Policy News
During a half-day session at its mid-year meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas, the AFS Governing Board identified four key climate change activities on which the Society will focus in the coming year. Look for more information in subsequent e-newsletters about how to get involved. Climate Change Communications: Develop a group of about 25 AFS members... Read More
American Fisheries Society ● Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation Ecological Society of America ● Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society International Association for Great Lakes Research ● North American Lake Management Society Phycological Society of America ● Society for Freshwater Science Society of Wetland Scientists ● The Wildlife Society 10 March 2020 U.S. Council on Environmental Quality... Read More
March 6, 2020 The Honorable Betty McCollum Chair House Committee on Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies The Honorable David Joyce Ranking Member House Committee on Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Dear Chair McCollum, Ranking Member Joyce, and Honorable Committee Members: Improving the future health and sustainability of the nation’s forests, grasslands, and... Read More
EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB) sharply criticized the agency’s recent decision to narrow the definition of the Waters of the US (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act in a letter to EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on February 27. “In summary, current scientific understanding of the connectivity of surface and ground water, which has been reviewed... Read More
By Patrick Shirey, AFS Resource Policy Committee Chair The impact of dams on aquatic ecosystems and fisheries is well established. For dams that have reached the end of their usable life, or that no longer provide societal benefits that exceed their costs, dam removal is often a desired management outcome for safety, cost efficiency, and... Read More
February 24, 2020 The Honorable Kevin McCarthy Minority Leader U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Capitol, H-204 Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy, As organizations collectively representing millions of Americans who enjoy the outdoors through hunting, fishing, birding, hiking, paddling, and gardening, as well as the state fish and wildlife agencies and other... Read More
The U.S. Council on Environmental Quality recently released plans to substantially revise the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), one of the most important U.S. environmental laws. AFS and other science societies requested an extension of the comment period for these revisions. Comments can be submitted by March 10, 2020 at https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=CEQ-2019-0003-0001. American Fisheries Society ·... Read More
January 23, 2020 The Honorable John Barrasso Chairman Committee on Environment and Public Works U.S. Senate 410 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 The Honorable Thomas R. Carper Ranking Member Committee on Environment and Public Works U.S. Senate 410 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Chairman Barrasso and Ranking Member Carper: Thank... Read More
American Fisheries Society ● Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation ● Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society International Association for Great Lakes Research ● North American Lake Management Society Phycological Society of America ● Society for Freshwater Science ● Society of Wetland Scientists FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 23, 2020... Read More
AFS has long supported increased funding for the U.S Geological Survey’s National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) and Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRUs). Both programs received a significant funding boost in the Fiscal Year 2020 budget, signed into law last Friday. The CASCs will receive roughly $38.4 million, a more than... Read More
