Ocean Policy Roundup
February 16-23, 2024
DC decision makers are all eyes on government funding this week. With the first of the two federal funding deadlines set for one week from today, House and Senate negotiators have their work cut out for them in the days ahead. As you may have read in this week’s “Diving Deeper,” some progress has been made, but conservative policy riders—ranging from abortion restrictions to removing funding from DEI initiatives—remain a sticking point. The option to pass another stopgap funding bill is not a popular choice, but it may become lawmakers’ only way to avoid a government shutdown if we don’t see a negotiation breakthrough in the next few days.
Read on for other ocean policy news and stay tuned for updates from our team next week!
News highlights:
NOAA announced $3.9 million to help small businesses improve climate resilience through the Ocean-based Climate Resilience Accelerators Program.
BOEM approved construction and operation plans for two Empire Wind offshore wind facilities off the coast of New York and New Jersey.
The National Science and Technology Council’s Subcommittee on Aquaculture is soliciting comments on a draft National Aquaculture Development Plan. The United States has not updated this plan since 1983.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Check out our public Google calendar and printable PDF to keep track of the 2024 congressional schedule!
March 1, 2024: new funding deadline for government entities funded through four appropriations bills (Agriculture-FDA, Energy and Water, Military Construction-VA, and Transportation-HUD)
March 8, 2024: new funding deadline for the remaining eight appropriations bills (including Commerce-Justice-Science, Interior-Environment, Defense, and Homeland Security)
Upcoming Relevant Congressional Hearings
Tuesday, February 27
2:30 PM — Joint Hearing to Examine the Presence of Microplastics in Water; Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife/Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight
Wednesday, February 28
10:00 AM — Hearings to examine the Water Resources Development Act, Focusing on USACE Water Infrastructure Projects, Programs, and Priorities; Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
There were no relevant bills introduced during this recess week.
Fisheries and Ecosystems
The National Science and Technology Council’s Subcommittee on Aquaculture is soliciting comments on a draft National Aquaculture Development Plan. The United States has not updated this plan since 1983.
A federal court ruled in favor of environmental groups, determining that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) violated federal law when they greenlit Florida’s authority over the Clean Water Act wetlands permitting program. Under the court’s new order, EPA, the state of Florida, and those seeking permits that could impact wetlands must use Endangered Species Act provisions to ensure threatened and endangered species remain protected.
The National Coastal Resilience Fund, a partnership between National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and NOAA, is accepting pre-proposals for 2024. The program will fund approximately $140 million in projects that restore and strengthen natural systems to protect coastal communities and enhance wildlife habitat.
The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a $50.5 million investment to plug, remediate, and reclaim orphaned oil and gas well sites located on public lands and waters, including in National Wildlife Refuges.
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) Equity Commission released a final report outlining 66 recommendations for advancing equity across the department. Among the recommendations, the commission suggests USDA take aquaculture and fishing into consideration for disaster relief purposes and assistance programs offered by the agency.
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the largest investment in the Great Lakes in two decades, received $1 billion from the Infrastructure, Information, and Jobs Act (IIJA, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) to improve ecosystem health and access to safe drinking water.
EPA is accepting applications for community-driven initiatives/projects that reduce pollution and increase climate resilience in underrepresented communities.
NOAA announced $3.9 million to help small businesses improve climate resilience through the Ocean-based Climate Resilience Accelerators Program. Awards will be granted to 16 initiatives in 11 states for work in ocean renewable energy, hazard mitigation and coastal resilience, ecosystem services, coastal and ocean carbon sequestration monitoring, and more.
NOAA Fisheries announced that the Atlantic humpback dolphin was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
NOAA announced $1 million for multi-year funding opportunities to support coastal resilience in remote Alaska communities. The funding, which will be distributed through the Alaska Fisheries Science Center Indigenous Engagement Program, also aims to improve collaboration with Indigenous voices in fisheries science.
NOAA’s office of Law Enforcement is offering up to $20,000 for information on the death of an endangered smalltooth sawfish recently found missing its rostrum near Key West.
Ocean Data and Technology
President Biden signed an executive order amending regulations relating to the safeguarding of U.S. vessels, harbors, ports, and waterfront facilities. The administration released an associated fact sheet on initiatives to bolster port and maritime cybersecurity.
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced 32 Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education. The agency designated 50 locations across 17 states and Guam.
Offshore Wind and Energy
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) approved construction and operation plans for the Empire Wind 1 and Empire Wind 2 offshore wind facilities off the coast of New York and New Jersey.
Image: Rafael Fernandez Caballero/UPY 2024
Dive into the winning images of the 2024 Underwater Photographer of the Year competition!