{"id":18121,"date":"2021-06-01T15:47:26","date_gmt":"2021-06-01T15:47:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/?p=18121"},"modified":"2021-06-01T16:03:34","modified_gmt":"2021-06-01T16:03:34","slug":"policy-news-may-28-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/2021\/06\/01\/policy-news-may-28-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Policy News: May 28, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>In this issue:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"#budget\"><b>President Biden Releases Full Budget Request<br>\n<\/b><\/a>The budget includes $10.17 billion for NSF and $948 million for the Biological Sciences Directorate.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#endlessfrontier\"><strong>Endless Frontier Act Stalled and Renamed to the Innovation and Competition Act<\/strong><\/a><br>\nBill would create a technology directorate at the National Science Foundation and increases authorized funding levels.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#congress\">Congress<\/a><br>\n<\/strong>House passes STEM diversity bills.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#executivebranch\">Executive Branch<\/a><br>\n<\/strong>EPA finalizes the repeal of the \u201ctransparency in science\u201d rule.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#states\">States<\/a><\/strong><strong><br>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#international\">International<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#scientificcommunity\">Scientific Community<\/a><br>\n<\/strong>National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine to hold a national summit \u201cAddressing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, &amp; Anti-Racism in 21st Century STEMM Organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#federalregister\">Federal Register opportunities<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>President Biden Releases Full Budget Request<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"#budget\"><\/a><br>\nPresident Joe Biden released his full President\u2019s Budget Request May 28. This follows Biden\u2019s \u201cskinny budget\u201d which called for a 16% increase in domestic spending and big investments in climate mitigation, adaptation and research. This budget included top-line budget numbers for some agencies but offered scant details about funding for individual programs.<\/p>\n<p>The President\u2019s Budget Request represents a starting point for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget process and the administration\u2019s priorities. The Trump administration proposed steep cuts across the government in its president\u2019s budget request, especially to scientific and environmental programs. Even when Republicans controlled both the House and Senate in 2017 and 2018, Congress largely rejected these steep cuts. Biden\u2019s Presidential Budget Request could get a more friendly reception on Capitol Hill, with Democrats controlling both the House and the Senate. Still, Congressional appropriators ultimately control the federal government\u2019s purse strings.<\/p>\n<p><strong>National Science Foundation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The budget request includes $10.17 billion for NSF, representing a 20% increase for NSF over FY 2022 levels. This includes $948 million for the Biological Sciences Directorate. In recent years, NSF has received modest increases, falling short of amounts requested by the scientific community.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Department of Agriculture<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>President Biden calls for $1.9 billion for the National Institute of Agriculture, including $700 million for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, which represents a $265 million increase over FY 2021 levels.<\/p>\n<p>The Agricultural Research Service receives $1.9 billion for salaries and expenses, a $409 million increase.<\/p>\n<p>The Forest Service Forest and Rangeland Research account receives $339 million, a $49 million dollar increase over FY2022.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Department of the Interior<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Biden calls for $17.4 billion for the Interior Department as whole, a $2.4 billion increase over FY 2021 levels.<\/p>\n<p>Biden allocates $1.456 billion to the Bureau of Land Management, a $119 million increase. The National Park Service receive $2.976 billion, a $300 million increase and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service receives $1.678 billion, a $102 million increase.<\/p>\n<p>Biden requests $1.642 billion for the U.S. Geological Survey, a $326 million increase. This includes a $86 million increase for the Ecosystems Mission Area over FY2021 levels, bringing the programs budget to $350 million in FY 2022.<\/p>\n<p><strong>U.S. Department of Energy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Department of Energy Office of Science is funded at $7.4 billion, a $400 million increase over FY 2021 levels. This includes $828 million for Biological and Environmental Research, a $75 million increase. The Office of Science reached record funding levels during the Trump administration before receiving nearly flat funding in FY 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Overall, President Biden requested $6.9 billion for NOAA, a $1.4 billion increase over FY 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Environmental Protection Agency<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Biden requests $11.2 billion for the EPA, a 21.3% increase. This includes $936 million for a new Accelerating Environmental and Economic Justice initiative.<\/p>\n<p><strong>NASA<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Overall, Biden requests $24.8 billion for NASA, around a 6% increase. Following Biden\u2019s calls for investment in climate and earth-facing science at NASA, the Earth Science Directorate receives $2.3 billion, a $250 million increase.