News
The American Fisheries Society (AFS) submitted a letter in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to withdraw its July 2014 Clean Water Act 404(c) Proposed Determination to restrict the use of certain waters as disposal sites for dredged or fill material associated with mining the Pebble deposit in Alaska’s Bristol Bay watershed. AFS objected... Read More
America’s fish and wildlife are in crisis. Hundreds of species are facing risk of becoming threatened or endangered. States have determined that there are 12,000 species that are rare, declining, or vulnerable and in need of conservation, but current funding does not match the size of the problem. AFS, the National Wildlife Federation, The Wildlife... Read More
Senators Tom Carper (D-DE) and John Barrasso (R-WY), Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, respectively, along with Reps. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Frank LoBiondo (NJ-2), Sam Graves (MO-6), Raul Grijalva (AZ-3), Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (I-NMI), and Mike Thompson (CA-05) have introduced a bipartisan bill to support... Read More
Retired Rear Admiral Timothy Gallaudet was confirmed by the full Senate the first week of October for the number 2 post at NOAA. The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee recommended the confirmation of Gallaudet. Most recently, he served as commander of the Navy's Meteorology and Oceanography Command. Gallaudet, 50, of California has a long... Read More
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) released its five-year strategic plan for advancing the protection of the ocean and Great Lakes. Our Vision for America's Treasured Ocean Places incorporates feedback from staff, members of the public, and a number of partner institutions and entities and is available for review here. Read More
As Commerce chief, Secretary Wilbur Ross’ portfolio includes oversight of NOAA, but it is rather unusual for a cabinet level official to wade into federal fisheries management decisions. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS or NOAA Fisheries), a unit within NOAA is charged with management of the nation's fisheries. With the help of the six regional... Read More
House Natural Resources Subcommittee to Discuss MSA Amendments On Tuesday, September 26, 2017, the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans will hold a legislative hearing on the following bills: H.R. 200 (Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska), To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide flexibility for fishery managers and stability for fishermen, and for... Read More
Time is running out to submit your comment to EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers on the proposed repeal of the Waters of the U.S. Rule (WOTUS). The comment period will close on September 27, 2017. Make your voice heard! Comment here. AFS and 11 other science societies submitted a joint comment letter to oppose the... Read More
In mid-September, the House passed an omnibus spending package containing all 12 of the major appropriations bills for fiscal year 2018. Senate appropriators are still working bills through the committee process. The House and Senate will need to reconcile their respective bills before the budget moves forward to President Trump for signature. Shortly after returning... Read More
Honorable Lisa Murkowski Chairwoman, Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment & Related Agencies U.S. Senate Honorable Tom Udall Ranking Member, Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment & Related Agencies U.S. Senate Dear Chairwoman Murkowski and Ranking Member Udall: We write to ask for your support for an additional $4.5 million to the existing $17.3 million for the U.S.G.S. Cooperative Fish... Read More
