U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy Preliminary Report

U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy Preliminary Report

Mandated by the Oceans Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-256), authorized by Congress and appointed by the President, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy is required to establish findings and make recommendations to the President and Congress for a coordinated and comprehensive national ocean policy. The new policy will address a broad range of issues, from the stewardship of marine resources and pollution prevention to enhancing and supporting marine science, commerce and transportation. The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy has announced that it will release its Preliminary Report on April 20, 2004 for review and comment by the nation’s governors and interested stakeholders.

Thank you for your interest in the future of our oceans! Many comments were submitted to Governor Ehrlich for consideration in the State’s response to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy Preliminary Report. On June 4th, 2004, Governor Ehrlich sent a letter along with the State’s comments to the Commission. Governor Ehrlich’s letter and comments can be viewed and downloaded using Adobe Acrobat reader.

The Commission has announced that it will publish all Governors comments on July 22nd on its web site: http://www.oceancommission.gov

View comments that were submitted during the comment period.

Due to the length of the Preliminary Report and volume of recommendations, we invite you to read the chapter(s) that you are most interested in:

Chapter 1:
Recognizing Ocean Assets and Challenges
Chapter 2:
Understanding the Past to Shape a New National Ocean Policy
Chapter 3:
Setting the Nation’s Sights
Chapter 4:
Enhancing Ocean Leadership and Coordination
Chapter 5:
Advancing a Regional Approach
Chapter 6:
Coordinating Management in Federal Waters
Chapter 7:
Strengthening the Federal Agency Structure
Chapter 8:
Promoting Lifelong Ocean Education
Chapter 9:
Managing Coasts and their Watersheds
Chapter 10:
Guarding People and Property against Natural Hazards
Chapter 11:
Conserving and Restoring Coastal Habitat
Chapter 12:
Managing Sediments and Shorelines
Chapter 13:
Supporting Marine Commerce and Transportation
Chapter 14:
Addressing Coastal Water Pollution
Chapter 15:
Creating a National Water Quality Monitoring Network

Chapter 16:
Limiting Vessel Pollution and Improving Vessel Safety
Chapter 17:
Preventing the Spread of Invasive Species
Chapter 18:
Reducing Marine Debris
Chapter 19:
Achieving Sustainable Fisheries
Chapter 20:
Protecting Marine Mammals and Endangered Marine Species
Chapter 21:
Preserving Coral Reefs and Other Coral Communities
Chapter 22:
Setting a Course for Sustainable Marine Aquaculture
Chapter 23:
Connecting the Oceans and Human Health
Chapter 24:
Managing Offshore Energy and Other Mineral Resources
Chapter 25:
Creating a National Strategy for Increasing Scientific Knowledge
Chapter 26:
Achieving a Sustained, Integrated Ocean Observing System
Chapter 27:
Enhancing Ocean Infrastructure and Technology Development
Chapter 28:
Modernizing Ocean Data and Information Systems
Chapter 29:
Advancing International Ocean Science and Policy
Chapter 30:
Funding Needs and Possible Sources

If you have any questions about this effort, please contact:
Gwynne Schultz, Director
Coastal Zone Management Division
Department of Natural Resources
Tawes State Office Building, E-2
Annapolis, MD 21401