SECRETARY EVANS STATEMENT ON U.S. COMMISSION ON OCEAN POLICY
Ocean Commission releases preliminary report for Governor’s review

April 20 - “I want to thank the United States Commission on Ocean Policy for their Preliminary Report with recommendations on management of our coasts and oceans. I look forward to the Governor’s comments over the next month, as states are critical partners in managing our Nation’s oceans and coasts. Coastal areas support 28 million jobs, generate over $54 billion in goods and services, and are a tourist destination for 180 million Americans each year. They are also home to more than half our population. The release of this report presents an historic opportunity to develop a coordinated 21st century vision on how to better understand and manage the oceans and coasts as stewards for the American people. The last ocean commission of this stature 30 years ago created the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, our premier ocean agency. In the coming months, we will work closely with the Council on Environmental Quality and with our sister agencies to develop a collaborative Administration response to the final recommendations.”