{"id":18242,"date":"2021-08-16T16:01:51","date_gmt":"2021-08-16T16:01:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/?p=18242"},"modified":"2021-08-17T19:33:11","modified_gmt":"2021-08-17T19:33:11","slug":"esa-policy-news-august-16-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/2021\/08\/16\/esa-policy-news-august-16-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"ESA Policy News: August 16, 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>In this issue:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#ipcc\">New United Nations Climate Report Warns of a \u2018Code Red for Humanity\u2019<\/a><\/strong><br>\nIPCC report warns world will reach 1.5 of warming earlier than expected.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#infrastructure\">Senate Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, Budget Resolution<\/a><\/strong><br>\nTwo measures total nearly $5 trillion in new spending, including money for climate resilience.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#reconciliation\"><strong>The hard part: Committee priorities for reconciliation<\/strong><\/a><br>\nSenate leadership tasks committees with developing plans for $3.5 trillion reconciliation package.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#congress\">Congress<\/a><br>\n<\/strong>Senate Appropriations Committee approves spending bills for agriculture and energy programs.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#executivebranch\">Executive Branch<\/a><br>\n<\/strong>President Biden announces USDA research and NOAA nominees.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#states\">States<\/a><br>\n<\/strong>Former Louisiana Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists say she was fired for raising alarm about dolphin deaths.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#scientificcommunity\">Scientific Community<\/a><br>\n<\/strong>The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council and NOAA\u2019s Scientific Advisory Board to meet.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"#federalregister\">Federal Register opportunities<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"ipcc\"><\/a>New United Nations Climate Report Warns of a \u2018Code Red for Humanity\u2019<\/h2>\n<p>The Intergovernmental Panel on Panel on Climate Change released its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/report\/ar6\/wg1\/\">sixth assessment report<\/a>, ahead of the UN Conference of Parties Climate Meeting in Glasglow, Scotland in October and November 2021. The report paints a dire picture, with the world\u2019s leading scientists predicting that the world will reach 1.5 degree Celsius of warming earlier than previously predicted. Under every climate scenario considered in the report, temperatures will continue to rise until at least \u201cmid-century.\u201d However, the world could avoid the more extreme scenarios in the report if governments sharply reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n<p>The report\u2019s authors conclude that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land and that widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere have occurred. Furthermore, human-induced climate change is already affecting every region across the globe as seen in weather and climate extremes such as heatwaves, heavy precipitation, droughts, and tropical cyclones.<\/p>\n<p>World leaders agreed in the 2015 Paris climate agreement to try to limit to warming to 1.5 degrees. The IPCC\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ipcc.ch\/sr15\/\">2018 Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 degrees C<\/a> found any increases above this amount will result in widespread flooding, droughts and poverty. The world has already warmed 1.1 degrees Celsius since the industrial revolution in the late 19<sup>th<\/sup> century.<\/p>\n<p>The report more directly links climate change to increases extreme weather events. Advances in attribution science since the last report was issued in 2013 have allowed experts to connect individual events to climate change with more certainty.<\/p>\n<p><u>More News:<\/u><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/visualizing-key-takeaways-from-the-ipccs-dire-climate-report.pdf\">Visualizing key takeaways from the IPCC\u2019s dire climate report \u2013 PoliticoPro<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eenews.net\/articles\/ipcc-window-closing-to-stop-worst-effects-of-climate-change\/\">IPCC: Window closing to stop worst effects of climate change \u2013 E&amp;E News<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eenews.net\/articles\/ipcc-goes-region-by-region-to-preview-climate-destruction\/\">IPCC goes region by region to preview climate destruction \u2013 E&amp;E News<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bnanews.bna.com\/environment-and-energy\/un-climate-report-expected-to-drive-u-s-regulation-litigation\">UN Climate Report Expected to Drive U.S. Regulation, Litigation \u2013 Bloomberg Law<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2021\/08\/11\/un-climate-report-gop-503807\">Dire UN report on warming planet leaves GOP senators cold \u2013 Politico<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldweatherattribution.org\/western-north-american-extreme-heat-virtually-impossible-without-human-caused-climate-change\/\">Western North American extreme heat virtually impossible without human-caused climate change \u2013 World Weather Attribution<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/energy-environment\/567060-democrats-seize-on-alarm-bell-climate-report-in-spending-plan-push?utm_source=&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=41380&amp;rl=1\">Democrats seize on \u2018alarm bell\u2019 climate report in spending plan push \u2013 The Hill<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/climate-environment\/2021\/08\/10\/ipcc-report-un-takeaways\/\">Five key excerpts from the United Nations\u2019 climate change report \u2013 The Washington Post<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/insideclimatenews.org\/news\/12082021\/ipcc-report-methane-super-pollutants\/\">The IPCC Understated the Need to Cut Emissions From Methane and Other Short-Lived Climate Pollutants, Climate Experts Say \u2013 Inside Climate News<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/yaleclimateconnections.org\/2021\/08\/the-new-ipcc-report-includes-get-this-good-news\/?utm_campaign=Hot%20News&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsmi=149137298&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9a28sVaywJV45TcGF5LmHFFMn7m-4pDCNkukQqATLJXRMWlEUxH0dS-sxP6yUwrVYYHjvkAnVnwUiR3z5XcoRLKFqlAw&amp;utm_content=149137298&amp;utm_source=hs_email\">The new IPCC Report includes \u2013 get this, good news \u2013 Yale Climate Connections<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/briefing-room\/statements-releases\/2021\/08\/11\/readout-of-the-fifth-national-climate-task-force-meeting\/\">Readout of the Fifth National Climate Task Force Meeting \u2013 White House<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"infrastructure\"><\/a>Senate Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, Budget Resolution<\/h2>\n<p>The Senate passed two separate measures totaling nearly $5 trillion in new spending: a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and most recently a $3.5 trillion budget resolution that sets an amount of money for the Senate\u2019s next infrastructure bill. Both bills include money for climate resilience. However, the budget resolution contains more money for climate initiatives, including the Civilian Climate Corps, and funding for social programs. The $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill is more focused on hard infrastructure like roads and bridges, but it does include money for soft infrastructure too.