[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 242 (Friday, December 18, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 67178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30071]



[[Page 67178]]

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COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY


Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force--Interim Framework for 
Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning

AGENCY: Council on Environmental Quality.

ACTION: Notice of Availability, Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force's 
``Interim Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial 
Planning''.

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SUMMARY: On June 12, 2009, the President established an Interagency 
Ocean Policy Task Force, led by the Chair of the Council on 
Environmental Quality. The Task Force was charged with, within 180 
days, developing a recommended framework for effective coastal and 
marine spatial planning.
    On December 9, 2009, the Task Force submitted its Interim Framework 
for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (Interim Framework) 
to the President. To allow for additional public engagement and comment 
before the President makes any final decision on the Interim Framework, 
the Task Force endorsed issuing it for public review and comment.

DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before February 12, 2010.

ADDRESSES: The Task Force Interim Framework is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/oceans. Comments on the Task Force Interim Framework 
should be submitted electronically to http://www.whitehouse.gov/oceans 
or in writing to The Council on Environmental Quality, Attn: Michael 
Weiss, 722 Jackson Place, NW., Washington, DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Weiss, Deputy Associate 
Director for Ocean and Coastal Policy, at (202) 456-3892.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 12, 2009, President Obama issued a 
Memorandum to the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies that 
established an Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, led by the Chair of 
the Council on Environmental Quality. That Presidential memo charged 
the Task Force with, within 90 days, developing recommendations that 
include: (1) A national policy for the oceans, our coasts, and the 
Great Lakes; (2) a United States framework for policy coordination of 
efforts to improve stewardship of the oceans, our coasts, and the Great 
Lakes; and (3) an implementation strategy that identifies and 
prioritizes a set of objectives the United States should pursue to meet 
the objectives of a national policy. On September 17, 2009, the Task 
Force's Interim Report addressing these three items was issued for 30 
days public comment. Comments were requested to be submitted by October 
17, 2009.
    The Task Force was also charged with, within 180 days, developing a 
recommended framework for effective coastal and marine spatial 
planning. The memorandum provides that the framework should be ``a 
comprehensive, integrated, ecosystem-based approach that addresses 
conservation, economic activity, user conflict, and sustainable use of 
ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources consistent with international 
law, including customary international law as reflected in the 1982 
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.''
    In response to this direction, the Task Force has completed its 
Interim Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning 
(Interim Framework). The Interim Framework proposes a new, integrated 
approach to better determine how the ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes are 
sustainably used and protected now and for future generations. It 
offers a foundation for coastal and marine spatial planning in the 
United States, and describes a flexible path forward for the regional 
development and implementation of comprehensive and ecosystem-based 
coastal and marine spatial plans. The Interim Report is now available 
at the Council on Environmental Quality Web site at http://www.whitehouse.gov/oceans.
    Public comments are requested on or before February 12, 2010.

    Dated: December 14, 2009.
Nancy H. Sutley,
Chair, Council on Environmental Quality.
[FR Doc. E9-30071 Filed 12-17-09; 8:45 am]
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