Goal Setting Guidance: Developing Draft Goals for New England Regional Ocean Planning Important Request: Identifying Draft Goals In preparation for the next Northeast Regional Planning Body (RPB) meeting on April 11-12, 2013, the Executive Secretariat is requesting that RPB members representing each governmental sector (i.e., state, federal, tribal) convene separately to develop sets of 2-3 draft regional ocean planning goals for each governmental sector. The three separate sets of goals will then be integrated into one set of Draft Regional Ocean Planning Goals by the Executive Secretariat, which will be provided to the RPB for consideration and discussed at the April RPB meeting. Consensus on a set of Draft Regional Ocean Planning Goals will be an important outcome of the April meeting and will guide next steps in the planning effort. The purpose of this request is to give the Regional Planning Body an opportunity to caucus as governmental sectors and articulate their top priorities that, when integrated, will reflect the direction the RPB wishes to take regional ocean planning in New England. Caucusing will be led by the co-lead from each sector. The Executive Secretariat asks the RPB to work within a common framework described below, to ensure that draft goals developed by each governmental sector are consistent in level of specificity, relevant to this initiative, take into account the capacity of the planning effort, and reflect each governmental sector s top priorities. The outcome of this exercise: A set of 2-3 draft goals from each governmental sector that can be integrated and presented for discussion at the April RPB meeting. This document outlines the following: Guidance on defining the geographic scope of the planning area Guidance on goal setting discussions Definition of Regional Ocean Planning Adapted From: Final Recommendations of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force (July, 19, 2010) A comprehensive, adaptive, integrated, ecosystem-based, and transparent spatial planning process, based on sound science, for analyzing current and anticipated uses of ocean and coasts. The process identifies areas most suitable for various types or classes of activities in order to reduce conflicts among uses, reduce environmental impacts, facilitate compatible uses, and preserve critical ecosystem services to meet economic, environmental, security, and social objectives. In practical terms, regional ocean planning provides a public policy process for society to better determine how the ocean and coasts are sustainably used and protected. 1
Integration of draft regional planning goals by the Executive Secretariat Incorporating public input into the process Proposed timeline for goal setting process Examples of regional planning goals and additional information from the National Ocean Council are also included as a reference in appendices. Guidance on Defining the Geographic Scope of the Planning Area To help focus this goal setting process, the Executive Secretariat offers the following guidance from the National Ocean Policy on the geographic scope of the planning area: Includes the territorial sea, the EEZ, and the Continental Shelf Extends landward to the mean high-water line Privately owned lands as defined by law would be excluded Includes inland bays and estuaries Additional inland areas may be included as RPB deems appropriate NOTE: While inland activities are considered beyond the geographic scope of the planning area, the National Ocean Policy offers the following, which the RPB may take into account during discussions about goal setting: Inland activities are necessary to account for interactions between upstream activities and ocean and coastal uses and ecosystem health. Activities occurring beyond the EEZ and continental shelf that may influence resources or activities within the planning area. Additional information from the Final Recommendations of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force is offered for reference in Appendix 2. Guidance for Goal Setting Discussions A key first step in regional ocean planning is to develop a set of Draft Regional Ocean Planning Goals that are high level in nature. The Executive Secretariat offers the following definition to guide the RPB s discussions: Regional ocean planning goals are important regional issues/drivers that can be addressed through ocean planning and for which specific objectives can be created. The Executive Secretariat asks the RPB to consider goal statements from the National Ocean Policy, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island (provided Appendix 1) as examples of the level of specificity and tone that the RPB might strive for in developing draft goals. 2
