Northeast Regional Planning Body Spring 2017 Meeting · Northeast Regional Planning Body Spring 2017 Meeting Summary 4 Bruce Carlisle, Director of the Massachusetts Office of Coastal

NortheastRegionalPlanningBodySpring2017MeetingSummary

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NortheastRegionalPlanningBodySpring2017Meeting

May24,2017NOAANationalMarineFisheriesService

GreaterAtlanticRegionalFisheriesOffice,Gloucester,MA

MEETINGSUMMARY

PreparedbyTheConsensusBuildingInstitute


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TableofContents

WelcomeandIntroductions...................................................................................................................3

OverviewofImplementationActivities...............................................................................................4

UseoftheNortheastOceanPlanandtheNortheastOceanDataPortal.......................................6

NortheastOceanDataPortal:Progress&ProposedNextSteps.....................................................9Updatingoceanactivitydataandoutreachtorelatedstakeholdersandexperts..................................9Updatingmarinelife,habitat,andimportantecologicalarea(IEA)dataproducts..............................13

PlanPerformance:Progress&proposednextstepstodevelopanapproachforevaluatingtheRPB’simplementationofthePlan.....................................................................................................16

MonitoringEcosystemChange:ProposednextstepsfordevelopinganOceanHealthIndex(OHI)fortheNortheast........................................................................................................................19

RPBDiscussionandDecisionsAbouttheWorkPlanThrough2017.............................................23

PublicComment....................................................................................................................................23

Appendices.............................................................................................................................................28AppendixA:ForumAttendance.....................................................................................................................29AppendixB:ForumAgenda............................................................................................................................32


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OnMay24,2017,theNortheastRegionalPlanningBody(RPB)hosteditsSpring2017Meeting.Approximately20membersoftheRPBattendedasmeetingparticipants,alongwithroughly50membersofthepublic,whoattendedasobservers.1Theobjectivesofthismeetingwereto:

• HearfromRPBmembersabouthowtheirorganizationisusingtheNortheastOceanPlanandtheNortheastOceanDataPortal.

• ReviewprogressimplementingtheNortheastOceanPlan.• ObtainpublicinputanddecideonnextstepsforimplementingthePlanthroughtheend

of2017.TheConsensusBuildingInstitute(CBI)draftedthissummary.PresentationslidesandothermaterialsfromthemeetingareavailableatthefollowingURL:http://neoceanplanning.org/may-24-2017-northeast-rpb-meeting/.

WelcomeandIntroductionsMelCoté,theRPBfederalco-lead,introducedhimselfandwelcomedparticipants.HenotedthatthiswasthefirstofficialRPBmeetingsincethecompletionoftheNortheastOceanPlan,andacknowledgedtheimportantworkofthepriorco-leads—BetsyNicholson,GroverFugate,andRickGetchel—wholedtheRPBthroughtheprocessofdevelopingthePlan.HealsoexpressedgratitudetowardsRPBstaffandconsultingfirmswhohavehelpedmovetheworkforward,includingNickNapoli,EmilyShumchenia,JohnWeber,andtheteamsfromtheConsensusBuildingInstitute,DukeUniversity,andothers.HenotedthatthePlanrecentlyreceivedrecognitionatthenationallevelthroughalettertoPresidentTrumpfromCEOsintherecreationindustry,expressingsupportforregionaloceanplanningingeneral,andforthenortheastandmid-Atlanticplansinparticular.BetsyNicholson,NOAA,offeredwordsofremembranceforMargaretDavidson,aleaderinthefieldofcoastalmanagementwhorecentlypassedaway.ShethenreportedonherrecentreceiptonbehalfoftheRPBofthePeterBenchleyOceanAward,whichrecognizestheRPBforitseffortsincompletingthefirstregionaloceanplanintheU.S.DanMorris,DeputyRegionalAdministratoroftheNOAAFisheriesGreaterAtlanticRegionalOffice,offeredadditionalwordsofwelcome.HeexpressedappreciationfortheRPB’sworkonthePlananditscommitmentbothtogoodandefficientgovernanceandtorepresentingtheinterestsofallpartiesandstakeholders.HenotedthatwhileNOAAhassteppeddownfromitsroleasfederalco-lead,itremainscommittedtotheregionaloceanplanningprocess.

1ThelistofregisteredparticipantscanbefoundinAppendixA.Itislikelythatitdoesnotcaptureallthemeetingattendees.


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BruceCarlisle,DirectoroftheMassachusettsOfficeofCoastalZoneManagement,welcomedparticipantsonbehalfofGovernorCharlieBakerandtheSecretaryofEnergyandEnvironmentalAffairsandnotedMassachusetts’ongoingcommitmenttothePlan.ChuckieGreen,MashpeeWampanoagTribalCouncil,offeredawelcomeonbehalfoftribalmembersandatribalblessing.HecommentedthatthetribesfeelhonoredtohavebeenpartofcreatingthePlanasequals.RPBmembersandmembersoftheaudiencethenofferedindividualintroductions,providingtheirnamesandorganizationalaffiliations.Next,TedDiers,theNortheastRegionalPlanningBody(RPB)stateco-lead,introducedhimself,notedthathewouldbefacilitatingthemeeting,andreviewedthemeetingagenda.HepresentedatimelineofkeyactivitiessincethePlanwasfinalizedin2016andnotedthatthefocusofthismeetingwasdeterminingthecourseofactionforthenextsevenmonths.

OverviewofImplementationActivitiesNickNapoli,contractstafftotheRPB,presentedanoverviewoftheimplementationworkplan.Hefocusedontwoprioritytopics,theNortheastOceanDataPortalandPlanMonitoringandEvaluation,whilealsoprovidingbriefupdatesonotherimplementationactivities.RelatedtotheNortheastOceanDataPortal,Mr.NapolisaidtheRPBhasbeenfocusingon:

• Communicatingtheuseandroleoftheportal,primarilythroughcasestudies;• Updatingoceanactivitydata;and• Updatingmarinelife,habitat,andimportantecologicalareas(IEA)dataproducts.

RelatedtoPlanMonitoringandEvaluation,Mr.NapolisaidthePlanestablishedtwotracks:(1)PlanPerformanceMonitoring,focusedonmeasuringtheRPB’sprogressimplementingthePlanandachievingthePlan’sgoalsandobjectives,and(2)EcosystemHealthMonitoringandEvaluation,focusedonmeasuringchangesintheecosystem,includinghumanactivities.HenotedthatthePlanidentifiesboththeOceanHealthIndex(OHI)andtheIntegratedSentinelMonitoringNetwork(ISMN)asopportunitiesforevaluatingecosystemhealth.Mr.Napolialsoprovidedthefollowingbrieftopical,workgroup,andsubcommitteeupdates:

• Federal-StateCoordination—NOAAisactivelyworkingwithstatesandotherfederalagenciestooperationalizetheportalintotheCoastalZoneManagementAct(CZMA).Nextstepsincludepursuingtheabilityforearlynotificationtostatesaboutpotentialprojects,andanupcomingcheck-inwiththeNewEnglandstates.

• Federal-TribalCoordination—TheRPBprovidedperiodicupdatesonoceanplanimplementationthroughEPA’sRegionalTribalOperationsCommitteeandFederal-TribalCommunicationsCollaborativecalls,andsecuredUdallFoundationfundingsupportfortribaltraveltoRPBmeetingsandotherrelatedactivities


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• EnergyandInfrastructure—TherehasbeensignificantactivityinsettingupanAtlanticOffshoreRenewableEnergyDevelopmentandFisheriesSteeringCommittee.TheSteeringCommitteewillorganizeaworkshopinwinter2017tolookatissuesregardingfisheriesandrenewableenergyactivities.Inaddition,theBureauofOceanEnergyManagement(BOEM)recentlyheldameetingoftheRhodeIslandandMassachusettsTaskForcetodiscusstwounsolicitedleaserequestsforpreviouslyunleasedareasintheMassachusettsWindEnergyArea(WEA)andotherissues.BOEMhasalsobeenholdinggovernment-to-governmentconsultationmeetingswithtribesinNewYorkandMassachusetts,andrecentlyreleasedareportwithNOAA,Socio-EconomicImpactofOCSWindEnergyDevelopmentonFisheriesintheU.S.Atlantic,whichwillinformitsdecision-makingrelatedtofutureoffshorewindenergydevelopment.

• NROCSandManagementSubcommittee—JeffReidenauer(BOEM)hastakenoverthefederalco-leaddutiesforthisworkgroup.BOEMandtheUSArmyCorpsofEngineers(USACE)recentlysignedaMemorandumofUnderstandingthatwillenhancecoordinationonmanagingsand,gravelandshellresourcesfromtheOuterContinentalShelf,andthesandsubcommitteemetbyphoneinMarchtodiscussworkingwiththeRPBtodevelopanoffshoresandresourcesthemeonthedataportal.

• Aquaculture—NOAAleadsthisgroup.TheworkgrouphostedapanelattherecentNortheastAquacultureConferenceandExpositiontodiscussPlanimplementation.Thisdiscussionledtofollowupmeetingsaboutthepotentialco-locationofoffshoreaquacultureandotheroffshoreactivities(suchaswind).Nextstepswillincludetheworkgroupreviewingitsmembershipandorganizingitsnextmeeting.

• RestorationSubcommittee—Thissubcommitteeiscurrentlyupdatingitsmembershipandlookingforanon-federalco-lead.Thecurrentco-leadsrecommendleveragingtheNROCCoastalResiliencyWorkGroupformembershipandforworkthatisalreadyongoingtoinformpotentialrestorationpriorities.

• EcosystemBasedManagement(EBM)WorkGroup—ThegroupcurrentlyservesasarosterofsubjectmatterexpertsavailabletotheRPBtoinformdraftdataproductsonImportantEcologicalAreas(IEAs).

Mr.Napolireviewedthe2017timelineforimplementation.Thetimelineincludesimplementationpathsforportalcomponents(casestudydevelopment,oceanactivities,marinelifeandhabitat,andIEAdata),performancemonitoring,andothertopics.Mr.Napolicommentedthatthetimelinecallsforsignificantongoingdataprocessing,whichwillcreatedataproductsthatneedtobereviewedwithrelevantstakeholders.DiscussionRPBmembersprovidedanumbercommentsandquestionsinresponsetothepresentation:

• OneRPBmemberaskedforelaborationonthepurposeofpotentiallycombiningeffortsoftheRestorationSubcommitteeandtheNROCCoastalResiliencyWorkGroup.RPBmembersrespondedthatthepurposeofjoiningthemisduetotheoverlapinmembershipandresponsibilitiesandthepotentialtoleveragetheexpertiseofadditionalNROCstatemembers.Theynotedthat,movingforward,theRPBwillbemore


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budget-constrained,soitwillbeimportanttocoordinateitsworkwithexistingactivities.

