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

Nevertheless, the need remains for the National Ocean Council, the President, Congress,OMB, and the public to understand what the federal government is spending on oceanand coastal programs and activities. The integration of the budgets of such programs atthe highest level of government would greatly facilitate the coordination of on-the-groundresearch, monitoring, and management activities. Implementation of Recommendation7–2, which calls for NOAA’s budget to be reviewed as part of the OMB Natural ResourcesPrograms directorate, rather than the General Government Programs directorate, is oneimportant step. But improving the format and content of the biennial report called for inthe Oceans Act of 2000 will also be crucial to establish the financial baselines necessary toevaluate growth and changes in ocean and coastal programs and activities and to providecrucial information to Congress, the President, and the public.Recommendation 30–2The National Ocean Council, in cooperation with the Office of Management and Budget,should coordinate the compilation of a biennial report from the President on ocean funding,as required by the Oceans Act of 2000, including establishment of a consistent reporting formatand a more useful classification scheme.References1 U.S. General Accounting Office. “Ocean and Coastal Activities: Information on Federal Funding.” Memorandum toSenators John McCain and Ernest F. Hollings. GAO–03–1070R. Washington, DC, August 11, 2003.2 Buck, E.H., and J.A. Zinn. “Agency Data on Funding of Federal Ocean and Coastal Activities.” Memorandum.Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, September 30, 2003.470 A N O CEAN B LUEPRINT FOR THE 21ST C ENTURY