Shipmates,
We finished a long but productive day on Monday in New Orleans hearing public comments regarding the work of the President's Interagency Task Force on Ocean Policy. The venue was appropriate, the Audobon Aquarium of the Americas, a very unique aquarium located on Riverwalk in New Orleans. Principals on the panel representing the Task Force included Dr. Jane Lubchenco (NOAA), Bob Sussman (EPA), and Laura Davis (DOI). We were connected to remoted sites in St Petersburg, FL, Dauphin Island, AL, Ocean Springs, MS and Corpus Christi, TX. Over three hours of comments were heard from a diverse cross section of stakeholders representing Gulf interests. One remaining public meeting is scheduled next week in Cleveland.
I returned to Washington for meetings on Tuesday, but RADM Mary Landry, Commander of the Eighth CG District, hosted briefings, overflights, and waterborne tours to acquaint panel members with local maritime issues.
This afternoon I met with Secretary of the Interior Salazar and Deputy Secretary David Hayes to discuss our mutual activities on the outer continental shelf, emerging Arctic challenges, and our local partnerships with the National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service. Dr. Lubchenco joined us via teleconference from New Orleans. We value these partnerships that allow us to coordinate our activities and act as a federal team.
ADM A