The RPB has significant flexibility to determine regional ocean planning goals. It may decide to use the overarching goals of the National Ocean Policy, which are meant to provide consistency across regions, as a foundation from which to develop regionspecific goals. The RPB is also asked to consider the state-specific goals developed by Massachusetts and Rhode Island for potential relevance to the regional scale planning effort. Finally, when considering potential draft goals, the RPB is asked to consider top regional priorities, key gaps in the current management system that can be addressed through regional ocean planning, and realistic capacities of the planning effort to address those priorities. Whether grounded in the National Ocean Policy or structured independently, a final set of goals should reflect the most pressing needs in our region that can be addressed through regional ocean planning. Once the RPB has reached consensus on an initial set of Draft Regional Ocean Planning Goals at the April meeting, sought and considered stakeholder input on those draft goals, and determined a final set of Regional Ocean Planning Goals, it can then begin to build more specific objectives, principles, and considerations around them. Below are definitions and examples of the four initial components: regional ocean planning goals, objectives, principles, and considerations. Regional Ocean Planning Goals: Important regional issues/drivers that can be addressed through ocean planning and for which specific objectives can be created. Please note: RPB members are asked to focus on developing draft goals at this point in time. Objectives: Measurable, specific, and time-bound outcomes that are directly related to regional planning goals. Objectives should be achievable within the capacity of the planning effort. Example: Regulatory agencies formally incorporate use of the Northeast Ocean Data Portal as a screening tool into their permitting process by 2015. Principles: Important actions or process requirements that are key to the success of ocean planning. Examples: Conduct business in a transparent and inclusive manner, honor existing activities, use best available science, ensure adaptive management. Considerations: Internal and external factors that influence the goals. Examples: Budgetary constraints and political turnover. During goal setting discussions, ideas about objectives, principles, and considerations may arise. While the Executive Secretariat is asking each governmental sector to focus on developing Draft Regional Ocean Planning Goals in this exercise, capturing ideas that fall into these other categories will be helpful to jumpstart future discussions and provide additional insight for goal discussions at the upcoming April meeting. 3
Integration of Draft Regional Ocean Planning Goals by the Executive Secretariat Following the development of 2-3 draft regional ocean planning goals by each governmental sector, the Executive Secretariat will integrate those draft goals into one cohesive list for consideration and discussion by the full RPB at their April meeting. During this integration process, the Executive Secretariat will work to ensure that the substance and intent of each governmental sector s set of draft goals is captured. An important objective for the April meeting will be to seek consensus on a set of Draft Regional Ocean Planning Goals. The RPB will seek public input at the meeting and afterwards to further inform and refine the draft goals. Incorporating Public Input into the Process Stakeholders attending the April RPB meeting will be invited to provide input during a public comment session. Recognizing that this public comment session will be limited in time and audience, the Executive Secretariat will work with Meridian and NROC to develop public forums in each New England state in May and June for providing additional input on draft goals. Stakeholder input will be carefully considered in the development of a final set of regional ocean planning goals. Proposed Timeline for Goal Setting Process (through June 2013) February: RPB co-leads conduct goal setting sessions independently with each of their government sectors. March: April: May/June: Results are integrated by the Executive Secretariat for distribution in April meeting materials. At meeting: 1) RPB discussion of draft goals and 2) general consensus of top priorities. Public forums for additional feedback on draft goals. Consideration of public input to refine draft goals through summer of 2013. 4
APPENDIX 1: Goal statements from the National Ocean Policy, Massachusetts Ocean Plan, and Rhode Island SAMP SOURCE GOALS National Ocean Policy Massachusetts Ocean Plan Rhode Island Ocean SAMP 1. Support sustainable, safe, secure, efficient, and productive uses of the ocean and coasts, including those that contribute to the economy, commerce, recreation, conservation, homeland and national security, human health, safety, and welfare; 2. Protect, maintain, and restore the Nation s ocean and coastal resources and ensure resilient ecosystems and their ability to provide sustained delivery of ecosystem services; 3. Provide for and maintain public access to the ocean and coasts; 4. Promote compatibility among uses and reduce user conflicts and environmental impacts; 5. Improve the rigor, coherence, efficiency, and consistency of decision-making and regulatory process; 6. Increase certainty and predictability in planning for and implementing new investments for ocean and coastal uses; and 7. Enhance interagency, intergovernmental, and international communication and collaboration. 1. Balance and protect the natural, social, cultural, historic, and economic interests of the marine ecosystem through integrated management. 2. Recognize and protect biodiversity, ecosystem health, and the interdependence of ecosystems. 3. Support wise use of marine resources, including renewable energy, sustainable uses, and infrastructure. 4. Incorporate new knowledge as the basis for management that adapts over time to address changing social, technological, and environmental conditions. 1. Foster a properly functioning ecosystem that is both ecologically sound and economically beneficial. 2. Promote and enhance existing uses. 3. Encourage marine-based economic development that meets the aspirations of local communities and is consistent with the state s overall economic development needs and goals, including offshore renewable energy infrastructure. 4. Build a framework for coordinated decision-making between state and federal management agencies. 5
