Science Policy Report

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21 January 2009

In This Issue:

Research, Education, Extension Funding Opportunities

Conferences, Meetings and Reports

Congressional/Administration News

Research, Education, Extension Funding Opportunities

Postdoctoral Fellowships in Austria for Researchers in Natural and Social Sciences, Math, Policy and Engineering. The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), located in Schloss Laxenburg near Vienna, Austria, provides full funding for two postdoctoral researchers each year. Scholars are expected to conduct their own research within one of IIASA's research programs or special projects on topics closely related to IIASA's agenda. Deadline 1 Feb. Details: http://www.iiasa.ac.at/Admin/PDOC/apply_iiasa.html. Contact: Barbara Hauser, Postdoctoral Coordinator, hauser@iiasa.ac.at.

The Department of Defense (DoD), through the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP), supports the demonstration and validation of environmental technologies that address priority DoD environmental requirements. The goal of ESTCP is to transition mature environmental science and technology projects through the demonstration and validation phase, thereby enabling promising technologies to receive regulatory and DoD end-user acceptance and to be fielded and commercialized more effectively and more rapidly. Deadline pre-supposals, 5 Mar. Details: http://www.estcp.org/opportunities.

The purpose of this document is to advise eligible coastal states and territories that OCRM is soliciting coastal and estuarine land conservation project proposals for competitive funding under the CELCP. Deadline 31 Mar. Details: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=44569

The Division of Earth Sciences (EAR) awards Postdoctoral Fellowships to highly qualified investigators within 3 years of obtaining their PhD to carry out an integrated program of independent research and education. The research and education plans of each fellowship must address scientific questions within the scope of EAR disciplines. Deadline 1 Jul. http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=true&oppId=18720

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 is soliciting proposals to promote transition to reduced-risk pest management practices in agriculture within the area served by Region 7. This area includes Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and nine tribal nations. Deadline 13 Mar. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=44740

The Bureau of Reclamation, Pacific Northwest Region, Snake River Area (Reclamation) is requesting proposals to fund projects for activities in support of its Water Conservation Field Services Program, in Federal fiscal year 2009 (October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009). To be eligible for financial assistance under this Funding Opportunity, a proposed activity must be within the administrative boundaries of the Snake River Area. Deadline 13 Mar. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=44601

This program aims to establish a national network of learning environments and resources for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education at all levels. Deadline 15 Apr. http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=true&oppId=18728

The objective of this Request for Proposals is to seek partners with whom Reclamation can partner in implementing improved water management/water conservation activities. Deadline 30 Jan. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=44741

EPA Region 9 is soliciting proposals to carry out the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) and to support efforts by the agricultural community to "transition" away from high-risk pesticides to lower risk pesticides and sustainable practices in food production. Deadline 18 Mar.

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=44609

Ridge 2000 is a science initiative focused on integrated geological, biological, and geochemical studies of the Earth-encircling mid-ocean ridge system. Central to the Ridge 2000 program is the recognition that the origin and evolution of life in deep-sea hydrothermal ecosystems are inextricably linked to, and perhaps an inevitable consequence of, the flow of energy and material from Earth's deep mantle to the seafloor and ocean via magmatic and hydrothermal systems. Deadline 7 Apr. http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=true&oppId=18722

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Office of Education, in cooperation with NASA's four Mission Directorates—Aeronautics Research, Exploration Systems, Science, and Space Operations—and NASA's ten Centers, solicits proposals for the NASA Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). Deadline 19 Mar. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=44782

Conferences, Meetings and Reports

A Farming Systems Design 2009 conference is scheduled for Aug 23-26 in Monterey, CA. Deadline for abstract submissions is March 3rd. Learn more: http://www.iemss.org/farmsys09/

