NOAA today announced that the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Advisory Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, May 11 and Friday, May 13. The meeting will include discussion on the “New Blue Economy,” a wind energy panel, climate services, diversity, equity, and inclusion, response to the IOOS Advisory Committee recommendations report, administrative updates, and updates [...]
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CEQ Announces 30×30 Grant Challenge
The White House Council on Environmental Quality today announced a new public-private grant program to support ecosystem restoration projects consistent with the administration’s initiative to conserve at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030 (“30×30”). Dubbed the “America the Beautiful Challenge,” the program will be managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and include funding from [...]
NOAA Announces Marine Debris Foundation Board Members
NOAA today announced the appointment of 13 individuals to serve on the inaugural Board of Directors for the Marine Debris Foundation, which was established pursuant to the Save Our Seas Act 2.0 of 2020 to augment NOAA efforts to assess, prevent, reduce, and remove marine debris and address the adverse effects of marine debris on the U.S. economy, marine environment, [...]
Comments Sought on Draft EA for Central CA Offshore Wind Leasing
The Interior Dept.’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management today announced that comments are being sought by Friday, May 6 on a draft Environmental Assessment of the potential impacts of commercial wind energy leasing and related site characterization and assessment activities in the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area, ~20 miles off the Central California coast. BOEM Pacific Office Regional Director [...]
NMFS to Hold Webinar on Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Ecosystem Reports
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today highlighted the availability of new State of the Ecosystem Reports for New England and Mid-Atlantic, the findings of which will be discussed during a public webinar on Wednesday, May 11. Among other things, the reports address the effects of offshore wind development on fisheries, with NMFS stating that “rapid buildout will have a greater impact” on [...]
Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to Hold Public Meeting
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force will hold a virtual public meeting May 24-26. The meeting agenda includes reports from Task Force members, regional panels, and subcommittees, discussion on priority outputs to advance Task Force goals included in the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, a U.S. Geological Survey presentation on new [...]
Nat’l Offshore Safety Advisory Cmte. to Hold Public Meeting
The U.S. Coast Guard today announced that the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee will hold a public teleconference meeting on Tuesday, Apr. 26. The Committee will swear-in/induct new members, review recommendations from the Shell AUGER Accident Investigation Report, and hold a public comment session. The Committee provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Department of Homeland Security through [...]
State Dept. to Hold Public Meeting Ahead of IMO Gathering
The U.S. State Dept. today announced that it will hold a virtual meeting on Monday, May 2 in preparation for the 46th session of the International Maritime Organization’s Facilitation Committee, to be held virtually May 9-13. Agenda items include discussion on decisions of other IMO bodies, a regulatory scoping exercise for the use of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships, and [...]
Shipping Coordinating Committee to Hold Public Meeting
The U.S. State Dept. today announced that the Shipping Coordinating Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, May 25 in preparation for the 78th session of the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee, to be held virtually June 6-10. Agenda items include identification and protection of Special Areas, Emission Control Areas, and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas, [...]
NOAA Announces Critical Habitat Rules for Ringed, Bearded Seals
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced the designation of critical habitat for the Arctic subspecies of the ringed seal in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas. NMFS also announced the designation of critical habitat for the Beringia distinct population segment of the Pacific bearded seal in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas. Both designations are effective May 2. [...]
