Short Takes

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has withdrawn a 2016 policy intended to mitigate the impacts of land and water developments on wildlife, plants, fish, and their habitats. The policy, adopted under the Obama Administration, directed Federal agencies to create a "net gain" goal, or at least a "no net loss" goal, for affected natural resources. The 1981 policy replacing the withdrawn policy could reduce delays in development projects but exclude considerations for endangered species. According to the notice, published in the Federal Register on July 30, the withdrawn language is "inconsistent with current Executive branch policy." The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a new report on their review of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) measurement services and standards-support activities, examining the challenges the agency faces in providing these services and the extent to which the agency has taken steps to address them and align its work with Federal guidance. GAO found that NIST has taken steps to address challenges in prioritizing and coordinating its work, but needs to better align its activities with federal policies. GAO recommended that NIST comprehensively review measurement services and documentary-standards activities, and work with other agencies to take steps to strengthen interagency coordination. Read more about the report and GAO's recommendations here: https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-18-445?utm_...
Source: Public Policy Reports - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: news