WASHINGTON DC (2 Oct 2004) -- The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy has issued a final report that contains 212 recommendations. Many of them should be embraced -- including increased efforts to preserve coral reefs, protect marine mammals and make science, rather than the desires of special interests, the basis of federal government decisions regarding the oceans. But the commission, which President Bush appointed in 2001, also made a troubling recommendation that the president and Congress should reject. The commission proposed using governmental royalties collected on offshore oil and gas drilling operations to create a trust fund to finance "improvement of ocean and coastal management, including the sustainability of renewable resources." The goal is worthwhile, but another source of funding it should be found. Oil and gas wells in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Pacific Ocean off California are a constant pollution threat. To pay for laudable new ocean and coastal initiatives with money derived from offshore drilling operations would send the wrong message. The commission report cites a need for more education and awareness about problems faced by oceans. Yet, oil spills pose one of the most serious threats to the health of oceans, gulfs, bays and other inlets. Tapping the oil and gas industry for money would amount to a tacit stamp of approval for offshore drilling. | | When the commission proposed that funding source in a preliminary report, Govs. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California and John Baldacci of Maine said the proposed linkage of offshore drilling and ocean protection isn't acceptable. The new report seeks to mollify the governors and other critics by stating that using oil and gas royalties would not show an intention "to either promote or discourage offshore uses authorized under existing laws, and the fund itself would not drive activities in offshore waters." That little linguistic dance isn't good enough. The president, who has 90 days to respond to the report, should take a stand against the recommendation. Members of Congress who understand the urgent need to embrace most of the panel's recommendations -- both to ensure the health of commercial fishing and other marine industries and to protect the oceans -- need to find an untainted source of funding to finance a new and important national initiative. |
