{"id":18165,"date":"2021-06-28T16:03:03","date_gmt":"2021-06-28T16:03:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/?p=18165"},"modified":"2021-07-12T17:20:59","modified_gmt":"2021-07-12T17:20:59","slug":"policy-news-june-28-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/2021\/06\/28\/policy-news-june-28-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Policy News: June 28, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>In this issue:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#nsfbill\">House Science Committee Advances NSF for the Future Act<\/a><\/strong><br>\nBill increases authorized funding for the National Science Foundation to $17.9 billion in FY 2026.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#congress\">Congress<\/a><br>\n<\/strong>Senate confirms NOAA administrator.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#executivebranch\">Executive Branch<\/a><br>\n<\/strong>EPA announces new members of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#courts\">Courts<\/a><\/strong><br>\nFederal judge strikes down Biden executive order putting an indefinite hold on new oil and gas leasing on public lands and waters.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#states\">States<\/a><\/strong><strong><br>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#international\">International<\/a><\/strong><strong><br>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#scientificcommunity\">Scientific Community<\/a><br>\n<\/strong>Presidents of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine issue statement about science and investigation into the origins of COVID-19.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#federalregister\">Federal Register opportunities<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>House Science Committee Advances NSF for the Future Act<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"#nsfbill\"><\/a><br>\nThe House Science Committee advanced the NSF for the Future Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/science.house.gov\/imo\/media\/doc\/H2225_SUS_xml.pdf\">H.R. 2225<\/a>) and the Department of Energy Science for the Future Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/3593\">H.R. 3593<\/a>) to the full House. Both are authorizing bills that give appropriators permission to provide funding amounts, but the appropriators may chose to decrease yearly funding. Additionally, the bills provide guidelines for agency policies.<\/p>\n<p>The full House is expected to vote on both the DOE Science for the Future Act and the NSF for the Future Act this week.<\/p>\n<p>The bills reauthorize the Department of Energy Office of Science and the National Science Foundation through 2026. The NSF for the Future Act is the House\u2019s response to the Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer\u2019s U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/senate-bill\/1260\">S. 1260<\/a>), formerly known as the Endless Frontier Act. The U.S. Innovation and Competition Act passed the full Senate in early June. The House NSF bill creates a new Science and Engineering Solutions Directorate within NSF and authorizes funding for this directorate at $1 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2022. The Directorate\u2019s budget reaches $3.4 billion in FY 2026. In total, the NSF for the Future Act increases authorized funding for NSF to $17.9 billion by FY 2026. The U.S. Innovation and Competition Act increases authorized NSF funding to $29 billion by FY 2026.<\/p>\n<p>The Department of Energy Science for the Future Act increases recommended funding levels for the Office of Science to $11.1 billion by 2026. Congress funded the DOE Office of Science at $7 billion in FY 2021.<\/p>\n<p>House Science Committee members approved a handful of amendments for the NSF for the Future Act during the committee hearing:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An <a href=\"https:\/\/science.house.gov\/imo\/media\/doc\/LOFGRE_013_xml.pdf\">amendment<\/a> from Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) decreases authorized topline NSF funding to $17.9 billion in FY 2026 from the $18.4 billion proposed in the original version of the bill and decreases funding for the new Science and Engineering Solution directorate to $3.5 billion from $5 billion.<\/li>\n<li>Another amendment from Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA) <a href=\"https:\/\/science.house.gov\/imo\/media\/doc\/WILDPA_018_xml.pdf\">directs<\/a> NSF to fund research about graduate student mental health and well-being.<\/li>\n<li>The full Committee also approved amendments adding solar radiation management and wildfire science to the list of climate change research topics funded by the bill.<\/li>\n<li>An <a href=\"https:\/\/science.house.gov\/imo\/media\/doc\/Feenstra%20R_1.pdf\">amendment<\/a> from Rep. Randy Feenstra (D-CA) prohibits NSF from funding scientists who participate in a \u201cforeign talent recruitment program\u201d including those supported by China, Russia, North Korea, Iran or any country deemed to be a country of concern by the State Department.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>ESA has\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/2021_05_10-ESA-NSF-Support-Ltr.pdf\">endorsed<\/a>\u00a0the NSF for the Future Act and issued an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/2021\/05\/25\/action-alert-endorse-the-nsf-for-the-future-act\/\">action alert<\/a>\u00a0encouraging individual members to sign on to a scientific community letter supporting the NSF for the Future Act.