EEA Holds Five Public Hearings on Draft Ocean Management Plan

Public input will inform nation-leading plan for long-term protection and sustainable use of coastal waters

WHAT:

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) will hold five public hearings in coastal communities to take public comment on the Draft Ocean Management Plan unveiled by the Patrick Administration on July 1. Following a public comment period that runs through November 23, EEA will put the finishing touches on its first-in-the-nation blueprint designed to guide planning in state waters (generally, within three miles of the coast). The draft plan, developed in accordance with the Oceans Act of 2008, provides additional protections for critical environmental resources in nearly two-thirds of the planning area, while identifying two areas adjacent to federal waters as suitable for commercial-scale wind energy development. The Oceans Act set a deadline of December 31, 2009 for promulgation of a final plan.

WHO:

EEA Assistant Secretary for Ocean and Coastal Zone Management Deerin Babb-Brott

Schedule of Draft Ocean Management Plan Public Hearings:

September 14	7PM	Exchange Conference Center Boston Fish Pier
September 15	7PM	New Bedford Public Library, Main Meeting Room 613 Pleasant Street, New Bedford
September 16	7PM	Tilden Arts Center Main Theater, Cape Cod Community College 2240 Iyannough Road, West Barnstable
September 17	7PM	Kyrouz Auditorium, Gloucester City Hall 9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester
September 23	6PM	Katharine Cornell Theater, 51 Spring Street, Tisbury (Vineyard Haven)