PEW OCEANS COMMISSION PRESS RELEASE National Ocean Study to Visit America's Heartland Rescheduled Des Moines Public Hearing to Focus on Agricultural Runoff The first independent review of national ocean policies in over 30 years will visit Des Moines, Iowa, on December 10, 2001, to study the effects of agricultural runoff on America's coastal waters. Members of the Pew Oceans Commission will hold a public hearing with local and national scientists, officials, farmers, conservationists, and the public at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 10 East Locust Street, Des Moines. Commissioners will hear from invited experts from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., followed by public comment from 2:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. (complete agenda below). The visit to Des Moines may seem a slight departure for the Pew Oceans Commission, which has visited coastal cities in California, Hawaii, South Carolina, Alaska, Maine, Washington, Maryland, and New York. However, activities far from the shore also contribute to the decline in ocean health. For example, urban and agricultural runoff contributes to the loss of coastal habitats and worsening water quality. Most notably, scientists have linked nitrogen runoff from Midwest farms that drain into the Mississippi River to a "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico. By meeting with Iowans, commission members aim to better understand the nature of the problem and find potential solutions. The Commission will travel to New Orleans in March 2002. "Poorly planned coastal development, polluted runoff from our cities and farms, and overfishing have taken their toll on the health of our oceans, which should concern all Americans whether we live along the coast or in the heartland," said Leon Panetta, former White House chief of staff and current chair of the Pew Oceans Commission. "As we develop our recommendations to Congress, the Bush Administration, and the nation, it is important that we come to Iowa and learn firsthand about the delicate balance between our farms and our coastal waters. Improving the stewardship of our land and oceans is our common national bond." The independent Pew Oceans Commission formed in May 2000 to study ways to restore and protect the oceans. The commission includes scientists, environmentalists, business leaders, elected officials, and representatives from commercial and recreational fishing. After meeting with Americans across the nation and considering the best available scientific information, the commission will present formal recommendations to Congress and the nation in the fall of 2002 on issues such as marine pollution, coastal development, fishing, aquaculture, governance, invasive species, and climate change. Information on the Pew Oceans Commission, including recently published reports on marine pollution, aquaculture, and introduced species is available online at www.pewoceans.org. Pew Oceans Commission members (*scheduled to attend the Des Moines hearing): Hon. Leon E. Panetta, Chair, director of the Panetta Institute for Public Policy at California State University at Monterey Bay and former member of Congress, director of the office of management and budget, and White House chief of staff Mr. John Adams, founder and president, Natural Resources Defense Council Hon. Eileen Claussen, president, Strategies for the Global Environment *Hon. Carlotta Leon Guerrero, former member of the Guam Senate *Hon. Mike Hayden, secretary-designee, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and former president, American Sportfishing Association. Dr. Geoffrey Heal, Garrett Professor of Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility and professor of economics and finance at the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University Dr. Charles F. Kennel, director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography and vice chancellor of marine sciences at the University of California at San Diego Hon. Tony Knowles, governor of Alaska and former mayor of Anchorage *Dr. Jane Lubchenco, professor of marine biology at Oregon State University and former president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Ms. Julie Packard, executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and vice chair of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation board of directors *Hon. Pietro Parravano, commercial fisherman and president, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations and elected member of the San Mateo County Harbor Commission Hon. George E. Pataki, governor of New York Hon. Joseph P. Riley, Jr., mayor of Charleston, South Carolina Mr. David Rockefeller, Jr., director and former chair of Rockefeller & Co., Inc. Vice Admiral Roger T. Rufe, Jr., U.S. Coast Guard (retired), president of the Ocean Conservancy Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan, president of COSI, Inc., former astronaut and NOAA chief scientist Ms. Marilyn Ware, chairman of the board, American Water Works Company, Inc. Mr. Patten D. White, commercial fisherman, executive director, Maine Lobstermen's Association ================== Pew Oceans Commission Nutrient Pollution Hearing Agenda Monday, December 10, 2001 Embassy Suites Hotel on the River, Salon D 10 East Locust Street Des Moines, Iowa 50309 8:30 a.m. Introductions and opening statements 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Science Panel Dr. Nancy Rabalais, Louisiana Marine Consortium Dr. Dennis Keeney, Iowa State University Mr. Donald Goolsby, USGS Dr. William Mitsch, Ohio State University 10:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Agricultural Panel Mr. David Miller, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Mr. George Boody, Land Stewardship Project Mr. Dan Specht, Practical Farmers of Iowa 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Break for lunch 1:45 p.m.-2:30 p.m. At-large Panel Mr. Richard Moser, American Water Works Company, Inc. Ms. Susan Heathcote, Iowa Environmental Council 2:45 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Public Comment - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For SC email list T-and-C, send: GET TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS.CURRENT to [log in to unmask]