House Natural Resources Committee Hearing: The Implications of President Obama’s National Ocean Policy

On Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at 10:00 a.m., in room 1324 Longworth House Office Building, the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans will hold an oversight hearing on “The Implications of President Obama’s National Ocean Policy.”

Policy Overview:

• Following unsuccessful efforts to pass major national ocean policy legislation during three successive Congresses under both Democrat and Republican majorities, the Obama Administration initiated the development of a sweeping multi-agency federal management plan for oceans. This effort culminated with the July 2010 issuance by the White House of National Ocean Policy Executive Order 13547.
• The National Ocean Policy (NOP) imposes a new governance structure over two dozen federal agencies to ensure to the fullest extent that all future agency actions are consistent with the Executive Order.
• The reach of the National Ocean Policy extends beyond coastal areas to inland rivers and adjacent lands, as demonstrated in part by National Ocean Policy directives to protect forestlands and wetland-associated uplands.

Invited Witnesses: (listed in alphabetical order)

Mr. Dan Keppen

Executive Director, Family Farm Alliance Klamath Falls, Oregon

Ms. Elizabeth Kerttula

Director, National Ocean Council Washington, D.C.

Mr. Jim Lanard

Chief Executive Officer, Magellan Wind Collingswood, New Jersey

Ms. Meghan Lapp

Fisheries Liaison, Seafreeze, Ltd. North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Mr. Bob Zales

President, National Association of Charterboat Operators Hurley, Mississippi