyandEnvironmentalAffairsandnotedMassachusetts’ongoingcommitmenttothePlan.ChuckieGreen,MashpeeWampanoagTribalCouncil,offeredawelcomeonbehalfoftribalmembersandatribalblessing.HecommentedthatthetribesfeelhonoredtohavebeenpartofcreatingthePlanasequals.RPBmembersandmembersoftheaudiencethenofferedindividualintroductions,providingtheirnamesandorganizationalaffiliations.Next,TedDiers,theNortheastRegionalPlanningBody(RPB)stateco-lead,introducedhimself,notedthathewouldbefacilitatingthemeeting,andreviewedthemeetingagenda.HepresentedatimelineofkeyactivitiessincethePlanwasfinalizedin2016andnotedthatthefocusofthismeetingwasdeterminingthecourseofactionforthenextsevenmonths.
OverviewofImplementationActivitiesNickNapoli,contractstafftotheRPB,presentedanoverviewoftheimplementationworkplan.Hefocusedontwoprioritytopics,theNortheastOceanDataPortalandPlanMonitoringandEvaluation,whilealsoprovidingbriefupdatesonotherimplementationactivities.RelatedtotheNortheastOceanDataPortal,Mr.NapolisaidtheRPBhasbeenfocusingon:
• Communicatingtheuseandroleoftheportal,primarilythroughcasestudies;• Updatingoceanactivitydata;and• Updatingmarinelife,habitat,andimportantecologicalareas(IEA)dataproducts.
RelatedtoPlanMonitoringandEvaluation,Mr.NapolisaidthePlanestablishedtwotracks:(1)PlanPerformanceMonitoring,focusedonmeasuringtheRPB’sprogressimplementingthePlanandachievingthePlan’sgoalsandobjectives,and(2)EcosystemHealthMonitoringandEvaluation,focusedonmeasuringchangesintheecosystem,includinghumanactivities.HenotedthatthePlanidentifiesboththeOceanHealthIndex(OHI)andtheIntegratedSentinelMonitoringNetwork(ISMN)asopportunitiesforevaluatingecosystemhealth.Mr.Napolialsoprovidedthefollowingbrieftopical,workgroup,andsubcommitteeupdates:
• Federal-StateCoordination—NOAAisactivelyworkingwithstatesandotherfederalagenciestooperationalizetheportalintotheCoastalZoneManagementAct(CZMA).Nextstepsincludepursuingtheabilityforearlynotificationtostatesaboutpotentialprojects,andanupcomingcheck-inwiththeNewEnglandstates.
• Federal-TribalCoordination—TheRPBprovidedperiodicupdatesonoceanplanimplementationthroughEPA’sRegionalTribalOperationsCommitteeandFederal-TribalCommunicationsCollaborativecalls,andsecuredUdallFoundationfundingsupportfortribaltraveltoRPBmeetingsandotherrelatedactivities
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• EnergyandInfrastructure—TherehasbeensignificantactivityinsettingupanAtlanticOffshoreRenewableEnergyDevelopmentandFisheriesSteeringCommittee.TheSteeringCommitteewillorganizeaworkshopinwinter2017tolookatissuesregardingfisheriesandrenewableenergyactivities.Inaddition,theBureauofOceanEnergyManagement(BOEM)recentlyheldameetingoftheRhodeIslandandMassachusettsTaskForcetodiscusstwounsolicitedleaserequestsforpreviouslyunleasedareasintheMassachusettsWindEnergyArea(WEA)andotherissues.BOEMhasalsobeenholdinggovernment-to-governmentconsultationmeetingswithtribesinNewYorkandMassachusetts,andrecentlyreleasedareportwithNOAA,Socio-EconomicImpactofOCSWindEnergyDevelopmentonFisheriesintheU.S.Atlantic,whichwillinformitsdecision-makingrelatedtofutureoffshorewindenergydevelopment.
• NROCSandManagementSubcommittee—JeffReidenauer(BOEM)hastakenoverthefederalco-leaddutiesforthisworkgroup.BOEMandtheUSArmyCorpsofEngineers(USACE)recentlysignedaMemorandumofUnderstandingthatwillenhancecoordinationonmanagingsand,gravelandshellresourcesfromtheOuterContinentalShelf,andthesandsubcommitteemetbyphoneinMarchtodiscussworkingwiththeRPBtodevelopanoffshoresandresourcesthemeonthedataportal.
• Aquaculture—NOAAleadsthisgroup.TheworkgrouphostedapanelattherecentNortheastAquacultureConferenceandExpositiontodiscussPlanimplementation.Thisdiscussionledtofollowupmeetingsaboutthepotentialco-locationofoffshoreaquacultureandotheroffshoreactivities(suchaswind).Nextstepswillincludetheworkgroupreviewingitsmembershipandorganizingitsnextmeeting.
• RestorationSubcommittee—Thissubcommitteeiscurrentlyupdatingitsmembershipandlookingforanon-federalco-lead.Thecurrentco-leadsrecommendleveragingtheNROCCoastalResiliencyWorkGroupformembershipandforworkthatisalreadyongoingtoinformpotentialrestorationpriorities.
• EcosystemBasedManagement(EBM)WorkGroup—ThegroupcurrentlyservesasarosterofsubjectmatterexpertsavailabletotheRPBtoinformdraftdataproductsonImportantEcologicalAreas(IEAs).
Mr.Napolireviewedthe2017timelineforimplementation.Thetimelineincludesimplementationpathsforportalcomponents(casestudydevelopment,oceanactivities,marinelifeandhabitat,andIEAdata),performancemonitoring,andothertopics.Mr.Napolicommentedthatthetimelinecallsforsignificantongoingdataprocessing,whichwillcreatedataproductsthatneedtobereviewedwithrelevantstakeholders.DiscussionRPBmembersprovidedanumbercommentsandquestionsinresponsetothepresentation:
• OneRPBmemberaskedforelaborationonthepurposeofpotentiallycombiningeffortsoftheRestorationSubcommitteeandtheNROCCoastalResiliencyWorkGroup.RPBmembersrespondedthatthepurposeofjoiningthemisduetotheoverlapinmembershipandresponsibilitiesandthepotentialtoleveragetheexpertiseofadditionalNROCstatemembers.Theynotedthat,movingforward,theRPBwillbemore
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budget-constrained,soitwillbeimportanttocoordinateitsworkwithexistingactivities.
• AnRPBmemberaskedhowtodefine“coastalresiliency”andhowthatmightimpacttheRestorationSubcommittee’sprioritiesifitiscombinedwiththeCoastalResiliencyWorkGroup.AnRPBmembersuggestedthat“restoration”ismorecomprehensivethan“coastalresiliency,”andthatresiliencymeans“theabilityofourecologicalsystemsandcoastaleconomytoweatherextremechanges.”Anothermembernotedthathabitatrestorationisabigpartofhavingaresilientsystem.Techniquesincludecreatinglivingshorelinesandbeachnourishment,whicharealsorestorationopportunities.
• AmemberaskedaboutwhethertheBOEM/NOAAreport,Socio-EconomicImpactofOCSWindEnergyDevelopmentonFisheriesintheU.S.Atlantic,hadbeenreviewedtoensureitisconsistentwithoceanplananditsrecommendations.Inresponse,supportstaffnotedthatthereisanactionintheEnergyandInfrastructurechapterofthePlanthatrelatestotheissuesraisedinthereport.Inaddition,RPBrepresentativesfromNOAAandtheMassachusettsDivisionofMarineFisheriespromisedtolookintothisissueandreportbacktotheRPB.ItwasalsonotedthattheissueofimprovingourunderstandingthepotentialeconomicimpactofoffshorewindonsectorsandcoastalcommunitieshascomeupwiththeBOEMintergovernmentaltaskforceandinconversationsinMassachusetts.
UseoftheNortheastOceanPlanandtheNortheastOceanDataPortalMr.Napolioffereddataonuseoftheportalovertime.Therehasbeenageneralupwardtrendinusageoftheportal,andithadover8,000uniquevisitorsinApril2017.Sofar,threecasestudieshavebeendevelopedontheuseoftheportal,andadditionalcasestudiesarebeingcreated.VariousRPBmembersthenprovidedupdatesonhowtheyandtheirinstitutionsareusingthePlanandtheportal.U.S.CoastGuard(USCG)MicheleDesAutelssaidtheCoastGuardhasbeenworkingtoupdatethedatafortheportalonaregularbasis,andusingthedataportalasoneofitsfirstsourcesofinformationaboutwhatishappeningintheoceanasitworksonwaterwaysmanagement.U.S.ArmyCorps(USACE)JenniferMcCarthysaidtheportalhelpstheUSACEusethemostrecentandbestdata,andcollaboratemoreeffectivelywithotheragenciesandstakeholders,asUSACEregulatesactivitiesinthewatersoftheUSandissuesavarietyofpermits.Ms.McCarthynotedthatthefishingandaquaculturedatasetshavebeenespeciallyhelpful.
