GUAM AND SAIPAN – From September 19-24, 2016, the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force will join the governors of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and top federal and state leaders to highlight coral reef conservation strategies and successes -- including the status of the Micronesia Challenge , watershed restoration projects and climate change adaptation strategies. The task force, co-chaired by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), includes leaders from 12 federal agencies, seven U.S. states and territories, and three freely associated states.
Established in 1998 by a Presidential Executive Order, the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force’s mission is to lead, coordinate, and strengthen U.S. government actions to better preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. The 36th meeting of the task force will explore important activities in the area, including a commitment made by regional leaders to conserve at least 30 percent of the near-shore marine resources and 20 percent of the terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020.
The Interior Department and NOAA also expect to announce progress on the CNMI Submerged Lands Transfer on September 22 in Saipan just after the U.S. Coral Task Force Business Meeting Day 1. The submerged lands are among some of the most biologically diverse in the Western Pacific Ocean, with relatively pristine coral reef ecosystems that have been proclaimed objects of scientific interest and reserved for protection as part of the Monument's Islands Unit by Presidential Proclamation 8335 of January 6, 2009.
Who:
Lori Faeth, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs (Department of the Interior, task force co-chair)
Eileen Sobeck, Assistant Administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service (Department of Commerce-NOAA, task force co-chair)
Ralph Deleon Guerrero Torres, Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Eddie Baza Calvo, Governor of Guam
* Additional high-ranking officials, including federal and state leaders from the Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the states and territories of Florida, Hawaii, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands are expected to attend.
What:
36th meeting of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force
When:
September 19-24, 2016
USCRTF member meetings to address priority threats and innovative solutions and site visits to examine marine and coastal issues on Guam, Rota and Saipan.
Saipan: Thursday, September 22 (open to the public)
USCRTF Business Meeting Day 1 to address priority threats and innovative solutions. Announcement on progress of CNMI Submerged Lands Transfer.
Guam: Friday, September 23 through Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 (open to the public)
USCRTF Business Meeting Day 2 ; registration is required for site visit and local field trip to examine marine and coastal issues.
*Participants will be available for media interviews and photo opportunities
*For the full agenda, visit http://marianascoral.org/agenda.
Where:
Hyatt Regency, Tumon, Guam
1155 Pale San Vitores Rd
Tamuning, Guam 96913
Fiesta Hotel, Saipan, CNMI
Coral Tree Ave, Garapan, Saipan 96950
Northern Mariana Islands
Registration:
Please register and review registration requirements at http://marianascoral.org/.
Media:
Credentialed members of the media are encouraged to RSVP here.
Source: Department of Interior
