State Success Story
The Florida Coastal Management Program provides an easy tool to help both residents and visitors maximize their quest for fun in the sun. The Florida Coastal Access Guide is a website that provides users an interactive map that displays coastal access points throughout the state. To learn and read more,click here.
|
At the Agencies
BOEM announces environmental study reports posted during the third quarter FY 2016. The Environmental Studies Program (ESP) is pleased to announce the availability of new findings from eight studies posted online to the Environmental Studies Program Information System (ESPIS) from April-June 2016. Two relate to the Renewable Energy Program, five are from the Gulf of Mexico, and one is from Alaska.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency proposed regulations Monday (August 22) that would require companies and homeowners using federal funds on construction projects in flood-prone areas to build on higher ground-2 feet higher, in many cases.
The regulations stem from an executive order signed by President Barack Obama in January 2015. The order requires a new flood-protection standard for infrastructure projects that use federal money and is part of the administration's broader agenda to address climate change.
Read more
On August 17, NOAA has awarded $5.4 million in grants to states and tribes in all coastal regions to help in the recovery of endangered and threatened marine species. The agency also opened a call for 2017 proposals under the Species Recovery Grants Program, authorized under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act.
Read more
Since social vulnerability is one of those key social effects, the USACE has developed a new primer entitled Identification and Engagement of Socially Vulnerable Populations to address vulnerable populations in evaluating potential projects, studies, or regulatory decisions. The primer is intended to help Corps personnel and its partners understand the importance of identifying and engaging those individuals and groups who are more vulnerable to floods and other environmental hazards. It will be useful to all USACE programs and can also serve other government agency programs.
Read more
|
In the News
President Obama on Friday created the largest ecologically protected area on the planet when he expanded a national marine monument in his native Hawaii to encompass more than half a million square miles. The president more than quadrupled the size of the Papahanaumokuakea (pronounced "Papa-ha-now-moh-koo-ah-kay-ah") Marine National Monument to 582,578 square miles of land and sea in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. President George W. Bush established the monument a decade ago, but Obama's action Friday underscores the high priority he has placed on issues of conservation and climate change in his second term. The president has now used his executive authority under the 1906 Antiquities Act to protect more than 548 million acres of federal land and water, more than double the set-asides of any of his predecessors.
Read more
Saying we "must prepare for the growing exposure of our military bases to sea-level rise," a new study by the Cambridge, Mass.-based Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) calls on the Pentagon and Congress to devote substantial resources to protecting national security from the threat of climate change.
Read more
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has awarded more than $550,000 in funding for living shoreline projects to help protect the health of the Indian River Lagoon. Living shorelines are established by the creation of a natural marsh of planted native, fast-growing plants, such as alligator flag, pickerelweed, sand cordgrass and bog rush. This marsh provides shallow water habitat for marine animals, absorbs and reduces wave energy, captures sediment, improves water quality, reduces pollution through wetland filtration and decreases damaging effects of storms and floods.
Read more
|
In the States and Regions
East Coast
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District announces that construction will start tomorrow (Aug. 24) for the Miami Beach erosional Hotspots beach renourishment. The $11.9 million project is part of the Miami-Dade County Beach Erosion Control and Hurricane Protection Project.
Read more
New Jersey - Legislation to double state funding for beach replenishment and construction and maintenance of bulkheads, jetties, and seawalls was approved last week by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee. It happened at an off-site joint hearing with the Senate Environment and Energy Committee in Toms River Town Hall on Thursday.
Gulf Coast
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District awarded a contract in the amount of $7,629,200 to Manson Construction Company for maintenance dredging of the Freeport Harbor Entrance and Jetty channels in Brazoria County, Texas. The contractor is required to remove approximately 2,517,000 cubic yards of shoal material using a hopper dredge, with material being placed in an offshore placement area.
Read more
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Council) released a proposed update to its 2013 Comprehensive Plan. The draft provides additional strategic guidance for the Council to follow as it makes decisions on funding projects and activities aimed at restoring the Gulf of Mexico as a result of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Read more
West Coast and Pacific Islands
A shoreline enhancement project to regain beach habitat and improve natural shoreline function is now underway at Fort Townsend State Park, along Port Townsend Bay's western shore. Much of the hard armoring and shoreline landing area that buried natural beach in the 1800s is to be removed to restore natural feeder bluff processes and beach habitat for shorebirds, forage fish and other marine animals.
Read more
Great Lakes
Local, state and federal officials lauded the opening Monday of the Great Lakes Dredged Material Center for Innovation, saying the facility represents a milestone in the re-use of material that would otherwise be deposited in Lake Erie.
Read more
Read more
For the first time in 20 years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is expanding its
national marine sanctuary program. For Oswego and other communities on the Great Lakes, that designation would bring federal funding and a boost to tourism.
Map of proposed marine sanctuary near Oswego, N.Y.
Read more
|
Announcements & More
NOAA is seeking nominations to fill ten vacancies on the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee for 2017-2020. The Committee advises the Departments of Commerce and the Interior on the development and implementation of a national system of marine protected areas to connect and strengthen the nation's MPA programs. In particular, nominations for representatives of ocean industries, commercial and recreational fishing, Tribal and/or Pacific Islanders, State coastal or ocean agencies, natural and social science, cultural resource management, non-consumptive uses and conservation interests are sought by October 7, 2016.