<\/p>\n<p>The $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill includes $47.2 billion for \u201cresiliency\u201d projects, which includes cyber security improvements, waste management, flood and wildfire mitigation, drought, and coastal resiliency, ecosystem restoration, heat stress and weatherization. The bill also contains $55 billion for water infrastructure which includes $10 billion for the clean-up of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants. The highway provisions of the bill include $350 million for competitive grants for projects that reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. The bill includes other major climate provisions: $27.65 billion for electric grid resilience and infrastructure improvements, $7.5 billion for electric vehicle charging infrastructure and $27 billion for clean energy research, development, demonstration and commercialization.<\/p>\n<p>The $3.5 trillion budget resolution could be passed under reconciliation that would only require a simple majority to pass the Senate. All Senate Democrats would have to vote for the final package. It is unclear yet if Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kirsten Sinema (D-AZ) will vote for the bill. Both Senators voted for a procedural motion to advance consideration of the bill but have expressed concerns about the total price tag.<\/p>\n<p>The Senate Budget Committee issued a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.democrats.senate.gov\/imo\/media\/doc\/MEMORANDUM%20for%20Democratic%20Senators%20-%20FY2022%20Budget%20Resolution.pdf\">memo<\/a> to Democratic senators that provides direction to Senators on spending the $3.5 trillion upcoming infrastructure bill to include funding for the Civilian Climate Corps and a Native Civilian Climate Corps, a National Science Foundation research and technology directorate, climate research, coastal resiliency, research infrastructure at the Department of Energy\u2019s National Laboratories and more. The total amount dedicated to these initiatives is to be determined. The memo also notes that one of the main goals of $3.5 trillion budget resolution is to make significant investment in tackling the climate crisis in US history and put the country on a path to meet President Biden\u2019s climate change goals of 80% clean electricity and 50% economy-wide carbon emissions reductions by 2030.<\/p>\n<p>Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has said that the House will not consider either infrastructure bill until both final bills have passed the Senate.<\/p>\n<p><u>More News:<\/u><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eenews.net\/articles\/infrastructure-bill-protects-forests-for-climate-resilience\/\">Infrastructure bill protects forests for climate resilience \u2013 E&amp;E News<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/politics\/infrastructure-unions-buttigieg\/2021\/08\/12\/206a5ef4-fadf-11eb-943a-c5cf30d50e6a_story.html\">Infrastructure bill would create new agency without job protections, angering federal unions still smarting from fights with Trump \u2013 The Washington Post<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aip.org\/fyi\/2021\/billions-rd-included-senate-passed-infrastructure-bill-and-reconciliation-blueprint?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=FYI&amp;dm_i=1ZJN,7HVR0,RP69RH,UHGAN,1\">Billions for R&amp;D Included in Senate-Passed Infrastructure Bill and Reconciliation Blueprint \u2013 AIP FYI\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"reconciliation\"><\/a>The hard part: Committee priorities for reconciliation<\/h2>\n<p><em>by George Cahlink, E&amp;E Daily, 8\/12\/2021<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>When the Senate backed a massive budget package last week, it set off a monthlong sprint by committees to divide up $3.5 trillion among a host of domestic programs with a major focus on climate change.<\/p>\n<p>Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said yesterday he\u2019s already met with committee chairs and given them a Sept. 15 deadline for producing their share of the final legislation, which will be merged into a single reconciliation package in the Senate this fall without the threat of a filibuster. The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.democrats.senate.gov\/imo\/media\/doc\/MEMORANDUM%20for%20Democratic%20Senators%20-%20FY2022%20Budget%20Resolution.pdf\">budget plan<\/a>\u00a0gave each committee a spending or savings goal and listed some priorities they should pursue.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEvery committee chair is going to be meeting at least on a weekly basis, maybe more often with their members,\u201d Schumer told reporters yesterday. \u201cAnd we will do weekly Zooms with them as well. We\u2019re going to be working very hard in the next few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The legislation, the centerpiece of President Biden\u2019s domestic agenda, promises historic efforts to curb climate change \u2014 from setting federal clean electricity standards to making unprecedented investments in environmental justice.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a look at the eight Senate committees that will have a lead role in drafting the bill\u2019s energy and environmental provisions and what they may include.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Energy and Natural Resources<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Allocation<\/strong>: $198 billion<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chair<\/strong>: Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Top Priorities<\/strong>: Clean Energy Payment Program; Energy Department climate research; consumer rebates to weatherize and electrify homes; financing for domestic manufacturing of clean energy and auto supply chain technologies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>No committee will be watched more closely than ENR, which is aiming to establish a new federal program to meet Biden\u2019s goal of achieving 80% clean energy by 2030.