<\/p>\n<h2>Endless Frontier Act Stalled and Renamed to the Innovation and Competition Act<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"#endlessfrontier\"><\/a><br>\nThe full Senate dedicated most of the week of May 24 to consideration of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Todd Young\u2019s United States Innovation and Competition Act \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/senate-bill\/1260\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(S. 1260<\/a>), previously known as the Endless Frontier Act. This bill which would create a new technology directorate at the National Science Foundation and increase NSF\u2019s overall authorized funding level to around $28 billion by fiscal year (FY) 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Before floor debate, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved amendments to the original bill that brought total funding for the technology directorate from $100 billion by FY 2026 to $28 billion and redirected $17 billion from the NSF technology directorate to the Department of Energy Office of Science. The Committee also added several standalone STEM bills, including the RISE Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/senate-bill\/289\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">S. 289<\/a>), the Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act and the Rural STEM Act. The RISE Act authorizes additional funding to science agencies to cover research disruptions and delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The updated authorization bill only increases approved funding levels for NSF and other research programs. Congress would still have to provide funding for NSF through the annual appropriations process or special legislation.<\/p>\n<p>Senators debated dozens of floor amendments to the bill:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The full Senate approved an amendment from Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE) creating a Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation. This foundation would channel private investment into the Department of Energy\u2019s research programs. This amendment mirrors Coons\u2019 Partnerships for Energy Security and Innovation Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/senate-bill\/1359\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">S. 1359<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li>The Senate also approved an amendment from Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE) doubling the authorized budget for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Congress<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Nominations:\u00a0<\/strong>The full Senate confirmed Eric Lander to be the Director of the White House of Science and Technology Policy. Lander is a geneticist and the director of the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT. During his confirmation hearing, Senators questioned Lander about his meetings with notorious deceased criminal Jeffery Epstein and his slights to women researchers. Despite these questions, the Senate confirmed Lander by a voice vote.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Diversity in STEM:<\/strong>\u00a0The full House passed a series of bills intended to increase diversity in STEM and strengthen the U.S. STEM pipeline:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Supporting Early Career Researchers Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/144\">H.R 144<\/a>) authorizes $250 million to the National Science Foundation to award two-year postdoctoral fellowships to help keep researchers whose employment opportunities have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in the STEM pipeline.<\/li>\n<li>The Rural STEM Education Research Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/210\">H.R. 210<\/a>) directs NSF to fund STEM education research focused on rural areas and recommends that NSF dedicate $12 million annually to increase rural students\u2019 participation in STEM. A version of this bill passed the U.S. House in September 2020. However, the U.S. Senate did not consider this bill.<\/li>\n<li>The MSI STEM Achievement Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/2027\">H.R. 2027<\/a>) directs NSF to research the barriers to increasing participation in STEM education at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and to increase these institutions\u2019 awareness, capacity and participation to compete for federal research funds.<\/li>\n<li>The Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/2695\">H.R. 2695<\/a>) creates an inter-agency working group to coordinate federal science agency efforts to reduce the prevalence of sexual harassment involving grant personnel and creates a competitive grant program at NSF for research about harassment and the development and assessment of policies, procedures, trainings and interventions intended to address and reduce harassment. Science Committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) has introduced similar legislation in previous sessions of Congress. This bill passed the full House in 2019 but did not advance in the Senate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Infrastructure:<\/strong>\u00a0The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2021\/05\/26\/bipartisan-highway-bill-senate-infrastructure-490979\">passed<\/a>\u00a0a $350 billion surface transportation authorization bill amid larger negotiations about President Biden\u2019s infrastructure package. The bill includes $18 billion for climate change mitigation and adaptation and $500 million to mitigate climate impacts on vulnerable communities, including communities of color and tribes. It also authorizes a new $50 million a year grant program for state government projects to eliminate or control existing invasive plants or prevent the introduction of new invasive plants along and in areas adjacent to transportation corridor rights-of-way.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Science Committee:\u00a0<\/strong>Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK)\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/science.house.gov\/news\/press-releases\/committee-leaders-to-introduce-bipartisan-department-of-energy-science-for-the-future-act\">introduced<\/a>\u00a0the Department of Energy Science for the Future Act, which reauthorizes the Department of Energy Office of Science\u2019s programs through 2026.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Legislative updates:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The House Oversight and Reform Committee\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/federalnewsnetwork.com\/workforce\/2021\/05\/house-committee-passes-bill-blocking-another-schedule-f-executive-order-from-happening\/\">approved<\/a>\u00a0the Preventing a Patronage System Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/302\">H.R 302<\/a>), which aims to prevent any future efforts to move federal career positions outside of the competitive service. This bill responds to an executive order from President Trump to create a \u201cschedule F\u201d category for federal employees, who would be easier to fire. The scientific community\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/2020_11_11-Saving-Civil-Service-Act.pdf?utm_source=Informz&amp;utm_medium=Email&amp;utm_campaign=ESA\">opposed<\/a>\u00a0this executive order, over concerns that this category could be used fire scientists whose results contradict the preferences of political employees. President Biden revoked this executive order during his first week in office.