• AnRPBmemberaskedhowtodefine“coastalresiliency”andhowthatmightimpacttheRestorationSubcommittee’sprioritiesifitiscombinedwiththeCoastalResiliencyWorkGroup.AnRPBmembersuggestedthat“restoration”ismorecomprehensivethan“coastalresiliency,”andthatresiliencymeans“theabilityofourecologicalsystemsandcoastaleconomytoweatherextremechanges.”Anothermembernotedthathabitatrestorationisabigpartofhavingaresilientsystem.Techniquesincludecreatinglivingshorelinesandbeachnourishment,whicharealsorestorationopportunities.

• AmemberaskedaboutwhethertheBOEM/NOAAreport,Socio-EconomicImpactofOCSWindEnergyDevelopmentonFisheriesintheU.S.Atlantic,hadbeenreviewedtoensureitisconsistentwithoceanplananditsrecommendations.Inresponse,supportstaffnotedthatthereisanactionintheEnergyandInfrastructurechapterofthePlanthatrelatestotheissuesraisedinthereport.Inaddition,RPBrepresentativesfromNOAAandtheMassachusettsDivisionofMarineFisheriespromisedtolookintothisissueandreportbacktotheRPB.ItwasalsonotedthattheissueofimprovingourunderstandingthepotentialeconomicimpactofoffshorewindonsectorsandcoastalcommunitieshascomeupwiththeBOEMintergovernmentaltaskforceandinconversationsinMassachusetts.

UseoftheNortheastOceanPlanandtheNortheastOceanDataPortalMr.Napolioffereddataonuseoftheportalovertime.Therehasbeenageneralupwardtrendinusageoftheportal,andithadover8,000uniquevisitorsinApril2017.Sofar,threecasestudieshavebeendevelopedontheuseoftheportal,andadditionalcasestudiesarebeingcreated.VariousRPBmembersthenprovidedupdatesonhowtheyandtheirinstitutionsareusingthePlanandtheportal.U.S.CoastGuard(USCG)MicheleDesAutelssaidtheCoastGuardhasbeenworkingtoupdatethedatafortheportalonaregularbasis,andusingthedataportalasoneofitsfirstsourcesofinformationaboutwhatishappeningintheoceanasitworksonwaterwaysmanagement.U.S.ArmyCorps(USACE)JenniferMcCarthysaidtheportalhelpstheUSACEusethemostrecentandbestdata,andcollaboratemoreeffectivelywithotheragenciesandstakeholders,asUSACEregulatesactivitiesinthewatersoftheUSandissuesavarietyofpermits.Ms.McCarthynotedthatthefishingandaquaculturedatasetshavebeenespeciallyhelpful.


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U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)Mr.Cotésaidbecausetheportalcollectsthebestavailabledatainoneplace,itmakesEPA’seffortssignificantlymoreefficientinitspermittingandNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA)reviewefforts.ThePlanalsohelpsinstitutionalizeearlyandfrequentcoordination,anotherEPApriority.IvyMlsna,EPA,providedanexampleofaninstanceinwhichtheportalhelpedEPAprovidesoundadviceonwherebesttopermitburialatsea.ConnecticutDepartmentofEnergyandEnvironmentalProtection(ConnecticutDEEP)BrianThompsonsaidLongIslandSound’sspatialmanagementprocess(“theBluePlan”)ismandatedbytheConnecticutlegislatureandinvolvescollaborationamongConnecticutandNewYorkstateagencies.Inlookingforaframeworkforcollaboration,ConnecticutDEEPhasusedtheRPBasaguide.TheBluePlan’svisionstatementandgoalsarebasedonthoseintheNortheastOceanPlanandborrowfromthePlan’sformat.MassachusettsDivisionofMarineFisheries(MassachusettsDMF)DavidPiercesaidthedataondistributionofcommercialfishingfordifferentspecieshavebeenespeciallyhelpfultoMassachusettsDMF.Forexample,herecentlyuseddatafromtheportaltoprovideconstructivecommentstotheMid-AtlanticFisheriesManagementCouncilonhowtoimprovemanagementoflongfinsquid.KathrynFordaddedthatMassachusettsDMFisstillteachingpeopleabouttheportalandhowtouseit.Variousofficeshavebeenusingitprimarilytounderstandtheregionalcontextforspecificissues.U.S.DepartmentoftheNavy(Navy)ChrisTompsettprovidedanupdateontheNavy’sactivitiestoinstitutionalizethePlan.Mr.TompsettgavetwoexamplesoftheNavy’sPlan-relatedwork:

• TheNavycanusetheportaltohelpidentifygoodplacestoconducttests.• TheNavyisworkingtoimproveitsstakeholderoutreachwhenexercisesareplanned.

Theportalhelpsthemidentifywhousesanarea.NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA)BetsyNicholsonprovidedanupdateonNOAA’suseofandactivitiestoinstitutionalizethePlan.NOAAhasfoundtheportaltobeanimportantresourcewhenrespondingtoinquiriesrelatedtowindenergydevelopment,aquaculturedevelopment,Section7consultation(protectedresources),andtheEffectsTestundertheCoastalZoneManagementAct.Beforedeparting,previousNOAAAdministratorKathySullivansignedanAdministrativeOrderstatingNOAA’scommitmenttoitsobligationsinalltheregionaloceanplanstowhichitisaparty.TheOrderinstructedallNOAAlineofficestoincorporatethecertifiedregionalplansintointernaldocumentsandprocesses.Inaddition,NOAAisincorporatingthelanguageofthePlanintoitsinternalimplementationplanandisconductingtrainingsessionsforstaffontheuseofthePlanandtheportal.Ms.NicholsonsharedanumberofspecificexamplesofhowvariousentitieswithinNOAA,suchastheOfficeofHabitatProtectionandtheProtectiveResourcesDivision,areusingthePlantoeducatedevelopersandlearnaboutlinksbetweenhabitatfeaturesandspeciesbehaviors.


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NewEnglandFisheryManagementCouncil(Council)MarkAlexandersaidtheCounciloftenreceivesdatarequests,andstaffhavebeenabletosavetimebypointingpeopletotheportal.Inaddition,theportalhasbeenveryusefulindevelopmentofFisheryManagementPlans,forexampleasaresourceinpresentationsontheDeepSeaCoralAmendment,andinhelpingstakeholdersunderstandfishingactivityinthevicinityofannouncedWindEnergyAreas.BOEMDarrylFrancoiseprovidedanupdateonBOEM’suseofandactivitiestoinstitutionalizethePlan.BOEMfrequentlyrefersstakeholderstothePlantohelpthemmakedecisions,hasaddedinformationonitswebsitesupportingtheportalandreferringuserstoit,andhaslinkeditsenvironmentalstudiesinformationtotheportal.Inaddition,BobLaBelle,whowasBOEM’srepresentativeonRPBuntilherecentlyretired,hasbriefedBOEMmanagersandtheentirestaffatheadquartersonthePlan.BoththeAssistantSecretaryandtheDirectorhaveendorsedcontinueduseofthePlananditsimplementation.HoultonBandofMaliseetIndiansSharriVennoreportedthathertribehasnotyetusedthePlanbuthastalkedaboutusingit,forexamplebyconnectingwithfederalagenciesinvolvedinarecentwindpowerpermitapplicationandbyworkingthroughthedataportaltoidentifyifthereareanyissuestobeconcernedabout.MaineCoastalProgramKathleenLeydenreportedonMaineCoastalProgram’suseofthePlan.Shefocusedinparticularontheimportanceofadvancedcoordination,andhighlightedanumberofexampleswherecoordinationeithertookplaceorisneeded:

• TherewaspositivecoordinationaroundmeetingsconductedbytheDepartmentofEnergyonMoheganIsland,regardingtheUniversityofMaineOceanWindTestSite.

• TherehasbeengoodcooperationwithNOAAthroughSeaSketch,makingsurethereisnofishingactivitywhenmappingoperationsareunderway.

• EffortsbytheCorpsandotherstoadvancelivingshorelinesthroughNROChavefeaturedeffectivecooperation.

• ThereisaneedforgoodcoordinationregardingtheIsleofShoalsNorthDisposalSite.• AdvancedcoordinationwiththeUSACEandtheNavywillbeimportantforthe

KennebeckRiverdredge.Ms.LeydenalsohighlightedthecriticalneedformoredatainMaine,citingthelargesizeofthestate,itslimitedresources,andthepaucityofnearshoredata.ExamplesfromthepublicMembersofthepublicwereinvitedtoshareexamplesofhowtheyareusingthePlan.Theyofferedthefollowingcomments:

• ChrisMaguirefromTheNatureConservancy(TNC)notedthatTNCparticipatedin


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discussionstodevelopDeepSeaCoralManagementAlternatives,hostedbytheNewEnglandFisheryManagementCouncil,wherestakeholdersusedtheportalinrealtime.

• NickBattistafromtheIslandInstitutecommentedthathehasusedtheportaltohelpfishermentelltheirstoriestotrytoavoidlosingfishingareastotankerstransitingGulfofMaine,andinworkingwithschoolstoeducatechildrenabouttheoceanecosystem.

Asthissessioncametoaclose,anRPBmembernotedtheimportanceofemphasizingthattheexistenceoftheportalanditswealthofdatashouldnotbeseenbydevelopersasawaytoarguethattheydonotneedtocollecttheirownproject-specificdata.Someplansputforwardbywindcompanieshavesuggestedthatsurveysarenotnecessarybecauseoftheexistenceoftheportal.RPBmembersshouldeducatestakeholdersthatwhiletheportalisanimportantresource,itonlyservesafirststepandadditionalsitecharacterizationwillstillbeneeded.

