A. IntroductionRecognizing the importance of the oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes to the United States of America, Congress enacted the Oceans Act of 2000, which created the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. The Commission’s comprehensive final report, with 212 recommendations, covered issues that included resource protection, transportation, ocean resource use, science, education, mapping, and other topics.
To meet the challenges raised by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, President George W. Bush issued an Executive Order on December 17, 2004, declaring that it shall be the policy of the United States to:
(1) Coordinate the activities of executive departments and agencies regarding ocean-related matters in an integrated and effective manner to advance the environmental, economic, and security interests of present and future generations of Americans; and
(2) Facilitate, as appropriate, coordination and consultation regarding ocean-related matters among Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, the private sector, foreign governments, and international organizations.
The Executive Order created a new Cabinet-level Committee on Ocean Policy (see figure below) to provide a coordinated governance structure and facilitate coordinated ocean policies and actions.
On December 17, 2004, the President also issued the U.S. Ocean Action Plan. This Action Plan focuses on achieving meaningful results that make the oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes cleaner, healthier, and more productive. The Action Plan emphasizes “developing management strategies that ensure continued conservation of coastal and marine habitats and living resources while at the same time ensuring that the American public enjoys and benefits from those same resources.” The policies carried out under the Action Plan and related activities will encourage innovation, employ economic incentives over mandates where possible, and will establish strong partnerships between Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, the private Sector, international partners, and other interests. These partnerships, along with local involvement, are essential in managing and protecting our ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources.
As outlined in the Action Plan, key components of the governance structure include the Committee on Ocean Policy, an Interagency Committee on Ocean Science and Resource Management Integration, a Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources, and the National Science and Technology Council Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology.
B. Purpose and ScopeThe Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources will identify and promote opportunities among federal agencies for collaboration and cooperation on the development and implementation of management strategies with the goal of cleaner, healthier, and more productive oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes. The Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources reports to and provides advice to the Interagency Committee on Ocean Science and Resource Management Integration. The Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources and Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology will work together to accomplish many themes in the Action Plan, including strong efforts to inform resource management decisions with science and other relevant information, promote ocean literacy, strengthen infrastructure facilities, advance observation and modeling capabilities, and foster interagency partnerships. The Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources will collaborate with the Subcommittee on Oceans Policy (a subgroup of the National Security Council Global Environment Policy Coordinating Committee), as well as with the Interagency Committee on the Marine Transportation System and other interagency groups with ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes responsibilities. The Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources will seek advice and guidance from external advisory groups, including the Ocean Research and Resources Advisory Panel.
The Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources will seek to strengthen the effectiveness of interagency efforts at all levels while respecting existing authorities and jurisdictions. Specifically, the Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources seeks to:
• Work toward long-term strategies for ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resource management;
• Evaluate the effectiveness of interagency efforts in the implementation of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resource management initiatives and make recommendations for improvement;
• Continue to work toward an ecosystem-based approach in making decisions related to water, land and resource management in ways consistent with maintaining local and State authorities and jurisdictions;
• Enhance collaboration with local and State authorities to address local conditions and provide a forum for exchange of information, plans, and best practices among Federal agencies for the development and application of management strategies;
• Facilitate dialogue and strengthen partnerships among Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, the private sector, international partners, and others interested parties involved in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resource management;
• Foster the effective development and application of management tools, strategies, and information based on the best available science and technology; and
• Promote stewardship of our ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources by all Americans through enhanced ocean literacy, outreach, education, and capacity building;
C. Co-Chairs and MembershipThe Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources is co-chaired by representatives of the Council on Environmental Quality, Environmental Protection Agency,
Department of the Interior, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The members consist of representation from the Executive branch agencies and departments of the Committee on Ocean Policy and other entities of the Federal government, as appropriate. The Co-Chairs of the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology and the Chair of the Subcommittee on Oceans Policy (a subgroup of the National Security Council Global Environment Policy Coordinating Committee) will be invited to be ex officio members of the Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources to encourage strong coordination on ocean resource management issues. The Co-Chairs of the Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources may designate additional ex officio members as deemed necessary.
