MEMORANDUM
TO: California Ocean and Coastal Community
FROM: Brian Baird, Assistant Secretary for Ocean and Coastal Policy
DATE: November 23, 2005
SUBJECT: Joint Ocean Commission Initiative commends California's research strategy

On November 15, California Ocean Protection Council Chair, Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman submitted the California Ocean and Coastal Information, Research, and Outreach Strategy (IRO Strategy) to the White House Committee on Ocean Policy. In a letter accompanying the IRO Strategy, Chair Chrisman asked that the IRO Strategy priorities be included in the national Ocean Research Priorities Plan that is currently being developed.

Admiral James Watkins and the Honorable Leon Panetta, leaders of the new bipartisan Joint Ocean Commission Initiative (JOCI), followed California’s submission with a letter commending the California Ocean and Coastal Information, Research, and Outreach Strategy. JOCI lauded California’s "progressive efforts to protect, restore, and maintain its coasts and oceans." They urged the federal government to include these priorities in the national Ocean Research Priorities Plan and to use the IRO Strategy as a model in reforming ocean policy.

Please see resources.ca.gov/copc or links below to access the letters and reports referenced in this memo.

Links to Documents

• Joint Ocean Commission Initiative commends California's ocean research strategy - 11/21/05 resources.ca.gov/copc/docs/CA-IRO_WatkinsPanetta_real_final_11-21.pdf
• California Ocean and Coastal Information, Research, and Outreach Strategy adopted - 9/23/05 resources.ca.gov/copc/InfoResOut_Strategy_final.pdf
• Letter from OPC Chair to U.S. Committee on Ocean Policy - 11/15/05 resources.ca.gov/copc/docs/Letter_Connaughton_IRO_2005-11-15.pdf
• Letter from Joint Ocean Commission Leaders to U.S. Committee on Ocean Policy - 11/17/05 resources.ca.gov/copc/docs/Letter_to_J__Connaughton_Revised.pdf