<\/li>\n<li>House Natural Resources Chairman Ra\u00fal Grijalva (D-AZ) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal introduced the Extinction Prevention Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/3396\">H.R. 3396<\/a>). This bill authorizes $5 million annual conservation funds for freshwater mussels, southwest desert fishes, North American butterflies and threatened and endangered plants in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.<\/li>\n<li>The full House passed the Coastal and Ocean Acidification Stressors and Threats (COAST) Research Act\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/1447\">(H.R. 1447<\/a>), which reauthorizes ocean and coastal research monitoring program and creates an Ocean Acidification Advisory Board. The full House similar legislation in 2019.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Executive Branch<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"#executivebranch\"><\/a><br>\n<strong>White House:<\/strong>\u00a0President Joe Biden\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/biden-climate-change-office-director-trump-b3327db8-4849-4d88-9ec0-0660af5f7870.html\">reinstalled<\/a>\u00a0Michael Kuperberg as the U.S. Global Change Research Program executive director, the office that produces the National Climate Assessment. The Trump administration reassigned Kuperberg to the Energy Department in November 2020, shortly after Trump lost re-election. Kuperberg had led the U.S. Global Change Research Program since 2015.<\/p>\n<p><strong>USFWS:<\/strong>\u00a0The agency has\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/climate-environment\/2021\/05\/26\/biden-environment-prairie-chicken\/\">listed<\/a>\u00a0the less prairie chicken as an endangered species in eastern New Mexico and the southwest Texas Panhandle and a threatened species in the northeast Texas Panhandle, southeast Colorado, south-central Kansas and western Oklahoma. This proposed rule comes after voluntary conservation agreements between USFWS, state, the oil and gas industry and other federal agencies failed to restore lesser prairie chicken populations. Environmental groups sued USFWS for not protecting the less prairie chicken in 2019 and a court decision required the agency to complete a 12-month species status review for the lesser prairie chicken. The proposed rule lists the bird under a 4(d) rule which allows for the accidental killing of individual birds in agricultural activities and prescribed burns, if parties agree to take certain conservation actions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>EPA:<\/strong>\u00a0The agency\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/energy-environment\/555512-epa-officially-nixes-trump-rule-limiting-consideration-of-certain?utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=39412\">finalized<\/a>\u00a0a rule repealing the Trump administration\u2019s \u201ctransparency in science\u201d rule, which aimed to limit the EPA\u2019s use of science where the underlying data is not publicly available. This rule implements a February 2021 federal group decision that threw out the rule. The Trump administration finalize this rule in January 2021. The scientific community, including ESA, opposed the rule well as its as legislative predecessors the HONEST Act and the Secret Science Act. Scientific and public health groups said that it will limit the wide swaths of research and data that the EPA could use to make informed policy decisions and fulfill their mission to protect public health and the environment.<\/p>\n<p>The court found that the EPA did not have the authority to finalize the rule. The rule never took effect after courts moved the rule\u2019s effective date to Feb. 5.<\/p>\n<p>EPA Administrator Michael Regan\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/climate-environment\/2021\/05\/27\/biden-administration-looks-boost-states-ability-block-pipelines\/\">announced<\/a>\u00a0that the agency will rewrite a Trump administration regulation that limited state\u2019s ability to block pipeline and fossil fuel export facilities under the Clean Water Act.<\/p>\n<p>Before this regulation, coastal states, such as Washington state and New York, used their authority under section 401 to block fossil fuel export facilities and pipelines in their states, citing air quality and climate concerns. The regulation prevents states from considering concerns other than water quality during the certification process and aims to accelerate the process, giving states one year to complete their analysis after they have received a \u201ccertification request.\u201d ESA and other scientific societies\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/2019_10_21-Science-Societies-401-Letter-Final-with-logos.pdf?utm_source=Informz&amp;utm_medium=Email&amp;utm_campaign=ESA\">opposed<\/a>\u00a0this regulation.<\/p>\n<p>An EPA\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/office-inspector-general\/report-epa-deviated-typical-procedures-its-2018-dicamba-pesticide\">Inspector General Report<\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/office-inspector-general\/report-epa-deviated-typical-procedures-its-2018-dicamba-pesticide\">finds<\/a>\u00a0that senior managers in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention altered scientific documents to support keeping the weed killer dicamba on the market in 2018. The agency also not conduct required internal peer reviews of these documents.<\/p>\n<p>The EPA received\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/yosemite.epa.gov\/sab\/sabproduct.nsf\/LookupWebProjectsRequestsforCommentsBOARD\/8DA79C5C3D6F8A4C852586A1005DEE46?OpenDocument&amp;TableRow=2.1#2.\">351 applications<\/a>\u00a0for 45 spots on the Science Advisory Board (SAB). Regan dismissed all SAB members in March 2021, citing concerns about scientific integrity. Trump EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and Andrew Wheeler stacked the Scientific Advisory Board with industry-friendly scientists. However, the SAB repeatedly opposed major Trump administration rules, including the \u2018Transparency in Science\u2019 rule and the Trump administration\u2019s revisions to the Waters of the U.S. rule. The SAB nominee are open for public comment through June 9. The EPA will announce the new SAB members this fall.