 |
August 5, 2004 Press
Statement
|
Statement
of
Admiral James D. Watkins, USN (Ret.)
Chairman, U.S. Commission on Ocean
Policy
on the Oceans 21 Bill and
the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration Act
The
U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy applauds the
members of the U.S. House of Representatives who are working diligently
to reform our national ocean policy. Specifically, the recent introduction
of the Oceans
Conservation, Education, and National Strategy
for the 21st Century Act, also known as Oceans 21, and
the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric AdministrationAct are welcome signs that
Congress is taking the implementation of the
Commission’s recommendations
seriously and that change is on the way.
Oceans 21 was introduced by U.S. Congressmen Jim Greenwood,
Sam Farr, Curt Weldon and Tom Allen, the co-chairs of the House Ocean
Caucus. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationAct was
introduced by U.S. Congressman Vern Ehlers, Chairman of the House Science
Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards. Both bills
include provisions that address the key
findings and preliminary recommendations announced by the Commission
earlier this year.
Oceans 21 and
Rep. Ehlers’ legislation would give the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration its own statutory basis
for existing and the clear missions and goals needed to make the agency
stronger, more effective, science-based and service-oriented – a
priority recommendation of the Commission. The legislation would
also strengthen NOAA and increase resources
for the coordination of marine research and
education.
In addition, Oceans 21 offers comprehensive legislation that
would establish several governance
elements of the national ocean policy framework proposed by the
Commission. Addressing the limitations of the current governance
regime will be critical to the successful implementation
of a new national ocean policy for the 21st
century.
By rising to the challenge and addressing the many issues that are
affecting the oceans, Congress can help protect the ocean environment,
create jobs, increase Federal revenues, enhance security, expand trade,
and ensure ample supplies of energy, minerals, food, and life-saving
drugs. Wise actions taken today, based on an ecosystem-based management
approach, can restore what has been lost and create even greater benefits.
– end –
Contact:
Kate Naughten, (202) 418-3442
David Roscow 703/276-2772 ext. 21
(top)
|
