July 15, 2004 Media Advisory

Washington, D.C. -- Consideration of changes to the Preliminary Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and approval of a draft Final Report containing findings and recommendations for a national ocean policy will be the focus of the Commission’s sixteenth public meeting on Thursday, July 22, 2004, from 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building Amphitheater, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, in Washington, D.C.

The Commission’s Final Report, An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century, will be submitted to the President and Congress with recommendations for a coordinated and comprehensive national ocean policy a few weeks following the public meeting, upon completion of approved changes, final editing and printing of the document.

The President is then directed by the Oceans Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-256) to consult with state and local governments, and other non-federal stakeholders, prior to submitting to Congress his statement of proposals to implement or respond to the Commission’s recommendations. The President’s response is due within 90 days after he receives and considers the final report.

Mandated by the Congress through the Oceans Act and appointed by the President, the 16-member Commission conducted the first comprehensive review of U.S. ocean policy in 35 years. The Commission began its work in September 2001, conducting a series of 15 public meetings and 18 additional site visits in every coastal region of the country and the Great Lakes to learn firsthand about the most pressing issues facing the nation regarding the use and stewardship of ocean and coastal resources.

On April 20, 2004, the Commission released its Preliminary Report based on information presented at those meetings and the latest scientific and technical information on oceans and coasts. April 20th also marked the beginning of the comment period for governors and the public, which ended on June 4, 2004. To date, the Commission has reviewed and considered comments received from 37 governors, five tribal leaders, one regional governors association and 800 interested stakeholders. Summaries of those comments will be available at the meeting. For more information about the Commission please visit http://oceancommission.gov.

Contacts:

Kate Naughten, (202) 418-3442
David Roscow, (703) 276-2772 ext 21


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