The U.S. State Dept. today announced that expert reviewers are being sought to submit comments by Friday, Jan. 8 as part of the U.S. government’s review of the second-order draft of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group II Contribution to the 6th National Assessment Report, including the first draft of the Summary for Policymakers.
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USFWS Finalizes Rule to Amend ESA Critical Habitat Regulations
The U.S. Interior Department’s Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a final rule effective Tuesday, Jan. 19 that amends Endangered Species Act regulations to establish a process for excluding areas of critical habitat. The final rule outlines when and how an exclusion analysis will be conducted, including identifying a non-exhaustive list of categories of potential impacts that will [...]
Comments Sought on IUU Working Group Work Plan
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that it is seeking comments by Monday, Jan. 15 on the Interagency Working Group on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing’s Work Plan. The Work Plan is to form the basis of a 5-year strategic plan that must be submitted to Congress by Dec. 31, 2021 and reflects the initial focus of federal [...]
NMFS/USFWS Add “Habitat” Definition to ESA Critical Habitat Regulations
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service and the Interior Department’s Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a final rule effective Monday, Jan. 15 adding a definition of “habitat” to the Endangered Species Act implementing regulations related to critical habitat designations.
70 Groups Sign Ocean Policy Letter to President-elect Biden
NOPC today transmitted a letter to President-elect Biden requesting support for collaborative, transparent, and balanced multi-use ocean policies that support economic and environmental goals and help achieve mutual desires for greater economic prosperity and job creation, including through a vibrant Blue Economy The letter, which can be accessed through the hyperlink above, was signed by 70 groups representing a wide array of [...]
EPA Announces Renewal of Great Lakes Advisory Board
The Environmental Protection Agency today announced the 2-year renewal of the Great Lakes Advisory Board, which provides advice and recommendations on matters related to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and domestic matters related to implementation of the U.S.-Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The Board’s primary objectives are to provide advice and recommendations on Great Lakes protection and restoration activities [...]
POTUS Appoints Arctic Research Commissioners
President Trump earlier this month announced his intent to appoint Thomas Dans, Crawford Patkotak, David Kennedy, and Dr. Julia Nesheiwat, Ph.D. to serve as Members of the Arctic Research Commission. Dans is Counselor to the Under Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Treasury Department, with previous experience including positions with Texana Pecan, Grand River Capital, and Agribusiness Partners [...]
OSPAR Commission Holds Virtual Annual Meeting
The OSPAR Commission for the protection of the marine environment of the Northeast Atlantic today announced the outcomes of its annual meeting held virtually on Dec. 8-9. Discussion items included the development of OSPAR’s Northeast Atlantic Environment Strategy 2030, which will include targets to achieve a sustainably used and clean, healthy, and biologically diverse ocean and be adopted at a [...]
EPA Commemorates GLRI’s 10-Year Anniversary
The Environmental Protection Agency today commemorated the 10-year anniversary of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which has funded more than 5,400 projects worth in excess of $2.7 billion since its launch in 2010. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said that GLRI “has made a critical difference in dramatically improved water quality and sustainable habitat across the Great Lakes [...]
NOAA Issues Arctic Report Card
NOAA today announced the release of the agency’s 15th Arctic Report Card, which provides annual updates on surface air temperature, terrestrial snow cover, the Greenland ice sheet, sea ice, sea surface temperature, Arctic ocean primary productivity, and tundra greenness. Findings include the second-warmest land-surface air temperature on record, the second-lowest Arctic minimum sea ice extent on record, [...]
