October 28, 2002 Media Advisory

Washington, D.C. – Two former members of the historic Stratton Commission and the Director of Civil Works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are among the witnesses who will appear before the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy at its final fact-finding meeting on Wednesday, October 30, 2002, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Jefferson Auditorium, South Building Wing 5, Independence Avenue, S.W., in Washington, D.C. Additional witnesses set to address the Commission will highlight the work of the independent Pew Oceans Commission, agricultural issues, data management and satellites and international marine issues.

Former Stratton Commission members Dr. Robert White and Dr. John Knauss, and Major General Robert Griffin of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, headline the experts set to testify before the Commission. The Stratton Commission was the predecessor to the current presidentially-appointed commission. The Stratton Commission’s work in 1969, led to the founding of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the enactment of the 1972 Coastal Zone Management Act and other important advances in ocean and coastal management.

This is the last meeting in which the 16-member U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy will hear testimony before it begins deliberations on recommendations for the development of a comprehensive national ocean policy. Based on information gathered at the public meetings and its in-depth analysis of U.S. coastal policies, the Commission will compile findings and recommendations that will be presented to Congress and the President in a final report in 2003.

Recent U.S. Commission milestones include the completion of its nine regional public meetings in nine months and the release of its mid-term report, Developing a National Ocean Policy, in September. The report stated that nation’s oceans and coasts are in serious trouble.

Contacts:

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


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