Nominations should provide: (1) The nominee's full name, title, institutional affiliation, and contact information; (2) the nominee's area(s) of expertise;(3) a short description of his/her qualifications relative to the kinds of advice being solicited, and (4) a resume or CV not to exceed four pages in length. Nominations may choose to include letters of support (no more than three) describing the nominee's qualifications and interest in serving on the Committee. Self-nominations are accepted, and emailed nominations are preferred.
September 17 - 24, 2016 is National Estuaries Week!
Since 1988, National Estuaries Week (NEW) has celebrated the many ways we benefit, from healthy, thriving coastal ecosystems. All throughout the country, local organizations including Restore America's Estuaries member groups, National Estuarine Research Reserves and National Estuary Programs organize special events, like beach clean-ups, hikes, canoe and kayak trips, workshops and more to recognize the special role these places play in our everyday lives. National Estuaries Week is a terrific opportunity to learn more about estuaries and the perfect excuse to spend time on your local bay!
During NEW - spread the word to Go! and visit these special places. For more information, click here.
On August 2, NOAA released The State of the Climate in 2015 report; which was compiled by 460 scientists from 62 countries around the world. To see the a PowerPoint presentation, please click here. For additional details, please click here.
Restore America's Estuaries and The Coastal Society are proud to bring together the coastal restoration and management communities for an integrated discussion to explore issues, solutions, and lessons learned in our work. The Summit will be December 10 - 15, 2016, in New Orleans, LA.
America's blue parks are a pillar of sustainable coastal economies and equitable access to the great outdoors.
OneNOAA Science Seminars, 2016
Title: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Valuing Ecosystem Services from Natural Infrastructure
Date & Time: August 31, 2016 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm ET
Title: Bring the Ocean into Your Classroom with National Marine Sanctuaries
Date & Time: September 21, 2016 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm ET
Title: Facilitating Collaborative Public Decisions: A video-based training tool
Date & Time: November 10, 2016 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET
Seminars are open to the public. For remote access, location, abstracts and more, visit the OneNOAA Science Seminar Calendar at:
http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/seminars/
Seminars are posted in Eastern Time and subject to changes without notice; please check the web page for the latest seminar updates.
Events & Webinars
September 7 - 8
September 12 - 15, 2016
September 12 - 14, 2016
September 22, 2016
October 5 -7, 2016
October 26 -27, 2016
December 10 -15, 2016
|
Announcements & More
NOAA is seeking nominations to fill ten vacancies on the Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee for 2017-2020. The Committee advises the Departments of Commerce and the Interior on the development and implementation of a national system of marine protected areas to connect and strengthen the nation's MPA programs. In particular, nominations for representatives of ocean industries, commercial and recreational fishing, Tribal and/or Pacific Islanders, State coastal or ocean agencies, natural and social science, cultural resource management, non-consumptive uses and conservation interests are sought by October 7, 2016.
Nominations should provide: (1) The nominee's full name, title, institutional affiliation, and contact information; (2) the nominee's area(s) of expertise;(3) a short description of his/her qualifications relative to the kinds of advice being solicited, and (4) a resume or CV not to exceed four pages in length. Nominations may choose to include letters of support (no more than three) describing the nominee's qualifications and interest in serving on the Committee. Self-nominations are accepted, and emailed nominations are preferred.
September 17 - 24, 2016 is National Estuaries Week!
Since 1988, National Estuaries Week (NEW) has celebrated the many ways we benefit, from healthy, thriving coastal ecosystems. All throughout the country, local organizations including Restore America's Estuaries member groups, National Estuarine Research Reserves and National Estuary Programs organize special events, like beach clean-ups, hikes, canoe and kayak trips, workshops and more to recognize the special role these places play in our everyday lives. National Estuaries Week is a terrific opportunity to learn more about estuaries and the perfect excuse to spend time on your local bay!
During NEW - spread the word to Go! and visit these special places. For more information, click here.
On August 2, NOAA released The State of the Climate in 2015 report; which was compiled by 460 scientists from 62 countries around the world. To see the a PowerPoint presentation, please click here. For additional details, please click here.
Restore America's Estuaries and The Coastal Society are proud to bring together the coastal restoration and management communities for an integrated discussion to explore issues, solutions, and lessons learned in our work. The Summit will be December 10 - 15, 2016, in New Orleans, LA.
The Summit will provide timely and much-needed attention to the challenges and opportunities for coastal and estuarine restoration and management and will bring together a unique blend of people who are involved in policy, science, strategy, business, and on-the-ground restoration and management. For detailed information, please click here.
New report from the Center for American Progress
The Dividends of Coastal Conservation in the United States: An Economic Analysis of Coastal and Ocean Parks. America's blue parks are a pillar of sustainable coastal economies and equitable access to the great outdoors.
OneNOAA Science Seminars, 2016
Title: A Transdisciplinary Approach to Valuing Ecosystem Services from Natural Infrastructure
Date & Time: August 31, 2016 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm ET
Title: Bring the Ocean into Your Classroom with National Marine Sanctuaries
Date & Time: September 21, 2016 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm ET
Title: Facilitating Collaborative Public Decisions: A video-based training tool
Date & Time: November 10, 2016 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET
Seminars are open to the public. For remote access, location, abstracts and more, visit the OneNOAA Science Seminar Calendar at:
http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/seminars/
Seminars are posted in Eastern Time and subject to changes without notice; please check the web page for the latest seminar updates.
Events & Webinars
September 7 - 8
September 12 - 15, 2016
September 12 - 14, 2016
September 22, 2016
October 5 -7, 2016
October 26 -27, 2016
December 10 -15, 2016
|
|
