May 28, 2008 Gov. Patrick signs law to preserve state's oceans Play video

(Latoyia Edwards, NECN: Boston, Mass.) - With the New England Aquarium as a backdrop, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed The Oceans Act of 2008 into law.

It is the first legislation of its kind, and is designed to protect the state's ocean waters. A 17-member Ocean Advisory Commission will create the plan, which will be in place by December 2009.

The bill aims to ensure that decisions and permits about development in state-controlled waters - which extend up to 3 miles from the coast - conform to a single, science-based plan.

Patrick says the law will help balance the protection of traditional natural resources with new ones, such as renewable energy sources.

NECN's Latoyia Edwards has more.

Information from the Associate Press is included in this report.