Cochran Selected to Serve on White House Oceans Committee – Oct 17, 2015 MAUIWatch

MAUIWatch Staff – October 17, 2015 –

Maui County Councilmember Elle Cochran of West Maui has been selected by the Obama Administration to serve on the National Ocean Council’s Governance Coordinating Committee, Cochran’s office announced yesterday.

According to an Oct. 13 letter from the Executive Office of the President, Cochran will serve a two-year term as the “local government representative” on the Governance Coordinating Committee, assisting “the National Ocean Council’s policy development process.”

“I feel honored to serve alongside passionate officials on this committee and hope to make a difference with my background and experience living in an island community,” Cochran said. “This is a great opportunity to represent the Aloha State and all municipalities on the federal level, and I am pleased to know my love for the ocean and for the environment is recognized with this appointment.

“I’d like to acknowledge and give thanks to the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council for their collaborative efforts working with my office to gather the most pertinent ocean issues currently impacting our state. I hope that the work I am about to do at the federal level will highlight those concerns and bring needed attention and assistance to our great state.”

President Barack Obama signed Executive Order 13547 in 2010 to create the national policy for “Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and Great Lakes” and establish the National Ocean Council. The mission of the National Ocean Council is to foster communication among all levels of government, save taxpayer dollars by eliminating waste and reduce the conflict and inefficiency resulting from implementation of nearly 100 different laws, policies and regulations affecting the oceans.

Cochran is in her third term on the Maui County Council. She currently chairs the council’s Infrastructure and Environmental Management Committee and has served in various capacities with the National Association of Counties.

https://mauiwatch.com/2015/10/cochran-selected-to-serve-on-white-house-oceans-committee/