Media Coverage

White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought and Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Kelvin Droegemeier today issued a Memorandum to Executive Departments and Agencies outlining FY 2022 R&D budget priorities and cross-cutting actions. “American Energy and Environmental Leadership” is one of five R&D budget priorities.  In that section, the Memorandum identifies “understanding […]

The Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management today announced the availability of a Citizen’s Guide to inform the public on the agency’s leasing process for federal sand, gravel, and other mineral resources in U.S. waters.  The guide includes an outline of resource use, process milestones, and opportunities for public involvement. BOEM noted that while commercial hard mineral

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced NOAA’s Restoration Center recommendation of ~$13 million in funding for 31 new and continuing coastal and marine habitat restoration projects in 15 states and territories. The projects are designed to support sustainable fisheries, protected species, and resilience ecosystems and communities, including oysters, coral, and several fish and marine mammal species.

National Marine Fisheries Service Deputy Assistant Admin. for Operations Paul Doremus today highlighted the work of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee, including its recent meeting that included completion of reports on seafood marketing and promotion and potential impacts of offshore wind development, sharing of experiences regarding COVID and impacts on fishermen and the industry, and endorsement of

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service and the Interior Department’s Fish and Wildlife Service today announced their decision not to identify the Northwest Atlantic population of the leatherback turtle as a distinct population segment and to list it as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. In making the 12-month finding, which responds to a petition filed by the Bluewater

The Interior Department today announced the finalization of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Israeli government to support cooperation and exchanges on biodiversity conservation, protected areas, and protection of cultural and historical heritage. DOI noted that the MOU provides a framework to address challenges including protecting ecosystems, wildlife trafficking, and managing parks and cultural sites, and that

NOAA today announced a new agreement with the Navy to jointly expand the development and operations of unmanned maritime systems in U.S. and international waters, noting that the partnership “will enable NOAA to leverage the Navy’s expertise, infrastructure, best practices and training to accelerate its science, service and stewardship mission.” Assistant Sec. of Commerce for Oceans and

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced the availability of 65 final 2019 marine mammal stock assessment reports (SAR’s) for marine mammals in the Atlantic (includes Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and U.S. territories in the Caribbean), Alaska, and Pacific regions. The Marine Mammal Protection Act requires NMFS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to prepare stock assessment

The State Department today announced the appointment of Jim DeHart as U.S. Coordinator for the Arctic Region.  DeHart will be the principal advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of State on all Arctic matters and lead and coordinate policymaking and diplomatic engagement on Arctic issues. DeHart has been a member of the Senior Foreign Service for 28 years

NOAA today announced the availability of the 2019 Status of U.S. Fisheries Report and 2017 Fisheries Economics of the United States. The 2019 Status report outlines the status of 461 managed U.S. stocks or stock complexes, with the overfishing list reaching a record low in 2019, with 93% of stocks for which a determination can be made found