House Appropriations Bills Propose Funding Increases for Ecological Science<\/a><\/strong> Member Opportunities<\/a><\/strong> Congress<\/a><\/strong> Executive Branch<\/a><\/strong> States<\/a><\/strong> International<\/a> Scientific Community<\/a><\/strong> Federal Register Opportunities<\/a><\/strong> ESA In the News<\/a> <\/a> House Appropriations Bills:<\/strong><\/p>\n The\u00a0National Science Foundation receives $8.64 billion<\/strong>, a seven percent increase over FY 2019. The agency\u2019s Research and Related Activities account, which funds the bulk of NSF grants, receives $7.1 billion, an 8.9% increase.<\/p>\n The Department of Energy Office of Science receives $6.87 billion<\/strong>, a 4.3% increase. Biological Systems Science receives $381 million, including $100 million for the Bioenergy Research Centers. The DOE\u2019s terrestrial-aquatic interfaces pilot project receives $20 million and cloud-aerosol research receives $15 million.<\/p>\n The U.S. Geological Survey receives $1.235 billion, a 4.64% increase<\/strong>. The committee rejected the agency\u2019s request to restructure its divisions, stating that the proposed changes \u201creduce program and funding transparency.\u201d The bill increases funding for the Cooperative Research Units from $18.3 million in FY2019 to $24 million. The Trump administration proposed eliminating these units in previous budget requests. The House also increases funding for another program targeted for significant reductions in the president\u2019s budget request \u2013 the USGS Climate Adaption Centers receive a $13 million increase, including $4 million to establish a Midwest Climate Adaption Science Center.<\/p>\n The Bureau of Land Management receives $1.4 billion<\/strong>, a 4% increase, including $72 million for sage grouse conservation \u2013 a $5 million increase and $28 million more than requested in the president\u2019s budget. The committee\u00a0report<\/a>\u00a0states that the committee is \u201cextremely concerned\u201d about the Trump administration\u2019s efforts to reverse the 2015 sage grouse conservation agreement and plans. Other report language blocks new oil and gas development within a ten-mile radius of Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a sacred area for Native American tribes in the southwest.<\/p>\n The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service receives $1.7 billion<\/strong>, a $79 million increase, including a 14% increase for Ecological Services to administer the Endangered Species Act. Citing the USFWS\u2019 proposal to remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list as an example, report language directs USFWS to analyze proposed state management plans to ensure adequacy when delisting species. The Landscape Conservation Cooperative Units (LCCs) receive $12.5 million and the House instructs USFWS to reestablish any LCCs that are not operating.<\/p>\n The National Park Service receives $3.39 billion, a 5.2% increase.<\/strong><\/p>\n Appropriators direct the Department of the Interior to provide at least $1.2 million for the National Invasive Species Council (NISC)<\/strong>, which would keep NISC at similar funding levels as FY2019. The White House\u00a0proposed<\/a> cutting NISC\u2019s budget by 50%.<\/p>\n The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) receives $9.52 billion<\/strong>, a $672 million increase. The EPA\u2019s science and technology programs receive $727.63 million, a $10 million increase. Geographic Programs, which funds the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the Chesapeake Bay Program and other regional clean-up programs receive a $20 million increase to $476 million. The president\u2019s budget requests have routinely proposed eliminated or severely cutting these programs, although President Trump requested restoration of funding to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative after an event in Michigan. Report language requires the EPA consult with the agency\u2019s scientific advisory board and the National Academies of Science before implementing its proposed transparency in science rule, which would limit the EPA\u2019s use of peer-reviewed studies in decision-making where the underlying data are not publicly available.<\/p>\n Within the Agriculture Department,\u00a0the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Agricultural Research Service receive a combined $3.257 billion, roughly a $100 million increase.<\/strong>\u00a0Appropriators block the USDA from moving the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to a location outside of the Washington, DC area.<\/p>\n Appropriators provide $3.368 billion to U.S. Forest Service for non-fire programs.<\/strong>\u00a0The bill creates a new account for Forest Service operational costs such as utilities and information technology management. With these changes,\u00a0Forest Service Research and Development receives $277 million, a five percent increase over FY2019 levels.<\/strong><\/p>\n Appropriators do not include dedicated funding for the Joint Fire Science Program within the Forest Service\u2019s appropriations and, instead, the bill\u2019s language directs the Forest Service to provide $3 million to the Joint Fire Science program from the research and development account. The Interior Department receives $3 million in dedicated funding for the Joint Fire Science Program.