Subcommittee on Integrated Management of Ocean Resources (SIMOR)
SIMOR Work Plan
The SIMOR Work Plan (pdf, 251 Kb) was adopted in March 2006 with the active involvement of 19 SIMOR agencies and offices representing all member agencies of the Committee on Ocean Policy. This Work Plan is organized by four priority areas that describe specific actions to be accomplished within currently available resources. Interagency workgroups have highlighted milestones and defined outcomes for implementation of each of 21 Work Plan action items. In addition, SIMOR has taken-up additional activities in response to the need of the COP and our regional partners. We look forward to working with our partners and other interested parties in implementing the SIMOR Work Plan and other activities required to move us toward responsible use and management of our ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources.
ACTION ITEMS
Priority Area 1: Support Regional & Local Collaborations
Priority Area 2: Facilitate Use of Ocean Science & Technology
Priority Area 3: Improve Use & Conservation
Priority Area 4: Enhance Ocean Education
Priority Area 1: Support Regional & Local Collaborations
Cooperative Conservation
Description: SIMOR will promote the development of cooperative conservation lessons learned and initiate discussion among appropriate departments/agencies to share examples of cooperative conservation in the ocean/coastal context and identify new examples of cooperative conservation efforts.
Outputs/Outcome: Building on previous efforts, such as the 2005 White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation, SIMOR produced Top 10 Marine and Coastal Cooperative Conservation Lessons Learned, which explores existing partnerships and collaborations in marine and coastal areas and identifies important lessons that could be applied to future partnerships. The resulting document can be found at: http://cooperativeconservation.gov/library/SIMORCoopConsLessons_031907.pdf
Status: Complete
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Gulf of Mexico Initiative & Lessons Learned/ Best Practices
Description: SIMOR will support the Gulf of Mexico Regional Initiative by increasing federal participation where appropriate; addressing interagency coordination needs and identifying opportunities to streamline intra- and inter-agency functions; guiding the development of environmental and socioeconomic indicators in coordination with the broader national indicator effort to aid in measuring success; and assisting with the identification of needs for observation and management tools in the region.
Outputs/Outcome: Federal agencies have supported the Gulf States in implementation of the Governor's Action Plan for Healthy and Resilient Coasts. Within the first two years of implementing the three year action plan, nearly 95% of all activities were completed and the remaining activities are on schedule for completion within the three year window. Building on the lessons learned during implementation of the plan, Federal agencies have continued to improve support the Gulf States as they work to develop a second Action Plan, expected to be delivered on or about March/April 2009. Further information on the Gulf of Mexico Alliance can be found at: http://www.gulfofmexicoalliance.org/
Status: Ongoing
Leaders:
Margaret Davidson (NOAA)
Byron Griffith (EPA)
Jess Weaver (USGS)
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Clean Marinas Initiative
Description: The Clean Marina Program is a voluntary, state-based program that encourages marina operators and recreational boaters to protect coastal water quality and habitat by engaging in environmentally sound operating and maintenance procedures such as pollution prevention and waste management. Each participating state certifies the marinas implementing these environmentally friendly measures (http://coastalmanagement.noaa.gov/marinas.html). SIMOR will assist the federal government with coordinating with states and private marinas to work toward achieving Clean Marina certification for all marinas that are currently operating in national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, and military bases in coastal states that participate in the program.
Outputs/Outcome: Through the Clean Marina Challenge, Administration leaders in September 2008 have committed the federal government to provide advice, assistance, and support to help federally-owned marinas set an example for all marine operators. The Challenge asks all federal agencies to ensure that federally-owned marinas not currently certified to take steps to implement the measures outlined in the Clean Marina Program and achieve certification from the participating states. Additionally, federal agencies are encouraged to achieve similar performance in states that do not currently participate in the program and work constructively with states seeking to adopt the program.
