Obama Administration Releases Plan to Promote Ocean Economy and Resilience

Today, the Obama Administration released 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.  Without creating any new regulations or authorities, the plan will ensure the many Federal agencies involved in ocean management work together to reduce duplication and red tape and use taxpayer dollars more efficiently.

“Science is the foundation upon which sound management of ocean and coastal resources is based,” said OSTP Director John P. Holdren, who co-chairs the National Ocean Council with Nancy Sutley, Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality. “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."

• Read the Press Release
• Read the Implementation Plan
• Read what others are saying about the Implementation Plan
• Learn more about the National Ocean Council