Between the Lines: The Law of the Sea

Presidential Memorandum: On June 12, President Obama announced the formation of an Ocean Policy Task Force. That means the nation could soon have a federal policy to protect, maintain, and restore coastal and freshwater ecosystems. Here's NRDC's take.

"...We have a stewardship responsibility to maintain healthy, resilient, and sustainable oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes resources for the benefit of this and future generations. Yet, the oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes are subject to substantial pressures and face significant environmental challenges. Challenges include water pollution and degraded coastal water quality caused by industrial and commercial activities both onshore and offshore, habitat loss, fishing impacts, invasive species, disease, rising sea levels, and ocean acidification. Oceans both influence and are affected by climate change. They not only affect climate processes but they are also under stress from the impacts of climate change. Renewable energy, shipping, and aquaculture are also expected to place growing demands on ocean and Great Lakes resources..."

"The Great Lakes Basin holds 20 percent of the earth's freshwater. As we face global water scarcity, the challenge is that the approach to water in the Great Lakes Basin presumes abundance and ready access. But we need to control the amount of water we divert out of the lakes and promote conservation."

"Scientists have found that the pulses from air guns, which are used in seismic surveys by offshore oil and gas developers as they look for reserves under the seafloor, can injure and even kill marine wildlife, including whales and dolphins. Avoiding oil and gas development in important ecological areas -- such as those of high marine animal abundance -- is the best way to lessen the impact on marine life."

"A dirty little secret is that urban runoff, which often flows without any treatment into coastal waters, is now one of the nation's biggest sources of water pollution. Green cities, with water-absorbing elements such as roof gardens, can help prevent urban pollutants from being swept into coastal waters."

"There are wind projects in development off the coast of Long Island as well as on Lakes Erie and Ontario. We're excited about the projects but want to make sure that they occur in areas that do not harm critical habitat and ecosystems for important marine and avian wildlife."