| Coastal A-Z [return to Table of Contents] Marine Spatial Planning   Introduction It’s getting crowded out there in the ocean. No, we’re not talking about the lineup at your local break. For centuries, the oceans have pretty much been regarded as the ultimate “wild west” where anything goes. But now we’re rapidly discovering that the ocean’s resources are not limitless, and that we can negatively affect conditions in the ocean and the viability of some “ocean uses” through the improper placement and implementation of other uses. There are several new proposed uses of the ocean (alternative energy projects, LNG facilities, aquaculture projects) that are in many cases competing for the same space or potentially impacting more traditional ocean activities, including commercial and recreational fishing, boating, shipping, recreation (swimming, surfing, diving, kayaking, etc.), and oil and gas exploration and production. And many uses are potentially in conflict with maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems, increasing the need to set aside networks of Marine Protected Areas. Marine Spatial Planning A logical response to these increasing demands on the ocean is to institute a planning process for the near-shore ocean (the state waters for each ocean coastal state) that is similar to land use planning that states, counties and cities engage in. A Marine Spatial Planning toolkit developed by the Ecosystem Based Management Tools Network summarizes the situation this way and offers a definition Marine Spatial Planning: The health of marine ecosystems is declining, and use conflicts in the marine environment are increasing, in part because of new needs for ocean space for emerging industries such as wind and wave energy and aquaculture. Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a process for analyzing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic, and social objectives. Well-conducted MSP can: Marine Spatial Planning can also be thought of as a means on implementing ecosystem-based management, which is: “…an integrated approach to management that considers the entire ecosystem, including humans. The goal of ecosystem-based management is to maintain an ecosystem in a healthy, productive, and resilient condition, so that it can provide the services humans want and need. Ecosystem-based management differs from current approaches that usually focus on a single species, sector, activity or concern; it considers the cumulative impacts of different sectors." Marine Spatial Planning is not just an issue along the coasts of the United States. The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the United Kingdom has developed this definition: “strategic, forward-looking planning for regulating, managing and protecting the marine environment, including through allocation of space, that addresses the multiple, cumulative, and potentially conflicting uses of the sea” In addition, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission has released a guide entitled Marine Spatial Planning: A Step-by-Step Approach toward Ecosystem-Based Management. The guide defines marine spatial planning, describes why it is needed, details its benefits and outputs, and illustrates how it relates to other marine management approaches. National efforts President Barack Obama issued a June 12, 2009 memo that called for the creation of a special Ocean Policy Task Force to develop a "framework for effective coastal and marine spatial planning." That framework should include an "ecosystem-based approach that addresses conservation, economic activity, user conflict and sustainable use," according to the memo. On July 31, 2009 Surfrider Foundation and two other organizations submitted a comment letter to Ms. Nancy Sutley, who is Chair of both the White House Council on Environmental Quality and the Interagency Task Force on Ocean Policy. That letter stated, in part: “The President’s Memorandum invites comments on the use of ecosystem-based management and Marine Spatial Planning in setting ocean policy. Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is an integrated approach to sustaining the health of our natural environment and the human uses that are dependent upon it. Unlike conventional management, EBM looks at the full spectrum of activities occurring (or proposed) within an area, and develops a comprehensive strategy for lasting stewardship. Marine Spatial Planning is an integrated approach to management of the ocean environment that uses EBM. State Programs Four states where Marine Spatial Planning is advancing are Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and Oregon. Massachusetts In Massachusetts, the Oceans Act of 2008 requires the state to develop a first-in-the-nation comprehensive plan to manage development in its state waters, balancing natural resource preservation with traditional and new uses, including renewable energy. The new Ocean Management Plan, which must be completed by December 31, 2009, is being developed by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs in consultation with a 17-member ocean advisory commission and an ocean science advisory council. A draft plan was released in June 2009. Following is an excerpt from the Executive Summary: “The ocean plan combines elements of both designated-area and performance standard-based management by establishing three categories of management area: Prohibited, Regional Energy, and Multi-Use. Under this approach, special, sensitive or unique natural resources and important existing water-dependent uses are provided enhanced protection in the siting, development, and operation of new uses, facilities, and activities. Renewable energy facilities are screened through strict compatibility criteria, and—for commercial-scale wind projects—facilities are allowed only in designated areas. The majority of state waters in the planning area remain open to uses, activities and facilities as allowed under the Ocean Sanctuaries Act, which preserves opportunity for new and emerging uses and flexibility for future changes based on new data and technologies and social values that will change over time.”Rhode Island Rhode Island is developing an Ocean Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) to define use zones for Rhode Island’s ocean waters through a research and planning process that integrates the best available science with open public input and involvement. These use zones are intended to protect or enhance current uses, including habitat and commercial and recreational uses, while providing for future uses, such as renewable energy development. Leading this project is the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), the state’s coastal management agency. Here is a map of the proposed SAMP boundaries. New York As part of the work of the New York Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Council, New York has initiated a spatial planning effort for marine and Great Lake waters. The effort will start by focusing on a region extending from New York Harbor out to the continental shelf, including the Hudson Canyon. Over the next two years, they will map existing natural resource and human uses, research the impacts of different human uses, develop criteria for siting activities, and identify areas to consider for offshore renewable energy and sensitive areas in need of protection or special management measures. Oregon In Oregon, on October 16, 2008, the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) directed the Department of Land Conservation and Development to initiate a Territorial Sea Plan administrative rulemaking project. The project is intended to develop mandatory policies that will apply to state and federal agency approvals for the location and operation of ocean-based energy power generation facilities in the Oregon Territorial Sea. On December 5, 2008, LCDC appointed an advisory committee to advise the department and the Commission. Based on input and recommendations from the committee, LCDC anticipates adopting new or amended administrative rules in December 2009. Oregon has a long history of ocean planning that resulted in a Territorial Sea Plan adopted in 1994. That document noted: “The Council was unable to address many ocean-resource management issues during preparation of the initial plan. Therefore, the Council will continue to refine and add to the Territorial Sea Plan through plan amendments and updates to address such issues as kelp-reef special-area management, mariculture, seabed leasing, marine water quality and sewerage outfalls, dredged material disposal, ocean structures, oil and gas exploration, marine minerals, and ocean hazards. The Council is charged by law with providing the Governor with policy advice on ocean matters including new ones that will undoubtedly emerge over time.” Other states where Marine Spatial Planning (sometimes also referred to as Ocean Management, Ocean Planning or Ocean Zoning) efforts have been initiated include Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington. In California, while there is no comprehensive Marine Spatial Planning effort underway, the California Ocean Resources Management Program includes the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative. Conclusion Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a necessary and important process being implemented at both the state and national levels to help ensure that we can continue to make use of the ocean’s resources and enjoy the ocean without degrading those resources. MSP provides Surfrider Foundation chapters an opportunity to secure protections for special places (priority ecological & recreational areas) through participation in regional stakeholder processes. Such a role is fully appropriate given the significant ecological and socio-economic benefits these places provide. Surfrider Foundation activists and all those concerned about continued protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches are encouraged to follow and participate in the Marine Spatial Planning process. Resources The Ecosystem Based Management Tools Network has developed a toolkit for Marine Spatial Planning. UNESCO Marine Spatial Planning Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan Rhode Island Ocean Special Area Management Plan New York Spatial Planning (click on Spatial Planning under “One Pagers.”) Oregon Territorial Sea Plan administrative rulemaking project |