Executive Office of the President, Council On Environmental Quality

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                              
September 22, 2009                                                                                                  

PROVIDENCE, RI – Obama Administration officials will hold a media availability prior to the Ocean Policy Task Force Public Meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, on September 24, 2009.  The Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, led by White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley, consists of senior-level officials from Administration agencies, departments, and offices.  

The Task Force, established by President Obama via presidential memorandum on June 12, is charged with developing a recommendation for a national policy that ensures protection, maintenance, and restoration of oceans, our coasts and the Great Lakes. It will also recommend a framework for improved stewardship, and effective coastal and marine spatial planning.  The meeting in Providence will be the third regional public meeting held since the Task Force was created.

Participate by attending in person at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence; by calling into the listen only phone line (United States: (866) 658-7997; participant code: 4319624); or via live webstream.

Who:

• Chair Nancy Sutley, White House Council on Environmental Quality
• Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Vice Admiral David P. Pekoske, Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard
• Associate Deputy Secretary Laura Davis, Department of Interior
• Ira Leighton, Acting Regional Administrator for Environmental Protection Agency Region One
• Dr. Sharon Hrynkow, Associate Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH

What: Media Availability

When: Thursday, September 24, 1:30 p.m. EST

Where: Providence Waterfront, Ceremonial Dock, India Point Park, India Street, Providence, RI