Recent meetings on Mid-Atlantic regional ocean planning held in Norfolk, Virginia were marked by robust engagement amongst Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body (MidA RPB) members and stakeholders alike. The meetings focused on reviewing data products and advancing a set of interjurisdictional coordination (IJC) actions that will form the basis of a Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action Plan (OAP) to be completed in mid-2016.
On September 22, MARCO hosted a stakeholder workshop in Norfolk to provide an opportunity to engage stakeholders on data, information and draft IJC actions to support Mid-Atlantic regional ocean planning and inform the MidA RPB meeting that took place immediately afterwards on September 23-24. Participants of the workshop had the opportunity to:
- Learn about and provide input on MARCO draft data and information products (ecological data synthesis, human use data synthesis, and regional ocean assessment) to inform Mid-Atlantic regional ocean planning.
- Learn about and provide input on MidA RPB draft IJC actions to include in the OAP.
- Engage in thoughtful dialogue among stakeholders, MARCO and MidA RPB Members.
The workshop was well received and set a positive tone for productive cooperation leading into the MidA RPB meeting that followed. The objectives of the RPB meeting were to:
- Review draft data synthesis and information products and discuss public input gained during the September 22 MARCO public workshop.
- Determine how MidA RPB goals and objectives will be addressed through specific IJC actions, consider public input and identify next steps.
- Agree on components of the OAP as described in a draft outline.
- Receive public input on IJC topics under consideration by the MidA RPB.
The meeting resulted in agreement among the MidA RPB members to elaborate on each of the draft IJC actions for possible inclusion into the OAP. Specifically, by December 11, “champions” of individual actions will provide background information on the action, identify major milestones, determine engagement (stakeholder, scientific, etc.) required for that action, and provide details on the relevant existing statutory authorities.
These actions will be discussed in greater detail during a December 2015 public webinar with final decisions about whether to include them into the OAP slated for the next MidA RPB meeting tentatively scheduled for March 2016.
RPB co-leads welcome Pamunkey Indian Tribe as newest RPB member. From left to right: Gwynne Schultz (State Co-Lead) Senior Coastal and Ocean Policy Advisor, Department of Natural Resources, Maryland; Kelsey Leonard (Tribal Co-Lead) Shinnecock Indian Nation; Katie MacCormick, Pamunkey Indian Tribe; and Robert LaBelle (Federal Co-Lead), Senior Advisor to the Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), U.S. Department of the Interior.
During the Norfolk meeting, the MidA RPB welcomed its newest member – the Pamunkey Indian Tribe. In July, the Pamunkey became the 567th federally recognized tribe in the United States and the first tribe to be so recognized in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As a federally-recognized tribe since 2010, the Shinnecock Indian Nation has held a formal seat on the MidA RPB since its inception and serves as Tribal Co-Lead to the MidA RPB. The Pamunkey Indian Tribe joined the Shinnecock Indian Nation as the second formal tribal seat on the MidA RPB at the September 2015 Mid-A RPB meeting. The Pamunkey will be represented on the MidA RPB by Chief Robert Gray with Katie MacCormick serving as its alternate.
Matt Gove of the Surfrider Foundation was among those who provided public comment to the RPB in Norfolk.
Another noteworthy occurrence was detailed discussion on the long-term significance of the MidA RPB and how members would continue to communicate and coordinate on IJC actions beyond the 2016 OAP deadline. There was strong support among members and stakeholders to maintain the MidA RPB in some manner, although identification of a funding mechanism remains a concern.
Materials from both meetings can be reviewed at:
Materials
- Agenda for the September 22 Workshop
- RPB Materials for Review:
- Compiled Meeting Materials for September 23-24, 2015 MidA RPB Meeting
- MidA RPB Meeting Agenda
- MidA RPB Membership Roster
- Updated MidA RPB Timeline
- Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action Plan Draft Outline
- Scopes and Objectives for Information Synthesis to Support Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Planning
- Regional Ocean Assessment Draft Outline
- MidA RPB Draft Interjurisdictional Coordination Actions
The MidA RPB welcomes and encourages stakeholder input about regional ocean planning. Please provide input to the MidA RPB in writing anytime via email at: MidAtlanticRPB@boem.gov
Tribal Blessing
Kelsey Leonard of the Shinnecock Indian Nation opened the Norfolk MidA RPB meeting with a tribal blessing. View it here: