WASHINGTON, D.C., September 20, 2004 – Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) and Environment, Technology, and Standards Subcommittee Chairman Vernon J. Ehlers (R-MI) today praised the Final Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy as a valuable starting point for enhancing federal ocean policy.

The Chairmen noted that the Science Committee is already tackling a key recommendation in the report – the enactment of an organic act for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The Chairmen also praised the Final Report for clarifying recommendations relating to satellites, as requested at a May Science Committee hearing on the Commission’s Preliminary Report.

“I commend the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy for presenting to the Congress and the American people such a thorough and detailed analysis of the state of our nation’s ocean resources,” said Boehlert. “Chairman Ehlers recently introduced a NOAA organic act, which is a key recommendation in the Report, and we intend to mark it up in Subcommittee next week.”

“I am pleased with the final report from the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, especially because it includes Great Lakes issues,” said Ehlers. “The Commission has performed a great service to the Nation with its three years of intensive work, and did an admirable job synthesizing all the comments it received regarding the draft report. Now we in the Congress must carefully consider the recommendations as we develop an updated national ocean policy that will protect ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources for generations to come. In fact, I have already used the report in drafting my proposed NOAA organic act, which the Science Committee will consider next week.”

Passage of an organic statute for NOAA that would clarify and codify the agency’s roles and responsibilities is a key recommendation in the report and received the unanimous support of the witnesses at the May Science Committee hearing. Boehlert and Ehlers fully endorsed the recommendation and Ehlers introduced a NOAA organic act in June. At a July hearing on Ehlers’ bill, the Committee received input that has helped drive the crafting of the final legislation. Ehlers intends to markup his bill in Subcommittee before the end of September.

The hearing the Committee held in May was the first Congressional hearing on the Ocean Commission’s Preliminary Report. Admiral James Watkins, Chairman of the Commission, testified at the hearing along with outside ocean policy experts.

During that hearing, Chairmen Boehlert and Ehlers expressed concern about the recommendation in the Preliminary Report to shift research satellites from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) directly to NOAA. In the Final Report, the Commission clarified its intent with regard to satellite operations. Boehlert and Ehlers said the clarified recommendation will make it easier to evaluate the Commission’s views.

The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy was established by Congress under the Oceans Act of 2000. The Members of the Commission were appointed by the President.

The Final Report is available online at www.oceancommission.gov.

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