Does the US Have an Ocean Policy?
・ Us coastal and ocean policy is contained in a myriad of statutes that authorize scores of programs administered by numerous departments and agencies
・ Developed in response to problems as they arose over time
・ Traditionally Congress has developed coastal and ocean policy; past Presidents have paid little attention
・ Focus has changed from (1) establishing boundaries (1800 - 1960); (2) science and technology (196O - 1975); and (3) wise and multiple use, conservation, and protection of resources (1975 - 2000)
The U.S. Approach
・ Single-purpose laws that neglect multiple use conflicts and effects of cumulative impacts
・ Programs that implement the single-purpose laws are fragmented and lack coherence
・ Significant problems with inter-governmental relations among federal, state, and local governments
・ Conflicts among users, among agencies, and different levels of government over the use of ocean and coastal resources
