After three years, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body (RPB) will release its Draft Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action Plan (Draft Plan) the week of June 27th. The RPB will host a series of evening public hearings in each state this July–see below for the hearing dates and locations!

The Draft Plan was created over a three year period, with input from thousands of ocean stakeholders, by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body (RPB), whose membership consists of representatives from the five states in the region, federally recognized tribes, and federal agencies. The Draft Plan will be open for a 45-day public comment period once released.

In 2010, the Mid-Atlantic RPB was authorized as part of the National Ocean Policy, an executive order based on the bipartisan recommendations of the U.S. Ocean Commission to better manage the nation’s oceans and coastal resources. The RPB began meeting early in 2013. Since then it has held numerous public meetings and accepted thousands of comments from stakeholders.

Throughout the RPB process, Surfrider has represented the interests of non-consumptive recreational users such as wildlife viewers, divers, surfers, and beach goers. We also collected unique geospatial and economic data on non-consumptive recreation, which is now located online in the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal.

NEW YORK 

July 27, 2016 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Suffolk County Community College, Selden Campus, Babylon Student Center

533 College Rd, Selden, NY 11784

NEW JERSEY (Facebook Event Page HERE)

July 14, 2016, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Monmouth University, Pozycki Hall 2nd level

400 Cedar Ave, West Long Branch, NJ 07764

DELAWARE (Facebook Event Page HERE)

July 20, 2016, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

The Virden Retreat Center – University of Delaware

700 Pilottown Rd, Lewes, DE 19958

MARYLAND (Facebook Event Page HERE)

July 19, 2016, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Ocean Pines Branch, Worcester County Library

11107 Cathell Rd, Berlin, MD 21811

VIRGINIA (Facebook Event Page HERE)

July 12, 2016, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

717 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451