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Sanctuary Budgets Slashed
The Initiative called new and sustained investments key to the success of ocean policy reform. The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy identified the costs associated with each of its 212 recommendations, which would require new funding on the order of $3.9 billion per year to be shared among the states, tribes, and federal government. Key among those costs is the doubling of the federal ocean and coastal research budget ($650+ million) over the next five years, building an integrated ocean observing system, and the establishment of an Ocean Policy Trust Fund.
“The health and wealth of our oceans and coasts are key to our country’s competitiveness,” said Watkins. “We must unify our nation with a common goal of protecting and restoring our ocean and coastal ecosystems so that they will continue to be healthy and resilient and able to provide the goods and services that people want and need.”
Instead, the National Marine Sanctuaries Program suffered a $16 million budget cut in the Fiscal Year 2006 appropriations cycle, dropping from $ 51 million in FY 2005 to $35 million in FY 2006. This 30% budget reduction is significant and cannot be sustained without severe impacts to America’s coast and ocean environments.
The ocean economy is significant in California and is dependent on long-term protection and conservation of marine resources. California has the largest Ocean Economy in the United States, ranking number one overall for both employment and gross state product (GSP). The total GSP of California’s Ocean economy in 2000 was approximately $42.9 billion. California’s Ocean Economy directly provided approximately 408,000 jobs in 2000, and almost 700,00 jobs when multiplier effects are included. The National Ocean Economics Program evaluated the total value of all economic transactions within 19 coastal counties (mainland coast and four additional counties added within San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento River Delta) and identified approximately $1.15 trillion of economic activity, (86% of total state economic activity), that is referred to as the “Coastal Economy.” The natural resources of the coast and the coastal ocean are a solid foundation for California’s and the United States’ economy, and these resources must be sustained.
Cuts in national program funding have impacted Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary programs and staff and will result in critical losses should reduced funding continue. Some immediate concerns: The sanctuary will not be able to fill critical ecosystem protection staff positions constraining the sanctuary’s ability to:
* Reduce pollution affecting water quality
* Implement programs to ensure sustainable fisheries
* Implement the sanctuary’s new updated management plan, developed over the last 5 years with the input and time of hundreds of local citizens
Other measures contemplated in the wake of the budget cuts:
* Closing the Half Moon Bay office to the detriment of San Mateo County constituents
* Cutting back on science programs that monitor the health of the sanctuary
* Cutting back on education programs that nurture a new generation of ocean stewards
* Cutting back on the development of partnerships that have been developed between the sanctuary and key industries such as fishing and tourism
The National Marine Sanctuary Program is one of our nations’ most critical ocean science, conservation and education programs. Through partnerships and collaboration with local and state governments and community groups, our marine sanctuaries engage communities in ocean conservation and management on a larger, more integrated regional level. Sanctuaries, like Gulf of the Farallones, serve as living laboratories, outdoor classrooms and rich playgrounds for our citizens. They are an important part of our heritage and a legacy that we pass on to our children.
Funding for essential ocean programs remains woefully insufficient and is far outpaced by current and future challenges. Failure to provide even the modest funding increase recommended by the Commissions, compounded by budget cuts in important ocean programs jeopardizes the economic and ecological benefits our nation receives from its ocean and its coasts. New investments must be made so that we can address ocean and coastal issues effectively.
Write a letter to your representative encouraging the restoration of funds for our National Marine Sanctuaries. (See sidebar.)
Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary employs 5 federal employees to protect and preserve over 1,200 square miles of ocean and coastline. That's a whopping 240 miles for each employee - each mile packed with wildlife and threats to the marine environment. They clearly need more resources - not fewer.
ASK YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO RESTORE FUNDING TO OUR SANTUARY PROGRAMSTake Action: Write a letter to your representative!And here are the addresses of local northern California representatives. If yours is not listed, please visit http://www.house.gov/writerep/ U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey Sample letter:Your name Your address (so your district will be known)
The Honorable Address
Re: Budget Cuts to the National Marine Sanctuary Program Dear , I am asking for your support in opposing the 32% budget cut to the National Marine Sanctuary Program that the Administration requested for FY07. The President's proposed reduction of the budget from $51 million to $35 million sends a clear signal that protection of our natural resources is at the very bottom of his national priorities. And just as clearly, his focus is on maximum petroleum resource exploitation, with minimal consideration for ecological or humanitarian protections. His proposed undermining of our National Marine Sanctuary Program, which protects vital marine habitats from oil development and its concomitant problems, demonstrates that the environment and those of us who protect it, have become marginalized. I am asking you to fight for a decent budget for our sanctuaries. Without strong sanctuary protections, our coast could look very different:
Given existing Administration funding priorities, I urge you to support the creation of an Ocean Trust Fund, as recommended by the Pew Oceans Commission and the US Commission on Ocean Policy. The Ocean Trust Fund could operate in a way similar to the Sportfishing Restoration Funds (SRF) or National Highway Trust Fund: users of the ocean would pay a small (1-3%) fee specifically tied into that use. This would ensure that funds would be available for ocean conservation, regardless of shifting administration priorities. Your help is needed NOW to fight for the sanctuaries' budget and to get the Ocean Trust Fund process moving. Sincerely, Your name |
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© 2005-2006 Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association. All Rights Reserved. |
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