DOS
June 08, 2023
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ON WORLD OCEANS DAY, THE NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE HIGHLIGHTS MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE EPF-FUNDED OCEAN AND GREAT LAKES PROGRAMS |
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Funding for Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Program Doubled in FY 2024 State Budget New York’s “Hudson Canyon” Advances Toward Marine Sanctuary Designation by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Innovative Tool Developed by DOS to Make Offshore Wind Project Review More Efficient Approved by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration On World Oceans Day today, the New York Department of State (DOS) is highlighting its many accomplishments, innovations and leadership roles this past year in protecting the Atlantic Ocean ecosystems through its Ocean and Great Lakes program. DOS had a banner year, including:
“The Department of State takes its role as an advocate of the Atlantic Ocean very seriously, from restoring Long Island’s estuary shoreline to supporting responsible offshore wind development, to protecting deep-water ecosystems throughout the Mid-Atlantic region,” said New York Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “Long Island’s economy is directly tied to healthy ocean waterways, and we are proud of the work we’ve done over the past year to advance our mission of ensuring the long-term health of our oceans, and in turn, our entire state’s economy.” DOS administers the multi-faceted Ocean and Great Lakes program. The Ocean and Great Lakes program collaborates with local, State and federal agencies to advance planning, policy and project activities that address the connections between ocean and Great Lakes ecosystem health, economic vitality and community sustainability. The Ocean and Great Lakes Program is funded through the State’s Environmental Protection Fund, which Governor Kathy Hochul increased from $300 million to a record level $400 million in last year’s budget. The many DOS-led accomplishments within the Ocean and Great Lakes program since last year’s World Oceans Day include: Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Program and Council Hudson Canyon Marine Sanctuary DOS is also supporting the designation of a marine sanctuary in eastern Lake Ontario, which contains several iconic shipwrecks from throughout 200 years of the nation’s history. These two efforts in New York State are particularly significant because there currently are only 15 designated marine sanctuaries in the entire country. Responsible and Sustainable Offshore Wind Development DOS also developed a Renewable Energy Geographic Location Description (GLD), in collaboration with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The GLD will help make offshore wind project reviews more efficient by establishing criteria for automatic review of certain offshore wind projects in the Atlantic Ocean. This innovative new tool will accelerate the review timeline by avoiding the more lengthy and cumbersome past practice of having to determine whether a project is subject to State review on a project-by-project basis. The GLD also informs project developers of the potential impacts to New York State uses and resources, further providing predictability and transparency in the regulatory process for all stakeholders. The GLD, which was recently approved by NOAA during Earth Week 2023, will help New York State meet its renewable energy goals. The GLD can be accessed at the DOS’ award-winning Geographic Information System Gateway, or simply the Gateway. The Gateway is a one stop, state-of-the-art website providing public access to data, real-time information, interactive tools and expert knowledge relevant to the DOS Office of Planning and Development’s programs and activities throughout New York State. Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean/Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean |
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