Administration expands offshore drilling

The Obama Administration today announced a proposal to expand offshore oil and gas drilling and exploration to the east coast and other previously-off-limits areas.  The offshore area from Delaware southward would be open, while New Jersey and areas north would remain closed.

According to the Department of Interior website, “The Obama Administration’s strategy uses science and new technologies to expand oil and gas production on the Outer Continental Shelf, while protecting fisheries, tourism, and places off our coasts that are too special to drill.”

Virginia has already made strides to prepare for drilling off its coasts.

See also:  Washington Post article

Image: DOI

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Lawsuit filed over prior converted wetlands

Last week, the American Farm Bureau and US Sugar Corp. filed a lawsuit against the US Army Corps of Engineers over Clean Water Act regulation of prior converted wetlands.  The Clean Water Act exempts wetlands converted to agricultural uses prior to 1983 from federal oversight–any other use is subject to the same regulation as other waters of the US.  The lawsuit alleges that the policy reduces the value of land nationwide and limits property owners in their ability to sell converted land for other uses.

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Coastal jobs bill introduced

The Coastal Jobs Creation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4914) was introduced last week by Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ).  The bill would authorize $80,000,000 to provide employment opportunities for coastal communities through a grant program by increasing support for: cooperative research and monitoring, the revitalization of coastal infrastructure, recreational fishing registry programs, marine debris removal, and restoration of coastal resources.

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Oceans bill passes Senate Commerce Committee

On Wednesday, the Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee approved the Oceans and Human Health Reauthorization Act of 2009 (S. 1252).  The legislation amends the Oceans and Human Health Act to expand the interagency oceans and human health research program to include coasts and the Great Lakes.  It directs the President, through the National Science and Technology Council, to deliver information, products, and services to reduce public health risks, including those related to climate change, and enhance health benefits from the ocean.  The bill also requires establishment of an oceans and human health advisory panel.

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Water resources Principles & Guidelines comment deadline approaching

The White House Council on Environmental Quality extended the deadline to provide comments on a document that addresses land and water resource development decisions by federal agencies by 30 days–until April 5.  The CEQ is accepting comments on “Economic and Environmental Principles and Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources Implementation Studies.”  The draft revised Principles and Guidelines include a number of significant changes to the current approach to water resources development, and if approved would impact Federal agency management of such projects throughout the country.  Comments can be submitted through this website.

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Child nutrition bill reduces agriculture conservation program funding

This week, the Senate Agriculture Committee approved a bill that would fund child nutrition programs by cutting funding for a farm bill conservation program.  The 2008 farm bill increased Environmental Quality Incentive Program funding by $3.4 billion – the legislation would reduce that baseline boost by $2.2 billion.

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USDA announces details on Office of Environmental Markets

This week, the US Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released details and goals of the newly-created Office of Environmental Markets, which is part of USDA’s Natural Resources and Environment mission area.  The 2008 farm bill required USDA to establish the office to “facilitate the development of environmental markets and ensure the participation of America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners.”

According to the USDA press release, “OEM will work across government and in consultation with experts and stakeholders to build a market-based system for quantifying, registering, and verifying environmental benefits produced by land management activities.”

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EPA releases draft guidance for Chesapeake federal lands

Yesterday, the US Environmental Protection Agency released draft guidance to help federal land managers evaluate the most effective tools and practices for reducing water pollution.  According to the Executive Order website, “The cost-effective tools and practices outlined in the document are indicated by current scientific and technical literature to be the most state-of-the-art approaches to reduce water pollution from nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment.”

The guidance is open for public comment for thirty days, and once revised, will be included in the final Bay restoration strategy due out in May.

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Also, last Friday, the EPA released a document outlining draft goals, milestones and outcomes for the new federal strategy called for in the President’s Executive Order.  This “draft vision” was not included in the draft strategy released in November of last year.  A pdf of the document is available on the Executive Order website, and comments are currently being accepted therein.

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National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program accepting applications

The US Fish & Wildlife Service has announced the availability of approximately $16 million in competitive grant money to states for wetland and coastal restoration and conservation through the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program.  Applications are due June 25, 2010.

The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program provides States with financial assistance to protect and restore valuable resources.  Projects can include (1) acquisition of a real property interest (e.g., conservation easement or fee title) in coastal lands or waters from willing sellers or partners for long-term conservation or (2) restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems. All projects must ensure long-term conservation.  For more information, see the grants.gov website.

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“The Bay at a Crossroads” public forum

The Capital, Annapolis’ local newspaper, is hosting a free public forum, “The Bay at a Crossroads,” with top bay restoration leaders (including Chuck Fox of the EPA, author Howard Ernst, and MDE and DNR officals) from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 27 at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase St. in Annapolis.

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