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Policy News

Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Protect National Wildlife Refuges Introduced by Nine Members of Congress

November 3, 2017

Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-Del.) of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee along with Reps. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Rob Wittman (R-Va.), Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.), Garret Graves (R-La.), Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz), Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-NMI), and Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) have introduced a bipartisan bill to support the National Wildlife... Read More

Regional Approaches to Marine Resource Management

October 27, 2017

By Tom Bigford, AFS Policy Co-Director Regional approaches make sense when managing aquatic resources. Critters have no respect for state borders, turf battles, or regulatory jurisdiction. Ditto for air, water, and sediments. For those reasons, I am heartened by the recent progress by regional planning bodies to develop ocean plans for significant sections of our... Read More

AFS Concerned by EPA Decision to Pull Scientists from Providence Workshop

October 26, 2017

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cancelled the speaking appearances of three scientists at an event launching the “State of the Narragansett Bay and Watershed” report in Providence, Rhode Island. The peer reviewed report summarizes work of more than 50 university, government, non-profit, and private sector scientists. It highlights the many successes resulting from sound, science-based... Read More

AFS Members Testify in Magnuson-Stevens Hearing; McMullin Calls for Special Committee

October 25, 2017

The Senate Commerce Committee Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee convened a Magnuson-Stevens Act re-authorization hearing focusing on fisheries science on Tuesday, October 24, 2017. The hearing, a fourth of the series, focused on the state of our nation’s fisheries and the science that supports sustainable management. The witnesses included two AFS members, Ray... Read More

SCOTUS Hears Arguments on WOTUS Jurisdiction Case, and Other WOTUS Updates

October 18, 2017

In early 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to resolve jurisdictional wrangling over which federal court should hear challenges to the Environmental Protection Agency’s contentious 2015 Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. That rule sought to clarify the definition of “navigable waters” in the Clean Water Act (CWA). Earlier this month, the nation’s highest court... Read More

AFS Proud to Support Dedicated Funding to Recover America’s Fish and Wildlife

October 12, 2017

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

Rear Admiral Timothy Gallaudet confirmed for the number 2 post at NOAA

October 11, 2017

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

Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Five-Year Strategic Plan

October 11, 2017

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

Commerce Secretary Wades into Marine Fisheries Management

September 28, 2017

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

Dems Float Magnuson-Stevens Re-authorization Bill in House, Hearing September 26

September 22, 2017

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