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U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)Mr.Cotésaidbecausetheportalcollectsthebestavailabledatainoneplace,itmakesEPA’seffortssignificantlymoreefficientinitspermittingandNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA)reviewefforts.ThePlanalsohelpsinstitutionalizeearlyandfrequentcoordination,anotherEPApriority.IvyMlsna,EPA,providedanexampleofaninstanceinwhichtheportalhelpedEPAprovidesoundadviceonwherebesttopermitburialatsea.ConnecticutDepartmentofEnergyandEnvironmentalProtection(ConnecticutDEEP)BrianThompsonsaidLongIslandSound’sspatialmanagementprocess(“theBluePlan”)ismandatedbytheConnecticutlegislatureandinvolvescollaborationamongConnecticutandNewYorkstateagencies.Inlookingforaframeworkforcollaboration,ConnecticutDEEPhasusedtheRPBasaguide.TheBluePlan’svisionstatementandgoalsarebasedonthoseintheNortheastOceanPlanandborrowfromthePlan’sformat.MassachusettsDivisionofMarineFisheries(MassachusettsDMF)DavidPiercesaidthedataondistributionofcommercialfishingfordifferentspecieshavebeenespeciallyhelpfultoMassachusettsDMF.Forexample,herecentlyuseddatafromtheportaltoprovideconstructivecommentstotheMid-AtlanticFisheriesManagementCouncilonhowtoimprovemanagementoflongfinsquid.KathrynFordaddedthatMassachusettsDMFisstillteachingpeopleabouttheportalandhowtouseit.Variousofficeshavebeenusingitprimarilytounderstandtheregionalcontextforspecificissues.U.S.DepartmentoftheNavy(Navy)ChrisTompsettprovidedanupdateontheNavy’sactivitiestoinstitutionalizethePlan.Mr.TompsettgavetwoexamplesoftheNavy’sPlan-relatedwork:
• TheNavycanusetheportaltohelpidentifygoodplacestoconducttests.• TheNavyisworkingtoimproveitsstakeholderoutreachwhenexercisesareplanned.
Theportalhelpsthemidentifywhousesanarea.NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA)BetsyNicholsonprovidedanupdateonNOAA’suseofandactivitiestoinstitutionalizethePlan.NOAAhasfoundtheportaltobeanimportantresourcewhenrespondingtoinquiriesrelatedtowindenergydevelopment,aquaculturedevelopment,Section7consultation(protectedresources),andtheEffectsTestundertheCoastalZoneManagementAct.Beforedeparting,previousNOAAAdministratorKathySullivansignedanAdministrativeOrderstatingNOAA’scommitmenttoitsobligationsinalltheregionaloceanplanstowhichitisaparty.TheOrderinstructedallNOAAlineofficestoincorporatethecertifiedregionalplansintointernaldocumentsandprocesses.Inaddition,NOAAisincorporatingthelanguageofthePlanintoitsinternalimplementationplanandisconductingtrainingsessionsforstaffontheuseofthePlanandtheportal.Ms.NicholsonsharedanumberofspecificexamplesofhowvariousentitieswithinNOAA,suchastheOfficeofHabitatProtectionandtheProtectiveResourcesDivision,areusingthePlantoeducatedevelopersandlearnaboutlinksbetweenhabitatfeaturesandspeciesbehaviors.
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NewEnglandFisheryManagementCouncil(Council)MarkAlexandersaidtheCounciloftenreceivesdatarequests,andstaffhavebeenabletosavetimebypointingpeopletotheportal.Inaddition,theportalhasbeenveryusefulindevelopmentofFisheryManagementPlans,forexampleasaresourceinpresentationsontheDeepSeaCoralAmendment,andinhelpingstakeholdersunderstandfishingactivityinthevicinityofannouncedWindEnergyAreas.BOEMDarrylFrancoiseprovidedanupdateonBOEM’suseofandactivitiestoinstitutionalizethePlan.BOEMfrequentlyrefersstakeholderstothePlantohelpthemmakedecisions,hasaddedinformationonitswebsitesupportingtheportalandreferringuserstoit,andhaslinkeditsenvironmentalstudiesinformationtotheportal.Inaddition,BobLaBelle,whowasBOEM’srepresentativeonRPBuntilherecentlyretired,hasbriefedBOEMmanagersandtheentirestaffatheadquartersonthePlan.BoththeAssistantSecretaryandtheDirectorhaveendorsedcontinueduseofthePlananditsimplementation.HoultonBandofMaliseetIndiansSharriVennoreportedthathertribehasnotyetusedthePlanbuthastalkedaboutusingit,forexamplebyconnectingwithfederalagenciesinvolvedinarecentwindpowerpermitapplicationandbyworkingthroughthedataportaltoidentifyifthereareanyissuestobeconcernedabout.MaineCoastalProgramKathleenLeydenreportedonMaineCoastalProgram’suseofthePlan.Shefocusedinparticularontheimportanceofadvancedcoordination,andhighlightedanumberofexampleswherecoordinationeithertookplaceorisneeded:
• TherewaspositivecoordinationaroundmeetingsconductedbytheDepartmentofEnergyonMoheganIsland,regardingtheUniversityofMaineOceanWindTestSite.
• TherehasbeengoodcooperationwithNOAAthroughSeaSketch,makingsurethereisnofishingactivitywhenmappingoperationsareunderway.
• EffortsbytheCorpsandotherstoadvancelivingshorelinesthroughNROChavefeaturedeffectivecooperation.
• ThereisaneedforgoodcoordinationregardingtheIsleofShoalsNorthDisposalSite.• AdvancedcoordinationwiththeUSACEandtheNavywillbeimportantforthe
KennebeckRiverdredge.Ms.LeydenalsohighlightedthecriticalneedformoredatainMaine,citingthelargesizeofthestate,itslimitedresources,andthepaucityofnearshoredata.ExamplesfromthepublicMembersofthepublicwereinvitedtoshareexamplesofhowtheyareusingthePlan.Theyofferedthefollowingcomments:
• ChrisMaguirefromTheNatureConservancy(TNC)notedthatTNCparticipatedin
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discussionstodevelopDeepSeaCoralManagementAlternatives,hostedbytheNewEnglandFisheryManagementCouncil,wherestakeholdersusedtheportalinrealtime.
• NickBattistafromtheIslandInstitutecommentedthathehasusedtheportaltohelpfishermentelltheirstoriestotrytoavoidlosingfishingareastotankerstransitingGulfofMaine,andinworkingwithschoolstoeducatechildrenabouttheoceanecosystem.
Asthissessioncametoaclose,anRPBmembernotedtheimportanceofemphasizingthattheexistenceoftheportalanditswealthofdatashouldnotbeseenbydevelopersasawaytoarguethattheydonotneedtocollecttheirownproject-specificdata.Someplansputforwardbywindcompanieshavesuggestedthatsurveysarenotnecessarybecauseoftheexistenceoftheportal.RPBmembersshouldeducatestakeholdersthatwhiletheportalisanimportantresource,itonlyservesafirststepandadditionalsitecharacterizationwillstillbeneeded.
NortheastOceanDataPortal:Progress&ProposedNextSteps
UpdatingoceanactivitydataandoutreachtorelatedstakeholdersandexpertsMr.NapolipresentedanoverviewofRPBactivitiestoupdateandmaintainoceanactivitydataontheportal,outreachtostakeholdersandexperts,andpotentialnextsteps.Hereviewedactivitiesonnineoceandatathemes:commercialfishing,aquaculture,marinetransportation,nationalsecurity,culturalresources,recreation,energyandinfrastructure,offshoresandresources,andrestoration.Laterinthemeeting,Mr.Napolireviewedpotentialnextstepsforthesethemesandparticipantsthenofferedcommentsandsuggestions.Theoverviewofeachtheme,suggestednextsteps,andRPBmemberfeedbackareallreportedbelow.1.CommercialFishing:RelevantdatasetsincludeVesselMonitoringSystem(VMS),VesselTripReports(VTR),andFisheryManagementAreas.Processingthesedatasetsandreleasingdraftproductsrequiressignificantworkandindustryinput.Currently,datarequestsareinprogress.Therewillbenewdraftproductsbyendofsummerandstakeholderreviewinfall2017.Theportalwillbeupdatedbyendof2017.Mr.Napolisuggestedthatrelevantnextstepsforthisthemecouldinclude:
• ProcessingVMSandVTRanddevelopingdraftproducts;• Engagingrelevantstakeholdersthroughtargetedmeetingstoreviewthedataproducts;• CoordinatingoutreachanddatadevelopmentwiththeMid-AtlanticandtheMarine
Cadastre;and• Identifyingopportunitiestofillgapsinfishingactivitydata,especiallylobsterdata.
RPBmembershadanumberofsuggestionsonthesenextsteps.Someonenotedtheimportanceoffocusingonandincorporatingdataonthelobsterfishery.Someoneaskedwhetherlobsterdatawouldfocusonfisheryeffortorabundanceanddistribution.Inorderto
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beconsistentwithothercommercialfishingdata,itmightbebettertofocusonfisheryeffort,butthisissomethingtheRPBcandecidebasedonhowitbelievesthedatawillbeused.TherewasanextendeddiscussionontheinclusionandpotentialusesforVMSandVTRdata.RPBmembersgavethefollowinginput:
• Coastalprogramsneedtoknowwherefishingactivityiscomingfrom,forexampleiffishingoffshoreNewYorkisactuallycomingfromRhodeIslandports,inordertomakeanexusforfederalconsistencypurposes.
• Itisimportanttounderstandthesocioeconomicimpactsofoffshorewinddevelopmentonspecificcommunities.
• VMSandVTRdatacanbedifficulttomatchupbecausetheycollectdifferentinformationaboutfishingactivity.
• DuetonewcarriagerequirementsforAIS,itmaybepossibletocross-referenceAISdatatohelpconnectfishingactivitytospecificports.
