U.S. National Ocean Policy Plan Released

The Obama Administration releases its final plan for translating the National Ocean Policy into on-the-ground actions to benefit the American people.

With significant public input from a wide spectrum of individuals and interests, the final Implementation Plan focuses on improving coordination to speed Federal permitting decisions; better manage the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources that drive so much of our economy; develop and disseminate sound scientific information that local communities, industries, and decision-makers can use; and collaborate more effectively with State, Tribal, and local partners, marine industries, and other stakeholders. 

“Science is the foundation upon which sound management of ocean and coastal resources is based,” said John P. Holdren, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Co-Chair of the National Ocean Council. “The President’s National Ocean Policy and the new implementation plan will help advance relevant science and its application to decision-making to strengthen the economies of our coastal regions while increasing their resilience and sustaining their resources.”

The final Implementation Plan describes specific actions Federal agencies will take to address key ocean challenges, give states and communities greater input in Federal decisions, streamline Federal operations, save taxpayer dollars, and promote economic growth, including:   
    •    Providing better forecasting of ocean conditions and events to protect beachgoers and consumers from threats to their health and safety;
    •    Sharing more and better data about severe storms and sea level rise, which will help coastal communities prepare for threats;
    •    Supporting voluntary regional marine planning based on regional and local priorities;
    •    Improving the Federal permitting process to save time and money for ocean-based industries and taxpayers, while protecting health, safety, & the environment;
    •    Restoring important habitats that protect communities and support healthy ocean resources; and
    •    Improving our capability to predict conditions and prevent negative impacts as activity in the Arctic increases.

To read the Implementation Plan click here.