oceanpolicy.com

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service today issued a final rule effective Friday, Dec. 3 revoking a Trump administration regulation promulgated in January that clarified that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act’s (MBTA) prohibitions on pursuing, hunting, taking, capturing, killing, or attempting to do the same apply only applies to conduct intentionally injuring birds. In returning to implementation of [...]

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean this month released a 2020 Annual Report highlighting major projects completed and actions taken last year, including the publication of new maps on shifting species, the 2nd annual Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum, and release of a new website. The report also provides background on MARCO’s Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean, its [...]

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced ~$79.2 million in Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund grants to further conservation and permanent protection of ~56,000 acres of habitat on non-federal land for 55 listed and at-risk species in 13 states. In commenting on the grants, Interior Sec. Deb Haaland said that the administration’s “America the Beautiful” initiative [...]

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced the availability of the Final Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment #1: Birds, Marine Mammals, Oysters, and Sea Turtles, which was prepared by federal natural resource trustee agencies for the Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group. The plan includes ~$100 million for 11 restoration projects across all five Gulf Coast states and specific locations in [...]

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Oct. 12-14. The meeting will include remarks by Asst. Administrator for Fisheries Janet Coit and discussion of administration priorities, building resilient fisheries, the seafood sector, coastal communities reliant on marine resources, Subcommittee on Aquaculture strategic plans, climate science and [...]

The White House today announced the reactivation of the Arctic Executive Steering Committee (Committee) and the appointment of six individuals to serve on the U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC), stating that the actions “will strengthen the Administration’s science-based approach to tackling climate change, enhancing the United States’ national and economic security, and fostering coordination – particularly with Indigenous Peoples [...]

President Biden on Wednesday announced the selection of 30 individuals to serve on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, including White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Eric Lander (Co-Chair), former Commerce Sec. Penny Pritzker, and former NOAA Administrator Kathryn Sullivan. The Council is comprised of external advisors and tasked with making science, technology, and innovation [...]

The U.S. Coast Guard today announced that it is seeking comments by Monday, Oct. 25 on its draft Port Access Route Study for the New Jersey seacoast, including offshore approaches to the Delaware Bay.  The Study proposes six modified or additional measures for consideration. The study area extends ~175 nautical miles seaward including the offshore area of New [...]

In response to requests for additional time for review and comment, the Interior Department’s Bureau of Safety & Environmental Enforcement today announced that it is reopening the comment period through Friday, Oct. 15 on its intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement to inform future decisions on applications for the decommissioning of oil and gas [...]

The Defense Dept. today announced that Major Gen. Randy “Church” Kee (USAF, Ret.) will serve as Senior Advisor for Arctic Security Affairs to assist with the establishment of the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies, which is being created to build global networks of security leaders to advance U.S. national security priorities in the Arctic.  The announcement [...]