<\/p>\n NOAA receives $5.48 million,\u00a0a one percent increase over FY 2019 levels. The National Marine Fisheries Service receives a 4% increase. Defying the administration request for a 40% cut, the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric research receives a 13% increase, including a 17% increase for climate research. Appropriators provide $3 million for the next National Climate Assessment.<\/strong><\/p>\n NASA receives $22.32 billion in total, including $7.16 billion for the agency\u2019s Science Directorate, a 3.7% increase.<\/strong>\u00a0Appropriators increase the Earth Science program\u2019s funding by nearly five percent, to $2.031 billion.<\/p>\n Appropriators in the Senate will likely call for smaller spending increases and ultimately, the final spending bills will have to pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the president.<\/p>\n The Senate appropriations process is currently in limbo as the House and Senate budget committees have yet to reach an agreement setting the overall level of federal spending. It remains to be seen whether the Senate appropriations will be as robust as the House\u00a0appropriations.<\/strong>\u00a0Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) called the appropriations process, at this point, \u2018discouraging\u2019 and said that her subcommittee has not \u201cbeen able to start in earnest.\u201d<\/p>\n For the latest updates on the appropriations process, check the\u00a0ESA budget tracker<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/a> 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> House Natural Resources Committee:<\/strong>\u00a0Committee Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and Ranking Member Rob Bishop (R-UT)\u00a0asked<\/a>\u00a0the Government Accountability Office to review potential human rights violations by anti-poaching units and if U.S. government funds provided to combat wildlife trafficking supported activities where reported alleged human rights violations occurred.<\/p>\n Legislative updates: \u00a0<\/p>\n White House:<\/strong>\u00a0The Office of Management and Budget released its biannual\u00a0Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions<\/a>, providing a preview of planned upcoming regulatory changes. Here are a few highlights of the plan:<\/p>\n BLM:<\/strong>\u00a0Interior Secretary David Bernhardt named Casey Hammond, Interior\u2019s principal deputy assistant secretary for land and minerals management, acting Bureau of Land Management director. Hammond is a former Republican staffer for the House Natural Resources Committee. The BLM has not had a permanent, Senate-confirmed director since President Trump took office in January 2017. Former Acting BLM Director Brian Steed left the agency to lead the Utah Department of Natural Resources in April.<\/p>\n The BLM\u00a0renewed<\/a>\u00a0two mineral leases May 15, advancing a proposed copper-nickel mine near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota. In 2016, the Obama administration proposed a permanent mineral withdrawal for the area, citing the environmental risks of mining near the popular recreation area. Minnesota state environmental regulators still must approve the project.<\/p>\n The report for the House appropriations bill directs USFWS and BLM to allocate a combined $1 million to the National Academies of Science to commission a study of the \u201cimpacts on ecosystem services of the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness resulting from a Twin Metals sulfide-ore copper mine located in the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.\u201d House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairwoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) strongly opposes the proposed mining project.<\/p>\n EPA:\u00a0<\/strong>The New York Times\u00a0reports<\/a>\u00a0that the agency is working to change the way that it models the health impacts of air pollution, allowing the EPA to lower its previous estimate that the proposed replacement to the Clean Power Plan will cause 1,400 additional premature deaths each year. This modeling method has not been peer-reviewed and \u201cis not scientifically sound.\u201d<\/p>\n Separately,\u00a0the EPA\u00a0cancelled<\/a>\u00a0the registrations of 12 neonicotincoid pesticides.<\/strong>\u00a0This announcement comes after three major pesticide manufacturers agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by environmentalists and beekeepers.<\/p>\n The EPA\u2019s Science Advisory Board will meet June 5 and 6 for the first time in 2019. The\u00a0meeting agenda<\/a>\u00a0shows that the SAB will discuss the EPA\u2019s proposed transparency in science rule, the EPA de-regulatory agenda, the Per- and Polyflouroalkyl (PFAS) substances action plan and the proposed Waters of the U.S. rule.<\/strong>\u00a0SAB members will also discuss a SAB-initiated project to review scientific issues underlying the EPA\u2019s use of co-benefits in clean air regulations. The SAB\u2019s proposal defines co-benefits as \u201cside benefits or ancillary benefits that were not necessarily intended by the statutory scheme.\u201d\u00a0Last month, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler largely rejected the SAB\u2019s request to review several proposals, including the transparency in science rule and the Clean Power Plan\u2019s replacement, the Affordable Clean Energy rule.<\/strong><\/p>\n The SAB is\u00a0accepting nominations<\/a>\u00a0for new members for the board and its standing committees through June 24, 2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n NSF:\u00a0<\/strong>Biological Sciences Directorate Assistant Director Joanne Tornow and National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) Program Manager Roland Roberts provided an\u00a0update<\/a>\u00a0to the National Science Board on the status of the NEON program, which shifted from construction to operations in early 2019.