SupportstaffnotedthatVTRdatawasexcludedfromtheportalbasedoninputreceivedfromthefishingindustryduringtheplanningphase.WhiletheNortheastRPBfocusedonVMSdata,theMid-AtlanticRPBhasdonemoreworkonVTRdata.ThereisalsoextensivemetadatainthePlannotingallthelimitationsoftheVMSdata.TherewasalsoadiscussionontheresponsibilitiesoftheNMFSGreaterAtlanticRegionalFisheriesOffice(GARFO)tomaintainexistingmapsanddata,asnotedinthePlan,andasuggestionthatGARFOwouldneedtobeincludedinanydiscussionsonincludingVTRdata.Intheend,RPBmemberssuggestedthatdecisionsontheseissuesshouldbebasedonhowthedatawillultimatelybeused.AsubgroupofRPBmembersandstakeholdersshouldworktogethertoaddressthesequestions,lookingatwhatthedatamightlooklikeandwheretherearegaps.Theyshouldbecognizantofthefactthatasthedatabecomesmoregranulartheymaybumpupagainstprivacyconcerns.SomeonesuggestedthatitcouldbehelpfultostartwithapilotprojectfocusedonjustoneareatoseewhatispossiblewhenlookingatbothVMSandVTRdatatogether.GroverFugateofferedtouseRhodeIslandandtheRhodeIslandFishermen’sAdvisoryGroupasapotentialpilotproject.2.Aquaculture:Datasetsincludepermittedaquacultureareasandshellfishmanagementareas.Mostoftheaquaculturedataisprovidedbythestates,andnewdatawillbereleasedshortlyfromanumberofstates.Draftproductswillbereleasedbysummer.Stakeholderandagencyreviewwilltakeplaceinsummerorfall2017,withtheportalupdatedbytheendof2017.Foraquaculture,Mr.Napolireportedthatnextstepscouldinvolve:
• Finalizingtheregionalaquaculturelayersandreviewingthemwithstates,USACE,NOAA,andtheAquacultureWorkGroup;and
• Identifyingwaystoengagetheindustryandmunicipalitiestoreviewandusethedata.Inthediscussiononthisdatatheme,itwasnotedthatstatesarecurrentlyaggregatingdataformunicipalities,andthatthistakessignificantwork.
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3.MarineTransportation:Datasetsincludevesseltraffic(AIS)andNavigation&Safety(AidstoNavigation,Pilotboarding,Anchorages,Safetyandsecurityzones).AISisanespeciallypopulardataset,and2015and2016AISdataproductsareunderdevelopment.Theincomingdatamightbemorecomprehensive,asdatacollectionhaschanged.TheRPBhopestohaveproductsoutforreviewthisfall.4.NationalSecurity:Datasetsincludemilitaryinstallations,testingandtrainingranges,anddangerandrestrictedareas.TheNavyhascommittedtoupdatethisdataonaregularbasis.Mr.NapolinotedthatdatasetsforthisthemearebeingupdatedasnecessaryasidentifiedbytheDepartmentofDefense.5.CulturalResources:Therearecurrentlydatasetsonnationalregistersitesandwrecks,eachofwhichisbeingupdated.DatarequestsregardingthenationalregisterhistoricsitesarebeingsenttotheNationalParkServiceandstatesthisspring.Thescheduleforotheractivitieshasnotyetbeendetermined.Mr.NapolisuggestedthenextstepsaretoupdatetheNationalRegisterhistoricsitedataandtodeterminethestatusofinformationrelatedtopotentialsubmergedarcheologicalresources.6.Recreation:Therearedatasetsonactivitiesrangingfromboatingtowhalewatchinganddiving,aswellascoastalrecreationareasandindividualcoastalactivitiesfromsurveys.Characterizingtheseactivitiestakessubstantialeffort.Thecoastalrecreationareasdatalayerwillbeupdatedbyfall2017,andthereareseveralpotentialoptionstoreviewandupdatethefootprintofarangeofdifferentrecreationalactivities.Forrecreation,Mr.Napolireportedthatnextstepscouldinvolveengagingorganizationsthatrepresentdifferentactivities,liketheRPBdidsuccessfullyintheplanningphase,toidentifyoptionsforupdatingandmaintainingdatasetsoverthelongterm.Healsonotedthatthereisongoingworktodevelopnewlayersandupdatethedata,buttheRPBneedstoprovideadditionalguidanceonwhatneedstobedonenext.RPBmembersofferedthefollowingcommentsandsuggestions:
• Engage(orcontinuetoengage)state-basedassociations,includingthoseinvolvedinthestatecomprehensiveoutdoorrecreationplan.
• Providespatialinformationonrecreationactivities,notjustaggregatenumbers,withthegoalofidentifyingthefootprintofdifferentactivities.
• Insteadoftrackingwherepeoplerecreate,focusonidentifyingthefeaturestheyarevisiting.
• Acollectivecalendarofrecreationactivities—likeracesorexercisesinanarea—couldbeausefultoolforpreventingconflicts.
Therewasalsoadiscussiononhowtocontinueupdatingthedataovertime.Anumberofmemberssuggesteditcouldbehelpfultoformaworkgrouptoengagewithstakeholders,reviewthedata,identifywhichdatasetsneedtobeupdatedconsistently,whichmightberepeatedmovingforward,andconsiderwhereandhowtoinvolveothersincollectingthedata
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onanongoingbasis.SomeonesuggestedthattheRPBshouldworkonobtaininggrantsforthis.7.EnergyandInfrastructure:Datasetsincludeplanningareastatus(foroperational,permitted,leaseareas,windenergyareas,anddemonstrationsites),whicharecurrentlybeingupdated,andcharacterizationofexistinginfrastructurelikecables,pipelines,energyfacilitiesandtransmissionlines.Mr.Napolinotedthatthenextstepscouldbeupdatingthestatusofeachoffshoreprojectorplanningareaandcontinuingdiscussionsabouttheappropriatetimetopostmapsrelatedtoagencyannouncements.MembersoftheRPBdiscussedwhenitmightbeappropriateandhelpfulforagenciestoprovideadvancenoticeofenergyandinfrastructureprojects,suchasWEAs,andengageinconversationswithtribes.Theenergyandinfrastructureworkgroupcoulddiscussspecificscenariosandhowagencieswouldhandlethem.InthecaseofWEAs,someonesaiditwouldbehelpfultoknowifandwhenpotentialdevelopershaveexpressedinterestinanarea.TherewasalsoaquestionfocusedspecificallyonBOEM,andwhenBOEMmightbeabletoreleasemapsonthestatusofleaseareas,WEAs,andunsolicitedleaserequests.Amembersaidnoticetoandcoordinationwithfishermencouldhelpgetadditionalinformationtodevelopersearlierintheprocess,includinginformationonwhatkindoffishingactivitytakesplaceintheareastheyareconsidering,andwhethertheyincludeanyhighlyvaluablefishingareas.AnothermembersuggestedBOEMreleasethiskindofdataasearlyaspossible.Mr.FrancoisefromBOEMprovidedbackgroundonhowBOEMdecideswhentomakeinformationpublic.Withrespecttoidentifyingcallareas,BOEMprovidespublicnoticethroughthefederalregisteralongwithassociatedmaps.IfBOEMreceivesanunsolicitedleaserequest,itfirstanalyzestherequesttodetermineifitislegitimate,andthenpostsitpubliclyontheBOEMwebsite.Insuchinstances,BOEMcanmakesurethisinformationisaddedtotheportal.HepledgedthatBOEMwillseektoreleaseinformationassoonaspossiblewithinitsregulatoryframework.8.OffshoreSandResources:Thereisinitialdataonpotentialsandresourcesfromrecentinvestigations,butthereisn’tyetasandthemeontheportal.Thesandsubcommitteewilldecidewhatshouldbeincludedintheportal.Mr.NapolisuggestedthepotentialnextstepsforthisthemeinvolveupdatingtheportalasdirectedbytheNROCSandManagementSubcommittee.JeffreyReidenauer(BOEM)providedamoredetailedupdateonongoingSandSubcommitteecallsandmeetings.Thegroupcontinuestohavediscussionsaboutoffshoresandmanagement,andisworkingtodevelopamarinemineralsinformationsystemandconnectittotheportal.ThereisalsodatagatheredthroughHurricaneSandy-relatedstatecooperativeagreementsandfromanongoingAtlanticsandassessmentprojectthattheyhopetoincorporateintotheportal.Thelargestmissingpieceisstate-levelinformation.
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9.Restoration:Theportalcontainsalistofpotentialrestorationsites,whichneedstoberevisited.TheSubcommitteewillbereviewingthemapofpotentialprojects.StakeholderFeedbackMr.NapolireviewedstakeholderfeedbackontheseeffortsfromtheearlyMay2017RegionalOceanPlanningStakeholderForum.Withrespecttofishing,stakeholderssuggestedthattheRPBrevieweffortsbytheNewEnglandFisheriesScienceCentertocharacterizefishingactivityusingVMSandVTRdata,fillthegapindataonlobsterfishingareas,andconsiderapproachestouseVMS,AISorothersimilartechnologiestoobtaininformationonfisherieswithdatagaps.Foraquaculture,stakeholderssuggestedtheRPBconductoutreachtostatesandmunicipalitiesonusingtheportaltoensuredataareupdatedandtohelpinformaquaculturesiting.Forrecreation,stakeholdersencouragedtheRPBtoconsideradditionalwaysofusingtherecreationaldataandaffiliatedgroupstoengagestakeholdersduringplanimplementation.Forenergyandinfrastructure,stakeholdersaskedtheRPBtoconsidertheappropriatetimetoincludeareasrelatedtoagencyannouncementsontheportal,suchasnewWEAsorareaswhereunsolicitedbidshavebeensubmitted.AdditionalDiscussionRPBmembersofferedcommentsandquestionsonthedatalayers:
• Anumberofmembersinquiredastotheavailabilityofinformationcollectedbyoffshorewinddevelopers,suchasthelocationofshipwrecks,forinclusionontheportal,aswellasatwhatstageinthepermittingprocesspotentialwindenergyprojectsmightbemadepublicandnotedintheportal.DarrylFrancoisefromBOEMnotedthatinformationlikeshipwreckswouldlikelybemadepublic,butmostofthedatacollectedbydevelopersisproprietary.
• SomeoneaskedwhichdatasetstheRPBiscoordinatingwiththemid-Atlanticregion.Mr.NapolisaidthatcurrentlytheRPBisprimarilycoordinatingwiththemid-Atlanticoncommercialfishing,marinetransportation,andmarinelifedata.Forothertypesofdata,itiscoordinatingaroundthemethodsfordatacollection.
