**Meeting Agenda  October 27, 2008  Mariners House in Boston, MA**

+--------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [9:00  | **Refreshments**                                            |
| am]    |                                                             |
| {.smal |                                                             |
| lcaps} |                                                             |
+--------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [9:15  | **Welcome & Introductions**                                 |
| am]    |                                                             |
| {.smal | *Brian Thompson, Connecticut & Dave Russ, DOI -- Council    |
| lcaps} | Chair and Vice-chair*                                       |
+--------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [9:20  | **Consent Agenda**                                          |
| am]    |                                                             |
| {.smal | *Brian Thompson, Connecticut - Chair*                       |
| lcaps} |                                                             |
|        | Consent agenda items are intended to provide Council        |
|        | members with updates on NROC activities (information only). |
|        | The Chair will summarize each item and ask Council members  |
|        | to accept each item 'as is' or remove an item for further   |
|        | discussion. *Please review items before the meeting.*       |
|        |                                                             |
|        | [Desired decision or other outcome]{.underline}:            |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   Accept or pull for further discussion                   |
|        |                                                             |
|        | [Content]{.underline}:                                      |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   NROC May 1, 2008 meeting minutes \[Page 4\]             |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   2008 Progress Report \[Page 10\]                        |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   NEGC September Meeting update (Information Only) \[Page |
|        |     13\]                                                    |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   StormSmart Coasts Network (Information Only) \[Page     |
|        |     14\] (5 minute presentation)                            |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   Summary of regional ocean governance efforts            |
|        |     (Information Only) \[Page 15\]                          |
+--------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [9:35  | **Ocean and Coastal Ecosystem Health Committee Report**     |
| am]    |                                                             |
| {.smal | *Leslie-Ann McGee, Massachusetts and Mel Coté, EPA*         |
| lcaps} |                                                             |
|        | [Desired decision(s) or other outcome:]{.underline}         |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   Approve Committee recommendations for 2009 priority     |
|        |     actions.                                                |
|        |                                                             |
|        | [Content:]{.underline}                                      |
|        |                                                             |
|        | The Committee leads will provide an update on progress to   |
|        | date including                                              |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   Draft 2009 work plan items including deliverables,      |
|        |     partners, and resources                                 |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   Recommendations for priority actions                    |
|        |                                                             |
|        | *Materials: Ocean and Coastal Ecosystem Health Committee    |
|        | Work Plan* \[Page 18\]                                      |
+--------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [10:35 | **Coastal Hazards Resilience Committee Report**             |
| am]    |                                                             |
| {.smal | *Ron Rozsa, Connecticut, Susan Russell Robinson, USGS and   |
| lcaps} | Adrianne Harrison, NOAA*                                    |
|        |                                                             |
|        | [Desired decision(s) or other outcome:]{.underline}         |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   Approve Committee recommendations for 2009 priority     |
|        |     actions.                                                |
|        |                                                             |
|        | [Content:]{.underline}                                      |
|        |                                                             |
|        | The Committee leads will provide an update on progress to   |
|        | date including                                              |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   Draft 2009 work plan items including deliverables,      |
|        |     partners, and resources                                 |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   Recommendations for priority actions                    |
|        |                                                             |
|        | *Materials: Coastal Hazards Resilience Committee Work Plan* |
|        | \[Page 26\]                                                 |
+--------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [11:15 | **Ocean Energy Planning and Management Committee Report**   |
| am]    |                                                             |
| {.smal | *Ames Colt, RI and Ron Beck, USCG*                          |
| lcaps} |                                                             |
|        | [Desired decision(s) or other outcome:]{.underline}         |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   Approve Committee recommendations for 2009 priority     |
|        |     actions.                                                |
|        |                                                             |
|        | [Content:]{.underline}                                      |
|        |                                                             |
|        | The Committee leads will provide an update on progress to   |
|        | date including                                              |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   Draft 2009 work plan items including deliverables,      |
|        |     partners, and resources                                 |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   Recommendations for priority actions                    |
|        |                                                             |
|        | *Materials: Ocean Energy Planning and Management Committee  |
|        | Work Plan* \[Page 29\]                                      |
+--------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [12:00 | **Lunch** at Mariners House                                 |
| pm]    |                                                             |
| {.smal | Please feel free to bring your own lunch or \$5 for boxed   |
| lcaps} | lunch provided by the Mariners House.                       |
+--------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [12:45 | **Review Priority Actions**                                 |
| pm]    |                                                             |
| {.smal | *David Keeley, Contractor*                                  |
| lcaps} |                                                             |
|        | [Content:]{.underline}                                      |
|        |                                                             |
|        | Review and confirm decisions and recommendations from       |
|        | morning sessions. These priority actions will become the    |
|        | basis for NROC's 2009 work plan.                            |
+--------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [1:00  | **Communications and Outreach Committee**                   |
| pm]    |                                                             |
| {.smal | *Susan Russell Robinson, USGS*                              |
| lcaps} |                                                             |
|        | [Desired decision(s) or other outcome:]{.underline}         |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   Update on NROC website                                  |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   Approve NROC letter to new administration               |
|        |                                                             |
|        | [Content:]{.underline}                                      |
|        |                                                             |
|        | The Communications and Outreach Committee will provide a    |
|        | demonstration of the new website and discuss opportunities  |
|        | for posting information. The Council will be asked to       |
|        | provide feedback on the types of information and documents  |
|        | that they would like the public to have access to. The      |
|        | Communications and Outreach Committee will also provide an  |
|        | overview of their purpose and the anticipated tasks for     |
|        | 2009 including communicating with governors and the new     |
|        | administration.                                             |
|        |                                                             |
|        | *Materials: Communications and Outreach Committee Terms of  |
|        | Reference* \[Page 33\]*, Draft letter to new                |
|        | administration* \[Page 34\]                                 |
+--------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [1:20  | **Appropriations Committee**                                |
| pm]    |                                                             |
| {.smal | *Kathleen Leyden, ME*                                       |
| lcaps} |                                                             |
|        | [Desired decision(s) or other outcome:]{.underline}         |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   Approve appropriations request                          |
|        |                                                             |
|        | [Content:]{.underline}                                      |
|        |                                                             |
|        | The draft appropriations request and strategy for           |
|        | communicating with state delegations.                       |
|        |                                                             |
|        | *Materials: Appropriations update* \[to be distributed at   |
|        | the meeting\]                                               |
+--------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [1:45  | **ROG in the face of the changing Administration**          |
| pm]    |                                                             |
| {.smal | *Chris Kearny, DOI and SIMOR co-chair*                      |
| lcaps} |                                                             |
|        | *Terry Holman, DOI*                                         |
+--------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [2:00  | **NROC Activities and Perspectives in Climate Change**      |
| pm]    |                                                             |
| {.smal | *David Russ, USGS*                                          |
| lcaps} |                                                             |
|        | [Desired decision(s) or other outcome:]{.underline}         |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   Adopt NROC statement on climate change                  |
|        |                                                             |
|        | [Content:]{.underline}                                      |
|        |                                                             |
|        | NROC is currently addressing elements of climate change in  |
|        | its existing priority issues. Additionally, many NROC       |
|        | partners are engaged in regional climate change initiatives |
|        | and efforts. The Executive Committee requests the Council   |
|        | discuss and approve a statement that outlines NROC's        |
|        | efforts to coordinate and advance a regional response to    |
|        | climate change through its existing priority issue area     |
|        | actions. Climate change will serve as an overarching theme  |
|        | for NROC activities.                                        |
|        |                                                             |
|        | *Materials: Draft NROC statement on climate change* \[Page  |
|        | 35\]                                                        |
+--------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [3:10  | **Massachusetts Oceans Act Update**                         |
| pm]    |                                                             |
| {.smal | *Mass Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs* |
| lcaps} |                                                             |
|        | [Content:]{.underline}                                      |
|        |                                                             |
|        | Overview of Mass Oceans Act and timeline for ocean          |
|        | management plan.                                            |
|        |                                                             |
|        | *Materials: Mass Oceans Act Summary* \[Page 35\]            |
+--------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [3:25  | **Closing Business**                                        |
| pm]    |                                                             |
| {.smal | *Brian Thompson, Connecticut - Chair*                       |
| lcaps} |                                                             |
|        | -   Review and confirm decisions and recommendations from   |
|        |     afternoon sessions.                                     |
|        |                                                             |
|        | -   Next meeting date and location: January, Boston/        |
|        |     Chelmsford, MA                                          |
+--------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| [3:30  | **Adjourn**                                                 |
| pm]    |                                                             |
| {.smal |                                                             |
| lcaps} |                                                             |
+--------+-------------------------------------------------------------+

**Dinner**: For anyone interested, a group reservation will be made at a
North End restaurant -- the little Italy of Boston - at 6:00 pm.

**Council Meeting Notes (Final Version) -- May 1, 2008 -- Northborough,
MA**

**[Attendees:]{.underline}**

Brian Thompson, Chair -- CT Department of Environmental Protection

Ron Rozsa -- CT Department of Environmental Protection

Tom Ouellette -- CT Department of Environmental Protection

Kathleen Leyden -- Maine Coastal Program

Ted Diers -- NH Department of Environmental Services

Chris Williams -- NH Department of Environmental Services

Leslie-Ann McGee -- MA Office of Coastal Zone Management

Greg Watson -- MA Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

Julia Knisel -- MA Office of Coastal Zone Management

Ames Colt -- RI Bays, Rivers & Watersheds Coordination Team

Catherine Gjessing -- VT Department of Natural Resources

Dave Russ, Vice-Chair -- Department of Interior, US Geological Survey

Susan Russell-Robinson -- Department of Interior, US Geological Survey

Mel Coté -- US Environmental Protection Agency

Andrew Lipsky -- US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource
Conservation Services

Bill Hubbard -- US Army Corps of Engineers

Rich Gonzales -- US Coast Guard (for Ron Beck)

Jaime Geiger -- Department of Interior -- Fish & Wildlife Service

Rick Bennett -- Department of Interior -- Fish & Wildlife Service

Dave Reynolds -- Department of Interior -- National Parks Service

Rodney Cluck -- Department of Interior -- Minerals Management Service

Betsy Nicholson -- NOAA, National Ocean Service

Adrianne Harrison -- NOAA, National Ocean Service

David Keeley -- The Keeley Group

Sally Yozell -- The Nature Conservancy

**[Action Items]{.underline}**:

-   Discuss how NROC will interact with NERACOOS nominees (EC)

-   Discuss NROC and RCOM similarities at NEGC/ECP meeting in September
    (EC)

-   NROC elevator speech (EC)

-   Solicit/designate members for Communication and Outreach Committee
    (EC)

-   Solicit/designate members for Resource Atlas (EC)

-   Solicit state and federal five year goals, initiatives, and
    gaps/needs (EC)

-   Add date to Annual Progress Report. (EC/Ron Rozsa)

-   Post January meeting summary and Annual Progress Report on website.
    (EC/Adrianne)

-   Distribute Annual Report to NROC governors, agencies, and
    leadership. (All)

-   Email description of Chair's initiative to State members. (Kathleen)

-   Email recap of other state and regional responses to initiative to
    State members. (Kathleen)

-   State review initiative with agency and adopt/approve by May 30.
    (States)

-   Issue Area Committee leads work with David Keeley on next steps
    (Leslie-Ann, Mel, Ron Rozsa, Susan, Adrianne, Ron Beck, and Ames)

-   Identify potential members or other existing committees to work with
    on work plan (Leslie-Ann and Mel)

-   Energy committee connect with NEGC energy committee (Ames and Ron
    Beck)

-   Encourage New England Governors to participate in Governors Ocean
    Wind Council (Ames and Greg)

-   Post Maritime Security Issue Areas analysis to website for review
    (Adrianne)

-   Confirm maritime security issue area activities that will be
    absorbed into other committees or removed (David Keeley)

-   Email EPA Climate Ready Estuary Program Fact Sheets to Council (Mel)

-   Regional Planning Commissions need training in vulnerability
    assessments and hazards mitigation. NROC Coastal Hazards Committee
    response. (Ron, Adrianne, Susan)

-   Appropriations committee (Kathleen)

-   Provide webex and conference lines to encourage out-of-state
    participation at upcoming climate workshops and conferences. (All)

**[Consent Agenda Items]{.underline}**

**NROC January 23, 2008 meeting minutes**

Approved.

