Coalition for National Science Funding Exhibit Highlights the Importance of NSF, Funding for Basic Research<\/a><\/strong> White House Releases New Information Quality Act Guidance, Echoes \u201cSecret Science\u201d Policies<\/a><\/strong> Member Opportunities<\/a><\/strong> Congress<\/a><\/strong> Executive Branch<\/a><\/strong> Courts<\/a><\/strong> States<\/a><\/strong> International<\/a><\/strong> Scientific Community<\/a><\/strong> Federal Register Opportunities<\/a><\/strong> ESA In the News<\/a> <\/a> CNSF\u00a0is an alliance of\u00a0around 130 professional organizations, universities, scientific societies and businesses\u00a0that advocates for funding to the National Science Foundation in Washington.\u00a0Reception attendees visited the Grand Canyon through virtual reality, monitored plankton using an AI-powered microscope, and learned about topics as varied as segregation in American cities, interdisciplinary natural hazards research, the future of work in health analytics, zero forcing and quantum engineering.<\/p>\n Ecology and ecologists were well represented at the event this year. ESA member Megan Duffy represented the University of Michigan and brought water fleas to the event to explain how her research inspired medical research. The University of Florida featured the iDigBio program and the university\u2019s natural history collections.<\/p>\n <\/a> The memo requires each agency to create their own definition of \u201cinfluential\u201d scientific information that is used to craft regulations and should be held to a higher data quality standard. Previously, most agencies relied on OMB guidance which states that \u201cthe agency can reasonably determine \u2026 [what information] will have or does have a clear and substantial impact on important public policies or important private sector decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n Other guidance in the OMB memo requires agencies to make code used to perform analysis and build computational models to be made publicly available for further analysis. When agencies use non-government information in decision-making, for example, peer-reviewed journal articles, agencies must communicate sufficient information on the data underlying the information so that the public can reproduce the agencies\u2019 conclusions.<\/p>\n The memo criticizes agencies past handling of \u2018requests for correction\u2019 wherein a member of the public can submit a complaint if they perceive that data used in policy-making does not meet agency standards. The new guidance requires agencies to respond to these request for correction within 120 days and share their \u201cpoint-by-point\u201d responses to data quality argument with OMB before sending their final response. Agencies are instructed to not \u201copine on the requestor\u2019s or the agency\u2019s policy position.\u201d<\/p>\n This guidance echoes previous efforts by congressional Republicans to question and restrict scientific information used in regulations, such as former House Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX)\u2019s HONEST Act (H.R. 1430) and Secret Science Act of 2015 (H.R. 2030). Both of these bills passed the Republican-controlled House of Representatives in previous Congresses but stalled in the Senate. ESA and other scientific societies and organizations strongly opposed these bills.<\/p>\n In a blog post, Andrew Rosenberg, the director of the Union of Concerned Scientists\u2019 Center for Science and Democracy, writes that the memo \u201creads like a re-hashing of some of the worst ideas for restricting the use of science in policy-making from the last five years or so.\u201d<\/p>\n Vought gives federal agencies 90 days, starting on April 24, to update their data quality policies.<\/p>\n <\/a>The ESA Southwest Chapter, the Public Affairs Office, and\u00a0Northern Arizona University are co-hosting a Communicating Science Workshop for members to address the needs of ecologists to communicate scientific information in a variety of public and professional settings. The workshop will provide participants with skills to effectively communicate with the Congress and the public. Learn more and apply here.<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n We are expanding the Society\u2019s Rapid Response Team (RRT), a diverse group of about 50 ecologists who are subject matter experts and help ESA address policy and media opportunities in a timely and effective manner.\u00a0ESA invites any member to apply to be a member of the RRT. By applying, you are raising ESA\u2019s ability to connect ecologists with policymakers and to provide information to the media.