(January 13)--The Obama Administration has released its draft National Ocean Policy (NOP) plan and opened it up for public comment. The National Ocean Policy will affect coastal and estuarine ecosystems, as well as dealing with purely ocean issues. The National Policy states that federal agencies will "ensure the protection, maintenance, and restoration of the health of ocean, coastal and Great lakes ecosystems and resources..." To read the draft Implementation Plan and submit comments, visit www.whitehouse.gov/oceans.

National Ocean Council press release: 2012_01_12_NOC_Draft_Implementation_Plan_Release.pdf