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Hearing Moves Magnuson-Stevens Towards Vote in House

The House Rules Committee members heard testimony on H.R. 200 on Monday, a bill that seeks to amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA).  They will take up the bill again today and it could go to the full House tomorrow for a vote. However, the House is embroiled on immigration issues which... Read More

Budget Woes Continue, Vigilance Required on Key Issues

One year ago President Trump released his first budget proposal to Congress. The proposed cuts caused much consternation about the future of important fisheries and conservation programs. After a long slow crawl, Congress finally sent a budget deal to the President’s desk this spring. With the increase in the budget ceiling passed in early 2018,... Read More

Offshore Wind Energy Panel in Atlantic City

Scientists, fisheries stakeholders, wind developers, and representatives of conservation organizations will converge in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Tuesday, August 21, during the AFS Annual Meeting for a panel discussion on offshore wind energy. Offshore wind energy development is poised to rapidly expand in the United States, with the mid-Atlantic as the epicenter of development... Read More

Interior Appropriations Update

The House Appropriations Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee released a Fiscal Year 2019 funding bill last week that would restore funding to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRUs) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s State and Tribal Wildlife Grants. President Trump’s FY19 budget proposal eliminated funding for the... Read More

Timeline to Replace Clean Water Rule Released; Congress Dips its Toes in WOTUS; AFS Seeks Experts to Synthesize Science on Importance of Headwaters Streams to Fish

Last week, the White House released an updated timeline to repeal and replace the 2015 Clean Water Rule, also known as the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. According to a document released on Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers will not finalize their planned repeal of the Clean... Read More

Bipartisan Wildlife Refuge Volunteer Legislation Signed into Law

In late April, the Keep America’s Refuges Operational Act was signed into law. This legislation reauthorizes the National Wildlife Refuge System volunteer, community partnership, and education programs that help ensure the public can visit, explore, fish, hunt, and study wildlife for generations to come. H.R. 3979 passed the House in December, with overwhelming bipartisan support.... Read More

AFS and Partners Call for Forest Service R&D Support

AFS joined with a number of organizations and professional societies in calling for support of the Forest Service’s Research and Development (R&D) program to improve the future health and sustainability of the nation’s forests and grasslands for the benefits to forests, wildlife, and fish.  In a letter to Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Ranking Member... Read More