<\/p>\n<h2>Congress<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"#congress\"><\/a><br>\n<strong>Senate:<\/strong> The full Senate approved the Growing Climate Solutions Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/senate-bill\/1251\">S. 1251<\/a>) with a bipartisan, nearly unanimous vote. This bill creates USDA programs to increase farmers\u2019 access to voluntary carbon markets and help farmers adopt \u201cclimate-smart practices.\u201d Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ranking Member John Boozman (R-KS) and Committee Member Mike Braun (R-IN) are the bill\u2019s lead sponsors. The bill has 55 sponsors and co-sponsors total, including 27 Republicans and 27 Democrats.<\/p>\n<p><strong>House: <\/strong>The full House of Representatives voted to overturn a Trump administration rule that stopped the EPA from directly regulating methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. The Senate voted to overturn this rule in April 2021. This measure effectively restores Obama-era methane regulations, which could eliminate emissions of 400,000 tons of methane through 2030.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Appropriations: <\/strong>The House Appropriations Committee\u2019s Agriculture-Rural Development-FDA <a href=\"https:\/\/appropriations.house.gov\/news\/press-releases\/appropriations-committee-releases-fiscal-year-2022-agriculture-rural-development\">funding bill<\/a> includes a 10% increase for agriculture programs, including $3.324 billion for the Agricultural Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This amount represents a 7.3% increase for these agencies.<\/p>\n<p>The Interior-Environment <a href=\"https:\/\/appropriations.house.gov\/news\/press-releases\/appropriations-committee-releases-fiscal-year-2022-interior-environment-and\">funding bill<\/a> includes a half-billion dollar increase for programs in the Department of the Interior, the EPA and the US Forest Service. This includes a $2.11 billion increase for the Environmental Protection Agency over FY 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The U.S. Geological Survey receives an 18% increase to $1.6 billion in fiscal year 2022.<\/li>\n<li>House Appropriators increase funding for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to $1.9 billion, a 17% increase.<\/li>\n<li>The Bureau of Land Management receives an 18% increase and the National Park Service receives an 11% increase.<\/li>\n<li>The U.S. Forest Service receives a $680.5 million increase for discretionary programs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The committee will hold a hearing for its bill funding the National Science Foundation, NOAA and NASA July 12.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nominations:<\/strong> The Senate confirmed a group of environmental nominees, mostly with wide bipartisan support.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Senators confirmed Richard Spinrad to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by a voice vote. Spinrad is a professor of oceanography at Oregon State University. He served as NOAA\u2019s chief scientist from 2014 and 2016 and has also led both NOAA\u2019s Office of Atmospheric Research and the National Ocean Service. NOAA did not have a Senate-confirmed administrator during the Trump administration.<\/li>\n<li>Senators also confirmed Shannon Estenoz to the Interior\u2019s assistant secretary of fish and wildlife and parks by a voice vote. Estenoz led Everglades restoration initiatives in the Interior Department during the Obama administration and received ESA\u2019s 2016 Regional Policy Award. This position oversees the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.<\/li>\n<li>The Senate confirmed Radhika Fox to be the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s assistant administrator for water. Fox is the former CEO of the U.S. Water Alliance. Most Senate Republicans opposed Fox\u2019s nomination over concerns about the EPA\u2019s plans to repeal the Trump administration\u2019s Waters of the U.S. rule.<\/li>\n<li>Senators also confirmed Tanya Trujillo as the Interior Department\u2019s assistant secretary of Interior for water and science. This position oversees the U.S. Geological Survey and the Bureau of Reclamation. Trujillo formerly led the Colorado River Board of California and worked for the Interior Department during the Obama administration.<\/li>\n<li>The Senate voted 88\u20139 to confirm Tommy Beaudreau as deputy secretary of Beaudreau is a former Obama administration official who served as director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and chief of staff to former Interior Secretary Sally Jewell.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Senate Commerce Committee:<\/strong> The full Committee voted to advance serval ocean-related bills to the full Senate:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)\u2019s South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/senate-bill\/66\">S. 66<\/a>) tasks the Interagency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms with developing a plan for reducing, mitigating, and controlling harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in South Florida.<\/li>\n<li>Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS) \u2019s Regional Ocean Partnership Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/senate-bill\/1894\">S.1894<\/a>), which formally authorizes the Regional Ocean Partnership Program and authorizes $10 million annually to NOAA for this program through fiscal year 2026. Regional Ocean Partnerships bring together the federal government and state, local and tribal governments and other stakeholders to address ocean and coastal issues. Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL introduced a companion bill (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/3817?