Marine Spacial Planning

 Coming up on June 21- 23, 2011, the White House National Ocean Council will be hosting the National Coastal and Marine Spacial Planning Workshop, with attendance by White House invitation.

By my measure, on this voyage, the  vessel has already been sent on its way. The US Government currently proposes a huge area of ocean leases in the area South of Nantucket Island. The Nantucket Sound wind energy project has received federal approval, as has the Block Island Sound wind energy project. In Maine, State approval of two near shore sites for "experimental" ocean energy projects came forth rather quickly despite valid concerns raised by Maine fishermen.

Marine Spacial Planning has become the enabling vehicle for environmental activists to achieve the goal of establishing marine protected areas,  for financial interests to tap subsidies for ocean energy projects,  and for politicians to create the public perception that will enable them to cater to both.

Lacking in this agenda is consideration of the displacement of ongoing utilization of sustainable natural resources, and any consideration of the true cost and benefit to the American Taxpayer over the length of the voyage.