oceanpolicy.com

In remarks at the 2022 Azul U.S. Latinos and the Ocean Poll Briefing Event, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Deputy Director for Climate and Environment Jane Lubchenco today highlighted several ocean-related initiatives being implemented by the Biden Administration. As to 30×30, she said that the conservation effort “emphasizes the importance of locally-led conservation efforts, informed [...]

The Council on Environmental Quality today announced that nominations are being sought by Monday, Sept. 26 from individuals interested in serving on the Carbon Dioxide Capture, Utilization and Sequestration (CCUS) Federal Lands and Outer Continental Shelf Permitting Task Force.  Vacancies are expected to be filled by the end of 2022. In addition to representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, Department [...]

The Environmental Protection Agency today announced the release of guidance on how the agency will oversee the National Estuary Program’s management of $132 million in Infrastructure and Jobs Act funding over the next 5 years. EPA Administrator Michael Regan called the funding “an important investment in equity, clean water and resilience for some of our most treasured water [...]

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced the release of the agency’s first comprehensive Mitigation Policy for Trust Resources, which it said would improve conservation through avoidance, minimization, and compensation for adverse impacts to natural resources while advancing clean energy, infrastructure, and environmental goals. The policy will apply to projects subject to permit approvals and projects that receive NOAA [...]

In conjunction with a stakeholder summit held in late July, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad today shared their thoughts on the discussion, which focused on ending forced labor and promoting decent work in the seafood sector. Sec. Raimondo said that “[e]veryone deserves a safe workplace,” stressing the importance of public-private [...]

The Interior Department today announced the availability of the Final Phase V.4 Coastal Access Project: Restoration Plan and Supplemental Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact. The project includes $685,000 for the acquisition of a 114-acre undeveloped coastal inholding in Wakulla County, FL within the boundary of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.

The Maritime Administration today announced that it is seeking applications by Monday, Sept. 19 from eligible and qualified training entities interested in being designated as a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education. Following the first request for applications in 2020, 27 institutions were designated as Centers of Excellence.

The Interior Dept. today announced that it is seeking comments by Thursday, Aug. 18 on the Draft Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge Recreation Enhancements: Supplemental Restoration Plan. The proposal includes an additional ~$1.5 million to support the Mobile Street Boardwalk project.

NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries today announced that it is seeking comments by Wednesday, Oct. 26 on its proposed expansion of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary boundary from 3,800 sq. miles to 4,800 sq. miles, updated sanctuary-wide regulations, individual marine zones, and associated regulations, and revised designation terms. NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said that “[w]e heard [...]

The Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management today announced that it is seeking comments by Monday, Aug. 15 on its intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for future wind energy development in the New York Bight. The Proposed Action is the adoption of programmatic avoidance, minimization, mitigation, and monitoring measures that may be required as [...]