**Accept NERACOOS nominations**

Approved. Continue with Canadian nomination process.

**NROC 2007 Annual Progress Report**

Approved with edits.

[Actions]{.underline}:

-   Add date to Annual Progress Report. (Ron Rozsa)

-   Post January meeting summary and Annual Progress Report on website.
    (Adrianne)

-   Distribute Annual Report to NROC governors, agencies, and
    leadership. (All)

-   Discuss how NROC will interact with NERACOOS nominees (EC)

**Integration Update**

Gulf of Maine Council sponsored an ocean integration meeting in March
2008 to discuss ocean management efforts with overlapping interests,
projects and spending. The purpose of discussing integration is to
understand what direction overall management efforts are headed and how
to not compete directly with each other for resources and avoid mission
creep. Draft proceedings from this meeting are available.

The Gulf of Maine Council will host a follow up meeting in June in
Salem, Massachusetts. This meeting will have a broader invite list and
will seek participants from NROC and southern New England.

[Actions]{.underline}:

-   Discuss NROC and RCOM similarities at NEGC/ECP meeting in September.

**Sub-region Update: Southern New England**

Ron provided an overview of issues facing southern New England including
Narragansett Bay and Long Island Sound. Estuarine and ocean management,
energy development, loss of wetlands and sudden vegetation dieback, and
sea level rise were the major issues of interest to NROC. Ron noted data
needs related to each issue area including seafloor mapping, historical
data, and LIDAR. Ron also provided an update on the Southern New England
and New York Ocean Partnership. This group met in January 2008 to
provide input for the southern New England and New York portion of the
Legislative Atlas tool. This session was intended to provide an
opportunity to improve awareness and understanding of sub-regional
interests and differences. This session highlighted a need to use NROC
as a venue to better coordinate and communicate planning efforts and
agency initiatives.

**NROC Interests in Climate Change Discussion**

Dave Russ opened this session noting that climate change is not a formal
NROC priority issue area but rather an issue that impacts all of NROC's
interests. This session was intended to begin a dialogue on NROC's role
in climate activities and initiatives and approach to addressing climate
change within NROC's issue area committees.

Council members use this opportunity to briefly describe agency and
state climate change activities and upcoming workshops or conferences.

*Climate Ready Estuaries*: This is a new program developed by the
National Estuary Program to use NEP sites to model how to prepare for
climate change. The Mass Bays NEP and New Hampshire Estuaries Project
were two of six sites selected around the country for a climate ready
estuary pilot project. For more information contact Mel Coté.

*EPA Office of Water Climate Strategy* -- The EPA Office of Water has a
draft climate strategy available for public comment. For additional
information visit
[www.epa.gov/water/climatechange/](http://www.epa.gov/water/climatechange/).

*Climate Change in the Northeast: Preparing for the Future* -- DOI is
sponsoring a workshop June 3-5, 2008 in Amherst, Massachusetts help
resource managers develop a common understanding of natural and cultural
resource issues and to explore management approaches related to climate
change in the Northeast United States. This workshop focuses on
protected resources including national and state parks and forests,
marine protected areas, and wildlife refuges. For more information
contact Rick Bennett or visit <http://lcat.usgs.gov/neclimate>.

*Storm Smart Coasts* -- The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone
Management has developed a program to assist municipalities plan for
flooding associated with coastal storms. For more information contact
Leslie-Ann McGee.

*NEGC/ECP Climate Change Sub-Committee* -- At each annual meeting, the
NEGC/ECP recommends work items for its sub-committees. In 2007-2008, the
climate change sub-committee was tasked with developing a cooperative
initiative with regional communities and metropolitan associations work
towards a regional climate collaboration. This Municipal Cooperative
Climate Protection Initiative is charged with developing a collection of
municipal best practice case studies on adaptation strategies for the
regional and to hold cooperative workshops to explore strategies and
opportunities for regional collaboration. This is a key committee NROC
should begin and maintain communication with. For more information
contact Ron Rozsa.

*ICLEI Municipal Climate Adaptation Workshop* -- ICLEI was asked by the
NEGC/ECP to deliver two workshops for local and state governments. The
goal is to provide the most up to date information on forecasted climate
impacts and facilitate hands-on training that identifies how to
prioritize and begin planning for those impacts. ICLEI has been a guest
at two NROC meetings and has invited NROC to attend this upcoming
workshop on May 30, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts to further explore
opportunities to partner. For more information contact Ron Rozsa.

*EPA Climate Forum* -- EPA will be conducting a climate workshop on June
19, 2008 at the University of New Hampshire. Details about this workshop
will be available in the next few weeks. For more information, contact
Mel Coté.

*National Parks Northeast Transportation Planning* -- National Parks are
planning transportation corridors between parks in the northeast to
reduce carbon emissions. For more information contact David Reynolds.

[Actions]{.underline}:

-   Email EPA Climate Ready Estuary Program Fact Sheets to Council (Mel)

-   Regional Planning Commissions need training in vulnerability
    assessments and hazards mitigation. NROC Coastal Hazards Committee
    response. (Ron, Adrianne, Susan)

-   Provide webex and conference lines to encourage out-of-state
    participation at upcoming climate workshops and conferences.

**Coastal States Organization Chair's Initiative**

There are three components to this year's Chair's Initiative --
development of a 'Coastal Trust Fund', support for CZMA reauthorization,
and funding for coastal states climate adaptation. Kathleen asked the
states to review the chair's initiative and sign on to the initiative.

[Actions]{.underline}:

-   Email description of Chair's initiative to State members. (Kathleen)

-   Email recap of other state and regional responses to initiative to
    State members. (Kathleen)

-   State review initiative with agency and adopt/approve by May 30.
    (States)

**Issue Area Committee Updates:**

*Contractor Support for Committees*

The issue area committees requested support for developing the issue
specific work plans for the October meeting. DOI responded with a
contract for services with The Keeley Group to provide support for the
committee leads. Services include organizing, convening and facilitating
committee meetings, providing meeting summaries and follow up support,
and providing updates to the Council. This support will ensure that
committees provide draft work plans at the October NROC meeting.

DOI has also responded with additional administrative support for the
contractor and committee leads. Carrie Miller with USGS will be
providing support for scheduling meetings, gathering meeting materials
and arranging teleconference lines.

*Council Committee on Ocean and Ecosystem Health*

The Ocean and Ecosystem Health Committee leads held a meeting in March
with regional experts to brainstorm work plan ideas. OEH is a big topic
so the Committee used the NROC Ocean Congress Report as the starting
point to narrow issues to a few collective top priorities. Some of the
more immediately doable ideas included getting the region to agree to
nutrient loading criteria using the existing EPA process. Larger issues
that the Committee could tackle include

The meeting participants did feel the TNC Northwest Atlantic Ecoregional
Assessment would be a valuable product for the OEH Committee. This
effort will provide a baseline assessment for the Northeast. Sally
Yozell from TNC attended the Issue Area Committee update session and was
able to provide an update on the Northwest Atlantic Ecoregional
Assessment. The final product is expected to be completed in spring 2009
with the database available in fall 2008. Sally stressed that the
database is a static, one-time snapshot of habitat. TNC is currently
having discussions to develop tools and products that have a broader
application including EBM decision support tools.

*Update: At its May 2008 meeting the Northeast Regional Ocean Council
(NROC) recently endorsed supporting the development of the
Nature Conservancy\'s NW Atlantic Ecoregional Marine Assessment (NAM
ERA) as a potential baseline of information that may be used to support
marine conservation management and decisions in the future.  NROC\'s
Ocean and Coastal Ecosystem Health Committee has decided to include the
NAM ERA in its Workplan for potential use as an ecological baseline of
information because at this time, the northeast states do not
collectively have a comparable data resource.  *

The committee is not yet formed. The leads will use these initial
meeting participants as a starting point for soliciting committee
members or try to use other existing committees in the region. Members
from stakeholder organizations will be solicited to participate,
including TNC. USDA NRCS, USFWS and NOAA requested to be included in
future meetings.

[Actions]{.underline}:

-   Leads work with David Keeley on next steps (Leslie-Ann and Mel)

-   Identify potential members or other existing committees to work with
    on work plan (Leslie-Ann and Mel)

*Council Committee on Coastal Hazards Ready New England*

The Coastal Hazards Resilience Committee has prepared a draft work plan
that contains ideas gathered from committee members and co-leads. The
Committee is already making progress on a few of the work plan ideas
including historical storm surge data and hindcast in Connecticut, a
coastal hazards resilience products and tools workshop, and posting hard
to find state hazard mitigation plans to the NROC website. Next steps
for this Committee include asking states to weigh in on work plan ideas
and exploring opportunities to collaborate with other hazards groups.

[Actions]{.underline}:

-   Leads work with David Keeley on next steps (Ron, Susan, and
    Adrianne)

*Council Committee on Ocean Energy Management and Planning*

The Ocean Energy Committee has been working to develop a work plan that
addresses the issues identified in the NROC Ocean Congress Report. At a
recent teleconference, the Committee pulled regional energy experts
together to review a draft work plan proposal. Attendees included
members of the NH Tidal Energy Commission, NOAA OCRM Energy Policy
Division, and Minerals Management Service. This Committee identified
near term action items that include

-   Develop database of pilot and full scale projects underway or in
    planning.

-   Share accomplishments and tools for comprehensive ocean management
    planning.

-   Workshop/education on multiple permitting processes including
    federal, state, local and inter-jurisdictional.

A longer term action item that was suggested at the meeting is a
cumulative impact assessment of ocean energy projects.

The Council discussed drivers of the Ocean Energy issue area. There is
continued uncertainty regarding the quality/energy density of renewable
ocean resources. The energy potential of sites is a driver for energy
development. Another driver is seeking a sustainable strategy for
meeting energy needs. Creating a resilient and diverse energy system for
New England that can respond to challenges posed by climate change and
sea level rise is yet another driver.

[Actions]{.underline}:

-   Leads work with David Keeley on next steps (Ron Beck and Ames)

-   Connect with NEGC energy committee

-   Encourage New England Governors to participate in Governors Ocean
    Wind Council (Greg Watson)

*Council Committee on Maritime Security*

Ron Beck prepared a summary of existing regional maritime security
groups and options for removing the maritime security issue area. There
were several roles that NROC could potentially plan in regional maritime
security outlined in the NROC Ocean Congress Report. These issues are
either being addressed by existing regional efforts (as described by
Ron) or would be better addressed by other committees (i.e. regional
sediment management covered in Ocean and Ecosystem Health).

[Actions]{.underline}:

-   Post Ron's analysis to website for review (Adrianne)

-   Confirm issue area activities that will be absorbed into other
    committees or removed (David Keeley)

**Participation & Resources:**

The primary objective of this session was to get final approval of the
2008 work plan. The work plan was approved with a note of caution that
the work plan goes beyond coordinating and providing a forum for
discussion and sharing ideas. There are not a lot of resources available
so things in the work plan need to be accomplished with primarily
in-kind support. The Council generally agreed that data sharing and
development, fostering exportable pilot projects, maintaining
communication and coordination between state and federal agencies, and
focusing attention on priority issues are the core functions of NROC.

The Council agreed to create three new temporary committees including an
appropriations committee that will be led by Kathleen Leyden, a
communications and outreach committee, and a committee to investigate
existing data and frameworks for a regional resource atlas.

The Council discussed an appropriate funding model NROC should work with
if successful in appropriations request. The Council stressed that the
process needs to be simple and streamlined. In the near-term, NROC will
leverage funds and provide connections to resources to strategically
match regional needs. NROC will use connection to federal agencies to
increase access to resources and the federal budget. NROC will go
through Congress to seek additional support for NROC's member agencies
(state and federal).

The Council discussed the need to better understand the goals,
initiatives and gaps or needs for next five years for state and federal
members. State info can be found in the coastal program updates.

[Actions]{.underline}:

-   Appropriations committee (Kathleen)

-   Solicit/designate members for Communication and Outreach Committee
    (EC)

-   Solicit/designate members for Resource Atlas (EC)

-   Solicit state and federal five year goals, initiatives, and
    gaps/needs (EC)

**2008 Work Plan: Progress Report**

***Submitted by Ron Rozsa***

This Progress Report will report on 1) progress on Councils General
workplan and 2) the progress report of the individual Standing
Committees. The Councils General Workplan contained the following five
tasks:

**Work Plan Update: Ensure support for NROC**

The Executive Committee (state members only) drafted an appropriation
request and sent the request to Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice,
Science, and Related Agencies of the House and Senate requesting
one-million dollars to implement the Council's Ocean Action Plan. It was
decided to have the request originate from the State EC Chair rather
than have the individual Governors sign the letter as was the approach
in 2007. Some council members made contact with their state delegates to
support this request. Council members offered various opinions on how to
approach an appropriations request and so the EC directed the
Communications Committee to refine the approach for an appropriation
request by October 2008.

Status: Complete.

**Work Plan Update: Action Plan Implementation**

Guidelines for workplans have been developed. The Council is still
evaluating the need for work on Maritime Security. The remaining 3
Standing Committees have met to discuss committee organization and
workplan activities. The Committees will make presentation at the Fall
2008 workshop to update the council on committee structure and
workplans.

Status: Committees are on schedule to present draft workplans by the
fall meeting and be ready to submit workplans and implementation plans
to the Council at the January 2009 meeting.

**Work Plan Update: Develop and Implement a Communication and Outreach
Strategy**

The Executive Committee created a Communication and Outreach Committee
to work on this task. As part of the strategy to brand NROC materials, a
new logo was selected from designs submitted by Massachusetts,
Connecticut and NOAA.

> ![](media/image1.png){width="1.75in" height="1.3104166666666666in"}

To facilitate better internal and external communication, the NOAA
Coastal Services Center prepared a publicly accessible website. This is
a framework on which the Standing Committees can post documents and make
links to other organizations and regional events.
<http://community.csc.noaa.gov/nroc/>

Please use the site and provide comments on features you like, features
that should be added, and improvements you suggest.

The Committee was asked by the Executive Committee to draft a transition
letter that NROC could send to the new administration or adapt for
communication with the Governors. NROC members are asked to review this
letter and provide the committee with comments.

For the rest of 2008, the Communications Committee will:

-   Hold a telecon of the full Communications Team comprised of three
    Working Groups -- by November 7, 2008

-   Populate the NROC Web Pages. Provide the Standing Committees with
    web posting instructions. Continue evaluation of usability of the
    information architecture of the site. -- ongoing

-   Finalize a Transition Letter -- November 14, 2008.

-   Write news releases for the Coastal Hazards Workshop to be held
    November 19 and 20, 2008.

-   Identify a liaison from each of the Standing Committees -- November
    21, 2008.

**Work Plan Update: Scope the need and requirements of an ocean atlas
for the northeast.**

An ad hoc committee is being lead by NOAA and CT DEP. There will be a
conference call before the October council meeting with representatives
from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service -- Southern New England-New York Bight
Coastal Ecosystems Program, The Nature Conservancy and others to assess
the feasibility of developing a Northeast Atlas. The committee expects
to have defined the purpose and basic components of an atlas as well as
identifying an implementation approach and initial federal and state
partners needed to support the initiative.

Progress: The committee expects to provide the EC with a report and
recommendations before the end of the year and expect that the EC will
make its recommendation to the Council at the January 09 meeting.

**Standing Committee Update: Coastal Hazards Resilience**

This committee had an organizational meeting in January and developed a
strawman workplan in April. A terms of reference document has been
created and in the summer discussions continued on the workplan and
composition of a committee. It is the CHSC's goal to have a
representative from each state on the committee to act as a liaison to
the key state agencies that should review and contribute to the workplan
and products. It is expected that work on individual tasks will be done
through the creation of Working Groups. This is a model that has worked
well for the NEGC Steering Committees.\
\
The NEGC/ECP had requested through the Climate Change Steering Committee
to hold an adaptation workshop in Canada and New England. The New
England workshop was held in Boston on May 30^th^ and hosted by ICLEI.
Julia Knisel from Massachusetts CZM and Ron Rozsa from CT DEP attended
the workshop and also provided technical support to ICLEI in the conduct
of the pm work session on Coastal Hazards. The audience was most
interested in the adaptation process that Keene, New Hampshire is
pursuing. The afternoon included a series of breakout sessions which
commenced with an overview of the issue areas and then the groups worked
through the adaptation process on a single issue. The majority of
attendees were from Massachusetts (60%). Single meetings such as this as
a means to communicate with the New England states are not very
effective. The CHSC will be discussing the opportunity for additional
regional meetings.

CT DEP proposed a pilot project consisting of extracting surge data for
Connecticut that the Corps of Engineers had compiled for New England
(Tidal Flood Profiles). Bill Hubbard had staff scan the documents and
maps and CT's coastal fellow entered the surge data from the 1938 and
1954 hurricanes into a GIS coverage and database. The University of
Connecticut will be assessing the value of these data for modeling
surge. A report will be produced by the end of the year with
recommendations as to whether the remaining surge data should be
extracted for use by hazard managers and modelers.

**Standing Committee Update: Ocean Energy Planning and Management**

This committee held two conference calls and one meeting to develop
strawman work plan. The committee co-leads solicited participation from
state and federal agencies.

The committee also organized a web demonstration of the Multipurpose
Marine Cadastre, a alternative energy planning tool developed by the
Minerals Management Service and NOAA.

**Standing Committee Update: Ocean and Coastal Ecosystem Health**

This committee held two organizational meetings, one in March and one in
August. Four focus areas with Ocean and Coastal Ecosystem Health were
identified by meeting participants:

-   Existing nutrient criteria, dredging, and habitat restoration
    efforts,

-   Research and monitoring of climate change, over-enrichment of
    coastal waters, and cumulative effect of habitat loss and
    degradation,

-   Data collection and dissemination in support of project review and
    permitting, and

-   Ecosystem-based management initiatives

These four areas provided the framework for the draft strawman work
plan.

**Update on New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers
Meeting**

***Submitted by Adrianne Harrison***

The New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers held their
annual meeting on September 16, 2008 in Bar Harbor, ME. Climate and
energy were two of the issues discussed by the Governors and Premiers,
resulting in a resolution for each outlining the shared commitments and
directing the committees to continue work.

The resolution concerning climate change adaptation (32-5) focuses on
improving communications, sharing data, establishing long-term
monitoring, providing tools to communities for adaptation, and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions. The detailed resolution is available at
[www.negc.org/documents/Res_32-5.pdf](http://www.negc.org/documents/Res_32-5.pdf).

The resolution concerning energy (32-4) focuses on renewable energy
resources and opportunities in the region. The detailed resolution is
available at
[www.negc.org/documents/Res_32-4.pdf](http://www.negc.org/documents/Res_32-4.pdf).

The Climate Change Subcommittee (CCSC) provided an update on the
municipal cooperative climate protection workshops NEG/ECP and ICLEI
sponsored. With the assistance of state and local governments, the
workshops were organized to provide municipal planning officials with
examples and tools for developing local adaptation plans. The format
included providing participants with current information on forecasted
climate impacts and training on how to prioritize and plan for these
impacts. The workshops were attended by over 60 municipal and provincial
officials at each site. Based on the success of these workshops, the
CCSC will consider additional adaptation capacity building programs in
collaboration with ICLEI, including:

-   Partnering of municipalities from both regions;

-   Development of best practices case studies for distribution;

-   On-line interactive lecture series on climate mitigation and
    adaptation opportunities; and

-   Increase funding for training sessions focused on adaptation
    planning and integration of adaptation and mitigation initiatives.

**StormSmart Coasts Network Coming to the Northeast**

***Submitted by Wes Shaw***

**WHAT IS THE STORMSMART COASTS NETWORK?**

The StormSmart Coasts Network (Network) is a new federal/state/local
partnership focused on fostering collaborative efforts to help coastal
municipal officials address the challenges arising from storms,
flooding, sea level rise, and climate change. To maximize efficiency,
the Network follows a five-step approach:

![](media/image2.wmf){width="0.6666666666666666in"
height="0.6145833333333334in"}

1\) *Gather* the best available information on community hazard
resiliency.

2\) *Adapt* existing resources to best suit local officials.

3\) *Create* critical new materials when none exist.

4\) *Deliver* information to local officials.

5\) *Enable increased collaboration* between all levels of government
and among municipalities.

**STORMSMART COASTS STATE AND REGIONAL WEBSITES**

We are currently creating a series of regional and state websites that
tie into a national network. In addition to housing information on what
communities can do before, during and after storm events (with links to
the best available materials), these websites will allow active
participation by local officials; for example, discussion forums, and
submitting and answering of questions. Because it would be impossible
for any individual or organization to keep abreast of all the new
information available on resiliency, the sites will allow users to post
materials, links to websites, and events to ensure that all users may
benefit. Users will be able to search not only their state's site, but
the entire StormSmart Coasts Network. State and regional partners will
continue to work directly with coastal communities to assist them with
guidance and technical assistance.

**SCOPE**

The Network, which builds upon the on-going successes of the
Massachusetts StormSmart Coasts program (mass.gov/czm/stormsmart), is
currently expanding to the five states along the Gulf of Mexico and the
remaining four coastal states of New England. Both of these regions'
StormSmart Coasts Networks are targeted to be active by the summer of
2009. If additional funding is secured, the program aims to quickly
expand to the remaining US coastal states.

**PARTNERS**

The Network is currently working closely with the NOAA Coastal Services
Center, and the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, and is hoping to partner with
the Northeast Regional Oceans Council. At the state level, we continue
to collaborate with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
as well as other Massachusetts agencies, and the Mississippi-Alabama Sea
Grant Consortium.

**FOR MORE INFORMATION**

For more information on the StormSmart Coasts Network, please contact:

Wes Shaw

Program Lead, StormSmart Coasts Network \| BlueUrchin Consulting

wes@blueurchin.com \| 360-639-6954

**Summary of Regional Ocean and Coastal Collaborations**

***Submitted by Betsy Nicholson***

Adapted from: 2007 Summary Report on National, Regional and State Ocean
Government Developments

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Many states have developed alliances in their regions to improve ocean
governance on a regional or ecosystem level. The updates that follow may
not include all these efforts but are a representative sample of some of
the regional governance activities occurring in the U.S.

**Gulf of Mexico Alliance**

Because of a shared vision for a healthy and resilient Gulf of Mexico
coast, the Gulf States of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and
Texas, supported by 13 federal agencies, formalized the Gulf of Mexico
Alliance. The first action taken by the new partnership was the
development of the *Governors\' Action Plan for Healthy and Resilient
Coasts*, which was released at the State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit on
March 28, 2006.

The *Governors\' Action Plan*, supported by the president in the U.S.
Ocean Action Plan, challenges the Gulf of Mexico Alliance to make
tangible progress over the next 36 months on five priority issues:

-   Water quality,

-   Wetland and coastal restoration,

-   Environmental education,

-   Characterization of Gulf habitats, and

-   Reductions in nutrient inputs.

The Gulf of Mexico Alliance continued to build momentum over fiscal year
2007 with a series of events; including priority team issues meetings,
federal work group meetings, and the Gulf Alliance Implementation
Workshop.

In June, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Environmental Education Network
(GOMA EEN) and Gulf Coast Ocean Observing System Education and Outreach
Council (GCOOS EOC) held their first annual joint meeting to partner in
their environmental education efforts in the Gulf of Mexico. The
three-day workshop entailed updates on the past year's events of both
organizations with a focus on future collaboration and less duplication
of efforts. In addition, the GOMA priority task teams updated EEN on
their ongoing efforts and successes. Additional breakout sessions
focused on better communication and collaboration between EEN and the
other priority teams within GOMA to increase environmental education and
outreach and meet the needs of all entities within GOMA.

The Alliance Environmental Education Network (EEN) has also leveraged a
partnership with the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative (JOCI) to help
develop regional messaging for a Gulf-wide public awareness campaign. In
addition, EEN is working to partner with the National Environmental
Education Foundation (NEEF) / Earth Gauge Initiative to disseminate 365
regional ocean and watershed messages through television weathercasters.
To increase regional effectiveness, EEN is closely coordinating
education and outreach functions with both GCOOS and the Northern Gulf
Institute.

