Mapping The Way Forward: Spatial Data Inventory and Insights for Marine Planning in the Central Atlantic Region of the United States

NCCOS and BOEM are building marine spatial planning capacity in the Central Atlantic region of the United States (US). Marine spatial planning holds great promise to assist coastal managers, Tribes, environmental organizations, and industry with planning for future development of the blue economy, including for prospects like offshore wind energy (OSW). Participants from around the region gathered to: Learn more about NOAA’s marine spatial planning approaches and activities, particularly those related to offshore wind siting and transmission planning. Inventory relevant spatial data for state and federal waters off Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. Document the best available data and known data gaps. Build on existing capacity and resources for regional ocean spatial planning. Further develop a planning community to inform the marine spatial planning process.