<\/p>\n<p>The initiative, known as the \u201cClean Electricity Payment Program,\u201d would set up direct payments to utilities to meet goals for delivering clean energy to consumers. Those that do not meet the goals would pay a fee. It\u2019s seen as a way to quickly increase clean energy use without hiking electric bills for consumers.<\/p>\n<p>But a major question is whether Manchin, a backer of fossil fuels, will go along with an effort that could eventually lead to less coal production in West Virginia. He has not ruled out supporting a clean energy standard, although he has been emphatic in saying he would fight any aimed at eliminating fossil fuels.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m concerned about the energy for our whole country, how we are going to be able to maintain a reliable, affordable and dependable energy grid, not just a wish thing,\u201d Manchin said this week.<\/p>\n<p>Notably, a summary of the reconciliation priorities circulated by Senate Democrats says ENR will also look at \u201chard rock mining\u201d without offering specifics. That could provide an opening for Manchin to direct federal assistance to coal communities hurt by a transition to cleaner energy sources.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Environment and Public Works<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Allocation<\/strong>: $67 billion<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chair<\/strong>: Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Top priorities<\/strong>: Clean vehicles; environmental justice; EPA climate and research programs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>EPW is likely to look to make investments in clean energy efforts that greens and progressives believe were overlooked or underfunded in the infrastructure bill \u2014 including clean vehicles and environmental justice programs.<\/p>\n<p>Biden wants half of all cars sold in the U.S by 2030 to be electric, but some advocates warn the nation is lagging in the charging infrastructure to meet that mark.<\/p>\n<p>A compromise in the bipartisan infrastructure bill provided about $7.5 billion for EV charging infrastructure, which is about half of what the Biden administration sought. Democrats could make up that difference in their partisan reconciliation bill.<\/p>\n<p>Another area where EPW Democrats could shore up funding is in lead pipeline replacement, a top priority for environmental justice groups. Biden had initially requested $45 billion for repairing lines in communities across the nation, but only $15 billion was provided in the infrastructure bill.<\/p>\n<p>The committee also has jurisdiction over any potential taxes tied to methane emissions, a proposal floated by some Democrats earlier this spring. It\u2019s not clear, though, how serious that tax is being considered.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Finance<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Savings target<\/strong>: $1 billion<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chair<\/strong>: Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Top Priorities<\/strong>: A clean energy tax overhaul; carbon import tax fee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>An overhaul and expansion of clean energy taxes and the creation of a new fee for carbon imports could be among the thorniest issues to be worked out in the package.<\/p>\n<p>Many environmental groups have said their top priority is expanding clean energy taxes, which they say would transform both the clean energy and clean transportation sectors. Nearly 200 House Democrats recently signed on to a letter calling for robust clean energy and clean transportation incentives in the bill\u2019s tax title.<\/p>\n<p>Wyden himself authored a partisan plan that passed his committee earlier this year that could serve as a starting point for negotiations. It consolidates more than 44 clean energy taxes into three technology-neutral tax provisions to encourage clean electricity, clean transportation and energy efficiency. He has proposed paying for the new breaks by ending fossil fuel subsidies.<\/p>\n<p>Also in the mix is a recently proposed border carbon adjustment tax, favored by some moderate Democrats. It would place a fee on carbon-intensive goods imported from abroad.<\/p>\n<p>Wyden and some progressives have been skeptical of the plan, warning its costs could be passed on to consumers via higher prices, but the proposal was nevertheless included in reconciliation instructions.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Health, Education, Labor and Pensions<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Allocation<\/strong>: $726 billion<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chair<\/strong>: Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Top Priorities<\/strong>: Civilian Climate Corps; clean energy workforce development and training<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The creation and scope of a new Civilian Climate Corps (CCC), favored by the White House and many Democrats, will be hashed out by HELP.<\/p>\n<p>Murray has called for \u201clandmark\u201d spending on a climate package, including establishing CCC, but has not weighed in on how much money she wants.<\/p>\n<p>Progressives, including Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), have pushed for upward of $100 billion for their effort, while other plans have ranged between $9 billion and $16 billion.<\/p>\n<p>The assignment of CCC to HELP suggests it is likely to be housed in the existing AmeriCorps program, which the committee oversees. Some backers had initially favored a stand-alone effort.<\/p>\n<p>House progressives says CCC is one of their top priorities and won\u2019t support the package without robust funding, but have not set a specific level.<\/p>\n<p>HELP is also likely to propose billions for clean energy workforce training to underscore a Democratic talking point that a shift in the energy economy will create new jobs.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Allocation<\/strong>: $37 billion<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chair<\/strong>: Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Top Priorities<\/strong>: Electrifying federal vehicle and Postal Service fleets; electrifying and making federal building more energy-efficient; green procurement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Chair Peters, an ally of his state auto industry, is likely to welcome federal efforts to electrify vehicles that could build momentum for a similar shift in the commercial sector.<\/p>\n<p>Biden earlier this year pledged to transition the current gas- and diesel-powered federal fleet to \u201cclean energy\u201d vehicles. The federal government currently owns more than 600,000 vehicles, not counting tens of thousands of Postal Service vehicles.<\/p>\n<p>Republicans blocked the electrification effort in the bipartisan infrastructure plan, but Democrats are expected to push ahead with funding it in reconciliation.