Status: Complete
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Best Practices In Dredging & Sediment Management
Description: SIMOR will work with the federal interagency National Dredging Team (NDT) and the relevant subcommittee on the Committee on Marine Transportation System (CMTS) to support the development of best practices in the area of management of dredged material/sediment using the watershed approach. SIMOR will also co-host a dredged material conference in 2006 to address improved coordination in watershed sediment management and development of best practices in dredged material management.
Outputs/Outcome: SIMOR reviewed the National Dredging Policy for CMTS and reviewed of NDT Action Agenda. SIMOR also co-hosted the dredged material conference in 2006 Conference on Managing Sediments in the Watershed: Bringing Dredged Material and Watershed Managers Together . Follow-on efforts to the workshop are being pursued in different regions, such as the Southeast where regional stakeholder workshops have been held and a Mobile Basin sediment management effort has been initiated, and the Northeast where efforts are underway to develop a regional sediment management plan for the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program. Additionally, a Declaration for Regional Sediment Management Planning has been signed for the Lower Columbia River, and the marketing of recyclable dredged material has been initiated in the Great Lakes region. Future activities will continue under the NDT, including support for best practices through regional governance initiatives, exploring potential collaborative efforts with National Estuary Programs and National Estuary Research Reserves, and suggesting relevant Ocean Education initiatives on “sediment as a resource.”
Status: Ongoing
Leader: Molly Madden (EPA)
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Northeast Regional Ocean Council
Description: SIMOR will support the interest and efforts of the New England states in their establishment of a Northeast Regional Oceans Council (NROC), by identifying possible geographic areas that could benefit from improved federal coordination. NROC will serve as an umbrella ocean governance structure to raise the visibility of ocean management priorities for our two sub-regions: the Gulf of Maine and the southern New England sounds.
Outputs/Outcome: In collaboration with State partners, a SIMOR workgroup delivered a 2007 NROC Report to the New England Governors at the annual NEGC meeting that contains an issue description and potential NROC actions for each of the following priority issues: energy siting and planning, ocean and ecosystem health, and hazard resilience. The Council maintains a roster of federal and state members and alternates, and is in the process of developing rosters for each priority issue area committee with broad representation from many sectors. NROC has developed a Terms of Reference, which describes NROC form and function, relationship with partners, and expectations from NROC leadership and members. NROC provided a progress report in January of 2008 on the priority issue areas and responses listed in the 2007 NROC Report to the New England Governors. As a result, NROC created a 2008 work plan with four tasks, including 1) Ensure support for NROC, 2) Action Plan Implementation, 3) Develop and implement a communication and outreach strategy, and 4) Scope the need and requirements of an ocean atlas for the northeast. By October 2008, each Issue Area Committee will have developed a 2009 work plan, outlining concrete actions to be taken in the coming year. The Northeast federal partners work group represents all SIMOR agencies and will continue support NROC in future activities. Further information on the Northeast Regional Ocean Council and its products can be found at: http://community.csc.noaa.gov/nroc/.
Status: Ongoing
Leaders:
Nancy Thompson (NOAA Fisheries)
Betsy Nicholson (NOAA Ocean Service)
Marvin Moriarty (FWS)
Robert LaBelle (MMS)
David Russ (USGS)
David Reynolds (NPS)
Mel Cote (EPA)
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Community Workshops
Description: SIMOR will conduct community workshops to improve watershed protection through integration of Coastal Zone Management Act, Clean Water Act, and other Federal programs in order to assist States, Tribes, and local governments in addressing nonpoint source pollution and land use issues in coastal watersheds.
Outputs/Outcome: Federal assistance was provided through existing place-based programs - EPA’s National Estuary Program in Puget Sound and NOAA’s National Estuarine Research Reserve in Alabama - to conduct two workshops. The workshops were intended to address locally identified issues of high importance that were also relevant at regional and national scales. In Alabama, the workshop focused on sediment and erosion control management, a crucial non-point source of pollution throughout the Gulf of Mexico region. In Washington, stakeholders embarked on a new way of characterizing watershed information such that natural resource issues can be fully integrated into land use decision making. Additional workshops sponsored by the Interagency Coral Reef Task Force and the Urban Coastal Institute at Monmouth University were acknowledged by SIMOR. A summary report of the common findings and recommendations across all of these community workshops has been prepared.
