Ocean Policy Roundup
March 22-29, 2024
Note: Our team will be out next week. The next ocean policy roundup, which will include two weeks of news, will hit your inbox Friday, April 12.
With fiscal year 2024 spending bills finally across the finish line, DC’s attention is on foreign aid and the Francis Scott Key bridge disaster. The halls of Congress remained relatively quiet during this week’s recess, but oceans made a splash over at the ASBPA Coastal Summit and Coastal Celebration. There was a lot of great discussion at the summit, which focused on coastal resilience efforts. Topics included the Water Resources Development Act of 2024, other coastal bills, and federal funding for coastal initiatives.
Both chambers are scheduled to be in recess next week.
News highlights:
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA-01) introduced the Ocean Restoration Research and Development Incentive Act, which would direct a new pilot program to expand research and development of ocean-based techniques and strategies to remove excess CO2 from the atmosphere, restore fisheries, and enhance ocean health. The bill seeks to fund and implement the research strategy recommended in a 2022 National Academies of Sciences report.
NOAA fisheries and USFWS finalized three rules that revise Endangered Species Act regulations, closing the book on a lengthy back-and-forth regarding the reversal of Trump Administration era changes to the act. The new rules aim to improve interagency cooperation, listing determinations, and critical habitat designations.
DOI approved the Sunrise Wind project offshore Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Check out our public Google calendar and printable PDF to keep track of the 2024 congressional schedule.
Upcoming Relevant Congressional Hearings
April 5, 2024
9:30 AM — Field Hearing to Examine Emerging Challenges to Port Safety, Security, and Infrastructure (joint hearing between the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation and the House Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security)
Introductions
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA-01) introduced the Ocean Restoration Research and Development Incentive Act (H.R.7797), which would direct the Secretary of Energy to set up a pilot program to expand research and development of ocean-based techniques and strategies to remove excess CO2 from the atmosphere, restore fisheries, and enhance ocean health. The bill seeks to fund and implement the research strategy recommended in a 2022 National Academies of Sciences report.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18) and 12 Democrat cosponsors introduced the Prohibiting Threatened and Endangered Creature Trophies (ProTECT) Act of 2024 (H.R.7795). This bill would amend the Endangered Species Act to prohibit the taking of any endangered or threatened species of fish or wildlife as a trophy.
Fisheries and Ecosystems
House Committee on Natural Resources Chair Bruce Westerman (R-AR-04), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Paul Gosar (R-AZ-09), and Subcommittee on Federal Lands Chair Tom Tiffany (R-WI-07) sent a letter to the Council on Environmental Quality seeking information on the use of 30x30 Initiative funds.
Federal and state trustee agencies released the final restoration plan and environmental assessment for Buzzards Bay natural resources impacted by the 2003 Bouchard Barge B-120 oil spill.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan and U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize a commitment to collaborate on tackling climate impacts, air and water pollution, and other environmental challenges.
DOI and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced $11.8 million for 10 projects in seven states to help restore habitat connectivity and secure key wildlife migration corridors.
EPA announced the selection of four applicants to receive more than $35 million to fund projects that advance environmental justice in underserved and overburdened communities across the Great Lakes.
NOAA fisheries and USFWS finalized three rules that revise Endangered Species Act regulations, closing the book on a lengthy back-and-forth regarding the reversal of Trump Administration era changes to the act. The new rules aim to improve interagency cooperation, listing determinations, and critical habitat designations.
The World Meteorological Organization published the latest State of the Global Climate report.
NOAA published the 2023 NOAA Science report.
USFWS published the 2023 Coastal Programs Accomplishment report.
Ocean Data and Technology
DOE announced plans to provide $5 million for programs that accelerate the commercialization and adoption of water power systems, including marine energy.
The National Weather Service launched The National Water Prediction Service, an online hub for water data, products, and services. The site combines local and regional forecasts with water data and national products, including flood inundation maps and the National Water Model.
NASA and SpaceX are targeting June 25 for the launch of GOES-U, the fourth and final satellite in NOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites–R Series.
Offshore Wind and Energy
DOI approved the Sunrise Wind project offshore Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island.
BOEM announced next steps for the National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing program. The agency is releasing area identifications for three proposed Gulf of Mexico lease sales. Area identifications are not decisions to lease—they simply determine which areas will receive further consideration and analysis.
Image: NOAA Fisheries
Following a recent collaborative study, resident and Bigg’s killer whales—long considered different ecotypes of the same species—may receive designation as two unique species.