Ocean Zoning Moves Forward

Posted by: Tim Halbur

4 July 2009 - 5:00am

Gov. Deval Patrick of Mass. has released a draft zoning plan to regulate the waters off the state's coast, particularly around Cape Cod and Cape Ann.

Mayor Carolyn Kirk of Gloucester was part of an advisory panel that developed the draft zoning plan.

"Kirk characterized the plan as "conservative," in that the administration of Gov. Deval Patrick declined to fine-tune the potential uses of the state waters by the use of sub-zones. She also said that, by leading the federal government into the zoning process, the state hopes to influence federal decisions in the offing. President Obama announced plans to create a federal water zoning approach last month."

Full Story: State outlines ocean 'zoning'

Source: Gloucester Daily Times, July 1, 2009