<\/strong>\u00a0Since NEON became fully operational, the number of downloads of NEON data increased from around 1,500 in last quarter of 2018 to 4,000 in the first quarter of 2019 and Roberts relayed that the number of downloads is rapidly increasing. NEON sites are currently gearing up for their field season and 195 field staff are receiving training on NEON protocols. NEON continues outreach to the scientific community through efforts like workshops at the ESA and American Geophysical Union conferences and webinars hosted by ESA.<\/p>\n National Science Board members expressed their \u2018delight\u2019 in seeing NEON fully operational and asked about the potential to expand NEON through collaboration with similar networks in Canada and\/or central America and integration of NEON with the Geosciences Directorate\u2019s Ocean Observatories Initiative. The NSB committee remained interested in seeing proof of NEON\u2019s success through \u2018seminal\u2019 papers that would not be possible without NEON.<\/p>\n In a subsequent meeting,\u00a0the BIO Advisory Committee met in a teleconference May 24. A Subcommittee on NEON User Engagement Update\u00a0 was provided<\/strong>\u00a0by Dr. Jeannine Cavender-Bares, University of Minnesota; BIO-AC Liaison. The\u00a0NEON User Engagement\u00a0report is not currently available to the public, but NSF will release it publicly at a later date.\u00a0Its major recommendation is that NSF form an independent advisory committee for NEON user engagement that reports directly to NSF. On May 23, nine of the 20-members of the NEON Science, Technology & Education Advisory Committee (STEAC), which reports directly to Battelle, resigned citing its lack of independence and its inability to communicate directly to NSF. <\/strong>ESA staff attended the meeting and will be writing a forthcoming article about the meeting discussions that will also include the subcommittee findings.<\/p>\n USDA:<\/strong>\u00a0Acting Chief Scientist Chavonda Jacobs-Young\u00a0rescinded<\/a>\u00a0a July 2018 memo that required agency scientists to label peer-reviewed research papers as \u2018preliminary\u2019 after the Washington Post publicized the policy in April 2019.<\/strong>\u00a0A\u00a0new policy<\/a>\u00a0requires scientists to include a modified disclaimer on \u2018outside\u2019 publications, such as peer-reviewed journal articles: \u201cThe findings and conclusions in this [publication\/presentation\/blog\/report] are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.\u201d William Trenkle, the USDA\u2019s scientific integrity officer, told the Washington Post that this policy does not apply to several major USDA research agencies, including the Agricultural Research Service and the Forest Service, that have \u201cagency-specific policies.\u201d<\/p>\n USFWS:\u00a0<\/strong>Two freshwater species native to North Carolina, the Carolina madtom, a fish, and the Neuse River waterdog, an aquatic salamander, will receive Endangered Species Act protection under a new\u00a0proposed rule<\/a>. USFWS proposes listing the Carolina madtom as an endangered species, and the Neuse River waterdog as a threatened species, with a 4(d) rule that would allow incidental take of the salamander during certain restoration and conservation activities.<\/p>\n The agency extended the comment period for a proposed rule removing endangered species protections for gray wolves by 60 days to July 15, 2019. Over 100 scientists, including some ESA members and ecologists, signed on to a\u00a0letter<\/a>\u00a0publicized by the Center for Biological Diversity urging the US Fish and Wildlife Service to rescind this proposal, and stating that the proposal \u201cdoes not represent the best-available science pertaining to wolf conservation.\u201d Sixty-eight Members of Congress, led by Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) sent a\u00a0letter<\/a>\u00a0to Interior Secretary David Bernhardt opposing delisting the gray wolves.<\/p>\n <\/a> Massachusetts:<\/strong>\u00a0The environmental reporter for the Boston Globe\u00a0writes<\/a><\/strong> that Governor Charlie Baker (R)\u2019s administration blocked him from interviewing state agency scientists, such as the state ornithologist<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/a> Botswana<\/strong>: The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, Conservation and Tourism\u00a0overturned<\/a>\u00a0a 2014 ban on elephant hunting,\u00a0citing<\/a>\u00a0increased human-elephant conflict. About 130,000 elephants live in Botswana, the largest elephant population in the world.<\/p>\n <\/a> A panel of experts from scientific societies, academic institutions and industry, including Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman astronaut, supported the legislation at a May 9\u00a0hearing<\/a>. Jemison called STEM diversity \u201ca necessity, not a nicety\u201d and criticized gatekeepers and organizational cultures from keeping women and underrepresented minorities from achieving promotions and leadership positions.<\/p>\n <\/a> Opportunities for Public Comment and Nominations:<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nNSF receives a seven percent increase. Senate appropriations process remains stalled.<\/p>\n
\nApply to join the Rapid Response Team.
