Public Act A Long Island Sound Blue Plan and Resource and Use Inventory

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1 The BLUE PLAN Public Act A Long Island Sound Blue Plan and Resource and Use Inventory

2 The Blue Plan is a process and plan for effective stewardship & use of Long Island Sound Its: - about the space of LIS - what things happen where -about the water, not shoreline -guides existing regulations, is not zoning or new regulations

3 Multiple Purposes: Protect traditional uses (fishing & boating) Protect ecosystem health (critical habitats) Foster sustainable uses (seaweed farming) Reduce potential user conflicts Peter Auster

4 The Blue Plan is marine spatial planning: Starts w/ Information:

5 Considers how to protect uses & resources and avoid conflicts Considers policy measures to achieve those goals:

6 Massachusetts Ocean Planning example:

7 Involves the Public and Stakeholders in the process

8 Why do we need MSP for the Sound? Multiple uses and increasing demands pose conflicts

9 - Insufficient mechanisms for managing use of the Sound as a whole - Individual applications and proposals set the future course - Mass. & RI marine spatial plans demonstrate the benefits

10 The Blue Plan specifically... Overall Lead : CT DEEP, Commissioner Resource & Use Inventory Convener : UConn/subcommittee UConn

11 Official Advisory Committee: (16) - Dept of DEEP, Transportation, Agriculture, OPM - Uconn Marine Sciences - CT Siting Council - Marine Trades industry - Conservation Organizations (2) - Gas & Electric industry - Commercial Finfish industry - Recreational fishing & hunting - Shellfish industry - Coastal Municipalities (2) - Commercial boating/shipping industries -Stakeholders officially in -Key: who is selected Chris LeClaire

12 Officially Recognized Entities: Coordination, plan development, decision-making: -State of New York -NY Advisory Counterparts -Long Island Sound Study -NE Regional Planning Body -Bi-State Working Group

13 A word about... The Bi-State Working Group -Unofficial body of govmt agencies, NGO s, users, Seagrants, ocean planners -Working 3 years to foster communication & generate information for MSP -Will contribute to Blue Plan process

14 Boundaries: Planning: MHWL Policies: Seaward of 10 depth contour; downstream of bridges Timeline: Starts July 1, Draft completed: March 1, 2019

15 BLUE PLAN: Shall be considered in permit decisions... - DEEP permits (e.g. structures, dredging, fill, water discharges) - CT Siting Council - Aquaculture operations - Seaweed cultivation

16 BLUE PLAN: -Shall identify locations, performance standards & siting measures for activities, uses & facilities regulated under existing state programs

17 Bi-State Approach... State of New York: Blue Plan process shall: 1. reflect the importance of planning for Long Island Sound as an estuary that crosses state boundaries 2. be coordinated, developed and implemented, to the maximum extent feasible, with the state of New York

18 3. consult with the applicable New York state agencies, advisory counterparts... to devise a mutually agreeable process for developing the... Long Island Sound Blue Plan.

19 Stakeholders & Public: Blue Plan Shall: be developed through a transparent and inclusive process that seeks widespread participation of the public and stakeholders and encourages public participation in decision making; Blue Plan recognizes Stakeholders thru Advisory Committee plus: - DECD - Telecommunications Industry - Waterfront businesses - Both Fed-recog Indian Tribes - Tourism & recreation industry Bill Gucta

20 Stakeholders & Public: Blue Plan: may provide for other public outreach and input measures, as appropriate, to assure sufficient stakeholder engagement and representation.

21 Public: - minimum 3 public hearings - public outreach & information program - 1 public hearing/yr following adoption

22 Adoption & Updates: - Plan approved by General Assembly - DEEP updates every 5 years min. - Advisory Committee meets quarterly for assessment & revision Kevin Lawyer

23 Go Blue Plan!

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26 Another example: Islander East Gas Pipeline proposal: Gas pipeline CT to NY; 1 mile x 40 trench through shellfish beds

27 Other reasons... Mass. & RI marine spatial plans have been beneficial Without a spatial plan, the Sound may be target Opportunity for NY and CT cooperation

28 Blue Plan shall... - inventory ecologically significant areas & multiple uses - develop plan including maps, illustrations, media - protect traditional water dependent uses - promote public access/recreationl & commercial boating/fishing - avoid potential use conflicts - recognize/protect ecosystem/habitats, scenic resources - adapt to climate change - foster sustainable, compatible uses

29 One take on a Bi-State Outcome... - Each state adopts and implements a separate plan through their own legal processes, but the plan is developed& coordinated together as a bi-state plan and in practical terms is the same plan. - Once adopted, a formal bi-state understanding clarifies how the states will cooperate on implementation.

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