Mr.DiersaskedRPBmemberstoraiseanyfinalobjectionstothenextstepsaslaidoutbyMr.Napolianddiscussedbythegroup.Therewerenoobjections,sothesenextstepswereapproved.
Updatingmarinelife,habitat,andimportantecologicalarea(IEA)dataproductsEmilyShumchenia,contractstafftotheNortheastRPB,presentedprogressupdatingthemarinelifedata,habitatdata,anddataonareasofecologicalimportance,aswellaspotentialnextsteps.ShenotedthatafishbiomassdatasetforLongIslandSoundwasrecentlycompletedwiththeassistanceoftheConnecticutDepartmentofEnergyandEnvironmentalProtectionandwasaddedtotheportalinApril2017.Updatestodataonregionaleelgrasscoverageareunderwayandwilllikelybecompletedbytheendofsummer2017.Theyareupdatingother
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marinelifedatasetsaswell,andconsideringissueslikethetemporalrangeofdataandwhethertodropoutolderdatathatmaynolongerbeappropriate.TheRPBhasalsobeenworkingwiththeMarinelifeDataandAnalysisTeam(MDAT)toorganizeexistingdataanddevelopnewdraftproductsthatcouldapplytoeachoffivecomponentsoftheIEAframework.IEAsarehabitatareasandspecies,guilds,orcommunitiescriticaltoecosystemfunction,resilienceandrecovery.Thefivecomponentsare:
1. Areasofhighproductivity2. Areasofhighbiodiversity3. Areasofhighspeciesabundanceincludingareasofspawning,breeding,feeding,and
migratoryroutes4. Areasofvulnerablemarineresources5. Areasofraremarineresources
ThesefivecomponentsrepresentanextensionoftheexistingMarineLifeandHabitatdataontheportal.Eventually,theteamenvisionsaresourceof50-100peer-reviewedand-vetteddatasetsthatrepresentecologicallyimportantpatternsandhelpidentifydatagaps.Liketherestofthedataontheportal,thedatasetsshouldbeeasilyupdatedwithnewdataandinformation.Manyofthesedatasetsarealreadyincludedontheportal,buteachneedstobereviewedtodeterminewhichIEAcomponentitmostrelatesto.Somedataproductsnotyetontheportalstillneedtobereviewedtoevaluatesourcedataandmethods.Inaddition,theRPBhasdevelopedcategoriesofdatawithinthefivecomponents,whichneedtobereviewedtoensuretheyareeffectivelyorganizedandcomplete.ManyofthedatasetscurrentlyunderreviewarebeinghostedintheSeaSketchplatform,wheretheycanbevettedbyscientists.Indetermininghowbesttopresentthedata,theteamisevaluatingkeyquestionssuchasthefollowing:
• Forareasofhighproductivity(Component1),whichmetricbestrepresentsprimaryproductivity,andwhatistheappropriateanalysismethod?
• Forareasofhighbiodiversity(Component2),whatisdifferentaboutwhattheRichnessandSimpsonindicestellus,andisfunctionaldiversityausefulconcept?
• ForComponent3,areasofhighabundance,isitappropriatetocharacterizeabundanceatthetaxalevel,andwhatarethepros/consofthedifferentapproachestosummarizeabundance?
• ForComponent4,areasofvulnerablemarineresources,whatotherstressor-sensitivitygroupsshouldbedeveloped,andwhatotherspeciesandhabitatsareinherentlyvulnerablebecauseoftheirlifehistory?
• Forareasofraremarineresources(Component5),whatareouroptionstoaddressthemanydatagapsforthiscomponent,andhowcanraritybecalculatedmathematically?
Thesearechallengingquestionstoaddress,andRPBmembersandstaffhaveexpressedaneedformoretimetoaddressthem.RPBcontractstaffintendtogetfeedbackfromtheRPB,
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scientists,andstakeholdersontheseissuesbeforedevelopingthenextroundofdraftproductsanddeterminingprioritydiscussionanddecisionpointsforafallworkshop.AnRPBmemberspecificallyrequestedthattheybringinexpertsonRichnessandSimpsonindices.DuringtherecentStakeholderForum,stakeholdersprovidedfeedbackontheRPB’sIEAframeworkandongoingIEAefforts.Stakeholdersexpressedaninterestinhearingabouthownewdatacouldinformandupdatethemarinelifeandhabitatdataproducts,andlearningmoreabouttheprosandconsofdifferentdataproductsandmethods.TheyalsoexpressedinterestinunderstandingmoreabouthowIEAproductsmighthelpidentifydatagaps,andexpressedadesiretostayinformedontheRPB’sprogress.DiscussionAnRPBmemberaskedthefollowingadditionalquestions,withresponsesfromRPBcontractstaffinitalics:
• Howis“vulnerability”defined?Isoceantemperatureandoceanacidificationconsideredpartof“vulnerability”?Theyarethinkingofvulnerabilitybothintermsstressor-basedsensitivityandaninherentvulnerabilityconcept.Forstressor-basedvulnerability,theyarelookingatdataincludedinthePlan,suchasmarinemammalssensitivitytosound,andtheriskofcollisionanddisplacementfromoffshorewindforavianspecies.Forfishingvulnerability,theyhavelookedathabitatvulnerabilitydatadevelopedbytheNEFMC,andareconsideringapplyingestimatesfromtheNOAAclimatevulnerabilitystudytotheirfishbiomassdata.Theyareinterestedincollectingmorestudiesthatassignavulnerabilityscoreorrank,orthatcharacterizevulnerabilityspatially.
• Inlookingatvulnerability,hastherebeenanyreviewofstatewildlifeactionplansandtheircomponentsonmarinestressors?Theyhavenotworkedwiththestressorsidentifiedinthoseplans,buttheyhavecompiledasinglelistofstates’endangered,rare,andthreatenedspeciesasadataproductrelevanttoComponent5.
Someoneaskedaboutthesustainabilityoftheportal,inparticularwhatwillhappentotheportalafterfundingrunsoutbytheendof2017,andwhethertherearedatasharingagreementsinplacethatwillinvolveothersupdatingthedataoreffortstomakethedataself-updating.Mr.Napolisuggestedthatthemostbasicstrategyistoincreasestates’andagencies’responsibilitiesforupdatingvariousdatastreams.RPBstaffcanthenworkoncreatingsmallextravalueproductsattheendofthedatastreams,viagrantfunding.TheMarineCadastrewillbeanimportantcomponentofthisapproach.AnRPBmemberaddedthatstatesandagenciesneedtodiscusssharingresourcestoassistagenciesthatmaynothavethecapacitytoupdatethedata.PotentialNextStepsMs.ShumchenianotedthefollowingpotentialnextstepsfortheRPBondevelopingdataforeachoftheIEAcomponents:
• ProvideaccesstodraftIEAdataproductsandmethods(inprogress);
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• Continueobtainingfeedbackondraftproductsandmethods;• Incorporatefeedbackanddevelopreviseddraftproducts;• Hostapublicworkshopinthefalltoobtaininputonkeymethodologicalquestionsthat
areidentifiedduringtheexpertandstakeholderreviewperiod;and• ConsideringrecentRPBandpublicdiscussions,focusondevelopingarangeofdatasets
andinformationtosupportamorecompletecharacterizationofeachIEAComponent.Shenotedthattheseitemscouldbecompletedthisfallorwinter.Shealsonotedherpreferenceforthephrase“ComponentsofEcologicalImportance”ratherthanIEAs.RPBmembersdiscussedthesesuggestednextstepsandofferedfeedback.TherewasasuggestionthattheRPBconsiderbeginningtodiscusswhatapplicationsitseesfortheinformationitcollectsonIEAs.Othermemberssuggestedamorefluidapproach,inwhichtheRPBdevelopssyntheticproductsthatallowthemtolookatproblemsinnewways,andthenopensupaconversationwiththebroaderworldonhowtheseproductsmightbeused.OnecommentbroughtupaspecificexampleofhowraritydataproductsmightbeusedinconnectionwithSection7consultations.AnothersuggestedthattheRPB’sobligationisnottodeterminehowtousetheseproducts,butrathertogothroughasystematicprocesspointingtocomponentsofecologicalimportance,developingsyntheticproducts,andthenbeingtransparentaboutthelimitationsofthedataandcautioningusersonwhatmightbeinappropriateusesoftheproducts.Mr.Dierscheckedwiththegrouptoconfirmthateveryonewasonboardwiththeproposednextsteps,andtherewerenoobjections.
PlanPerformance:Progress&proposednextstepstodevelopanapproachforevaluatingtheRPB’simplementationofthePlanMr.Napolipresentedadraftapproachformonitoringplanperformanceandecosystemhealth,andpotentialnextsteps.TherearetwomaintracksofmonitoringandevaluationactivitydiscussedintheOceanPlan.OnetrackinvolvesPlanperformancemonitoring,ormeasuringprogresstowardimplementingandachievingthePlan’sgoalsandobjectives.Anothertrackinvolvesecosystemhealthmonitoringandevaluation,ormeasuringchangesintheecosystem,includinghumanactivities,toidentifyissuesthatmayrequiremanagementattention.Forthislattertypeofmonitoringandevaluation,theOceanHealthIndexandtheIntegratedSentinelMonitoringNetworkbothofferpotentialopportunities.Withrespecttoplanperformancemonitoring,theRPBhasdevelopedaninitialapproachformonitoringtheplan’sperformance,whichincludesthefollowingprinciples:
• RelatePlanperformanceindicatorstoPlanoutcomes,goals,objectives,andactions(or
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implementationactivities)• Establishabaseline• Balancespecificitywithavailabilityofinformation• Establishfewerbutmoreeffectiveindicatorsratherthanmanyindicators(i.e.value
simplicity)• Obtainpublicinput• EnsureindicatorsinformwhetherPlanamendmentsorupdatesarenecessary
ThedraftapproachalsogroupsPlanactionsintofourmajorcategories:
• Maintainandupdatedata• Informregulatoryandmanagementdecisions• Enhanceagencycoordination• Advanceregionalscienceandresearchpriorities
Foreachofthesecategories,thedraftapproachidentifiesrelevantactionsfromthePlan,includesdraftoutcomeseitherdirectlyquotedorderivedfromthePlan,andidentifiesrelevantgoalsandobjectives.Mr.Napolisummarizedfeedbackobtainedfromstakeholdersattherecentstakeholderforum,whichincludedthefollowingsuggestions:
• TheRPBshouldensuretheplanperformancemonitoringapproachtracksstakeholderengagementinboth(1)theindividualregulatoryandmanagementprocessesthatareinformedbythePlanand(2)theRPB’sbroaderplanningandimplementationprocess.
