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

• creation of regional ocean councils to help coordinate federal, state, tribal, and localplanning and action, and designation of regional ocean information programs tosupply the information needed to support an ecosystem-based approach.• improved management of coastal areas, including incorporation of coastal watersheds,to achieve better pollution control, growth management, hazards mitigation, transportationplanning, sediment management, and habitat conservation and restoration.• development of a prioritized, comprehensive plan for upgrading the nation’s agingand inadequate wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, including improvedstormwater management.• coordination of a national monitoring network and creation of useful products basedon monitoring data.• planning for early detection, prompt notification, and rapid response to marineinvasive species.• prevention of marine debris, in part through public outreach and education.• management of commercial and recreational fish stocks and sustainable aquacultureoperations.• participation in a broad dialogue on the development of a coordinated offshore managementregime, including the design and implementation of marine protected areas.Another area where state input will be essential is the development of ocean observationsand science to support policy decisions. States will need to communicate their informationneeds and priorities as part of the creation of a national strategy for basic andapplied ocean science and technology, including the social science and economic researchneeded to understand the human dimensions and economic value of the oceans andcoasts. States should also participate as full partners in the design and implementationof regional observing systems and their integration into the national Integrated OceanObserving System.Many of the <strong>Commission</strong>’s recommendations explicitly call for the executive branchto consult with the nonfederal President’s Council of Advisors on Ocean Policy and forfederal entities to work closely with state and local governments. But even where it is leftunstated, the importance of state input and action is assumed throughout.The Need for Congressional LeadershipSubstantial legislative action will be required to achieve a comprehensive, coordinatedocean policy. Some of the statutory changes needed include codifying a major portion ofthe new ocean policy framework, providing for organizational and jurisdictional restructuringwithin and between federal ocean agencies, and strengthening existing ocean programsand initiatives and enacting new ones. However, Congressional implementation ofthe cross-cutting initiatives called for by the <strong>Commission</strong> will be tested and challenged bythe current organization of the committee systems in the Senate and House of Representatives.(For additional information on congressional committee jurisdictions over the range ofocean and coastal issues, see Appendix F.)In addition to the recommendations that call for specific legislative changes, Congresswill also need to supply additional funding to achieve meaningful improvement. Althougha number of administrative and organizational changes can be made at little or no cost,most of the recommendations in this report—whether they call for major new initiativesor for expansion of successful existing programs—can only be implemented with financialsupport from Congress. Chapter 30 provides an extensive discussion of funding needs,and Appendix G provides a detailed table listing the estimated cost of every recommendationin the report. This should be helpful as a guide in the congressional appropriationsprocess. Chapter 30 also suggests a mechanism, the Ocean Policy Trust Fund, for creatinga dedicated, long-term source of support for ocean and coastal science and management.474 A N O CEAN B LUEPRINT FOR THE 21ST C ENTURY