NortheastOceanDataPortal:Progress&ProposedNextSteps

UpdatingoceanactivitydataandoutreachtorelatedstakeholdersandexpertsMr.NapolipresentedanoverviewofRPBactivitiestoupdateandmaintainoceanactivitydataontheportal,outreachtostakeholdersandexperts,andpotentialnextsteps.Hereviewedactivitiesonnineoceandatathemes:commercialfishing,aquaculture,marinetransportation,nationalsecurity,culturalresources,recreation,energyandinfrastructure,offshoresandresources,andrestoration.Laterinthemeeting,Mr.Napolireviewedpotentialnextstepsforthesethemesandparticipantsthenofferedcommentsandsuggestions.Theoverviewofeachtheme,suggestednextsteps,andRPBmemberfeedbackareallreportedbelow.1.CommercialFishing:RelevantdatasetsincludeVesselMonitoringSystem(VMS),VesselTripReports(VTR),andFisheryManagementAreas.Processingthesedatasetsandreleasingdraftproductsrequiressignificantworkandindustryinput.Currently,datarequestsareinprogress.Therewillbenewdraftproductsbyendofsummerandstakeholderreviewinfall2017.Theportalwillbeupdatedbyendof2017.Mr.Napolisuggestedthatrelevantnextstepsforthisthemecouldinclude:

• ProcessingVMSandVTRanddevelopingdraftproducts;• Engagingrelevantstakeholdersthroughtargetedmeetingstoreviewthedataproducts;• CoordinatingoutreachanddatadevelopmentwiththeMid-AtlanticandtheMarine

Cadastre;and• Identifyingopportunitiestofillgapsinfishingactivitydata,especiallylobsterdata.

RPBmembershadanumberofsuggestionsonthesenextsteps.Someonenotedtheimportanceoffocusingonandincorporatingdataonthelobsterfishery.Someoneaskedwhetherlobsterdatawouldfocusonfisheryeffortorabundanceanddistribution.Inorderto


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beconsistentwithothercommercialfishingdata,itmightbebettertofocusonfisheryeffort,butthisissomethingtheRPBcandecidebasedonhowitbelievesthedatawillbeused.TherewasanextendeddiscussionontheinclusionandpotentialusesforVMSandVTRdata.RPBmembersgavethefollowinginput:

• Coastalprogramsneedtoknowwherefishingactivityiscomingfrom,forexampleiffishingoffshoreNewYorkisactuallycomingfromRhodeIslandports,inordertomakeanexusforfederalconsistencypurposes.

• Itisimportanttounderstandthesocioeconomicimpactsofoffshorewinddevelopmentonspecificcommunities.

• VMSandVTRdatacanbedifficulttomatchupbecausetheycollectdifferentinformationaboutfishingactivity.

• DuetonewcarriagerequirementsforAIS,itmaybepossibletocross-referenceAISdatatohelpconnectfishingactivitytospecificports.

SupportstaffnotedthatVTRdatawasexcludedfromtheportalbasedoninputreceivedfromthefishingindustryduringtheplanningphase.WhiletheNortheastRPBfocusedonVMSdata,theMid-AtlanticRPBhasdonemoreworkonVTRdata.ThereisalsoextensivemetadatainthePlannotingallthelimitationsoftheVMSdata.TherewasalsoadiscussionontheresponsibilitiesoftheNMFSGreaterAtlanticRegionalFisheriesOffice(GARFO)tomaintainexistingmapsanddata,asnotedinthePlan,andasuggestionthatGARFOwouldneedtobeincludedinanydiscussionsonincludingVTRdata.Intheend,RPBmemberssuggestedthatdecisionsontheseissuesshouldbebasedonhowthedatawillultimatelybeused.AsubgroupofRPBmembersandstakeholdersshouldworktogethertoaddressthesequestions,lookingatwhatthedatamightlooklikeandwheretherearegaps.Theyshouldbecognizantofthefactthatasthedatabecomesmoregranulartheymaybumpupagainstprivacyconcerns.SomeonesuggestedthatitcouldbehelpfultostartwithapilotprojectfocusedonjustoneareatoseewhatispossiblewhenlookingatbothVMSandVTRdatatogether.GroverFugateofferedtouseRhodeIslandandtheRhodeIslandFishermen’sAdvisoryGroupasapotentialpilotproject.2.Aquaculture:Datasetsincludepermittedaquacultureareasandshellfishmanagementareas.Mostoftheaquaculturedataisprovidedbythestates,andnewdatawillbereleasedshortlyfromanumberofstates.Draftproductswillbereleasedbysummer.Stakeholderandagencyreviewwilltakeplaceinsummerorfall2017,withtheportalupdatedbytheendof2017.Foraquaculture,Mr.Napolireportedthatnextstepscouldinvolve:

• Finalizingtheregionalaquaculturelayersandreviewingthemwithstates,USACE,NOAA,andtheAquacultureWorkGroup;and

• Identifyingwaystoengagetheindustryandmunicipalitiestoreviewandusethedata.Inthediscussiononthisdatatheme,itwasnotedthatstatesarecurrentlyaggregatingdataformunicipalities,andthatthistakessignificantwork.


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3.MarineTransportation:Datasetsincludevesseltraffic(AIS)andNavigation&Safety(AidstoNavigation,Pilotboarding,Anchorages,Safetyandsecurityzones).AISisanespeciallypopulardataset,and2015and2016AISdataproductsareunderdevelopment.Theincomingdatamightbemorecomprehensive,asdatacollectionhaschanged.TheRPBhopestohaveproductsoutforreviewthisfall.4.NationalSecurity:Datasetsincludemilitaryinstallations,testingandtrainingranges,anddangerandrestrictedareas.TheNavyhascommittedtoupdatethisdataonaregularbasis.Mr.NapolinotedthatdatasetsforthisthemearebeingupdatedasnecessaryasidentifiedbytheDepartmentofDefense.5.CulturalResources:Therearecurrentlydatasetsonnationalregistersitesandwrecks,eachofwhichisbeingupdated.DatarequestsregardingthenationalregisterhistoricsitesarebeingsenttotheNationalParkServiceandstatesthisspring.Thescheduleforotheractivitieshasnotyetbeendetermined.Mr.NapolisuggestedthenextstepsaretoupdatetheNationalRegisterhistoricsitedataandtodeterminethestatusofinformationrelatedtopotentialsubmergedarcheologicalresources.6.Recreation:Therearedatasetsonactivitiesrangingfromboatingtowhalewatchinganddiving,aswellascoastalrecreationareasandindividualcoastalactivitiesfromsurveys.Characterizingtheseactivitiestakessubstantialeffort.Thecoastalrecreationareasdatalayerwillbeupdatedbyfall2017,andthereareseveralpotentialoptionstoreviewandupdatethefootprintofarangeofdifferentrecreationalactivities.Forrecreation,Mr.Napolireportedthatnextstepscouldinvolveengagingorganizationsthatrepresentdifferentactivities,liketheRPBdidsuccessfullyintheplanningphase,toidentifyoptionsforupdatingandmaintainingdatasetsoverthelongterm.Healsonotedthatthereisongoingworktodevelopnewlayersandupdatethedata,buttheRPBneedstoprovideadditionalguidanceonwhatneedstobedonenext.RPBmembersofferedthefollowingcommentsandsuggestions:

• Engage(orcontinuetoengage)state-basedassociations,includingthoseinvolvedinthestatecomprehensiveoutdoorrecreationplan.

• Providespatialinformationonrecreationactivities,notjustaggregatenumbers,withthegoalofidentifyingthefootprintofdifferentactivities.

• Insteadoftrackingwherepeoplerecreate,focusonidentifyingthefeaturestheyarevisiting.

• Acollectivecalendarofrecreationactivities—likeracesorexercisesinanarea—couldbeausefultoolforpreventingconflicts.

Therewasalsoadiscussiononhowtocontinueupdatingthedataovertime.Anumberofmemberssuggesteditcouldbehelpfultoformaworkgrouptoengagewithstakeholders,reviewthedata,identifywhichdatasetsneedtobeupdatedconsistently,whichmightberepeatedmovingforward,andconsiderwhereandhowtoinvolveothersincollectingthedata


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onanongoingbasis.SomeonesuggestedthattheRPBshouldworkonobtaininggrantsforthis.7.EnergyandInfrastructure:Datasetsincludeplanningareastatus(foroperational,permitted,leaseareas,windenergyareas,anddemonstrationsites),whicharecurrentlybeingupdated,andcharacterizationofexistinginfrastructurelikecables,pipelines,energyfacilitiesandtransmissionlines.Mr.Napolinotedthatthenextstepscouldbeupdatingthestatusofeachoffshoreprojectorplanningareaandcontinuingdiscussionsabouttheappropriatetimetopostmapsrelatedtoagencyannouncements.MembersoftheRPBdiscussedwhenitmightbeappropriateandhelpfulforagenciestoprovideadvancenoticeofenergyandinfrastructureprojects,suchasWEAs,andengageinconversationswithtribes.Theenergyandinfrastructureworkgroupcoulddiscussspecificscenariosandhowagencieswouldhandlethem.InthecaseofWEAs,someonesaiditwouldbehelpfultoknowifandwhenpotentialdevelopershaveexpressedinterestinanarea.TherewasalsoaquestionfocusedspecificallyonBOEM,andwhenBOEMmightbeabletoreleasemapsonthestatusofleaseareas,WEAs,andunsolicitedleaserequests.Amembersaidnoticetoandcoordinationwithfishermencouldhelpgetadditionalinformationtodevelopersearlierintheprocess,includinginformationonwhatkindoffishingactivitytakesplaceintheareastheyareconsidering,andwhethertheyincludeanyhighlyvaluablefishingareas.AnothermembersuggestedBOEMreleasethiskindofdataasearlyaspossible.Mr.FrancoisefromBOEMprovidedbackgroundonhowBOEMdecideswhentomakeinformationpublic.Withrespecttoidentifyingcallareas,BOEMprovidespublicnoticethroughthefederalregisteralongwithassociatedmaps.IfBOEMreceivesanunsolicitedleaserequest,itfirstanalyzestherequesttodetermineifitislegitimate,andthenpostsitpubliclyontheBOEMwebsite.Insuchinstances,BOEMcanmakesurethisinformationisaddedtotheportal.HepledgedthatBOEMwillseektoreleaseinformationassoonaspossiblewithinitsregulatoryframework.8.OffshoreSandResources:Thereisinitialdataonpotentialsandresourcesfromrecentinvestigations,butthereisn’tyetasandthemeontheportal.Thesandsubcommitteewilldecidewhatshouldbeincludedintheportal.Mr.NapolisuggestedthepotentialnextstepsforthisthemeinvolveupdatingtheportalasdirectedbytheNROCSandManagementSubcommittee.JeffreyReidenauer(BOEM)providedamoredetailedupdateonongoingSandSubcommitteecallsandmeetings.Thegroupcontinuestohavediscussionsaboutoffshoresandmanagement,andisworkingtodevelopamarinemineralsinformationsystemandconnectittotheportal.ThereisalsodatagatheredthroughHurricaneSandy-relatedstatecooperativeagreementsandfromanongoingAtlanticsandassessmentprojectthattheyhopetoincorporateintotheportal.Thelargestmissingpieceisstate-levelinformation.