• TheRPBshouldconsiderusingconcretedeadlinesforachievingplanoutcomes.ItshouldalsoconsiderthedifferencebetweenoutputsandoutcomesassociatedwiththePlan.
• PotentialmetricsorindicatorscouldincludestakeholdersatisfactionwiththePlanandPlanimplementation,levelofengagementofdifferentstakeholdergroups,suchascommercialandrecreationalfishing,andpermittingtimelinesandchangesinregulatorybehavior.
DiscussionRPBmembersofferedcommentsandquestionstouchingonanumberofthemes,summarizedbelow.Staffing:Itwouldbehelpfultoinvolveauniversityinplanperformancemonitoring,andmastersstudentsresearchingtheirtheses.ItwasalsonotedthatRPBinvolvementinplanperformancemonitoringwillbeessential.RPBmembershaveexperiencedwithperformanceindicatorsandwillhaveinsightsonwhatispossibleandwhatishelpful.ItwillbeimportanttofindawaytoattributeimprovementsinagencybehaviorstothePlanwithoutaddingnewburdens.Agenciesalreadydoalotoftracking,sothiseffortshouldconnecttodatathatisalreadybeingcompiled.
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Tribalconsultations:Atribalrepresentativeexpressedinterestindevelopingmeasuresthatmighttrackagencyconsultations,engagementswithdevelopers,andresponsestorequestsfortribalperspectivesonpermitapplications.Theircurrentrecordkeepingisveryadhoc.Anyworkgrouponplanperformancemonitoringshouldhavetribalrepresentation,andMs.Vennovolunteeredtoparticipate.JenniferMcCarthy,USACE,notedthattheArmyCorpstrackstribalconsultations;atribalrepresentativesuggestedthatitisalsoimportanttotrackthevalueoftheseconsultationsfromthetribalperspective.Fundingresearchpriorities:ThereislanguageinthePlancallingforcollaborationwiththeWhiteHouseSubcommitteeonOceanScienceandTechnologyandtheNationalOceanographicPartnershipProgram.Partnershipwiththoseentitiesmightcreateopportunitiesforfederalfundingtoaddressdatagapsandscienceneeds.TheRPBrecentlyprovidedtestimonytotheWhiteHouseSubcommitteeonsciencegapsidentifiedinthePlan.However,thereisnoformalprocessorworkinggroupatpresentworkingonidentifyingscienceandresearchpriorities.Memberssuggestedthatsuchaworkgroupwouldbehelpful,buttheRPBdoesnotcurrentlyhavesufficientresourcestoconveneandmanageit.Membersnotedthatadditionalfederalfundingwouldbeextremelyhelpful,butthatthePresident’sbudgetsuggestsitmightnotbeforthcoming.OtherssuggestedtheRPBshouldremainflexibleandreadyforopportunitiesastheyarise.ABOEMrepresentativehighlightedBOEM’sfive-yearenvironmentalstudiesprogramfortheoutercontinentalshelf,whichhasanannualcallforinformationandisintendedtosupportBOEM’sefforts.AnothermembersuggestedthattheRPBmightconsidernewpartnershipstosharetheburdenofitsworkthroughadistributednetwork.Forexample,intheCascoBayEstuariesPartnership,membersareaskedtobringtheirownresourcestotableinsteadofrelyingsolelyonfederalgovernmentfunding.TheRPBmighttrytodevelopasharedagendawithgroupslikeSeaGrantortheRegionalAssociationforResearchontheGulfofMainetodrawinresourcesforitsresearchpriorities.PotentialnextstepsMr.NapolihighlightedthefollowingpotentialnextstepsforPlanperformancemonitoring:
• Evaluatepublicengagementwithineachofthemainactioncategories• Obtainadditionalinputonhowtomeasurepublicengagementinspecificregulatory
processesandinthebroaderplanningprocess• OrganizetheRPBaroundthemajoractioncategorieswithaleadorco-leadsforeach• Foreachcategory
• IdentifyindividualactionsfromthePlan• Determineintendedoutcomesfromthesuiteofactions• Developindicators,includingaqualitativeorquantitativebaselineforeach,and
developprocessesforRPBorganizationstoreportonprogress• Developoptionsforcommunicatingprogressanddetermininghowresultscaninform
Planamendmentsandupdatesand/orrevisionstoPlangoals/objectives/actions
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Inresponsetothislistofnextsteps,Ms.NicholsonreportedthatNOAAisinterestedinhelpingmoveforwardtheactioncategoriesrelatedtoinformingregulatoryandmanagementdecisionsandenhancingagencycoordination.NOAAwouldliketoimproveourunderstandingofhowtoholdagenciesaccountable,supportagencybestpractices,anddevelopcommonexpectationsaboutwhatagenciesshouldbedoing.AUSACErepresentativealsovolunteeredtohelp.ThisresultedinUSACEandNOAAagreeingtoco-leadaworkgrouptoadevelopplanperformanceframeworkforthebestpracticesandactionsfromthePlanthatrelatetoenhancingagencycoordinationandinformingregulatoryandmanagementdecisions.Someonestatedthattherearegroupsalreadyestablishedtohelpwithrenewingandupdatingdata,soaperformancemonitoringframeworktotrackthemaintenanceofprioritydatasetswillinvolvethoseexistingparties.Membersstatedthatthereneedstobeadditionaleffortstodeterminetheeffectivenessoftribalinvolvement,federalimplementationofthePlan,andpublicparticipation.AmembersuggestedthattheRPBneedstotalkmoreabouthowtofacilitatepublicparticipation.Mr.Dierscheckedwiththegrouptoconfirmthateveryonewasonboardwiththeproposednextsteps,andtherewerenoobjections.
MonitoringEcosystemChange:ProposednextstepsfordevelopinganOceanHealthIndex(OHI)fortheNortheastBenHalpern,theOceanHealthIndex(OHI)TeamLead,providedanoverviewoftheworkplantodevelopaNortheastOHIandpotentialnextsteps.TheNortheastOHIrepresentsoneapproachformonitoringandevaluatingecosystemhealthascalledforinthePlan.TheOHIteamhasacquireditsownresourcesandhasitsownstaffingtocompleteaNortheastOHI,butwantstoensuretheOHIisinformedbytheRPBandregionalstakeholderstoensureitisusefulfortheregion.Mr.HalpernsaidhisteamisworkingonansweringtwoquestionsthroughconsultationswithstakeholdersandtheRPB:WhatdoweneedtodotoadapttheOHItothisregion,tocaptureitsuniqueness,andhowwillwetrackchangesinoceanhealthmovingforwardovertime?HethenprovidedabriefoverviewoftheOHImethodology.Themethodologyincludesasimplebutcarefullyconsidereddefinitionforahealthyocean:Ahealthyoceansustainablydeliversarangeofbenefitstopeoplenowandinthefuture.Thisdefinitionguideswhattheymeasure.Inlightofthisdefinition,theOHIseekstoidentifythebenefitsthatpeoplederivefromahealthyocean.Theyhaveidentifiedtencategoriesofbenefitsorgoals:foodprovision,artisanalfishingopportunities,naturalproducts,carbonstorage,coastalprotection,tourismandrecreation,livelihoodsandeconomies,senseofplace,cleanwaters,andbiodiversity.Tomeasureoceanhealth,theylookatboththecurrentstatusandfuturetrendsforeachofthesegoals.Theyassignascoreforeachgoal,andthencombinethesescoresintoasinglenumber.
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Peoplehavedifferentperspectivesonthevalueofusingasinglescore,butitdoesprovideausefulcommunicationtool.Asaresultofitseightyearsofexperience,theOHIteamhasbecomemuchmoreefficientinitswork.IthasavarietyofresourcestobringtobearinhelpingentitiesdeveloptheirownOHIs,includingscience,softwaredevelopment,training,andwebdesignanddevelopment.Mr.HalpernthenreviewedhowtheOHIcouldbetailoredtotheNortheastregion.Currently,histeamisworkingtogatherregionaldataandinformation.Then,byearlyfall,theywillconveneaworkshopwiththeRPBandinterestedpartiestoconsiderreportingregions,goalsandbenefitstobeincludedintheassessment.Theywillthencontinuewithdatacollection,holdaworkshopondraftmethodsandreferencepoints,andthencalculatethescores.Inidentifyingreportingregions,theytrytobalancebiophysicalboundarieswithmanagementboundaries,andconsiderthescaleatwhichdecisionsaremade.Thephilosophyistocaptureinformationatasfinearesolutionasmakesense.TheyhaveidentifiedasetofdraftreportingregionsfortheNortheastandareseekingfeedbackonthem.TheyhavealsomadeaninitialattempttotranslatetheOceanPlan’sprioritiesintoOHIgoals.Theirlistincludesgoalsandmeasuresfor:biodiversity,senseofplaceandidentity,coastallivelihoodsandeconomies,seafoodprovision,tourismandrecreation,naturalproducts,coastalprotectionandcarbonstorage,artisanalresourceaccessopportunities,andcleanwaters.TheyalsoidentifiedtwoadditionalOHImeasures:resilience,andpressures.Theyreceivedfeedbackfromstakeholdersduringtherecentstakeholderforum,includingthefollowingsuggestions:
• Considertheprosandconsofusingthe3-milelineforfederalwaters• IncluderepresentativesofNewYorkindiscussionsconsideringthepotentialsouthern
andwesternboundaries• ConsiderusingtheentireNortheastasasingleregion,sincewehavealready
establishedthegeneralplanningarea• Considerusingdifferentareasfordifferentgoals• Ensurethisisaregion-wideeffortwithbroadinput• Beclearaboutthespecificquestionsandtimelineforstakeholderinput
StakeholdersalsoexpressedconcernaboutthecommitmentrequiredtoimplementtheOHI,andaboutwhethergoalscoringwillbemeaningfulfordecision-makingandcommunicationpurposesormakeuslosesightofactualtradeoffs,orriskmaximizingonegoalattheothers’expense.DiscussionRPBmembersaskedthefollowingquestionsinresponsetoMr.Halpern’spresentation.ResponsesfromMr.Halpernareinitalics:
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• Doyoutrytoanticipateclimatechangeandhowitmaychangetheindex?Wedonotforecastclimatechange,butyoumayforecastitifyouwantto.Thiswouldinvolvedecidingonamodelforhowtheworldwilllookinthefuture.Thechallengeisweknowverylittleabouthowclimatechangewillaffectthingslikethecoastaleconomy,andotheroceanbenefitsthatwemeasure.