\nAttend ESA communications training in Flagstaff, AZ.
\nCall for emerging policy issues.<\/p>\n
\nHouse Natural Resources Committee holds hearing on IPBES Global Assessment Report.<\/p>\n
\nWhite House releases a preview of upcoming regulatory actions; the EPA cancelled the registrations of 12 neonicotincoid pesticides. National Science Board discusses the National Ecological Observatory Network.<\/p>\n
\nLouisiana announces adaption plan.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>IPBES announces co-chairs of invasive alien species assessment.<\/p>\n
\nExperts from scientific societies, academic institutions and industry discussed diversity in STEM during a congressional hearing.<\/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>\nHouse Appropriations Bills Propose Funding Increases for Ecological Science<\/h2>\n
\nHouse appropriators released spending bills, including increases for most agencies that fund, conduct and use ecological science for fiscal year (FY) 2020. These bills are now moving through the Appropriations Committee and, eventually, onto the House floor.<\/p>\nAttend ESA Communications Training in Flagstaff, June 7: Travel Awards Available<\/h2>\n
\nThe 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.
\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<\/h2>\n
Call for Emerging Issues<\/h2>\n
Congress<\/h2>\n
\nIPBES: <\/strong>The House Natural Resources Committee Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife held a\u00a0subcommittee hearing<\/a>\u00a0on the findings of the Global Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) which concluded that \u201cnature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history.\u201d Subcommittee Chairman Jared Huffman (D-CA) linked the reports\u2019 findings with the Trump administration\u2019s efforts to weaken the Endangered Species Act, saying that weakening the law is \u201cthe worst thing to do we could do at the worst possible time.\u201d Subcommittee Ranking Member Tom McClintock (R-CA) criticized the IPBES report, its authors, and the hearing as premature and alarmist, comparing the report to Chicken Little and the Emperor\u2019s New Clothes. IPBES authors Sir Robert Watson, Dr. Yunne Shin and Dr. Eduardo S. Brondizio presented the IPBES Global Assessment findings to the subcommittee.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Note: Click on the bill number to see the full text of the bill, latest status and bill co-sponsors on Congress.gov. Click on the committee name to see the list of committee members. ESA\u2019s\u00a0legislative tracker<\/a>\u00a0provides updates on legislation relevant to the ecological community.<\/p>\n\n
Executive Branch<\/h2>\n
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States<\/h2>\n
\nLouisiana<\/strong>:\u00a0The state Office of Community Development and the Foundation for Louisiana\u00a0released<\/a>\u00a0a\u00a0regional adaption strategy<\/a>\u00a0to guide the state as it faces increased flooding and land loss.<\/strong>\u00a0The strategy identifies high, moderate and low-risk areas for flood and identifies strategies to help people living in high-risk areas migrate and prepare communities to receive migrants.<\/p>\nInternational<\/h2>\n
\nIPBES:<\/strong>\u00a0Dr. Helen Roy (United Kingdom), Dr. Anibal Pauchard (Chile) and Dr. Peter Stoett (Canada) were announced as the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services\u00a0assessment of alien invasive species<\/a>.<\/p>\nScientific Comunity<\/h2>\n
\nScience Committee:<\/strong>\u00a0Committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK)\u00a0reintroduced the STEM Opportunities Act (H.R. 2528<\/a>), which requires federal agencies to collect demographic data on grant recipients and STEM faculty and take other steps to implement evidence-based policies to increase the number women, minorities and other groups underrepresented in STEM and support these groups\u2019 success.<\/strong>\u00a0Johnson introduced similar legislation in previous Congresses, but those bills did not gain bipartisan support. Since the bill\u2019s introduction, 11 Democratic members, many of which are members of the Science Committee, and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) became additional co-sponsors of the bill.<\/p>\nFederal Register Opportunities<\/h2>\n
\nPublic Meetings, many of which are live-streamed:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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