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9.Restoration:Theportalcontainsalistofpotentialrestorationsites,whichneedstoberevisited.TheSubcommitteewillbereviewingthemapofpotentialprojects.StakeholderFeedbackMr.NapolireviewedstakeholderfeedbackontheseeffortsfromtheearlyMay2017RegionalOceanPlanningStakeholderForum.Withrespecttofishing,stakeholderssuggestedthattheRPBrevieweffortsbytheNewEnglandFisheriesScienceCentertocharacterizefishingactivityusingVMSandVTRdata,fillthegapindataonlobsterfishingareas,andconsiderapproachestouseVMS,AISorothersimilartechnologiestoobtaininformationonfisherieswithdatagaps.Foraquaculture,stakeholderssuggestedtheRPBconductoutreachtostatesandmunicipalitiesonusingtheportaltoensuredataareupdatedandtohelpinformaquaculturesiting.Forrecreation,stakeholdersencouragedtheRPBtoconsideradditionalwaysofusingtherecreationaldataandaffiliatedgroupstoengagestakeholdersduringplanimplementation.Forenergyandinfrastructure,stakeholdersaskedtheRPBtoconsidertheappropriatetimetoincludeareasrelatedtoagencyannouncementsontheportal,suchasnewWEAsorareaswhereunsolicitedbidshavebeensubmitted.AdditionalDiscussionRPBmembersofferedcommentsandquestionsonthedatalayers:

• Anumberofmembersinquiredastotheavailabilityofinformationcollectedbyoffshorewinddevelopers,suchasthelocationofshipwrecks,forinclusionontheportal,aswellasatwhatstageinthepermittingprocesspotentialwindenergyprojectsmightbemadepublicandnotedintheportal.DarrylFrancoisefromBOEMnotedthatinformationlikeshipwreckswouldlikelybemadepublic,butmostofthedatacollectedbydevelopersisproprietary.

• SomeoneaskedwhichdatasetstheRPBiscoordinatingwiththemid-Atlanticregion.Mr.NapolisaidthatcurrentlytheRPBisprimarilycoordinatingwiththemid-Atlanticoncommercialfishing,marinetransportation,andmarinelifedata.Forothertypesofdata,itiscoordinatingaroundthemethodsfordatacollection.

Mr.DiersaskedRPBmemberstoraiseanyfinalobjectionstothenextstepsaslaidoutbyMr.Napolianddiscussedbythegroup.Therewerenoobjections,sothesenextstepswereapproved.

Updatingmarinelife,habitat,andimportantecologicalarea(IEA)dataproductsEmilyShumchenia,contractstafftotheNortheastRPB,presentedprogressupdatingthemarinelifedata,habitatdata,anddataonareasofecologicalimportance,aswellaspotentialnextsteps.ShenotedthatafishbiomassdatasetforLongIslandSoundwasrecentlycompletedwiththeassistanceoftheConnecticutDepartmentofEnergyandEnvironmentalProtectionandwasaddedtotheportalinApril2017.Updatestodataonregionaleelgrasscoverageareunderwayandwilllikelybecompletedbytheendofsummer2017.Theyareupdatingother


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marinelifedatasetsaswell,andconsideringissueslikethetemporalrangeofdataandwhethertodropoutolderdatathatmaynolongerbeappropriate.TheRPBhasalsobeenworkingwiththeMarinelifeDataandAnalysisTeam(MDAT)toorganizeexistingdataanddevelopnewdraftproductsthatcouldapplytoeachoffivecomponentsoftheIEAframework.IEAsarehabitatareasandspecies,guilds,orcommunitiescriticaltoecosystemfunction,resilienceandrecovery.Thefivecomponentsare:

1. Areasofhighproductivity2. Areasofhighbiodiversity3. Areasofhighspeciesabundanceincludingareasofspawning,breeding,feeding,and

migratoryroutes4. Areasofvulnerablemarineresources5. Areasofraremarineresources

ThesefivecomponentsrepresentanextensionoftheexistingMarineLifeandHabitatdataontheportal.Eventually,theteamenvisionsaresourceof50-100peer-reviewedand-vetteddatasetsthatrepresentecologicallyimportantpatternsandhelpidentifydatagaps.Liketherestofthedataontheportal,thedatasetsshouldbeeasilyupdatedwithnewdataandinformation.Manyofthesedatasetsarealreadyincludedontheportal,buteachneedstobereviewedtodeterminewhichIEAcomponentitmostrelatesto.Somedataproductsnotyetontheportalstillneedtobereviewedtoevaluatesourcedataandmethods.Inaddition,theRPBhasdevelopedcategoriesofdatawithinthefivecomponents,whichneedtobereviewedtoensuretheyareeffectivelyorganizedandcomplete.ManyofthedatasetscurrentlyunderreviewarebeinghostedintheSeaSketchplatform,wheretheycanbevettedbyscientists.Indetermininghowbesttopresentthedata,theteamisevaluatingkeyquestionssuchasthefollowing:

• Forareasofhighproductivity(Component1),whichmetricbestrepresentsprimaryproductivity,andwhatistheappropriateanalysismethod?

• Forareasofhighbiodiversity(Component2),whatisdifferentaboutwhattheRichnessandSimpsonindicestellus,andisfunctionaldiversityausefulconcept?

• ForComponent3,areasofhighabundance,isitappropriatetocharacterizeabundanceatthetaxalevel,andwhatarethepros/consofthedifferentapproachestosummarizeabundance?

• ForComponent4,areasofvulnerablemarineresources,whatotherstressor-sensitivitygroupsshouldbedeveloped,andwhatotherspeciesandhabitatsareinherentlyvulnerablebecauseoftheirlifehistory?

• Forareasofraremarineresources(Component5),whatareouroptionstoaddressthemanydatagapsforthiscomponent,andhowcanraritybecalculatedmathematically?

Thesearechallengingquestionstoaddress,andRPBmembersandstaffhaveexpressedaneedformoretimetoaddressthem.RPBcontractstaffintendtogetfeedbackfromtheRPB,


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scientists,andstakeholdersontheseissuesbeforedevelopingthenextroundofdraftproductsanddeterminingprioritydiscussionanddecisionpointsforafallworkshop.AnRPBmemberspecificallyrequestedthattheybringinexpertsonRichnessandSimpsonindices.DuringtherecentStakeholderForum,stakeholdersprovidedfeedbackontheRPB’sIEAframeworkandongoingIEAefforts.Stakeholdersexpressedaninterestinhearingabouthownewdatacouldinformandupdatethemarinelifeandhabitatdataproducts,andlearningmoreabouttheprosandconsofdifferentdataproductsandmethods.TheyalsoexpressedinterestinunderstandingmoreabouthowIEAproductsmighthelpidentifydatagaps,andexpressedadesiretostayinformedontheRPB’sprogress.DiscussionAnRPBmemberaskedthefollowingadditionalquestions,withresponsesfromRPBcontractstaffinitalics:

• Howis“vulnerability”defined?Isoceantemperatureandoceanacidificationconsideredpartof“vulnerability”?Theyarethinkingofvulnerabilitybothintermsstressor-basedsensitivityandaninherentvulnerabilityconcept.Forstressor-basedvulnerability,theyarelookingatdataincludedinthePlan,suchasmarinemammalssensitivitytosound,andtheriskofcollisionanddisplacementfromoffshorewindforavianspecies.Forfishingvulnerability,theyhavelookedathabitatvulnerabilitydatadevelopedbytheNEFMC,andareconsideringapplyingestimatesfromtheNOAAclimatevulnerabilitystudytotheirfishbiomassdata.Theyareinterestedincollectingmorestudiesthatassignavulnerabilityscoreorrank,orthatcharacterizevulnerabilityspatially.

• Inlookingatvulnerability,hastherebeenanyreviewofstatewildlifeactionplansandtheircomponentsonmarinestressors?Theyhavenotworkedwiththestressorsidentifiedinthoseplans,buttheyhavecompiledasinglelistofstates’endangered,rare,andthreatenedspeciesasadataproductrelevanttoComponent5.

Someoneaskedaboutthesustainabilityoftheportal,inparticularwhatwillhappentotheportalafterfundingrunsoutbytheendof2017,andwhethertherearedatasharingagreementsinplacethatwillinvolveothersupdatingthedataoreffortstomakethedataself-updating.Mr.Napolisuggestedthatthemostbasicstrategyistoincreasestates’andagencies’responsibilitiesforupdatingvariousdatastreams.RPBstaffcanthenworkoncreatingsmallextravalueproductsattheendofthedatastreams,viagrantfunding.TheMarineCadastrewillbeanimportantcomponentofthisapproach.AnRPBmemberaddedthatstatesandagenciesneedtodiscusssharingresourcestoassistagenciesthatmaynothavethecapacitytoupdatethedata.PotentialNextStepsMs.ShumchenianotedthefollowingpotentialnextstepsfortheRPBondevelopingdataforeachoftheIEAcomponents:

• ProvideaccesstodraftIEAdataproductsandmethods(inprogress);


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• Continueobtainingfeedbackondraftproductsandmethods;• Incorporatefeedbackanddevelopreviseddraftproducts;• Hostapublicworkshopinthefalltoobtaininputonkeymethodologicalquestionsthat

areidentifiedduringtheexpertandstakeholderreviewperiod;and• ConsideringrecentRPBandpublicdiscussions,focusondevelopingarangeofdatasets

andinformationtosupportamorecompletecharacterizationofeachIEAComponent.Shenotedthattheseitemscouldbecompletedthisfallorwinter.Shealsonotedherpreferenceforthephrase“ComponentsofEcologicalImportance”ratherthanIEAs.RPBmembersdiscussedthesesuggestednextstepsandofferedfeedback.TherewasasuggestionthattheRPBconsiderbeginningtodiscusswhatapplicationsitseesfortheinformationitcollectsonIEAs.Othermemberssuggestedamorefluidapproach,inwhichtheRPBdevelopssyntheticproductsthatallowthemtolookatproblemsinnewways,andthenopensupaconversationwiththebroaderworldonhowtheseproductsmightbeused.OnecommentbroughtupaspecificexampleofhowraritydataproductsmightbeusedinconnectionwithSection7consultations.AnothersuggestedthattheRPB’sobligationisnottodeterminehowtousetheseproducts,butrathertogothroughasystematicprocesspointingtocomponentsofecologicalimportance,developingsyntheticproducts,andthenbeingtransparentaboutthelimitationsofthedataandcautioningusersonwhatmightbeinappropriateusesoftheproducts.Mr.Dierscheckedwiththegrouptoconfirmthateveryonewasonboardwiththeproposednextsteps,andtherewerenoobjections.