• Howdoyoucreatethescoresforeachgoal?Isthereateamthatdevelopsaconsensus?Itisaquantitativeprocessinformedbydataandindicators.Firstyoudetermineyourobjectiveortarget,andthendeterminequantitativelyhowcloseyouaretothatobjective.
• Whatprocessdoyouusetodecidehowtoweighttheimportanceofthevariousgoalstowardsthefinalscore?Wedefaulttoequalweighing.Ifthereisaninterestinunequalweighting,weworkwithdecisionscientists,andengagewithstakeholdersacrossawidespectrumthroughaniterativeprocesstoidentifytheweighting,andtrytocometoaconsensus.
• Haveanyoftheassessmentsyouhavedonebeeninformedbyindigenousinput,andifsocanyousharetheexamples?Yes,theBritishColumbiaassessmenthasbeenverymuchinformedbyindigenousinput.Itisnotyetcomplete,butwewillbehappytosharetheprocessandlessonslearned.OtherprojectswithindigenousinputincludePalau,Indonesia,andtheHawaiianislandofKauai.
RPBmembersofferedthefollowingadditionalcommentsontheOHIanditsimplementation:
• ThelevelofRPBinvolvementwiththeOHIshouldbemoderatetohigh.TheRPBshouldnotsimplystepbackandlettheconsultantsfigureitout.
• ItwouldbehelpfultoworkwithinexistingRPBframeworksratherthancreatingsomethingnewanddifferent.
• Theprocessshouldaccountfortribalperspectivesandinvolvetribesinprovidinginformationonhowtheecosystemhaschangedoveralongerperiodoftime.
Mr.Halpernexpressedagreementwiththeideaoftappingintoexistingprocessesandframeworks,involvingtribes,andcapturingtribalinformation.PotentialNextStepsMr.NapolihighlightedthefollowingpotentialnextstepsfortheOHI:
• RPBtodeterminelevelofinvolvementintheimplementationoftheOHIforthenortheast
• OHIteamtohostaworkshoptoobtaininputonreportingregionsandgoalsetting• DetermineOHIreportingregions• DeterminegoalsforthenortheastOHIthatconsiderPlanpriorities• Engageregionalscientistsandcollectdatatoinformassessmentsforeachgoal
Mr.NapolinotedthatthegrouphadexpressedinterestinengagingwiththeOHI,butitwouldbehelpfultounderstandmoreaboutwhatthatmeansonthespectrumfrominformingto
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directingaspectsofthedataandscience.Inresponsetothislistofnextsteps,RPBmembersofferedcommentsontheoptimalrelationshipbetweentheRPBandtheOHI.Commentsemphasizedtheimportanceofinvolvingthepublic,thescientificcommunity,andtribestoavoidpublicskepticismandtakeadvantageoftribes’traditionalecologicalknowledge.OthercommentssuggestedtheRPBtakeamiddlegroundapproachinworkingontheOHI.Membersofferedthefollowingsuggestions:
• TheRPBmightplayaroleinhelpingensuretherightpeopleattendtheOHIworkshop.• TheRPBshouldsteerthoseworkingdirectlyontheOHItotherightdatasets,butshould
notbedirectlyinvolvedinissueslikeputtingweightsondifferenttargets.• TheRPBshouldbeopentoengaging,andhelpfacilitatestakeholderinvolvement,butit
shouldbecarefulnottointerferewiththestructuretheOHIteamhasdeveloped.• TheRPBshouldcontinuetospotlightandsupporttheSentinelMonitoringNetwork,
whichisalsoanextremelyimportanteffort.• TheRPBshouldmakesureithasanopportunitytoco-developtheOHIgoals,andit
shouldbeeasyforRPBmemberstoshowupandparticipateinOHIworkshops.OthermemberscommentedontheusefulnessofOHIasatool,butexpressedcautiononhowitsoutputsgetreported.OnemembersuggestedthattheOHIwillbeausefultoolforoutreachandeducation,andfillsanimportantgapinthePlanregardingthestateoftheNewEnglandcoast.Butthememberalsorecommendedusingarrowsupordowntoindicateprogressratherthanassigningasinglenumberforthegoalsandtotheoceanhealthoverall.Mr.GroverFugatefromtheRhodeIslandCoastalResourcesManagementCouncilnotedthathisagencyhasdevelopedtoolsandpredictivemodelstoshowwhattheshorelinewilllooklikeinthefuture.Hesuggestedthattherewillbesignificantchangesinthefuture,andtheOHIshouldtrytoforecastwhatwillhappenandconsiderwhatwewillneedtodotogetwherewewanttogoinlightofthesecomingchanges.AnothermembercommentedthatitwillbeimportanttoemphasizethattheOHIisnotaverdictonthesuccessofthePlan.ElementsofthePlanandthestateandfederalagenciesinvolvedmayhavenoimmediateinfluenceonmanyoftheOHIgoals.MemberssawarolefortheRPBinhelpingshapethereportingregionsandthegoals,andinengaginginongoingcommunicationwiththeOHIteamtoarticulatetherelationshipbetweenthePlanandtheOHI.MembersalsosawarolefortheRPBinhelpingwithstakeholderengagement–bothregionallyandineachstate.Inlightofthesecomments,Mr.Dierssuggestedthattheco-leadswouldleadaworkgrouptofurtherclarifytheRPB’sroleinguidingthedevelopmentofaNortheastOHIinadvanceofafallworkshop.
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RPBDiscussionandDecisionsAbouttheWorkPlanThrough2017Mr.NapoliofferedasummaryoftheRPBdiscussionanddecisionsontheworkplanthrough2017.Henotedthefollowing:
• Foroceanactivitydata,workgroupsrelatedtofishing,marinetransportation,recreation,andotherexistinggroupswillinformupdatestooceanactivitydataproductsandhowtheRPBengagesrelatedstakeholders.
• Fordataproductsrelatedtomarinelife,habitat,andthecomponentsofecologicalimportance,theRPBwillprovidepublicaccesstodraftdataproductsandthemethodologicalquestionstheRPBistryingtoanswer.TheRPBwillsummarizeanyfeedbackcollectedbytheendofAugust,revisethedraftdataproducts,andholdaworkshopinthefalltoreviewreviseddraftproducts.
• Forplanperformance,theRPBwilltrackthemaintenanceofprioritydatasetsthroughexistinggroupsthatarealreadyupdatingthosedataproducts.Additionally,USACEandNOAAwillco-leadaworkgrouptotracktheimplementationofbestpracticesrelatedtoinformingregulatoryandmanagementdecisionsandenhancingagencycoordination.
• ForOHI,theco-leadswillconveneadiscussiontoincludetheexistingworkgroupandotherswhoareinterestedtoinformnextsteps.ChuckieGreenwillparticipateasatribalrepresentative.ThediscussionwillfocusonfleshingouttheRPB’srelationshiptoOHIandrelatedmessaging,andoninformingthedevelopmentofafallworkshop,whichwillincludedecisionsaboutOHIreportingregionsandOHIgoalsetting.
• TheRPBwillholditsnextmeetinginlatefall,likelyinNovember.AnRPBmembersuggestedthatitwouldbeimportanttoengagethepublicagainbeforetheNovemberRPBmeeting,andsuggestedhostingawebinar.Othermembersagreedthatawebinarwouldbehelpful.Mr.DiersconcludedthemeetingbythankingRPBmembersandthepublicfortravelingtotheeventandparticipatingsoactively,andNOAAforprovidingthevenue.
