Attend Your Public Meeting on Ocean Planning

Public meetings on Ocean Planning are coming to communities across New England in May and June, and we encourage you to attend and invite others! We’re making Ocean Frontiers DVDs available for free for all who wish to share the film with friends and colleagues. Ocean Frontiers is an ideal way to bring people up to speed on ocean planning and let others know of the important opportunity to attend an ocean planning meeting in New England. To receive a free DVD fill out this short form: www.tinyurl.com/ofdvdrequest.

Draft regional ocean planning goals and potential actions will be discussed at these upcoming meetings.  The Northeast Regional Planning Body, a group of state, tribal and federal representatives from New England who are working to implement the National Ocean Policy and address critical New England ocean issues, wants your input on these goals and actions. Additional information on their progress can be found here:  http://northeastoceancouncil.org/regional-planning-body/meetings/

These public meetings will be held in May & June as follows*:

  • Portland, ME            Thursday, May 23, 4-7pm
  • Narragansett, RI      Tuesday, May 28, 4-7pm
  • Ellsworth, ME          Monday, June 3, 4-7pm
  • Rockland, ME           Tuesday, June 4, 5:30-8:30pm
  • Boston, MA               Thursday, June 6, 4-7pm
  • New Haven, CT        Thursday, June 13, 4-7pm
  • New Bedford, MA    Monday, June 17, 4-7pm
  • Gloucester, MA         Tuesday, June 18, 4-7pm
  • Barnstable, MA        Wednesday, June 19, 4-7pm
  • Portsmouth, NH      Tuesday, June 25, 4-7pm

*Additional information for these meetings (specific venues, agenda, etc.) is available at: http://goo.gl/m2OmH

These meetings will occur within the period during which the Northeast Regional Planning Body seeks public input regarding draft goals; public comment will be taken at these meetings. These meetings will also be an opportunity to review draft maps and products from initial efforts to gather information on the natural resources and diverse uses of the ocean, including fishing, transportation, energy and infrastructure, aquaculture, and recreation. If you are not available to attend but would like to provide input, please do so by June 28, 2013. The draft goals will be available through the same website <http://goo.gl/m2OmHin mid-May along with additional details for providing public comment, but for now please hold the dates!

Thank you for attending and/or encouraging others to attend these important meetings!

Nation’s First Regional Ocean Planning Body Meets & National Ocean Policy Workshop

The Northeast Regional Planning Body at the Big Table (Photo credit: Robin Just)

Last month regional ocean planning got underway in the Northeast United States. The Northeast Regional Planning Body met for the first time in Portland, Maine, on Nov. 19-20. “I’ve often heard the phrase ‘everyone has a seat at the table,’ but this is the first time I’ve seen it,” said National Marine Fisheries Service Regional Administrator John Bullard. His keynote statement pretty well summed up the sense of opportunity voiced by everyone attending the meeting.

We are pleased to report that there was clear agreement at the meeting that they will create an open and transparent process, ensure stakeholders are involved and the critical role of science and data in decision making – all key elements of successful ocean planning as you will recall from Ocean Frontiers.

As established by the (US) National Ocean Policy, the regional planning body (RPB) consists of representatives from federal and state agencies, regional tribes, the New England Fishery Management Council, and an ex officio member from Canada. The RPB was brought together to design the process for the first regional ocean plan to be developed in the United States.

“This is the first time that all of these representatives from various levels of the government have gotten together to begin this work,” said John Weber, the ocean planning director for the Northeast Regional Ocean Council. The fact that this collaboration is taking place, which allows for transparency as all sides are present, is looking promising for the future of our oceans and the economies that rely on them. As reported by E&E News, the regional planning body will strive to create ocean plans that reach across state and federal boundaries in an effort to reduce conflicts among fishing, offshore energy, shipping, conservation and recreation, as more users make demands on the sea.

“What it means for us is greater predictability, lower risk, lower cost. In our view, when you can identify the right places to do ocean energy, you can do everything better — you can do conservation better and can do energy development better,” said Markian Melnyk, president of Atlantic Grid Development, a group working on a proposal for a 300-mile offshore transmission network in the mid-Atlantic.

“It doesn’t have to be a fight over siting; this type of collaborative siting work helps makes it more about science and more about sound economics than about fighting,” he added.

Effective ocean planning portal tools have been launched online at by Northeast and mid-Atlantic groups. The portal is a place for compiled data and interactive maps, which allows all different types of ocean users to view ocean features such as fishing grounds, critical habitat, shipping corridors and even wind speeds. View one of the portals here.

“It is a lot easier to look at a variety of maps than to try to look through [environmental impact statement] reports,” said Tony MacDonald, Urban Coast Institute at Monmouth University director, who has helped lead these effort. “You can see areas where conflicts might be and compatibilities might be. At the end of this discussion, it should put everybody on the same base line and hopefully screen out conflicts earlier in the process.”

As this was the RPB’s first meeting, there is much work to be done, however this first step is huge and worth congratulating. To learn more about the RPB and its inaugural meeting check out Open Channels blog post here.