PlanPerformance:Progress&proposednextstepstodevelopanapproachforevaluatingtheRPB’simplementationofthePlanMr.Napolipresentedadraftapproachformonitoringplanperformanceandecosystemhealth,andpotentialnextsteps.TherearetwomaintracksofmonitoringandevaluationactivitydiscussedintheOceanPlan.OnetrackinvolvesPlanperformancemonitoring,ormeasuringprogresstowardimplementingandachievingthePlan’sgoalsandobjectives.Anothertrackinvolvesecosystemhealthmonitoringandevaluation,ormeasuringchangesintheecosystem,includinghumanactivities,toidentifyissuesthatmayrequiremanagementattention.Forthislattertypeofmonitoringandevaluation,theOceanHealthIndexandtheIntegratedSentinelMonitoringNetworkbothofferpotentialopportunities.Withrespecttoplanperformancemonitoring,theRPBhasdevelopedaninitialapproachformonitoringtheplan’sperformance,whichincludesthefollowingprinciples:

• RelatePlanperformanceindicatorstoPlanoutcomes,goals,objectives,andactions(or


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implementationactivities)• Establishabaseline• Balancespecificitywithavailabilityofinformation• Establishfewerbutmoreeffectiveindicatorsratherthanmanyindicators(i.e.value

simplicity)• Obtainpublicinput• EnsureindicatorsinformwhetherPlanamendmentsorupdatesarenecessary

ThedraftapproachalsogroupsPlanactionsintofourmajorcategories:

• Maintainandupdatedata• Informregulatoryandmanagementdecisions• Enhanceagencycoordination• Advanceregionalscienceandresearchpriorities

Foreachofthesecategories,thedraftapproachidentifiesrelevantactionsfromthePlan,includesdraftoutcomeseitherdirectlyquotedorderivedfromthePlan,andidentifiesrelevantgoalsandobjectives.Mr.Napolisummarizedfeedbackobtainedfromstakeholdersattherecentstakeholderforum,whichincludedthefollowingsuggestions:

• TheRPBshouldensuretheplanperformancemonitoringapproachtracksstakeholderengagementinboth(1)theindividualregulatoryandmanagementprocessesthatareinformedbythePlanand(2)theRPB’sbroaderplanningandimplementationprocess.

• TheRPBshouldconsiderusingconcretedeadlinesforachievingplanoutcomes.ItshouldalsoconsiderthedifferencebetweenoutputsandoutcomesassociatedwiththePlan.

• PotentialmetricsorindicatorscouldincludestakeholdersatisfactionwiththePlanandPlanimplementation,levelofengagementofdifferentstakeholdergroups,suchascommercialandrecreationalfishing,andpermittingtimelinesandchangesinregulatorybehavior.

DiscussionRPBmembersofferedcommentsandquestionstouchingonanumberofthemes,summarizedbelow.Staffing:Itwouldbehelpfultoinvolveauniversityinplanperformancemonitoring,andmastersstudentsresearchingtheirtheses.ItwasalsonotedthatRPBinvolvementinplanperformancemonitoringwillbeessential.RPBmembershaveexperiencedwithperformanceindicatorsandwillhaveinsightsonwhatispossibleandwhatishelpful.ItwillbeimportanttofindawaytoattributeimprovementsinagencybehaviorstothePlanwithoutaddingnewburdens.Agenciesalreadydoalotoftracking,sothiseffortshouldconnecttodatathatisalreadybeingcompiled.


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Tribalconsultations:Atribalrepresentativeexpressedinterestindevelopingmeasuresthatmighttrackagencyconsultations,engagementswithdevelopers,andresponsestorequestsfortribalperspectivesonpermitapplications.Theircurrentrecordkeepingisveryadhoc.Anyworkgrouponplanperformancemonitoringshouldhavetribalrepresentation,andMs.Vennovolunteeredtoparticipate.JenniferMcCarthy,USACE,notedthattheArmyCorpstrackstribalconsultations;atribalrepresentativesuggestedthatitisalsoimportanttotrackthevalueoftheseconsultationsfromthetribalperspective.Fundingresearchpriorities:ThereislanguageinthePlancallingforcollaborationwiththeWhiteHouseSubcommitteeonOceanScienceandTechnologyandtheNationalOceanographicPartnershipProgram.Partnershipwiththoseentitiesmightcreateopportunitiesforfederalfundingtoaddressdatagapsandscienceneeds.TheRPBrecentlyprovidedtestimonytotheWhiteHouseSubcommitteeonsciencegapsidentifiedinthePlan.However,thereisnoformalprocessorworkinggroupatpresentworkingonidentifyingscienceandresearchpriorities.Memberssuggestedthatsuchaworkgroupwouldbehelpful,buttheRPBdoesnotcurrentlyhavesufficientresourcestoconveneandmanageit.Membersnotedthatadditionalfederalfundingwouldbeextremelyhelpful,butthatthePresident’sbudgetsuggestsitmightnotbeforthcoming.OtherssuggestedtheRPBshouldremainflexibleandreadyforopportunitiesastheyarise.ABOEMrepresentativehighlightedBOEM’sfive-yearenvironmentalstudiesprogramfortheoutercontinentalshelf,whichhasanannualcallforinformationandisintendedtosupportBOEM’sefforts.AnothermembersuggestedthattheRPBmightconsidernewpartnershipstosharetheburdenofitsworkthroughadistributednetwork.Forexample,intheCascoBayEstuariesPartnership,membersareaskedtobringtheirownresourcestotableinsteadofrelyingsolelyonfederalgovernmentfunding.TheRPBmighttrytodevelopasharedagendawithgroupslikeSeaGrantortheRegionalAssociationforResearchontheGulfofMainetodrawinresourcesforitsresearchpriorities.PotentialnextstepsMr.NapolihighlightedthefollowingpotentialnextstepsforPlanperformancemonitoring:

• Evaluatepublicengagementwithineachofthemainactioncategories• Obtainadditionalinputonhowtomeasurepublicengagementinspecificregulatory

processesandinthebroaderplanningprocess• OrganizetheRPBaroundthemajoractioncategorieswithaleadorco-leadsforeach• Foreachcategory

• IdentifyindividualactionsfromthePlan• Determineintendedoutcomesfromthesuiteofactions• Developindicators,includingaqualitativeorquantitativebaselineforeach,and

developprocessesforRPBorganizationstoreportonprogress• Developoptionsforcommunicatingprogressanddetermininghowresultscaninform

Planamendmentsandupdatesand/orrevisionstoPlangoals/objectives/actions


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Inresponsetothislistofnextsteps,Ms.NicholsonreportedthatNOAAisinterestedinhelpingmoveforwardtheactioncategoriesrelatedtoinformingregulatoryandmanagementdecisionsandenhancingagencycoordination.NOAAwouldliketoimproveourunderstandingofhowtoholdagenciesaccountable,supportagencybestpractices,anddevelopcommonexpectationsaboutwhatagenciesshouldbedoing.AUSACErepresentativealsovolunteeredtohelp.ThisresultedinUSACEandNOAAagreeingtoco-leadaworkgrouptoadevelopplanperformanceframeworkforthebestpracticesandactionsfromthePlanthatrelatetoenhancingagencycoordinationandinformingregulatoryandmanagementdecisions.Someonestatedthattherearegroupsalreadyestablishedtohelpwithrenewingandupdatingdata,soaperformancemonitoringframeworktotrackthemaintenanceofprioritydatasetswillinvolvethoseexistingparties.Membersstatedthatthereneedstobeadditionaleffortstodeterminetheeffectivenessoftribalinvolvement,federalimplementationofthePlan,andpublicparticipation.AmembersuggestedthattheRPBneedstotalkmoreabouthowtofacilitatepublicparticipation.Mr.Dierscheckedwiththegrouptoconfirmthateveryonewasonboardwiththeproposednextsteps,andtherewerenoobjections.

MonitoringEcosystemChange:ProposednextstepsfordevelopinganOceanHealthIndex(OHI)fortheNortheastBenHalpern,theOceanHealthIndex(OHI)TeamLead,providedanoverviewoftheworkplantodevelopaNortheastOHIandpotentialnextsteps.TheNortheastOHIrepresentsoneapproachformonitoringandevaluatingecosystemhealthascalledforinthePlan.TheOHIteamhasacquireditsownresourcesandhasitsownstaffingtocompleteaNortheastOHI,butwantstoensuretheOHIisinformedbytheRPBandregionalstakeholderstoensureitisusefulfortheregion.Mr.HalpernsaidhisteamisworkingonansweringtwoquestionsthroughconsultationswithstakeholdersandtheRPB:WhatdoweneedtodotoadapttheOHItothisregion,tocaptureitsuniqueness,andhowwillwetrackchangesinoceanhealthmovingforwardovertime?HethenprovidedabriefoverviewoftheOHImethodology.Themethodologyincludesasimplebutcarefullyconsidereddefinitionforahealthyocean:Ahealthyoceansustainablydeliversarangeofbenefitstopeoplenowandinthefuture.Thisdefinitionguideswhattheymeasure.Inlightofthisdefinition,theOHIseekstoidentifythebenefitsthatpeoplederivefromahealthyocean.Theyhaveidentifiedtencategoriesofbenefitsorgoals:foodprovision,artisanalfishingopportunities,naturalproducts,carbonstorage,coastalprotection,tourismandrecreation,livelihoodsandeconomies,senseofplace,cleanwaters,andbiodiversity.Tomeasureoceanhealth,theylookatboththecurrentstatusandfuturetrendsforeachofthesegoals.Theyassignascoreforeachgoal,andthencombinethesescoresintoasinglenumber.