PublicCommentThereweretwopubliccommentsessionsduringthemeeting,oneimmediatelyafterlunchaddressingthemorningsession,andonelaterintheafternoonaddressingtheeveningsession.Thefollowingcommentswereofferedduringthefirstsession.Commentsfromthesecondsessionareaddressedfurtherbelow:BrentGreenfield,NationalOceanPolicyCoalitionTheNortheastOceanPlanincludesacommitmenttodevelopandreviewa“detailedimplementationplan”in2016orearly2017toprepareforplanimplementation.Theoverview
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andpotentialnextstepsthathavebeenpresentedarehelpful,buttheyarelackingimportantdetailsonfundingsourcesandtimingforotherproposedactionsnotrelatedtotheportal.TheNationalOceanPolicyCoalitionurgestheRPBtocompilethedetailedimplementationplancalledforintheOceanPlanandmakeitavailableforpublicreviewandcommentbeforemakingdecisionson2017implementationactions.WithrespecttoeffortstoincorporatethePlanintoCoastalZoneManagementActactivity,anyproposedCZMAactionsshouldbeactedupononlyaftertheyhavebeenvettedthroughpubliccommentreviewandpublicengagement.Givenagencycommitmentstofullyexplaintheportalinagencydecision-making,andtomakepubliclyavailableimplementinginstructions,theCoalitionurgesallRPBagenciestoformallypublishtheirimplementinginstructionsthroughnoticeandcommentprocedures,andexplainhowtheyareusingthePlanindecision-making,beforefinaldecisionsaremade.AllsuchguidanceshouldbecompiledandmadeavailableonRPBwebsite.Itiscriticalthattheregulatedoceanusergroupcommunityfullyunderstandhowagenciesmayusetheseproductsindecision-making,andthatthisinformationismadeavailablesimultaneouswithdraftreview,notafterproductshavebeenreviewedandfinalized.Inaddition,legalandeconomicanalysesthatexaminethepotentialconsequencesandstatutorybasesforfederalapplicationanduseoftheseproductsshouldbedevelopedandputoutforpublicreviewbeforetheseproductsarefinalized.NickBattista,TheIslandInstituteTheIslandInstituteconductedthefirstfisheriescharacterizationforNROCandhasdonelobstercharacterizationforMainefisheries.WhiletheNortheastDataPortaldoesabetterjobshowingthespatialfootprintofthefishery,MARCO’sfisheriesdatadoesagoodjobtyingfisheriesbacktocommunities.Theirdataallowsyoutounderstandwhatcommunitiesmaybefishinginwhichlocations.Therearealotofwaysyoucananalyzeandinterpretthedata,dependingonthequestionsyourtryingtoanswer.However,neithertheMARCOnortheNortheastdatasetssaysanythingaboutwhatfishermenaredoinginaparticularplace,whytheyarethere,whyanareamightbeimportant,andwhatwouldhappeniftheycouldn’tbethere.Thedatasetsdon’tpointoutifanareaisimportantforaparticularcommunityduringaparticulartimeofyear,forexampleifnothavingaccessinAprilmeansacommunitywillnotbeabletomakemoneythatmonth.Wewouldlikethatkindofinformationtobeconsideredinthisprocess.Forlobstercharacterization,we’vestartedarticulatingaframeworkforhavingaconversationwiththelobsterfisheryontrendsandchangesacrossthefisheryandfishermen’sconcernsaboutcompetingoceanspace,insteadoffocusingonwhoisfishingwhere.Thelobsterindustryislargeandcomplex.It'sthesinglemostvaluablespecieslandedintheU.S.,andalmostallofitcomesfromNewEnglandwaters.InMainealonethereare260,000commercialfishingtripsforlobster,whichismoretripsthanallthefisheriesforanyotherstateontheEastCoast.One
NortheastRegionalPlanningBodySpring2017MeetingSummary
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communityinMainehas200milesofshoreline,whichisequivalenttohalftheshorelineofRhodeIsland.ThreecommunitiesinMaineland$114millionworthoflobsterayear,whichisthesamesizeasallthecommercialfisheriesinNewHampshire,RhodeIsland,andConnecticut.Asafixedgearfishery,lobsterisadifficultfisherytomap.Itishardtoaskeveryoneintheindustrytoputtrackersontheirboatswithoutbeingabletotellthemwhatyou’regoingtodowiththedata.Inaddition,itwouldbehelpfultohavenulldatasetindataportal.There’snothingintheportalthatsayslobsterisn’there.Thatinformationisinthemetadataandthecaveatsbutyouneedtogoandreadthosetoaccessit.Overall,fisheriesarehappytoseethemapsintheDataPortal,buttheywantthosemapstorepresentthebeginningoftheconversationnottheend.TheywantagenciesandtheRPBtotalktothemaboutthephysicalandenvironmentalfactorsthatleadthemtofishinaparticularlocation.BillKiley,BostonWaterandSewerCommissionIconductresearchintoavenuesforusesandopportunitiesfortheBostonHarborarea.Inmyresearch,Iampuzzledbythelackofaquacultureinthecountryasawhole.Aquaculturecanbeunobtrusive,doesnotaffectnavigation,andisbenevolent.Itcleansthewater,providesfood,providesjobs,andhelpstheeconomy.Chinahas60percentofaquacultureanditsbiggestmarketistheU.S.Theseareseriouseconomicissues.Developingaquaculturecouldbeawin-win.Itcancreatehabitatthatwe’velost.Iurgethefederalagenciestoworktohelpcreatethishugeindustrythathassomanyupsides.Itistimeandcapitalintensivetogetstartedwithaquaculture,andthereareopportunitiesforEPA,NOAA,andthefisheriesservicetohelpabenevolentfield.Itcancreatesearisebarriers,endlessfood,andwealthforthecountry.IwanttoseefederalandMassachusettsagenciesworktodevelopthiscrucialindustry.Thefollowingcommentswereofferedduringthesecondpubliccommentsession,addressingtheafternoonsession:HeatherLeslie,UniversityofMaineDarlingMarineCenterIhaveanumberofcomments.First,congratulationstoyouall.Ican’ttellyouhowproudIamtobepartoftheregionthatgotthisacrossthefinishlinefirst.IhavebeentalkingabouttheRPBtoscientistsaroundtheworldthepastfewmonths,whereverpeoplehavequestionsabouthowtomakeecosystembasedmanagement(EBM)real.Thereisalotofexcitementandinterestinwhatyouaredoing.Second,Iwanttoaddressthethreadofsustainability—howwesustainthisworkmovingforward.InthecontextoftheDataPortalandOHI,weneedtotransitionfromthegreatheavyliftingofthepastfewyearstoamoresustainedlifttomakegoodontheaspirationsofthePlanforthenextcoupleofdecades.Thequestionishowwetakethatframeworkandstarttocultivatemorecapacity.Ihaveheardyoutalkingaboutcultivatingstaffandagencycapacity.I’m
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heretosaytherearehundredsorthousandsofscientistswhowilldrivetomeetingslikethisifyoucancommunicatewhatyouneedfromthem.Ifyouusemeasaconduittoconveyyourneeds,Icantalktostudentsaboutpossibleprojects.Byreachingouttothesciencecommunity,wecanconnectwithscientistswhocangatherrecreationaldata.Mostofmycolleagueswon’tshowupatmeetingslikethisunlessthereisaclearrequest.Ifwecanworktogethertocraftthoserequests,Ithinkyou’llbesurprisedatthelevelofengagement.Thirdandfinally,Iwanttoechowhat’sbeensaidaboutthevalueofscalingdowntogetsomeofthisworkdone.InMaine,we’reinarelativelydatapoorregion,anddownscalingwillbecritical.YoushouldthinkofasmallerspatialscalethanthewholeregiontoshowthevalueoftheDataPortalandOHI.Thatwillmakeiteasiertogetcommunityandscienceengagement.RebeccaClarkUchenna,TheIslandInstituteIalsowanttocongratulatetheRPBforstickingwiththis.I’vebeenworkingwithtwoschoolsinMaine.OneisamiddleschoolinNorthport.TheotherisinLongIslandMaine,inCascoBay.Wehaveworkedwithchildreningradesthreetofive,introducingthemtotheconceptofoceanplanningandtotheOceanDataPortal.ThestudentshavebeenworkingwiththeDataPortalformostoftheschoolyear.Theirworkhasresultedinalotofgreatmaps.Westartedwithdeepconversationsabouthowtheoceanhaschanged,andwhattheypredictwillhappen.Inbothschoolswefocusedonaquaculture,andareengagedinsugarkelpaquaculture.Wearecurrentlygoingthroughthepermittingprocess.Thisworkisprovidingthemwithastrongsciencebackground.Theoceanplanningworldcombinesscience,policy,andoceanstewardshipallinonepackage.Throughthiswork,I’velearnedtwokeylessons.First,thestudentsareabletoworkeffectivelythroughhardconcepts.Second,theyarelisteningtous.Thereisalotoffearrightnow.TheDataPortalisreallyencouraging,andgivesstudentsasenseofhopethatwe’retakingcareofouroceansBrentGreenfield,NationalOceanPolicyCoalitionTherewasadiscussiontodayonsomeofthelimitationsandcaveatsondatasetsacknowledgedinthePlandocuments.IrequestthatthePlanperformancemonitoringandevaluationdocumentberolledintothedraftoutcomes.Forexample,aspartofthedraftoutcome,thesectionsonmaintainingandupdatingthedata,informingregulatoryandmanagementdecisions,andenhancedagencycoordinationshouldallincludeaclearcommunicationandrecognitionofdatauncertainty,limitationsandcaveats,andtheneedforthistobeanonbindingsourceofinformation.Finally,ourmembershavecontinuedconcernsaboutagenciesusingtheOHIinaregulatorysetting,giventhatwehaven’tyetseenitappliedinthatsetting.
