EP: 128 – Marine Spatial Planning & Offshore Wind Development

07/11/2025 14 min
EP: 128 – Marine Spatial Planning & Offshore Wind Development

Listen "EP: 128 – Marine Spatial Planning & Offshore Wind Development"

Episode Synopsis

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.