US Commission on Ocean Policy Issues Final Report: "An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century"
Kelly Buck and Scott Payne
October 29, 2004

In accordance with the Oceans Act of 2000, the Bush Administration appointed the US Commission on Ocean Policy to establish findings and develop recommendations for a new and comprehensive national ocean policy.  The Commission published its final report in late September.  Presenting more than 200 recommendations, the report is an ambitious effort at revamping the way America views, and treats, its oceans.

Prior to the publication of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy's report, "An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century," it had been thirty-five years since the last comprehensive review of U.S. ocean policy was conducted by the Stratton Commission. Their report, published in, 1969 is titled "Our Nation and the Sea: A Plan for National Action."

Since 1969, our nation’s oceans and coasts have changed drastically. According to the Commission's report, "more than 37 million people, 19 million homes, and countless businesses have been added to coastal areas. Marine transportation and coastal recreation and tourism have become two of the top drivers of the national economy. These developments, however, come with costs, and we are only now discovering the extent of those costs in terms of depleted resources, lost habitat, and polluted waters."

By passing the Oceans Act of 2000, Congress acknowledged the importance of this country's oceans and coasts.  The law established a Commission which, in coordination with the States, a scientific advisory panel, and the public, developed a National Oceans Report. This report makes recommendations to the President and Congress on ocean and coastal issues.

Pursuant to the act, the President appointed 16 members from diverse backgrounds to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. It was composed of members from a variety of backgrounds. Among them were shipping, offshore drilling, retired Admirals and a former EPA Administrator. Though their involvement with the sea has been from varied viewpoints, they can all agree that something needs to be done – and soon.

The Commission's final report significantly updates how our oceans are studied and managed – that the oceans must be managed from an ecosystem perspective. Centrists.Org agrees with this scientific approach.  It brings multidisciplinary researchers and experts together, a strategy that will be needed to tackle the most pressing marine issues and link the associated cause and effect relationships.

The Commission “learned about new scientific findings that demonstrate the complexity and interconnectedness of natural systems. It also confirmed that our management approaches have not been updated to reflect this complexity, with responsibilities remaining dispersed among a confusing array of agencies at the federal, state, and local levels…”  Additionally, “[t]he message from both experts and the public alike was clear: our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes are in trouble and major changes are urgently need in the way we manage them."

The Commission outlines a promising vision for the future emphasizing a clean, safe, prosperous, and sustainable ocean ecosystem.  "In this future, the oceans are attractive places to live, work, and play, with clean water and beaches, easy public access, sustainable and strong economics, safe bustling harbors and ports, adequate roads and services, and social protection from sensitive habitats and threatened species."

Centrists.Org agrees that research, monitoring, education, new national and international policy-making, as well as volunteer efforts are vital to the realization of the Commission’s vision.  However, there is some concern that while the Commission outlines a call for action, it has been 35 years since the last ocean policy report.  Somewhere the ball was dropped. In order for real change to occur, strong leadership and an indomitable commitment to the ocean report recommendations must emerge. 

With regards to the recommendations the Commission outlined for future ocean research, Centrists.Org agrees that new ecosystem-based research is needed, and is a cornerstone for the program.

It is our hope that data collected under the research and monitoring system will be archived in a central database that is both accessible to the public and available for download through a geographical information system server. Providing our nation with open book accountability, similar to U.S. Geological Survey water data, is a key factor in ensuring objective data analysis.

The Commission outlines a new structure for coordinating the federal ocean activities, including creating four new entities. This will be in addition to the four government organizations already in existence.  The Commission provides clear arguments the new entities are needed to assist in coordinating and leading the new ocean policy framework.

Among the more than 200 recommendations made was a call for the creation of an Ocean Policy Trust Fund. The fund could use billions in revenue from oil and gas drilling contracts to reform the nation's ocean laws and restore ocean health.

The idea has been supported by Governor Ted Kulongoski of Oregon and others, provided the creation of the fund does not trigger an incentive for increased drilling off of US shores.

There have been reassurances from the Ocean Commission that the fund wouldn't change current government policy to allow more offshore drilling. This is just one example of the compromises that will need to be met in order for substantive changes to be made.

Centrists.Org recognizes the benefits of the proposed funding source.  However, we question the fairness of targeting 100 percent of the new funding for the implementation of the recommendations on a small, albeit significant, portion of the source of the oceans problems.

Offshore oil and gas production is valued at $25-$40 billion according to the Commission.  Yet ocean-related economic activities directly contribute more than $117 billion to the American economy. Oil and gas production appears to fund a disproportionate amount of the program in light of the other ocean impacts, such as nonpoint source pollution, invasive species, and over fishing.

A forthcoming Centrist.Org article will complete a closer examination of the Commission’s more than 200 recommendations.  We will examine their potential benefits and impacts to our nation as well as fairness if funded as proposed by the Commission.

Sen. John McCain, (R - Arizona) chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, held a hearing about the report Tuesday, September 21st.

By law, Bush will have 90 days to respond to the report by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy with his own recommendations and plans, a “National Ocean Policy” which will be submitted to the Congress.  We look forward to reviewing the Bush response, as well as the Administration’s own recommendations and plans.

"I'd like to have them respond as soon as possible," he said. "This hearing is going to be a shocker. The state of our oceans is in a very, very serious condition," said McCain. 

In the mean time, Centrists.Org sees an opportunity to not only support improving ocean habitats and a sustainable economic future based on the Commissions findings, but also use the Commission's process as a model for developing recommendations for our inland streams, lakes, and groundwater supplies.

The collaboration and state-of-the-art science outlined in the Commission's report is model to implement a similar process for our inland waterways, fisheries, ecosystems, and drinking water supplies. 

Links:

Witness List and Webcast for Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Hearing on the Oceans Commission

"An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century" -- Full text of report (PDF, 610 pages)

"An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century" -- Executive Summary (PDF, 24 pages)

Stratton Commission Report -- "Our Nation and the Sea: A Plan for National Action"

Text of the Oceans Act of 2000

September 21, 2004 article by Winston Ross in the Register Guard, "Kulongoski praises ocean report, but urges changes"