Media Coverage

The Interior Department today announced its decision to propose an offshore wind lease sale covering two areas in the Central Atlantic that span ~278,000 acres of federal waters off Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.  According to DOI, the areas have the potential to provide electricity to over 2.2 million homes. Interior Sec. Deb Haaland called the announcement “another step […]

The White House today announced a Joint Statement with the Governments of Australia and Canada on an agreement to establish the Partnership on Cooperation on Natural Capital Accounting, Environmental Economic Accounting, and Related Statistics, and develop a common approach to natural capital accounting, environmental-economic accounting, and environmental-economic statistics. Among other things, the initial Partnership participants noted the importance of

NOAA and the Commerce Department today announced a $1 million funding opportunity for competitive grants to help improve Arctic climate data and information products. Commerce Sec. Gina Raimondo said that the funding “will provide communities with data and tools to make informed decisions that can build climate resilience and strengthen our economy and national security.” Applications are due

The White House Council on Environmental Quality today announced the release of the U.S. Ocean Justice Strategy. With a vision focused on equitable access to the benefits of a healthy and resilient ocean and sustainable ocean economy, meaningful engagement of all communities in federal ocean activities, recognition of the value of engagement with tribal nations, indigenous peoples, and

The Environmental Protection Agency today announced the availability of $30 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for Gulf of Mexico watershed projects in underserved communities. Eligible projects, which must be located in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, or Texas include projects that support water quality improvement; habitat protection, enhancement, and restoration; environmental education; and community resilience. Applications are due

The Coast Guard today announced that it is seeking comments by Monday, Mar. 4 on its request for input from the public on the establishment of vessel response plan planning criteria for the Western Alaska and Prince William Sound Captain of the Port zones. The planning criteria are required under the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of

President Biden today nominated Kris Sarri to serve as Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. Formerly President and CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Sarri has also previously held positions at the U.S. Department of the Interior, White House Office of Management and Budget, U.S. Department of Commerce, and U.S.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force will hold a public meeting on Jan. 24-25 in Reston, VA. The meeting agenda includes reports from Task Force members, reports and recommendations from regional panels and subcommittees, discussion on priority outputs to advance the goals identified in the ANS Task Force Strategic Plan for

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that it is seeking comments by Wednesday, Feb. 28 on its proposed designation of 16 island units comprising 97 square miles of critical habitat for five Indo-Pacific coral species. In doing so, NMFS announced its withdrawal of a 2020 proposal to designate 17 island units of critical habitat for seven Indo-Pacific

NOAA today announced the award of $144 million in coastal resilience grants for 109 projects in 31 coastal states and U.S. territories. Announced in conjunction with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the grants were awarded through the National Coastal Resilience Fund, which features a partnership involving NOAA, Shell USA, TransRe, Salesforce, Oxy, and the Department of Defense. NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad said