During a Rose Garden event today, President Biden spoke about his administrations efforts to protect Bristol Bay and support conservation across the country, saying that “when we conserve our country’s national gifts, we’re not only protecting the livelihoods of people who depend on them…we’re also protecting…the heart and the soul of our…national pride.” Calling efforts to [...]
NOAA Announces Ocean and Coastal Observation Funding Investment
NOAA today announced its decision to invest $14 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding in the eleven Regional Associations across the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System, noting that the funds will be used to “modernize and recapitalize” ocean observing assets, networks, and communications systems. Commerce Sec. Gina Raimondo noted the administration’s commitment to “ensuring that the United States [...]
NOAA Completes Env. Review for Federal Aquaculture R&D Assistance
NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research today announced the final programmatic environmental assessment to fund aquaculture research and development projects and related Finding of No Significant Impact. The proposed action is to issue federal financial assistance through existing NOAA programs for R&D projects involving farmed and wild populations of aquatic organisms in permitted aquaculture facilities and sites, research laboratories, the [...]
USGS Seeks Comments, Nominees on Biodiversity/Climate Change Assessment
The U.S. Geological Survey today announced that it is seeking comments by Friday, July 7 on a draft prospectus for an assessment of the linkages between biodiversity and climate change, as directed by FY 2022 appropriations legislation. USGS is also seeking nominations by Friday, July 7 from individuals interested in serving on the authoring team for the assessment, which will [...]
Comments Sought on EA for Maine Offshore Wind Energy Research Lease
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management today announced that comments are being sought by Monday, June 5 on the preparation of an environmental assessment to consider the reasonably foreseeable environmental consequences of issuing a lease granting the State of Maine the exclusive right to submit plans for wind energy-related research activities offshore Maine.
Nominees Sought for Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Cmte.
The Interior Department today announced that nominees are being sought by Tuesday, June 20 to represent the following three seats the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Public Advisory Committee (Committee): sport hunting/fishing, conservation/environmental, and science/technology. 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 [...]
Coast Guard Announces Temporary Atlantic Safety Zones
The U.S. Coast Guard today announced the establishment of 13 temporary safety zones effective from May 1, 2023 – May 1, 2024 that preclude any vessels except attending vessels and those authorized by the First Coast Guard District Commander or their designee from entering an area within 500 meters of 12 wind turbine generators and 1 offshore [...]
U.S. Senate Energy & Nat. Resources Cmte. Holds DOI Budget Hearing
During a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee FY 2024 budget oversight hearing today, U.S. Interior Sec. Deb Haaland heard concerns and fielded questions related to offshore energy access. Chairman Joe Manchin (D-WV) reiterated his support for offshore oil and gas lease sales mandated by the Inflation Reduction Act and the requirement that offshore renewable energy leasing [...]
Nominations Sought for NOAA Science Advisory Board
NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research today announced that it is seeking nominations by Thursday, June 15 from individuals interested in serving on the agency’s Science Advisory Board and have expertise in the following: artificial intelligence and machine learning in the fields of weather and climate, environmental remote sensing, engineering for coastal resilience, social and behavioral sciences, and [...]
BOEM Announces New Environmental Studies Program Hub
The Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management today announced the availability of an Environmental Studies Program Hub that provides public access to the agency’s ocean science research. BOEM called the Hub “a new paradigm for scientific information discovery,” and noted its “intuitive user interface.” The Hub includes themes for biological sciences (32), chemical sciences (6), physical sciences (14), and social sciences [...]