Ocean Issues:
A Beltway Perspective on the
Application of Parkinson’s Law
Rick E. Marks
Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh
PSMFC 2012
PSMFC Annual Meeting 2012
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National Ocean Policy -- where are we?
Magnuson-Stevens Act -- is it that time again?
Catch Share Programs -- still running hot!
Protected Species -- key updates!
NPDES/Ballast – the permits are coming!
Or are they?
New offering! A sampler of regional Tribal issues
Other Marine Issues…A National “Grab Bag” !
National Ocean Policy: Where Are
We Today?
• NOP DRAFT Implementation Plan released for public
comment (2/12); FINAL Plan expected any day!
• Navy’s Ocean Research AP public mtg 8/15/12
• 9 Priority Objectives: focus on CMSP & EBM…& CLIMATE
CHANGE ADAPTATION/OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
• House: 2 Oversight + 1 Field hearing (2012)
• AK testifies at House Field hearing (4/12)
• Split constituencies, broad national opposition, Senate
letter of concern; appropriation limitations, perception of
uncertainty persists
9 National Ocean Policy Priority
Objectives [See 76 FR 4139 on 1/24/2011]
• Implement CMSP
• Adopt Ecosystem-Based
• Regional Ecosystem
• Inform Decisions and
• Promote Water Quality &
Management
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Improve Understanding
Coordinate & Support
Integrated Management
• Resiliency & Adaptation
of Climate Change &
Ocean Acidification
Protection & Restoration
Strategy
Sustainable Practices on
Land
• Address Changing
Conditions in the Arctic
• Ocean, Coastal & GL’s
Mapping & Infrastructure
Where are we headed?
• GCC filling 8 Regional Planning Bodies (RPBs) with
agency reps: Summer/Fall 2012
• RFMCs invited to serve (1 seat: State rep)
• Gov’s invited to serve (2 seats: State employees/elected
officials)
• RPBs to draft Regional Plans w/in 1 yr; finalize 2-3 yrs;
implementation 4-5 yrs
• NOC approves Plans consistent with National Policy
• States may elect to “opt out” of their Plan
Need More Information on the
NOP/NOC/GCC/RPB Process?
• Alaska Region:
Mark Robbins (Associate Director, Office of the Governor;
mark.robbins@alaska.gov)
• West Coast Region:
Brian Baird (Assist. Secretary for Ocean & Coastal Policy, CA
Natural Resources Agency)
Jacque Hostler (CEO, Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the
Trinidad Rancheria, CA)
Micah McCarty (Makah Tribe Chairman, Neah Bay, WA; GCC Vice
Chairman; klaowus@hotmail.com)
Kevin Ranker (WA State Senator; kevin.ranker@leg.wa.gov)
Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA)
Since Reauthorization
• MSA Implementation complete; proliferation of
LAPPs continues
• 2nd reform “MARCH ON WASHINGTON” by 1,500
commercial/charter/sport fishermen (3/12)
• NOAA revising NSG1 (due 9/15; 77 FR 26238)
• NOAA revising data confidentiality protocols (due
10/21; 77 FR 30486)
• NAS NRC ongoing study: “Effectiveness of Stock
Rebuilding Plans”
MSA Activities: House
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OLE hearing (3/10); Catch Share Oversight (3/10)
Hearings: NOAA Budget (3/11) & NOAA Science (7/11)
MSA legislative hearing on 7 bills (12/11)
2nd Member letter urging reform (7/12)
“Transparent & Science-Based Fishery Management Act
of 2012” (H.R. 6350) sets reauthorization marker for
