Contact:
Priscilla Brooks, CLF Director of Ocean Conservation Program:
617.850.1737
Jack Clarke, Mass Audubon, Director of Public Policy & Government Relations:
617-962-5187
Boston, MA (June 30, 2009) - Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles today released a draft comprehensive ocean management plan, the first of its kind in the nation, to guide all development activity, including renewable energy, in state ocean waters. A requirement of the Massachusetts Oceans Act, the landmark ocean management plan is designed to end decades of ad hoc decision making by establishing a coordinated plan that seeks to balance economic growth with protection of marine wildlife and habitat.
The Massachusetts Ocean Coalition, a statewide coalition representing over 40 member organizations, applauds the release of the draft plan. The Coalition intends to activate its member organizations as well as citizens across the Commonwealth to ensure that the final ocean management balances commercial and recreational activities with conservation needs in order to ensure a healthy ocean legacy for the Bay State. Key requirements of the plan include the identification and protection of special, sensitive and unique ocean wildlife and habitats as well as the identification of preferable areas for appropriate-scale renewable energy facilities.
"This marks the culmination of a great deal of research and analysis" said Priscilla Brooks, Director of the Conservation Law Foundation's Ocean Conservation Program and a member of the Ocean Science Advisory Council appointed to advise on the scientific baseline for the ocean plan. "The Conservation Law Foundation looks forward to reviewing the plan and working with the State to ensure that it stewards our ocean's health for future generations."
Development of this plan is driven by a statutory mandate contained in the Massachusetts Oceans Act, signed into law in May of 2008, that requires the Commonwealth to develop and implement the ocean plan by December 31, 2009. The State will now solicit public comment, revise and then promulgate the final comprehensive ocean management plan by December 31, 2009.
"The State has proactively engaged a wide range of stakeholders in order to develop this landmark plan" said Jack Clarke, Director of Public Policy and Government Relations for Mass Audubon and the environmental representative to the Ocean Advisory Commission. "Mass Audubon expects that a robust public comment process with multiple public hearings will fine tune and strengthen the final draft."
© 2008 Massachusetts Ocean Action Coalition
Conservation Law Foundation | Mass Audubon