On 16 Jan, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) introduced a pilot of the biotechnology quality management system (BQMS).  The system is part of continued efforts to enhance compliance with the regulatory requirements for field trials and movements of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms.  Said Michael Gregoire, deputy administrator for APHIS' biotechnology regulatory services program, "Our goal with the biotechnology quality management system is to give developers the tools they need to better comply with our regulations. The pilot project provides us with an opportunity to further develop and improve the system before its full implementation." APHIS has accepted five volunteer participants into the pilot project: Bayer CropScience, BASF Plant Science, J.R. Simplot Plant Science, Pioneer Hi-Bred International and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.  The participants will develop, implement and maintain a quality management system within their organization to proactively manage the movement and field release of regulated GE organisms. The pilot project also will test the feasibility of the BQMS audit standard and accompanying guidelines, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/news_bqms.shtml.  The guidelines will be used by the participants as they develop their system.   A formal comment period on the audit standard also will be announced in the Federal Register.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently released its Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2009 to 2019 document. View document: http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=9957. Learn more about CBO at: (www.cbo.gov)

Congressional/Administration News

In his inaugural address to the nation yesterday, President Barack Hussein Obama resolved that, as a nation with his leadership, "We will restore science to its rightful place." Reaffirming the American spirit, he continued: "Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished." And providing a solid pathway to walk with our ingenuity, he suggested "We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age."  With those words, and a 111th Congress focused, among other issues, on addressing climate change and energy issues, the Agronomy, Crop and Soil Sciences will have unparalleled opportunities to increase the awareness for and role and importance of our sciences in developing these and other challenges. View entire speech: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/20/obama.politics/index.html

Last week, the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a coalition of major U.S. corporations and environmental groups, unveiled a legislative blueprint for addressing climate change at a hearing organized by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The USCAP recommended sharp cuts in carbon emissions — 80 percent below 2005 levels by 2050. President Obama supports the same goal as industry, which has done an about face in recent years and begun playing a role in drafting climate change legislation.  Included among the 26 corporations seeking the cuts are industry giants such as Alcoa, AIG, BP, ConocoPhillips, Dow Chemicals, Duke Energy, DuPont, Exelon, Ford, General Electric, General Motors and Shell Oil. There are also five influential environmental organizations including the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Nature Conservancy. New House Energy and Commerce Chair Henry Waxman, a long-time champion for climate change legislation, reported that he intends to move climate legislation through the committee by Memorial Day. Learn more about USCAP: http://www.us-cap.org/

Agriculture Secretary designee Tom Vilsack sailed through his confirmation hearing last week, vowing to support renewable energy, next-generation biofuels, conservation programs, Forest Service, nutrition programs and organic agriculture, drawing praise from both sides of the aisle. The former governor of Iowa received a warm welcome from Democrats and Republicans at the two-and-a-half-hour hearing. Agriculture Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), told the nominee, "I just couldn't be more proud to contemplate you being secretary of Agriculture." And panel Republicans said they would work with Democrats to fast-track the confirmation. "I look forward to reporting the nomination out of committee and swiftly approving the nomination on the Senate floor," said committee ranking member Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.). Vilsack indeed was confirmed in his new post yesterday, shortly after Barack Obama was sworn in as president. The nomination will likely be sent to the floor for consideration under unanimous consent this week. Vilsack will lead a sprawling agency with jurisdiction over farm programs, food and nutrition assistance and rural energy development. The department has more than 100,000 employees in offices across the country and an annual budget of more than $90 billion. He will face a rural economy that is contending with volatile commodity prices and rising costs for inputs. Many farm economists have predicted that farm income will go down next year.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee last week held a hearing on President-elect Obama's nominee for EPA Administrator, Lisa Jackson.  Jackson, the former Commissioner of New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection, was questioned repeated about her intentions re: climate change issues, particularly whether EPA would move to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the Clean Air Act if Congress did not enact stand alone climate change legislation in the coming year. Jackson skillfully side-stepped the issue, leaving open the possibility of GHG regulation under the Clean Air Act.  She also noted that President-elect Obama is committed to cap-and-trade approaches to GHG control but she did not discount the possibility of a carbon tax as well.  Jackson was also questioned about the Bush administration's ever-growing list of last minute "midnight regulations," including among others a weak Clean Water Act CAFO regulation and a regulation giving CAFO air emissions an exemption from hazardous substance law reporting requirements. In her response, she stated that EPA would go back and evaluate rules on air and water quality and community right to know based on consideration of whether the rules are legal and based on science. Jackson's nomination was confirmed by the Senate yesterday.