<\/p>\n<p>The panel is also expected to provide billions of dollars to make energy-efficient upgrades and retrofits for federal buildings. Additionally, the committee is likely to get behind pilot \u201cgreen\u201d procurement programs that would require agencies to buy goods and services that comply with certain environmental standards.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Commerce, Science and Transportation<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Allocation<\/strong>: $83 billion<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chair<\/strong>: Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Top Priorities<\/strong>: Coastal resiliency; healthy oceans investments; modernizing the National Weather Service<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Climate resiliency projects and environmental research are likely to get significant boosts under the reconciliation bill.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s big priorities from everything from transportation to climate to NOAA,\u201d said Cantwell this week. She has a track record of prioritizing climate research and is likely to direct more dollars to the National Science Foundation in the package.<\/p>\n<p>She said investing in federal weather information is a \u201chuge priority,\u201d and she said getting better weather forecasts can help with both resiliency and global commerce.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats are also expected to increase funding for the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund, a federal grant program that partners with state and local governments and other organizations on resiliency projects.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Allocation<\/strong>: $332 billion<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chair<\/strong>: Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Top Priorities<\/strong>: Healthier and sustainable public housing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Brown, a leading progressive voice in the Senate, is likely to direct billions of dollars toward housing efforts favored by the environmental justice community.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe will go big on public housing and go big on help for first time homebuyers\u2019 down payments and Section 8 vouchers and removal of lead in pipes,\u201d Brown said this week. \u201cWe have lot of things on the agenda.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Banking panel, which has jurisdiction over federal housing, could spend billions to address environmental issues in current units, like lead pipes, and make energy efficiency upgrades to them. It also will make investments via Community Development Block Grants and Community Land Trusts to create more efficient and sustainable housing.<\/p>\n<p>Notably absent from the reconciliation instruction is any mention of public transit. Brown has said the record-setting $39 billion for public transit in the bipartisan infrastructure deal makes it less of a priority in the budget bill.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Agriculture<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Allocation<\/strong>: $135 billion<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chair<\/strong>: Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Top Priorities<\/strong>: Conservation; drought and forest management to reduce carbon emissions and prevent wildfires<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Stabenow is likely to push to include a Senate-passed bill that would make it easier for farmers to access carbon markets.<\/p>\n<p>Stabenow\u2019s \u201cGrowing Climate Solutions Act,\u201d\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/117\/bills\/s1251\/BILLS-117s1251rs.pdf\">S. 1251<\/a>, cleared the Senate 92-8 earlier this summer, and would set up a Department of Agriculture program to certify companies and third-party providers in carbon credit markets to boost voluntary participation by farmers. It\u2019s backed by the White House and many agriculture groups.<\/p>\n<p>It could face resistance from progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who worry it may lead to a certification system vulnerable to fraud and potentially allow companies to continue increasing emissions by purchasing offsets.<\/p>\n<p>As wildfires rage in the West, investments are also expected in forest management techniques favored by environmentalists. Additional dollars are likely for USDA research aimed at helping farmers mitigate the impact of climate change.<\/p>\n<p><em>Reporter Jeremy Dillon contributed.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"congress\"><\/a>Congress<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Appropriations:<\/strong>\u00a0The Senate Appropriations Committee approved spending bills for agricultural and energy programs for FY 2022. The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.appropriations.senate.gov\/hearings\/markup-of-the-fy-22-energy-and-water-agriculture-and-milcon-va-appropriations-bills-\">agriculture bill<\/a>\u00a0includes $1.72 billion for the Agricultural Research Service, an increase of over 12 percent and $1.656 billion for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a 5.5% increase. These numbers are roughly similar to the amounts proposed in the House\u2019s spending bills. The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), the USDA\u2019s primary competitive grants program, receives $445 million, a 2.3% increase. House Appropriators proposed $700 million for AFRI.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.appropriations.senate.gov\/hearings\/markup-of-the-fy-22-energy-and-water-agriculture-and-milcon-va-appropriations-bills-\">Energy and Water Appropriations bill<\/a>\u00a0provides $7.49 billion for the Department of Energy\u2019s Office of Science. This is $464 million above the FY 2021 enacted level and $170 million more than the House bill.<\/p>\n<p>It is likely that Congress will pass a temporary stop-gap measure to buy more time for funding negotiations and avert a government shutdown when the new fiscal year starts on October 1, 2021. The House passed most of its spending bills earlier this summer.<\/p>\n<p>See ESA\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/science-policy\/federal-budget-tracker\/\">budget tracker<\/a>\u00a0for more details about the House appropriations bills and information about the appropriations process.<\/p>\n<p><u>More News:<\/u><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aip.org\/fyi\/2021\/biden%E2%80%99s-picks-key-doe-science-roles-face-senate-panel?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=FYI&amp;dm_i=1ZJN,7HN3Y,RP69RH,UGDZM,1\">Biden\u2019s Picks for Key DOE Science Roles Face Senate Panel \u2013 AIP FYI<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"executivebranch\"><\/a>Executive Branch<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Nominations:<\/strong>\u00a0President Joe Biden nominated Chavonda Jacobs-Young to be the US Department of Agriculture\u2019s Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics, the top scientific position at the USDA and Jainey Bavishi to be NOAA\u2019s assistant secretary for conservation and management.