U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy - Joint Ocean Commission Initiative

Enhancing Federal Support for a Regional ApproachFederal Agency CoordinationFor coastal states, it’sdifficult enough tofigure out how todeal with the manyoffices and programswithin NOAA, letalone the complexinteractions of all theother federal agenciesof jurisdiction.—The Honorable MaryNichols, Secretary ofResources, State of California,testimony to the<strong>Commission</strong>, April 2002Federal agencies play an important role in the management of ocean and coastal resourcesby addressing issues of national significance, supporting state and local management efforts,and encouraging environmental stewardship among all citizens. Within each of the nation’sregions, federal policies and programs are carried out that affect common resources. Often,these activities overlap, conflict, or are inconsistent with one another, impeding efforts atall levels to effectively address regional concerns. For example, navigation projects, highwaydevelopment, and other federal infrastructure activities often conflict with environmentalprotection goals. Several federal agencies oversee habitat protection and restoration programs,but in isolation from one another. Furthermore, federal regulations and permitrequirements are typically applied on a project-by-project basis, without adequate considerationof the cumulative effect of these decisions on ocean and coastal ecosystems.Federal agencies can support regional progress by immediately improving their owncoordination at the regional level. Systematic collaboration will lead to better integrationof federal policies, strategies, plans, programs, and other activities within the region. Itwill also help the agencies identify inconsistencies in agency mandates, policies, regulations,practices, or funding. The agencies can then communicate these and other regionalconcerns and priorities to the National Ocean Council, which may in turn recommendchanges to existing laws, regulations, practices, and funding.Equally important, regionally coordinated federal agencies will provide a visible pointof contact for nonfederal entities, enhancing communication in both directions—federalagencies will be able to reach out to local and state governments and other stakeholders,while nonfederal groups will know where to convey regional priorities, issues of concern,and information needs to federal agencies. All interested parties will be able to exchangeinformation more effectively, develop regional goals, and mitigate the cumulative impactsof activities in the region.A regionally coordinated federal presence will provide an additional incentive for theformation of regional ocean councils that can serve as clear counterparts to work with thefederal agencies. The recent creation of a Great Lakes Interagency Task Force is oneattempt to improve federal coordination at the regional level (Box 5.3).Recommendation 5–2The President, through an executive order, should direct all federal agencies with ocean- andcoastal-related functions to immediately improve their regional coordination and increasetheir outreach efforts to regional stakeholders.To initiate this process, NOAA, EPA, USACE, DOI, and USDA should:• collaborate with regional, state, territorial, tribal, and local governments, andnongovernmental parties to identify regional priorities and information needs.• identify inconsistencies in agency mandates, policies, regulations, practices, or fundingthat prevent regional issues from being effectively addressed and communicate these tothe National Ocean Council.• improve coordination and communication among agencies, including the possible developmentof interagency protocols to guide regional decision making.• coordinate funding and grants in a manner consistent with regional priorities.Moving Toward Common Regional BoundariesMany federal agencies already divide their nationwide operations and managementresponsibilities along regional lines. For example: the U.S. Environmental Protection92 A N O CEAN B LUEPRINT FOR THE 21ST C ENTURY