Massachusetts Ocean Plan
The Oceans Act required the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to develop a comprehensive ocean management plan, following a scientific and stakeholder process that led to a draft plan by summer of 2009, and the final promulgation of the plan by December 31, 2009.
Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan
This plan protects critical marine resources and foster sustainable uses in the state's ocean waters. The ocean management plan provides new protections for critical environmental resources in nearly two-thirds of the Commonwealth's coastal waters and sets standards for the development of community-scale and commercial-scale offshore wind energy as well as other infrastructure.
Massachusetts Ocean Plan Overview
The Oceans Act required the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs to develop a comprehensive ocean management plan, following a scientific and stakeholder process that led to a draft plan by summer of 2009, and the final promulgation of the plan by December 31, 2009.
Until recently, management of ocean resources has been piecemeal - not only in Massachusetts, but nationwide. The tide is turning, however, with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts announcing a first-in-the-nation effort to develop a comprehensive ocean management plan.Ocean Planning Technical Materials
As the ocean management plan development process continues, draft material and final products will be posted to this web-site.
Ocean Advisory Commission
A 17-member commission advised the Secretary as the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs in developing the ocean plan. The commission included State Legislators, agency heads, representatives from a commercial fishing organization and an environmental organization, an expert in the development of offshore renewable energy, and representatives from the coastal Regional Planning Agencies.
Ocean Science Advisory Council
The Secretary also received assistance from a council of nine scientists with expertise in marine sciences and data management.
Background on Oceans Planning
In 2003, the Massachusetts Ocean Management Task Force was launched to develop recommendations on a comprehensive approach to managing ocean resources. Released in 2004, these recommendations helped form the foundation for the Oceans Act of 2008, which was signed by Governor Deval Patrick on May 28.