Ocean Planning

The Ocean Planning Committee is one of three NROC Standing Committees. This committee was established to inform and recommend to the Council how best to approach regional issues and coordinate activities related to ocean planning in New England. Please see the NE Ocean Planning Website for more information about the history of ocean planning, the Northeast Ocean Plan, and recent events. Download the committee’s 2022-2023 Work Plan.

The Ocean Planning Committee will include voluntary participation from state and federal agencies, federally recognized tribes, and the New England Fishery Management Council. Ocean Planning Committee membership is currently being updated.

Ted Diers, New Hampshire (State Co-chair)

Lou Chiarella, NOAA (Federal Co-chair)

Kathleen Leyden, Maine

Steve Couture, New Hampshire

Chris Williams, New Hampshire

Lisa Engler, Massachusetts

Jeff Willis, Rhode Island

Brian Thompson, Connecticut

David Blatt, Connecticut

Regina Lyons, EPA

Betsy Nicholson, NOAA

Michele DesAutels, USCG

Leann Bullin, BOEM

Wright Frank, BOEM

Peter Murdoch, USGS

Jeffrey Flumignan, DOT

Joe Atangan, Navy

Heather Hopkins, Navy

Larry Oliver, USACE

Kevin Kotelly, USACE

Tom Nies, NEFMC

Chris Kellogg, NEFMC

Marissa Turnbull, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation

Michael Kickingbear Johnson, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation

Carrie Schmaus, DOE

Simon Gore, DOE