\u00a0 Jacobs-Young currently serves at the administrator of the Agriculture Research Service and she has led the National Institute of Food and Agriculture on a temporary basis. The Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics oversees the Agriculture Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, among other agencies. Jacobs-Young has a Ph.D. in wood and paper science.<\/p>\n<p>The full Senate confirmed Todd Kim as the assistant attorney general of the Department of Justice\u2019s Environment and Natural Resources Division. This division s responsible for criminal and civil cases to enforce environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Kim is the former solicitor-general for the District of Columbia and previously worked for seven years as an appellate attorney for the Environment and Natural Resources Division.<\/p>\n<p><strong>White House<\/strong>: Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Director Eric Lander announced that the White House will begin implementation of a research and security directive issued late in the Trump administration, amid concerns that the Chinese government is working to \u201cillicitly acquire, and in some cases outright steal U.S. research and technology.\u201d Lander also that it\u2019s important that these policies do not \u201cfuel xenophobia or prejudice.\u201d The directive requires funding agencies to mandate that personnel named on grants disclose their participation in\u00a0 \u201cforeign government-sponsored talent recruitment program,\u201d defined as \u201can effort directly or indirectly organized, managed, or funded by a foreign government or institution to recruit S&amp;T professionals or students.\u201d OSTP will issue implementation guidance for the directive within 90 days of Aug. 10. The White House\u00a0is accepting public input by email at <a class=\"spamspan\" href=\"mailto:researchsecurity@ostp.eop.gov\">researchsecurity@ostp.eop.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Arctic:<\/strong>\u00a0The Interior Department announced its intent to prepare a new environmental impact statement for drilling in Alaska\u2019s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). A provision in the 2017 tax reform bill opened up the refuge to drilling and required the Bureau of Land Management to offer at least two oil and gas lease sales by December 2024. In September 2019, the Bureau of Land Management completed an environmental impact statement for the area and in January 2021, the Trump administration held a lease auction for drilling area, which attracted scant interest. President Joe Biden suspended drilling in the ANWR as one of his first actions in office.<\/p>\n<p><u>More News:<\/u><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eenews.net\/articles\/epa-awaits-science-nominee\/\">EPA waits \u2014 and waits and waits \u2014 for a science nominee \u2013 E&amp;E News<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/science-environment-and-nature-climate-change-penguins-7a42cf12d4810edace89081f04e624f8\">Melting ice imperils 98% of Emperor penguin colonies by 2100 \u2013 Associated Press<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/energy-environment\/567233-biden-administration-kicks-off-review-of-bird-habitat-trump-opened\">Biden administration begins review of bird habitat Trump opened for mining \u2013 The Hill<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eenews.net\/articles\/docs-show-chesapeake-bay-pfas-pollution-at-military-bases\/\">Docs show Chesapeake Bay PFAS pollution at military bases \u2013 E&amp;E News<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/energy-environment\/565996-epa-announces-new-members-of-science-board-after-firing-trump\">EPA announces new members of science board after firing Trump appointees \u2013 The Hill<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eenews.net\/articles\/for-first-time-u-s-fishing-law-could-include-climate-focus\/\">For first time, U.S. fishing law could include climate focus \u2013 E&amp;E News<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2021\/08\/09\/1026137249\/with-extreme-fires-burning-forest-service-stops-good-fires-too\">With Extreme Fires Burning, Forest Service Stops \u2018Good Fires\u2019 Too \u2013 National Public Radio<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wyomingnews.com\/news\/local_news\/interior-agriculture-depts-state-commit-to-enhancing-wildlife-corridors\/article_609627d7-a92e-55b4-87ad-5f6dde7ef645.html\">Interior, Agriculture Depts., state commit to enhancing wildlife corridors \u2013 Wyoming Tribune Eagle<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"states\"><\/a>States<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/lailluminator.com\/2021\/07\/29\/louisiana-government-researcher-says-she-was-fired-for-raising-alarm-about-dolphin-deaths\/\">Louisiana government researcher says she was fired for raising alarm about dolphin deaths \u2013 Louisiana Illuminator<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bradenton.com\/news\/politics-government\/article253308768.html\">Florida sues Piney Point over environmental disaster, and the state wants big changes \u2013 Bradenton Herald<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"scientificcommunity\"><\/a>Scientific Community<\/h2>\n<p><strong>EPA:<\/strong>\u00a0The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council will hold a teleconference Aug. 18-19. The agenda includes discussion and deliberation of work group activity and recommendations to the EPA Administrator.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/usepa.zoomgov.com\/webinar\/register\/WN_g1xjk0cbSBCw7hKZurpMCA\">Registration<\/a>\u00a0is required for the dial-in information.<\/p>\n<p><strong>NOAA:<\/strong>\u00a0The agency\u2019s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) will hold a meeting Aug. 25. Agenda items include a Climate Working Group Review of the NOAA Climate and Fisheries Implementation Approach and the NOAA Coastal Inundation at Climate Timescales white paper, priorities for a weather research draft report and a Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel Draft Report. Register for the meeting at the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/register.gotowebinar.com\/register\/1147992810614009359\">SAB website.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"nsf\"><\/a><strong>NSF:<\/strong> \u00a0The agency announced the <a href=\"https:\/\/content.govdelivery.com\/accounts\/USNSF\/bulletins\/2ec6caa\">19 members<\/a> of the Committee on the Future of Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). This committee will lead a process to evaluate the effectiveness of EPSCoR\u2019s current investment strategies and whether there are novel strategies or changes to current strategies that would enable NSF EPSCoR to achieve its mission more effectively. 