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ValerieNelson,WaterAllianceWearehappywiththeplans,andseelotsofrobustthingsinthere.ThePlanisnotatemplateforaggressiveresourceextraction,whichisgreat.TherearethingsmentionedinthePlanthatareofgreatconcerntothepublicinGloucester,includingsandandgravelmining,aquaculture,andwind.ItishardtoknowwhoontheRPBisdoingwhat,andtoknowwhenthereisanopportunityforthepublictogetinvolved.TherewasrobustpublicparticipationinthecreationofthePlan,butnowwehaverevertedbacktoimpenetrablebureaucraticcommittees.Wehavegraveconcernsabouthowaquaculture,sandandgravelwillaffectfishingportslikeGloucester.WithrespecttotheOHI,theideaoftendifferentmeasures,andthattheoceanisn’tjustaboutprofitmaking,isamajorstepforward.Theseareelementsofaverycomplexsystem.Ihopeitispossibletoworkwiththepublicandotherstakeholdersonunderstandingwhattheoceanisasasystem,soitisnotjustadrynumericalexercise.Itwouldbehelpfultolookatwhichofthosetengoalsarecausal,andwhichareoutcomes.InGloucesterwe’relookingatourstory,andwemightgetanNEAgranttotellit.Thatstorydrivesourcommitmenttosustainablefisheriesandcleanwater.Itispossiblethatotherswouldseesenseofplaceasanoutcome,butwebelieveitisprobablythemostfundamentalfactor.Wemaybeinourcurrentpoliticalsituationbecauseofalackofunderstandingofthemeaningactualpeopleassigntothings.Peoplevotedoutoffrustrationthatthere’snomeaningdrivingthebureaucracy.Weneedmoretalkaboutwhatthesystemreallyis,itsdrivers,andhowtousesystemsunderstandingtoprioritizetheupwardarrowsthatlatercanhavespinoffeffects.Thepublic,especiallyinGloucester,wouldbeveryinterestedinthiskindofsystemsapproach.MelissaGates,SurfriderSurfriderisanenvironmentalnonprofitthatworkstoprotectoceanwavesandbeaches.Thankyoufortheworkyouhavedonetogetuswhereweare.IhavesomeseriousconcernsaboutusingthestakeholderworkinggroupsatthestateleveltodiveintotheOHI.InMaine,theRPBhasbeenverywelcomingtoparticipationbyrecreationalstakeholders,butIhavenotseenthatasfullyinotherstates.InMassachusetts,thereareOceanAdvisoryCouncilseatsmandatedbylaw,butrecreationisnotoneofthoseseats.Inaddition,alotofthefocusinthosemeetingshasbeenonstate-basedplans,nottheregionalprocess.FortheOHI,itisveryimportanttogetwidestakeholderfeedback,includingfromthoseofusewhosurf,whoworkonthewater,wholiveinourcoastalcommunities,andwhogotothebeach.Ihopetherewillbeahybridapproach.SurfrideralsosupportsahybridapproachforOHIandtheSentinelMonitoringNetwork.Wewouldlovetohearmoreaboutthatinthefuture.
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Appendices
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AppendixA:MeetingAttendanceRegionalPlanningBodyMembersFederalAgenciesJoseAtangan,U.S.Navy,JointChiefsofStaffMelvilleCote,U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,Region1MicheleDesAutels,U.S.CoastGuardDarrylFrancois,BureauofOceanEnergyManagementSimonGore,U.S.DepartmentofEnergyJenniferMcCarthy,U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers,NewEnglandDistrictBetsyNicholson,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationChrisTompsett,U.S.Navy,U.S.DepartmentofDefenseR.PhouVongkhamdy,USDepartmentofAgricultureNaturalResourceConservationServiceNewEnglandFisheryManagementCouncilMarkAlexander,NewEnglandFisheryManagementCouncilStatesBruceCarlisle,MassachusettsOfficeofCoastalZoneManagementTedDiers,NewHampshireDepartmentofEnvironmentalServicesDavidPierce,MassachusettsDivisionofMarineFisheriesKathrynFord,MassachusettsDivisionofMarineFisheriesGroverFugate,RICoastalResourcesManagementCouncilKathleenLeyden,MaineDepartmentofAgriculture,ConservationandForestry,MaineCoastal
ProgramMeredithMendelson,MaineDepartmentofMarineResourcesBrianThompson,ConnecticutDepartmentofEnergyandEnvironmentalProtectionTribalGeorge(Chuckie)Green,MashpeeWampanoagTribalCouncilElizabethJamesPerry,WampanoagTribeofGayHead(Aquinnah)SharriVenno,HoultonBandofMaliseetIndiansParticipantsNickBattista,IslandInstituteChrisBoelke,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationAmyBushman,ConservationLawFoundationDonChapman,USInstituteforEnvironmentalConflictResolution/UdallCenterJimChase,SeacoastScienceCenterRebeccaClarkUchenna,IslandInstituteLisaCroft,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationIanDombroski,U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,Region1
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SusanFarady,UniversityofNewEnglandJenniferFelt,ConservationLawFoundationMarianneFerguson,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationFisheriesMelissaGates,SurfriderFoundationBrentGreenfield,NationalOceanPolicyCoalitionAnnieHawkins,FisheriesSurvivalFundHeatherHopkins,U.S.NavyZachJylkka,NMFSKatieKahl,TheNatureConservancyBillKiley,BostonWaterandSewerCommissionAlixLaferriere,TheNatureConservancyEliseLeduc,WoodsHoleGroupHeatherLeslie,UniversityofMaineDarlingCenterWendyLull,SSCReginaLyons,USEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyRegion1DanielMartin,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationSallyMcGee,TheNatureConservancyAnneMerwin,OceanConservancyIvyMilsna,U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,Region1RobMoir,OceanRiverInstituteKatieMorgan,OceanConservancyMaryAnneMorrison,U.S.NavyLaurenNutter,USInstituteforEnvironmentalConflictResolution/UdallCenterRichardNelson,fishermanLarryOliver,U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersJeffReidenauer,BureauofOceanEnergyManagementMartaRibera,TheNatureConservancyDarcieRitch,IntegratedStatistics,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationaffiliateMattRobertson,TetraTechKimberlyRoth,NEIWPCCWhitSaumweber,StanfordUniversityRachelStrader,GordonandBettyMooreFoundationRoselleHennStern,U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersNorthAtlanticDivisionDeanSzumylo,GreaterAtlanticRegionalFisheriesOffice,NOAA(name???)PeterTaylor,WaterviewConsultingAmyTrice,OceanConservancyJennaValente,AmericanLittoralSocietyPrassedeVella,MassachusettsOfficeofCoastalZoneMnaagementJosephVietri,U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersNorthAtlanticDivisionLeeWalker,SealiteUSALoriWatson,SalemSoundCoastwatchChrisWilliams,NewHampshireCoastalProgramSarahWolfskehl,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationOfficeofCoastSurveyIntegratedOceanandCoastalMapping
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SupportStaffTobiasBerkman,theConsensusBuildingInstituteJesseCleary,MarineGeospatialEcologyLab,DukeUniversityOnaFerguson,theConsensusBuildingInstituteMartinaMcPherson,ERGNickNapoli,NortheastRegionalOceanCouncilEmilyShumchenia,NortheastRegionalOceanCouncil
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AppendixB:MeetingAgenda
NortheastRegionalPlanningBodySpring2017MeetingWednesday,May24,2017,9:00to5:00NOAANationalMarineFisheriesServiceGreaterAtlanticRegionalFisheriesOffice55GreatRepublicDrive,Gloucester,MA
MeetingObjectives
• HearfromRPBmembersabouthowtheirorganizationisusingtheNortheastOceanPlanandtheNortheastOceanDataPortal.
• ReviewprogressimplementingtheNortheastOceanPlan.• ObtainpublicinputanddecideonnextstepsforimplementingthePlanthroughtheendof
2017.
Agenda
8:30am RegistrationLightbreakfastandcoffeewillbeavailable.Meetingparticipantswillalsobeablesignuptopurchaseabaggedlunchthatwillbedeliveredtothemeetingroomatnoon.
9:00 Welcomeandintroductions9:20 Openingremarks,includingrecenttimeline,milestones,andanoverviewof
implementationactivitiesMelCoté,(U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,FederalCo-lead)andTedDiers(NHDepartmentofEnvironmentalServices,StateCo-Lead)
9:45 UseoftheNortheastOceanPlanandtheNortheastOceanDataPortal
RegionalPlanningBody(RPB)Members
UpdatesfromeachRPBmemberabouthowtheirorganizationisusingthePlanandthePortalfollowedbydiscussionaboutwaystotrackandcommunicateagencyimplementation.ThiswillinformsubsequentagendatopicsrelatedtothePortalandevaluatingplanperformance.
10:45 Break11:00 NortheastOceanDataPortal:Progressandproposednextstepsforupdatingocean
activitydataandoutreachtorelatedstakeholdersandexpertsNickNapoli(contractstafftotheNortheastRPB)
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SummarypresentationaboutprogressupdatingoceanactivitydataontheNortheastOceanDataPortalandpotentialnextsteps,includinginputreceivedduringtheStakeholderForum.Briefdiscussiontofollowthepresentation.
11:30 NortheastOceanDataPortal:Progressandproposednextstepsforupdatingmarine
life,habitat,andimportantecologicalarea(IEA)dataproductsEmilyShumchenia(contractstafftotheNortheastRPB)
SummarypresentationaboutprogressupdatingmarinelifeandhabitatdataontheNortheastOceanDataPortalandpotentialnextsteps,includinginputreceivedduringtheStakeholderForum.ThepresentationwillalsoincludepotentialnextstepsforobtaininginputondraftdataproductsandmethodsforeachcomponentoftheIEAframework.Briefdiscussiontofollowthepresentation.
12:00 Lunch
Forthoseparticipantsstayingintheroom,therewillbeanopportunitytoreviewthePortalanddraftdataproductsdiscussedthroughoutthemorning.
1:00 Publiccommentonmorningagendatopics1:45 PlanPerformance:Progressandproposednextstepstodevelopanapproachfor
evaluatingtheRPB’simplementationofthePlanNickNapoli
Summarypresentationprovidinganoverviewofthedraftapproachforevaluatingplanperformanceandpotentialnextsteps,includinginputreceivedduringtheStakeholderForum.Briefdiscussiontofollowthepresentation.
2:15 MonitoringEcosystemChange:ProposednextstepsfordevelopinganOceanHealth
Index(OHI)fortheNortheastBenHalpern(OHITeamLead)
OverviewoftheworkplantodevelopaNortheastOHI,includingpotentialimmediatenextstepsforobtainingdetailedfeedbackfromtheRPBandstakeholdersaboutnear-termpriorities.Briefdiscussiontofollowthepresentation.
3:00 Break3:15 Publiccommentonafternoonagendatopics3:45 RPBdiscussionanddecisionsabouttheworkplanthrough20175:00 Adjourn