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[NEW] Wetland Protection Resources
Two recent resources have been released tracking post-Sacket federal and state wetlands / water quality protections. Sackett v. EPA: The State of Our Waters One Year Later by Clean Water for All provides a report and map of the state of clean water protections. Layers for Good Government have posted a new Wetlands Dashboard that provides state profiles tracking definitions of “waters of the state” and “wetlands” and existing and proposed wetland protections. Thanks to Heidi Stiller for sharing.
[NEW] CRS Newsletter
The NFIP/CRS Update is a bimonthly newsletter published by ISO containing news about new developments and products, upcoming events, management tips, and training and event listings. The April/May 2024 edition contains information about recent service disruptions and accessing Repetitive Loss data. Read the latest edition here. Sign up for the NFIP/CRS Update Newsletter or view past issues here.
[NEW] FEMA Requests Public Comments on Latest Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide
FEMA is requesting public comments on the latest Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG, Version 5), which focuses on plain language and increased eligibility for assistance. Comments should be submitted via regulations.gov by Monday, August 19, 2024. Reach out to Robert Pesapane, Director of the Public Assistance Division at fema-recovery-pa-policy@fema.dhs.gov (202-646-3834) with any questions. Read more here.
[NEW] FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Releases Agency Climate Adaptation Plans, Demonstrates Leadership in Building Climate Resilience
The Biden-Harris Administration released updated Climate Adaptation Plans developed by more than 20 federal agencies that expand agency efforts to ensure their facilities, employees, resources, and operations are increasingly resilient to climate change impacts like extreme weather. This work advances the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Climate Resilience Framework, which helps to align climate resilience investments across the public and private sector through common principles and opportunities for action to build a climate-resilient nation. These efforts are backed by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, through which more than $50 billion is being delivered to advance climate adaptation and resilience across the nation, including in communities that are the most vulnerable to climate impacts. Read more here.
[NEW] Union of Concerned Scientists Releases New Coastal Resilience Report
Union of Concerned Scientists released a report titled “Looming Deadlines for Coastal Resilience: Rising Seas, Disruptive Tides, and Risks to Coastal Infrastructure”. The report, accompanying spreadsheets, and interactive map outline future sea-level rise and the associated risks for infrastructure in 2020, 2030, 2050, and 2100. Themes of affordable housing, science-based decision-making, and critical infrastructure impacts are also explored.
National Strategy for a Sustainable Ocean Economy Issued
On June 5th, the Ocean Policy Committee issued a National Strategy for a Sustainable Ocean Economy. The Strategy fulfills US obligations under the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy and is intended to present “a whole-of-government vision for the policies and actions needed to support resilient, prosperous, and secure ecosystems, people, and communities in a dynamic and rapidly changing ocean environment.” CSO submitted comments on the Strategy in Sept. 2023.
The National Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers (EJ TCATC) Launches Website
This newly established website facilitates direct support between communities pursuing environmental and climate justice and resources tailored to meet their specific needs. Key features of the website include detailed program descriptions, regional contact forms for technical assistance centers spanning all areas of the United States, and a curated grant search database. These elements will collectively ensure that communities have the necessary tools to advance their environmental and climate justice endeavors effectively. Visit the website at ejtctac.org.
NOAA Invites Public Comment on Draft Regional Ocean Partnership Designation Guidance
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) invites public comment on guidance on designating new regional ocean partnerships under the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (16 U.S.C. § 1468) (NDAA). The NDAA authorizes coastal states, Indian Tribes (including Alaska Native villages), and other entities to form new partnerships and to apply to NOAA as a regional ocean partnership.
The designation guidance is proposed to address the membership, organization, and required elements of new partnerships. NOAA proposes to include the following information: introduction and background; instructions on submitting a new partnership application to NOAA; requirements for new regional ocean partnerships; and funding eligibility. The proposed designation guidance document and instructions for submitting comments may be found in the Federal Register. Comments may be submitted until Thursday, July 11 2024. Following the 30-day public comment period, NOAA will carefully consider comments before issuing the final regional ocean partnership designation guidance.
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