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** Please distribute **
<p><b>Announcing new web site:</b>
<br><b>Marine Protected Areas of the United States</b>
<br><b><A HREF="http://mpa.gov/">http://mpa.gov/</A></b>
<p>The United States Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior
are pleased to announce the first version of a new web site on Marine Protected
Areas (MPAs) of the United States. The web address is <A HREF="http://MPA.GOV/">http://MPA.GOV/</A>
<p>MPA.GOV is designed to provide information, facilitate partnerships,
help identify key needs and challenges, and encourage public participation
in the design, implementation and evaluation of marine protected areas.
<p>In May, 2000, the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior
were directed by President Clinton (Executive Order 13158) to establish
and jointly manage a website to share information, tools and strategies
on MPAs, and provide access to a complete list of MPAs in U.S. waters.
The President also directed federal agencies to work closely with local,
state, territorial, tribal and other stakeholders to strengthen existing
MPAs and build a scientifically-based, comprehensive national system of
MPAs.
<p>The first version of MPA.GOV provides a variety of services such as
(1) general information on the role of MPAs ocean and coastal management,
(2) a virtual library of references on MPAs, and (3) the beginnings of
a comprehensive inventory of U.S. marine protected areas. The site
will be updated as new material is available, and will provide reports
on progress towards a building a comprehensive system of marine protected
areas.
<p>We hope the site is useful to a broad range of interests, from educators
and students to managers, scientists, policy makers, fishermen, boaters
and other users of ocean and coastal resources. We welcome suggestions
on how to improve the web site.
<p>Public input is also requested on two issues related to completing a
list of all U.S. MPAs (see section on MPA Inventory). The issues
are (1) the proposed criteria for defining an MPA, and (2) the proposed
data/information to be provided on each MPA. Our goal is to develop
a list of U.S. MPAs that is a valuable resource and tool for managers,
users, the public and others. Input is requested on what kind of
information on each MPA site to include in the database, and how to clearly
interpret the definition of MPAs provided in the Executive Order.
<p>Table of Contents for MPA.GOV:
<p>Foreword
<br>Introduction
<br>What is a Marine Protected Area?
<br>What MPAs Provide the Nation.
<br>The Challenges
<br>The National MPA Initiative
<br>An Inventory of MPAs
<br>The MPA Library
<br>The MPA Center
<br>The MPA Advisory Committee
<br>Agency Progress Reports
<p>For more information please contact:
<p>Roger Griffis
<br>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
<br>U.S. Department of Commerce
<br>P: 202-482-5034
<br>F: 202-501-3024
<br>email: roger.b.griffis@noaa.gov
<p>- or -
<p>Ashley Simons
<br>Department of the Interior
<br>P: 202-208-6211
<br>email: Ashley_Simons@ios.doi.gov</html>