11 CRITICAL OCEAN ISSUES - The International Seakeepers Society

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11 CRITICAL OCEAN ISSUES
Action Items for Concernced Citizens

Guide to Reaching Political Leaders

The only way to make our representative democracy work for U.S. viewers to ensure that our political leaders represent us. It is, in fact, their job. This guide will help you pursue many of the suggested actions contained in 11 Critical Ocean Issues: With Action Items for Concerned Citizens. Appendix D of 11 Critical Ocean Issues provides a template for a letter to these leaders to urge their action on the oceans. We encourage you to use this letter as you see fit and modify it to suit your own interests and concerns regarding the sea. We have also included in this section an additional 19 letters that you can utilize for more specific advocacy purposes.

Docs are supplied in Microsoft Word format.

Document ID	Purpose of Letter
1. WastewaterCSOsLtr1v2	Increase funding for wastewater facilities and combined sewer overflow systems.
2. AgricultureLtf2newv2	Encourage greater spending for agriculture conservation programs.
3. MPAsupportLtf3v2	Facilitate the establishment of marine reserves and other marine protected areas (targets federal officials).
4. MagnusonStevensLtr4v2	Ensure reauthorization of Magnuson-Stevens Act improves fishery management.
5. LawOfSeaLtr5v2	Ensure U.S. Senate ratifies the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (targets Congress).
6. OffshoreRegimeLtr6v2	Establish a comprehensive governance regime for federal waters.
7. ScienceFundingLtr7v2	Double the ocean science budget. Support Ocean Policy Trust Fund.
8. HabitatProtectionLtr8v2	Provide significant and permanent funding to protect critical habitats.
9. LeadershipHouseLtr9v2	Join the House Oceans Caucus and promote a national ocean policy act.
10. IntegratedMgmtLtr10v2	Insist on responsible governance through the U.S. Ocean Action Plan and legislation.
11. RegionalGovLtr11v2	Support integrated regional efforts and comprehensive plans to protect ecosystems
12. ORRPISLtr12v2	Support a strong Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy (ORPPIS).
13. IOOSLtr13v2	Support spending for a U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System, or IOOS.
14. ResearchInfrastructureLtr14v2	Modernize research ships, facilities and technology.
15. InvasivesLtr15v2	Minimize invasive species and support protective ballast water technologies.
16. ClimateLtr16v2	Support policies to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other (greenhouse gases).
17. StateLocalMPAltr17	Facilitate the establishment of marine reserves and other marine protected areas (targets local and state officials).
18. PresidentLawOfSeaLtr18	Demand the Senate leadership ratify U.N. Convention on Law of the Sea this year (targets the President).
19. SenateLeadershipLtr19	Establish a Senate Oceans Caucus and promote a national ocean policy act.

Here are some suggestions for reaching out to those who need to hear from you about important ocean issues:

General Reference: The National Political Index (www.politicalindex.com/index.htm) is a terrific, comprehensive, one-stop resource through which you can find: the name and contact information for your federal, state and local elected officials; names and contact information for federal as well as state and local government agencies; details on federal legislation; and other useful information.

Congressional Contacts: To quickly find the names and addresses of your congressional representatives, go to www.house.gov or www.senate.gov.

Key Federal Officials: Here are names and contact information for some of the most important ocean-related federal officials:

President George W. Bush (www.whitehouse.gov/contact);
The Honorable Joshua Bolten, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (www.whitehouse.gov/omb.contact.html);
The Honorable Carlos Gutierrez, Secretary of the Department of Commerce (www.commerce.gov/Contact_Us.htm);
The Honorable Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospaheric Administration (NOAA) (PH: (202) 482-3436; FAX: (202) 408-9674; conrad.c.lautenbacher@noaa.gov; 14th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230)

Tracking Congressional Legislation: For the latest on bills, their cosponsors and their status, the definitive site is http://thomas.loc.gov.

11 CRITICAL OCEAN ISSUES Action Items for Concernced Citizens

Document ID

Purpose of Letter

11 CRITICAL OCEAN ISSUES
Action Items for Concernced Citizens