APPENDIX 2: Reference information related to the National Ocean Policy The National Ocean Policy is intended to strength ocean governance and coordination. It establishes guiding principles for ocean management and adopts a flexible framework for effective coastal and marine spatial planning to address conservation, economic activity, user conflict, and sustainable use of the ocean, our coasts and our Great Lakes. Excerpts from Final Recommendations of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force (July, 19, 2010) National Goals for Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning For CMSP to be successful, it must be based on clear, broad-based goals that define the desired outcomes to be achieved. CMSP in the U.S. would be developed and implemented to further the following goals: 1. Support sustainable, safe, secure, efficient, and productive uses of the ocean, our coasts and the Great Lakes, including those that contribute to the economy, commerce, recreation, conservation, homeland and national security, human health, safety, and welfare; 2. Protect, maintain, and restore the Nation s ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and ensure resilient ecosystems and their ability to provide sustained delivery of ecosystem services; 3. Provide for and maintain public access to the ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes; 4. Promote compatibility among uses and reduce user conflicts and environmental impacts; 5. Improve the rigor, coherence, efficiency, and consistency of decision-making and regulatory process; 6. Increase certainty and predictability in planning for and implementing new investments for ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes uses; and 7. Enhance interagency, intergovernmental, and international communication and collaboration. National Guiding Principles for Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning Use ecosystem-based management approach that addresses cumulative effects to ensure the protection, integrity, maintenance, resilience, and restoration of ocean and coastal ecosystems, while promoting multiple sustained uses. Multiple existing uses and emerging uses would be managed in a manner that reduces conflict, enhances compatibility among uses and with sustained 6
ecosystem functions and services, provides public access, and increases certainty and predictability for economic investments. Ocean planning development and implementation would ensure frequent and transparent broad-based, inclusive engagement of partners, the public and stakeholders, including with those most impacted (or potentially impacted) by planning process and with underserved communities. Take into account and build upon the existing marine spatial planning efforts at a regional, State, tribal and local level. Coastal Marine Spatial Plans and the standards and methods used to evaluate marine alternatives, tradeoffs, cumulative effects, and sustainable uses in the planning process would be based on clearly stated objectives. Development, implementation and evaluation of CMS Plans would be informed by sound science and best available information, including the natural and social sciences, and relevant local and traditional knowledge. CMSP would be guided by the precautionary approach as reflected in Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration, Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation. CMSP would be adaptive and flexible to accommodate changing environmental conditions and impacts, including those associated with global climate change, sea level rise, and ocean acidification; and new and emerging uses, advances in science and technology, and policy changes. CMSP objectives and progress towards those objectives would be evaluated in a regular and systematic manner, with public input, and adapted to ensure that the desired environmental, economic, and societal outcomes are achieved. The development of CMS Plans would be coordinated and compatible with homeland and national security interests, energy needs, foreign policy interests, emergency response and preparedness plans and frameworks, and other national strategies, including the flexibility to meet current and future needs. CMSP Plans would be implemented in accordance with customary international law, including as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention, and with treaties and other international agreements to which the U.S. is a party. CMSP Plans would be implemented in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, and Executive Orders. 7