oceanpolicy.com

The Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management today finalized two areas in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Galveston, TX (508,265 acres) and Lake Charles, LA (174,275 acres) for wind energy leasing.  The areas have the potential to power 2.84 million homes. BOEM Director Amanda Lefton called the announcement “exciting progress toward having the first offshore wind [...]

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy today announced that comments are being sought by Friday, March 31 on the framing, development, and eventual use of the first National Nature Assessment. The U.S. Global Change Research Program committed to conducting the Assessment in April, and President Biden directed that the assessment be conducted in his April 22, 2022 Executive [...]

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy today announced the release of Strategic Priorities for Ocean Exploration and Characterization of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone identified by the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council. In the announcement, OSTP Assistant Director for Ocean Science and Technology Amanda Netburn, Deputy Director for Climate and Environment Jane Lubchenco, and Council on [...]

In commemorating the 50th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary, Marine Mammal Protection, and Coastal Zone Management Acts, NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad today said that the last 50 years “have demonstrated our nation’s ability to work collectively to spur economic opportunity, protect our natural resources and wildlife, and ensure that future generations are able to enjoy [...]

NOAA today announced the release of a “National Five-Year Strategy for Combatting Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing” that includes U.S. priorities and plans to address IUU fishing and promote global maritime security. Prepared by the U.S. Interagency Working Group on IUU Fishing, the Strategy was developed to support the following objectives: Promote sustainable fisheries management and governance Enhance the [...]

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that it is seeking comments by Friday, Dec. 16 on its proposal to designate ~2,353.19 square kilometers of critical habitat for the threatened Nassau grouper. The proposed critical habitat is located off the coasts of southeastern Florida, Puerto Rico, Navassa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  The Nassau grouper was listed as threatened [...]

The Interior Department today announced the renewal of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee (Committee). Established in 1992 following a court-approved settlement between the United States government and the State of Alaska, the Committee advises the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council on decisions relating to the allocation of funds and the conduct of restoration and [...]

The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Gulf Coast Restoration today announced three Notice of Funding Opportunities for the RESTORE Act’s Direct Component and Centers of Excellence Research Grants Program.  The funding opportunities will remain open through Oct. 31, 2023. The Direct Component funding opportunities specifically pertain to construction and real property acquisition activities (including environmental restoration projects) and non-construction [...]

The White House today announced the release of a new National Strategy for the Arctic Region, saying that the United States “seeks an Arctic region that is peaceful, stable, prosperous, and cooperative” and that the National Strategy “seeks to position the United States to both effectively compete and manage tensions.” An update to the 2013 version, the National Strategy [...]