The second annual Gulf of Mexico Alliance Implementation Workshop was
held July 10-12 in St. Petersburg, Florida, with over 230 participants.
Dr. Bill Walker, executive director of the Mississippi Department of
Marine Resources, presented his vision for the future of the
alliance---"phase 2." The alliance priority issue teams identified
actions in the *Governors' Action Plan* that still need work and
developed plans for completing these remaining activities by March 2009.
Concurrent technical workshops were held on nutrients criteria
development, Gulf-wide water quality monitoring standardization, habitat
identification techniques, habitat restoration techniques, and regional
sediment management. Additionally, the Gulf Alliance state leadership
established a regional working group with expertise in coastal community
resilience and hazard mitigation, which met for the first time under the
leadership of co-chairs Tina Shumate of the Mississippi Department of
Marine Resources and Dr. Rod Emmer of Louisiana Sea Grant. The charge to
this new group includes (1) directing and coordinating the
implementation of resilience-related actions in the *Governors' Action
Plan*; and (2) identifying and planning for future actions needed to
enhance resilience across the Gulf region.

The *Governors\' Action Plan* contains an action to advance harmful
algal bloom (HAB) detection and remote sensing in the Mexican Gulf state
of Veracruz. In late July, National Ocean Service, National
Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Services, and National
Weather Service representatives participated in a U.S.--Mexico HABs
Workshop in New Orleans to focus on implementing EPA-funded
C-MAN/Brevebuster station installation, in situ sampling, and microscopy
ID training in Veracruz; and extending related capabilities, where
appropriate, to all six Mexican Gulf states over the next three years.

In late August, Gulf Alliance state leadership will engage the IICOSRMI
representatives on successes in implementing the *Governors' Action Plan
for Healthy and Resilient Coasts*, and a proposal for "phase 2" of the
Gulf of Mexico Alliance. Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour will host
the governors from the other four Gulf states to propose "phase 2" of
the Gulf Alliance, and discuss a vision for Gulf state collaboration in
the Gulf of Mexico. The five Gulf state governors will discuss goals for
the next 20 years and address key questions and challenges. CEQ will
make remarks on behalf of all ICOSRMI representatives.

**West Coast Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health**

On September 18, 2006, Washington Governor Gregoire, Oregon Governor
Kulongoski, and California Governor Scharzenegger signed the West Coast
Agreement on Ocean Health, which called the three West Coast states to
action on ocean issues of regional concern. The agreement identified
four immediate actions to be implemented within six months of signing,
all of which have been completed or are well underway. These immediate
actions included securing funding to address nonpoint source pollution,
opposing oil and gas leasing off the coast, developing a West Coast Sea
Grant Regional Research Plan, and requesting and receiving technical
assistance from federal agencies to address regional concerns. Beyond
the immediate actions, the agreement defined seven priority areas for
future collaboration:

-   Clean coastal waters and beaches;

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-   Healthy ocean and coastal habitats;

-   Effective ecosystem-based management of ocean and coastal resources;

-   Reduced impacts of offshore development;

-   Expanded ocean and coastal scientific information, research, and
    monitoring;

-   Increased ocean awareness and literacy among the region's citizens;
    and

-   Sustainable economic development of coastal communities.

In March 2007, staff members from the three states released a discussion
paper assessing possible actions for implementing the agreement and
began accepting public comment through the website and at stakeholder
meetings held in every state. The public comment period is now closed
and the draft action plan was released. After incorporation of a second
round of public feedback, the final action plan was released in June
2008. For more information, please visit *www.westcoastoceans.gov*.

**Great Lakes**

In December 2005, the *Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy to
Restore and Protect the Great Lakes* was formally released. This
collaboration was spearheaded by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, but was established through an interagency task force composed
of 10 federal agencies, including the Department of Commerce. Since that
time, several key steps have been taken to support the strategy,
including adopting an implementation framework in March 2006,
reauthorizing the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act with
significantly increased funding, and implementing portions of the
strategy at all levels of government. Nongovernmental organizations and
the region's citizens have also provided leadership to accelerate
restoration and protection efforts. In the 110^th^ Congress, federal
legislation was reintroduced to institutionalize the collaboration and
to implement several of the priority recommendations (H.R. 1350 and S.
791).

The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC) Executive Committee
focused on three joint initiatives that include:

-   Wetlands restoration,

-   Toxics reduction, and

-   Rapid response to invasive species.

**Ocean and Coastal Ecosystem Health Standing Committee**

**2009 DRAFT Work Plan**

***Submitted by Co-chairs Leslie-Ann McGee and Mel Coté***

**The New England Governors' Coast and Ocean Action Plan (2007)
establishes the following ecosystem goal:** The importance of ocean and
coastal ecosystem health is recognized as critical to the long-term
sustainability of our region. All levels of government have access to
and utilize comprehensive information to manage ocean and coastal
resources.

