09/05/08 Keeping an eye on Oceans-21

Farm and Ranch September 5, 2008 It is called Oceans-21, and no, it is not a Hollywood movie sequel. It does however come out of California. Democratic California Congressman Sam Farr sponsored this House Resolution 21, which is the Oceans Conservation, Education and National Strategy for the 21st Century, or Oceans-21 for short. Meghan Kolassa, director of government affairs for the National Potato Council, says Oceans-21 would strengthen the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA. Kolassa: "There was some concern that there are many different agencies overlooking parts of what takes place in the ocean but not necessarily all coming together on one page. My understanding that this bill was trying to bring it all together so that you have one whole picture of who is looking over the ocean." Kolassa says a criticism of the legislation is that it would create unnecessary layers of new bureaucracy. And some vague language in the bill has agriculture on guard. Kolassa: "It may bring regulation in the ocean and may be able to regulate up watersheds. So any water that dumps into the ocean, the legislation is saying they would like to have jurisdiction up that watershed and into any smaller watershed that branches off. So potentially it could lead to any watershed in the United States." Kolassa says if Oceans-21 were to pass the House it's expected it would fail in the Senate but would also likely be back next year. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.