This week’s 2016 West Coast Regional Planning Body (RPB) meeting in Portland, Oregon, was a success. Ocean Frontier’s producer, Karen Meyer, was in attendance and noted strong support from coastal local governments, industry and non-profit organizations who provided public comments to the RPB.

Public comments from industry and local government leaders were largely positive. An attendee spoke in favor of the process. “I’m optimistic; I want this process to succeed.” Another attendee from Oregon spoke of the state’s support for it, “Local government and stakeholders in Oregon have embraced ocean planning.”

Oregon natives hope that the planning process will build off of their successes and add to collaboration. “In Oregon, we’ve had good success with collaboration between fishermen and other industries, such as submarine cables and wave energy developers. Ocean planning will add to the existing collaboration between industries.”

The West Coast RPB shared about its work developing the West Coast Data Portal, reaching out to stakeholders, and exploring a sub-regional approach to this very large ecosystem that spans the entire West Coast. It is no small undertaking, but we look forward to the next steps.

Thank you to the Tribal, State and Federal representatives from California, Oregon, and Washington for moving ocean planning forward!

Yesterday, there were announcements from both the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. In the Northeast, the Regional Planning Body submitted its final Ocean Plan to the National Ocean Council for review and approval. This submission follows on the heels of a period of public comment and revision. The plan could be approved as early as November 18th! (Read Surfrider’s Coastal blog for more details on the Northeast Regional Ocean Plan.)

From the Mid-Atlantic region, 35 members of of Congress from both houses signed letters to President Obama in support of the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Plan.

“We write in support of the recently released Draft Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action Plan,” write six Senators. “Our constituents deserve and depend upon a healthy ocean ecosystem.”

The letter goes on to applaud the administration and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body for the draft plan.

In their letter to President Obama, 29 Representatives also celebrate the accomplishment and acknowledge the need for sound ocean planning, stating that “our economy and way of life are integrally linked to the Atlantic Ocean.”

The public comment period on the Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Plan concluded September 6th and the comments are now under review by the planning body. We look forward to the final version of the plan later this year.

We join these 35 members of Congress in applauding the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Bodies and all who contributed to the Ocean Action Plans. We look forward to their implementation so that we can realize a healthy ocean ecosystem and advance sustainable ocean uses.