Congressmen Praise Ocean Panel Report, Pronounce It DOA [View All]

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WASHINGTON, DC, April 23, 2004 (ENS) - At two Senate hearings Thursday, federal lawmakers praised the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy for its work but raised doubts about the political feasibility of implementing its recommendations. Lawmakers appeared skeptical of the plan to create a National Oceans Council and even less certain there will be support for setting aside a dedicated Oceans Trust Fund. The 514 page report, released Tuesday, lays out some 200 recommendations for how the U.S. government should revamp and strengthen its commitment and framework for managing the oceans.

It offers a "practical blueprint for ocean policy in the 21st century," retired Admiral James Watkins, chair of the commission, told the Senate Commerce and Appropriations Committees. "It lays out a logical sequence of actions that can begin immediately." "The current management regime is outdated and inconsistent with an ecosystem based management," Watkins said. "There is a lack of coordination, goals and funding at all levels."

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"You have a heck of a good report," Senator Ernest Hollings told the commission members. "But if that is not a nonstarter, then I have never seen one." The South Carolina Democrat said "you will have all the cabinet members in there with their interests ... and they will fuss." "That oceans policy council to me takes away from what we got right now," said Hollings, who expressed concern the report does not focus enough on the need for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to serve as the leading federal ocean agency.

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But his House colleague, Michigan Republican Vernon Ehlers, was more cautious in his outlook. He said the report's call for "an organic act of NOAA," which would redefine and strengthen its focus on oceans policies, is critical. "We want to pass a bill into law this year," Ehlers told the Senate panel, "but this will not be easy." Ehlers said the report does not "clearly specify priorities for funding. It will be extremely difficult to find $4 billion in new money for the oceans," he said. "I agree there are enough problems and issues that it requires this much new funding, but I want to make sure Congress is not hit with sticker shock."

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So, less than one's months Iraqnam costs to at least TRY and come up with systems to protect our oceans is just WAY too much for this Congress to try and get a grip on. God help us all.

http://forests.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=31076