In this episode of Environmentally Speaking, environmental attorney Marisa Desautel and co-host Clarice Parsons unpack the concept of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP)—a legal and policy framework designed to organize human activities in the ocean while balancing conservation and economic growth.
Topics covered include:
How Marine Spatial Planning mirrors land-use zoning principles
The role of federal and state policy in shaping offshore wind projects
Why stakeholder engagement is critical yet often overlooked
The tension between private profit and public interest in ocean use
Understanding “knock-on effects” and cumulative environmental impacts
Lessons from the United Kingdom’s approach to marine management
The future of collaborative planning for U.S. coastal waters
Whether you’re an attorney, policymaker, or coastal advocate, this episode offers insight into the legal tools and policy discussions shaping the next generation of ocean management.