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. The committee\u2019s membership include James Rattling Leaf, Sr, who is the chair of ESA\u2019s Traditional Ecological Knowledge section and a member of the ESA\u2019s Public Affairs Committee.<\/p>\n<p>Members of Congress are increasingly interested in the ESPCoR program. A provision in the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which passed the full Senate this summer, requires at least 20% of all NSF funds go to ESPCoR programs.<\/p>\n<p><u>More news:<\/u><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/i2insights.org\/2021\/07\/27\/trust-at-science-policy-interface\/\">Trust at the science-policy interface \u2013 Integration and Implementation Insights<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/news.unm.edu\/news\/fire-and-forest-scientists-write-letter-voicing-concerns-over-new-u-s-forest-service-directives\">Fire and forest scientists write letter voicing concerns over new U.S. Forest Service directives \u2013 UNM News<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"federalregister\"><\/a>Federal Register Opportunities<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Upcoming Public Meetings:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/28\/2021-16144\/sunshine-act-meetings\">Army Corps of Engineers \u2013 Mississippi River Commission Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(Aug. 23)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/25\/2021-13483\/notice-of-public-meeting-northern-new-mexico-resource-advisory-council-new-mexico\">BLM \u2013 Northern New Mexico Resource Advisory Council Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(Aug. 18, 19)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/24\/2021-13358\/notice-of-public-meetings-northern-california-district-resource-advisory-council\">BLM \u2013 California Desert District Advisory Council Public Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(Aug. 26)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/08\/13\/2021-17322\/notice-of-public-meeting-for-the-san-juan-islands-national-monument-advisory-committee-washington\">BLM \u2013 Public Meeting for the San Juan Islands National Monument Advisory Committee, Washington<\/a>\u00a0(Sept. 14)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/30\/2021-16209\/public-meeting-of-the-glen-canyon-dam-adaptive-management-work-group\">Bureau of Reclamation \u2013 Public Meeting of the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group<\/a>\u00a0(Aug. 18)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/20\/2021-15389\/notice-of-public-hearing-and-business-meeting-august-11-and-september-9-2021\">Delaware River Basin Commission Public Hearing and Business Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(Sept. 9)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/29\/2021-16117\/basic-energy-sciences-advisory-committee\">DOE \u2013 Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(Aug. 24)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/08\/13\/2021-17326\/great-lakes-advisory-board-notice-for-virtual-meeting\">EPA \u2013 Great Lakes Advisory Board Virtual Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(Aug. 30, registration due Aug. 23)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/08\/04\/2021-16643\/notice-of-public-meetings-regarding-waters-of-the-united-states-establishment-of-a-public-docket\">EPA &amp; Army Corps of Engineers \u2013 Public Meetings Regarding \u201cWaters of the United States\u201d<\/a>\u00a0(Aug. 18, Aug. 23, Aug. 25, Aug. 26 &amp; Aug. 31)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/19\/2021-15212\/trinity-county-resource-advisory-committee\">Forest Service \u2013 Trinity County Resource Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(Aug. 23)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/19\/2021-15211\/shasta-county-resource-advisory-committee\">Forest Service \u2013 Shasta County Resource Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(Aug. 25)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/19\/2021-15208\/siskiyou-county-resource-advisory-committee\">Forest Service \u2013 Siskiyou County Resource Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(Aug. 26)\u00a0<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/30\/2021-16334\/fremont-and-winema-resource-advisory-committee\">Forest Service \u2013 Fremont and Winema Resource Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(Aug. 19)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/19\/2021-15216\/modoc-county-resource-advisory-committee\">Forest Service \u2013 Modoc County Resource Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(Aug. 25)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/08\/02\/2021-16338\/northern-utah-resource-advisory-committee\">Forest Service \u2013 Northern Utah Resource Advisory Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(Aug. 25)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/20\/2021-15332\/hydrographic-services-review-panel-meeting-for-september-1-2-2021\">NOAA \u2013 Hydrographic Services Review Panel Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(Sept. 1-2)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/29\/2021-16186\/south-atlantic-fishery-management-council-public-meeting\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(Aug. 17)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/08\/03\/2021-16465\/gulf-of-mexico-fishery-management-council-public-meeting\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(August 23-26)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/08\/05\/2021-16728\/new-england-fishery-management-council-public-meeting\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 New England Fishery Management Council Scientific and Statistical Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(Aug. 24)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/08\/11\/2021-17051\/east-coast-fisheries-of-the-united-states-public-meetings-request-for-comments\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 East Coast Climate Change Scenario Planning Webinars<\/a>\u00a0(Aug. 30)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/08\/12\/2021-17274\/mid-atlantic-fishery-management-council-mafmc-public-meeting\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Science and Statistical Committee Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(Sept. 7)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/08\/13\/2021-17366\/cedar-creek-and-grove-national-historical-park-advisory-commission-notice-of-public-meeting\">NPS \u2013 Cedar Creek and Grove National Historical Park Advisory Commission Public Meeting<\/a>\u00a0(Sept. 16)<\/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\/07\/16\/2021-15167\/notice-of-availability-of-an-environmental-assessment-for-release-of-ganaspis-brasiliensis-for\">APHIS \u2013 Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment for Release of Ganaspis brasiliensis for Biological Control of Spotted-Wing Drosophila