Water Resources Development Act (S601 and HR3080) in conference; conferees shown at http://www.nado.org/house-joins-senate-in-appointing-conferees-for-water-resources-bill/. Senate Bill S601 (https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr3080/text) includes Title XII– National Endowment for the Oceans, not included in original HR3080 passed by House. Read More
Category: Gulf Policy – Archive
Archive folders hold news items > 1 year old. National and regional legislation and policies related to Gulf of Mexico science and education (e.g., new bills, Presidential orders).
Ocean strategy
CEQ “Marine Planning Handbook,” action called for in NOP Implementation Plan, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov//sites/default/files/final_marine_planning_handbook.pdf Read More
Legislation
H.R. 2231, Offshore Energy and Jobs Act passed House; Bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr2231/text. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to increase energy exploration and production on the Outer Continental Shelf (opening many new areas of the US EEZ), provide for equitable revenue sharing for all coastal States, implement the reorganization of the functions of the Read More
Ocean strategy
White House press release regarding National Ocean Policy Implementation Plan at http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/Press_Releases/April_16_2013 Read More
NEPA process
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEM) prepares environmental documents on various actions related to the OCS Program including Environmental Assessments (EA’s) or Environmental Impact Statements (EIS’s)– http://www.boem.gov/nepaprocess/. Read More
Fisheries management legislation
Gulf Fisheries Fairness Act, HR1219, sent to Natural Resources Committee– http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr1219/text. Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide that Gulf States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida have exclusive fishery management authority over reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico in waters that, on average, are 20 fathoms or less in Read More
Fisheries management legislation
HR1219 sent to Natural Resources Committee– To amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to provide that each of the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida have exclusive fishery management authority over reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico in waters that, on average, are 20 fathoms or less in depth, and Read More
Public scoping comments
As the Gulf Coast Restoration Council continues with its public hearings in Gulf States this month to inform the comprehensive restoration plan, it is important for people to be heard through their written and public comments; the Environmental Law Institute has useful guidelines for these comments at http://eli-ocean.org/gulf/participation/. Read More
Legislation
S96, Rigs to Reefs Habitat Protection Act, introduced by Sen. Vitter (AL) to authorize the use of certain offshore oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico for artificial reefs, and for other purposes– http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s96is/pdf/BILLS-113s96is.pdf. Read More
Gulf disaster response collaboration
Florida Institute of Oceanography and US Coast Guard 7th District sign MOU to promote engagement of the marine science community in preparing for future coastal disaster response efforts– http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=4555&z=123. Read More