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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UNH HOSTS U.S. SENATE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING ON OCEANS SEPT. 27 DURHAM, NH, September 24, 2004 --/WORLD-WIRE/-- MEDIA ADVISORY WHAT: The University of New Hampshire will host a U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State and Judiciary hearing on the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy report Monday, Sept. 27, 2004. WHEN/WHERE: A reception with U.S. Senator Judd Gregg, along with hearing panelists Robert Ballard, Andrew Rosenberg and Paul Sandifer, UNH students and professors precedes the hearing at 9 a.m. in the Milne Collection Room (Room 101) of the Dimond Library. An open press availability with all participants takes place at 9:30 a.m. in the same room. The official Senate hearing begins at 10 a.m. in the Courtyard Reading Room (Room 510) of the Dimond Library. Ballard will be the first panel, followed by Rosenberg and Sandifer. All events are open to the press. PRESS PARKING: Parking will be reserved for the press in the Thompson Hall parking lot and C-Lot on a first-come-first-served basis. To guarantee a spot, please call Sharon Keeler at (603) 862-1566. BACKGROUND: The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy report is the first major government assessment of the state of the oceans in 35 years. It recommends sweeping changes in the way marine resources are studied and managed, citing habitat loss, commercial fishing, polluted runoff and invasive species as pressing issues threatening the coastal areas where half of the nation's population now lives. As mandated by the Oceans Act of 2000, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy submitted its final report, "An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century," (http://www.oceancommission.gov/documents/welcome.html) to the president and Congress Monday, Sept. 20, 2004. Under the Act, the president must then submit his statement of proposals to implement or respond to the commission's findings and recommendations to Congress within 90 days. UNH was chosen to host the subcommittee hearing because of UNH Professor Rosenberg's role on the commission, as well as the university's leadership and expertise in marine research, education and extension, ocean exploration, coastal ocean observation and ecosystem-based management -- all areas of important inquiry discussed in the report - as well as its strong partnership with NOAA. CONTACT: Sharon Keeler UNH Media Relations Schofield House Durham, N.H. 03824 Phone: 603-862-1566 FAX: 603-862-1188 Email: sharon.keeler@unh.edu
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