June 5, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rep. Deborah Boone, (503) 717-9182 or (503) 717- 2931

Rep. Deborah Boone Launches Initiative to Improve Coastal and Ocean Resources and the Communities that Depend Upon Them

CANNON BEACH–The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative (JOCI) is undertaking an initiative to improve local and state government efforts at protecting ocean and coastal areas at the urging of  Oregon State Rep. Deborah Boone (D-Cannon Beach).

Rep. Boone recently requested a report from the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative, co-chaired by Admiral James D. Watkins, U.S. Navy (Ret.) and former Congressman Leon E. Panetta. The Commission will provide input and recommendations how local and state governments can implement ecosystem-based management, improve regional ocean governance, and incorporate sound science in ocean policy decision making in California, Oregon and Washington.  

“We are a multi-state bi-partisan group that is committed to protecting our coastal communities’ economies and culture by ensuring that policies, from the local to federal level, respect the needs and desires of our constituents regarding their livelihoods.  We are joined by representatives of the fishing industry and the environmental community in this effort to have a healthy ocean that provides a premium food product to the world, as well as a beautiful place to live and visit,” said Rep. Boone.

“Protecting our oceans and coasts starts at the local level,” said Leon Panetta, Co-Chair of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative. “It’s terrific to see so much interest in finding solutions to problems facing our oceans and coasts. The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative looks forward to providing input that will lead to meaningful ocean policy reform at the state and local level.”

Local officials from around the region joined Rep. Boone to launch this important initiative to protect and preserve the health of our oceans and coasts. Other leaders who requested input in the letter to the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative include:

James Auborn, Mayor, Port Orford, Oregon

Janet Beautz, Supervisor, Santa Cruz County, California

Sam Blakeslee, Assembly Member, California State

Deborah Boone, Representative, Oregon State

Al Carter, Commissioner, Grays Harbor County, Washington

Nancy Gardner, Council Member, New Port Beach, California

Bill Hall, Commissioner, Lincoln County, Oregon

Ken Jacobson, Senator, Washington State

Don Munks, Commissioner, Skagit County, Washington

Pedro Nava, Assembly Member, California State

Greg Nickels, Mayor, Seattle, Washington

Kevin Ranker, Councilman, San Juan County, Washington

Ron Sims, Executive, King County, Washington

Pam Slater-Price, Supervisor, San Diego County, California

Harriet Spanel, Senator, Washington State

Darrell Steinberg, Senator, California State

John Woolley, Supervisor, Humboldt County, California

The letter from Rep. Boone  and other officials requests that the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative, “provide a report identifying the highest priority actions that should be taken to ensure local governments and state legislators in Washington, Oregon and California are able to effectively advance our mutual interest in vibrant, sustainable, and resilient coastal communities and ocean resources.”

Rep. Boone and other signatories of the letter expressed hope that, “a report back to us could provide broader West Coast recommendations as well as specific state-by-state recommendations.”

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The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative is a collaborative effort of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and Pew Oceans Commission to catalyze ocean policy reform. The Initiative is guided by a ten-member Task Force, five from each Commission, and led by Admiral James D. Watkins and the Honorable Leon E. Panetta, chairs of the U.S. Commission and Pew Commission, respectively. The primary goal of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative is to accelerate the pace of change that results in meaningful ocean policy reform.