Below is a brief meeting summary of the Commission's inaugural meeting. More detailed minutes of the meeting and the meeting agenda are also available.

Summary
Agenda
Minutes and Appendixes (pdf, 472 kb)

Summary

The Commission on Ocean Policy named Admiral James D. Watkins, U.S. Navy (Retired) chairman of the commission during its first gathering. The meetings were held on Monday and Tuesday, September 17 and 18 in Washington, DC. The 16-member commission, appointed by President Bush, is undertaking an 18-month investigation of oceans-related issues and will make far-reaching recommendations to the president and Congress for a comprehensive national ocean policy, including the Great Lakes.

James Connaughton, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Paula Dobriansky, under secretary of State for Global Affairs, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, Christie Whitman, and Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans spoke during the first meeting and stressed the importance of the oceans to the nation's economy and security and of the need to protect and conserve ocean resources for this and future generations. They reiterated the Administration's support for the Commission.

The meeting consisted primarily of organizational issues, including establishing four committees and appointing chairs.

Governance - William D. Ruckelshaus

Stewardship - Paul A. Sandifer

Research, Education and Marine Operations - James M. Coleman

Investment and Development - Initially co-chaired by the other three committee chairmen (no other commissioners to be assigned at this time).

Permanent offices and contact information will be posted on this site as soon as information becomes available. The interim mailing address for the Commission is:

Commission on Ocean Policy
c/o Ocean.US Office
2300 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 1350
Arlington, VA 22201-3667

Further information is available in the Press Release made after the meeting. The draft Minutes of the meeting will be posted after review and approval by the Commissioners.

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