# Presentation: 391217

## Turning to the Sea:  America’s Ocean Future

**Report to OCS Policy Committee**
**Tom  Kitsos**
**Deputy Director, Minerals Management Service**
**October 27, 1999**

## June 12, 1998

**Presidential Announcement at National Ocean Conference**
**Directs Cabinet to Review U.S. Ocean Policy**

**June 12, 1998**

**Notes:**
In June of 1998, President Clinton and Vice President Gore presided over the National Ocean Conference in Monterey, CA, which drew together for the first time a full array of ocean interests--from government to industry, science to conservation.

During his address to the Conference, the President directed his Cabinet to report back with recommendations for a coordinated, disciplined, long-term federal ocean policy.

## September 2, 1999

**September 2, 1999**

**Notes:**
In September, the task force submitted its report with recommendations for a comprehensive policy to guide federal efforts into the 21st century.  Members of this task force included:
Departments of Commerce, Defense, Interior, Agriculture, Transportation, Justice, State; and 
EPA and the National Science Foundation.
The national dialogue that was begun in Monterey reflects the diverse, sometimes competing, values inherent in our oceans.  The seas are not only a source of economic benefit and a major avenue of world trade, but they are also a vital component of our national defense, a natural treasure to be preserved, and a fascinating frontier with secrets that are yet to be discovered.

The task force’s recommendations build on the broad consensus among the Conference participants on the vital importance of the oceans to our nation’s future--our economy, our security, our health and well-being--and the challenges we face in ensuring that all the ocean’s many resources are protected and sustained.

## Findings & Recommendations:

**Broad Themes**
**Strengthening Global Security**
**Protecting Marine Resources**
**Discovering the Oceans **
**Sustaining the Economic Benefits of **
**	****the Oceans**

**Findings & Recommendations:**

**Notes:**
In developing their recommendations, the task force was guided by certain core principles:
Strengthening the Global Security--Freedom of the seas is integral to the strength and security of the nation.  
Protecting Marine Resources--Strong protection of our ocean and coastal environment, using a precautionary approach and sound management, is no longer a choice, but a necessity.
Discovering the Oceans--Exploring and understanding the oceans is critical to our well-being and survival.
Sustaining the Economic Benefits of the Oceans--Future generations deserve to inherit healthy, bountiful oceans.

## Strengthening Global Security

**Freedom of Navigation**
**Maritime Law Enforcement**

**Strengthening Global Security**

**Notes:**
To strengthen global security, the report recommends that the Cabinet should continue to work with the Senate to ensure that the U.S. joins the Law of the Sea Convention as soon as possible.

Other recommendations include:
Expanding the U.S. freedom of navigation program;
Improving cooperation at the interagency, interservice, and international levels to address threats to our maritime interests; and  
Extending to 24 nautical miles the “contiguous zone” for enhanced federal law enforcement purposes.

## Protecting Marine 

**Marine Protected Species**
**Ocean and Coastal Habitats**
**Estuaries**
**Water Quality**
**Coral Reefs**
**Nonindigenous Species**
**Marine Debris**

**Protecting Marine **
**Resources**

**Notes:**
Protecting marine resources involves several programs, one of which is marine protected species.

Over the past century, marine protected species have been overhunted or overfished, causing extinction or extreme population declines.  Currently, there is a lack of information on the population sizes and trends of marine wildlife, as well as on the threats to marine wildlife.  
Among the reports recommendation are: 
an increase in research and monitoring activities; 
development and implementation of national goals and coordination action plans to recover marine protected species; 
addressing key existing and emerging threats to marine protected species and areas

## Discovering the Oceans

**Ocean Education**
**Ocean Observations**
**Ocean Research**
**Ocean and Coastal  Exploration**

**Notes:**
Although the government and private institutions support ocean science education and outreach programs, these efforts are rarely driven by a specific plan to assess and improve the quality of ocean science education for students, teachers, and the general public.
One report recommendation along these lines is to establish a nationally, coordinated effort to improve and promote ocean science education.
On the subject of ocean observations, the report recommends expanding open-ocean observing capabilities to enhance sampling of the full water column to improve our understanding of ocean circulation, weather prediction, and national security.
It is also recommended that efforts for ocean exploration and research continue and take advantage of opportunities for increased coordination among agencies.

## Sustaining the Economic Benefits 

**of the Oceans**

**Marine Transportation and Navigation**
**Coastal Tourism and Communities**
**Domestic and International Fisheries**
**Aquaculture**
**Biotechnology**
**Offshore Oil and Gas**

**Notes:**
Among the economic benefits listed here, I’m going to address offshore oil and gas, a subject I am familiar with.

## Offshore Oil and Gas Activity 

**Has Provided Over **
**$19.7 Billion to the Nation’s **
**Land and Water Conservation Fund**

**Notes:**
The offshore oil and gas program plays an important role in benefiting the national economy. In addition to the monies deposited in the U.S. Treasury, offshore oil and gas activity has provided, to date, over $19.7 billion to the Nation’s Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Each year, however, Congress does not fully use these funds for conservation.

[Tom, the following statement is in the report--optional for your talk:]
The Clinton/Gore Lands Legacy proposal would ensure that the monies are spent only for their original purpose--improving and protecting our nation’s land and waters.

## Recommendations -- 

**Offshore Minerals Management**

**Increase Research to Minimize Human and Environmental Risks**
**Encourage Production of **
**	****Natural Gas As a Cleaner **
**	****Source of Energy**
**Work With All Stakeholders **
**	****to Address Environmental **
**	****Concerns**

**Notes:**
Several recommendations of the report pertain to Offshore Minerals Management

Read off slide

## Recommendations (cont.)-- 

**Join United Nations Law **
**of the Sea Convention**
**Accelerate Scientific **
**	****Research on Marine **
**	****Gas Hydrates (Potential Long-Term Energy Resource)**

**Recommendations (cont.)-- **
**Offshore Minerals Management**

**Notes:**
The report also recommends that the U.S. 

Read off slide

## Recommendations (cont.)-- 

**Use of Nonenergy Mineral Resources**
**Form Partnerships to Develop Regional **
**	****Sand Management Initiatives**
**Analyze Potential Impacts**
**Identify Possible **
**	****Mitigation Measures**

**Recommendations (cont.)-- **
**Offshore Minerals Management**

**Notes:**
Turning to the issues on nonenergy mineral resources, the report recognized the importance of offshore sand and gravel for both beach nourishment and aggregate uses.

At present, there is no overall management framework to ensure that federal offshore sand resources are used in a timely, cost-effective, and environmentally sound manner.

These recommendation (see above slide) address these concerns.

## September 2, 1999

**Chaired Jointly by CEQ and the National Security Council**
**DOI Representative -- Bill Brown, Secretary’s Science Advisor**

**September 2, 1999**

**Notes:**
To implement these numerous recommendations, the Vice President has established a high-level task force, chaired by CEQ and NSC.  This task force has met initially and has developed a matrix of recommendations that have been prioritized by agency.
The DOI representative is Bill Brown, and the 2 top DOI priorities are:
development of a “marine wilderness” concept for application in marine protected areas;
development of a system for regulating bioprospecting in the EEZ, and collecting royalties on commercialization of such organisms, which will be used for research and conservation efforts.

This concludes my remarks.  Thank you, and we’ll be happy to address any questions you may have.