Senate Commerce Committee Staff Update  

Jen Quan is leaving the Committee and will be the new Regional Administrator for the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region.

President's Budget and Appropriations

The President’s budget was released on March 9th a summary of the NOAA request is below:

• CZM Grants - $78.5M (-$3M from FY23 Enacted)
• CZM&S - $52.695 (+1.475M)
• NERRS ORF - $32.5M (+$0M)
• NERRS PAC - $4.5M (-$4M)
• NCRF - $0M (-$34M)
• Coral Reef Program - $33.699 (+$0.199M)
• IOOS Regional Associations - $42.5 (+$0M)
• Sanctuaries and MPAs - $87.125M (+$18.625M)
• Sea Grant - $80.72M (+$0.72M)

*Note that Satellites received a $357M increase while NOS overall was cut by $56M. This lines up with what we heard during the Member Meeting that there is a need for significant investments in the next generation of satellites and that this may have an impact on the rest of NOAA's budget.

CSO will be submitting joint testimony with NERRA, IOOS Association, Sea Grant Association, and National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation.



Members of Congress continue to introduce legislation, to keep track of new legislation check out the Legislation Tracker.

See here for the April monthly regulatory update. More information on rulemaking developments is available on the Regulatory Resources page.

Executive Order on Modernizing Regulatory Review

On Apr. 6, 2023, the White House issued E.O. 14,094, “Modernizing Regulatory Review,” implementing a range of equity, efficiency, and transparency policies for the federal rule making process. Draft OMB guidance issued under the E.O. would change how the federal government calculates the costs and benefits of proposed actions, including higher valuations for projects that have long-term benefits and for benefits and costs to underserved communities. Comments may be submitted via Regulations.gov (A-4, A-94) through Tuesday June 6, 2023.

HUD Flood Standards Rule Proposed

On Mar. 24, 2023, the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) issued a proposed rule to implement the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) for HUD assistance, financing, and insurance programs. The proposed rule applies mitigation standards to structures within a flood hazard area based on future conditions modelling and prohibits critical facilities in floodways and coastal high hazard areas. Comments may be submitted via Regulations.gov through May 23, 2023.

BOEM Rulemaking Comment Period Extended

BOEM has extended the comment period for the proposed Renewable Energy Modernization Rule to Monday May 1, 2023. To retain flexibility to respond to further developments, CSO has delayed submitting the completed CSO comment until the new deadline, and will continue to coordinate as needed via the Offshore Energy & Infrastructure Work Group. Comments can be submitted via Regulations.gov.

National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy RFI

NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program intends to develop a National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy in consultation with the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. The Strategy will identify data and management gaps and establish national goals for funding and research, including designation of priority areas for conservation and for restoration, incorporating elements of the existing Coral Reef Conservation Program Strategic Plan. A Request for Information issued Apr. 6, 2023 presents a series of scoping questions. Comments can be submitted via Regulations.gov through Monday May 8, 2023.

Recent Ocean Management Developments

Recent publications of interest to CSO members include:

• White House Ocean Climate Action Plan (3/21)
• BOEM Fishery Survey Guidelines (Mar. 27, 2023)
• Dept. of Energy Offshore Wind Energy Strategy (3/29)
• NMFS/RODA Fisheries and Offshore Wind Interactions: Synthesis of Science (3/29)

CSO Phone Lines Changing

CSO will be consolidating it's office phone lines. The office will keep three lines: the conference line (202-800-4891), Derek Brockbank (202-800-0633), and the main office/Norma Longhi (202-800-0580). All other staff will be available by cell phone.

CSO Hiring Federal Affairs Manager

CSO is hiring a Federal Affairs Manager to implement CSO's legislative strategy and coordinate our public communications effort. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until Friday May 5, 2023 COB. Read full posting here.

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 February / March 2023 edition contains information about new elevation certificate forms and credit for social media campaigns. Read the latest edition here. Sign up for the NFIP/CRS Update Newsletter or view past issues here.

FEMA State Mitigation Planning Policy Going Into Effect

FEMA’s updated state mitigation planning policy, released last year, goes into effect April 19, 2023. The State Mitigation Planning Policy Guide sets FEMA’s requirements for 5-year state hazard mitigation plan updates. FEMA has also updated its Key Topics Bulletin planning guidance resources. To access the policy guide, updated Bulletins, and other mitigation planning resources, visit the state section of the Create a Hazard Mitigation Plan page.

NOAA Hydrographic Services Panel Seeks Nominations – Deadline April 28, 2023

NOAA is seeking nominations for members to serve on the Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) Federal Advisory Committee. The panel advises NOAA on standards and priorities for the agency’s hydrographic services, including ensuring comprehensive geographic coverage. NOAA seeks experts from state and local government, academia, and industry in fields including navigation, port administration, and coastal resource management, including coastal preparedness and emergency response. Nominations are due by email on April 28, 2023; instructions are provided in the notice.