LEARN MORE, TAKE ACTION: National Ocean Policy Briefing 

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Pacific City, OR — A proposed wave energy site in Oregon (Photo credit: Nastassja Pace) 

On Thursday, December 13th, 6-9pm, at the Leftbank Annex (101 North Weidler St., Portland, OR) you are invited to a free briefing on the National Ocean Policy and ocean conservation efforts in Oregon—a great way to learn how to take action in support of our oceans and coasts!

Guests attending will include the Oregon Governor’s office and Congressional staff. Presentations from Surfrider, Our Ocean, American Littoral Society will be given as well as a screening of excerpts from  Ocean Frontiers. Sandwiches and refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP here.

Thanks for all you do!

Karen Meyer
Executive Director, Green Fire Productions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the Road with Ocean Frontiers

In Washington, D.C. Filmmaker Karen Meyer with Dr. Bill Walker, Gulf of Mexico Alliance and Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Brief Congressional Staff on Iowa's Role to Help Restore the Gulf of Mexico.

WASHINGTON, D.C. BRIEFING FOR CONGRESSIONAL STAFFERS
70 key staffers of members of Congress attended the Hill Briefing hosted by the Oceans Caucus Foundation last Friday, which featured the Iowa/Gulf of Mexico Ocean Frontiers story. This bipartisan audience was taken by the humble Iowa farmers and their inspiring work. We were honored to have Dr. Walker and Secretary Northey there to respond to questions following the film. The Oceans Caucus Foundation chose to highlight Ocean Frontiers for this important audience because of the solution-oriented stories that show unlikely allies working together and finding solutions that benefit their economic interests and the ocean. More Hill Briefings are in the works with the other Ocean Frontiers stories.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PORT AUTHORITIES
The American Association of Port Authorities invited us to present the Ocean Frontiers Stellwagen Bank story to their Harbors, Navigation and Environment seminar in San Francisco last week. 75 senior port staff and port directors attended. After the film, Deb Hadden of Massport, David Kennedy of NOAA and John Weber of the New England Regional Ocean Council took questions and gave updates on the National Ocean Policy and regional ocean planning in New England. Ocean planning is a large undertaking that has a lot of people nervous, so it was terrific to both share the story of people collaborating to shift the shipping lanes and protect endangered whales and provide an opportunity for people to learn about the National Ocean Policy.

BUILDING THE OCEAN FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
In the last few weeks people in Massachusetts, Northern California, Oregon and Washington’s Puget Sound have hosted Ocean Frontiers premieres and screenings. 500 people turned out in Coos Bay, Oregon, to view the Ocean Frontiers film and hear Oregon First Lady Cylvia Hayes and State Representative Arnie Roblan speak about the importance of ocean health to our coastal communities. Largest audience yet! Thanks to everyone who helped make these events happen and for joining the Ocean Frontiers Community!

IMPORTANT! IF YOU HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, PLEASE DO SO TODAY.
Some members of Congress are actively working to dismantle the National Ocean Policy. Doing so would throw away two years worth of work, investment and commitment by state governments, commercial and industrial ocean users, universities and scientists, 25 federal agencies and departments and tens of thousands of citizens across the country. Please call and email your Representative through the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-224-3121 today. Urge your Member of Congress to “Support the National Ocean Policy and oppose any attempt to restrict implementation of the National Ocean Policy.”

Finally, Ocean Frontiers events taking place this week include Huntington, New York, and Brookings, Oregon, get the details here – let your friends and colleagues know.

Thanks for all you do!
Karen Meyer & the Green Fire Productions Team

Ocean Frontiers Kicks Off National Tour & Guests Governor Kitzhaber & First Lady Cylvia Hayes Join the Celebration

Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber and First Lady Cylvia Hayes join Leesa Cobb, executive director of Port Orford Ocean Resource Team, on boat tour of Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve (seen in background) on February 12, 2012

On February 11, 2012, the Savoy Theatre in Port Orford, Oregon, the western most point in the continental United States, was filled to capacity when Oregon First Lady Cylvia Hayes took the stage to declare, “I’m proud to be an Oregonian.” Hayes went on to say, “It doesn’t surprise me at all that Oregon is one of the states featured in this film, because we have an incredible story to tell.”

Sitting in the front rows were Governor Kitzhaber and First Lady Hayes, Mayor Jim Auborn and County Commissioner David Itzen. State Representative Wayne Krieger (R-Gold Beach), Co-Speaker Arnie Roblan (D-Coos Bay) and Senator Kruse (R-Roseburg) took a break from the legislative session—traveling four hours from the state capitol to attend this important event.

“Ocean Frontiers” is a documentary that tells the story of people across the country working together to sustain their coastal communities that depend on healthy oceans. Port Orford and the work of the Port Orford Ocean Resource Team is one of the four stories.

As the film came to a close, the audience leaped to its feet giving filmmakers Karen and Ralf Meyer an enthusiastic standing ovation.

While in Port Orford the Governor and First Lady toured the Port Orford Ocean Resource Team’s Marine Science Facility, which is currently under construction. Looking out at one of the most picturesque stretches of the Pacific coast, they learned of the community’s work to keep Port Orford fishing sustainably.

