An influential federal panel tasked this summer by President Obama withrevitalizing the nation’s coasts, oceans and the Great Lakes Thursdayset out a wide-ranging plan they hope will boost the safety of seafood,preserve wildlife, improve water quality and protect the economies ofcoastal communities.
Members of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, which includerepresentatives from 20 different administration agencies anddepartments, released the interim report on the same day the groupheard from political leaders, environmentalists and businesses in SanFrancisco.
The multicity tour, which also includes Anchorage, Providence, R.I.,Cleveland, New Orleans and Honolulu, is part of the panel’s effort togather public comment on a final plan they intend to send to thepresident in the next few months. The goal is to create a comprehensivenational plan for managing, restoring and protecting the marineenvironment.