It may or may not make a difference, but they heard us....
Dear Mr. Peguinpower:
Thank you for writing to express your concerns about the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force's recommendations for a comprehensive national policy for our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this issue, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.
As you know, the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force was established by President Obama on June 12, 2009. The Task Force is responsible for developing recommendations for protecting and restoring the oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes. After hosting more than 20 meetings with a broad range of stakeholders and interest groups including commercial and recreational fishing groups, the Task Force released its Interim Report on September 17, 2009 and its Interim Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning on December 14, 2009. The Task Force is expected to provide a final report with all of its recommendations later this year.
I understand that you are concerned that the Ocean Policy Task Force does not explicitly recognize the role of recreational fishing in the stewardship of ocean and coastal resources and that you oppose the issuance of an executive order adopting the Task Force's recommendations. Executive orders are issued by the President of the United States. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to contact President Barack Obama to express your concerns about the Task Force's recommendations.
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Please know that I recognize importance of balancing the protection and restoration of our oceans, coasts and Great Lakes with access to recreational and commercial fishing opportunities, and I will keep your thoughts in mind should this matter come before the United States Senate in the 111th Congress.
Again, thank you for writing. I hope you will continue to keep me informed on issues of importance to you. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.
Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator