Overview
The Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) is a state and federal partnership that provides a voluntary forum for the New England states, federal partners, Tribes, research institutions, industry, environmental groups, and other interested organizations to coordinate and collaborate on regional approaches to address ocean and coastal issues.
NROC was formed in 2005 by the Governors of the New England states — Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Recognizing the importance of the national role in these regional issues, NROC was expanded to include federal agencies as members of the Council. In addition to its members and many partners, NROC works with bordering states and countries as needed.
What We Do
NROC facilitates the development of coordinated and collaborative responses to coastal and ocean management issues that benefit from regional solutions. This results in more consistent regional assessments and information, effective use of resources, and catalyzes faster progress.
NROC was formed to augment the functions and activities of existing entities in the region and to build upon current state, multi-state, and federal governance and institutional mechanisms to improve management of ocean and coastal resources by:
- identifying regional, cross-jurisdictional ocean management issues;
- facilitating information exchange;
- seeking new, and encouraging existing, ocean and coastal initiatives and partnerships to address these issues and to identify potential funding mechanisms to advance progress; and
- fostering cooperation and collaborative solutions, including marine and ocean-related research, data development and management, technology advancement, education, exploration, and observation.
NROC’s efforts have been focused on three Priority areas since its inception. These Priority areas form the basis for NROC’s standing committees, which define and implement specific work plans.
How We Work
Regional Ocean Partnerships (ROPs), including NROC, were authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 to serve as “intergovernmental coordinators for shared regional priorities” and to “receive Federal funding to conduct scientific research, conservation, and restoration activities, and coordination on shared regional priorities.”
The Council outlines its issue areas, defines its priorities, and develops and implements work plans detailing specific strategies and activities to address those issues. Council meetings are open to all interested individuals and organizations. Meeting agendas specifically include opportunities for partners and audience members to provide updates and feedback.
NROC is led by state and federal co-chairs who serve on an 18-month rotation. The state co-chair rotates based on geography from north to south (i.e., Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut). The federal co-chair rotates by federal line departments (i.e., Department of Commerce, Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, etc.).
The majority of NROC’s work is done through its committees: Executive, Ocean and Coastal Ecosystem Health, Coastal Hazards Resilience, and Ocean Planning.
NROC’s Executive Committee handles administrative and operational matters between Council meetings, makes certain decisions while deferring others to the full Council, and develops recommendations on agendas, projects, and partnerships. The Executive Committee consists of six members—the current, immediate past, and future NROC state and federal co-chairs.
NROC has standing committees for each of its key issue areas: Ocean and Coastal Ecosystem Health, Coastal Hazards Resilience, and Ocean Planning. These committees are composed of members from NROC agencies as well as non-government, academic, and private-sector subject matter experts. The committees define and implement specific work plans for their issue area.
NROC benefits from, and values, having collaborative relationships with other regional organizations. NROC has Memoranda of Understanding with the Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal and Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS), the Northeast Sea Grant Consortium, the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment, and the Coastal States Stewardship Foundation.
NROC continues to be a leader in Regional Ocean Partnerships, demonstrating the benefits of how close coordination and collaboration among state and federal government agencies — working together with Tribes, research institutions, the private sector, and other interested organizations — can develop and implement regional approaches to many of our ocean management challenges.
Archive: NROC Meeting Materials