The U.S. Interior Dept. today announced the results of a federal offshore energy lease sale covering ~110,000 acres in the Carolina Long Bay area offshore North and South Carolina, which attracted $315 million in winning bids. The lease sale included a new 20% credit for bidders committed to monetary contributions in support of offshore wind workforce training [...]
Archive | May, 2022
Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum Addresses U.S. Conservation, Planning Efforts
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Council’s (MARCO) Committee on the Ocean (MACO) this week held its 4th annual Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum virtually. This year’s event was focused on sustainable ocean ecosystems and planning for sustainable ocean economies, and included federal ocean policy updates from NOAA and White House officials regarding implementation of the America the Beautiful 30×30 conservation initiative [...]
Pacific FMC Meeting to Address Offshore Wind, Aquaculture
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Ad Hoc Marine Planning Committee will hold a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, May 24. Meeting topics include offshore wind energy development (Oregon Call Areas and future lease sales off California) and NOAA Aquaculture Opportunity Areas.
NMFS Seeks Comments on Draft Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that comments are being sought by Friday, Aug. 19 on a draft Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy. In conjunction with the comment period, NMFS will hold webinars on Tuesday, May 24, Tuesday, June 21, Thursday, June 30, and Tuesday, July 19. The draft Strategy includes goals for prioritizing the identification, equitable treatment, and meaningful involvement of underserved communities, [...]
Proposals Sought for 30×30 Challenge, Congressional Members Seek Info.
The White House Council on Environmental Quality today announced the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) release of a Request for Proposals for up to $85 million in grants this year in furtherance of the $1 billion “America the Beautiful Challenge” announced in April. The purpose of the Challenge is to support ecosystem restoration projects through a public-private grant program that [...]
U.S. Ocean Policy Update Provided at NROC Meeting
The Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) today held a virtual meeting in which updates were provided on partner activities, congressional priorities, funding, and potential projects. As further described below, the meeting included an update on the Biden administration’s development of a Sustainable Ocean Plan for federal waters (formal solicitation for external input expect this spring/summer). Partner [...]
