NROC Priority

Ocean Planning

Coordinating regional planning for ocean industry, conservation, and recreation

Goal

Develop data and information, best practices, and opportunities to inform and coordinate ocean industry and government planning, management, and regulatory activities.

Overview

There is a regionally distinct and increasing need to coordinate and collaborate on regional approaches to support the balanced use of the economy and the environment of the Northeast region’s ocean and coastal resources via data and information, multi-jurisdictional coordination, and effective ocean user engagement.

The Ocean Planning Committee supports these regionally distinct needs working to balance the development of new and emerging ocean uses with the protection of existing maritime uses and critical habitats, species, and resources. The Committee facilitates regional coordination, ocean user engagement, and information sharing for regulatory and management decisions, including those related to submarine cables, disposal sites, aquaculture, marine transportation, and habitat.

NROC also maintains the Northeast Ocean Data Portal, a key source of over 6,000 spatial data layers that are ocean user-informed and expert-reviewed data products for coastal and ocean management and planning decisions.

Projects

Committee

Participating organizations include:

  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Co-chair)
  • New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (Co-chair)
  • Maine Governors Energy Office
  • Maine Division of Marine Resources
  • Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
  • New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
  • Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council
  • Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
  • Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
  • New York Department of State
  • Department of Interior – Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, U.S. Geologic Survey
  • Department of Homeland Security – Coast Guard
  • Department of Defense – Army Corps of Engineers, Navy
  • Department of Energy
  • Department of Transportation – Maritime Administration
  • New England Fishery Management Council
  • Tribal Nations
  • Committee on Marine Transportation System

Download Work Plan 2024-2028 (PDF)

Contact

For more information about the NROC Ocean Planning Committee and its activities, contact Amy Trice, NROC, atrice@northeastoceancouncil.org.

Archive: Ocean Planning

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