113th Congress (Rep. Runyan, R-NJ, 8/12)
• Nat Res Full Com. Field Hearing “Fishing = Jobs: How
Strengthening America’s Fisheries Strengthens Our
Economy”; 8/25, Panama City, FL
MSA Activities: Senate
• Senate Commerce Committee: No hearings, one
expected late 2012 (Sens. Schumer/Kerry; 6/12)
• Senate Commerce Committee to mark-up S.1916
(FL Sens. Rubio/Nelson) “Science Improvement Act
of 2012” (9/12)
• 1st Session Legislation: “RI Fishermen’s Fairness Act”
(Reed; D-RI); “Asset Forfeiture Fund Responsibility
Act” & “Fishing Impact Statement Honesty Act”
(Sen. Brown; R-MA); “Flexibility in Rebuilding
American Fisheries Act” (Sen. Schumer; D-NY) ;
“Fisheries Fee Fairness Act” (Sen. Kerry; D-MA)
Protected Species Issues #1
• MMC meetings to prioritize research/management needs (in
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AK/WA/CA, fall 2012; www.mmc.gov)
NOAA/USFWS propose ESA policy to define “significant
portion of its range” (12/11; 76 FR 76987)
CA sea lion removal bill (HR 3069) moves in House Public
Lands bill; Seattle field hearing (10/12); NOAA issues permits
to remove CA sea lions (3/12)
Orcas/Salmon: NOAA/DFO evaluating effects of fishing on
SRKW; Draft Science Panel Report 5/12; Workshops 9/11,
3/12, 9/12 – Seattle; results will inform Final Recovery Plan
AK Sea Otters: SW stable (orca problems), SC+, SE+2X in
10yrs ~ fishery conflicts; H.R.2714/S.1453 (Young &
Murkowski) to amend MMPA to liberalize use of subsistence
pelts; House hearing 10/11
Protected Species Issues #2
• Proposed Rule to delist SSL Eastern DPS (4/12; 77 FR
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23209; Final Rule TBD?)
SSL Western DPS: Court finds NOAA violated NEPA but
BSAI fishing restrictions remain (1/12); OSU/ASLC cite orca
predation (1/12); CIE 2010 BiOp Review mtg (8/12)
CA Sea Otters: stable #s (3yr avg.=2711); USFWS to
terminate translocation program (PR 76 FR 53381); Final
Rule 11/12
H.R. 4043 (Rep. Gallegly, R-CA); exemption areas for
military & state fishery interactions; House hearing 4/12;
passed House Defense Authorization; Senate action TBD?
CA-based property rights/agricultural coalition files ESA
petition to delist PNW orcas (8/12)
Protected Species Issues #3
• ENGOs sue NOAA over Navy
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West Coast sonar (2/12)
PETA killer whale 13th
Amendment lawsuit dismissed
NOAA Draft 2012 SARs for
AK/Pacific species (due 11/5)
NOAA to prepare recovery
plan for NP Right Whale
(4/12)
Loggerhead ST 9 DPS ESA
listing (9/11; 76 FR 58868)
• Critical Habitat designated for
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leatherback ST covering
108,558 nm CA/OR/WA (1/12)
NOAA revises policy on marine
mammal injuries (1/12)
USACE NOI for DEIS on
Columbia River cormorant
removal (7/12; 77 FR 42487)
Snowy Plover CH (WA/OR/CA;
6/12; 77 FR 36728)
2012: Record gray whales
calves (330)
National Catch Share Policy
• NOAA finalizes Policy (11/10); conducts catch share
workshop (1/11)
• Primary purpose “is to encourage well-designed catch
share programs to help maintain or rebuild fisheries, and
sustain fishermen, communities and vibrant working
waterfronts, including the cultural and resource access
traditions that have been a part of this country since its
founding.”
