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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif"'>Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan Amendment<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif"'>Public Workshops<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>In December 2009, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) issued the Commonwealth$B!G(Bs first</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Cambria Math","serif"'>$B!>(B</span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>ever Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan. The release of the plan was the culmination of an intensive planning process launched in May 2008 with the signing of the Oceans Act by Governor Patrick. The plan provides protection for critical marine habitat and natural resources in the Commonwealth's waters and sets standards for the development of offshore renewable energy, as well as for other infrastructure, to foster sustainable ocean uses. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The Oceans Act requires the review and update of the plan at least once every five years, and in January 2013, EEA initiated this review. Since that time, the Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), on behalf of EEA, has been working with the Ocean Advisory Commission and Ocean Science Advisory Council on the update of the 2009 Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan. As a key part of this process, six technical work groups (focusing on habitat, fisheries, sediment resources, recreational and cultural services, transportation and navigation, and energy and infrastructure) were convened to provide expert input and to assist in the compilation and analysis of data and information that will help inform the plan revision process. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>A fundamental principle of the ocean planning process is to promote extensive public involvement in decision making. As with the development of the 2009 plan, to achieve this goal, CZM will hold two public workshops in March focused on the data, products, and recommendations of the work groups. Workshop attendees will: (1) find out more about the plan revision process, (2) learn about the findings and recommendations of the technical work groups, focusing on new data, notable trends, and important issues, and (3) provide input to help inform the ocean plan update. SeaPlan (formerly the Massachusetts Ocean Partnership) is providing significant support and assistance of for these workshops, and all are welcome to participate. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Monday, March 10 from 3:30-6:00 p.m. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Third Sector New England, 89 South Street, Boston, MA 02111<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Tuesday, March 11 from 3:30-6:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Falmouth Public Library, Hermann Room, 300 Main Street, Falmouth, MA 02540<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>For more information, please go to EEA$B!G(Bs <a href="http://www.mass.gov/eea/waste-mgnt-recycling/coasts-and-oceans/mass-ocean-plan/">Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan website</a>.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>