\">H.R. 3817<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li>Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D-WA) \u2019s Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/senate-bill\/1995\"> 1995<\/a>), which reauthorizes the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. This fund supports about $650 million annually in fishery restoration and conservation programs, boating access and infrastructure and fish stocking programs.<\/li>\n<li>Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) \u2019s Fluke Fairness Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/senate-bill\/1747\">S. 1747<\/a>) requires the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to create a management plan for the summer flounder fishery and prohibits state-by-state quotas for summer flounder based on historical landings data.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>House Natural Resources Committee:<\/strong> Committee members held a <a href=\"https:\/\/naturalresources.house.gov\/hearings\/remote-fc-legislative-hearing-notice_june-22-2021\">legislative hearing<\/a> for a dozen oceans-related bills to the full House, as well as a package of ocean bills titles, the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/3764\">H.R. 3764<\/a>). Committee Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) said that these bills could be considered by the full House as stand-alone bills or as package. A provision in the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act places a five-cent tax on virgin, single use plastic products.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Bolstering Long-term Understanding and Exploration of the Great Lakes, Oceans, Bays and Estuaries (BLUE GLOBE) Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/3748\/\">H.R. 3728<\/a>) directs the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee, the Federal Geographic Data Committee and the Interagency Committee on Ocean and Coastal Mapping to expand their ocean and Great Lakes monitoring and data collection collaboration and efforts.<\/li>\n<li>The Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/3692\">H.R. 3692<\/a>) which requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop climate impact management plans for marine mammals that are at significant risk due to climate change.<\/li>\n<li>The Blue Carbon for Our Planet Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/2750\">H.R. 2750<\/a>) establishes an Interagency Working Group on Coastal Blue Carbon.<\/li>\n<li>The National Coastal Resilience Data and Services Act (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/3228\">H.R. 3228<\/a>) directs NOAA to collect and centralize data on flood risks across the nation. This central database entitled the National Coastal Data Information System, would help coastal communities prepare for future natural disasters through data analysis product development and the collection of maps and data on rising sea levels.<\/li>\n<li>A bill (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/3864\">H.R. 3864)<\/a> from Rep. Anthony Brown (D-MD) requires NOAA to fund grants oyster conservation, management and restoration research in estuarine ecosystems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Legislative updates:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) introduced a bill (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/117th-congress\/house-bill\/3952\">H.R. 3952<\/a>) that requires set standard for the NOAA chief scientists. Specifically, the bill requires that the chief scientist have an established record of producing work of scientific merit and be highly respected by the scientific community. The bill also requires the chief scientist to establish and enforce scientific integrity standards within NOAA and to provide yearly public reports on NOAA\u2019s scientific work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>More News:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/politics\/congress\/lawmakers-launch-republicans-only-climate-change-caucus-rcna1257\">Lawmakers launch Republicans-only climate change caucus \u2013 NBC News<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Executive Branch<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"#executivebranch\"><\/a><br>\n<strong>White House:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>The Office of Science and Technology Policy issued a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/28\/2021-13640\/request-for-information-to-improve-federal-scientific-integrity-policies\">request for information<\/a> to help improve the effectiveness of federal scientific integrity policies. Specifically, the notice seeks information the effectiveness of current federal scientific integrity policies, good practices to improve scientific intergrity policies and concerns that federal scientific integrity policies should address. Responses to this request for information are due July 28, 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Infrastructure: <\/strong>President Joe Biden and congressional negotiators <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/06\/24\/climate\/biden-climate-infrastructure.html\">announced<\/a> that they have reached an agreement on a framework for an infrastructure bill. This bill will include funding for roads, public transportation and electric vechicles charging stations as well $47 for climate resilency projects but does not include many of the climate provisions orginally proposed by the adminstration. Congressional leader expect to take up this legislation in July.