{"id":15968,"date":"2019-12-16T13:03:18","date_gmt":"2019-12-16T18:03:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/?p=15968"},"modified":"2019-12-16T13:03:18","modified_gmt":"2019-12-16T18:03:18","slug":"policy-news-december-16-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/2019\/12\/16\/policy-news-december-16-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Policy News: December 16, 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Katherine S. McCarter<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Graduate Student Policy Award<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Applications are now being accepted.<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

ESA is now accepting applications for its 2020 Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award. Offered each year, this award gives graduate students an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC for science policy training with opportunities to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.<\/p>\n

Visit the\u00a0ESA website<\/a>\u00a0for more information and details on application requirements. The deadline to apply is Jan. 8, 2020.<\/p>\n

In This Issue:<\/h1>\n

ESA Supports Roadless Areas in Alaska\u2019s Tongass National Forest<\/strong><\/a>
\nESA submits comments in response to the Forest Service\u2019s plan to exempt the Tongass National Forest from the 2001 Roadless Rule.<\/p>\n

Member Opportunities<\/strong><\/a>
\nAttend ESA Southeastern Chapter Communications Training geared toward policymakers in Knoxville, Feb. 3: Travel Awards Available.<\/p>\n

Congress<\/strong><\/a>
\nHouse passes a set of ocean and coastal policy bills. Annual defense policy bill includes science and security provisions.<\/p>\n

Executive Branch<\/strong><\/a>
\nSenate confirms USFWS director. NOAA releases Arctic Report Card and launches coral reef restoration project in the Florida Keys. Majority of BLM employees in Washington, DC decline reassignments.<\/p>\n

Courts<\/strong><\/a>
\nNew York judge rules in favor of Exxon. Trump appoints one-third of 9th Circuit Court judges.<\/p>\n

States and Cities<\/strong><\/a>
\nNew York city council approves bill requiring bird-friendly glass.<\/p>\n

International<\/strong><\/a>
\nCOP25 ends in Madrid.<\/p>\n

Scientific Community<\/strong><\/a>
\nJASON releases foreign interference in science report. NEON names new chief scientist.<\/p>\n

Opportunities to Get Involved<\/strong><\/a>
\nFederal Register opportunities.<\/p>\n

ESA In the News<\/strong><\/a>
\nView an up-to-date list of ESA\u2019s media coverage.<\/p>\n

ESA Supports Roadless Areas in Alaska\u2019s Tongass National Forest<\/strong><\/h2>\n

<\/a>
\nESA submitted\u00a0comments<\/a>\u00a0opposing the Forest Service\u2019s proposal to exempt the Tongass National Forest in Alaska from the 2001 Roadless Rule and open 9.2 million acres of temperate rainforest to development. The comments note that the Tongass stores a large amount of carbon and fuels productive and commercially important marine ecosystems.<\/p>\n

Attend ESA Communications Training in Knoxville, Feb. 3: Travel Awards Available<\/strong><\/h2>\n

<\/a>
\nThe ESA Southeastern Chapter has an excellent opportunity for its members to attend a Communicating Science Workshop co-hosted with NIMBioS, University of Tennessee, Knoxville on Monday, Feb. 3, 2020.<\/p>\n

The ESA Communicating Science workshop is designed to address the needs of ecologists to communicate scientific information in a variety of public and professional interactions. This workshop will build participants confidence and skill set for public engagement with media, Congress, and other audiences. It also provides a professional development opportunity to develop broader impact skills.<\/p>\n

Up to a $200.00 travel award will be given to ESA members ($200.00 overnight award for those traveling more than 60 miles or a $100.00 commuter travel award for those who will travel between 45-60 miles from Knoxville.) Space is limited and preference will be given to Southeastern Chapter members.<\/p>\n

Visit the\u00a0ESA website<\/a>\u00a0for additional information.<\/p>\n

Congress<\/h2>\n

<\/a>
\nAppropriations:<\/strong>\u00a0Leaders of the House and Senate appropriations committee announced Dec. 12 that they have reached an agreement to keep the government open and complete appropriations for fiscal year (FY) 2020.<\/strong> Details about the spending bills, including funding for science programs, have not yet be released. Congressional leaders said that they plan to pass all 12 required spending bills before the holidays. ESA will update the\u00a0Federal Budget Tracker<\/a>\u00a0as information emerges.<\/p>\n

House:<\/strong>\u00a0The full House of Representatives passed a package of coastal and ocean bills combined into Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act (H.R. 729<\/a>):<\/p>\n