Just received this from the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University:
NESP members may be interested in this call for comments on developing environmental policy.
The Department of the Interior, on behalf of an interagency working group co-led with the Council on Environmental Quality, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Commerce through National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is soliciting comments to inform how the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas (Atlas) can best serve as a useful tool for the public and how it should reflect a continuum of conservation actions in the America the Beautiful initiative, recognizing that many uses of lands and waters can be consistent with the long-term health of natural systems and contribute to addressing climate change and environmental injustices. The input received will be used to develop the Atlas.
DATES:
Interested persons are invited to submit comments by 11:59 p.m. on March 7, 2022.
The interagency group will host virtual public listening sessions at the dates and times below.
- Thursday, January 13, 2022, 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET
- Wednesday, January 19, 2022, 6:00–7:30 p.m. ET
- Friday, January 21, 2022, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. ET
Specific details will be posted on the Department of the Interior’s America the Beautiful web page on January 4, 2022. Listening sessions may end before the time noted above if all those participating have completed their oral comments.
To submit comments:
Comments must be submitted through https://www.regulations.gov and will be available for public viewing and inspection. In the Search box, enter the docket number presented above in the document headings. For best results, do not copy and paste the number; instead, type the docket number into the Search box using hyphens. Then, click on the Search button. You may submit a comment by clicking on “Comment.”
Maybe someone can explain… so Am the Beaut is the renamed 30×30.. so is this effort about deciding what counts as 30×30? Or about mapping what counts? Or both?
Based on this question they are asking, I’d say it is limited to “attributes” (like the categories it lists) rather than identifying specific lands.
“What are the attributes of lands and waters that should be included in the Atlas? Considerations could include, for example, a clearly defined geographic boundary, status of ecological function, representation of species and habitats, extent of disturbance, expected future risks from climate change or other human stressors, ecosystem connectivity, or durability of management status.”
Whatever it is the governor of Montana doesn’t like it and says Montana won’t play. https://nbcmontana.com/news/gianforte-says-montana-will-not-participate-in-bidens-30-by-30-initiative
He says the feds don’t have the authority to make an atlas. And he criticizes them for asking for input:
“The DOI and other federal agencies seem to have recently adopted the practice of proposing vague action accompanied by inquiries, presumably to spur public comment that puts “meat on the bones” of the equivocal action proposed. This practice inappropriately shifts the burden to stakeholders and opens the door to illogical outgrowths of the initial proposal.
Even if the DOI had clear authority to pursue the Atlas it considers now, it is the DOI’s job to put forward a proposal for comment. .. not initiate stakeholder fishing expeditions.”