• EDF maintains well-funded pro-catch share campaign;
recruits fishing groups to proliferate LAPPs around the
country; strengthening industry opposition
National Catch Share
Controversy Continues…
● IFQ programs since 2006 MSA – West Coast Groundfish; GOMEX
Snapper-Grouper; Mid-Atlantic Tilefish; Northeast Cod “Sector”
Management -- Litigation targets; NE appeals; CA District Court
on whiting control date may lead to re-allocation, current ban on
sale/transfer extended
● Numerous LAPPs under development absent referendum or
request by industry, via EFP, in healthy fisheries, creating a “race”
for catch history
● NOAA contracts with IATTC for “Evaluation of a Total Allowable
Catch System for the Purse-Seine and Longline Tuna Fisheries in
the Eastern Tropical Pacific”…contemplating the first
“international” LAPP
● Results: Split constituencies & regions, widespread fear &
frustration; Congressional response
Catch Share Updates
• NOAA Congressional briefing to promote 1st year success
of West Coast Groundfish IFQ (7/12)
• GOMEX 5-yr Review of Red Snapper IFQ -- 68% of
small/med shareholders oppose program (4/12)
• NOAA rescinds AK charter halibut IFQ proposal facing
overwhelming opposition
• ENGO group awarded $2.7M to evaluate LAPPs (2012)
• NOAA preparing report: “Economic Performance of Catch
Share Fisheries” (Release date TBD?)
• GOMEX “Sector Separation” now forcing charter/sport
fishermen to actively engage & oppose
Congressional Actions Related
to Catch Share Fisheries
• FY11 “Jones Amendment” • MSA reform bill (H.R.
passes; no new LAPPs in
East & GOMEX
• FY12 effort not
successful; battle now
raging over FY13
• House passes FY13 CJS
with “Jones” fix (excl. AK
& West Coast); Senate
FY13 CJS TBD?
6350) contains LAPP
definition & referendum
requirement (excl. AK &
West Coast)
• Rep. Thompson (D-CA-1)
bill imminent to modify
terms of 2003 $35.7M
trawl byback loan
NPDES & Ballast Water…1 of 2
• Congress exempted 13M
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pleasure boats/yachts in
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Current NPDES permit
moratorium expires 12/13
EPA proposes “sVGP” &
“VGP” (12/11)
State 401 Cert deadline
extended to 10/1/12
Final permits 12/12;
effective 12/13; 5-yr
permits, no changes until
2018
• House passes permanent
NPDES fix (11/11)
• Senate Commerce to
consider S.3332 “Vessel
Incidental Discharge Act”
(Begich; D-AK; 9/12); no
WA/OR/CA support
• Likely scenario: House
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version & S.3332
differences negotiated
Final Congressional action
in 2012 or 2013, or not at
all…
NPDES & Ballast Water…2 of 2
Some Elements of S. 3332 -• USCG (w/EPA consult) sets uniform standards for both ballast &
incidental discharges (ballast: initial, revised 2020, 10-yr review,
plus future revisions; incidental: “BMPs”; future revisions)
• Certify ballast treatment technology; grandfathers existing
vessel systems, if maintained
• Incidental & localized ballast exemptions (incl. NPDES incidental
exemption for any commercial fishing, fish processing & tender
& charter fishing vessel; and for commercial-use vessels < 79ft)
• Preserves state rights on incidental & ballast discharges thru
petition process with technology standard & proof of detection
(House includes this only for ballast water)
• Alternative ballast compliance for boats with < 8 cu m capacity
Some Regional Tribal Issues
• NW Treaty Tribes
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convene 1st climate
change conference
(7/12)
New DEIS process for
Makah gray whale
hunt (5/12)
So. Cal. Ocotillo Wind
Energy project
opposition
• DOC Tribal
Consultation Policy
(due 10/1; 77 FR
39464)
• IWC approves joint
Makah-Russian gray
whale quota (6/12)
• Elwha Dam Removals
(9/11)
• Billy Frank Jr. book
“Where the Salmon
Run”
PSMFC “Grab Bag” #1
• NOAA finalizes policy on
scientific integrity (12/11)
• NOAA ocean acidification
research program (due
9/10;77 FR 40860)
• ANS TF 5-yr Strategic
Plan, comments due
9/20; See
http://anstaskforce.gov;
Next mtg: 11/14
• 3 House Nat Res. Com.