in the Continental United States<\/a>. APHIS will consider all comments that receive on or before Aug. 16, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/08\/06\/2021-16771\/state-university-of-new-york-college-of-environmental-science-and-forestry-notice-of-intent-to\">APHIS \u2013 State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Determination of Nonregulated Status for Blight-Tolerant Darling 58 American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) Developed Using Genetic Engineering<\/a>. APHIS will consider all comments received on or before Sept. 7, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/04\/30\/2021-09042\/proposals-by-non-federal-interests-for-feasibility-studies-proposed-modifications-to-authorized\">Army Corps of Engineers \u2013 Proposals by Non-Federal Interests, for Feasibility Studies, Proposed Modifications to Authorized Water Resources Development Projects and Feasibility Studies, and Proposed Modifications for an Environmental Infrastructure Program for Inclusion in the Annual Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development<\/a>. Proposals must be submitted online by Aug. 30, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/08\/04\/2021-16643\/notice-of-public-meetings-regarding-waters-of-the-united-states-establishment-of-a-public-docket\">Army Corps of Engineers &amp; EPA \u2013 Notice of Public Meetings Regarding \u201cWaters of the United States\u201d; Establishment of a Public Docket; Request for Recommendations<\/a>. Written recommendations must be received on or before Sept. 3, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/08\/06\/2021-16807\/environmental-impact-statement-for-army-training-land-retention-of-state-lands-at-kahuku-training\">Army Department \u2013 Environmental Impact Statement for Army Training Land Retention of State Lands at Kahuku Training Area, Poamoho Training Area, and Makua Military Reservation, Island of O`ahu, Hawai`i<\/a>. Comments must be received by Sept. 1, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/08\/05\/2021-16711\/notice-for-comment-on-two-strategic-plans-for-the-subcommittee-on-aquaculture-science-planning-and\">ARS \u2013 Notice for Comment on Two Strategic Plans for the Subcommittee on Aquaculture Science Planning and Regulatory Efficiency Task Forces and on Updating the National Aquaculture Development Plan<\/a>. Comments must be received by Sept. 10, 2021 to be assured of consideration.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/08\/10\/2021-17040\/notice-of-intent-to-prepare-an-environmental-impact-statement-for-nevada-gold-mines-llcs-goldrush\">BLM \u2013 Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Nevada Gold Mines LLC\u2019s Goldrush Mine Project, Lander and Eureka Counties, Nevada<\/a>. All comments must be received by Sept. 9, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/30\/2021-16282\/notice-of-intent-to-prepare-an-environmental-impact-statement-for-the-proposed-kitty-hawk-offshore\">BOEM \u2013 Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Kitty Hawk Offshore Wind Project Offshore North Carolina<\/a>. Comments are due to BOEM no later than Aug. 30, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/29\/2021-16134\/commercial-leasing-for-wind-power-development-on-the-outer-continental-shelf-ocs-offshore-morro-bay\">BOEM \u2013 Commerical Leasing for Wind Power Development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore Morro Bay, California, East and West Extensions-Call for Information and Nominations<\/a>. BOEM must receive nominations and public comments by Sept. 13, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/29\/2021-16155\/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 Aug. 30, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/08\/12\/2021-17188\/pesticide-product-registration-receipt-of-applications-for-new-uses-july-2021\">EPA \u2013 Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses.\u00a0<\/a>Comments must be received on or before Sept. 13, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/07\/2021-14221\/notice-of-availability-of-a-draft-environmental-impact-statement-for-the-proposed-lake-ontario\">NOAA \u2013 Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Announcement of Public Meetings; Request for Public Comments<\/a>. The agency will consider all comments received by Sept. 10, 2021.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/29\/2021-13768\/endangered-and-threatened-species-notice-of-initiation-of-a-5-year-review-of-the-kemps-ridley-sea\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Initiation of a 5-Year Review of the Kemp\u2019s Ridley Sea Turtle<\/a>. USFWS must receive information no later than Aug. 30, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/30\/2021-13970\/pacific-island-fisheries-amendment-9-to-the-fishery-ecosystem-plan-for-pelagic-fisheries-of-the\">NOAA NMFS \u2013 Amendment 9 to the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific; Modifications to the American Samoa Longline Fishery Limited Entry Program<\/a>. NMFS must receive comments on Amendment 9 by Aug. 30, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/23\/2021-15660\/request-for-information-rfi-on-an-implementation-plan-for-a-national-artificial-intelligence\">NSF &amp; OSTP \u2013 Request for Information (RFI) on an Implementation Plan for a National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource<\/a>. Responses and comments must be received, no later than 11:59 p.m., EDT on Sept. 1, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/20\/2021-15368\/economic-analysis-for-proposed-regulations-governing-the-take-of-migratory-birds\">USFWS \u2013 Economic Analysis for Proposed Regulations Governing the Take of Migratory Birds<\/a>. Submit comments by Aug. 19, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/23\/2021-12576\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-reclassifying-the-fenders-blue-butterfly-from\">USFWS \u2013 Reclassifying the Fender\u2019s Blue Butterfly From Endangered to Threatened With a Section 4(d) Rule<\/a>. The agency will accept comments received or postmarked on or before Aug. 23, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/23\/2021-13153\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-draft-recovery-plan-for-the-alaska-breeding-population\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for the Alaska-Breeding Population of Steller\u2019s Eider, First Revision<\/a>. To ensure consideration, USFWS must receive written comments on or before Aug. 23, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/23\/2021-13170\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-initiation-of-5-year-status-reviews-for-37\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews for 37 Southeastern Species<\/a>. USFWS must receive comments or information on or before Aug. 23, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/24\/2021-12741\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-removal-of-chrysopsis-floridana-florida-golden-aster\">USFWS \u2013 Removal of Chrysopsis floridana (Florida Golden Aster) From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants<\/a>. USFWS will accept comments received or postmarked on or before Aug. 23, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/24\/2021-12951\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-reclassifying-smooth-coneflower-as-threatened-with\">USFWS \u2013 Reclassifying Smooth Coneflower as Threatened With Section 4(d) Rule<\/a>. USFWS will accept comments received or postmarked on or Aug. 23, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/25\/2021-12991\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-revision-of-a-nonessential-experimental-population-of\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revision of a Nonessential Experimental Population of Black-Footed Ferrets (Mustela nigripes) in the Southwest<\/a>. USFWS will accept comments received or postmarked on or before Aug. 24, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/25\/2021-13534\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-initiation-of-5-year-status-reviews-for-77-species-in\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews for 77 Species in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Hawaii<\/a>. USFWS is requesting submission of new information no later than Aug. 24, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/28\/2021-16061\/enhancement-of-survival-permit-application-and-draft-safe-harbor-agreement-nye-esmeralda-lincoln-and\">USFWS \u2013 Enhancement of Survival Permit Application and Draft Safe Harbor Agreement, Nye, Esmeralda, Lincoln and Clark Counties, Nevada<\/a>. Written comments must be received on or before Aug. 27, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/29\/2021-13872\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-draft-recovery-plan-for-four-subspecies-of-mazama\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Pagosa Skyrocket<\/a>\u00a0USFWS must receive any comments on the draft recovery plan on or before Aug. 30, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/30\/2021-13882\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-removing-golden-paintbrush-from-the-federal-list-of\">USFWS \u2013 Removing Golden Paintbrush From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants<\/a>. USFWS will accept comments received or postmarked on or Aug. 30, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/06\/01\/2021-11442\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-lesser-prairie-chicken-threatened-status-with-section\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Lesser Prairie-Chicken; Threatened Status With Section 4(d) Rule for the Northern Distinct Population Segment and Endangered Status for the Southern Distinct Population Segment<\/a>. USFWS will accept comments received or postmarked on or before Sept. 1, 2021 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/30\/2021-16260\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-lesser-prairie-chicken-threatened-status-with-section\">comment period extended<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/07\/2021-14335\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-reclassification-of-the-razorback-sucker-from\">USFWS \u2013 Reclassification of the Razorback Sucker From Endangered to Threatened With a Section 4(d) Rule<\/a>. USFWS will accept comments received or postmarked on or before Sept. 7, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/07\/2021-14304\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-draft-recovery-plan-for-agave-eggersiana\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Agave eggersiana<\/a>. USFWS must receive comments by Sept. 7, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/07\/2021-14464\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-draft-recovery-plan-for-mosquito-range-mustard\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Mosquito Range Mustard<\/a>. The agency must receive any comments on the draft recovery plan on or before Sept. 7, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/08\/09\/2021-16908\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-draft-recovery-plan-for-the-poweshiek-skipperling\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for the Poweshiek Skipperling<\/a>. USFWS must receive comments by Sept. 8, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/12\/2021-14733\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-draft-revised-recovery-plan-for-gila-trout\">USFWS \u2013 Draft Revised Recovery Plan for Gila Trout<\/a>. The agency must receive written comments on or before Sept. 10, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/13\/2021-14272\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-designation-of-critical-habitat-for-pearl-darter\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for Pearl Darter<\/a>. USFWS will accept comments on the proposed rule or draft economic analysis that are received or postmarked on or before Sept. 13, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/14\/2021-14952\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-initiation-of-5-year-status-reviews-for-37\">USFWS \u2013 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews for 37 Southeastern Species<\/a>. USFWS must receive your comments or information on or before Sept. 13, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/14\/2021-14661\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-reclassification-of-the-palo-de-rosa-from-endangered\">USFWS \u2013 Reclassification of the Palo de Rosa From Endangered to Threatened With Section 4(d) Rule<\/a>. USFWS will accept comments received or postmarked on or before Sept. 13, 2021.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/07\/15\/2021-14406\/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-designation-of-critical-habitat-for-rufa-red-knot\">USFWS \u2013 Designation of Critical Habitat for Rufa Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa)<\/a>. The agency will accept comments received or postmarked on or before Sept. 13, 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: New United Nations Climate Report Warns of a \u2018Code Red for Humanity\u2019 IPCC report warns world will reach 1.5 of warming earlier than expected. Senate Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, Budget Resolution Two measures total nearly $5 trillion in new spending, including money for climate resilience. The hard part: Committee priorities for reconciliation Senate leadership tasks committees with&#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-18242","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\/18242","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=18242"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18242\/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=18242"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18242"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18242"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}