Status: Complete
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Regional & Local Workshops on Ecosystem-based Management
Description: SIMOR will bring together state and federal officials from agencies involved in pollution control and national resource conservation and restoration activities, targeting those agencies not typically involved in such discussions, in order to highlight and discuss various examples of successes and challenges surrounding ecosystem-based approaches to management.
Status: Discontinued – agreement on implementation approach not reached
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Ecosystem Science Executive Technical Qualifications
Description: In order to ensure a basic level of ecosystem science knowledge among appropriate federal senior leaders, SIMOR will help to develop a definition for an “ecosystem science executive technical qualification”, and determine the procedure for integrating such a qualification into the federal hiring process.
Outputs/Outcome: A SIMOR workgroup has developed sample evaluation criteria that an applicant for Senior Executive Service should demonstrate through expertise, experience, and/or accomplishment. The workgroup will propose methods for effectively delivering this information and encouraging the application of these executive technical qualifications to relevant Senior Executive Service positions.
Status: Ongoing
Leaders:
Dan Ashe (FWS)
Joe Piotrowski (EPA)
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Expanding Ocean & Coastal Economics Data & Analysis
Description: The purpose of this initiative is to improve coordination among federal agencies and state and local governments of economic data collection, modeling and research that supports ocean and coastal management. Management issues addressed by the partner agencies include ocean and coastal transportation and infrastructure issues; marine energy and minerals management; fisheries management and habitat conservation; seafood markets and trade; and understanding of tourism and recreation at the state and local level.
Outputs/Outcome: A SIMOR workgroup has held one interagency workshop to develop an inventory of coastal and ocean economic data holdings across federal, state, and local governments and to identify gaps in data availability. A second workshop will be held in 2009 on modeling and research activities. A summary report of both workshops will be produced.
Status: Ongoing
Leaders:
Jeff Adkins (NOAA)
Rita Curtis (NOAA)
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Strengthen Coordination of Federal Activities In Urban Estuaries
Description: SIMOR will support the development of a program to enhance federal coordination and services for regional protection and restoration of urban estuaries and habitats that would assist local communities in these areas manage their growth and redevelopment while sustaining ecosystems.
Outputs/Outcome: SIMOR produced the report, Urban Estuary Protection and Restoration: A Report Highlighting Tools to Enhance Federal Coordination, which outlines tools to enhance federal coordination and services targeting habitat protection and restoration of urban estuaries. The report examines strategies that have been successful in reversing loss of estuarine species and habitats and includes a variety of case studies on regional/local scenarios where federal agencies are coordinating protection and restoration efforts well. These case studies address the effects of urbanization on estuaries at diverse locations including Chesapeake Bay and the Great Lakes, and offer lessons learned for other regions/localities. A copy of the report may be found at: http://ocean.ceq.gov/about/docs/SIMOR_Urban_Estuaries.pdf.
Status: Complete
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Priority Area 2: Facilitate the Use of Ocean Science and Technology
Federal-State Research Priorities Task Team
Description: SIMOR will establish a task team of resource managers from state and federal agencies to provide input on high priority basic, and applied, research needs to the JSOST Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy to be finalized by December 31, 2006.
Outputs/Outcome: SIMOR engaged a respected group of federal and state resource managers to provide the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology with multiple sets of clear and concise input in support of the development of the ocean research priorities plan and implementation strategy, Charting the Course for Ocean Science in the United States for the Next Decade. A copy of the final report may be found at: http://ocean.ceq.gov/about/docs/orppfinal.pdf.
