|
DEC Contact: Tom Mailey (518) 402-8000 January 15, 2015
|
NEW YORK STATE ISSUES DRAFT 10-YEAR OCEAN ACTION PLAN TO PROTECT AND RESTORE NEW YORK STATE’S RICH OCEAN RESOURCESState Seeks to Protect Ocean Resources that are Major Economic |
|
Public Comments Accepted Until Through March 9New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Department of State (DOS) today issued a draft, comprehensive 10-year Ocean Action Plan (OAP) to protect and restore the state’s ocean resources and to address urgent issues facing these resources and coastal communities http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/84428.html. The public is invited to submit comments on the draft plan by March 9. “This marks the first time a state member of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body for the National Ocean Policy has issued a statewide ocean action plan,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. “This plan will help protect the more than 300 marine fish species reproducing and growing in these waters, support the valuable commercial and recreational fishing industries, as well as the 94 miles of New York State beaches that attract millions of visitors each year. I want to thank the many stakeholders who participated in preparation of the Ocean Action Plan and invite them to continue to work with us on implementation.” “The Ocean Action Plan serves as a critical starting point to ensure that the ocean continues to provide economic benefits and recreational opportunities for New Yorkers,” said New York Secretary of State Cesar A. Perales. “The Ocean Action Plan identifies additional opportunities to protect our coastal communities from increasingly severe weather events. This Plan builds on Governor Cuomo’s record of working with communities to become more resilient in the face of a changing climate. We are pleased to continue to work with the public to refine this action plan, and we encourage all New Yorkers to provide their ideas for our state’s great ocean resources.” This draft OAP supports Governor Cuomo’s initiatives to promote responsible stewardship of the state’s vast natural resources, enhance tourism and other economic opportunities, and improve resiliency against climate change and extreme weather. It provides a framework for managing, using, restoring and conserving New York’s ocean resources.
The draft OAP will enhance protection and restoration of important marine habitats to address climate change and coastal resiliency. The ocean absorbs between a quarter and a half of the carbon dioxide released into the air which helps slow global warming. Further, the ocean provides for storm resiliency and a healthy coastal environment for the more than 13 million New Yorkers— who live along the 2,600 miles of the state’s coastline. With the release of this draft OAP, New York State is once again demonstrating national leadership in natural resource conservation. New York’s draft OAP could serve as a model for ongoing state and federal collaboration efforts to identify and address regional priorities for ocean management.Ocean Action Plan priorities will:
DEC and DOS developed the draft OAP over more than three years with input from multiple federal, state and local agencies, as well as Indian Nations and advocacy groups in the New York Ocean and Great Lakes Coalition and private stakeholders. The draft OAP builds from DEC’s continued environmental conservation work and the DOS’ ocean and coastal planning expertise. The draft OAP will encourage communication and collaboration at all levels of government, and educate and engage stakeholders to promote effective decision making and ocean stewardship. Alison Chase, Policy Analyst with NRDC’s Oceans Program said, “A healthy ocean ensures food, jobs and recreation for all New Yorkers. Developing a coordinated state ocean conservation strategy to help protect this valuable resource is a smart approach. We look forward to reviewing the draft that was issued today.”Commercial Fisherman Captain Tony Dilernia said, “An ecosystem approach and coordination on ocean management issues will help ensure a robust fishing industry into the future by protecting and restoring New York’s living resources and conserving key marine habitats. I applaud the Governor, DEC Commissioner and Secretary of State for leading this effort for the Mid-Atlantic States and look forward to the opportunity to review the draft OAP and provide feedback.” “This plan will provide a valuable baseline allowing New York to quickly react to the uncertainty of changing oceanographic conditions that can impact valuable recreational and commercial fish stocks,” said Charles Witek, recreational fishermen and longtime Marine Resources Advisory Council member. “It will also provide a framework for the State to act proactively in anticipation of such changes and minimize potential adverse impacts.” “As we move forward into the future, we want to ensure protection of the ocean ecosystem and provide access to boaters and fishermen,” said Chris Squeri, Executive Director of NY Marine Trades Association. The draft OAP is available on DEC's website http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/84428.html and DOS’s website http://www.dos.ny.gov. Public comments will be accepted from January 21 through March 9. Comments may be mailed to: NYSDEC Bureau of Marine Resources 205 N. Belle Mead Rd. Suite 1 East Setauket, NY 11733 Comments may be emailed with Ocean Action Plan in the subject line to: debra.abercrombie@dec.ny.gov In addition, comments may be submitted in writing or made verbally at upcoming public meetings. The meeting schedule is:
|
|
###
|