<\/p>\n<p><strong>NASA:<\/strong>\u00a0Administrator Bill Nelson\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/new-nasa-earth-system-observatory-to-help-address-mitigate-climate-change\">announced<\/a>\u00a0that the agency will launch a series of earth-focused missions to observe and better understand the regional and local impacts of climate change. This data will be shared with local decision-makers to help with disaster mitigation, fighting forest fires and agriculture.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/05\/18\/climate\/national-parks-climate-change.html?campaign_id=2&amp;emc=edit_th_20210519&amp;instance_id=31080&amp;nl=todaysheadlines&amp;regi_id=59344850&amp;segment_id=58419&amp;user_id=dbc72b5ef3021263ed90f8db8d613015\">What to Save? Climate Change Forces Brutal Choices at National Parks \u2013 The New York Times<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/earther.gizmodo.com\/top-climate-scientist-blasts-government-lab-after-denie-1846956716\">Top Climate Scientist Blasts Government Lab After Denier Invited to Speak \u2013 Gizmodo<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.adn.com\/business-economy\/energy\/2021\/05\/27\/biden-administration-backs-conocophillips-drilling-project-in-national-petroleum-reserve-alaska\/\">Biden administration backs ConocoPhillips drilling project in National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska \u2013 Anchorage Daily News<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>States<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"#states\"><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seattletimes.com\/seattle-news\/inslee-signs-climate-bills-but-vetoes-parts-tying-them-to-transportation-package\/\">Inslee signs climate bills, but vetoes parts that tie them to passage of a transportation package \u2013 The Seattle Times<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>International<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"#international\"><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/d41586-021-01321-3?utm_source=Nature+Briefing&amp;utm_campaign=85ada1e722-briefing-dy-20210518&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_c9dfd39373-85ada1e722-43494381\">University of Cape Town\u2019s battle to tackle a racist legacy \u2013 Nature<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2021\/may\/14\/environment-department-tried-to-bury-research-that-found-huge-underspend-on-australian-threatened-species?utm_source=Nature+Briefing&amp;utm_campaign=e656772d64-briefing-dy-20210517&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_c9dfd39373-e656772d64-43494381\">Environment department tried to bury research that found huge underspend on Australian threatened species \u2013 The Guardian<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/05\/18\/climate\/climate-change-emissions-IEA.html?campaign_id=54&amp;emc=edit_clim_20210519&amp;instance_id=31162&amp;nl=climate-fwd%3A&amp;regi_id=85981451&amp;segment_id=58486&amp;te=1&amp;user_id=214f7fceffa191c528015bf7cb7c537b\">Nations Must Drop Fossil Fuels, Fast, World Energy Body Warns \u2013 The New York Times<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/environment\/brazil-police-investigate-potential-crimes-related-wood-exports-2021-05-19\/?utm_campaign=Hot%20News&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsmi=128418220&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_KTVnTi9Om68HkcSorcyaxRO1fqQWbYwNYj_QDXIqMV67rQ-OhIRnvp_8n06X0aEXHQj42VT9anuyescL9MC3xDsXriA&amp;utm_content=128418220&amp;utm_source=hs_email\">Brazil environment minister targeted in wood-smuggling probe \u2013 Reuters<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/2021\/may\/27\/australian-court-finds-government-has-duty-to-protect-young-people-from-climate-crisis\">Australian court finds government has duty to protect young people from climate crisis \u2013 The Guardian<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2021\/05\/26\/business\/shell-court-case-climate-change\/index.html\">Court orders Shell to slash CO2 emissions in landmark climate ruling \u2013 CNN<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Scientific Community<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"#scientificcommunity\"><\/a><br>\n<strong>NAS: <\/strong>The Division of Behavioral and Social Science and Education will convene a two-day national summit\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/addressing-diversity-equity-inclusion-anti-racism-in-21st-century-stemm-tickets-154452267891?ct=t(june-2021-dei-summit_COPY_02)\">Addressing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in 21st Century STEMM Organizations<\/a>\u00a0June 29-30. The summit will highlight how racism operates at different levels in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM) settings. The summit will discuss policies, strategies, and practices for confronting systemic racism, identify ways to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEMM settings and recognize the effect of systemic racism on the careers of individuals belonging to racial and ethnic groups historically underrepresented in the STEMM workforce.<\/p>\n<p><strong><br>\nNSF:<\/strong>\u00a0The agency is establishing a Committee on the Future of Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). This external committee will lead a process to evaluate the effectiveness of EPSCoR\u2019s current investment strategies and whether are there novel strategies or changes to the current strategies that would enable NSF EPSCoR to achieve its mission more effectively. Individuals interested in nominating potential members of this committee are invited to submit the nominee\u2019s contact information via email to nsfepscor@nsf.gov, along with a brief statement of nomination. Interested individuals are welcome to self-nominate by the same process. Submissions must be received by NSF EPSCoR no later than June 7, 2021 to receive full consideration.<\/p>\n<p>The EPSCoR program aims to improve research infrastructure in states and jurisdictions that receive a comparatively small amount of NSF funding, enabling them to compete more successfully for federal R&amp;D funding.