Status: Complete
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IOOS Regional Associations & Resource Management Needs
Description: SIMOR, in consultation with JSOST, will work with Ocean.US to implement approaches for ensuring that state and local resource managers are engaged with, and presenting their needs and views to, IOOS Regional Associations and that the Associations are responsive to the needs of state and local resource managers, as well as relevant voluntary resource partnerships.
Outputs/Outcome: SIMOR representatives to the JSOST IWG on Ocean Observations contributed resource management perspectives to the IOOS strategic plan, reviewed by the public and later adopted by ICOSRMI. Through implementation of the IOOS strategic Plan, the JSOST IWG on Ocean Observation will continue to ensure the engagement of state and local resource managers on an ongoing basis, and that their needs are reflected in ocean observing requirements.
Status: Complete – ongoing role assumed by JSOST IWG on Ocean Observations
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Regional Science Planning to Support Resource Management
Description: SIMOR and JSOST, working with NOAA Sea Grant, will seek to implement an interagency approach to establishing regional science planning efforts that are designed to support regional management activities for all regions of the country.
Outputs/Outcome: SIMOR and JSOST, working with NOAA Sea Grant, established regional planning efforts throughout the country designed to support regional management activities.
Eight regional planning efforts were initiated in FY06: Alaska, Pacific Northwest and
Southwest, Insular Pacific, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Gulf of
Maine. Three additional planning efforts were initiated in FY08: Mid-Atlantic, Caribbean, and New York Bight.
Status: Ongoing
Leaders:
Leon Cammen (NOAA)
Dan Ashe (FWS)
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Federal-State Science & Management Integration Task Team
Description: SIMOR and JSOST will establish a joint task team of federal and state resource managers and researchers to address steps that they can take to improve communication between the scientific community and resource managers.
Outputs/Outcome: Intended as a SIMOR action during the implementation phase of the ocean research priorities plan and implementation strategy, this activity is still in the developmental phase. In partnership with JSOST and appropriate advisory bodies, SIMOR has addressed communication needs in an ad hoc manner in the interim. SIMOR recognizes a continued communication need at the vital intersection between the scientific and resource management communities, and agencies will determine appropriate approaches aligned with future priorities.
Status: Ongoing
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Northern Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem Data Services Pilot
Description: Coordinating with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources SIMOR will assist with the implementation of an internet-based data access and delivery service by tailoring information to the needs of state-level coastal and marine resource managers, and drawing on existing data within SIMOR agencies and among state partners.
Outputs/Outcome: Several SIMOR agencies (NOAA, NASA, EPA Gulf of Mexico Program, Naval Research Laboratory-Stennis (NRL), and USGS) worked with state and academic partners in the Gulf to provide access to ecosystem metadata, data and data services through a common portal. A joint venture between NOAA NESDIS and Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) was used to provide ecosystem data services and to expand integrated ecosystem data management into Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. The data pilot integrated Essential Fish Habitat (EFH), Critical Habitat, Regulatory Boundaries, Commercial and Recreational Catch and Landing data (Southeast Fisheries Science Center); Water Quality and Nutrients Data (EPA Gulf of Mexico Program); the Coastal Change and Analysis Program products and services for the Gulf of Mexico and National Elevation Data (USGS-NOAA/CSC); Oyster Habitat data (MDMR); Methyl Mercury data (LSU); Observational data streams from the Gulf of Mexico Coastal and Ocean Observing System (GCOOS); and Optical Water Properties and Modeling Products (NRL). The five data themes identified by SIMOR were 1) water quality 2) nutrients 3) education and outreach 4) habitat and 5) coastal restoration. The SIMOR datasets and information compiled is now available at: http://ecowatch.ncddc.noaa.gov/. To search the Semantic Catalog for specific records with SIMOR data themes, users can search on the keywords ‘SIMOR,” or the user can search using the data theme terms: ‘water quality’ ‘nutrients’, ‘education and outreach’, ‘habitat’ and ‘coastal restoration’. These keywords can also be searched in particular Ecosystems, Region or System Type.
