The National Ocean Council drew over 100 attendees to the Quinault Beach Resort and Casino on June 27 for one of 12 listening sessions scheduled nationwide to gather public input from those coastal residents, stakeholders, and groups that could be most affected by the newly forming National Ocean policy. The day’s session was hosted by the Quinault Tribe and facilitated by spokespersons from the Governor’s Office and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. Attendees included coastal residents, businesses, conservation groups, tribes, and local, state and federal agency representatives.

The day was organized around introductions from federal marine experts, tribes, and legislators, a keynote address from Congressman Norm Dicks, D-Wash, and both a morning and afternoon public comment session. The afternoon also provided break out sessions to allow attendees the opportunity to learn more about each of the National Ocean Council’s nine priority objectives in creating an nationwide ocean policy including:

1. Ecosystem-Based Management
2. Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning
3. Inform Decisions and Improve Understanding
4. Better coordinate and support Federal, State, tribal, local, and regional management of the ocean, our coasts, and the Great Lakes.
5. Resiliency and Adaptation to Climate Change and Ocean Acidification
6. Regional Ecosystem Protection and Restoration
7. Water Quality and Sustainable Practices on Land
8. Address Changing Conditions in the Arctic
9. Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Observations, Mapping, and Infrastructure.

The morning agenda kicked off with Senator Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam who spoke in favor of the policy’s objective to work toward "comprehensive, integrated ecosystem-based, coastal, and marine spatial planning" and for protecting existing fisheries and shipping interests for Grays Harbor as may pertain to future energy projects in our ocean waters. Stating that this measure in particular would support and establish regional planning bodies to better control uses of the ocean and shoreline.

Of similar tone were comments made by Congressman Norm Dicks during his afternoon keynote address that pointed to his mission to help achieve "sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources" through helping to secure funds for the each of the Council’s priority objectives. As the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee he promised to do all he could to press for funding support and further resources for the National Ocean Policy. Dicks also noted the importance of putting this Policy to work as soon as possible as we face serious threats from both climate change and ocean acidification due to carbon dioxide. The policy, which sets out for preservation of our oceans, must be put in place to maintain the livelihoods coastal residents, recreational opportunities, and our nation’s economy.

As the National Ocean Council proceeds with the finalization of the Policy they have been seeking input from coastal stakeholders, residents, and groups such as coastal marine resource committees via national comment sessions and online portals so they may incorporate local interests and concerns. They also are working with a Governance Coordinating Committee made up of 18 tribal, state, and local government officials appointed by the President, representing the many diverse interests of our nation’s waters. Representatives on the Committee from Washington include Micah McCarty, Tribal Chairman & Marine Policy and Fisheries Advisor for the Makah Tribal Council and Senator Kevin Ranker D-San Juan who is also Chair of the Senate Natural Resources & Marine Waters Committee. Ranker who has championed several bills supporting the health of our coastal waters in a statement earlier this year said, “I am honored to be part of this Committee and look forward to helping the Administration advance a National Ocean Policy that protects Washington’s ocean and marine waters and the goods and services they provide to us.” The Committee will work closely with the National Ocean Council to provide advice from nationwide partners and stakeholders.

Jody Kennedy, Policy Coordinator  for the Surfrider Foundation said, “The National Ocean Council’s mission and a measure of their success, will depend on the how well they can communicate and engage with the people and communities that live, work, and depend on our marine and coastal waters.” Kennedy has worked for several years with coastal resident and chair of the Grays Harbor County Marine Resources Committee, Kathy Greer to raise awareness around the importance of protecting and improving the health of our coastal marine resources via a grass roots approach. Part of their work involved working with stakeholders and state and local agencies to establish coastal marine resource committees in Washington. Now four in all, each is set up to represent a diverse group of ocean user interests from science to fishing to recreation with their primary objective being to get local voices heard by decision makers.

Overall there was broad support from attendees for the Council’s priority objectives but expressed their concern over threats to existing ocean uses from fishing rights to recreational access. In particular those threats that may come from ocean energy initiatives and federal regulatory measures were of primary concern. The health of our coastal waters was also on people’s minds as highlighted by Fritzi Cohen of Willapa Bay who runs the Moby Dick Motel and a small Oyster Farm. She complained about the heavy use of herbicides and pesticides throughout our region and stated "It's time for us to not treat our ocean like a toilet bowl.” Water quality has been a significant theme over the last decade with local conservation groups. Former County Commissioner Al Carter said "Everything is water quality, that's the most important thing. It affects every aspect of our marine resources from fish and wildlife to recreation, and with that our economy." He also pointed to caring for our wetlands as a major component of healthy coastal waters.

The National Ocean Council completed all 12 public listening sessions last week and continued to accept public comments on its nine priority objectives through July 2. To view comments received thus far please visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/oceans/comments and for additional information and updates http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/oceans.