<\/p>\n<p>NSF\u2019s Biological Science Directorate is\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nsf.gov\/pubs\/2021\/nsf21085\/nsf21085.jsp\">offering<\/a>\u00a0supplemental funding for principal investigators with active NSF awards to support the research training of post-baccalaureate students. This opportunity is intended to provide additional opportunities for undergraduate students who were unable to participate in research experiences due to pandemic restrictions. Supplemental funding requests should be submitted by July 2, 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Awards:<\/strong>\u00a0The Goldman Environmental Prize will hold a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/rsvp.goldmanprize.org\/event\/d6608446-5731-4bd0-87f1-cd093afde8be\/summary\">virtual awards ceremony<\/a>\u00a0on June 15. Jane Fonda will host the awards ceremony, Sigourney Weaver will narrate and the ceremony will feature performances by Lenny Kravitz, Senegalese musician Baaba Maal and South Africa\u2019s Ndlovu Youth Choir. The Goldman Environmental Prize honors the achievements and leadership of grassroots environmental activists from around the world, inspiring all of us to take action to protect our planet. Prize recipients focus on protecting endangered ecosystems and species, combating destructive development projects, promoting sustainability, influencing environmental policies, and striving for environmental justice.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ecological Forecasting<\/strong>: The Ecological Forecasting Initiative hosted panelists from USA National Phenology Network, the Consortium for Science, Policy &amp; Outcomes and NOAA who shared best practices and the lessons each of them had learned from co-producing scientific materials with decision-makers and stakeholders. There were many helpful suggestions and great resources provided during the panel so they wanted to share them with the broader ecological community who may also be interested in thinking about how to work with stakeholders to create useable materials. The Ecological Forecasting Initiative has compiled the video recording and the resources the panelists shared\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ecoforecast.org\/knowledge-transfer-partners\/co-production-actionable-science-panel\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>On May 17, the Ecological Forecasting Initiative hosted a panel that focused on best practices for visualizing forecasts and forecast uncertainty.\u00a0 The panelists shared recent experiments they conducted to assess the efficacy of ecological forecast visualizations as well as a new undergraduate teaching module being developed and tested that teaches students about visualizing uncertainty in forecasts. In addition, they have compiled the video recording and the resources the panelists shared\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ecoforecast.org\/social-science\/best-practices-for-visually-communicating-ecological-forecast-uncertainty\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidehighered.com\/views\/2021\/05\/20\/how-make-implicit-bias-training-campuses-truly-effective-opinion?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&amp;utm_campaign=6090b4efd2-DNU_2021_COPY_02&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-6090b4efd2-236698838&amp;mc_cid=6090b4efd2&amp;mc_eid=1185d64a10\">Beyond Implicit Bias \u2013 Insider Higher Ed<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/insideclimatenews.org\/news\/24052021\/fighting-attacks-on-inconvenient-science-and-scientists\/\">Fighting Attacks on Inconvenient Science\u2014and Scientists \u2013 Inside Climate News<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/features\/2021-05-27\/addressing-racism-inside-climate-science?sref=oUjKJw8m&amp;utm_campaign=Hot%20News&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsmi=130138346&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_G3qg6aPPInx5Pi5mdcc-cngPel59utJBCi2Imx81hjhBUNK6BsaeVAUU_4Bg9M0IqgoUMq4FougWdNBjEqtLqE6REyw&amp;utm_content=130138346&amp;utm_source=hs_email\">What Climate Science Loses Without Enough Black Researchers \u2013 Bloomberg<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Federal Register Opportunities<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"#federalregister\"><\/a><br>\n<strong>Upcoming Public Meetings:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/28\/2021-08871\/notice-of-meeting-for-the-steens-mountain-advisory-council-oregon\">BLM \u2013 \u00a0Steens Mountain Advisory Council Meeting (Oregon<\/a>)\u00a0(June 3)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/07\/2021-09623\/notice-of-public-meetings-for-the-john-day-snake-resource-advisory-council-planning-subcommittee\">BLM \u2013 Public Meetings for the John Day-Snake Resource Advisory Council Planning Subcommittee, Oregon<\/a>\u00a0(June 9)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/19\/2021-10486\/notice-of-public-meetings-for-the-john-day-snake-and-southeast-oregon-resource-advisory-councils\">BLM \u2013 Public Meetings for the John Day-Snake and Southeast Oregon Resource Advisory Councils<\/a>\u00a0(June 23-25)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/19\/2021-10501\/colorado-river-basin-salinity-control-advisory-council-notice-of-public-meeting\">Bureau of Reclamation \u2013 Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Advisory Council Public Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 9)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/03\/05\/2021-04506\/national-environmental-justice-advisory-council-notification-of-virtual-public-meetings\">EPA \u2013 National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Meetings<\/a>\u00a0(June 17)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/15\/2021-07671\/board-of-scientific-counselors-bosc-homeland-security-subcommittee-meeting-may-2021\">EPA \u2013 Board of Scientific Counselors Homeland Security Subcommittee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 17)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/14\/2021-10247\/2021-annual-joint-meeting-of-the-ozone-transport-commission-and-the-mid-atlantic-northeast\">EPA \u2013 2021 Annual Joint Meeting of the Ozone Transport Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Northeast Visibility Union<\/a>\u00a0(June 15)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/03\/11\/2021-05067\/climate-change-extreme-weather-and-electric-system-reliability-notice-of-technical-conference\">FERC \u2013 Climate Change, Extreme Weather, and Electric System Reliability Technical Conference<\/a>\u00a0(June 1 &amp; 2)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/05\/2021-09455\/wenatchee-okanogan-resource-advisory-committee-meetings\">Forest Service \u2013 Wenatchee-Okanogan Resource Advisory Committee Meetings<\/a>\u00a0(June 1, 4 and 16)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/13\/2021-10103\/ketchikan-resource-advisory-committee\">Forest Service \u2013 Ketchikan Resource Advisory Committee Meeting (Alaska)<\/a>\u00a0(June 3)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/13\/2021-10107\/hood-and-willamette-resource-advisory-committee\">Forest Service \u2013 