National Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning Workshop

On June 21-23, the National Ocean Council brought together over 500 Federal, State, Tribal, and local government representatives, indigenous community leaders, and stakeholders and members of the public from across the country – from Gulfport to Anchorage and from Pago Pago to Portland – to kickoff efforts for regional collaboration to advance the stewardship of our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes. Participants discussed how cooperative ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes planning can be used to grow or protect jobs, secure energy independence, enhance recreational activities, and maximize the uses of our Nation's working waters while ensuring their conservation.

The National Ocean Council has published a National CMSP Workshop Report Summary that can be accessed here. This detailed report summary captures the themes that emerged over the three-day workshop, includes responses to participant questions, and provides the CMSP Simulation Exercise materials and other associated speaker presentations. 

The National Ocean Council, working in close in coordination with its Governance Coordinating Committee, is now drafting regional planning body guidance (RPB) documents that will help stand up the RPBs and begin regional CMSP efforts. National Ocean Council Federal agency representatives throughout the regions are continuing to seek opportunities to engage and share information with the public, and work with their State, Tribal, and local partners as well as stakeholders and members of the public to create a flexible, bottom-up CMSP effort. 

The National Ocean Council will continue to apply and learn from the diversity of viewpoints, perspectives, and insights gained at the National Workshop. Stay tuned for future updates on regional CMSP workshop planning. 

Those wishing to view the different plenary sessions webcasted during the public session of the National Workshop should visit  http://www.livestream.com/interior.