Mr. Colvin briefed the Council on a state initiative to institute ecosystem-based management (EBM) in its approach to managing marine and Great Lakes resources.  Governor Pataki recently signed legislation that created the New York Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Council.  The Council consists of the heads of eight state agencies along with the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation, who is the Chairperson.  The Council must prepare a report by 2008 outlining how the State should progress towards the ecosystem-based management of its ocean and Great Lakes resources.  This will come from a compilation of research, investigations and public dialogues.  Five public workshops have been scheduled across the state to be held in September and October to start the dialogue with New Yorkers on how EBM should be instituted in New York.  It’s important that each of these meetings have a broad range of participants so that every user group has a voice.

Councilor Witek commented that, in his view, EBM is a work in progress and hasn’t been defined yet but with everyone working together, we can help it take the shape that will work best.

 

Page last modified Friday, November 3, 2006 by George E. Carroll