www.oceanphone.com

Gulf Coast Ocean Policy Task Force Public Meeting

Obama Administration officials will hold a Gulf Coast Regional Ocean Policy Task Force Public Meeting in New Orleans on Monday, October 19, 2009. The Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, led by White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley, consists of senior-level officials from Administration agencies, departments, and offices.The Task Force, established by President Obama via presidential memorandum on June 12, is charged with developing a recommendation for a national policy that ensures protection, maintenance, and restoration of oceans, our coasts and the Great Lakes. It will also recommend a framework for improved stewardship, and effective coastal and marine spatial planning. The meeting in New Orleans will be the fifth regional public meeting held since the Task Force was created. The public is encouraged to attend and an opportunity for public comment will be provided.Members of the public can access the meeting in three ways: by attending in person at one of the sites listed below; by calling into the listen-only phone line (800-369-1897; participant code: 2495142); or via live webstream at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/oceansLive video-connections will be used at the following locations:Texas State Aquarium 2710 North Shoreline Boulevard. Corpus Christi, TX 78402 RSVP Contact: Rosanna Gossett 361-881-1204 rgossett@txstateaq.orgDauphin Island Sea Lab Wiese Marine Science Hall, Room 102W 101 Bienville Blvd. Dauphin Island, AL 36528 RSVP Contact: Ms Lori Angelo 251-861-7507 langelo@disl.orgNational Marine Fisheries Service (4:30-7:30 p.m. EDT) Southeast Regional Office 263 13th Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33701 RSVP Contact: Michael Henderson 727-824-5396 Michael.Henderson@noaa.govJ. L. Scott Marine Education Center 703 East Beach Drive Ocean Springs, MS 39564 RSVP Contact: Johnette Bosarge 228-818-8893 johnette.bosarge@usm.eduPublic comment can also be submitted online at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/oceans