The 111th Congress will include a House Agriculture Committee roster with a good number of new members, including 11 freshmen Democrats, one Democrat who won a special election last year, 3 freshmen Republicans, and a Republican who won a special election in 2007.  A listing of the new Democrats follows:

Kurt Schrader (OR-5) -- a veterinarian, who also raises organic strawberries on the family's historic farmstead, served in numerous Oregon political offices, most recently the Oregon State Senate.

Deborah Halvorson (IL-11) -- served in the Illinois Senate since 1997.

Kathleen Dahlkemper (PA-3) -- a clinical dietician, part-owner of the family landscape business, and co-founder of the Lake Erie Arboretum.

Eric Massa (NY-29) -- a former naval officer and Republican who left the party in opposition to the Iraq war.

Bobby Bright (AL-2) -- a lawyer who had served as Montgomery's mayor since 1999; grew up on an Alabama cotton farm.

Betsy Markey (CO-4) -- a business woman who has experience as a legislative assistant on the Hill and served as a Regional Director for Senator Ken Salazar for two years.

Frank Kratovil (MD-1) -- a lawyer and for last six years the Maryland State Attorney for the Eastern Shore's Queen Anne County.

Mark H. Schauer (MI-7) -- a public administrator who directed the Community Action Agency in Battle Creek and served six years in the Michigan State Senate.

Larry Kissell (NC-8) -- a production manager in the textile industry who became a high school teacher before running for Congress.

John Boccieri (OH-16) -- a former Air Force officer who served in the Ohio Senate before running for Congress.

Travis Childers (MS-1) -- a realtor and chancery clerk, he won a 2008 special election to Congress.

Walt Minnick (ID-1): -- a lawyer, former forestry executive and nursery business owner who served in the Nixon administration.

The new Republican members include:

Robert Latta (OH-5) -- a lawyer with a long political career in the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives who won a special election to become a congressional Representative.

Phil Roe (TN-1) -- a medical doctor who served as Johnson City mayor before coming to Congress.

Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) -- a fourth generation farmer and small business owner who served in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Senate Democrats late last week outlined their priorities in their first 10 bills highlighted by middle-class tax cuts, immigration and environmentalism. Tax priorities include doubling the child tax credit, expanding the dependent-care tax credit, increasing the college-tuition credit and creating a tax credit for families caring for an elderly relative who no longer lives with them. "We are going to focus like a laser on middle-class families," said Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y. "The present administration forgot them." Democrats also hope to rescind changes in regulations that occurred late in the Bush administration.  One such regulation was described as a change in the family medical-leave law (PL 103-3) that would make it more difficult to take time off. Another regulation was dealing with Medicaid outpatient services to narrow what services are available at a hospital. An Endangered Species Act regulation would alter Department of the Interior approval of construction projects without input from environmental experts, Democrats said. The immigration proposal was billed as strengthening the economy through more effective border security with tough and fair laws, said Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill. The policy aims to safeguard wages while requiring everyone who lives in the United States to follow laws and pay taxes.

Sources: Congressional Quarterly; Food Industry Environmental Network, LLC; National Journal; National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Vision: The Societies Washington, DC Science Policy Office (SPO) will advocate the importance and value of the agronomic, crop and soil sciences in developing national science policy and ensuring the necessary public-sector investment in the continued health of the environment for the well being of humanity. The SPO will assimilate, interpret, and disseminate in a timely manner to Society members information about relevant agricultural, natural resources and environmental legislation, rules and regulations under consideration by Congress and the Administration.

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