<\/strong><\/p>\n One of ESA\u2019s central missions is to share ecological information with policymakers and members of the media. Since the Society opened its Public Affairs Office in 1983, ESA has served as a trusted source of ecological information. The establishment of the RRT in 2005 enhanced our ability to respond to time-sensitive issues, such as 2010\u2019s BP oil spill and to the more recent Hurricanes Irma and Maria. ESA also encourages RRT members to alert the Society to policy issues or other opportunities.<\/p>\n Find more and how to apply here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Do you know about an emerging federal policy issue that would be of interest to the ESA Public Affairs Office? If so, complete this form and provide relevant information. We may contact you for additional details if there is any action to consider taking.<\/p>\n <\/a> Climate Research:<\/strong>\u00a0Over 30 freshmen House Democrats sent a\u00a0letter<\/a>\u00a0to the House Appropriations Committee supporting \u201crobust\u201d funding for climate research conducted or funded by NOAA, the EPA, NSF, USGS, the Department of Energy Office of Science and other science agencies.<\/p>\n Ocean Acidification<\/strong>:\u00a0The House Science Committee approved a set of bills addressing ocean acidification<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/strong>Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Rep. Don Young\u2019s COAST Research Act (H.R. 1237<\/a>) reauthorizes ocean and coastal research monitoring program and creates an Ocean Acidification Advisory Board. Rep. Chellie Pingree\u2019s (D-ME) Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2019 (H.R. 1716<\/a>) directs NOAA to study the impact of ocean acidification on coastal communities and similarly, Rep. Bill Posey\u2019s (R-FL) National Estuaries and Acidification Research Act (H.R. 988<\/a>) directs the National Academies of Science to study the impacts of ocean acidification on estuarine environments. The Ocean Acidification Innovation Act (H.R. 1921<\/a>), sponsored by Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Young and Bonamici directs federal agencies to create prize competitions to increase the ability to research, monitor, and manage ocean acidification and its impacts.<\/p>\n Arctic National Wildlife Refuge:<\/strong>\u00a0The House Natural Resources Committee\u00a0approved<\/a>\u00a0the Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act<\/strong>\u00a0(H.R. 1146<\/a>), which would repeal the section of the 2018 tax reform bill that allowed drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Oceans, Water and Wildlife Subcommittee Chairman Jared Huffman (D-CA) is the lead sponsor of this bill. The legislation has 139 co-sponsors, all Democrats, except Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). Natural Resources Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) expects the full House to vote on the bill in June.<\/p>\n Legislative updates:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/a> NSF:<\/strong>\u00a0The National Science Board is now accepting nominations for the new members to serve a six-year term from 2020 to 2026.<\/strong>\u00a0Nominations must include a letter of recommendation showing a \u201cdemonstrated record of distinguished service\u201d and \u201cdemonstrated performance at the highest level in the scientific, technological, engineering, industrial, public sector, and educational communities, as appropriate for the individual\u201d as a sufficient time commitment to perform board duties. For more information and to apply, visit the\u00a0National Science Board website<\/a>.<\/p>\n NIFA:<\/strong>\u00a0The USDA\u00a0announced<\/a>\u00a0that Kansas City, the Research Triangle Park area in North Carolina and Indiana are the top three finalists for the new location of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture headquarters. St. Louis, MO and Madison, WI also remain under consideration as alternative locations. Perdue announced plans to move NIFA headquarters outside of the Washington, DC area in August 2018.<\/p>\n USFWS<\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0Based on a preliminary review of available scientific information,\u00a0the agency\u00a0determined<\/a>\u00a0that endangered species protections for the Giraffe and the Arizona eryngo, a wildflower, may be warranted<\/strong>. Environmental groups\u00a0petitioned<\/a>\u00a0the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the giraffe in 2017, noting that the giraffe has experienced \u201csevere habitat loss and fragmentation as a result of the expansion of human activities into their habitats.