Overview
Title
Notice of Availability of Final Guidance on Designation of New Regional Ocean Partnerships
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The U.S. government has created a new set of rules to help states and tribes work together to take care of our oceans and lakes, and they can ask a group called NOAA for permission to join the program. But the rules don't tell us how much money they'll have, and getting everyone to agree might take a long time.
Summary AI
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released the final guidance for creating new Regional Ocean Partnerships (ROPs), as authorized by the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. Coastal states, including territories and Indian Tribes, can form these partnerships to manage ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. The guidance outlines the application process, including the necessary elements for a new ROP, who can apply, and how to submit applications to NOAA. Existing ROPs, like the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, are not affected by this new guidance.
Abstract
Under the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA), coastal States (including Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, and American Samoa), Indian Tribes (as defined in the final guidance), and other entities may form new partnerships and apply to NOAA (as delegated) for designation as a regional ocean partnership (ROP). ROPs coordinate the management of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. After inviting Tribal consultation and careful consideration of public comments, NOAA announces the final guidance on designating new ROPs under the NDAA.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued final guidance for forming new Regional Ocean Partnerships (ROPs), as authorized by the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. This initiative invites coastal states, including territories and Indian Tribes, to create partnerships aimed at managing ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. The guidance outlines the process for applying, the necessary components of a new ROP application, and details on submission to the agency. However, existing ROPs, such as the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, are not subject to this new guidance.
The guidance raises several significant issues. Primarily, it does not specify the amount of funding available for new ROPs, leading to uncertainties regarding financial implications. Prospective applicants might face challenges in securing adequate resources without clear funding guidelines. Furthermore, the requirement that applications be submitted by all state governors and Tribal government leaders could present bureaucratic challenges and potentially delay the establishment of new partnerships. This complexity may deter some entities from applying or could slow down the coordination process substantially.
For the broader public, this effort to create new ROPs holds potential positive implications. By coordinating the management of oceanic resources, these partnerships can foster environmental stewardship and resource sustainability, crucial for communities relying on these resources. Improved management can lead to healthier coastal ecosystems, enhanced fishing stocks, and potentially more robust local economies based on tourism and sustainable resource use.
For various stakeholders, the impacts may vary. Coastal state governments and Indian Tribes may benefit through enhanced capacity to manage their regional resources collaboratively. However, they may also face challenges in coordinating across multiple jurisdictions to submit applications. Additionally, the use of technical legal terms and reference to specific U.S. Code provisions could alienate stakeholders unfamiliar with legal jargon. This could necessitate further clarification for such audiences to understand the implications thoroughly.
In conclusion, while NOAA's new guidance provides an opportunity to enhance coastal and ocean resource management, its implementation comes with challenges that need addressing to maximize public benefit and stakeholder engagement. The issues of unclear funding and complicated application processes should be considered and addressed to facilitate the successful formation of new ROPs.
Issues
• The document does not specify the funding amount available for new regional ocean partnerships (ROPs), making it difficult to assess potential financial implications or wastefulness.
• The requirement that applications must be formally submitted by all state governors and Tribal government leaders may be burdensome and could delay the formation of new ROPs due to the complexity of coordinating with multiple governments.
• The document references specific U.S. Code (16 U.S.C. 1468), which may require additional clarification for readers who are not familiar with this legal citation.
• The inclusion of 'Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands' might be unclear as this category historically refers to territories administered by the United States that have changed status over time. It may require clarification or updating.
• The document uses technical and legislative terms that could be difficult for lay readers to understand without further explanation or context.