As the Nation’s primary steward of natural resources, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for the well-being of the coral reef resources under its jurisdiction. Through several of its science and resource management bureaus, Interior conducts research, inventory, mapping, restoration, and educational activities to benefit our Nation’s coral reefs. Bringing her unique perspective on ocean, coastal, and marine issues formed during the five years she worked on the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Ms. Onley recently assumed duties for coordinating marine programs within the Department of the Interior. As the Co-Chair of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, she will discuss not only what Interior and other federal agencies are doing to implement the President’s Ocean Action Plan, but also the numerous cooperative efforts underway with State and local agencies, environmental organizations, and private citizens to protect and restore Hawaii’s coral reefs. She will also offer her perspectives about the future of the new Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument and Interior’s continuing role in managing the world’s largest marine protected area. Through these cooperative efforts, we can all make a positive difference in the future of America’s coral reef resources.

 

Kameran L. Onley was appointed as Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Department of the Interior in January 2006. Since that time, she has been overseeing Interior’s marine programs, among other challenges. She played a key role in the President’s recent decision to establish the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument.

 

Prior to moving to Interior, she served on the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). She joined CEQ in July 2001 as special assistant to the chairman. In February 2003, she became an associate director for environmental policy and was responsible for oceans, coastal, and marine issues along with a variety of duties related to the mission of CEQ.

 

Prior to joining CEQ, Onley served as the associated director for the Regulatory Studies Program at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia. There she worked with a team to improve the state of knowledge and debate about regulations and their impact on society. Her primary responsibilities included tracking pending federal regulations on environment, labor, and health, direction of the development and implementation of an on-line regulatory monitoring system, outreach to public policy groups, and project and budget management.