\u201d Giraffe populations have declined 40% in recent decades.<\/p>\n In the same\u00a0notice<\/a>, USFWS declined to list the Refugio manzanita, a shrub, and the San Gabriel chestnut snail due to insufficient scientific or commercial information. However, additional information on these species may be submitted to the agency.<\/p>\n USFWS also proposes downgrading the endangered species status of the burying beetle from endangered to threatened, with a 4(d) rule that would allow \u2018routine\u2019 activities within the beetle\u2019s range without additional permits if USFWS finalizes this rule<\/strong>. The Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank, and the Independent Petroleum Association of America, among other organizations, petitioned USFWS to remove the beetle from the Endangered Species list in 2015. This species is found in parts of Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, the Dakotas and in Block and Nantucket Islands in New England. USFWS is\u00a0accepting public comments<\/a>\u00a0on this rule through July 2, 2019.<\/p>\n Interior:<\/strong>\u00a0Secretary David Bernhardt\u00a0told<\/a>\u00a0The Wall Street Journal that the agency paused its plan to expand offshore oil and gas drilling across the U.S. after a federal judge ruled against the administration\u2019s plan to expand off-shore drilling in March.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/a> Florida: The state legislature\u00a0passed<\/a>\u00a0a bill providing $3 million a year for six years to the Mote Marine Laboratory to research red tide and harmful algal blooms<\/strong>\u00a0in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Governor Ron DeSantis (R) is expected to sign the bill.<\/p>\n Governor DeSantis also\u00a0announced<\/a>\u00a0that he established a Blue-green Algae Task Force, a panel of five scientists that will make recommendations to reduce nutrients in Lake Okeechobee and help identify priority environmental restoration projects.<\/p>\n Nevada: The state legislature\u00a0passed<\/a>\u00a0a bill requiring the states\u2019 electricity providers to generate 50% of their energy from renewable sources by 2030 and source 100% of their energy from renewables by 2050.<\/strong>\u00a0Previous law required the state\u2019s utility NV Energy to obtain 25% of its energy from renewables by 2025.<\/p>\n Washington:\u00a0State lawmakers passed similar legislation to Nevada,\u00a0requiring<\/a>\u00a0the state to receive 100% of its energy from \u2018clean\u2019 sources by 2045.<\/strong>\u00a0These sources include \u201cnon-emitting electric generation\u201d such as nuclear and natural gas with carbon capture and storage. All electricity sales in the state must be carbon-neutral by 2030 under the law. Utilities can meet 20% of that requirement through renewable energy credits or penalties for carbon emissions.<\/p>\n <\/a> IPBES reports in a media release that, \u201cNature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history \u2013 and the rate of species extinctions is accelerating, with grave impacts on people around the world now likely\u2026\u201d IPBES Chair, Sir Robert Watson explained, \u201cThe Report also tells us that it is not too late to make a difference, but only if we start now at every level from local to global,\u201d he said. \u201cThrough \u2018transformative change\u2019, nature can still be conserved, restored and used sustainably \u2013 this is also key to meeting most other global goals. By transformative change, we mean a fundamental, system-wide reorganization across technological, economic and social factors, including paradigms, goals and values.\u201d<\/p>\n The IPBES press release states these report findings:<\/p>\n ESA encourages members to write op-eds or letters to the editor of your local newspaper about the IPBES report. See the\u00a0ESA Ecologists Guide to Policy<\/a>, page 53 for tips on how to write an op-ed.<\/p>\n Norway:\u00a0<\/strong>Scientific publisher Elsevier and a consortium of 46 Norwegian universities and research organizations reached an\u00a0agreement<\/a>\u00a0which allows researchers based at the consortium organization to access 2,800 Elsevier journals and makes around 90% of journal articles by these researchers open-access. Elsevier is currently engaged in similar, lengthy negotiations with universities in Germany, Sweden and Hungary and the University of California system over open-access publishing.