On behalf of the Ocean Policy Committee, Ocean Resource Management Subcommittee, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Council on Environmental Quality, NOAA today announced that it is seeking comments by Thursday, March 12 on the permitting process for ocean research, mapping, and characterization activities. NOAA notes that public feedback will inform the Ocean Policy Committee’s efforts to increase the efficiency of the permitting and authorization processes for ocean research, mapping, and characterization activities across agencies.
In November 2019, the President issued a Memorandum declaring it U.S. policy to “act boldly to safeguard our future prosperity, health, and national security through ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization” and to “support the conservation, management, and balanced used of America’s oceans by exploring, mapping, and characterizing the U.S. [Exclusive Economic Zone], including mapping the Arctic and Sub-Arctic shoreline and nearshore of Alaska,” including by supporting such activities in collaboration with non-U.S. government entities when appropriate.
Among other things, the Memorandum provided the Ocean Policy Committee with 6 months to identify opportunities and recommend actions to increase the efficiency of the permitting and authorization processes for ocean research, mapping, and characterization activities across agencies.
The Ocean Policy Committee is specifically interested in feedback on the following:
- Challenges related to identifying and obtaining the necessary information, permits, and authorizations required to conduct ocean research, mapping, and characterization activities;
- Opportunities to increase the efficiency of permitting and authorization processes for ocean research, mapping, and characterization activities;
- Tools, platforms, and technologies that could increase the efficiency of permitting, reporting, and authorization processes for ocean research, mapping, and characterization activities, and barriers to adoption for any such capabilities that already exist;
- Post-authorization reporting or paperwork requirements that are unduly burdensome or lack utility and suggestions to address them; and
- Any additional information that the Ocean Policy Committee should consider
