Groups seek funding freeze for new ocean policy

Washington — The Fertilizer Institute and the Agricultural Retailers Association joined nearly 80 other groups on April 12 in sending a letter to U.S. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Harold Rogers (R-Ky.) asking that language be included in all Fiscal Year 2013 appropriations bills that would prohibit the use of funds to implement the new National Ocean Policy. The groups said more time for oversight and examination is needed to determine the potential impacts of the National Ocean Policy, which was drafted by the National Ocean Council to address some of the most pressing challenges facing oceans, the U.S. coasts, and the Great Lakes. Some of the actions advocated by the policy include improving the efficiency of ocean and coastal permitting processes; improving water quality by reducing the impacts of trash, marine debris, and sources of excess nutrients, sediments, pollutants, and pathogens; and providing locally tailored forecasts and vulnerability assessments of climate‐change impacts on coastal communities. “As currently set forth, the National Ocean Policy has the potential to unnecessarily harm terrestrial and marine economic values by affecting sectors such as agriculture, commercial and recreational fishing, construction, manufacturing, marine commerce, mining, oil, gas and renewable energy, recreational boating, and waterborne transportation, among others,” the letter to Rep. Rogers says. “Uncertainty continues to abound as to the meaning of the policy: how it will be implemented; the role of states and stakeholder user groups; its potential impact on the economy, budget, existing statutes and regulatory processes; and the authority of state and tribal officials.” The letter, signed by a wide array of commercial and recreational interests, also expresses concerns about the cost of implanting the policy. “Rather than expend federal funds to support new bureaucracies, procedures and regulations that could lead to further uncertainty, restrictions and delays, scarce taxpayer dollars should be allocated to existing entities, programs and activities that have been authorized by Congress and are necessary for businesses and the economy to properly function,” the letter states.