<\/p>\n<p><strong>National Monuments:<\/strong> Interior Secretary Debra Haaland has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2021\/jun\/15\/deb-haaland-national-monument-protections-joe-biden-trump?emci=3a618a5f-3dcd-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&amp;emdi=10a99192-63cf-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&amp;ceid=1236814\">recommended<\/a> that President Biden restore the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in Utah to their original size. Former President Donald Trump shrank the size of both of monuments in 2017. President Obama established the Bears Ears National Monument in late 2016 and President Clinton created the Grand Staircase-Escalate National Monument in 1996. Native American Tribes, environmental groups and scientific societies challenged Trump\u2019s decision to shrink the monument in the courts. Now, President Biden must make a final determination regarding the national monuments.<\/p>\n<p><strong>EPA:<\/strong> Administrator Michael Regan <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/donald-trump-health-science-technology-environment-and-nature-ed2b79c83e1e2c2c768f39c45f9e71e2\">reconstituted<\/a> the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and announced seven new committee members. Regan dismissed all CASAC members in March 2021, citing concerns about scientific integrity. University of Washington biostatistics professor Lianne Shephard will chair the CASAC. Shepard previously served on the committee during the Obama administration but left when the Trump administration instituted a ban on grantees serving on EPA scientific advisory committees. Other previous CASAC members returning to the committee are retired University of Rochester pulmonologist Mark Frampton, Georgia Department of Natural Resources air quality modeling and monitoring expert James Boylan and Desert Research Institute research professor Judith Chow. The new CASAC members are Christina Fuller, an associate professor of environmental health at Georgia State University; Alexandra Ponette-Gonz\u00e1lez, an associate professor of geography and the environment at the University of North Texas; and Michelle Bell, a professor of environmental health at Yale University\u2019s School of the Environment.<\/p>\n<p>The EPA also opened a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/25\/2021-13498\/request-for-nominations-of-candidates-for-the-clean-air-scientific-advisory-committee-casac\">call for nominations<\/a> to serve on the CASAC Particulate Matter Panel. This panel will advise the CASAC about Clean Air Act standards for particulate matter and will be involved in the agency\u2019s reconsideration of the December 2020 decision to retain the PM National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Nominations for this panel are due July 16, 2021.<\/p>\n<p>The EPA\u2019s deputy principal deputy administrator for research and development Jennifer Orme-Zaveleta will retire from the agency July 31. Orme-Zaveleta led the EPA\u2019s Office of Research and Development as a career official for all of the Trump administration. The Trump administration never named a political appointee to this position.<\/p>\n<p><strong>NOAA:<\/strong> The Biden administration <a href=\"https:\/\/www.providencejournal.com\/story\/news\/2021\/06\/21\/former-dem-chief-janet-coit-named-lead-u-s-fisheries-office\/7769259002\/\">named<\/a> Janet Coit to lead NOAA Fisheries, which manages commercial and recreational fisheries in U.S. federal waters, marine mammal protection and marine protected species conservation. Coit was the director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for ten years. This position does not require Senate-confirmation. Coit will also serve as the assistant secretary of Commerce for oceans and atmosphere and deputy NOAA administrator, overseeing all of the agency\u2019s coastal and oceans work.<\/p>\n<p><strong>USFWS:<\/strong> The agency released a list of 269 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fws.gov\/birds\/management\/managed-species\/birds-of-conservation-concern.php\">Birds of Conservation Concern<\/a>. USFWS uses this list to identify conservation projects to fund under the American Wetlands Conversation Act and the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act. This is first list of Birds of Conservation Concern released since 2008. Notably, the number of birds on the Pacific Islands list increased from 23 in 2008 to 35 in 2021.<\/p>\n<p><strong>USDA:<\/strong> President Biden nominated Homer Wilkes to serve as the USDA\u2019s undersecretary for natural resources and environment. Wilkes is a career USDA employee who currently leaders the Natural Resources Conservation Service\u2019s Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem Restoration Team. This position oversees the US Forest Service.<\/p>\n<p><u>More News:<\/u><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2021\/06\/23\/infrastructure-deal-biden-congress-495796\">Senators say a deal with the White House is in hand on infrastructure \u2013 Politico<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencemag.org\/news\/2021\/06\/through-proposed-climate-labs-department-energy-reaches-out-urban-communities?utm_campaign=news_daily_2021-06-23&amp;et_rid=397374051&amp;et_cid=3822471\">Through proposed climate labs, Department of Energy reaches out to urban communities \u2013 Science<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hcn.org\/articles\/south-politics-a-reality-check-on-bidens-30-by-30-conservation-plan\">A reality check on Biden\u2019s \u201830 by 30\u2019 conservation plan \u2013 High Country News<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Courts<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"#courts\"><\/a><br>\n<strong>Oil and Gas:<\/strong> A federal judge in Louisiana <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/energy\/us-judge-blocks-biden-pausing-oil-gas-lease-auctions-2021-06-15\/\">overturned<\/a> a Biden executive order putting an indefinite hold on new oil and gas leasing on public lands and waters. Red states, including Louisiana, quickly moved to challenge this administration after Biden issued in late January 2021. The judge determined that Biden\u2019s executive order violated the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the Mineral Leasing Act and the Administrative Procedures Act.