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U.S. Marine Spatial Planning Interim Report Released

The Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, led by the White House Council on Environmental Quality, today released its Interim Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning report. The report was called for by President Obama when he created the Task Force in June 2009 and follows the September 10, 2009, release of the Interim Report of the Ocean Policy Task Force, which focused on the need to develop a national ocean policy. Today's report focuses on the elements necessary to create and implement coastal and marine spatial planning at a national and regional level.

Daria Siciliano

"We applaud President Obama for seeking a marine spatial planning framework that acknowledges that environmental protection can coexist with human uses of the ocean," said SeaWeb President Dawn M. Martin. "We also commend the members of President Obama's Interagency Policy Task Force for incorporating the principles of ecosystem-based management into the report."

The report includes a definition of coastal and marine spatial planning and identification of nine regional areas within the Unites States where such efforts can be undertaken. The draft framework also contains a set of guiding principles and goals for coastal and marine spatial planning efforts and description of the regional bodies that would undertake the development and implementation of such plans.

"The end result should be a framework that is inclusive and responsive at the local level while being cohesive at the national level," said Martin. "This is a marathon, not a sprint. This interim report is the first important step down the road to fundamentally shifting how our country plans use and conservation of these resources. But the hard work comes next—when people around the country roll up their sleeves and get to work on setting regional priorities so they can come to agreement on how best to use their ocean and coasts."

The report also contains recommendations on improving quality and management of data required in the development of coastal and marine spatial plans as well as acknowledgement of the need for financial resources to support this endeavor along with other efforts to bring stakeholders together and to support regional entities empowered to create and implement plans. The Task Force recommends that the President take public comment on their report for 60 days.

"Coastal and marine spatial planning has never been undertaken on such a scale," said Martin."We commend the Task Force members for recommending a fair and well-balanced approach that recognizes national needs for consistency and also accounts for regional and local needs for involvement in the process."

To view the first set of recommendations in full and for more information on the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, visit www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/oceans

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