House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (UT-01) issued the following statement this evening on the Obama Administration’s release of its first Report on the Implementation of the National Ocean Policy: 

“The Administration's ocean policy is similar to its approach to federal lands, particularly in the West, in that it champions new layers of federal bureaucracy over the needs of local communities and economies.

“The National Ocean Policy is essentially a White House-directed plan to implement zoning of the offshore, with multiple federal agencies in charge. This translates to red tape, bureaucracy, delays, and a blocking of a myriad of activities offshore and in inland waters that flow into the oceans. It could also pave the way for sweeping new marine monuments that could shut down a host of economic, energy— even national defense-related activities.  While for years the Administration has failed to provide statutory authority this report outlines a full endorsement of coastal and offshore Marine Spatial Planning that will impede access for both recreational and commercial fisheries, future energy development and other economic drivers for many of our coastal and adjacent states. This not only creates great economic uncertainty for these industries, but for the numerous shore-side small businesses and communities that are supported by them.”