US GOVERNANCE Flashcards
2 secretaries part of the U.S. Cabinet
- Secretary of Commerce
- Secretary of the Interior
what does the department of commerce focus on
- economic growth
but also includes important marine and environmental agencies
how many bureaus in the Dept. of Commerce and what are one of them
12
- NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
- National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) = A line office of NOAA - within these are:
- Office of Sustainable Fisheries - Enforces the Magnuson-Stevens Act (fisheries management)
- Office of Protected Resources: ESA, CITES, and MMPA
what does the department of interior focus on
Protect and manage natural and cultural resources
how many bureaus in the Dept. of Interior and what are they
8
- BOEM – Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (oil , gas, mining)
- USFWS – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - national wildlife refuges and monuments (Enforces ESA + CITES on land + coasts)
- USGS – U.S. Geological Survey - some marine research
explain what the EPA is
Environmental Protection Agency
- independent federal agency
- goal = Protect human health and the environment
- ensures environmental protection is part of all national decisions e.g. industrial development etc
what does the EPA do to fulfil its missions
- Develop and enforce regulations
- Give Grants
- Study Environmental Issues
- Sponsor Partnerships
- Teach People About the Environment
- Publish Information
**EPA Also states what it does not do
what is IOPT and what did it do
Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force
- Created to review and improve how the U.S. manages its oceans and coasts
8 Recommendations that IOPT made to propose a national policy
- Protect, maintain, and restore ocean health and biodiversity
- Increase resiliency of ecosystems to threats like climate change
- Use best available science in decision-making
- Ensure sustainable access to ocean resources
- Follow international laws (like UNCLOS)
- Expand scientific understanding
- Improve public awareness and education
- Support sustainable practices on both land and sea
one of the key outcomes of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force (IOPT)
stronger governance
- Formation of National Ocean Council (NOC) - Provided clear authority and consistency in ocean management
what were the National Priority Objectives under the NOC
- Ecosystem-Based Management
- Increase knowledge
- Improve coordination + integration across the Federal Government
- Climate Change and Ocean Acidification
- sustainable practices on land
- Arctic Ocean and adjacent coastal areas
- Coastal and marine spatial planning
how is IOPT related to UNCLOS and what is it
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
- IOPT recommended the U.S. finally join UNCLOS
- global treaty governing rights and responsibilities in the ocean
Reasons for U.S. Accession to UNCLOS
- Navigational rights & maritime freedom
- Pollution control + resource protection
- Claiming an extended continental shelf
- Participation in international decisions
- Bipartisan support (both Democrats & Republicans)
what did NOC later get replaced with
Ocean Policy Committee (OPC)
- turned into its own committee through national defence authorization act 2021
summarise the changes in U.S. ocean policy
IOPT -> NOC -> OPC
