Contact: Matt Stout FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(202) 482-6090 10/2/95
The Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will co-sponsor an environmental management and technology forum at a major international conference hosted by the United States next month on pollution control of the marine environment.
The Intergovernmental Conference on Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities sponsored by the United Nations Environment Program will be held in Washington, D.C., Oct. 23 - Nov. 3.
The aim of the conference is to develop a program of action to prevent, reduce and control land-based marine pollution. Land-based sources, including municipal, industrial and agricultural wastes and run-off, are the major cause of ocean pollution and loss of marine habitat. Among the contaminants involved are sewage and wastewater, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants, including a number of pesticides, nutrients and sediments.
Moreover, these sources affect the most productive areas of the coastal and marine environment - estuaries and near-shore coastal waters. Most of the world's population live within 35 miles (60 km) of a coast, and economic well-being of these populations depends directly upon the health and productivity of coastal systems.
The environmental management and technology forum co- sponsored by the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, is designed to illustrate innovative and cost-effective approaches to specific land-based problems as well as the importance of citizen and private-sector involvement in their solution. The forum will include education and environmental technology exhibits.
During the first week, the emphasis will be upon how to identify and make available knowledge and experience about "what works" in addressing the problems of land-based marine pollution. The program of action will:
a) identify practical approaches for addressing land-
based marine pollution that can be tailored to particular
economic and/or geographic circumstances;
b) identify means of mobilizing information, experience
and technical expertise; and
c) identify means of mobilizing resources and
technologies.The second week will include a two-day, high-level segment, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, with participation anticipated at the ministerial level at which the program of action will be adopted and political actions identified to mobilize support for its implementation.
Events open to the press include the opening plenary session of the Conference on Oct. 23, all plenary sessions, the Education Exhibit Oct. 25-26, and the Environmental Technology Exhibit Oct. 30-31.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: *Members of the press -- U.S. and
foreign -- wishing to attend the Oct. 23-Nov. 3
Intergovernmental Conference on Protection of the Marine
Environment from Land-Based Activities at the State
Department in Washington, D.C., must be accredited to attend any
event. Completed credential applications (attached) are due by
Friday, Oct. 13.
Credentials can be picked up in the U.S. Department of State,
at the 23rd Street entrance, beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Oct.
23.
To apply for press credentials, please contact: Lori B. Brutten U.S. Department of State Washington, D.C. 20520 Phone: 202/736-7374 Fax: 202/647-6876 For questions concerning issues being addressed at the Conference, please contact: R. Tucker Scully U.S. Department of State Washington, D.C. 20520 Phone: 202/647-3262 Fax: 202/647-1106
Additional information on the conference can be obtained from Mr.
Jim Sniffen, UNEP Information Officer, Room DC2-803, United
Nations, New York, New York 10017.
Telephone: 212/963-8094/8210 Fax: 212/963-7341