Described below are work plan activities for 2009. The shaded box
describes the specific activity proposed by the Governors in their Plan.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #1:** Promote existing regional ocean and coastal          |
| ecosystem health reporting initiatives: increasing awareness          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Description: NROC is in a unique position to promote the              |
| use/application of coastal and ocean ecosystem health reporting       |
| initiatives within New England by state legislators, agency           |
| decision-makers, members of Congress and the region's Governors.      |
| Examples of these initiatives include *State of the Sounds/Bays*      |
| efforts conducted by National Estuary Program partners and others,    |
| the National Coastal Assessment, the Gulf of Maine Ecosystem          |
| Indicator Partnership, NW Atlantic Bioregional Assessment, Ecology    |
| and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms, ocean observing systems,    |
| and Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics.                                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Partners:                                                             |
|                                                                       |
| National Estuary Program; state coastal zone management agencies;     |
| Gulf of Maine Council; The Ocean Conservancy; The Nature              |
| Conservancy/NW Atlantic Bioregional Assessment; University of         |
| Southern Maine/WHOI; Communication Partnership for Science and the    |
| Sea, GOM ROSI, etc.                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Deliverables:                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   New England perspective on coastal and ocean ecosystem health     |
|                                                                       |
| -   Forums for state legislators, agency decision-makers and the      |
|     region's Governors                                                |
|                                                                       |
| -   Whitepaper on the value and costs of a "Ocean's Return on         |
|     Investment" report                                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Work task(s):                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| #1 Federal and state partners within NROC will build on existing      |
| coastal and ocean ecosystem health reporting initiatives to organize  |
| an abbreviated (e.g., 2-4 pages) New England region perspective and   |
| the implications of report results on human and ecosystem health as   |
| well as the region's economy.                                         |
|                                                                       |
| #2 Organize forums within each state for state legislators, agency    |
| decision-makers, members of Congress and the region's Governors to    |
| increase awareness about the implications of changes in coastal and   |
| ocean ecosystem health.                                               |
|                                                                       |
| #3 Explore the benefits with end-users/target audience about          |
| producing and communicating the "Ocean's Return on Investment" that   |
| frames the economic, environmental and human health benefits of       |
| ecosystem services that the region's coasts and oceans produce. It    |
| will also address the consequences of degrading ecosystems and the    |
| loss/diminishment of those "services". (This initiative will draw on  |
| the results of the National Ocean Economic Project and similar        |
| efforts.)                                                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Schedule and Resources:                                               |
|                                                                       |
| > Timing: 12-months                                                   |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources needed: \$40,000 (contractual time to assemble and        |
| > prepare "print on demand" materials)                                |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources available: In-kind support from NROC entities currently   |
| > producing ocean health materials                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #2:** Promote existing regional ocean and coastal          |
| ecosystem health initiatives: work with Governors' on a regional      |
| invasive species proclamation                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Description: The Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel was formed  |
| in 1991 to addresses issues and concerns relative to the freshwater   |
| and marine resources of the                                           |
|                                                                       |
| states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, |
| Connecticut, and New York, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec, New  |
| Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. It identifies issues, conducts workshops, |
| brings in specialists and communicates about introduced species       |
| issues to the public. It is developing a proclamation for             |
| consideration and action by the Premiers/Governors that has two major |
| thrusts:                                                              |
|                                                                       |
| -   Provincial and state agencies with natural resource management    |
|     responsibilities will collaborate within the NEANS Panel          |
|     framework to the extent practicable to address their current and  |
|     future aquatic invasive species priorities through their annual   |
|     work plans, budgets, and other mechanisms. They will cooperate    |
|     with the region's First Nations and tribal authorities, federal   |
|     agencies, nongovernmental organizations, businesses, and          |
|     individuals to implement these plans where applicable.            |
|                                                                       |
| -   Appropriate agencies will work together, to the extent            |
|     practicable, within their states or provinces, and to coordinate  |
|     throughout the region to:                                         |
|                                                                       |
| 1.  Seek those areas where regional cooperation in programs and       |
|     funding could be enhanced, including AIS policies, regulations    |
|     and education outreach;                                           |
|                                                                       |
| 2.  Develop early detection and rapid response capability for new     |
|     invasions of AIS;                                                 |
|                                                                       |
| 3.  Prevent introductions of AIS, control or where feasible eradicate |
|     established AIS; and,                                             |
|                                                                       |
| 4.  Minimize introductions of AIS through Ballast Water and other     |
|     shipping vectors.                                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Partners: Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel, state and federal |
| departments of transportation, U.S. Coast Guard, MIT Sea Grant        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Deliverables:                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   Approval of a Governors' invasive species proclamation            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Work task(s):                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| #1 Assist members of the Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel     |
| make connections with state agencies and Governors Offices.           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Schedule and Resources:                                               |
|                                                                       |
| > Timing: Governors' action at 2009 summer meeting of NEGC/ECP        |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources needed: NA                                                |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources available: Support from the NEANS Panel                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #3:** Participate in the development a consensus-based     |
| schema and register metadata for regional datasets; work with GOM ODP |
| and NERACOOS to broaden the effort to the rest of New England,        |
| including Long Island Sound.                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Description: NROC will work to enhance collaboration amongst three    |
| complimentary efforts including:                                      |
|                                                                       |
| 1.  The Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal and Ocean        |
|     Observing System and Mid-Atlantic Coastal Ocean Observing         |
|     Regional Association are working to expand existing observing and |
|     prediction capacities of institutions and agencies throughout the |
|     mid-Atlantic, New England and Maritime Canada.                    |
|                                                                       |
| 2.  The Gulf of Maine Ocean Data Partnership (GoMODP) facilitates     |
|     discovery, accessibility, and interoperability of physical,       |
|     biological, chemical, and geologic datasets for the Gulf of Maine |
|     watershed. The GoMODP Portal of the Global Change Master          |
|     Directory provides access to information or metadata for          |
|     datasets. Publicly available ocean data can be identified through |
|     the Portal. Data can then be downloaded or requested from the     |
|     source agency or group. The Partnership has an EPA grant to       |
|     develop a regional data exchange with a consensus-based schema.   |
|                                                                       |
| 3.  The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Marine Boundary      |
|     Working Group (MBWG) is working to address issues pertaining to   |
|     legal and technical aspects of marine boundaries. They provide a  |
|     venue for communicating on and coordinating marine boundary       |
|     activities. The marine cadastre data portal provides users access |
|     to digital marine boundary data distributed by various agencies.  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Partners: Gulf of Maine Ocean Data Partnership, NERACOOS, MACOORA,    |
| Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Marine Boundary Working      |
| Group (MBWG) NASA Global Change Master Directory, GoMOOS,             |
| COINAtlantic                                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Deliverables:                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   A network of regional data providers with metadata registered in  |
|     a national directory (GCMD, FGDC, or GeoConnections) with robust, |
|     searchable discovery metadata that can be accessed through the    |
|     GCMD Gulf of Maine portal                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   A regional, consensus-based schema for data interoperability      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Work task(s):                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| #1 Develop a white paper that addresses regional and subregional      |
| needs and presents case studies illustrating the importance of        |
| enhanced data management and applications to improve state and        |
| federal decision making on environmental issues. Engages national,    |
| international, and regional partners.                                 |
|                                                                       |
| #2 Convene a workshop to identify keep pilot datasets, develop the    |
| common schema and application to environmental management.            |
|                                                                       |
| #3 NROC engages GoMODP and encourages state data providers to         |
| participate in registering metadata.                                  |
|                                                                       |
| #4 NROC monitors progress of NERACOOS in defining data needs and      |
| protocols                                                             |
|                                                                       |
| #5 NROC monitors progress of GoMODP Exchange Network project          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Schedule and Resources:                                               |
|                                                                       |
| > Timing: White Paper Draft: February 2009                            |
| >                                                                     |
| > Meeting - April 2009                                                |
| >                                                                     |
| > Strategic Framework -- July 2009                                    |
| >                                                                     |
| > Schema implementation (Dec. 2009)                                   |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources needed:                                                   |
| >                                                                     |
| > Workshop \-- Meeting venue, accommodations and travel \$10,000;     |
| > Contract for portal services and database scientist (\$!5K?)        |
| >                                                                     |
| > Schema development \-- NA -- in kind work from committee members    |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources available: In-kind agency resources                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #4:** Convene ocean ecosystem health workshop              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Description: Organize and convene a workshop that assembles           |
| policymakers, managers and scientists to create a regional definition |
| of ecosystem health, identify the key metrics that measure ocean      |
| ecosystem health and ensure those metrics are explicit enough for     |
| statutory and regulatory applications.                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Partners:                                                             |
|                                                                       |
| Communication Partnership for Science and the Sea; Fisheries and      |
| Oceans, Canada; NOAA National Marine Fisheries; U.S. Fish and         |
| Wildlife Service; The Nature Conservancy; The Ocean Conservancy;      |
| state coastal zone management and fisheries management agencies; RI   |
| SAMP, MOP, Sea Grant Programs,                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Deliverables: A regional consensus statement among policymakers,      |
| managers, and scientists that:                                        |
|                                                                       |
| -   Defines ecosystem health                                          |
|                                                                       |
| -   Identifies measurable, legal standards for inclusion in           |
|     state/provincial policy                                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Work task(s):                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| #1 OEH forms workshop steering committee                              |
|                                                                       |
| #2 Prepare a whitepaper that collates and synthesizes definitions of  |
| ecosystem health appropriate to the northeast and the metrics that    |
| can be used to measure it. (This will include a review of existing    |
| state and federal laws, policies and programs for definitions and     |
| metrics.)                                                             |
|                                                                       |
| #3 Develop a straw-man document on potential definitions and metrics. |
|                                                                       |
| #4 Convene policymakers, managers and scientists in a two-day event   |
| to develop a consensus statement on definitions and metrics           |
|                                                                       |
| #5 Report out results to NROC and other New England decision-makers   |
| with a "next steps" document                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Schedule and Resources:                                               |
|                                                                       |
| Timing:                                                               |
|                                                                       |
| > Meeting - March 2009                                                |
| >                                                                     |
| > Consensus Statement -- June 2009                                    |
|                                                                       |
| Resources needed:                                                     |
|                                                                       |
| > Preparation of whitepaper & straw-man on definitions and metrics    |
| > \$15,000                                                            |
| >                                                                     |
| > Meeting venue, accommodations and travel \$10,000                   |
|                                                                       |
| Resources available: COMPASS could potentially put some funding       |
| toward scientist travel and meeting costs                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #5:** Improve effectiveness of state-federal work groups   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Description: There are a number of existing state-federal             |
| partnerships in New England that are working to restore and protect   |
| ocean and coastal ecosystem health. The following are working on      |
| issues of priority to NROC.                                           |
|                                                                       |
| -   [Water Quality Standards Work Group and a Nutrient Criteria       |
|     Regional Technical Advisory Group]{.underline} (RTAG) -- NEIWPCC  |
|     coordinates the work of these groups on the development and       |
|     adoption of state nutrient criteria as part of their water        |
|     quality standards. The effort has been phased, first focusing on  |
|     lakes and ponds, then rivers and streams, and finally marine and  |
|     estuarine waters.                                                 |
|                                                                       |
| -   [New England Regional Dredging Team]{.underline} (NERDT) -- This  |
|     federal-state partnership is working to improve the dredging      |
|     process in New England. It consists of three entities:            |
|                                                                       |
|     -   Mid-Level Managers Group -- It consists of EPA, the Corps,    |
|         National Marine Fisheries Service, and the Fish and Wildlife  |
|         Service and meets 2-3 times per year to discuss policy issues |
|         related to dredging and wetlands management.                  |
|                                                                       |
|     -   Sudbury Group \-- It is chaired by EPA and the Corps and      |
|         meets 2-3 times per year to address technical issues          |
|         associated with dredging and dredged material placement that  |
|         have regional implications.                                   |
|                                                                       |
|     -   State Dredging Teams \-- Each New England state has formed a  |
|         state dredging team that deals with both technical and policy |
|         issues at the state and project level.                        |
|                                                                       |
| -   [Coastal America]{.underline} -- This federal-state-private       |
|     partnership promotes collaboration across the federal government  |
|     on the restoration of coastal habitats and on outreach and        |
|     education about ocean and coastal issues. The New England         |
|     Regional Implementation Team (NERIT) is chaired by the U.S. Army  |
|     Corps of Engineers, and includes EPA, NOAA/NMFS, USFWS,           |
|     Department of Defense, U.S. Coast Guard, and state coastal zone   |
|     management and fisheries agencies. Several states have            |
|     established Corporate Wetland Restoration Partnerships through    |
|     which private companies provide financial and in-kind technical   |
|     assistance to match federal and state funding for restoration     |
|     projects.                                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Partners: New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission   |
| (NEIWPCC); EPA; Corps; NOAA/NMFS; USFWS; state water quality, coastal |
| zone management, and fisheries management agencies                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Deliverables:                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   Annual progress reports and requests for assistance from these    |
|     initiatives                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Work task(s):                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| #1 NROC will periodically engage these groups to ensure there is      |
| active participation by the pertinent state and federal agencies.     |
|                                                                       |
| #2 NROC will request these initiatives to provide annual progress     |
| reports. They will identify obstacles to achieving their mission and  |
| describe how NROC can assist them.                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Schedule and Resources:                                               |
|                                                                       |
| > Timing: Ongoing                                                     |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources needed: NA                                                |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources available: In-kind support by the agencies involved in    |
| > these initiatives                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #6:** Accelerate research on priority coastal and ocean    |
| issues                                                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Description: Global climate change has the potential to change the    |
| chemistry, hydrology and biology of our oceans and coastal waters.    |
| Current research is generally focused on trying to predict the        |
| changes in any number of measurable endpoints and extrapolating what  |
| these changes may mean to the ocean ecosystem. More recently, the     |
| research focus has shifted to management or adaptation strategies.    |
|                                                                       |
| Over-enrichment of coastal waters has been an area of intensive       |
| academic research since the 1970s. Nearly 30 years later, the         |
| regulation of nutrients, primarily nitrogen, is still in its infancy. |
| Development of state water quality criteria for nutrients has moved   |
| ahead in some of the New England states, but has not made much        |
| progress in others.                                                   |
|                                                                       |
| Coastal development, dredging, fishing, global climate change, and    |
| eutrophication all result in habitat degradation and loss. The effect |
| of the cumulative loss of habitats on marine biological communities   |
| or even on individual species has not received significant research   |
| attention. This issue needs to be addressed on multiple scales, from  |
| the individual inlet, cove, and stream to the open-ocean. Most New    |
| England states have begun mapping coastal habitats on GIS based       |
| systems.                                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Partners: Sea Grant Programs, MOP, Coastal Zone Programs, National    |
| Estuary Programs                                                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Deliverables:                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   Annual progress reports and requests for assistance from these    |
|     initiatives                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Work task(s):                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| > #1 The committee will identify current research initiatives         |
| > pertinent to this activity.                                         |
| >                                                                     |
| > #2 NROC will facilitate collaborative research proposals or efforts |
| > and regional analysis of data to allow for more efficient use of    |
| > scarce research funds.                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Schedule and Resources:                                               |
|                                                                       |
| > Timing: Ongoing                                                     |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources needed: NA                                                |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources available:                                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #7:** **Conduct regional ecosystem-based marine spatial    |
| planning workshop**                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Description: Organize and convene a one-day workshop for              |
| policy-makers, managers and scientists that educates them about the   |
| ability of marine spatial planning to lend structure and a degree of  |
| integrated management that has previously been lacking in the marine  |
| environment. (A similar workshop was offered to the state of New York |
| recently as is a model from which to plan this workshop.)             |
|                                                                       |
| Marine Spatial Management (MSM) seeks to organize and regulate        |
| patterns of space use for the benefit of users, the environment and   |
| society as a whole. A sound understanding of the space use patterns   |
| and spatial behaviors of the multiple stakeholders must serve as a    |
| basis for the management strategy.  MSM is both a framework and a     |
| process for more integrated decision making about uses of marine      |
| space. Its goal is a fully comprehensive, integrated, plan-led system |
| of management for the sustainable development of marine resources and |
| for the use of contested marine space. There are five basic elements  |
| of marine spatial management:                                         |
|                                                                       |
| 1.  Establishing the context within which the management process will |
|     be carried out;                                                   |
|                                                                       |
| ```{=html}                                                            |
| <!-- -->                                                              |
| ```                                                                   |
| 1.  Analysis and plan preparation;                                    |
|                                                                       |
| 2.  Implementation;                                                   |
|                                                                       |
| 3.  Monitoring of plan performance; and                               |
|                                                                       |
| 4.  Evaluation and adaptation.                                        |
|                                                                       |
| The objectives of marine spatial management typically focus on five   |
| main themes:                                                          |
|                                                                       |
| -   Sustainable use of resources;                                     |
|                                                                       |
| -   Marine conservation;                                              |
|                                                                       |
| -   Optimization of space use;                                        |
|                                                                       |
| -   Avoidance and resolution of spatial conflicts; and                |
|                                                                       |
| -   Enhancing the living standards and quality of life of coastal     |
|     communities.                                                      |
|                                                                       |
| MSM can create an institutional framework in which decisions can be   |
| taken not simply for the immediate gain of those directly affected,   |
| but also for the longer term benefit of society as a whole. It should |
| facilitate the declaration of agreed strategic objectives to which    |
| all stakeholders agree and provide a sense of direction through the   |
| ranking of objectives for given areas. Through the assessment of      |
| cumulative spatial impacts arising from different forms of activity   |
| and development, it can begin to identify options for the mitigation  |
| of such effects. And in certain circumstances, it can establish a     |
| sound basis for spatial allocation or zoning of activities.           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Partners: NOAA, MA, TNC, MOP, OceanVisions (Ehler and Douvere), state |
| coastal management and fishery agencies, TOC                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Deliverables:                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   Workshop for policy-makers, managers and scientists               |
|                                                                       |
| -   "Next steps" document on how this approach could be used on a     |
|     regional basis                                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Work task(s):                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| #1 - Form workshop steering committee                                 |
|                                                                       |
| #2 - Distribute product: Inventory planning frameworks from around    |
| the world (MOP is contracting the production of this evaluation in    |
| Fall 08 for use in MA Ocean Management Planning effort).              |
|                                                                       |
|  #3 - Develop a straw-man workshop goals/objectives statement         |
| including draft workshop agenda and invitation list.                  |
|                                                                       |
| #4 - Convene policymakers, managers and scientists in a one-day event |
|                                                                       |
| #5 - Report out results to NROC and other New England decision-makers |
| with a "next steps" document on how this approach could be used on a  |
| regional basis                                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Schedule and Resources:                                               |
|                                                                       |
| Timing: Meeting -- March 2009 & Report - June 2009                    |
|                                                                       |
| Resources needed: Meeting Substance Planning (staff or in-kind):      |
| \$5,000; Meeting venue, accommodations and travel: \$10,000           |
| (OceanVisions Staff time and travel as well as meeting venue/food,    |
| etc)                                                                  |
|                                                                       |
| Resources available: MOP will fund inventory of planning frameworks   |
| for MA and will be directly used in this workshop (\$50K);            |
| Agency/NROC member could absorb meeting substance planning (\$5K)     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #8:** **Develop a vision for spatially explicit regional   |
| ocean governance in New England waters**                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Description: The development of spatial sea use scenarios is a        |
| key-step in marine spatial management. There is a need for the        |
| northeast region to develop a regional vision that protects the       |
| future use of marine space based on a core set of mutually agreed on  |
| goals, objectives and assumptions about current conditions and the    |
| future. The development of a vision and future scenarios and a vision |
| is both a communication and a planning tool and often a first step to |
| realizing/leveraging cooperative action. This activity assumes that   |
| there will be differences within and among each state but that        |
| articulating the range of visions will be a helpful activity for      |
| informing regional ocean stewardship.                                 |
|                                                                       |
| There are various reasons why it is important to develop alternative  |
| MSM scenarios:                                                        |
|                                                                       |
| 1\. To clarify possibilities and future conditions of the maritime    |
| area. In this regard the visual aspect of the development of          |
| scenarios is very important. The purpose of this step is to visualize |
| future conditions. Therefore, the development of alternative MSM      |
| scenarios is an important communication tool;                         |
|                                                                       |
| 2\. To clarify the connection between basic assumptions, objectives   |
| and future conditions. In each scenario, there is a different         |
| emphasis on the basic "key values" of the marine area. This different |
| emphasis leads to a different vision of the future of the marine      |
| space. The spatial and temporal consequences of each vision are       |
| shown, and alternatives are pointed out. Developing alternative       |
| scenarios makes the policy choices explicit;                          |
|                                                                       |
| 3\. To visualize what will happen if no management interventions are  |
| made. It can be useful to develop a 'trend scenario', based on        |
| current knowledge of the demand for space and extrapolation of        |
| trends. This scenario can help to question the current trends and     |
| spatial use. This is what can be characterized as the 'predictable'   |
| future. The spatial planner predicts what the future will look like   |
| if present trends continue;                                           |
|                                                                       |
| 4\. To show new possibilities that can be generated from innovative   |
| actions and technologies. Alternative scenarios need the spatial      |
| planner to be more 'active' and creative: in these scenarios it is    |
| important to find new ways to optimize current and future activities  |
| and to think about innovative forms of current and new activities. To |
| develop these scenarios, the spatial planner is more 'designer' than  |
| 'predictor'.                                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Partners: NROC, NOAA, COMPASS, MOP, Ocean Visions, state coastal      |
| management and fishery agencies, MGS/UMass Boston                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Deliverables:                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| Based largely on the Belgian North Sea (GAUFRE) project approach, in  |
| year 1, a planning document that describes the process that will be   |
| used to address the following steps:                                  |
|                                                                       |
| -   Step 1: Determine the time frame for planning;                    |
|                                                                       |
| -   Step 2: Define current trends, demands for space and conditions;  |
|                                                                       |
| -   Step 3: Define "key values" of the marine area;                   |
|                                                                       |
| -   Step 4: Define general goals and objectives for the marine area;  |
|                                                                       |
| -   Step 5: Develop general '"decision rules";                        |
|                                                                       |
| -   Step 6: Develop alternative spatial sea use scenarios;            |
|                                                                       |
| -   Step 7: Define the significance of each spatial sea use scenario  |
|     for the different functions and activities in the marine area;    |
|     and                                                               |
|                                                                       |
| -   Step 8: Evaluate each scenario.                                   |
|                                                                       |
| In year 2, NROC will have facilitated the development of a common     |
| vision for sea use in New England via partners in the region.         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Work task(s):                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| #1 -- Write and submit grant proposal to interested funders and       |
| secure funding (Approx \$200K)                                        |
|                                                                       |
| #2 -- Contract out the development of a project management document   |
|                                                                       |
|  #3 -- Facilitated meetings in each state and at a regional level to  |
| work through the steps listed below by convening policymakers,        |
| managers and scientists.                                              |
|                                                                       |
| #4 -- Preparation of the graphical representation of each future      |
| scenario. Note that developing alternative marine sea use scenarios   |
| is not a scientific process but rather a flexible way of dealing with |
| possible futures, based on gathered anecdotal and scientific data.    |
| The document should, more than extrapolating the future ("trend       |
| scenario"), try to reveal future possibilities and innovative         |
| thinking about the future.                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Schedule and Resources:                                               |
|                                                                       |
| Timing:                                                               |
|                                                                       |
| Funding : January -- March 2009                                       |
|                                                                       |
| Project Management Planning: March -- August 2009                     |
|                                                                       |
| Facilitated meetings in each state: September -- December 2009        |
|                                                                       |
| Vision Document Preparation: January -- April 2010                    |
|                                                                       |
| Resources needed:                                                     |
|                                                                       |
| Funds for project management planning, facilitation of scenario       |
| building and document preparation                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #9:** Develop a New England social network analysis to     |
| better enable effective communication and collaboration.              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Description: Social network analysis is used to collect, analyze, and |
| graphically represent data that describe the relationships within and |
| between groups of people or organizations. It can also be used to     |
| represent how people interact with specific resources.                |
|                                                                       |
| A typical social network map includes nodes, which represent          |
| individuals, organizations, or resources. These nodes are connected   |
| with flow indicators, which may represent the flow of information,    |
| energy, or money. The strength or importance of particular            |
| relationships is often depicted by varying thickness of lines and     |
| arrows.                                                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Partners:                                                             |
|                                                                       |
| NOAA/ Coastal Services Center;                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Deliverables:                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   An assessment of NE social networks and recommendations to        |
|     improve communication and collaboration.                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Work task(s):                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| #1 Engage NOAA/CSC to develop a proposal for a NE social network      |
| analysis including products, costs and methods to perform the work.   |
|                                                                       |
| #2 Present proposal for NROC consideration                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Schedule and Resources:                                               |
|                                                                       |
| > Timing:                                                             |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources needed: TBD                                               |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources available: None                                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

