News Story

New York State Department of State Atlantic Ocean Amendment

Progress to date 3/10/2011

Data Collection

Ocean Use Information has been received from eleven offshore user groups representing over 100 individual users including recreational fishers, divers, and boaters. DOS will be providing additional assistance to groups as needed to identify, locate and characterize ocean uses. DOS will also be compiling information provided by offshore users into spatial information and aggregating that information on maps.

Oceanographic and biological information has been received from federal partners at NOAA’s National Center for Coastal and Ocean Sciences including deepwater coral data, selected seabird data. DOS has also generated fishery, marine mammal and sea turtle maps showing seasonal distribution in our planning area. Analysis is underway.

Federal and Interstate Coordination Activities:

On November 18, 2010, the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) Bureau of Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) convened the first meeting of the New York- BOEMRE Offshore Renewable Energy Task Force. DOS is coordinating State agency involvement in this federal task force. The task force shares information among federal, state, local, and tribal government members concerning offshore renewable energy leasing and development in federal waters off the Atlantic coast of New York. The Task Force will enhance federal and local government involvement in the development of Atlantic Ocean Amendment products.

State Coordination Activities

On September 2, 2010, DOS convened the New York Offshore Renewable Energy Workgroup’s inaugural meeting. The Workgroup provides a direct mechanism for involvement of other State agencies and authorities in the DOS-led offshore planning process. It also provides an internal forum for discussing the responsible development of New York’s offshore renewable energy resources and New York’s role in broader intergovernmental planning efforts, such as the NY-BOEMRE Task Force and the AOWEC.

November 30, 2010, DOS convened the inaugural meeting of the New York Offshore Habitat Workgroup to advise DOS and contribute to developing products that will help improve decision-making for actions affecting ocean habitats. The group is discussing how best to identify and evaluate critical offshore habitats and is assessing strategies to enhance New York State’s ability to effectively protect critical ocean habitats, particularly those with connections to New York’s coastal resources and communities.

Staying Connected

If you have information that could contribute to this planning process or have any questions please contact Sue Senecah at susan.senecah@dos.ny.gov or (518) 473-3368.

DOS has launched its new web site to further facilitate exchange with stakeholders and ocean interests.


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