Case Description

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Geolocation:	42° 36' 0", -69° 30' 0"



Predominent Land Use Descriptors	religious/cultural sites
Important Uses of Water	Fisheries - wild, Fisheries - farmed, Industry - non-consumptive use, Other Ecological Services, Recreation or Tourism

Summary

Natural, Historic, Economic, Regional, and Political Framework

Issues and Stakeholders

How can coordination be improved for regulatory and management decisions?

NSPD: Governance, Values and Norms
Stakeholder Types: Sovereign state/national/federal government, Non-legislative governmental agency, Environmental interest, Industry/Corporate Interest, Community or organized citizens

Previous to the ocean planning process, a range of stakeholders (federal, state, industry, conservation) saw challenges to the complex ocean management regime that included many steps with multiple state and federal agencies. It was inefficient at best and at times led to costly conflicts, such as Cape Wind. Given this, actors sought a more proactive and coordinated approach to managing the future of the New England coastline.

How can data be more accessible and shared for better decision-making?

NSPD: Water Quantity, Water Quality, Ecosystems, Governance, Assets
Stakeholder Types: Sovereign state/national/federal government, Non-legislative governmental agency, Environmental interest, Industry/Corporate Interest, Community or organized citizens

A key challenge in regional ocean management and decision-making before the Northeast ocean planning process was dispersed and inaccessible data. If a developer wanted to propose an ocean use project, they did not necessarily have access to the same data as decision-makers. State and federal agencies in the region, both responsible for different permitting processes in ocean management, also did not necessarily use the same data in their decision-making. This led to frustration and confusion at times and was a central issue to address in the process.

What additional areas of research and data are needed to further inform ocean management in the Northeast?

NSPD: Ecosystems, Governance, Assets
Stakeholder Types: Sovereign state/national/federal government, Non-legislative governmental agency, Environmental interest, Industry/Corporate Interest, Community or organized citizens

In addition to sharing existing data, stakeholders prioritized additional research needs as new ocean uses evolved and ocean dynamics changed due to climate change or other circumstances.

Analysis, Synthesis, and Insight

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