Editor

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management today announced that it is seeking nominations, interest in, or comments on commercial wind energy leasing in ~29.9 million acres of the Gulf of Mexico by Thursday, Dec. 16.  BOEM stated that competitive interest exists based on comments received in response to last summer’s Request for Information. The Call Area encompasses the […]

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force will hold a virtual public meeting Nov. 16-18. The meeting agenda includes subcommittee reports and Task Force discussion on priority outputs to advance the goals identified in the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, a U.S. Geological Survey presentation on new species occurrences in the U.S.,

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management today announced that it is seeking comments by Monday, Dec. 13 on a draft Environmental Impact Statement for Cook Inlet Lease Sale 258, with the proposed action being an oil and gas lease sale on all available blocks in the northern portion of the Cook Inlet Planning Area.  In conjunction with the comment

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) today announced the addition of 5 individuals to serve in its new Climate and Environment Division, which it said underscores the administration’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis and biodiversity loss “with sound science that draws from a wide range of perspectives.” In making the announcement, OSTP Deputy

White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory and Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Director Eric Lander today convened the first meeting of the Ocean Policy Committee under the Biden administration and since being statutorily authorized by Congress in January. An OSTP summary of the meeting said that the Committee will coordinate across the government

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

The Northeast Regional Ocean Council today held a virtual meeting in which the group provided an update on funding status, received partner updates, and reviewed draft work plans on ocean planning; diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice; coastal hazards and resilience; and ocean and coastal ecosystem health. NROC’s Ocean Planning Committee discussed its Draft 2022-2023 Work Plan that

NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey today announced that it is extending the deadline for proposals through Friday, Nov. 12 for non-federal entities interested in partnering with NOAA ocean and coastal mapping programs on jointly funded FY 2023 ocean and coastal surveys and related activities of mutual interest, including for safe navigation, integrated mapping, coastal zone management, coastal and

In order to provide additional opportunity for public input, the Coast Guard today announced that it is reopening the comment period through March 31, 2022 on its preparation of an Alaskan Arctic Coast Port Access Route Study to evaluate the need for establishing vessel routing measures.  The Coast Guard specifically cited the impact of COVID on travel

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced a new framework with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management for monitoring underwater sound in an effort to “help safeguard marine resources” amid offshore wind energy development.  NMFS said that the framework — which provides recommendations for offshore wind stakeholders to monitor and reduce the impact of wind projects using passive acoustic