Alan Lowenthal: “I, along with Representatives Cicilline, Farr, Langevin, Keating, Beyer, and Peters have introduced an amendment to…”

“I, along with Representatives Cicilline, Farr, Langevin, Keating, Beyer, and Peters have introduced an amendment to clarify that the National Ocean Policy is a critical multiagency action that should be implemented. Mr. Chair, my district is a poster child for the need for ocean coordination and information sharing between local, State, and Federal Governments, and the military, ports, shippers, energy developers, recreational users, and other stakeholders. I know firsthand that we can have a thriving ocean economy and at the same time protect and conserve our precious ocean resources. For example, the Port of Long Beach is the second busiest port in the United States in my district, moving $140 billion in goods, supporting 1.4 million jobs in the United States. Offshore oil platforms extract crude oil in San Pedro Bay less than a mile from my front door. San Clemente Island in my district has a Navy training ground and a ship-to-shore firing range. Nearby waters are home to seabirds, fisheries, and migrating whales. Sea level rise and extreme weather threaten neighborhoods and businesses all along my district and the entire coast of California. With so much activity happening, it simply makes sense to have the Navy at the table when NOAA is working on siting of a new aquaculture installation.…”