These meetings will provide opportunity for YOU to learn about the work of the RPB as well as review sample maps and products from the RPB’s initial planning efforts and offer written or oral comments. The process is aimed at gathering information on the diverse meanings and uses humans assign to the ocean, including considerations of spiritual identity, recreation, transportation, energy, infrastructure and industry. The hope is to mitigate conflicts, as informed by YOUR input on diverse ocean uses and enjoyments. If you have an opinion…please come be a part of the public comment process to make sure YOUR thoughts are heard.
Please let Surfrider Foundation’s Northeast Regional Coordinator, Melissa Gates, know if you can attend a meeting: mgates@surfrider.org. She can hook you up with suggested talking points for the comment session and answer any questions you may have.
Check out the Surfrider Foundation Maine Chapter event for these RPB meetings on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/events/545168078874259/. The Regional Planning Body is comprised of federal, state and tribal leaders who are working together to implement the National Ocean Policy The New England RPB’s work is just getting underway and they are seeking input on a draft of their planning goals and actions.
Ocean planning will have a direct impact on everyone who loves and depends upon the ocean, which is why Surfrider Foundation said it is reaching out Surfrider hopes people will learn about the RPB process and all the opportunities to get involved over the next several years. Surfrider creates fliers and posters to share info and support public engagement; creates video clips and social networking media campaigns geared toward informing people of ways to get involved in the ocean planning process and urges people to get on the e-list, weigh in with opinions and share information. They will follow up by phone.
Learn more about the National Ocean Policy here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/oceans/implementationplan
If you are not available to attend a meeting but wish to provide input, you can do so in writing before June 28, 2013. Additional details for providing public comment will be available on May 23. Contact Surfrider for updates on providing written comments.
Consider becoming a part of the New England Ocean Action Network. NEOAN is comprised of individuals and organizations from the region’s environmental community, recreational interests, educational and research institutions, industry, clean energy field, and other ocean users, industries, and stakeholders. NEOAN supports, monitors, and comments on NROC’s efforts to develop a comprehensive, region-wide ocean planning process and will advocate for the development of a plan. Learn more here:
http://newenglandoceanaction.org/about-us/
