New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Department of State (DOS) recently released for public comment a draft comprehensive ten-year New York Ocean Action Plan (OAP) which seeks to promote the restoration, conservation, resiliency and sustainable use of the state’s ocean ecosystem.
The OAP is focused on improving the health of New York’s offshore ocean ecosystems and their capacity to provide sustainable benefits to New Yorkers. Together, scientists, resource managers, and a wide range of stakeholders will take stock of New York’s ocean-related activities and programs.
An eelpout burrows into the soft sediment on the seafloor of Ryan Canyon, located offshore of Long Island. Image courtesy of NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, Our Deepwater Backyard: Exploring Atlantic Canyons and Seamounts 2014.
The geographic area addressed by the OAP encompasses the state’s ocean waters stretching from New York City to the end of Long Island, including ecological connections to offshore federal waters out to the edge of the continental shelf. Additionally, given the interconnectedness of ocean waters with nearshore waters, the ecological relationship with several estuaries and their habitats will also be examined.
New York DOS collaborated with DEC and many federal, state, and non-governmental partners to assemble an Offshore Atlantic Ocean Study in July 2013 highlighting known or predicted locations
New York’s ocean waters are increasingly busy places. The Ocean Action plan aims to promote economic growth, coastal development and human use of the ocean in a manner that is sustainable and consistent with maintaining ecosystem integrity. Photo by Matt Fracassini, Creative Commons.
of certain ocean uses and resources that helped to inform the development of New York’s OAP.
DEC and DOS developed the draft OAP with input from multiple federal, state and local agencies, and stakeholders It builds on DEC’s environmental conservation expertise and DOS’ ocean and coastal planning expertise.
Successful implementation of the draft OAP will rely on strong leadership and firm commitments by existing state and federal programs, and non-governmental partnerships.
New York’s OAP outlines the four interconnected goals that reflect New York’s priorities for immediate action:
- Ensure the ecological integrity of the ocean ecosystem;
- Promote economic growth, coastal development and human use of the ocean in a manner that is sustainable and consistent with maintaining ecosystem integrity;
- Increase resilience of ocean resources to impacts associated with climate change;
- Empower the public to actively participate in decision-making and ocean stewardship.
Following the close of the public comment period on March 9, 2015, DEC and DOS staff will prepare a public document that summarizes and responds to comments received. Once revisions are completed, the final OAP will be submitted to DEC and DOS Executive Staff for review prior to release to the public.
Written comments regarding the draft OAP will be accepted until March 9, 2015. Comments, with “Ocean Action Plan” in the subject line may be submitted to Debra Abercrombie, NYSDEC Bureau of Marine Resources, 205 N. Belle Mead Rd., Suite 1, East Setauket, NY 11733 or emailed to debra.abercrombie@dec.ny.gov.
The draft OAP is available on DEC’s website or by writing to the address above or calling 631-444-0430.
In addition, comments may be submitted in writing or made verbally at the following upcoming public meetings:
- February 10, 2015 10 a.m.-noon at the Meadows Edge Restaurant, Suffolk County Parks Office, West Sayville (PAST);
- February 10, 2015 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at Riverhead Town Hall, Riverhead (PAST);
- February 24, 2015 7 p.m.-9 p.m. at Operation Splash, Freeport;
- February 26, 2015 2 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Long Beach Public Library, Long Beach; and
- Location in New York City to be announced.
More information about the Offshore Atlantic Ocean Study is available on the New York DOS website.