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NOAA today announced that it is seeking comments by Thursday, Oct. 21 on its request for Office of Management and Budget approval to revise an information collection related to vessel speed restrictions to reduce the threat of ship collisions with North Atlantic right whales.  The information collection involves an estimated 3,624 respondents and 674 annual burden hours.

During a U.S. Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee confirmation hearing today, Principal Deputy Assistant Interior Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Laura Daniel-Davis was asked about the federal oil and natural gas leasing program and 30×30 conservation initiative as the Committee considered her nomination to be Assistant Interior Secretary for Land and Minerals Management. During Q&A, Chairman Joe Manchin [...]

The National Science Foundation today announced that the Advisory Committee for Geosciences will hold a virtual public meeting on Oct. 13-14.  Agenda items include discussion of the administration’s and Foundation’s focus area on climate change and an update on Office of Polar Programs activities.

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council today announced proposed EPA subawards to implement the Gulf of Mexico Conservation Enhancement Grant Program. Subawards will be granted to the Atlanta Botanical Garden ($501,464), Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation ($500,000), Galveston Bay Foundation ($300,000), and The Nature Conservancy ($250,000) in order to help enhance land protection and conservation, improve habitats and water quality, and [...]

During a virtual “Meeting of the Major Economies on Energy and Climate” today, President Biden and leaders from Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, the European Commission, European Council, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the United Kingdom along with the UN Secretary General discussed the “urgency of strengthening climate ambition.” During the meeting, President Biden communicated his desire to use the [...]

NOAA earlier this month announced a series of grants and awards in furtherance of Gulf of Mexico natural resource management, coastal and infrastructure resilience, ocean observing. The Gulf of Mexico natural resource management award will provide $2.3 million to 20 project teams to develop research that informs future decision-makers on how to better manage Gulf of [...]

The White House today announced that the U.S. National Climate Task Force led by Asst. to the President and National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy held its sixth meeting, which included discussion on President Biden’s recent travel to states impacted by climate events and an “all-of-government” approach to assisting communities with disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. As part [...]

The Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management today announced that Doug Boren will serve as the new regional director for the agency’s Pacific Office.  Boren previously served as regional supervisor for the office’s Strategic Resources group, with his prior experience including positions with the Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Department of Energy.

NOAA today held its second public listening session on the Biden administration’s “America the Beautiful” initiative to conserve at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. Deputy Asst. Administrator for Regulatory Programs Samuel Rauch started the session with an overview of 30×30, and National Marine Fisheries Service Senior Policy Advisor Heather Sagar said that an [...]

The State Dept. today announced that the Shipping Coordinating Committee will hold a public teleconference meeting on Thursday, Sept. 30 in preparation for the 104th session of the International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee, to be held remotely on Oct. 4-8.  Agenda items include measures to enhance maritime security and formal safety assessment.