<\/p>\n<p><u>More News:<\/u><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/national-security\/doj-china-initiative-mistrial\/2021\/06\/17\/7571c73c-cf8f-11eb-8014-2f3926ca24d9_story.html\">Mistrial in Justice Dept. fraud case against college professor prompts renewed scrutiny of agency\u2019s \u2018China Initiative\u2019 \u2013 The Washington Post<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>States<\/h2>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2021\/jun\/15\/louisiana-fossil-fuels-safety-regulations\">The Louisiana gas industry\u2019s answer to lax safety enforcement? Loosen it more \u2013 The Guardian<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jhnewsandguide.com\/jackson_hole_daily\/state_and_regional\/montana-considers-new-rules-to-curb-wolves-amid-public-ire\/article_f59b411e-a11d-517c-ad12-299f1cc20bec.html\">Montana Considers New Rules to Curb Wolves Amid Public Ire \u2013 Associated Press<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hcn.org\/issues\/53.6\/south-water-how-sustainable-is-californias-groundwater-sustainability-act\">How \u2018sustainable\u2019 is California\u2019s groundwater sustainability act? \u2013 High Country News<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>International<\/h2>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/environment\/2021\/jun\/23\/climate-change-dangerous-thresholds-un-report\">IPCC steps up warning on climate tipping points in leaked draft report \u2013 The Guardian<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/news.trust.org\/item\/20210616131101-kf2j0\/\">What is the COP15 biodiversity summit, and why is it so important? \u2013 Thomson Reuters Foundation News<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/news.yahoo.com\/gabon-paid-protecting-forests-african-134130797.html\">Gabon paid for protecting forests, in African first \u2013 AFP<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/06\/22\/world\/australia\/unesco-great-barrier-reef-danger.html?te=1&amp;nl=climate-fwd:&amp;emc=edit_clim_20210623\">N. Says Great Barrier Reef Is \u2018in Danger.\u2019 Australia Bitterly Disagrees. \u2013 The New York Times<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/donald-trump-joe-biden-brazil-environment-4e7d5d7bd7f06f0334d47c785a805966\">Brazil\u2019s environment minister resigns amid criticism, probes \u2013 Associated Press<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Scientific Community<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"#scientificcommunity\"><\/a><br>\n<strong>NASEM:<\/strong> The Presidents of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalacademies.org\/news\/2021\/06\/let-scientific-evidence-determine-origin-of-sars-cov-2-urge-presidents-of-the-national-academies\">issued<\/a> a statement urging that \u201cinvestigations into the origins of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 be guided by scientific principles.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>NOAA:<\/strong> The National Weather Service will hold a webinar June 30 for partners about NOAA\u2019s demonstration to support the National Centers for Environmental Prediction Numerical Weather Prediction data in the cloud. The webinar will provide:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Overview of NOAA\u2019s Big Data Project and NOAA\u2019s plans for the cloud demonstration<\/li>\n<li>Feedback received to date and options for moving forward<\/li>\n<li>Open discussion among all participants<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Register for the webinar <a href=\"https:\/\/register.gotowebinar.com\/register\/4784263579124076560\">here<\/a> and see more information <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weather.gov\/media\/notification\/pdf2\/pns21-32_comments_ncep_nwp_data_cloud.pdf\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>OECD: <\/strong>The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development is seeking scientists\u2019 input on the issues relevant to the global scientific community to inform science policy, including working conditions and COVID-19. Scientists are urged to complete the 2021 International Survey of Science that \u201caims to provide a timely picture of the state of science to complement other available statistical evidence and indicators and provide new insights that inform science policy around the world.\u201d The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oecd.org\/sti\/survey-of-scientific-authors.htm\">survey<\/a> is available in multiple languages. The deadline to complete the survey is June 30, 2021.<\/p>\n<p><u>More News:<\/u><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/06\/18\/science\/koepcke-diller-panguana-amazon-crash.html?utm_source=Nature+Briefing&amp;utm_campaign=6b781a6cf4-briefing-dy-20210623&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_c9dfd39373-6b781a6cf4-43494381\">Profiles in Science: She Fell Nearly 2 Miles, and Walked Away \u2013 The New York Times<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Federal Register Opportunities\u00a0<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"#federalregister\"><\/a><br>\n<strong>\u00a0Upcoming Public Meetings:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/28\/2021-11370\/virtual-wild-horse-and-burro-advisory-board-meeting\">BLM \u2013 Virtual Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 30 \u2013 July 1)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/19\/2021-10473\/state-of-arizona-resource-advisory-council-meeting\">BLM \u2013 State of Arizona Resource Advisory Council Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(July 22)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/29\/2021-08881\/notice-of-application-for-withdrawal-and-notification-of-public-meeting-nye-county-nevada\">BLM &amp; NASA \u2013 Notice of Application for Withdrawal; and Notification of Public Meeting; Nye County, Nevada<\/a>\u00a0(July 19, comments due July 28)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/24\/2021-13613\/board-of-scientific-counselors-bosc-executive-committee-meeting-july-2021\">EPA \u2013 Board of Scientific Counselors Executive Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(July 6)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/13\/2021-10106\/hood-and-willamette-resource-advisory-committee\">Forest Service \u2013 Hood and Willamette Resource Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(July 7)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/24\/2021-13538\/davy-crockett-sam-houston-resource-advisory-committee\">Forest Service \u2013 Davy Crockett-Sam Houston Resource Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(July 8)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/25\/2021-13537\/shasta-county-resource-advisory-committee\">Forest Service \u2013 Shasta County Resource Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(July 14, 28)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/25\/2021-13627\/southwest-idaho-resource-advisory-committee\">Forest Service \u2013 Southwest Idaho Resource Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(July 15, 29)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/16\/2021-12648\/public-meeting-of-the-national-sea-grant-advisory-board\">NOAA \u2013 Public Meeting of the National Sea Grant Advisory Board<\/a>\u00a0(July 12)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/23\/2021-08514\/science-advisory-board\">NOAA \u2013 Science Advisory Board<\/a>\u00a0(July 20 &amp; 22)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/15\/2021-12540\/ocean-exploration-advisory-board-oeab-meeting\">NOAA \u2013\u00a0Ocean Exploration Advisory Board Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 30)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/16\/2021-07872\/pacific-fishery-management-council-public-meetings\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings<\/a>\u00a0(July 12-16, July 26-30)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/07\/2021-11833\/atlantic-highly-migratory-species-amendment-13-to-the-2006-consolidated-atlantic-highly-migratory\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Amendment 13 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan; Bluefin Tuna Management Webinars<\/a>\u00a0(July 8 &amp; 14)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/24\/2021-13385\/caribbean-fishery-management-council-public-meeting\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Caribbean Fishery Management Council Scientific and Statistical Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(July 14)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/24\/2021-13642\/sunshine-act-meeting\">NSF \u2013 National Science Board Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 29)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/10\/2021-12123\/collaborative-forest-landscape-restoration-advisory-committee\">USFWS\u00a0\u2013 Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(June 29-30, July 1)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/09\/2021-12018\/public-meeting-of-the-national-geospatial-advisory-committee\">USGS \u2013 Public Meeting of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee<\/a>\u00a0(June 29-30)<\/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\/06\/24\/2021-13341\/agrivida-inc-availability-of-a-draft-plant-pest-risk-assessment-draft-environmental-assessment\">APHIS \u2013 Agrivida, Inc.; Availability of a Draft Plant Pest Risk Assessment, Draft Environmental Assessment, Preliminary Determination, and Preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact for Determination of Nonregulated Status of Maize Developed Using Genetic Engineering for the Production of Phytase Enzyme<\/a>. USDA APHIS will consider all comments received on or before July 26, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/07\/2021-11829\/notice-of-solicitation-of-applications-for-stakeholder-representative-members-of-the-missouri-river\">Army Corps of Engineers \u2013 Notice of Solicitation of Applications for Stakeholder Representative Members of the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee<\/a>. The agency must receive completed applications and endorsement letters no later than July 9, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/24\/2021-13408\/notice-of-intent-to-prepare-an-environmental-impact-statement-for-empire-offshore-wind-llcs-proposed\">BOEM \u2013 Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Empire Offshore Wind, LLC\u2019s Proposed Wind Energy Facilities Offshore New York<\/a>. Comments should be submitted no later than July 26, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/24\/2021-13357\/call-for-nominations-for-the-national-wild-horse-and-burro-advisory-board\">BLM \u2013 Call for Nominations for the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board<\/a>. Nominations must be post marked or submitted to the following addresses no later than July 26, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/11\/2021-12075\/notice-of-availability-of-the-whitewater-river-groundwater-replenishment-facility-project-draft\">BLM \u2013 Notice of Availability of the Whitewater River Groundwater Replenishment Facility Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Riverside County, CA<\/a>. The BLM must receive written comments on the Draft EIS by July 27, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/04\/2021-11788\/notice-of-intent-to-prepare-an-environmental-impact-statement-and-resource-management-plan\">BLM \u2013 Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Resource Management Plan Amendments for the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project, New Mexico<\/a>. All comments must be received by July 6, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/11\/2021-12267\/request-for-interest-in-commercial-leasing-for-wind-power-development-on-the-gulf-of-mexico-outer\">Bureau of Ocean Energy Management \u2013 Request for Interest in Commercial Leasing for Wind Power Development on the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf<\/a>.