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Peoplehavedifferentperspectivesonthevalueofusingasinglescore,butitdoesprovideausefulcommunicationtool.Asaresultofitseightyearsofexperience,theOHIteamhasbecomemuchmoreefficientinitswork.IthasavarietyofresourcestobringtobearinhelpingentitiesdeveloptheirownOHIs,includingscience,softwaredevelopment,training,andwebdesignanddevelopment.Mr.HalpernthenreviewedhowtheOHIcouldbetailoredtotheNortheastregion.Currently,histeamisworkingtogatherregionaldataandinformation.Then,byearlyfall,theywillconveneaworkshopwiththeRPBandinterestedpartiestoconsiderreportingregions,goalsandbenefitstobeincludedintheassessment.Theywillthencontinuewithdatacollection,holdaworkshopondraftmethodsandreferencepoints,andthencalculatethescores.Inidentifyingreportingregions,theytrytobalancebiophysicalboundarieswithmanagementboundaries,andconsiderthescaleatwhichdecisionsaremade.Thephilosophyistocaptureinformationatasfinearesolutionasmakesense.TheyhaveidentifiedasetofdraftreportingregionsfortheNortheastandareseekingfeedbackonthem.TheyhavealsomadeaninitialattempttotranslatetheOceanPlan’sprioritiesintoOHIgoals.Theirlistincludesgoalsandmeasuresfor:biodiversity,senseofplaceandidentity,coastallivelihoodsandeconomies,seafoodprovision,tourismandrecreation,naturalproducts,coastalprotectionandcarbonstorage,artisanalresourceaccessopportunities,andcleanwaters.TheyalsoidentifiedtwoadditionalOHImeasures:resilience,andpressures.Theyreceivedfeedbackfromstakeholdersduringtherecentstakeholderforum,includingthefollowingsuggestions:

• Considertheprosandconsofusingthe3-milelineforfederalwaters• IncluderepresentativesofNewYorkindiscussionsconsideringthepotentialsouthern

andwesternboundaries• ConsiderusingtheentireNortheastasasingleregion,sincewehavealready

establishedthegeneralplanningarea• Considerusingdifferentareasfordifferentgoals• Ensurethisisaregion-wideeffortwithbroadinput• Beclearaboutthespecificquestionsandtimelineforstakeholderinput

StakeholdersalsoexpressedconcernaboutthecommitmentrequiredtoimplementtheOHI,andaboutwhethergoalscoringwillbemeaningfulfordecision-makingandcommunicationpurposesormakeuslosesightofactualtradeoffs,orriskmaximizingonegoalattheothers’expense.DiscussionRPBmembersaskedthefollowingquestionsinresponsetoMr.Halpern’spresentation.ResponsesfromMr.Halpernareinitalics:


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• Doyoutrytoanticipateclimatechangeandhowitmaychangetheindex?Wedonotforecastclimatechange,butyoumayforecastitifyouwantto.Thiswouldinvolvedecidingonamodelforhowtheworldwilllookinthefuture.Thechallengeisweknowverylittleabouthowclimatechangewillaffectthingslikethecoastaleconomy,andotheroceanbenefitsthatwemeasure.

• Howdoyoucreatethescoresforeachgoal?Isthereateamthatdevelopsaconsensus?Itisaquantitativeprocessinformedbydataandindicators.Firstyoudetermineyourobjectiveortarget,andthendeterminequantitativelyhowcloseyouaretothatobjective.

• Whatprocessdoyouusetodecidehowtoweighttheimportanceofthevariousgoalstowardsthefinalscore?Wedefaulttoequalweighing.Ifthereisaninterestinunequalweighting,weworkwithdecisionscientists,andengagewithstakeholdersacrossawidespectrumthroughaniterativeprocesstoidentifytheweighting,andtrytocometoaconsensus.

• Haveanyoftheassessmentsyouhavedonebeeninformedbyindigenousinput,andifsocanyousharetheexamples?Yes,theBritishColumbiaassessmenthasbeenverymuchinformedbyindigenousinput.Itisnotyetcomplete,butwewillbehappytosharetheprocessandlessonslearned.OtherprojectswithindigenousinputincludePalau,Indonesia,andtheHawaiianislandofKauai.

RPBmembersofferedthefollowingadditionalcommentsontheOHIanditsimplementation:

• ThelevelofRPBinvolvementwiththeOHIshouldbemoderatetohigh.TheRPBshouldnotsimplystepbackandlettheconsultantsfigureitout.

• ItwouldbehelpfultoworkwithinexistingRPBframeworksratherthancreatingsomethingnewanddifferent.

• Theprocessshouldaccountfortribalperspectivesandinvolvetribesinprovidinginformationonhowtheecosystemhaschangedoveralongerperiodoftime.

Mr.Halpernexpressedagreementwiththeideaoftappingintoexistingprocessesandframeworks,involvingtribes,andcapturingtribalinformation.PotentialNextStepsMr.NapolihighlightedthefollowingpotentialnextstepsfortheOHI:

• RPBtodeterminelevelofinvolvementintheimplementationoftheOHIforthenortheast

• OHIteamtohostaworkshoptoobtaininputonreportingregionsandgoalsetting• DetermineOHIreportingregions• DeterminegoalsforthenortheastOHIthatconsiderPlanpriorities• Engageregionalscientistsandcollectdatatoinformassessmentsforeachgoal

Mr.NapolinotedthatthegrouphadexpressedinterestinengagingwiththeOHI,butitwouldbehelpfultounderstandmoreaboutwhatthatmeansonthespectrumfrominformingto


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directingaspectsofthedataandscience.Inresponsetothislistofnextsteps,RPBmembersofferedcommentsontheoptimalrelationshipbetweentheRPBandtheOHI.Commentsemphasizedtheimportanceofinvolvingthepublic,thescientificcommunity,andtribestoavoidpublicskepticismandtakeadvantageoftribes’traditionalecologicalknowledge.OthercommentssuggestedtheRPBtakeamiddlegroundapproachinworkingontheOHI.Membersofferedthefollowingsuggestions:

• TheRPBmightplayaroleinhelpingensuretherightpeopleattendtheOHIworkshop.• TheRPBshouldsteerthoseworkingdirectlyontheOHItotherightdatasets,butshould

notbedirectlyinvolvedinissueslikeputtingweightsondifferenttargets.• TheRPBshouldbeopentoengaging,andhelpfacilitatestakeholderinvolvement,butit

shouldbecarefulnottointerferewiththestructuretheOHIteamhasdeveloped.• TheRPBshouldcontinuetospotlightandsupporttheSentinelMonitoringNetwork,

whichisalsoanextremelyimportanteffort.• TheRPBshouldmakesureithasanopportunitytoco-developtheOHIgoals,andit

shouldbeeasyforRPBmemberstoshowupandparticipateinOHIworkshops.OthermemberscommentedontheusefulnessofOHIasatool,butexpressedcautiononhowitsoutputsgetreported.OnemembersuggestedthattheOHIwillbeausefultoolforoutreachandeducation,andfillsanimportantgapinthePlanregardingthestateoftheNewEnglandcoast.Butthememberalsorecommendedusingarrowsupordowntoindicateprogressratherthanassigningasinglenumberforthegoalsandtotheoceanhealthoverall.Mr.GroverFugatefromtheRhodeIslandCoastalResourcesManagementCouncilnotedthathisagencyhasdevelopedtoolsandpredictivemodelstoshowwhattheshorelinewilllooklikeinthefuture.Hesuggestedthattherewillbesignificantchangesinthefuture,andtheOHIshouldtrytoforecastwhatwillhappenandconsiderwhatwewillneedtodotogetwherewewanttogoinlightofthesecomingchanges.AnothermembercommentedthatitwillbeimportanttoemphasizethattheOHIisnotaverdictonthesuccessofthePlan.ElementsofthePlanandthestateandfederalagenciesinvolvedmayhavenoimmediateinfluenceonmanyoftheOHIgoals.MemberssawarolefortheRPBinhelpingshapethereportingregionsandthegoals,andinengaginginongoingcommunicationwiththeOHIteamtoarticulatetherelationshipbetweenthePlanandtheOHI.MembersalsosawarolefortheRPBinhelpingwithstakeholderengagement–bothregionallyandineachstate.Inlightofthesecomments,Mr.Dierssuggestedthattheco-leadswouldleadaworkgrouptofurtherclarifytheRPB’sroleinguidingthedevelopmentofaNortheastOHIinadvanceofafallworkshop.


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RPBDiscussionandDecisionsAbouttheWorkPlanThrough2017Mr.NapoliofferedasummaryoftheRPBdiscussionanddecisionsontheworkplanthrough2017.Henotedthefollowing:

• Foroceanactivitydata,workgroupsrelatedtofishing,marinetransportation,recreation,andotherexistinggroupswillinformupdatestooceanactivitydataproductsandhowtheRPBengagesrelatedstakeholders.

• Fordataproductsrelatedtomarinelife,habitat,andthecomponentsofecologicalimportance,theRPBwillprovidepublicaccesstodraftdataproductsandthemethodologicalquestionstheRPBistryingtoanswer.TheRPBwillsummarizeanyfeedbackcollectedbytheendofAugust,revisethedraftdataproducts,andholdaworkshopinthefalltoreviewreviseddraftproducts.

• Forplanperformance,theRPBwilltrackthemaintenanceofprioritydatasetsthroughexistinggroupsthatarealreadyupdatingthosedataproducts.Additionally,USACEandNOAAwillco-leadaworkgrouptotracktheimplementationofbestpracticesrelatedtoinformingregulatoryandmanagementdecisionsandenhancingagencycoordination.

• ForOHI,theco-leadswillconveneadiscussiontoincludetheexistingworkgroupandotherswhoareinterestedtoinformnextsteps.ChuckieGreenwillparticipateasatribalrepresentative.ThediscussionwillfocusonfleshingouttheRPB’srelationshiptoOHIandrelatedmessaging,andoninformingthedevelopmentofafallworkshop,whichwillincludedecisionsaboutOHIreportingregionsandOHIgoalsetting.

• TheRPBwillholditsnextmeetinginlatefall,likelyinNovember.AnRPBmembersuggestedthatitwouldbeimportanttoengagethepublicagainbeforetheNovemberRPBmeeting,andsuggestedhostingawebinar.Othermembersagreedthatawebinarwouldbehelpful.Mr.DiersconcludedthemeetingbythankingRPBmembersandthepublicfortravelingtotheeventandparticipatingsoactively,andNOAAforprovidingthevenue.

