Budget committee passes ocean, coastal protection amendment

Oceans and coastal areas would get a boost under an amendment the Senate Budget Committee approved today as part of the Senate's fiscal 2009 budget resolution.

The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), would incorporate protections for oceans, coastal areas and the Great Lakes, into a reserve fund that supports increased investment in clean, renewable energy, green jobs and environmental preservation in the underlying budget resolution.

By making oceans and coastal protection part of a larger reserve fund, the amendment sends a message to the rest of the Senate and Congress that the oceans should be a priority and need to be funded as such, said Whitehouse spokeswoman Alex Swartsel.

The Joint Oceans Commission Initiative has been pushing lawmakers to implement recommendations from reports by its predecessors, the Pew Oceans Commission and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. Speaking to House members last month, JOCI co-chairman Leon Panetta said funding was a major obstacle to protecting the oceans.

The reserve funds give the Budget Committee flexibility for future legislation with money set aside for a specific purpose, in this case investments in oceans and coasts. "It was largely inspired by the work of JOCI," Swartsel said, adding that one way to ensure better protection is through increased funding.

The amendment passed unanimously by voice vote. The Senate is expected to vote on the budget next week.

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