Status: Complete
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Priority Area 3: Improve Use & Conservation
Convene Interagency Team to Enhance Coordination On Use & Conservation of Marine Resources; & Develop an Interagency Mechanism on Use & Conservation of Marine Resources
Description: SIMOR will bring together an interagency team to identify major medium and long term trends and interest areas involving issues of common interest and/or responsibility amongst agencies, while also looking at current major interagency activities to use as potential models for broader application, areas where gaps may exist, and places where coordination can be improved. SIMOR will develop an inter-agency mechanism, covering all agencies involved in SIMOR, JSOST, etc., identifying the means for informing other agencies of any proposed activities to be sited in the oceans. The mechanism will also provide a process for updating any ‘lead’ agency involved in these activities with information on the interests of other agencies as reviews proceed.
Status: Discontinued – agreement on implementation approach not reached
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Develop Interagency Shellfish Data & Information Management Program
Description: SIMOR will encourage the development of an interagency data and information management program to efficiently collect and disseminate data to local managers on chemical, pathogenic, and toxic constituents found within shellfish and other seafood that poses risks to human health.
Outputs/Outcome: FDA, NOAA, and EPA have developed a memorandum of understanding concept to increase: (1) the availability and utility of information on the chemical, pathogenic, and toxin constituents that affect the risks to human health of eating shellfish and other seafood; and (2) the efficiency with which the information can be assessed by local managers through use of comparable methods and compatible databases. Such work will continue where necessary through modifying the system concept of the Shellfish Information Management System.
Status: Ongoing
Leaders:
Spencer Garrett (NOAA)
Russell Callender (NOAA)
Bill Kramer (EPA)
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Working with the States, Evaluate & Recommend Ways to Improve Water Quality Programs
Description: SIMOR will engage federal and state managers with the objective of developing a model for improved collaboration among relevant federal and state coastal and water quality programs.
Status: Discontinued – agreement on implementation approach not reached
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Priority Area 4: Enhance Ocean Education
Establish Interagency Working Group on Ocean Education
Description: The JSOST and SIMOR will establish a permanent interagency working group on ocean education to improve coordination of Federal programs focused on ocean education and outreach so these programs effectively reflect priorities at the regional, State, and local levels, while maintaining consistency with broad national goals.
Outputs/Outcome: The Interagency Working Group on Ocean Education (IWG-OE) was established in 2006 and jointly coordinates activities with SIMOR and JSOST. Initially focused on implementing actions of the U.S. Ocean Action Plan, the IWG has since been particularly focused on coordinating formal and informal education programs, develop a coordinated ocean message, promoting the use of ocean observation data in education, and attracting a future workforce to marine science, technology, and management. Examples of some of this work include:
- conducted an inventory of Federal ocean Education programs;
- coordinated interagency funding for the National Ocean Science Bowl (2006-2007);
- initiated and funded a regional meeting of Hawaii ocean educators (2007);
- coordinated the use of “Thank You Ocean” messaging by marine parks (2008);
- coordinated development of education bench marks for climate change (2008);
- coordinated development of innovative visualization products for use in the Smithsonian Ocean Hall; and
- coordinated sessions on ocean observing education at conferences of the National Marine Educators Association, American Geophysical Union, and American Society of Lymnology and Oceanography.
The IWG-OE released its FY 2007-2008 Implementation Plan, Toward an Ocean Literate Society, in June 2007. A copy of this report may be found at: http://ocean.ceq.gov/about/docs/SIMOR_IWGOE_Implement.pdf.
The IWG will continue to support interagency collaboration in ocean education and plans to produce an updated implementation plan in early 2009.
Status: Ongoing – as the JSOST-SIMOR IWG on Ocean Education
Leaders:
Lisa Rom (NSF)
Marlene Kaplan (NOAA)
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