At dawn the next day the Governor and First Lady climbed aboard the fishing vessel Top Gun with Captain Jeff Miles to tour the newly designated Redfish Rocks Marine Reserve.

Jeff Miles, a Port Orford fisherman with thirty-five years of experience said, “We feel very honored that the Governor and First Lady came to Port Orford to learn about what people are doing here. I read people very well, and it was clear that they have a genuine interest about the future of Oregon’s fishing industry.”

Lyle Keeler, a Port Orford fisherman of forty years, said, “I was most impressed that on a cold, stormy February day the Governor and First Lady ventured out with us on a small fishing boat to learn about the science taking place in our new Redfish Rocks marine reserve.”

After the film, the reception at the American Legion Hall featured Port Orford Sustainable Seafood and was packed with Port Orford residents who expressed their unanimous pride in the accomplishments of their local organizations and community.

“This was an amazing event which brought our community together with our elected leaders and natural resource agencies to bring the conversation about ocean health, conservation and ocean literacy to the next level,” said Kelly Sparks, Project Coordinator with the Redfish Rocks Community Team.

Representative Krieger said, “On their own, this community offered up a marine reserve that came to be known as Redfish Rocks. I was of the opinion, and I still am, that the greatest value of marine reserves is the ability to do research, to learn and better understand what actually is happening in the ocean itself. I think that’s very do-able.”

Representative Krieger added, “One thing we haven’t done a good job with is putting money into marine research in this state. Oregon must continue funding marine research if we want to move ahead in the ocean.”

The other three segments of “Ocean Frontiers”—Massachusetts Bay, Florida Keys, Iowa/Gulf of Mexico—tell the story of people from different arenas coming together to find solutions that benefit their economic interests as well as the environment. They recognize that a healthy ocean and coastal ecosystem is the basis for their economic well-being.

Oregon First Lady Cylvia Hayes said, “‘Ocean Frontiers’ presents a starting point to help ensure that these kinds of success stories are told and better understood. We need to illustrate that communities are taking steps to invest in their own economic futures and in the conservation of our shared natural resources. Not only can this garner additional support for these incredible grassroots efforts, but hopefully it will inspire communities across the state and beyond.”

“Ocean Frontiers” will next premiere in Newport, Oregon on February 22nd, in Portland, Oregon on March 7th and will continue to tour the nation. Karen Meyer, producer of “Ocean Frontiers” said, “During the production of ‘Ocean Frontiers’ the United States adopted its first-ever National Ocean Policy. This policy encourages exactly the types of successful projects featured in ‘Ocean Frontiers’ and supports state leadership regarding ocean health.”

Governor Kitzhaber repeated this theme in his address to the crowd at the “Ocean Frontiers” premiere and said, “We all know that the challenges facing coastal communities are not going to be resolved by one or two initiatives, it’s going to take a long, thoughtful approach that brings together good science, strong leadership and a commitment to conserving resources while promoting economic prosperity for all. Now, that may sound like a tall order but I am sure America can do it. What you have done here in Port Orford is truly remarkable and is worth repeating across our state and across the nation.”

 

Administration Releases Plans to Implement Better, More Streamlined Management of Our Nation’s Oceans, Coasts and Great Lakes – Give Your Input!

Our nation has long relied on the abundance of resources, economic value and natural beauty of our ocean and coasts. In 2007, shore-adjacent communities were home to 108.3 million people, 48.6 million jobs and contributed $5.7 trillion to the U.S. economy.[1]

Photo: Green Fire Productions

As populations rise and demands of our oceans and coasts increase, more holistic and streamlined management of our ocean and coastal resources are imperative.

Currently, waterways are managed by more than 20 federal agencies and are subject to more than 140 different laws and regulations. In addition, there are local and state governments regulations—making the availability of information and decision-making processes in regard to ocean and coastal issues inefficient and ineffective.

In 2010, the Obama Administration released the first ever National Ocean Policy to protect, maintain and restore our nation’s oceans, coasts and Great Lakes. The policy creates a framework under which all ocean resource management will take place to reduce duplicating efforts or working at cross-purposes, ultimately saving tax payer dollars and increasing transparency.

Last week, the administration released a draft implementation plan—a giant step forward in advancing the National Ocean Policy. The Draft Implementation Plan reflects over two years worth of hard work, investment and commitment made by state governments, commercial and industrial ocean users, universities and scientists, 25 federal agencies and departments and tens of thousands of citizens across the country to move our oceans toward better ocean management.

Photo: Green Fire Productions

This plan provides all ocean users a great opportunity to have their voices heard and to ensure that implementation of the National Ocean Policy encompasses the views and ideas of fishermen, scientists, shipping companies and port managers, energy developers, conservationists and those that live, work and play in coastal communities.

The administration is accepting public comment on the plans until February 27th. Please, make your voice heard and click here to view and comment on the National Ocean Policy Draft Implementation Plan.

 

 

 


[1] National Ocean Economics Program. (2009). State of the Ocean and Coastal Economies, p.6, http://www.oceaneconomics.org/NationalReport/.