Ocean Planning in the Northeast

The Northeast RPB is not currently seeking public comments on any particular topic. Anyone, however, is always welcome to leave any comments or questions through the public comment form below.

2015 Recreational Characterization Survey

In winter 2015, the RPB launched a project to characterize recreational activities in the Northeast, gathering data about where, when, and how people recreate along the coast and in the ocean. Along with input from industry experts (operators and event organizers), stakeholder groups, and an RPB project steering committee, this study is being led by a project team that includes Point 97, SeaPlan, and the Surfrider Foundation.

Specifically, the study was collecting information on the following:

1. Whale watching activities were characterized through a series of in-person workshops held with industry representatives throughout the region from late April to late May. For a workshop schedule, see the calendar on the bottom of the Get Involved page.
2. SCUBA diving activities and marine events, including sailing regattas, saltwater sportfishing tournaments/derbies, and competitive board and paddle events. To help characterize these activities, participants were requested to take these surveys:

SCUBA Survey

Marine Events Survey

3. Individual recreational uses, such as sea kayaking, surfing, and general beach use were characterized through a separate survey. For more information, to join the Stakeholder Working Group, or to view the list of Working Group members, please visit bit.ly/NE_Study. Anyone aged 18 years or older who has visited the coast between New York’s Long Island Sound area and the northern border of Maine at least once in the last 12 months was encouraged to participate:

Non-Consumptive Ocean Recreation Use Survey

The survey period concluded in May 2015, and is currently undergoing data-vetting with industry, stakeholders, and the steering committee. Products will be made available in fall 2015 through the Northeast Ocean Data Portal and a written report. For more information on this study, contact Katie Lund, klund@northeastoceancouncil.org.

Healthy Ecosystem & Effective Decision Making Options

In advance of the Northeast Regional Planning Body (RPB) meeting on November 13-14, a series of public events were held. These meetings included updates on the regional ocean planning effort and a discussion of two topics the RPB will focus on at its November meeting: options under the Effective Decision Making goal and the Healthy Ocean and Coastal Ecosystems goal. Comments on the options were accepted online, or at any of the public events held in October 2014. Comments submitted before October 31 were included in the RPB meeting materials, but were also accepted up to (and at) the RPB meeting in November 2014.

Advisory Functions

The Northeast Regional Planning Body (RPB) accepted online comments on the Advisory Function Options (PDF) (4pp, 220k) document in June 2014. Comments were also accepted at the RPB meeting itself on June 26, 2014.