PublicCommentThereweretwopubliccommentsessionsduringthemeeting,oneimmediatelyafterlunchaddressingthemorningsession,andonelaterintheafternoonaddressingtheeveningsession.Thefollowingcommentswereofferedduringthefirstsession.Commentsfromthesecondsessionareaddressedfurtherbelow:BrentGreenfield,NationalOceanPolicyCoalitionTheNortheastOceanPlanincludesacommitmenttodevelopandreviewa“detailedimplementationplan”in2016orearly2017toprepareforplanimplementation.Theoverview


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andpotentialnextstepsthathavebeenpresentedarehelpful,buttheyarelackingimportantdetailsonfundingsourcesandtimingforotherproposedactionsnotrelatedtotheportal.TheNationalOceanPolicyCoalitionurgestheRPBtocompilethedetailedimplementationplancalledforintheOceanPlanandmakeitavailableforpublicreviewandcommentbeforemakingdecisionson2017implementationactions.WithrespecttoeffortstoincorporatethePlanintoCoastalZoneManagementActactivity,anyproposedCZMAactionsshouldbeactedupononlyaftertheyhavebeenvettedthroughpubliccommentreviewandpublicengagement.Givenagencycommitmentstofullyexplaintheportalinagencydecision-making,andtomakepubliclyavailableimplementinginstructions,theCoalitionurgesallRPBagenciestoformallypublishtheirimplementinginstructionsthroughnoticeandcommentprocedures,andexplainhowtheyareusingthePlanindecision-making,beforefinaldecisionsaremade.AllsuchguidanceshouldbecompiledandmadeavailableonRPBwebsite.Itiscriticalthattheregulatedoceanusergroupcommunityfullyunderstandhowagenciesmayusetheseproductsindecision-making,andthatthisinformationismadeavailablesimultaneouswithdraftreview,notafterproductshavebeenreviewedandfinalized.Inaddition,legalandeconomicanalysesthatexaminethepotentialconsequencesandstatutorybasesforfederalapplicationanduseoftheseproductsshouldbedevelopedandputoutforpublicreviewbeforetheseproductsarefinalized.NickBattista,TheIslandInstituteTheIslandInstituteconductedthefirstfisheriescharacterizationforNROCandhasdonelobstercharacterizationforMainefisheries.WhiletheNortheastDataPortaldoesabetterjobshowingthespatialfootprintofthefishery,MARCO’sfisheriesdatadoesagoodjobtyingfisheriesbacktocommunities.Theirdataallowsyoutounderstandwhatcommunitiesmaybefishinginwhichlocations.Therearealotofwaysyoucananalyzeandinterpretthedata,dependingonthequestionsyourtryingtoanswer.However,neithertheMARCOnortheNortheastdatasetssaysanythingaboutwhatfishermenaredoinginaparticularplace,whytheyarethere,whyanareamightbeimportant,andwhatwouldhappeniftheycouldn’tbethere.Thedatasetsdon’tpointoutifanareaisimportantforaparticularcommunityduringaparticulartimeofyear,forexampleifnothavingaccessinAprilmeansacommunitywillnotbeabletomakemoneythatmonth.Wewouldlikethatkindofinformationtobeconsideredinthisprocess.Forlobstercharacterization,we’vestartedarticulatingaframeworkforhavingaconversationwiththelobsterfisheryontrendsandchangesacrossthefisheryandfishermen’sconcernsaboutcompetingoceanspace,insteadoffocusingonwhoisfishingwhere.Thelobsterindustryislargeandcomplex.It'sthesinglemostvaluablespecieslandedintheU.S.,andalmostallofitcomesfromNewEnglandwaters.InMainealonethereare260,000commercialfishingtripsforlobster,whichismoretripsthanallthefisheriesforanyotherstateontheEastCoast.One


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communityinMainehas200milesofshoreline,whichisequivalenttohalftheshorelineofRhodeIsland.ThreecommunitiesinMaineland$114millionworthoflobsterayear,whichisthesamesizeasallthecommercialfisheriesinNewHampshire,RhodeIsland,andConnecticut.Asafixedgearfishery,lobsterisadifficultfisherytomap.Itishardtoaskeveryoneintheindustrytoputtrackersontheirboatswithoutbeingabletotellthemwhatyou’regoingtodowiththedata.Inaddition,itwouldbehelpfultohavenulldatasetindataportal.There’snothingintheportalthatsayslobsterisn’there.Thatinformationisinthemetadataandthecaveatsbutyouneedtogoandreadthosetoaccessit.Overall,fisheriesarehappytoseethemapsintheDataPortal,buttheywantthosemapstorepresentthebeginningoftheconversationnottheend.TheywantagenciesandtheRPBtotalktothemaboutthephysicalandenvironmentalfactorsthatleadthemtofishinaparticularlocation.BillKiley,BostonWaterandSewerCommissionIconductresearchintoavenuesforusesandopportunitiesfortheBostonHarborarea.Inmyresearch,Iampuzzledbythelackofaquacultureinthecountryasawhole.Aquaculturecanbeunobtrusive,doesnotaffectnavigation,andisbenevolent.Itcleansthewater,providesfood,providesjobs,andhelpstheeconomy.Chinahas60percentofaquacultureanditsbiggestmarketistheU.S.Theseareseriouseconomicissues.Developingaquaculturecouldbeawin-win.Itcancreatehabitatthatwe’velost.Iurgethefederalagenciestoworktohelpcreatethishugeindustrythathassomanyupsides.Itistimeandcapitalintensivetogetstartedwithaquaculture,andthereareopportunitiesforEPA,NOAA,andthefisheriesservicetohelpabenevolentfield.Itcancreatesearisebarriers,endlessfood,andwealthforthecountry.IwanttoseefederalandMassachusettsagenciesworktodevelopthiscrucialindustry.Thefollowingcommentswereofferedduringthesecondpubliccommentsession,addressingtheafternoonsession:HeatherLeslie,UniversityofMaineDarlingMarineCenterIhaveanumberofcomments.First,congratulationstoyouall.Ican’ttellyouhowproudIamtobepartoftheregionthatgotthisacrossthefinishlinefirst.IhavebeentalkingabouttheRPBtoscientistsaroundtheworldthepastfewmonths,whereverpeoplehavequestionsabouthowtomakeecosystembasedmanagement(EBM)real.Thereisalotofexcitementandinterestinwhatyouaredoing.Second,Iwanttoaddressthethreadofsustainability—howwesustainthisworkmovingforward.InthecontextoftheDataPortalandOHI,weneedtotransitionfromthegreatheavyliftingofthepastfewyearstoamoresustainedlifttomakegoodontheaspirationsofthePlanforthenextcoupleofdecades.Thequestionishowwetakethatframeworkandstarttocultivatemorecapacity.Ihaveheardyoutalkingaboutcultivatingstaffandagencycapacity.I’m


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heretosaytherearehundredsorthousandsofscientistswhowilldrivetomeetingslikethisifyoucancommunicatewhatyouneedfromthem.Ifyouusemeasaconduittoconveyyourneeds,Icantalktostudentsaboutpossibleprojects.Byreachingouttothesciencecommunity,wecanconnectwithscientistswhocangatherrecreationaldata.Mostofmycolleagueswon’tshowupatmeetingslikethisunlessthereisaclearrequest.Ifwecanworktogethertocraftthoserequests,Ithinkyou’llbesurprisedatthelevelofengagement.Thirdandfinally,Iwanttoechowhat’sbeensaidaboutthevalueofscalingdowntogetsomeofthisworkdone.InMaine,we’reinarelativelydatapoorregion,anddownscalingwillbecritical.YoushouldthinkofasmallerspatialscalethanthewholeregiontoshowthevalueoftheDataPortalandOHI.Thatwillmakeiteasiertogetcommunityandscienceengagement.RebeccaClarkUchenna,TheIslandInstituteIalsowanttocongratulatetheRPBforstickingwiththis.I’vebeenworkingwithtwoschoolsinMaine.OneisamiddleschoolinNorthport.TheotherisinLongIslandMaine,inCascoBay.Wehaveworkedwithchildreningradesthreetofive,introducingthemtotheconceptofoceanplanningandtotheOceanDataPortal.ThestudentshavebeenworkingwiththeDataPortalformostoftheschoolyear.Theirworkhasresultedinalotofgreatmaps.Westartedwithdeepconversationsabouthowtheoceanhaschanged,andwhattheypredictwillhappen.Inbothschoolswefocusedonaquaculture,andareengagedinsugarkelpaquaculture.Wearecurrentlygoingthroughthepermittingprocess.Thisworkisprovidingthemwithastrongsciencebackground.Theoceanplanningworldcombinesscience,policy,andoceanstewardshipallinonepackage.Throughthiswork,I’velearnedtwokeylessons.First,thestudentsareabletoworkeffectivelythroughhardconcepts.Second,theyarelisteningtous.Thereisalotoffearrightnow.TheDataPortalisreallyencouraging,andgivesstudentsasenseofhopethatwe’retakingcareofouroceansBrentGreenfield,NationalOceanPolicyCoalitionTherewasadiscussiontodayonsomeofthelimitationsandcaveatsondatasetsacknowledgedinthePlandocuments.IrequestthatthePlanperformancemonitoringandevaluationdocumentberolledintothedraftoutcomes.Forexample,aspartofthedraftoutcome,thesectionsonmaintainingandupdatingthedata,informingregulatoryandmanagementdecisions,andenhancedagencycoordinationshouldallincludeaclearcommunicationandrecognitionofdatauncertainty,limitationsandcaveats,andtheneedforthistobeanonbindingsourceofinformation.Finally,ourmembershavecontinuedconcernsaboutagenciesusingtheOHIinaregulatorysetting,giventhatwehaven’tyetseenitappliedinthatsetting.