**Coastal Hazards Resilience Standing Committee**

**2009 DRAFT Work Plan**

***Submitted by Co-chairs Ron Rozsa, Susan Russell-Robinson, and
Adrianne Harrison***

**The New England Governors' Coast and Ocean Action Plan (2007)
establishes the following goal for Coastal Hazards:** Render New England
a "Coastal Hazards Ready" region by providing existing federal, state,
and municipal programs with state-of-the-art data and tools to advance
planning and response to storms, shoreline erosion, and coastal
inundation due to projected sea-level rise from global warming[^1].
Described below are the major work plan activities for 2009. The
Governors' action items are listed in the shaded boxes.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #1:** Identify data acquisition priorities and             |
| user-friendly tools needed to support planning for and responses to   |
| coastal hazards.                                                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Description:                                                          |
|                                                                       |
| To render the region coastal hazards ready, it is necessary to have   |
| adequate data, such as detailed elevations to assess inundation and   |
| the tools to apply/interpret the data. Many New England states have   |
| historic shoreline data which can be used to interpret historic       |
| shoreline change. Predicting shoreline change under accelerated sea   |
| level rise requires models and shallow, detailed bathymetric maps.    |
|                                                                       |
| NROC will provide support for the acquisition of data and development |
| of tools that will improve regional planning for coastal hazards      |
| resilience. The Committee will collect and synthesize existing needs  |
| assessments and engage stakeholders to identify regional data         |
| acquisition priorities and user-friendly tools needed to plan for and |
| support responses to coastal hazards. (The coordination of data       |
| acquisition amongst the states and federal agencies will minimize the |
| cost and time needed to acquire essential data.) The Committee will   |
| prepare a data acquisition strategy that leverages state and federal  |
| partnerships.                                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Partners:                                                             |
|                                                                       |
| Create a Work Group of State Hazard Management Officers, Northeast    |
| States Emergency Consortium, Coastal Management Programs, USGS,       |
| NERACOOS, MACOORA, and others.                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Deliverables:                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   Data acquisition priorities report                                |
|                                                                       |
| -   Data and tools inventory report                                   |
|                                                                       |
| -   Strategic plan to guide the acquisition of data and development   |
|     of user friendly analytical tools.                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Work task(s):                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| 1.  Compile a list of regional data and tools needs from existing     |
|     needs assessments and solicit input from hazard managers in the   |
|     region. Develop a process to achieve consensus and identify       |
|     priorities.                                                       |
|                                                                       |
| 2.  Determine purpose and scope for an inventory of existing data and |
|     describe available tools from government, academia, private       |
|     sector, etc.                                                      |
|                                                                       |
| 3.  Develop a regional strategy to obtain priority data and tools,    |
|     including recommendations for a federal-state approach to         |
|     leveraging funding and support.                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Schedule and Resources:                                               |
|                                                                       |
| [Timing:]{.underline}                                                 |
|                                                                       |
| -   Compile priority end-user data needs and develop a methodology    |
|     for cataloguing existing data -- Month 3                          |
|                                                                       |
| -   Verify and prioritize list of needs with regional stakeholders    |
|     --Month 6                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   Produce data acquisition strategy -- Month 12                     |
|                                                                       |
| [Resources Available:]{.underline} In-kind                            |
|                                                                       |
| [Resources Needed:]{.underline}                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #2:** Partner with academia, industry and public agencies  |
| to develop a plan for an Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)     |
| that supports storm, storm surge and inundation forecasting and       |
| response                                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Description: The two Regional Associations for ocean observing in New |
| England have established coastal hazards as a priority. The RAs have  |
| conducted aspects of coastal hazard end-user needs assessments.       |
| During the coming year, the Committee will work with RAs to identify  |
| components needed for a Coastal Hazards OOS and assist with           |
| advocating for resources.                                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Partners:                                                             |
|                                                                       |
| Form a Work Group which will include representatives from MACOORA,    |
| NERACOOS, LISICOS and select coastal hazard managers/end users in the |
| region.                                                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Deliverables:                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   Requirements for Coastal Hazards OOS (i.e. products and services) |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Work task:                                                            |
|                                                                       |
| 1.  Strengthen interaction with the Regional Associations to ensure   |
|     Coastal Hazards OOS materials meet managers coastal resilience    |
|     needs                                                             |
|                                                                       |
| 2.  Identify and pursue ways for NROC to assist with advocating for   |
|     resources                                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Schedule and Resources:                                               |
|                                                                       |
| [Timing]{.underline}:                                                 |
|                                                                       |
| -   Dependent on Regional Association timelines                       |
|                                                                       |
| -   Dependent on Regional Association timelines                       |
|                                                                       |
| [Resources needed]{.underline}: NA                                    |
|                                                                       |
| [Resources available]{.underline}:                                    |
|                                                                       |
| > Regional Associations have resources for end-user engagement on OOS |
| > needs assessments                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #3:** Methodology and Framework for regional storm surge   |
| database                                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Description:                                                          |
|                                                                       |
| In 2008, CT DEP, UCONN, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE)   |
| collaborated on the development of a historical storm surge to        |
| database and GIS coverage from data compiled by the ACOE for the      |
| publication entitled *Tidal Flood Profiles of New England*. The ACOE  |
| has tidal flood profiles and compiled information about the elevation |
| of surge for hurricanes (southern New England) and Nor'easters (Gulf  |
| of Maine) for all of New England. The storm data for CT are for the   |
| hurricanes of 1938 and 1954. The purpose of this pilot effort is to   |
| evaluate the accuracy of new storm surge models being developed by    |
| the University of Connecticut of historical storm surge elevation     |
| data for CT. In 2009, the Committee will present the methodology for  |
| the data collection and hindcasting results as part of a              |
| recommendation on how to expand this pilot to the rest of the region. |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Partners:                                                             |
|                                                                       |
| CT DEP (Lead), ACOE, USGS, UConn -- LISICOS will collaborate on the   |
| development of the deliverables and will make a presentation to the   |
| Coastal Hazards Standing Committee. The committee will make           |
| recommendations to NROC regarding the development of a regional       |
| database.                                                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Deliverables:                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   GIS coverage for Connecticut (2008)                               |
|                                                                       |
| -   Report to NROC on transferring this approach (e.g., the time and  |
|     cost of compiling the remaining data for New England and          |
|     evaluating the value of these data to refine/test inundation      |
|     models)                                                           |
|                                                                       |
| -   Methodology and framework for regional database (considering      |
|     lessons learned from CT pilot)                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Work tasks:                                                           |
|                                                                       |
| 1.  Present methodology for data collection and hindcasting results   |
|     for CT                                                            |
|                                                                       |
| 2.  Produce report on transferring to approach to the remainder of NE |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Schedule and Resources:                                               |
|                                                                       |
| [Timing]{.underline}: Months 1-6                                      |
|                                                                       |
| [Resources needed]{.underline}:                                       |
|                                                                       |
| 1.  UCONN-LISICOS to present methodology and hindcasting results      |
|                                                                       |
| 2.  Work group to create report                                       |
|                                                                       |
| [Resources available]{.underline}: Conn/CSC Coastal Fellow to prepare |
| methodology by year-end; Conn DEP to write the report on transferring |
| to NROC states with in-kind support from Hazards Committee and make   |
| presentation to NROC in summer 2009                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #4:** Promote regional dialogue on broad-scale adaptation  |
| strategies for responding to the effects of sea-level rise.           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Description:                                                          |
|                                                                       |
| The Committee will coordinate discussions and promote communication   |
| among state and federal agencies, regional organizations, and others  |
| working to enable better human adaptation responses to sea level      |
| rise.                                                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Partners:                                                             |
|                                                                       |
| NOAA, USGS, FEMA, state agencies, StormSmart Coasts and Regional      |
| Associations                                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Deliverables:                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   A coastal hazards resilience workshop for coastal and emergency   |
|     managers will be held in November (2008) in southern New England  |
|     that produces an inventory of key programs, initiatives, and      |
|     pilot projects in the region                                      |
|                                                                       |
| -   Recommendations on how to connect and coordinate regional         |
|     sea-level rise initiatives such as EPA's Climate Ready Estuaries, |
|     ICLEI, and Regional Climate Change Studies                        |
|                                                                       |
| -   Web portal for regional coastal hazards and resilience            |
|     information                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Work tasks:                                                           |
|                                                                       |
| 1.  Assist NOAA by serving as the steering committee for a November   |
|     20, 2008 workshop in Connecticut that provides state and local    |
|     coastal managers with information on the impacts of significant   |
|     historical storms, demonstrates relevant hazard planning and      |
|     visualization tools, presents information on climate impacts on   |
|     storm intensity, and proposes methods to increase resilience and  |
|     storm preparedness efforts in the region. Assess the value in     |
|     holding at least one more workshop in the Gulf of Maine           |
|     sub-region.                                                       |
|                                                                       |
| 2.  Building off of the federal partners' Climate Change Inventory    |
|     and information gathered at the coastal hazards workshop, the     |
|     Committee will compile and post an inventory of the key programs, |
|     initiatives, and pilot projects in the region related to coastal  |
|     hazards resilience and adaptation.                                |
|                                                                       |
| 3.  Using the inventory, the Committee will identify opportunities to |
|     connect regional sea-level rise initiatives. Also, the Committee  |
|     will identify and advocate for programs that could be expanded to |
|     the region such as EPA Climate Ready Estuaries Program, U.S. DOT  |
|     Center for Climate Change and Environmental Forecasting (e.g.,    |
|     transportation-climate vulnerability assessment) and the US       |
|     Climate Change Science Program.                                   |
|                                                                       |
| 4.  Support a web portal that contains state and federal information  |
|     on coastal hazards, coastal resiliency, and tools for managers,   |
|     planners and decision-makers. Conduct user tests to ensure        |
|     labeling and chunking of content is effective. Frequently update  |
|     and revise web links and text tags. \'Committee will work with    |
|     the Storm Smart Coasts Network to develop resilience resource for |
|     the Northeast.                                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Schedule and Resources:                                               |
|                                                                       |
| [Timing]{.underline}:                                                 |
|                                                                       |
| 1.  Organize and convene workshop \-- Months 1-3                      |
|                                                                       |
| 2.  Ongoing                                                           |
|                                                                       |
| 3.  Ongoing                                                           |
|                                                                       |
| 4.  Ongoing                                                           |
|                                                                       |
| [Resources needed]{.underline}:                                       |
|                                                                       |
| In-kind resources to synthesize results from federal climate          |
| inventory and hazards workshop                                        |
|                                                                       |
| [Resources available]{.underline}: NOAA is providing funds for the    |
| workshop. CSC is developing a web page, supporting StormSmart Coastal |
| national roll-out & begin work in NE in Jan -- March                  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