\u00a0 Submissions providing comments on commercial leasing within the RFI Area must be received no later than July 26, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/08\/2021-07033\/pesticides-modification-to-the-minimum-risk-pesticide-listing-program-and-other-exemptions-under\">EPA \u2013 Pesticides; Modification to the Minimum Risk Pesticide Listing Program and Other Exemptions Under FIFRA Section 25(b)<\/a>. Comments must be received on or before July 7, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/12\/2021-09961\/national-pollutant-discharge-elimination-system-npdes-2022-issuance-of-general-permit-for-stormwater\">EPA \u2013 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) 2022 Issuance of General Permit for Stormwater Discharges From Construction Activities<\/a>. Comments on the proposed permit must be received on or before July 12, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/25\/2021-13498\/request-for-nominations-of-candidates-for-the-clean-air-scientific-advisory-committee-casac\">EPA \u2013 Request for Nominations of Candidates for the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) Particulate Matter (PM) Panel<\/a>. Nominations should be submitted by July 16, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/21\/2021-10715\/pesticide-registration-review-draft-human-health-andor-ecological-risk-assessments-for-several\">EPA \u2013 Pesticide Registration Review; Draft Human Health and\/or Ecological Risk Assessments for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability<\/a>. Comments must be received on or before July 20, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/23\/2021-13189\/pesticide-program-dialogue-committee-request-for-nominations-to-the-pesticide-program-dialogue\">EPA \u2013 Request for Nominations to the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee<\/a>. Nominations must be received on or before July 23, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/04\/2021-11731\/forest-service-handbook-fsh-550911-chapter-twenty-section-21-title-claims-sales-and-grants-handbook\">Forest Service \u2013 Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 5509.11, Chapter Twenty, Section 21; Title Claims, Sales, and Grants Handbook; Sales<\/a>. Comments must be received in writing by July 6, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/24\/2021-13449\/notice-of-lodging-of-proposed-consent-decree-under-the-oil-pollution-act\">Justice Department \u2013 Notice of Lodging of Proposed Consent Decree Under the Oil Pollution Act<\/a><br>\nAll comments must be submitted no later than thirty (30) days after the publication date of this notice (July 24, 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\/02\/24\/2021-03642\/marianas-trench-marine-national-monument-monument-management-plan\">NOAA and USFWS \u2013 Marianas Trench Marine National Monument Management Plan<\/a>. Comments must be received by July 26, 2021 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/24\/2021-10814\/marianas-trench-marine-national-monument-monument-management-plan-extension-of-public-comment-period\">comment period extended)<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/04\/2021-11716\/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-cook-inlet-salmon-amendment-14\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Cook Inlet Salmon; Amendment 14<\/a>. Submit comments on or before July 6, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/07\/2021-11823\/takes-of-marine-mammals-incidental-to-specified-activities-taking-marine-mammals-incidental-to\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Marine Site Characterization Surveys Off of Massachusetts and Rhode Island<\/a>. Comments and information must be received no later than July 7, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/18\/2021-10450\/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-cook-inlet-salmon-amendment-14\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Cook Inlet Salmon; Amendment 14<\/a>. Comments must be received no later than July 19, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/27\/2021-11190\/endangered-and-threatened-species-notice-of-initiation-of-a-5-year-review-of-the-sperm-whale\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Notice of Initiation of a 5-Year Review of the Sperm Whale<\/a>. NMFS must receive information no later than July 26, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/03\/2021-11646\/notice-of-intent-to-prepare-an-environmental-impact-statement-for-the-gould-wash-flood-protection\">NRCS \u2013 Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Gould Wash Flood Protection Project, Washington County, Utah<\/a>. NRCS will consider comments received by July 6, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/03\/2021-11645\/notice-of-intent-to-prepare-an-environmental-impact-statement-for-the-upper-price-river-watershed\">NRCS \u2013 Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Upper Price River Watershed Project, Carbon