DOI manages and conserves ocean and coastal lands and waters to protect native species and their habitats, provide recreational opportunities for the public, and ensure safe and responsible natural resource energy development. DOI scientists conduct extensive ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes research and mapping to predict, assess, and manage impacts on coastal and marine environments. In collaboration with our partners, DOI integrates effective multiple-use management from upland ecosystems to deep oceanic waters.

DOI-managed Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Responsibilities Include:

• 180 marine and coastal National Wildlife Refuges (managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service)
• 34 million acres in 74 marine and coastal National Parks (managed by the National Park Service)
• more than 35,000 miles of coastline
• 1.76 billion underwater acres of Outer Continental Shelf (managed by the Minerals Management Service)
• 1,100 miles of coastline of the California Coastal National Monument (managed by the Bureau of Land Management)
• Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument (co-managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA and the State of Hawaii)
• Marianas Trench Marine National Monument (managed US Fish and Wildlife Service)
• Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service)
• Rose Atoll Marine National Monument (managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service)

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DOI Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Activities Implementation Plan

DOI is working collaboratively among its bureaus in a concerted effort to develop policies and coordinate ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes efforts and activities. Through two Ocean and Coastal Retreats in 2006 and 2008, DOI and bureau executives clarified DOI's ocean and coastal responsibilities and developed a framework for addressing our collective priorities. The Implementation Plan describes goals, objectives, and action items that will guide DOI's efforts in moving ocean and coastal issues forward. The action items will be executed by bureaus and field-level offices.

Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Regional Alliances at DOI

States have increasingly joined together to address ocean and coastal issues on a regional basis. DOI co-chairs many of the Federal Interagency Working Groups that provide support to Regional Alliances,which address common concerns among the States, local, Tribal and our Federal partners. These partnerships also strengthen and enhance regional initiatives between the bureaus to better leverage and more effectively manage our resources in support of our ocean and coastal interests. DOI is the Federal lead representative on the Northeast Regional Council and co-lead for the Federal Working Group. DOI also co-leads Federal Working Groups supporting the Gulf of Mexico Alliance and the West Coast Governor's Agreement and is a member of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration and Chesapeake Bay Program. In Alaska, DOI participates actively in the North Slope Science Initiative, the Alaska Ocean Observing System, and the North Pacific Research Board.

For More Information Visit the Regional Alliances Webpages:

• Gulf of Mexico Alliance (DOI co-lead)
• Northeast Regional Ocean Council (DOI co-lead)
• West Coast Governor’s Agreement on Ocean Health
• Great Lakes Regional Collaboration
• Chesapeake Bay Coalition

NewsWave is a monthly newsletter, started in December 2006, that shares information on DOI ocean and coastal related activities, news, meetings and workshops, and accomplishments. To be put on the distribution list or to submit a story for the next newsletter contact Terry_Holman@ios.doi.gov.

Other Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Newsletters of Interest:

DOI Marine Debris Campaign

In 2008, DOI participated in conjunction with the Ad Council, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, NOAA, and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment in a campaign featuring Disney’s "The Little Mermaid". The purpose of the campaign was to raise awareness among children—and through them all Americans—about the health of the ocean. Visit www.keepoceansclean.org to view the public service announcements and to learn more about what you can do to help the ocean.

Additional Information on DOI Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Related Activities:

• DOI Ocean and Coastal FACT SHEET
• DOI Coral Reef Brochure

Related Links:

• DOI/NOAA National System of Marine Protected Areas
• Presidential Proclamations designating Marine Monuments in the Pacific

To Learn More About Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Activities at DOI Bureaus Visit the Links Below:

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) plays a key role in America's energy supply by managing renewable and mineral resources on the 1.76 billion acres of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), a significant source for the Nation's energy supply.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) manages the 550-unit National Wildlife Refuge System, 180 of which are found in marine, coastal, and Great Lakes environments, including Pelican Island (see right) in Florida, America's first National Wildlife Refuge designated by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1903.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) works closely with academic institutions, state, and other Federal agencies. USGS is spearheading an effort to better understand the processes that affect the health and sustainability of our Nation's coral reefs. To learn more about USGS coastal and science research, read their Sound Waves newsletter. At right: U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy during a USGS cruise to map the floor of the Arctic Ocean. (http://soundwaves.usgs.gov/2008/09/fieldwork2.html)
The National Park Service (NPS) manages 74 coastal Parks including the Point Reyes National Seashore in California (see right) where over 45% of North American avian species and nearly 18% of California's plant species are found due to the wide variety of habitats and uniqueness of the geology.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) works with a wide variety of partners to protect the California Coastal National Monument (see right), a unique collection of the public lands consisting of a network of more than 20,000 small islands, rocks, exposed reefs, and pinnacles that provide a haven for animals and plants along the 1,100 miles of the California coast.
The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) is working with the U.S.-affiliated insular areas to protect coral reefs.  Through the Micronesia Challenge, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Guam, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands committed to protect at least 30 percent of near-shore marine resources and 20 percent of terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020.

For More Information About Ocean, Coastal and Great Lakes Activities at the Department of the Interior Please Contact:

Terry Holman, DOI Ocean and Coastal Activities Coordinator
Mail Stop 5120
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20240
Telephone: 202-208-1944
Fax: 202-208-1067
E-mail: Terry_Holman@ios.doi.gov