Hood and Willamette Resource Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 7 &amp; 9)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/21\/2021-10758\/trinity-county-resource-advisory-committee\">Forest Service \u2013 Trinity County Resource Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 7 &amp; 21)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/05\/2021-09456\/daniel-boone-resource-advisory-committee-meeting\">Forest Service \u2013 Daniel Boone Resource Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 9)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/21\/2021-10759\/siskiyou-county-resource-advisory-committee\">Forest Service \u2013 Siskiyou County Resource Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 10 &amp; 24)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/05\/2021-09457\/lynn-canal-icy-strait-resource-advisory-committee-meeting\">Forest Service \u2013 Lynn Canal Icy-Strait Resource Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 16)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/18\/2021-09872\/planetary-science-advisory-committee-meeting\">NASA \u2013\u00a0 Planetary Science Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 14)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/29\/2021-08982\/national-institute-of-environmental-health-sciences-notice-of-meeting\">NIH \u2013 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 1)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/25\/2021-10774\/request-for-information-and-public-virtual-dialogues-on-commercial-earth-observations-and-geospatial\">NOAA \u2013 Public Virtual Dialogues on Commercial Earth Observations and Geospatial Data and Services Practices<\/a>\u00a0(June 2, 6, 16 &amp; 23)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/21\/2021-10745\/science-advisory-board\">NOAA \u2013 Science Advisory Board<\/a>\u00a0(June 11)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/28\/2021-11480\/us-integrated-ocean-observing-system-ioos-advisory-committee\">NOAA \u2013 U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS\u00ae) Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 14)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/17\/2021-10312\/north-pacific-fishery-management-council-public-meetings\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 North Pacific Fishery Management Council Public Meetings<\/a>\u00a0(June 1-16)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/05\/2021-09502\/mid-atlantic-fishery-management-council-mafmc-public-meeting\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Research Steering Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 2)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/21\/2021-10718\/mid-atlantic-fishery-management-council-mafmc-public-meetings\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meetings<\/a>\u00a0(June 7-10)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/21\/2021-10719\/new-england-fishery-management-council-public-meeting\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 New England Fishery Management Council Scientific and Statistical Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 8)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/25\/2021-10980\/western-pacific-fishery-management-council-public-meeting\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Western Pacific Fishery Management Council Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 8-12)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/13\/2021-10105\/permanent-advisory-committee-to-advise-the-us-commissioners-to-the-western-and-central-pacific\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Permanent Advisory Committee To Advise the U.S. Commissioners to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 10)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/28\/2021-11325\/south-atlantic-fishery-management-council-public-meetings\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Public Meetings<\/a>\u00a0(June 14-18)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/12\/2021-10033\/committee-on-equal-opportunities-in-science-and-engineering-notice-of-meeting\">NSF \u2013 Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 10)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/24\/2021-10897\/advisory-committee-for-environmental-research-and-education-notice-of-meeting\">NSF \u2013 STEM Education Advisory Panel Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 18)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/24\/2021-10897\/advisory-committee-for-environmental-research-and-education-notice-of-meeting\">NSF \u2013 Advisory Committee for Environmental Research and Education Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 21)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/12\/2021-10030\/commission-meeting\">Susquehanna River Basin Commission Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 17)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/16\/2021-07399\/codex-alimentarius-commission-meeting-of-the-codex-committee-on-pesticide-residues\">USDA \u2013 Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues<\/a>\u00a0(June 17)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/06\/2021-09598\/advisory-board-notice-of-public-meetings\">USDOT \u2013 Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 24)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Opportunities for Public Comment and Nominations:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/29\/2021-08882\/second-call-for-nominations-for-the-bureau-of-land-management-new-mexico-resource-advisory-councils\">BLM \u2013 Second Call for Nominations for the Bureau of Land Management New Mexico Resource Advisory Councils<\/a>. All nominations must be received no later than June 1, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/28\/2021-08846\/call-for-nominations-to-the-mojave-southern-great-basin-and-sierra-front-northern-great-basin\">BLM \u2013 Call for Nominations to the Mojave-Southern Great Basin and Sierra Front-Northern Great Basin Resource Advisory Councils<\/a>. All nominations must be received no later than June 14, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/21\/2021-10723\/statewide-call-for-nominations-for-colorado-resource-advisory-councils\">BLM \u2013 Statewide Call for Nominations for Colorado Resource Advisory Councils<\/a>. All nominations must be received no later than June 21, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/21\/2021-10723\/statewide-call-for-nominations-for-colorado-resource-advisory-councils\">BLM \u2013 Statewide Call for Nominations for Colorado Resource Advisory Councils<\/a>. All nominations must be received no later than