**Ocean Energy Planning and Management Standing Committee**

**2009 DRAFT Work Plan**

***Submitted by Co-chairs Ames Colt and Ron Beck***

The NROC [Governors' Action Plan: 2008-2009]{.underline} identifies
"Ocean Energy Planning and Management" as a major regional ocean
management issue for the northeast U.S. It states that:

> *The planning, siting, authorization, and operation of coastal and
> ocean energy generating and distribution facilities should be made in
> accordance with a regional strategic context via improved
> coordination, communication and responsible stewardship of the public
> trust, so that these facilities help to meet the region's energy needs
> as part of a diverse portfolio of energy sources.*

NROC established the Committee on Ocean Energy Planning and Management
(COEPM) to address these issues. The purpose of COEPM is to create a
dynamic forum to exchange information among the states and with the
federal government. The COEPM will help to create a shared vision for
the region that offers a more complete context for state and federal
ocean energy management, planning, and project reviews through the
pursuit of four principal, long-term initiatives:

1)  Identify contextual and baseline information for ocean energy
    facility development and operations.

2)  Propose guidelines for developing such information and conducting
    project assessments.

3)  Promote communications among public, non-profit and for-profit
    interests

4)  Build upon state planning initiatives to help craft a regional ocean
    energy governance framework.

Thus, to enhance regional ocean energy management and planning in the
northeast U.S., COEPM recommends pursuit of the following activities and
actions.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #1: Identify contextual and baseline information essential |
| for ocean energy facility development and operations.**               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Description:** While considerable information and experience in     |
| assessing renewable ocean energy facility development and design is   |
| accumulating through pilot project implementation and full-scale      |
| project planning, significant controversies and uncertainties remain  |
| regarding scientific assessment and differences in use priorities.    |
| The COEPM will develop and communicate guidelines for assessing       |
| environmental and economic impacts, use conflicts, and safety         |
| concerns when siting and designing coastal and ocean energy           |
| facilities, including recommendations for critical data, its          |
| collection, archiving, and analysis. Such assessments need to better  |
| address the different impacts between offshore renewable electric     |
| generation facilities (wave, wind, and tidal), and non-renewable      |
| facilities such as liquified natural gas terminals, cables and        |
| pipelines, as well as incorporate climate change and sea‑level rise   |
| considerations.                                                       |
|                                                                       |
| Identify data and information needs as required in local, state and   |
| federal permitting. Key data and information needs pertain to topics  |
| that include bathymetry, seafloor geology and biota, current and      |
| hydrodynamics, wind patterns, distribution of living and habitat      |
| resources, current, historic and potential human uses, vessel         |
| track‑line data, fish landing data, and other commercial and          |
| recreational use statistics.                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Partners**: (List partners involved and designate leads)            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Deliverables**:                                                     |
|                                                                       |
| -   Documentation of state and federal managers' contextual and       |
|     baseline information requirements;                                |
|                                                                       |
| -   A strategy to obtain priority data requirements and methods to    |
|     streamline the permitting process (e.g., require similar data,    |
|     similar data acquisition processes, centralized filing, etc.).    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Task #1-**Identify data and information required in state and       |
| federal permitting. (Examples included environmental response, vessel |
| traffic, living marine resources, human use data, engineering,        |
| benthic habitats, wind and current data, air quality, risk            |
| assessment, etc.). The committee will:                                |
|                                                                       |
| -   Survey managers' needs and priorities for contextual and baseline |
|     information.                                                      |
|                                                                       |
| -   Review existing EIS documents and FERC, MMS, Army Corps, and      |
|     other state, federal and local agency filing requirements to      |
|     identify data requirements and information needs for project      |
|     assessment, planning and management.                              |
|                                                                       |
| -   Gather this information, via the NOAA Coastal Services Center     |
|     Marine Cadastre Project and from other sources as appropriate,    |
|     and make it accessible.                                           |
|                                                                       |
| -   Review how NROC states are assessing and regulating coastal and   |
|     offshore energy projects and create on-going methods to share     |
|     those approaches (e.g., comparative matrix, etc.).                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Schedule and Resources**:                                           |
|                                                                       |
| > Timing: six-months                                                  |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources needed: 240 hrs (in-kind or contractual \@10 hrs/week)    |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources available:                                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #2: Develop and maintain an inventory of energy projects   |
| in the northeast**                                                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Description:** Create a visual and searchable GIS database          |
| containing all energy projects in the northeast, to include: project  |
| status, developer, tank capacity, operational date, market served,    |
| demand for output, potential for project/facility upgrade, facility   |
| lifespan, images and location. Project will allow for quick/easy view |
| and understanding of regional projects and their interconnection to   |
| energy infrastructure in the northeast. In addition, project will be  |
| beneficial in continuity of operations efforts and response           |
| operations.                                                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Partners:** First Coast Guard District (POC: LCDR Gonzalez, Mr. Ron |
| Beck)                                                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Deliverables:**                                                     |
|                                                                       |
| -   Draft Project Report (27-28 October),                             |
|                                                                       |
| -   Final Project (15 May 09).                                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Tasks:**                                                            |
|                                                                       |
| -   ArcGIS Software Request/Justification (01 Sep),                   |
|                                                                       |
| -   Software delivered/Installed (30 Sep),                            |
|                                                                       |
| -   Coordinate with other GIS data sources (8 October)                |
|                                                                       |
| -   Database Creation and Design (15 October),                        |
|                                                                       |
| -   Draft Project Report (27-28 October),                             |
|                                                                       |
| -   First Stage Completion (TBD) -- Review and update                 |
|     information/system.                                               |
|                                                                       |
| -   Second Stage Completion (TBD) -- Review and update                |
|     information/system,                                               |
|                                                                       |
| -   Final Project Report (15 May 09) -- Project completed and         |
|     operational.                                                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Schedule and Resources:**                                           |
|                                                                       |
| -   Same as "Work Tasks" above,                                       |
|                                                                       |
| -   Resources: ArgGIS (Editor) Software provided by USCG.             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #3: Develop and communicate voluntary guidelines for       |
| assessing environmental and economic impacts, use conflicts, and      |
| safety concerns**                                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Description:** Considerable information and experience in assessing |
| renewable ocean energy facility development and design is             |
| accumulating through pilot project implementation and full-scale      |
| project planning. However controversies and uncertainties remain      |
| regarding how to balance renewable ocean energy resources development |
| with existing and traditional uses of the marine environment.         |
| Appropriate and commonly agreed‑upon methods for assessing the        |
| impacts of renewable ocean energy resource development upon existing  |
| uses will address these uncertainties and controversies.              |
|                                                                       |
| The committee will develop and communicate voluntary guidelines for   |
| assessing environmental and economic impacts, use conflicts, and      |
| safety concerns when siting and designing coastal and ocean energy    |
| facilities, including recommendations for critical data, its          |
| collection, archiving, and analysis. These guidelines will address    |
| the differences between offshore renewable electric generation        |
| facilities (wave, wind, and tidal), and fossil fuel facilities such   |
| as liquified natural gas terminals, cables and pipelines, as well as  |
| incorporate climate change and sea level rise considerations.         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Partners**: (List partners involved and designate leads)            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Deliverables**:                                                     |
|                                                                       |
| -   Voluntary guidelines for assessing environmental and economic     |
|     impacts, use conflicts, and safety concerns when siting and       |
|     designing coastal and ocean energy facilities;                    |
|                                                                       |
| -   Strategy to disseminate guidelines within the region and          |
|     elsewhere                                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Task #1**- Solicit and analyze input from the northeast states,     |
| federal agencies and other states on their approaches to assessing    |
| renewable ocean energy facility development and design.               |
|                                                                       |
| **Task #2-** Prepare draft voluntary guidelines and convene regional  |
| workshop for state and federal coastal and ocean energy project       |
| managers to critique guidelines. Amend guidelines accordingly.        |
|                                                                       |
| **Task #3-** Develop 6-month strategy to disseminate guidelines       |
| within the region and elsewhere.                                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Schedule and Resources**:                                           |
|                                                                       |
| > Timing: Solicit input -- months 1-3                                 |
| >                                                                     |
| > Produce draft guidelines and convene workshop -- months 3-12        |
| >                                                                     |
| > Produce dissemination strategy -- 2010                              |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources needed: 1 FTE (\$60,000) plus workshop expenses           |
| > (\$10,000)                                                          |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources available:                                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #4:** Promote communications among public, non-profit and  |
| for-profit interests about energy activities                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Description:** Promote learning and foster mutual understanding     |
| among different interests and governmental entities about the         |
| planning, siting, authorization, and operation of coastal and ocean   |
| energy generating and distribution facilities. Better                 |
| inter‑organizational communications will deepen shared understanding  |
| of the environmental impacts, economic impacts, use conflicts,        |
| market-creation mechanisms (ITCs, PTCs, feed-in tariffs, etc.), the   |
| societal benefits and safety concerns that these facilities will      |
| engender.                                                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Partners**: NEGC/NICE,                                              |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Deliverables**:                                                     |
|                                                                       |
| -   Report that documents and assesses current mechanisms;            |
|                                                                       |
| -   Prepare and release regional strategy                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Task #1**- Document and assess current public, non-profit and       |
| private communication mechanisms to share information about the       |
| planning, siting, authorization, and operation of coastal and ocean   |
| energy generating and distribution facilities.                        |
|                                                                       |
| **Task #2**- Prepare a regional strategy that effectively             |
| communicates the environmental impacts, use conflicts, market forces, |
| the tax incentives, the benefits and safety concerns that these       |
| facilities will engender.                                             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Schedule and Resources**:                                           |
|                                                                       |
| > Timing: Document and assess current mechanisms -- months 1-3        |
| >                                                                     |
| > Prepare and release regional strategy -- months 3-12                |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources needed: .5 FTE (\$30,000)                                 |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources available:                                                |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Activity #5:** Build upon state planning initiatives to make        |
| recommendations on crafting a regional ocean energy governance        |
| framework.                                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Description:** Current approaches to the siting, construction, and  |
| operation of coastal and ocean energy infrastructure are fragmented   |
| and contentious in part because there is no shared regional vision    |
| for these uses in the coastal and marine environment. A regional      |
| assessment and management framework would enable managers and         |
| policymakers to address coherently impacted resources, ecosystems,    |
| other human uses, energy market conditions and other issues related   |
| to both ongoing and future energy development.                        |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Partners**: (List partners involved and designate leads)            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Deliverables**:                                                     |
|                                                                       |
| -   Routine exchange of information between RI and Mass and with the  |
|     other New England states                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Task #1**- Rhode Island and Massachusetts will exchange materials   |
| to other states developed through Rhode Island's Ocean SAMP process   |
| and Massachusetts' comprehensive ocean management planning            |
| initiatives via the NROC web site, routine emails to list serves.     |
|                                                                       |
| **Task #2**- Rhode Island and Massachusetts will promote and          |
| facilitate interactions and linkages between their planning           |
| initiatives via staff exchanges, workshops and electronic means.      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **Schedule and Resources**:                                           |
|                                                                       |
| > Timing: Ongoing -- multi-year                                       |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources needed:                                                   |
| >                                                                     |
| > Resources available: In-kind contributions by the states, CSC       |
| > Marine Spatial Planning project team                                |
|                                                                       |
| Note: RI expects to complete the SAMP by 2010                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