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ValerieNelson,WaterAllianceWearehappywiththeplans,andseelotsofrobustthingsinthere.ThePlanisnotatemplateforaggressiveresourceextraction,whichisgreat.TherearethingsmentionedinthePlanthatareofgreatconcerntothepublicinGloucester,includingsandandgravelmining,aquaculture,andwind.ItishardtoknowwhoontheRPBisdoingwhat,andtoknowwhenthereisanopportunityforthepublictogetinvolved.TherewasrobustpublicparticipationinthecreationofthePlan,butnowwehaverevertedbacktoimpenetrablebureaucraticcommittees.Wehavegraveconcernsabouthowaquaculture,sandandgravelwillaffectfishingportslikeGloucester.WithrespecttotheOHI,theideaoftendifferentmeasures,andthattheoceanisn’tjustaboutprofitmaking,isamajorstepforward.Theseareelementsofaverycomplexsystem.Ihopeitispossibletoworkwiththepublicandotherstakeholdersonunderstandingwhattheoceanisasasystem,soitisnotjustadrynumericalexercise.Itwouldbehelpfultolookatwhichofthosetengoalsarecausal,andwhichareoutcomes.InGloucesterwe’relookingatourstory,andwemightgetanNEAgranttotellit.Thatstorydrivesourcommitmenttosustainablefisheriesandcleanwater.Itispossiblethatotherswouldseesenseofplaceasanoutcome,butwebelieveitisprobablythemostfundamentalfactor.Wemaybeinourcurrentpoliticalsituationbecauseofalackofunderstandingofthemeaningactualpeopleassigntothings.Peoplevotedoutoffrustrationthatthere’snomeaningdrivingthebureaucracy.Weneedmoretalkaboutwhatthesystemreallyis,itsdrivers,andhowtousesystemsunderstandingtoprioritizetheupwardarrowsthatlatercanhavespinoffeffects.Thepublic,especiallyinGloucester,wouldbeveryinterestedinthiskindofsystemsapproach.MelissaGates,SurfriderSurfriderisanenvironmentalnonprofitthatworkstoprotectoceanwavesandbeaches.Thankyoufortheworkyouhavedonetogetuswhereweare.IhavesomeseriousconcernsaboutusingthestakeholderworkinggroupsatthestateleveltodiveintotheOHI.InMaine,theRPBhasbeenverywelcomingtoparticipationbyrecreationalstakeholders,butIhavenotseenthatasfullyinotherstates.InMassachusetts,thereareOceanAdvisoryCouncilseatsmandatedbylaw,butrecreationisnotoneofthoseseats.Inaddition,alotofthefocusinthosemeetingshasbeenonstate-basedplans,nottheregionalprocess.FortheOHI,itisveryimportanttogetwidestakeholderfeedback,includingfromthoseofusewhosurf,whoworkonthewater,wholiveinourcoastalcommunities,andwhogotothebeach.Ihopetherewillbeahybridapproach.SurfrideralsosupportsahybridapproachforOHIandtheSentinelMonitoringNetwork.Wewouldlovetohearmoreaboutthatinthefuture.


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Appendices


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AppendixA:MeetingAttendanceRegionalPlanningBodyMembersFederalAgenciesJoseAtangan,U.S.Navy,JointChiefsofStaffMelvilleCote,U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,Region1MicheleDesAutels,U.S.CoastGuardDarrylFrancois,BureauofOceanEnergyManagementSimonGore,U.S.DepartmentofEnergyJenniferMcCarthy,U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers,NewEnglandDistrictBetsyNicholson,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationChrisTompsett,U.S.Navy,U.S.DepartmentofDefenseR.PhouVongkhamdy,USDepartmentofAgricultureNaturalResourceConservationServiceNewEnglandFisheryManagementCouncilMarkAlexander,NewEnglandFisheryManagementCouncilStatesBruceCarlisle,MassachusettsOfficeofCoastalZoneManagementTedDiers,NewHampshireDepartmentofEnvironmentalServicesDavidPierce,MassachusettsDivisionofMarineFisheriesKathrynFord,MassachusettsDivisionofMarineFisheriesGroverFugate,RICoastalResourcesManagementCouncilKathleenLeyden,MaineDepartmentofAgriculture,ConservationandForestry,MaineCoastal

ProgramMeredithMendelson,MaineDepartmentofMarineResourcesBrianThompson,ConnecticutDepartmentofEnergyandEnvironmentalProtectionTribalGeorge(Chuckie)Green,MashpeeWampanoagTribalCouncilElizabethJamesPerry,WampanoagTribeofGayHead(Aquinnah)SharriVenno,HoultonBandofMaliseetIndiansParticipantsNickBattista,IslandInstituteChrisBoelke,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationAmyBushman,ConservationLawFoundationDonChapman,USInstituteforEnvironmentalConflictResolution/UdallCenterJimChase,SeacoastScienceCenterRebeccaClarkUchenna,IslandInstituteLisaCroft,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationIanDombroski,U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,Region1


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SusanFarady,UniversityofNewEnglandJenniferFelt,ConservationLawFoundationMarianneFerguson,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationFisheriesMelissaGates,SurfriderFoundationBrentGreenfield,NationalOceanPolicyCoalitionAnnieHawkins,FisheriesSurvivalFundHeatherHopkins,U.S.NavyZachJylkka,NMFSKatieKahl,TheNatureConservancyBillKiley,BostonWaterandSewerCommissionAlixLaferriere,TheNatureConservancyEliseLeduc,WoodsHoleGroupHeatherLeslie,UniversityofMaineDarlingCenterWendyLull,SSCReginaLyons,USEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyRegion1DanielMartin,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationSallyMcGee,TheNatureConservancyAnneMerwin,OceanConservancyIvyMilsna,U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,Region1RobMoir,OceanRiverInstituteKatieMorgan,OceanConservancyMaryAnneMorrison,U.S.NavyLaurenNutter,USInstituteforEnvironmentalConflictResolution/UdallCenterRichardNelson,fishermanLarryOliver,U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersJeffReidenauer,BureauofOceanEnergyManagementMartaRibera,TheNatureConservancyDarcieRitch,IntegratedStatistics,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationaffiliateMattRobertson,TetraTechKimberlyRoth,NEIWPCCWhitSaumweber,StanfordUniversityRachelStrader,GordonandBettyMooreFoundationRoselleHennStern,U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersNorthAtlanticDivisionDeanSzumylo,GreaterAtlanticRegionalFisheriesOffice,NOAA(name???)PeterTaylor,WaterviewConsultingAmyTrice,OceanConservancyJennaValente,AmericanLittoralSocietyPrassedeVella,MassachusettsOfficeofCoastalZoneMnaagementJosephVietri,U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineersNorthAtlanticDivisionLeeWalker,SealiteUSALoriWatson,SalemSoundCoastwatchChrisWilliams,NewHampshireCoastalProgramSarahWolfskehl,NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationOfficeofCoastSurveyIntegratedOceanandCoastalMapping


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SupportStaffTobiasBerkman,theConsensusBuildingInstituteJesseCleary,MarineGeospatialEcologyLab,DukeUniversityOnaFerguson,theConsensusBuildingInstituteMartinaMcPherson,ERGNickNapoli,NortheastRegionalOceanCouncilEmilyShumchenia,NortheastRegionalOceanCouncil


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AppendixB:MeetingAgenda

NortheastRegionalPlanningBodySpring2017MeetingWednesday,May24,2017,9:00to5:00NOAANationalMarineFisheriesServiceGreaterAtlanticRegionalFisheriesOffice55GreatRepublicDrive,Gloucester,MA

MeetingObjectives

• HearfromRPBmembersabouthowtheirorganizationisusingtheNortheastOceanPlanandtheNortheastOceanDataPortal.

• ReviewprogressimplementingtheNortheastOceanPlan.• ObtainpublicinputanddecideonnextstepsforimplementingthePlanthroughtheendof

2017.

Agenda

8:30am RegistrationLightbreakfastandcoffeewillbeavailable.Meetingparticipantswillalsobeablesignuptopurchaseabaggedlunchthatwillbedeliveredtothemeetingroomatnoon.

9:00 Welcomeandintroductions9:20 Openingremarks,includingrecenttimeline,milestones,andanoverviewof

implementationactivitiesMelCoté,(U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,FederalCo-lead)andTedDiers(NHDepartmentofEnvironmentalServices,StateCo-Lead)

9:45 UseoftheNortheastOceanPlanandtheNortheastOceanDataPortal

RegionalPlanningBody(RPB)Members

UpdatesfromeachRPBmemberabouthowtheirorganizationisusingthePlanandthePortalfollowedbydiscussionaboutwaystotrackandcommunicateagencyimplementation.ThiswillinformsubsequentagendatopicsrelatedtothePortalandevaluatingplanperformance.

10:45 Break11:00 NortheastOceanDataPortal:Progressandproposednextstepsforupdatingocean

activitydataandoutreachtorelatedstakeholdersandexpertsNickNapoli(contractstafftotheNortheastRPB)


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SummarypresentationaboutprogressupdatingoceanactivitydataontheNortheastOceanDataPortalandpotentialnextsteps,includinginputreceivedduringtheStakeholderForum.Briefdiscussiontofollowthepresentation.

11:30 NortheastOceanDataPortal:Progressandproposednextstepsforupdatingmarine

life,habitat,andimportantecologicalarea(IEA)dataproductsEmilyShumchenia(contractstafftotheNortheastRPB)

SummarypresentationaboutprogressupdatingmarinelifeandhabitatdataontheNortheastOceanDataPortalandpotentialnextsteps,includinginputreceivedduringtheStakeholderForum.ThepresentationwillalsoincludepotentialnextstepsforobtaininginputondraftdataproductsandmethodsforeachcomponentoftheIEAframework.Briefdiscussiontofollowthepresentation.

12:00 Lunch

Forthoseparticipantsstayingintheroom,therewillbeanopportunitytoreviewthePortalanddraftdataproductsdiscussedthroughoutthemorning.

1:00 Publiccommentonmorningagendatopics1:45 PlanPerformance:Progressandproposednextstepstodevelopanapproachfor

evaluatingtheRPB’simplementationofthePlanNickNapoli

Summarypresentationprovidinganoverviewofthedraftapproachforevaluatingplanperformanceandpotentialnextsteps,includinginputreceivedduringtheStakeholderForum.Briefdiscussiontofollowthepresentation.

2:15 MonitoringEcosystemChange:ProposednextstepsfordevelopinganOceanHealth

Index(OHI)fortheNortheastBenHalpern(OHITeamLead)

OverviewoftheworkplantodevelopaNortheastOHI,includingpotentialimmediatenextstepsforobtainingdetailedfeedbackfromtheRPBandstakeholdersaboutnear-termpriorities.Briefdiscussiontofollowthepresentation.

3:00 Break3:15 Publiccommentonafternoonagendatopics3:45 RPBdiscussionanddecisionsabouttheworkplanthrough20175:00 Adjourn

Documents

Northeast Regional Planning Body Spring 2017 Meeting · Northeast Regional Planning Body Spring 2017 Meeting Summary 4 Bruce Carlisle, Director of the Massachusetts Office of Coastal