News

President Biden today issued a Presidential Proclamation reversing a decision by the Trump administration in order to restore a prohibition on commercial fishing activities in the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument (other than for red crab and American lobster, which may be permitted until Sept. 15, 2023 under the terms of the original 2016 monument […]

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today announced that comments are being sought by Monday, Nov. 8 on the South Atlantic Coastal Study Draft Report, which was authorized and funded by Congress in 2016 following a series of hurricanes that impacts the Corps’ South Atlantic Division. The Study is focused on managing coastal storm risk to people, infrastructure, and environmental

The White House Council on Environmental Quality today announced that it is seeking comments by Monday, Nov. 22 on its proposal to modify National Environmental Policy Act regulations to restore provisions addressing the purpose and need of a proposed action, agency NEPA procedures for implementing CEQ’s NEPA regulations, and the definition of “effects.” Specifically, the proposed rule

During a visit to an elementary schoolyard in Tacoma, WA today, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory outlined the Biden administration’s commitment to reducing inequitable access to parks and green spaces as part of the initiative to conserve at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. CEQ noted that the

NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research today announced that the National Sea Grant Advisory Board is seeking will hold a public virtual meeting on Nov 4-5 and is seeking nominations from individuals interested in serving on the Board. In addition to a public comment session, the agenda includes updates from the National Sea Grant Office, Sea Grant Association,

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that it is seeking nominations by Friday, Nov. 5 from individuals interested in serving as new members of regional review groups tasked with providing advice on a range of marine mammal science and management issues specific to the Atlantic (including the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Coast, and U.S. territories in the

NOAA’s Office of Exploration and Research today announced that applications are being sought by Friday, Nov. 5 from individuals interested in filling up to 4 vacancies on the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board. Applicants should demonstrate expertise in expertise in areas of scientific research relevant to ocean exploration, including engineering, data science, deep ocean biology, geology, oceanography, marine archaeology, and

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service today announced that it is seeking comments by Monday, Dec. 6 on the agency’s initiation of a 5-year review for the threatened polar bear.  The review will assess the best scientific and commercial data available to determine whether the species should be delisted or reclassified.

The Interior Dept.’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management today announced that Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 257 will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 17.  Bidding will be open for all available unleased acreage in the Gulf of Mexico, except whole and partial blocks within the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Block 299 (Main Pass Area, South and

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service today issued a final rule effective Friday, Dec. 3 revoking a Trump administration regulation promulgated in January that clarified that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act’s (MBTA) prohibitions on pursuing, hunting, taking, capturing, killing, or attempting to do the same apply only applies to conduct intentionally injuring birds. In returning to implementation of