What Obama’s New Ocean Policy Means for Protecting Oceans,
Waves, & Beaches On July 19, President Obama made history by
establishing the first comprehensive National Ocean Policy for
the United States. His executive order not only reaffirms the
nation’s commitment to protecting our oceans and coasts, it also
defines new approaches for how we get there. For too long, our
ocean resources have been managed in a piecemeal way, with
ecosystems - and those who value them - getting the short end of
the stick. While an executive order doesn’t solve everything, it
is a major step forward. Some highlights of the National Policy
for the Stewardship of the Ocean, Coasts, and Great Lakes
include: • A commitment to protect, maintain and restore ocean,
coastal and Great Lakes ecosystems. • Dedication to maintaining
public access to our coasts and waters. • A regional approach
that promotes improved cooperation among federal, state, tribal,
and local entities • The use of marine spatial planning to
ensure that new uses of th