June 21, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/03\/2021-09244\/proposed-consent-decree-clean-air-act-citizen-suit\">EPA \u2013 Proposed Consent Decree, Clean Air Act Citizen Suit<\/a>. Written comments on the proposed consent decree must be received by June 2, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/03\/2021-09245\/proposed-consent-decree-clean-air-act-citizen-suit\">EPA \u2013 Proposed Consent Decree, Clean Air Act Citizen Suit<\/a>. Written comments on the proposed consent decree must be received by June 2, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/13\/2021-10141\/notice-of-proposed-administrative-settlement-agreement-and-order-on-consent-with-de-minimis-parties\">EPA \u2013 Notice of Proposed Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent With De Minimis Parties at the Omega Chemical Corporation Superfund Site in Los Angeles County, California<\/a>. Comments must be received on or before June 14, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/14\/2021-10132\/proposed-deletion-from-the-national-priorities-list\">EPA \u2013 Proposed Deletion From the National Priorities List<\/a>. Comments regarding this proposed action must be submitted on or before June 14, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/14\/2021-10216\/rescinding-the-rule-on-increasing-consistency-and-transparency-in-considering-benefits-and-costs-in\">EPA \u2013 Rescinding the Rule on Increasing Consistency and Transparency in Considering Benefits and Costs in the Clean Air Act Rulemaking Process<\/a>. The EPA will consider comments on this rule received on or before June 14, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/21\/2021-10743\/nominations-to-the-federal-insecticide-fungicide-and-rodenticide-act-scientific-advisory-panel\">EPA \u2013 Nominations to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel; Request for Comments<\/a>. Public comments on the current nominations are invited, as these comments will be used to assist the Agency in selecting the new members for the chartered SAP. Comments identified by docket ID number EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0293, must be received on or before June 21, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/23\/2021-08527\/pesticide-registration-review-proposed-interim-decisions-for-several-pesticides-notice-of\">EPA \u2013 Pesticide Registration Review; Proposed Interim Decisions for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability<\/a>. Comments must be received on or before June 22, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/29\/2021-08979\/notice-of-call-for-nominations-for-the-exxon-valdez\">Interior Dept. \u2013 Notice of Call for Nominations for the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council<\/a>. All nominations must be received by June 14, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/27\/2021-11270\/draft-revised-management-plan-for-the-kachemak-bay-national-estuarine-research-reserve\">NOAA \u2013 Draft Revised Management Plan for the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve<\/a>. Comments must be received at the appropriate address on or before June 28, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/19\/2021-10571\/solicitation-of-nominations-for-the-marine-debris-foundation-board-of-directors\">NOAA \u2013 Solicitation of Nominations for the Marine Debris Foundation Board of Directors<\/a>. Nominations to the Board of Directors for the Marine Debris Foundation must be received in entirety no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 30, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/25\/2021-10774\/request-for-information-and-public-virtual-dialogues-on-commercial-earth-observations-and-geospatial\">NOAA \u2013 Request for Information and Public Virtual Dialogues on Commercial Earth Observations and Geospatial Data and Services Practices<\/a>. The agency must receive comments on or before June 30, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/28\/2021-08786\/notice-of-availability-of-the-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-louisiana-trustee-implementation-group\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Notice of Availability of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group Draft Phase II Restoration Plan #3.2: Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion; Extension of Public Comment Period<\/a>. Comments must be submitted electronically or postmarked by June 3, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/15\/2021-07714\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-90-day-finding-on-a-petition-to-list-the-shortfin-mako-shark-as\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 \u00a090-Day Finding on a Petition To List the Shortfin Mako Shark as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act<\/a>. Scientific and commercial information pertinent to the petitioned action must be received by June 14, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/22\/2021-08355\/endangered-and-threatened-species-initiation-of-5-year-review-for-southern-resident-killer-whales\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review for Southern Resident Killer Whales<\/a>. NMFS must receive your information no later than June 21, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/02\/25\/2021-03890\/endangered-and-threatened-species-initiation-of-5-year-review-for-cook-inlet-beluga-whale\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review for Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (<em>Delphinapterus leucas<\/em>)<\/a>.\u00a0 NMFS must receive your information no later than June 25, 2021 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/03\/22\/2021-05835\/endangered-and-threatened-species-initiation-of-5-year-review-for-cook-inlet-beluga-whale\">comment period extended<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/03\/09\/2021-04842\/request-for-public-comment-interagency-arctic-research-policy-committee-draft-arctic-research-plan\">NSF \u2013 Request for Public Comment: Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee Draft Arctic Research Plan<\/a>. Written comments must be submitted no later than June 11, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/28\/2021-08864\/call-for-nominations-for-the-glen-canyon-dam-adaptive-management-work-group-federal-advisory\">Reclamation Bureau \u2013 Call for Nominations for the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group Federal Advisory Committee<\/a>. Nominations must be postmarked by June 14, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/03\/2021-09223\/moore-county-solar-project\">Tennessee Valley Authority \u2013 Moore County Solar Project<\/a>. Comments must be postmarked, emailed, or submitted online no later than June 4, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/11\/2021-09945\/environmental-impact-statement-for-cumberland-fossil-plant-retirement\">Tennessee Valley Authority \u2013 Environmental Impact Statement for Cumberland Fossil Plant Retirement<\/a>. Comments on the scope and environmental issues must be postmarked, emailed or submitted online no later than June 10, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/19\/2021-07969\/waterways-commerce-cutter-acquisition-program-preparation-of-a-programmatic-environmental-impact\">USCG \u2013 Waterways Commerce Cutter Acquisition Program; Preparation of a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement<\/a>. Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before June 11th, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/05\/2021-09379\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-initiation-of-5-year-status-reviews-of-23-species-in\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews of 23 Species in the Southwest<\/a>. USFWS is requesting submission of new information no later than June 4, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/07\/2021-06946\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-12-month-petition-finding-and-threatened-species\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Petition Finding and Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule for Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle<\/a><br>\nUSFWS will accept comments received or postmarked on or before June 7, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/07\/2021-09651\/incidental-take-permit-application-habitat-conservation-plan-and-categorical-exclusion-for-the\">USFWS \u2013 Habitat Conservation Plan and Categorical Exclusion for the Gunnison Sage-Grouse; Gunnison County, Colorado<\/a>. USFWS will accept comments received or postmarked on or before June 7, 2021<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/07\/2021-09683\/receipt-of-incidental-take-permit-application-and-proposed-habitat-conservation-plan-for-the-sand\">USFWS \u2013 Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink, Lake County, FL; Categorical Exclusion<\/a>. USFWS must receive written comments on or before June 7, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/07\/2021-09700\/regulations-governing-take-of-migratory-birds-proposed-rule\">USFWS \u2013 Regulations Governing Take of Migratory Birds; Proposed Rule<\/a>. USFWS requests public comments on this proposed rule on or before June 7, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/12\/2021-10045\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-draft-habitat-conservation-plan-and-draft-categorical\">USFWS \u2013 \u00a0Draft Habitat Conservation Plan and Draft Categorical Exclusion for the Santa Barbara County Distinct Population Segment of the California Tiger Salamander; Orcutt Hill Resource and Solar Project, Pacific Coast Energy Company, Santa Barbara County, California<\/a>. Written comments should be received on or before June 11, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/13\/2021-06943\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-threatened-species-status-for-streaked-horned-lark\">USFWS \u2013 Threatened Species Status for Streaked Horned Lark With Section 4(d) Rule<\/a>. USFWS will accept comments received or postmarked on or before June 14, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/25\/2021-11015\/sport-fishing-and-boating-partnership-council-call-for-nominations\">USFWS \u2013 Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council; Call for Nominations<\/a>. Email submissions must be received by June 24, 2021 and U.S. mail submissions must be postmarked by June 24, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/26\/2021-08459\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-removal-of-the-dwarf-flowered-heartleaf-from-the\">USFWS \u2013 Removal of the Dwarf-Flowered Heartleaf From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plant<\/a>s. They will accept comments received or postmarked on or before June 25, 2021.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/federal-register-opportunities\/?utm_source=Informz&amp;utm_medium=Email&amp;utm_campaign=ESA\">Visit this page on ESA\u2019s website for updates on opportunities from the Federal Register<\/a>,\u00a0including upcoming meetings and regulations open for public comment.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>ESA\u2019s policy activities work to infuse ecological knowledge into national policy decisions through activities such as policy statements, Capitol Hill briefings, Congressional Visits Days, and coalition involvement. Policy News Updates are bi-monthly summaries of major environmental and science policy news. They are produced by the Public Affairs Office of the Ecological Society of America.<\/p>\n<p>Send questions or comments to Alison Mize, director of public affairs,\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:alison@esa.org\">Alison@esa.org<\/a>\u00a0or Nicole Zimmerman, public affairs manager,\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:nicole@esa.org\">Nicole@esa.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Visit the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/?utm_source=Informz&amp;utm_medium=Email&amp;utm_campaign=ESA\">ESA website<\/a>\u00a0to learn more about our activities and membership<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this issue: President Biden Releases Full Budget Request The budget includes $10.17 billion for NSF and $948 million for the Biological Sciences Directorate. Endless Frontier Act Stalled and Renamed to the Innovation and Competition Act Bill would create a technology directorate at the National Science Foundation and increases authorized funding levels. Congress House passes STEM diversity bills. Executive Branch&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":12399,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,91],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18121","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ecology-in-policy","category-policy-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18121","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18121"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18121\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12399"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18121"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18121"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18121"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}