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An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century - California Ocean ...

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Enhancing Federal Support <strong>for</strong> a Regional ApproachFederal Agency CoordinationFor coastal states, it’sdifficult enough tofigure out how todeal with <strong>the</strong> manyoffices and programswithin NOAA, letalone <strong>the</strong> complexinteractions of all <strong>the</strong>o<strong>the</strong>r federal agenciesof jurisdiction.—The Honorable MaryNichols, Secretary ofResources, State of Cali<strong>for</strong>nia,testimony to <strong>the</strong>Commission, April 2002Federal agencies play an important role in <strong>the</strong> management of ocean and coastal resourcesby addressing issues of national significance, supporting state and local management ef<strong>for</strong>ts,and encouraging environmental stewardship among all citizens. Within each of <strong>the</strong> nation’sregions, federal policies and programs are carried out that affect common resources. Often,<strong>the</strong>se activities overlap, conflict, or are inconsistent with one ano<strong>the</strong>r, impeding ef<strong>for</strong>ts atall levels to effectively address regional concerns. For example, navigation projects, highwaydevelopment, and o<strong>the</strong>r federal infrastructure activities often conflict with environmentalprotection goals. Several federal agencies oversee habitat protection and restoration programs,but in isolation from one ano<strong>the</strong>r. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, federal regulations and permitrequirements are typically applied on a project-by-project basis, without adequate considerationof <strong>the</strong> cumulative effect of <strong>the</strong>se decisions on ocean and coastal ecosystems.Federal agencies can support regional progress by immediately improving <strong>the</strong>ir owncoordination at <strong>the</strong> regional level. Systematic collaboration will lead to better integrationof federal policies, strategies, plans, programs, and o<strong>the</strong>r activities within <strong>the</strong> region. Itwill also help <strong>the</strong> agencies identify inconsistencies in agency mandates, policies, regulations,practices, or funding. The agencies can <strong>the</strong>n communicate <strong>the</strong>se and o<strong>the</strong>r regionalconcerns and priorities to <strong>the</strong> National <strong>Ocean</strong> 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 <strong>for</strong> nonfederal entities, enhancing communication in both directions—federalagencies will be able to reach out to local and state governments and o<strong>the</strong>r stakeholders,while nonfederal groups will know where to convey regional priorities, issues of concern,and in<strong>for</strong>mation needs to federal agencies. All interested parties will be able to exchangein<strong>for</strong>mation more effectively, develop regional goals, and mitigate <strong>the</strong> cumulative impactsof activities in <strong>the</strong> region.A regionally coordinated federal presence will provide an additional incentive <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong><strong>for</strong>mation of regional ocean councils that can serve as clear counterparts to work with <strong>the</strong>federal agencies. The recent creation of a Great Lakes Interagency Task Force is oneattempt to improve federal coordination at <strong>the</strong> 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 <strong>the</strong>ir regional coordination and increase<strong>the</strong>ir outreach ef<strong>for</strong>ts 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 in<strong>for</strong>mation needs.• identify inconsistencies in agency mandates, policies, regulations, practices, or fundingthat prevent regional issues from being effectively addressed and communicate <strong>the</strong>se to<strong>the</strong> National <strong>Ocean</strong> Council.• improve coordination and communication among agencies, including <strong>the</strong> 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 <strong>the</strong>ir nationwide operations and managementresponsibilities along regional lines. For example: <strong>the</strong> U.S. Environmental Protection92 A N O CEAN B LUEPRINT FOR THE 21ST C ENTURY

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