Wendy Lull | SSC President
On Thursday, July 14th, the entire New Hampshire Congressional delegation once again championed our state’s ocean, coasts, and maritime economy by universally signing onto a bipartisan letter of support, applauding the release of the draft Northeast Ocean Plan, and New England’s continued leadership in ocean planning.
The Ocean Conservancy spread-headed the Northeast Ocean Plan effort. The Seacoast Science Center has participated in the Ocean Conservancy’s Ocean Fly-ins, visiting our NH delegation in Washington D.C. to keep them informed about the planning process.
Sent to President Obama, the letter applauds the administration’s continued support for regional ocean planning, and thanks the federal agencies, states, tribes and stakeholders for their teamwork in producing the nation’s first regional ocean plan. The letter also lists the benefits and impacts that will result from this plan, including:
- New, excellent data resulting from partnerships across sectors and industries.
- A newfound partnership between states, federal agencies, and tribes that will result in better information sharing and collaboration.
- A better understanding, through the best available science, of marine life and habitats in the region, ensuring improved decision-making for conservation and protection efforts.
While the Northeast Congressional delegation stated that they have long been supportive of the regional ocean planning process, one of the primary reasons is the process’s consistent inclusion of stakeholders across all sectors in the drafting of the plan, and ultimately in implementation. The delegation encouraged the Regional Planning Body to continue with this inclusive path, as the stakeholder voice will be essential in improving future iterations of the ocean plan.
The letter of support was spearheaded by Sen. Murphy (CT) and Rep. Langevin (RI). Signers represented the entire Northeast Congressional delegation from MA, CT, NH, ME, and RI:
U.S. Senator Christopher S. Murphy
U.S. Representative James R. Langevin
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal
U.S. Senator Jack Reed
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
U.S. Senator Susan M. Collins
U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr.
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren
U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey
U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen
U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte
U.S. Representative John B. Larson
U.S. Representative Joe Courtney
U.S. Representative Rosa L. DeLauro
U.S. Representative James A. Himes
U.S. Representative Elizabeth H. Esty
U.S. Representative David N. Cicilline
U.S. Representative Richard E. Neal
U.S. Representative James P. McGovern
U.S. Representative Niki Tsongas
U.S. Representative Joseph P. Kennedy, III
U.S. Representative Katherine M. Clark
U.S. Representative Seth Moulton
U.S. Representative Michael E. Capuano
U.S. Representative Stephen F. Lynch
U.S. Representative William R. Keating
U.S. Representative Frank C. Guinta
U.S. Representative Ann McLane Kuster
U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree
U.S. Representative Bruce Poliquin