<\/p>\n United Kingdom:<\/strong>\u00a0The House of Commons\u00a0approved a measure<\/a>\u00a0declaring an \u201cenvironment and climate emergency<\/strong>.\u201d The measure is similar to a resolution in the US Congress, which expresses the opinion of Congress, but does not compel Congress or the federal government to take specific actions.<\/p>\n Interior:<\/strong>\u00a0The Department Inspector General is\u00a0investigating<\/a>\u00a0potential ethics violations committed by several top political appointees at the agency<\/strong>. A complaint filed by the Campaign Legal Center alleges staff had \u2018improper contact\u2019 with former lobbying clients or employers. For example, Doug Domenech, Interior\u2019s assistant secretary for insular and international affairs, who previously worked for the Texas Public Policy Foundation on a campaign opposing the Clean Power Plan, met with staff from the Texas Public Policy Foundation and discussed a lawsuit where the organization sued the Bureau of Land Management.<\/p>\n NAS<\/strong>:\u00a0The National Academies of Science\u00a0announced<\/a>\u00a0100 new elected members and 25 foreign associates, including several distinguished members of the ecological science community.<\/strong><\/p>\n At the same meeting, NAS members approved a by-laws amendment that would allow the Academies to expel members who violate the organization\u2019s new Code of Conduct, which forbids sexual harassment. Now, the full NAS membership must approve the amendment. The results of this vote will be available in mid-June.<\/p>\n NAS will release a report on reproducibility and replicability in science and will host a\u00a0webinar<\/a>\u00a0to review the conclusions and messages of the report May 7.<\/p>\n NOAA:<\/strong>\u00a0ESA Past President and former NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco\u00a0writes in the New York Times<\/a>\u00a0that the Senate must reject Trump\u2019s nominee to lead NOAA, Barry Lee Myers<\/strong>, given Myers\u2019 lack of scientific credentials, business conflicts of interests and a culture of sexual harassment at AccuWeather under Myers\u2019 leadership.<\/p>\n <\/a> Opportunities for Public Comment and Nominations:<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nESA exhibit highlights the Hubbard Brook Long Term Ecological Research site.<\/p>\n
\nMemo requires agencies to publicly post code used to build models cited in decision-making.<\/p>\n
\nApply to join the Rapid Response Team.
\nAttend ESA communications training in Flagstaff, AZ.
\nCall for emerging policy issues.<\/p>\n
\nHouse committees advance legislation to ban drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and ocean acidification legislation.<\/p>\n
\nEPA administrator Andrew Wheeler turns down Science Advisory Board request to review \u201ctransparency in science\u201d regulation.<\/p>\n
\nAppeals court revives challenges to USDA Wildlife Services\u2019 wolf depredation program.<\/p>\n
\nNevada and Washington pass clean energy legislation. Florida approves red tide research bill.<\/p>\n
\nIPBES: \u201cNature\u2019s Dangerous Decline \u2018Unprecedented\u2019, Species Extinction Rates \u2018Accelerating.'\u201d The UK passes measure declaring a climate emergency.<\/p>\n
\nNAS announces newly elected members.<\/p>\n
\nUpcoming meetings and other opportunities for public involvement.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>View an up-to-date list of ESA\u2019s media coverage.<\/p>\nCoalition for National Science Funding Congressional Exhibit Highlights the Importance of NSF, Funding for Basic Research<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nScientists representing over 40 scientific societies, universities and research organizations shared their NSF-funded science \u2013 and the importance of science funding \u2013 with members of Congress, their staff and other stakeholders during the Coalition for Nation Science Funding\u2019s 25th<\/sup>\u00a0evening exhibit.\u00a0Gary Lovett, a senior scientist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, represented ESA and shared research from the Hubbard Brook Long Term Ecological Research site in New Hampshire, a member of the NSF-funded Long Term Ecological Research network. Hubbard Brook\u2019s scientists use\u00a0long-term observations, large-scale experiments, and computer simulation models to study the ecological impacts of acid rain on forest ecosystems,\u00a0songbird population trends, ice storms and more.<\/p>\nWhite House Releases New Information Quality Act Guidance, Echoes \u201cSecret Science\u201d Policies<\/h2>\n
