Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action Plan for Certification by the National Ocean Council
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October 28, 2016 MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL Deerin S. Babb-Brott OCEAN Director, National Ocean Council Executive Office of the President ACTION 722 Jackson Place PLAN Washington DC 20008 Dear Mr. Babb-Brott: On behalf of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body, we are proud to submit the Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action Plan for certification by the National Ocean Council. Since the Regional Planning Body was formed in April 2013, we have conducted a comprehensive, flexible, and transparent process to produce a regional plan that, when implemented, will promote healthy ocean ecosystems and sustainable ocean uses in Mid-Atlantic waters. The Plan resulted from a consensus-based process among the Federal, State, Tribal and Fishery Management Council members, informed by extensive stakeholder engagement across the region. We look forward to your certification, and to continuing this important work in the Mid-Atlantic. Please contact us if you have any questions. Sincerely, Robert LaBelle Federal Co-Lead, Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body Kelsey Leonard Tribal Co-Lead, Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body Gwynne Schultz State Co-Lead, Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body This page left intentionally blank. MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL OCEAN ACTION PLAN Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action Plan Released November 2016 To access the Plan online, visit this site: boem.gov/Ocean-Action-Plan/ [ Foreword ] As the Federal, Tribal, and State Co-leads of this historic effort and on behalf of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body (RPB), we are proud to present the Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action Plan (Plan). This Plan is the result of over three years of collaborative effort by many RPB contributors, partners, and stakeholders and is the first of its kind in our region. It charts the course toward a more integrated approach to managing our shared ocean resources that is grounded in stakeholder engagement. The Plan guides and informs the decisions and practices of RPB member entities and fosters transparent ocean data and information sharing, improved coordination in decision making, and collaboration around specific actions that support ocean ecosystem health and sustainable ocean uses. The planning process will evolve over time, and we look forward to continuing to work with the people of the Mid-Atlantic in advancing this effort. Ultimately, we bear a shared responsibility for the treasured ocean resources upon which our region’s communities, economies, and ecosystems depend. Together, we can seize this opportunity. With appreciation, Robert LaBelle (Federal Co-Lead) Senior Advisor to the Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Kelsey Leonard (Tribal Co-Lead) Shinnecock Indian Nation Gwynne Schultz (State Co-Lead) Director, Office of Coastal and Ocean Management Maryland Department of Natural Resources [ Acknowledgements ] An effort of this magnitude, spanning several years and many jurisdictions, RPB member entity contributors (current and former): Debra could not be successful without the help of many dedicated people. The Abercrombie, Edward Ambrogio, Kristie Bailey, Joan Barminski, Mary Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body (RPB) is deeply grateful to the Boatman, Stephen Bowler, Sarah Bowman, Charles Chesnutt, Peter many individuals who provided input, technical assistance, production Clouse, Chris Darnell, Michele DesAutels, Amardeep Dhanju, Patty Engler, assistance, and many other forms of support and advice in helping us to Lori Fenstermacher, Marc Fersman, John Forren, Mary Gerbauckas, Sara develop the Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action Plan (Plan). In particular, Guiltinan, James Haggerty, Sean Hart, Kevin Hassell, Roselle Henn, Kim the RPB wishes to thank the countless dedicated members of the public Hernandez, Susan Holmes, Molly Holt, George Jackson, Liza Johnson, that have participated in the regional ocean planning process thus far. Tiffany Johnson, Joshua Kaplowitz, Chris Kinkade, Timothy Konnert, Your input and advice over the past three and a half years has brought us Mary Krueger, John Kuriawa, Cliff McCreedy, Lori Mohr, Peter Murdoch, to this important milestone for the region. We hope you will continue to Casey Reeves, Jeffrey Reidenauer, Nicole Rodi, Salvatore Ruggiero, engage with us during implementation of the Plan and in the long term as Susan Russell-Robinson, Sue Samonski, Renee Searfoss, Stephen we work to update and improve our collaborative effort over time. Simpson, Caleb Spiegel, Philip Stafford, Pamela Toschik, Megan Treml, and Patrick Wycko. In addition, the RPB wishes to thank the leaders and staff at their respective RPB facilitators and plan drafting team (Meridian