NOAA terminates space, climate and marine life advisory committees

Four NOAA committees established to gather advice and information from non-federal experts on topics such as space debris to coastal conservation are being eliminated. MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO / Getty Images

The Trump administration is disbanding expert advisory committees focused on space, climate, coastal area management and marine fisheries after the agency they were designed to assist said they are no longer necessary. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is ending the committees because they “have served their purpose and should be terminated,” Nancy Hann, the agency’s deputy undersecretary for operations, said in a memorandum obtained by Government Executive.  The terminations follow an executive order from President Trump requiring agencies to do away with any federal advisory committees not required by law. 

The impacted committees are the: 

• Advisory Committee on Excellence in Space
• Climate Services Advisory Committee
• Marine and Coastal Area-based Management Advisory Committee
• Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee

The Commerce ...