The American Littoral Society is dedicated to supporting policies that protect and conserve our ocean and coast, including advancing the first-ever U.S. regional ocean plans for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
|
Current State of U.S. Ocean Policy
The ocean delivers over half of the planet's breathable oxygen and is home to diverse and stunning marine ecosystems. Thriving coastal communities and a robust ocean economy directly depend on the health of these ocean and coastal resources. Yet, we have not always managed and protected the ocean to the level necessary to ensure that future generations reap the benefits of a healthy ocean. Additionally, the ocean is facing mounting pressures from climate change and ocean acidification, and governments are charged to do more with limited resources. With an ever-changing federal landscape, the American Littoral Society establishes a link between our members and the work of Congress and the Executive Branch through the Healthy Oceans Coalition (HOC). The HOC identifies easy, efficient, and useful ways for those working at the local, state, and regional level to translate their messages to federal natural resource agencies and other decision-makers. |
Issues
On June 19, 2018, President Trump repealed and replaced Executive Order 13547 -- Stewardship the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes, also known as the National Ocean Policy (NOP) with Executive Order 13840 -- Regarding the Ocean Policy to Advocate the Economic, Security, and Environmental Interests of the United States.
Our Position
This new “Trump Policy” reflects the administration's industry-centric focus on short-term economic gains and contains several new points, most notably trading the NOP’s stewardship ethic to protect, maintain, and restore the ocean, our coasts, and Great Lakes for more bureaucratic directive focused on promoting resource extraction and ramping up national security.
The American Littoral Society is dedicated to supporting policies that protect and conserve our ocean and coast, including advancing the first-ever U.S. regional ocean plans for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
The American Littoral Society is dedicated to supporting policies that protect and conserve our ocean and coast, including advancing the first-ever U.S. regional ocean plans for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
What You Can Do
We work to empower coastal regions to collaborate and take action on issues facing their ocean and coastal resources. By working together, federal agencies can work more closely, states and tribes can have stronger voices to the federal government and stakeholders can be considered at the beginning of decision-making. For an in-depth, comprehensive history of the National Ocean Policy, visit the HOC’s Ocean Policy webpage.
BLOG POSTS:
Protect Our Ocean and Coast from Big Oil
WHAT IS THE NATIONAL OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF OIL AND GAS LEASING PROGRAM AND HOW WILL IT AFFECT YOU?Looking for a quick way to engage? Sign our petition to Secretary Zinke opposing new offshore drilling along the U.S. coastline.
On January 4, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced a new proposal for the 2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program (National OCS Program), calling for the largest sell-off of offshore oil and gas in U.S. history. This post outlines the next steps in this proposal process, dives deeper into what is proposed, and analyzes the potential impacts on our ocean and coasts, as well as the coastal communities that rely on them for jobs and money. READ MORE |
NOW IS THE TIME TO PROTECT OUR OCEAN AND COASTS FROM BIG OILThere is little doubt that the love affair between people and the coast is undying. Generation after generation, residents and visitors alike, have come together and spent countless hours enjoying our nation’s beaches. Whether it is to fish, swim, or boat – citizens flock to the coast, visiting businesses and attractions along our shores. It’s an affection that comes easy to most, which makes it even more vital that we come together to fight to protect what we love: the ocean.
READ MORE |
TEN REASONS TO KICK BIG OIL TO THE CURBIn light of the Department of the Interior proposing the largest selloff of oil and gas leases in United States history, we offer 10 reasons that the U.S. should and could kick Big Oil to the curb. We welcome you to share this information with your family, friends, networks, and as an official comment to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
READ MORE |