Alan Lowenthal: “This amendment preserves the National Ocean Policy. The National Ocean Policy is a commonsense way to facilitate…”

“This amendment preserves the National Ocean Policy. The National Ocean Policy is a commonsense way to facilitate multistakeholder collaboration on complex ocean issues, and it promotes economic opportunity, national security, and environmental protection. I think we can all agree that we want thriving ocean and coastal ecosystems that promote the economic vitality of our communities. The National Ocean Policy is doing exactly that with the Northeastern region having completed its plan and the West Coast and other regions well on their way. Prohibiting the allocation of funds to this important program will stifle collaboration among stakeholders on complex issues relating to environmental protection, national security, economic opportunity, and ocean policy. I represent a coastal district in southern California, and I know firsthand that we can have a thriving ocean economy and at the same time protect and conserve our precious ocean resources. Off the coast of my district, there are marine-protected areas, State waters, Federal waters, and Department of Defense installations. We are a marine life hotspot. Some of the best blue whale watching happens just a few miles from our shore. We have a booming recreational fishing section. We have a large shellfish aquaculture ranch that is now operating. We have beautiful beaches. We also have oil and gas activity with some rigs right near our shore.…”