County, Utah<\/a>. NRCS will consider comments received by July 6, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/15\/2021-12693\/environmental-impact-statement-for-kingston-fossil-plant-retirement\">TVA \u2013 Environmental Impact Statement for Kingston Fossil Plant Retirement<\/a>. Comments on the scope and environmental issues must be postmarked, emailed or submitted online no later than July 15, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/01\/2021-11411\/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 your written comments on or before July 1, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/01\/2021-11416\/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, Orange County, FL; Categorical Exclusion<\/a>. USFWS must receive your written comments on or before July 1, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/07\/2021-09709\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-draft-recovery-plan-for-guadalupe-fescue\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Guadalupe Fescue<\/a>. USFWS must receive written comments on or before July 6, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/03\/2021-11646\/notice-of-intent-to-prepare-an-environmental-impact-statement-for-the-gould-wash-flood-protection\">USFWS \u2013 Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Gould Wash Flood Protection Project, Washington County, Utah<\/a>. NRCS will consider comments received by July 6, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/10\/2021-09763\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-draft-recovery-plan-for-mount-charleston-blue\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Mount Charleston Blue Butterfly<\/a>. USFWS must receive any comments on the draft recovery plan on or before July 9, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/10\/2021-09810\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-draft-recovery-plan-for-kuenzler-hedgehog-cactus\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Kuenzler Hedgehog Cactus<\/a>. USFWS must receive written comments on or before July 9, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/12\/2021-10064\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-draft-recovery-plan-for-the-rufa-red-knot\">USFWS \u2013\u00a0 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for the Rufa Red Knot<\/a>. USFWS must receive comments by July 12, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/11\/2021-12304\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-draft-recovery-plan-for-cirsium-scariosum-var\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Cirsium scariosum var. loncholepis (La Graciosa thistle)<\/a>. USFWS must receive any comments on the draft recovery plan on or before July 12, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/27\/2021-11251\/tijuana-estuary-tidal-restoration-program-ii-phase-i-tetrp-ii-phase-i\">USFWS \u2013 Tijuana Estuary Tidal Restoration Program II, Phase I (TETRP II Phase I)<\/a>. USFWS is requesting submission of new information no later than July 12, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/20\/2021-10667\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-initiation-of-5-year-status-reviews-of-76-species-in\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews of 76 Species in California and Nevada<\/a> USFWS is requesting submission of new information no later than July 19, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/17\/2021-12763\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-draft-recovery-plan-for-nipomo-mesa-lupine-lupinus\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Nipomo Mesa lupine (Lupinus nipomensis)<\/a>. USFWS must receive any comments on the draft recovery plan on or before July 19, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/23\/2021-13290\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-reclassification-of-the-hawaiian-stilt-from-endangered\">USFWS \u2013 Reclassification of the Hawaiian Stilt From Endangered to Threatened With a Section 4(d) Rule<\/a>. USFWS will accept comments received or postmarked on or before July 23, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/28\/2021-11382\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-draft-revised-recovery-plan-for-houston-toad\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Revised Recovery Plan for Houston Toad<\/a>. USFWS must receive written comments on or before July 27, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/05\/28\/2021-11382\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-draft-revised-recovery-plan-for-houston-toad\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Revised Recovery Plan for Houston Toad<\/a>. USFWS must receive written comments on or before July 27, 2021.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/federal-register-opportunities\/\">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\/\">ESA website<\/a> to learn more about our activities and membership.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this issue: House Science Committee Advances NSF for the Future Act Bill increases authorized funding for the National Science Foundation to $17.9 billion in FY 2026. Congress Senate confirms NOAA administrator. Executive Branch EPA announces new members of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee. Courts Federal judge strikes down Biden executive order putting an indefinite hold on new oil&#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-18165","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\/18165","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=18165"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18165\/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=18165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}