Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes
Jul 22, 2010
Signed by: Barack Obama
Signed on: Jul 19, 2010
Published on: Jul 22, 2010
Jul 22, 2010
Signed by: Barack Obama
Signed on: Jul 19, 2010
Published on: Jul 22, 2010
Summary
Creates a national plan to protect, maintain, and restore the health of the ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes for future generations.
What problem does this solve?
Events like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill showed how vulnerable marine environments are and the lack of a coordinated national plan to protect them. This order creates a National Ocean Council to guide a unified, ecosystem-based approach to managing and protecting these vital resources.
What does this order do?
Establishes a National Ocean Council
Creates a new council co-chaired by the Council on Environmental Quality and the Office of Science and Technology Policy to guide national ocean policy.
Sets a new national policy for ocean stewardship
Defines a U.S. policy to protect, maintain, and restore the health of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems and resources.
Requires coastal and marine spatial planning
Directs the development of regional plans to analyze and manage the uses of ocean and coastal areas, aiming to reduce conflicts and environmental impacts.
Creates a Governance Coordinating Committee
Establishes a committee of 18 officials from State, tribal, and local governments to ensure collaboration with the National Ocean Council.
Mandates agency compliance and reporting
Requires all relevant federal agencies to implement the new policy, comply with spatial plans, and prepare annual public reports on their actions.
Revokes a previous executive order
Cancels Executive Order 13366 from 2004, which previously addressed ocean policy.
Who does this affect?
- Coastal and Great Lakes communities
- Federal, State, and Tribal governments
- Maritime industries (fishing, energy, shipping)
What is the real world impact?
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Creates a unified federal approach to ocean management
Establishes the National Ocean Council to coordinate the actions of many different federal agencies. This ensures a more cohesive and comprehensive strategy for protecting and using marine resources, rather than having separate agencies work in isolation.
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Balances environmental protection with economic use
Promotes the sustainable use of ocean and coastal resources for jobs, food, and energy. This approach could lead to conflicts between conservation goals and the interests of industries like fishing, shipping, and energy production.
When does this start?
This order became effective when it was signed on July 19, 2010.