[Fwd: Gulf of Maine Council and Potential of Maine Intemational Ocean Wilderness"] Subject: [Fwd: Gulf of Maine Council and Potential "Gulf of Maine International Ocean Wilderness"] Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2000 18:07:34 -0500 From: Bill O'Beirne Organization: OCRM To: "Peter. Colosi" Kathryn Ries FYI - MPA Issues in the Gulf -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Gulf of Maine Council and Potential "Gulf of Maine International Ocean Wilderness" Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 15:52:06 -0500 From: "Joseph Uravitch" Organization: OCRM To: Margaret Davidson CC: Brenda Jans ,Bill O'Beirne ,John King The letter of July 27, 2000 from the consortium of NGOs to President Clinton called for the establishment of a "trans-boundary marine protected area, The Gulf of Maine International Ocean Wilderness. The letter noted that there are no areas in the Gulf of Maine protected explicity for the conservation of biodiversity." The area they proposed would start 12 miles off shore and to the end of the EEZ of 200 miles." MPAs in the Region Now Based on a quick review of the draft MPA Inventory there are over 50 smaller federal and state MPA sites in the US portion of the region within 12 miles [such as state parks, preserves, estuarine reserves, national parks and refuges] and federal sites [Stellwagen Bank NMS and fishery management zones] beyond 12 miles. Response to the Letter to President Clinton (action on the letter delegated to NOS) A response was sent by you to Phil Kline of the American Oceans Campaign on November 3, 2000, noting NOAA involvement in the executive order, and the establishment of the MPA Center and FACA that would help develop the national system likely to include MPAs in the Gulf of Maine This letter followed a meeting of federal agencies at CEQ where the advocates "were strongly encouraged to discuss the proposal with regional constitutents, such as local fishing communities, industry and congressional delegations to ascertain their level of interest and support." Gulf of Maine Council (Governors or their representatives from 1\1E, NH, MA, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia) and ;\1PAs: The states and provinces are interested in pursuing MPAs regionally (bi-nationally) through the auspices of the Council. • June 13- 14, 2000: I discussed MPAs with the Gulf of Maine Council Working Group (senior staff level representatives with federal participation too) as a follow-up to the President's May MPA Executive Order. • July 18-20, 2000: The Working Group recommended at this meeting of the Council that MPAs be included as a major task in the FY2001 update to the Council's 5 Year Strategic Plan. • October 2000: I consulted with U.S. state working group members (Dave Keely, ME; David Hartman, NH) concerning their view of the Gulf of Maine Internatinal Ocean Wilderness proposal. Their view was that any immediate unilateral U.S. federal designation such as this would result in a serious constituent problem for the states in the region and would cause problems trying to enhance MPAs in the region in the future. Hence, the letter's recommendation to the NGOs to consult with regional constituents and resource users. • December I 1-13, 2000: The Working Group is meeting this week in Portland, ME, and making final decisions on their 5 year strategic plan, for presentation to the Council. MPAs remains anew priority for them. However, they still view unilateral federal action as a problem, not a solution. Bill O'Beirne will be back from the Working Group meeting toward the end of the week and we can provide you with an update. I of 2 2/112001 12:00 P` Joseph Uravitch AICP marine Protected Areas manager, National Ocean Service NOAA (301) 713-3155 X 195 joseph.uravitch@noaa.gov Program Information http://www.mpa.gov