Federal Activities
The United States has more ocean under its control than any other country on earth. However, unlike some aspects under U.S. governmental control, our vast miles of oceans, inlets and estuaries do not fall under any one authority. Instead, a number of assorted agencies and congressional committees each have their own role in ocean jurisdiction. In order to understand how American marine policy and management works, it is critical to know these different ocean authorities and to comprehend how they interact with each other.
POLICY DOCUMENTS
U.S. Ocean Policy Report Card 2012
- An assessment of the nation’s progress toward implementing the National Ocean Policy.
U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Department of the Interior, June 2011
- Report on the need for responsible, comprehensive energy exploration and development in Alaska
National Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning Workshop
- Summary Report, June 21–23, 2011
NOAA Scientific Integrity Procedural Handbook
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2011
- NOAA’s Administrative Order
Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes
White House, 2010
- Presidential Executive Order 13547
Final Recommendations of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force
- July 19, 2010
The White House, 2009
- Memorandum for the heads of executive departments and agencies
Changing Oceans, Changing World
Joint Ocean Commission Initiative, 2009
- Ocean priorities for the Obama Administration and Congress
NOAA Administrative Order Series
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2009
- NOAA’s Administrative Order
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2009
- Education Strategic Plan 2009-2029
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2009
- The Essential Principles of Climate Sciences
The National Academies, 2009
- Highlights of National Academies’ Reports on Ocean Exploration
Regional and State Ocean Activities
Joint Ocean Commission Initiative, 2008
- Summary of Regional and State Ocean Activities
Joint Ocean Commission Initiative, 2008
- Guiding Principles for Ocean Management
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2008
- National Environmental Literacy Assessment Project
Educational Partnership Program 2001-2007
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2008
- Report demonstrating NOAA’s commitment to education through partnerships
Governmental Accountability Office, 2008
- Testimony before the House Committee on Science and Technology, Energy & Environment Subcommittee on Polar-orbiting Satellite Acquisition and Climate Change
Toward and Ocean Literate Society
Interagency Working Group
- Implementation Plan of the Interagency Working Group of Ocean Education, FY 2007-2008
Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources, 2006
- Implementing the Work Priorities of the Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources
An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century
US Commission on Ocean Policy, 2004
- Executive Summary of the Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century
Executive Order 13366-Committee on Ocean Policy
National Archives and Records Administration, 2004
- Federal Register, Part V, The President: Committee on Ocean Policy
Enacted by the 106th Congress, 2000
- Establishes a Commission on Ocean Policy
Regional and State Ocean Leadership
Joint Ocean Commission Initiative
- Overview of regional and state ocean leadership
Joint Ocean Commission Initiative
- Overview of the Law of the Sea Convention