**Communications Committee Terms of Reference**

***Submitted by Susan Russell-Robinson***

**Purpose:** The Communications Team will promote 1) the goals and
regional issues of the North Eastern Region Ocean Council (NROC), 2)
raise the visibility of NROC and its activities to Governors, the New
England Governors Conference, state and Federal legislators, and
regional organizations that are working on allied efforts, and 3)
facilitate distribution of information about NROC though a NROC web
site, news media, regional publications, public forums, and special
information campaigns.

**Responsibilities:** The Communications Team provides an overarching
information framework for NROC and its committees. The Team will develop
a communication plan, clearly articulating annual needs and timetable
for deliverables; will promote broad-band sharing of NROC news and
information to regional organizations, state agencies, etc.; will foster
consistent use of NROC branding; will prepare news releases,
announcements, outreach materials, and standard presentation materials;
and will develop a publication review policy to ensure consistent
delivery of NROC messages. Working in a collaborative environment, the
Communication Team will foster strong internal communication.

**Participation:** The Team will be divided into three working
groups: 1) News Media and General Outreach, 2) Website Services, and 3)
Alliance Building. Members will be drawn from NROC committee
representatives, communication specialists from state and Federal
agencies, and NOAA Coastal Services Center web support staff.

**Chair/Vice-Chair Responsibilities:** The Chair will conduct monthly
meeting to monitor progress of the three working groups, to identify
needs for additional staff or financial (primarily in-kind) resources,
and to evaluate effectiveness of communication efforts. A Vice-Chair
will be selected from the Federal membership and will be served as back
up support for day-to-day activities of the chair.

**Meetings and Evaluation:** The Team will hold quarterly telecons and
one annual face-to-face meeting. Evaluations of the communication
efforts will be made semi-annually and discussed with the NROC
Committee.

**Priority Actions (begin July 1, 2008):**

\(1\) News Media and General Outreach

-   Develop Communication Framework.

-   Design a brand for documents, PowerPoint presentations, outreach
    materials, etc.

-   Prepare an "elevator speech" about NROC and associated handout
    materials.

-   Develop Publication Review Policy.

\(2\) Web Site Services

-   Design and stand up an NROC web site hosted by NOAA Coastal Service
    Center.

-   Link to regional web sites and request "return" links

\(3\) Alliance Building

-   Build stronger working relationships with CSO, as part of Oceans
    2100 effort which requests support for regional organizations like
    NROC.

-   Fortify connection with New England Governors Conference (NECG) and
    ensure regular communication awareness of NROC activities that are
    related to NEGC committees such as Energy Committee.

-   Communicate regularly with New England Governors-Eastern Canadian
    Premiers (NEG-ECP).

Re: New England regional alliance for ocean and coastal issues

**NROC Letter to the Administration or Governors (DRAFT)**

***Submitted by Susan Russell-Robinson***

Dear \[name\]:

The Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC), the U.S. arm of the Ocean
Working Committee of the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian
Premiers (NEG/ECP), is a regional state alliance focused on three
mutually-identified areas of concern, namely 1) coastal hazards
resilience, 2) ocean and ecosystem health and 3) ocean energy resources.
NROC is well positioned to integrate regional activities, foster
information sharing, and leverage our partnership with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, NOAA, Department of the Interior,
Department of Agriculture, US Coast Guard, and U.S. Army Corp of
Engineers.

New England has a long history of using coastal and ocean resources.
With declining fisheries, influxes of contaminants and sediments from
watersheds to coastal areas, need for new sources of energy, and
stressful impacts of sea level rise on our human and ecological
communities, planners, decisionmakers, business owners and homeowners
are faced with many difficult choices. NROC works to bring to these
people the best management practices and the best available science.
NROC convenes workshops, fosters integration of state and federal work
plans to be cost effective and efficient, and networks with other
regional entities, such as The Nature Conservancy, the New England
Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, and ICLEI Local
Governments for Sustainability. Additionally, members of the NROC team
work closely with our Canadian counterparts on transboundary issues.

NROC has set forth an ambitious work plan for 2009. Success depends upon
the support NROC receives from both state and federal programs. I would
like to meet with you or your representative at your earliest
convenience to discuss NROC's accomplishments and plans for future
activities. Please contact me at \[email address\] or call \[telephone
number\].

Sincerely yours.

\[name\]

Attachment

\(1\) NROC Action Plan

**NROC Statement on Climate Change (DRAFT)**

***Submitted by David Russ***

**Pending**

**Additional regional climate resources:**

[NEG/ECP Climate Change Steering Committee Activities and Work
Plan](http://cap-cpma.ca/images/pdf/eng/2008 NEGECP Documents/Ctee Reports/2008 Climate Change Annual Report E.pdf),
9/16/2008.

[NEG/ECP Resolution Concerning Climate Change
Adaptation](http://www.negc.org/documents/Res_32-5.pdf) (32-5),
9/16/2008

**Mass Oceans Act: Overview and Public Participation Process**

***Submitted by Leslie-Ann McGee***

The Bay State's 1,500-mile coastline and rich ocean waters have shaped
our history, economy, and cultural identity. Historically, the ocean has
supported recreational activity and tourism, fishing and shellfishing,
shipping and trade, scientific research, and many other endeavors. More
recent ocean uses in Massachusetts include aquaculture, liquefied
natural gas (LNG) facilities, and high-speed ferries---and with energy
and related environmental challenges facing the state and the nation, we
are now looking to the ocean as a source of sustainable energy.

Until recently, management of ocean resources has been piecemeal---not
only in Massachusetts, but nationwide. Now the tide is turning. On May
28, 2008, Governor Deval Patrick signed the Oceans Act of 2008, which
requires the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to develop a
comprehensive ocean management plan, following a scientific and public
stakeholder process that leads to a draft plan by summer of 2009, and
the final promulgation of the plan by December 31, 2009. Key elements of
the Oceans Act include:

-   **Comprehensive management of Massachusetts waters** -- For the
    first time in any state, comprehensive science-based planning will
    be used to ensure long-term protection and sustainable use of ocean
    resources;

-   **Ocean Advisory Commission and Science Advisory Council** -- A
    17-member commission will advise the Secretary as the Executive
    Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) develops the ocean
    plan. The commission includes state legislators, agency heads,
    commercial fishing, environmental, and renewable energy
    representatives, and coastal regional planning agencies. A
    nine-member Science Advisory Council will assist the Secretary in
    developing environmental, economic and social baseline data, and
    will help develop a foundation for long-term, science-based ocean
    management;

-   **Appropriately scaled renewable energy** -- The Ocean Sanctuaries
    Act is amended to allow offshore renewable energy facilities of
    "appropriate scale" in state waters, except for the Cape Cod Ocean
    Sanctuary (offshore from the Cape Cod National Seashore on the Outer
    Cape), provided that facilities are consistent with the ocean plan;
    and

-   **Fisheries management jurisdiction** -- The Oceans Act directs that
    commercial and recreational fishing remain allowed uses in state
    waters, and maintains exclusive jurisdiction over fisheries
    regulation with the Division of Marine Fisheries.

The Oceans Act requires the plan to have a spatial component: that is,
the plan must identify areas suitable for uses, activities,
conservation, and protection and related management (regulatory)
measures intended to implement the plan. In terms of implementation,
state agency actions---including the issuance of permits, licenses, and
other regulatory approvals---are required to be consistent with the plan
to the maximum extent practicable. The Oceans Act requires that the plan
be publicly reviewed at least once every five years.

The Oceans Act sets out fifteen statements of principle for the plan by
stating that the plan shall:

1.  set forth the Commonwealth's goals, siting priorities and standards
    for ensuring effective stewardship of its ocean waters held in trust
    for the benefit of the public;

2.  adhere to sound management practices, taking into account the
    existing natural, social, cultural, historic and economic
    characteristics of the planning areas;

3.  preserve and protect the public trust;

4.  reflect the importance of the waters of the Commonwealth to its
    citizens who derive livelihoods and recreational benefits from
    fishing;

5.  value biodiversity and ecosystem health;

6.  identify and protect special, sensitive or unique estuarine and
    marine life and habitats;

7.  address climate change and sea-level rise;

8.  respect the interdependence of ecosystems;

9.  coordinate uses that include international, federal, state and local
    jurisdictions;

10. foster sustainable uses that capitalize on economic opportunity
    without significant detriment to the ecology or natural beauty of
    the ocean;

11. preserve and enhance public access;

12. support the infrastructure necessary to sustain the economy and
    quality of life for the citizens of the commonwealth;

13. encourage public participation in decision-making;

14. adapt to evolving knowledge and understanding of the ocean
    environment; and

15. identify appropriate locations and performance standards for
    activities, uses and facilities allowed in Ocean Sanctuaries.

Such statements of principle frame the goals of the plan and will, as
informed by the public input process, help guide development of the
plan. What we would like to hear from you is how you think the plan
should achieve these goals.

Over the next few months, EEA will be collecting the scientific, public
comment, and planning information -- the raw materials -- needed to
begin developing a draft ocean plan. To that end:

-   Work groups will acquire and analyze existing data and information
    regarding ocean resources in subject areas that include habitat,
    fishery resources, renewable energy, sediment management,
    recreational, cultural and historic resources, and navigation and
    infrastructure;

-   Public comment meetings will be held in coastal and inland
    communities;

-   The Ocean Advisory Commission will review public comment and draft
    planning materials developed by EEA; and

-   The Science Advisory Council will identify data and assist in
    developing the short- and long-term science baseline of the ocean
    plan.

To review the Oceans Act, see more detailed planning materials, submit
comments by e-mail, sign up to receive e-mail notices of ongoing
planning activities, and view video recordings of each public comment
meeting, please go to the following links:

-   [www.mass.gov/eoeea](http://www.mass.gov/eoeea) for the EEA ocean
    planning home page, background material, public meeting schedule,
    and other information. This page will be periodically updated.

-   <http://www.mass.gov/czm/oceanmanagement/oceans_act/index.htm> for
    the text of the Oceans Act and related materials.

-   To get on EEA's mailing list for the ocean plan, and for direct
    notice of public meetings, please email:
    <join-env-oceanplan@listserv.state.ma.us>.

[^1]: For the purposes of this work plan NROC confines physical natural
    hazards to wind, inundation, waves, surge, fire in diked and drained
    tidal marshes, and seismic activity.