NOAA today announced that it is seeking comments by Tuesday, Dec. 28 on how the agency should use existing authorities and associated measures to conserve and restore the country’s ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes, NOAA’s engagement on the development of the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas, and NOAA’s efforts to track its progress. In conjunction with the comment period, NOAA will host virtual public listening sessions on Monday, Nov. 8 and Tuesday, Nov. 16.
The announcement notes NOAA’s existing tools including the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and the Coral Reef Conservation Act.
NOAA specifically seeks input on the following:
- Which of NOAA’s existing authorities and associated measures are most appropriate for addressing the disappearance of nature, climate change, and inequitable access to the outdoors
- Whether NOAA should better apply its existing authorities and associated measures to advance the 30×30 goals and recommendations
- What criteria NOAA should consider in working with other agencies to identify existing or potential new ‘‘conserved’’ or ‘‘restored’’ areas for the purpose of advancing the 30×30 goals and recommendations
- What additional scientific information, Indigenous Knowledge, or other expertise NOAA should consider in order to advance the 30×30 goals and recommendations
- How NOAA should consider tracking its actions and measuring its progress, including with partners, toward advancing the 30×30 goals and recommendations
- What actions NOAA should consider taking to support non-Federal entities, including tribal, state, territorial, and local governments and non-governmental organizations and other private entities, to advance their efforts to conserve and restore U.S. lands and waters
- What actions NOAA should consider taking to facilitate broad participation in 30×30
- What additional information NOAA should consider as relevant to its role in implementing 30×30
Commenting on the announcement, NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said that the agency “is taking the President’s inclusive, voluntary and locally led conservation goals to the next level,” adding that the agency’s experience with conservation and restoration in support of 30×30 “will leave a lasting legacy for the next generation.”
National Ocean Service Asst. Administrator Nicole LeBoeuf said that NOAA is “already making strides that are consistent with the President’s goals” and “look[s] forward to conserving and restoring more waters for the benefit of all Americans,” adding that “we plan to make good use of the open and transparent engagement with stakeholders and Tribes that has made NOAA’s ongoing conservation efforts so successful.”
NOAA Fisheries Asst. Administrator and Acting Asst. Sec. for Oceans and Atmosphere Janet Coit called the fishing community “one of NOAA’s primary conservation partners” who contribute to sustainable and collaborative fisheries management, and said that committed to “providing all stakeholders with a seat at the table as we move forward with this important initiative.”
