Mass Ocean Campaign: In the News

Press Advisory

Media Contacts:

Priscilla Brooks (Conservation Law Foundation) 617-850-1737, pbrooks@clf.org
Jack Clarke (Mass Audubon) 617-962-5187, jclarke@massaudubon.org
Tom McCann (Ocean Conservancy) 202-351-0465, tmccann@oceanconservancy.org

Massachusetts Ocean Advisory Panel and Timeline for the Country's First Ever Comprehensive Ocean Management Plan Announced

Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to implement the Oceans Act 2008

What: The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs will announce and convene for the first time the 17-members of the ocean advisory commission who will help draft the ocean management plan for state waters, and the aggressive timeline for developing the plan by December 2009.

When: The meeting will take place on Wednesday August 13th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 at the Massport Fish Pier at the Exchange Conference Center in Boston
On May 28, 2008, Governor Deval Patrick signed the Oceans Act of 2008, legislation that requires Massachusetts to develop a first-in-the-nation comprehensive plan to manage development in its state waters, balancing natural resource preservation with traditional and new uses, including renewable energy. The new ocean management plan will be developed by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs in consultation with a 17-member ocean advisory commission, staffed by Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, and an ocean science advisory council.

The Mass Ocean Campaign, led by the Conservation Law Foundation, Mass Audubon and Ocean Conservancy, applaud Governor Patrick for his leadership in creating a national model for ocean governance. The Campaign will follow the public process closely.