\nActing Office of Management and Budget Director (OMB) Russell Vought sent a memo to federal agencies heads restricting and changing standards for scientific information used in agency decision-making. Observers say that the memo is designed to slow the approval of regulations and leaves the door open for industry to challenge agencies use of the underlying data.<\/p>\nAttend ESA Communications Training in Flagstaff, June 7: Travel Awards Available <\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nWhen: <\/strong>Friday, June 7, 2019, 10:00 am- 5 pm
\n<\/strong>Where: Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ<\/strong>
\nCost to attend: None and ESA offers a $200.00 overnight travel award or a $100.00 commuter award to members who attend.<\/strong><\/p>\nCall for New ESA Rapid Response Team Members<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Call for Emerging Issues<\/h2>\n
Congress<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nSenate:\u00a0Environment and Public Works Committee Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-DE) and subcommittee Ranking Members Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ)\u00a0started<\/a>\u00a0a Senate Environmental Justice Caucus.<\/strong>\u00a0Its purpose is to highlight environmental and related public health challenges disproportionately affecting low-income communities and communities of color and work with these communities to draft legislation and hold hearings and events.<\/p>\n\n
Executive Branch<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nEPA:<\/strong>\u00a0Administrator Andrew Wheeler largely\u00a0rejected<\/a>\u00a0the Science Advisory Board\u2019s (SAB) request to review the EPA\u2019s proposed \u201ctransparency in science\u201d regulation,<\/strong>\u00a0which would require the EPA only to use studies where the underlying data is publicly available while crafting environmental regulations. Wheeler asked the SAB to complete a consultation \u201con existing mechanisms for secure access to confidential business information and personally identifiable information as discussed\u201d in the proposed rule. Wheeler also declined SAB\u2019s request to review the Clean Power Plan and the EPA\u2019s proposed replacement, the Affordable Clean Energy rule.<\/p>\nCourts<\/h2>\n
\nWolves:<\/strong>\u00a0A federal appeals courts\u00a0revived<\/a>\u00a0a lawsuit filed by conservation groups against USDA Wildlife Services, which claims that Wildlife Services did not adequately assess the environmental impacts of its wolf-killing programs. The conservation groups say that Wildlife Services\u2019 2011 environmental impact statement relied on outdated scientific information. Previously, a lower court determined that the groups did not have the standing to sue Wildlife Services because wolves are managed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game in the state. However, the appeals court determined that the groups have standing because the state of Idaho would likely not be able to kill as many wolves without Wildlife Services\u2019 assistance. A USDA spokeswoman told the Associated Press that the Wildlife Services will complete a new environmental impact statement for the program as a result of the court\u2019s ruling.<\/p>\nStates<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nAFWA:<\/strong>\u00a0A survey of state fish and wildlife agencies conducted by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies\u00a0found<\/a>\u00a0that the most important sources for climate information and science for state personnel are peer-reviewed journals (75% of respondents reported using this source), academic institutions (74%) and the U.S. Geological Survey (72%). State agencies respondents reported using climate information or tools created by the former USFWS Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (72%), the USGS Climate Adaption Science Centers (62%) and NOAA\u2019s Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (31%). Respondents said that webinars (73%), online resources (68%) and workshops (61%) were their preferred mechanisms for accessing climate information and tools.<\/p>\nInternational<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nParis:\u00a0<\/strong>The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES<\/a>), released a\u00a0report summary<\/a>, which was approved at the 7th session of the IPBES Plenary, meeting last week (April 29 \u2013 May 4) in Paris.<\/p>\n\n
Scientific Community<\/h2>\n
Federal Register Opportunities<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nPublic Meetings, many of which are live-streamed:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\n