CEQ Press Releases -- September 24 Release

Obama Administration Officials to Hold Ocean Policy Task Force Public Meeting in the Pacific Islands on September 29, 2009

HONOLULU, HI – Obama Administration officials will hold an Ocean Policy Task Force Public Meeting in the Pacific Islands on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.   The Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, led by White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley, consists of senior-level officials from Administration agencies, departments, and offices. 

The Task Force, established by President Obama via presidential memorandum on June 12, is charged with developing a recommendation for a national policy that ensures protection, maintenance, and restoration of oceans, our coasts and the Great Lakes.  It will also recommend a framework for improved stewardship, and effective coastal and marine spatial planning.  The meeting in the Pacific Islands will be the fourth regional public meeting held since the Task Force was created. The public is encouraged to attend and an opportunity for public comment will be provided.

Members of the public can access the meeting in three ways: by attending in person at one of the sites listed below; by calling into the listen only phone line (888-324-8128/International: 630-395-0060; participant code: 5752428); or via live webstream at http://www.tipg.net/noaa/.

Who:  Chair Nancy Sutley, White House Council on Environmental Quality, live via satellite
            Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
            Admiral Thad Allen, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, live via satellite
            Dr. Wendy Wiltse, Pacific Island Office, Environmental Protection Agency Region 9
            Ms. Eileen Sobeck, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior, live via satellite
            Rear Admiral Manson Brown, Commander, Fourteenth Coast Guard District
            Rear Admiral Michael A. Giorgione, Civil Engineer Corps, United States Navy Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Pacific and Pacific Fleet Civil Engineer

What: Ocean Policy Task Force Public Meeting

When: Tuesday, September 29, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m (HAST)

Where: Neal S. Blaisdell Center, Pikake Room
            777 Ward Ave
            Honolulu, HI 96814

Live video-connections through the PEACESAT will be used at the following locations (all times are local):

University of Hawaii at Hilo (Sept. 29, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.)
200 Kawili Street
Library Building 3rd Floor (350)
Hilo, HI

American Samoa Community College  (Sept. 29, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.)
P.O. Box 2609
Pago Pago
American Samoa 96799

ASPA Tafuna (Sept. 29, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.)
American Samoa Power Authority
P.O. Box PPB
Pago Pago
American Samoa 96799

LBJ (Sept. 29, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.)
PO Box LBJ
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799

PSS NOC  (Sept. 30, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
P.O. Box 501370 CK
Saipan, MP 96950

UOG  (Sept. 30, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)
University of Guam, TADEO
P.O. Box 5278
Mangilao, Guam, 96923

Kauai Community College  (Sept. 29, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.)
3-1901 Kaumualii Highway
Lihue, HI 96766

Maui Community College (Sept. 29, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.)
310 Ka'ahumanu Avenue
Kai'ake Building #108
Kahului, HI 96732-1617

Maui Community College Nursing (Sept. 29, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.)
310 Ka'ahumanu Avenue (There's only one VTC room for Nursing)
Kahului, HI 96732

Note: Public comment can also be submitted online at: http://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/oceans