hearings on impacts of
ESA litigation
• NOAA study of allocation
policy nearing completion
(georgelapointe@gmail.com)
• Marine Debris reauthorization
passes House (H.R.1171;
8/12)
• 5 of 7 new MAFAC members
from PSMFC-member States
• NOAA R/V Reuben Lasker
due in San Diego 2013
• WCGA coordination on
tsunami debris
• USCG safety interim rule
expected late 2012
PSMFC “Grab Bag” #2
• 2 hearings on San Joaquin
water issues H.R. 1837
(6/12)
• Emergency Disaster loan
provision for fishermen in
Senate Farm Bill
• ENGO “forage” fish lawsuit
in SF District Court (10/12)
• Maritime Lien Reform Act to
protect fishing
permits/quota from lien
exposure added to Housepassed USCG bill
• USCG dockside examination
of fishing vessels fixed in
House USCG bill…Senate
action TBD; deadline 10/12
• DOC IG investigating NOAA • Industry effort to reform
rulemaking process
• H.R. 6069 to reauthorize
Anad & IJFA to 2017; 7/19
House hearing on H.R. 6007
– Lacey Act/Zebra Mussels
v. Plano, TX
CCF to allow penalty-free
withdraw unsuccessful
• Controversial Administration
initiatives to curtail H-2B &
J-1 Visa programs
PSMFC “Grab Bag”#3
• NOAA releases regional
saltwater recreational fishing
plans (12/11)
• NOAA releases new MRIP
catch estimates (1/11)
• 3 Senate hearings: Law of
the Sea Treaty ratification
sinks…but not over
• S. 1851 (Sen. Merkley, D-
OR) to restore Klamath
Basin via collaborative water
mgmt program
• NOAA/OAR release 5-yr
Draft Strategic Plan (9/11)
• Draft National Fish, Wildlife
and Plants Climate Adaptation
Strategy (2/12); See NOP &
www.wildlifeadaptationstrateg
y.gov
• Sens. Boxer/Kerry plan 2012
“sweeping” reviews of oceans
& climate change
• Salmon anemia reported:
Rivers Inlet, British Columbia;
U.S. funds domestic Task
Force (12/11)
PSMFC “Grab Bag” #4
• Administration suggests
moving NOAA to DOI
(1/12); GAO examination
• Pacific Salmon Stronghold
Conservation Act of 2011
(Sen. Cantwell, WA-D;
S.1401;1/12)
• I-81 to ban gillnets in OR
inland waters on the ballot
• NOAA releases 1st ever
National Bycatch Report
(9/11)
• Nat’l Fish Habitat
Conservation Act approved
by EPW (S.1201; Lieberman
CT-I)
• Nat’l Fish Habitat Board
meets 12/12;
www.fishhabitat.org
• USFWS awards $3.3M for
fish habitat projects in 29
states
• House/Senate S-K legislation
(S.2184/H.R.4208) debate
PSMFC “Grab Bag” #5
• NOAA petitioned to
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amend civil penalty
schedule (6/12)
US-EU bilateral
agreement v. IUU fishing
(H.R.4100; H.R.6200;
S.50; S.52; S.1980
approved by Commerce
Com., 8/12)
CA adds 137 nm of North
Coast MPAs
• S.2066 “Recreational
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Fishing & Hunting
Heritage Act” (Sens.
Murkowski/Manchin)
NTSB to USCG: vessel
safety recommendations
(11/11)
DOC/USDA draft
aquaculture plan (77 FR
41164; due 8/27/12)
WE MOVED!
Please update your files…
Rick E. Marks
Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh P.C.
1810 Samuel Morse Drive, Suite 202
Reston, VA 20190
Phone 703-527-4414 or 571-313-1792
Mobile 703-963-1852; Fax 571-313-1973
Email: rem@hsgblaw-dc.com
**Now offering Environmental Conflict
Resolution (ECR) services**