Ocean and Great Lakes Program

Overview

The Ocean and Great Lakes Program collaborates with local, State, and federal agencies to advance planning, policy, and project activities that address the connections between ocean and Great Lakes ecosystem health, economic vitality and community well-being.    

Offshore Planning for the Atlantic Ocean
Offshore Atlantic Ocean Study

State, federal, and non-governmental partners collaborated to assemble an Offshore Atlantic Ocean Study highlighting known or predicted locations of certain ocean uses and resources.    

Ocean Action Plan 

DOS co-led the development of New York’s first-ever “Ocean Action Plan,” a coordinated and inclusive effort focused on improving the health of our ocean ecosystems and their capacity to provide sustainable benefits to New Yorkers and is working on its implementation.  

Collaborative Councils and Partnerships

MARCO leverages existing state and federal resources, knowledge, and partnerships to build a stronger base of information and experience to make well-informed decisions in the best interest of the states and their constituents. MARCO uses regional ocean planning to improve understanding of how ocean resources and places are being used, managed, and conserved, and to establish a common foundation that will guide actions to address the shared regional priorities.

NROC is a voluntary forum for addressing ocean and coastal issues arising in the New England area that benefit from a regional response.  Representatives of New England states (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut), federal agencies, regional organizations, and other interested regional groups develop goals and address regional coastal and ocean management challenges. New York participates as an ex-officio member.

The Department of State is the lead agency for regulatory activities related to renewable energy development in the federal waters of the Atlantic Ocean offshore New York. Our office leads the State’s participation in the New York Outer Continental Shelf Renewable Energy Task Force, which was established by the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to coordinate planning and project regulatory reviews for wind development offshore New York and in the broader New York Bight.  

The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Maritime Initiative seeks to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the maritime transportation system; to grow the regional economy; to increase the internal movement of goods across the region; to expand the movement of goods to and from foreign markets; and to create jobs. The initiative is led by the Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers. OPDCI represents Governor Kathy Hochul in Conference discussions on how to support maritime and port infrastructure in Lakes Erie and Ontario.

Regional Planning and Implementation
Along the Great Lakes
The Department of State works with local, state, and federal partners to identify and address pressing problems along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.