Presidential Appointment

On June 15, 2001, President George W. Bush named Marc J. Hershman to serve on the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, on the recommendation of U.S. House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt. The Commission was charged with performing a study to recommend broad policies for how the U.S. addresses its coastal and ocean areas.

Background

Mr. Hershman, who was director of the University of Washington School of Marine Affairs from 1993 to 2003, brings considerable experience to the School. Recognized internationally for his expertise in coastal zone management, he has been a leader in the study of ocean and coastal policy for 30 years:

• In the early 1970s, Mr. Hershman served as Executive Director of the Louisiana Advisory Commission on Coastal and Marine Resources, a study commission concerned with the best use and management of the extensive coastal wetlands and marine waters of the state.
• In 1972, he founded Coastal Management Journal, one of the premier academic publications on coastal zone management; he continues to serve as Editor-in-Chief.
• In the 1970s and 1980s, his work on coastal management program development, offshore oil development decisions, water quality in coastal management programs, waterfront revitalization, siting of LNG facilities, wetlands protection, waterfront awareness, and other topics resulted in published books, monographs and many articles and papers.
• In 1988, he edited Urban Ports and Harbor Management: Responding to Change Along U.S. Waterfronts, a major text on ports and their emerging role as providers of public goods, including redeveloped waterfronts and an improved environment.
• In the past decade, his leadership on a three-year evaluation of the US Coastal Zone Management Program has led directly to proposals for reform that are now under consideration by Congress.

As Director of the University of Washington School of Marine Affairs, Mr. Hershman led a team of 15 faculty and 50 students engaged in teaching and research on such issues as global climate change, integrated coastal zone management, ports and transportation, living resources management, and marine protected areas.

Mr. Hershman has spent much of his career examining and finding solutions to the challenge of building effective intergovernmental partnerships on ocean and coastal issues. In recognition of his long-time contributions to the field of coastal zone management, in 1995 Mr. Hershman was the first recipient of the biennial Orville T. Magoon Service Award, as voted on by his peers.

A Leader in the Pacific Northwest

In the Pacific Northwest, Mr. Hershman has generated a legacy of forward-thinking initiatives to broaden public understanding of, and appreciation for, maritime industry.

• He founded and chaired the Safe Marine Transportation (SMarT) Forum, which brought together a broad cross-section of stakeholders to develop strategies for avoiding marine casualties and spills in Puget Sound.
• He founded and served as Board Member of "Odyssey: The Maritime Discovery Center", a unique and interactive museum on contemporary uses of the sea, and now a catalyst for Seattle's waterfront revival.
• In 1998, he was the recipient of the Puget Sound Maritime Achievement Award, honoring his major contributions to the region's maritime field.

A Leader in the Field

Mr. Hershman has also served as:

• Commissioner on the US Commission on Ocean policy (2001 - 2004), one of 16 national experts appointed by President Bush to recommend changes and reforms to US ocean policy, regulation and research.
• President of The Coastal Society, an organization of private-sector, academic, and government professionals dedicated to addressing emerging coastal issues;
• Co-Founder of the Marine Affairs and Policy Association, promoting education and research in the marine policy field; and
• Active member of the Ocean Governance Study Group, an alliance of marine policy leaders at academic institutions across the United States.

In addition, he has received Distinguished Service Awards from The Coastal Society in 2002 and 2004.

Education

• A.B., 1964, and J.D., 1967, Temple University
• Graduate study, 1970, University of Miami School of Law

Specialties

• Law of the coastal zone and marine environment
• Legislative, administrative, and socioeconomic aspects of uses of coasts and their resources
• Coastal planning and management
• Port development
• Exclusive economic zone use and governance
• Administrative law

Additional Background

Associate Professor, School of Marine Affairs, and Adjunct Associate Professor, UW School of Law, 1976-81
Associate Professor of Law and Marine Studies, Law School, Louisiana State University, 1974-76
Coordinator, Sea Grant Law and Socioeconomics Program, Louisiana State University, 1974-75
Assistant Professor of Law and Marine Studies, Law School, Louisiana State University, 1974-75
Executive Director, Louisiana Advisory Commission on Marine and Coastal Resources, 1972-74
Research Associate, Louisiana State University, 1970-74

UW School of Marine Affairs 3707 Brooklyn Ave. NE Seattle, WA 98105-6715 uwsma@u.washington.edu

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