On Thursday, July 14, the Northeast Congressional delegation once again lent their avid support for regional ocean planning – and this time, in a very big way.

In a joint letter led by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI), the entire delegation from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts applauded the release of the draft Northeast Ocean Plan, and its future benefits for the economy, marine life and habitat, ocean stakeholders, and the states, tribes and federal agencies managing our region’s ocean.

Sent to President Obama, the letter called out specifically what they believe to be the draft plan’s greatest strengths:

1. New, excellent data resulting from partnerships across sectors and industries.
2. A newfound partnership between states, federal agencies, and tribes that will result in better information sharing and collaboration.
3. A better understanding, through the best available science, of marine life and habitats in the region, ensuring improved decision making for conservation efforts.

In the interest of our coastal communities and ocean stakeholders, the Northeast delegation had one request for the Obama Administration:

“We respectfully request that the Administration continue its engagement as the public provides additional input during the draft comment period. We urge the Administration to ensure the regional planning [body] continues its public outreach and incorporates that public input into the final plan. Through refining and perfecting the plan and its data portal, federal agencies, states and local stakeholders can better capitalize on the Atlantic as an economic driver and work to protect its environmental treasures for generations to come.”

Our delegation considers it to be a point of pride that regional ocean planning ensures that all stakeholders have a seat at the decision-making table, and NEOAN thanks our elected leaders for being steadfast champions for better, more inclusive ocean management – that embraces robust stakeholder engagement.

While the National Ocean Policy is under frequent attack on the Hill, our legislators have consistently voted to protect the policy, with the wise understanding that a regional ocean plan will not only set a new precedent, but will be a complete game changer for the way we make decisions regarding all sectors and uses in the North Atlantic. This continued support from our delegation shows excellent leadership, and will benefit our wildlife, industries, beachgoers, and overall ocean health.

Here’s the full list of congressional members who signed on in support:

U.S. Senator Christopher S. Murphy
U.S. Representative James R. Langevin
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal
U.S. Senator Jack Reed
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
U.S. Senator Susan M. Collins
U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr.
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren
U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey
U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen
U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte
U.S. Representative John B. Larson
U.S. Representative Joe Courtney
U.S. Representative Rosa L. DeLauro
U.S. Representative James A. Himes
U.S. Representative Elizabeth H. Esty
U.S. Representative David N. Cicilline
U.S. Representative Richard E. Neal
U.S. Representative James P. McGovern
U.S. Representative Niki Tsongas
U.S. Representative Joseph P. Kennedy, III
U.S. Representative Katherine M. Clark
U.S. Representative Seth Moulton
U.S. Representative Michael E. Capuano
U.S. Representative Stephen F. Lynch
U.S. Representative William R. Keating
U.S. Representative Frank C. Guinta
U.S. Representative Ann McLane Kuster
U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree
U.S. Representative Bruce Poliquin

National Ocean Policy Northeast Congressional Delegation Northeast Regional Ocean Plan ocean planning