Institute): Laura entities for supporting these important efforts, and those who actively Cantral, Jeana Connaughton, Selena Elmer, Ingrid Irigoyen, Meghan contributed to this work, including: Massaua, Orion McCarthy, Kara Runsten, and Danielle Youngblood. Current Co-leads: Robert LaBelle (Federal Co-Lead), Kelsey Leonard MARCO staff partners (current and former): Kim Barber, Ed Camp, (Tribal Co-Lead), and Gwynne Schultz (State Co-Lead). Kaity Goldsmith, Arlo Hemphill, Michelle Lennox, Kate Morrison, Kris Former Co-leads: Maureen Bornholdt (Federal Co-Lead), Sarah Cooksey Ohleth, and Judy Tucker. (State Co-Lead), and Gerrod Smith (Tribal Co-Lead). Data Portal team: John Bognar, Chris Bruce, Matt Campo, Gwynn Current RPB Members and Alternates: Sandra Allen, Joe Atangan, Hoyt Crichton, Rick Lathrop, Tony MacDonald, Jay Odell, Drew Seminara, Battey, John Bull, Leann Bullin, Greg Capobianco, Kevin Chu, Karen Chytalo, Jim Trimble, and Karl Vilacoba. John Clark, Darlene Finch, Jeffrey Flumignan, Simon Gore, Robert Gray, Additional project partners who supported graphic design, data Kelly Heffner, Terron Hillsman, Michael Jones, John Kennedy, Ginger Kopkash, product development, information gathering, and outreach activities: Sherilyn Lau, Charles (Buddy) LoBue, Michael Luisi, Kathryn MacCormick, Earvin Balderama, Jesse Cleary, Corrie Curtice, Michael Fogarty, Katie Catherine McCall, Laura McKay, Christine Mintz, Kathy Moser, Kristen Guttenplan, Pat Halpin, Brian Kinlan, Ian Mogavero, Stephanie Moura, Regan, Rossana Rosado, Chris Scraba, Basil Seggos, Elizabeth Semple, Betsy Moyer, Charles Perretti, Jason Roberts, Melanie Schroeder Gearon, Joseph Sieber, Douglas Simpson, Michael Snyder, and Brian Thompson. Rachel Shmookler, Emily Shumchenia, Zachary Singer-Leavitt, Miya Su Former RPB Members and Alternates: Kate Anderson, Jerry Barnes, Rowe, Peter Taylor, Bob Whitener, Jennifer Whitener Ulrich, Arliss Thomas Bigford, Amy Cradic, Lucas Feinberg, Patrick Gilman, Jon Hall, Winship, and Peter Zaykoski. Taura Huxley-Nelson, Marilyn Lennon, L. Frank Mach, Joseph Martens, National Ocean Council Office Directors and staff who provided Matthew Millea, Thomas Morgart, Elizabeth Nashold, W. David Noble, guidance throughout the process: Deerin Babb-Brott, Beth Kerttula, Douglas Pabst, Cesar Perales, Pedro Ramos, Martin Rosen, George Jonathan Andrechik, Linda Bunn, Christopher Corvo, Margaret (Meg) Stafford, Jack Travelstead, Lorraine Wakeman, John Walters, Richard Larrea, Matthew Lurie, and Jerry Smith, Jr. Weeks, and Andrew Zemba. 2 | Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action Plan [ Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body Member Entities ] STATES Delaware | Maryland | New Jersey | New York | Pennsylvania | Virginia FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES Shinnecock Indian Nation | Pamunkey Indian Tribe FEDERAL AGENCIES Department of Agriculture (represented by the Natural Resources Conservation Service) Department of Commerce (represented by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Department of Defense (represented by the U.S. Navy and the Joint Chiefs of Staff) Department of Energy (represented by Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy) Department of Homeland Security (represented by the U.S. Coast Guard) Department of the Interior (represented by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management) Department of Transportation (represented by the Maritime Administration) Environmental Protection Agency MID-ATLANTIC FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action Plan | 3 [ Contents ] List of Acronyms and Shorthand ........................................... 7 Chapter One: Ocean Planning in the Mid-Atlantic ........................... 9 1.1 About this Document .................................................. 14 1.2 The Planning Process .................................................. 15 1.2.1 The Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body ........................... 15 1.2.2 Key Partners in the Regional Planning Process ...................... 17 1.2.3 Stakeholders in the Regional Planning Process ...................... 19 1.2.4 Tribal Engagement in the Regional Planning Process ................ 22 1.3 Regional Ocean Assessment ............................................ 22 1.4 Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Planning Framework ........................ 23 1.4.1 Vision ........................................................... 23 1.4.2 Geographic Focus ................................................ 24 1.4.3 Principles ........................................................ 24 1.4.4 Goals and Objectives ............................................. 26 1.5 Approach to the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Action Plan ......................... 26 1.6 Moving Ahead Under Existing Authorities ................................ 27 Chapter Two: Actions to Promote Interjurisdictional Coordination in Support of Regional Ocean Planning Goals ................................ 29 2.1 Best Practices