ExecutiveOrdersEO
MemoMemorandumObama · D

Presidential Memorandum

Creating a Federal Strategy To Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators

This memorandum establishes the Pollinator Health Task Force co-chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture and EPA Administrator, directing federal agencies to develop a National Pollinator Health Strategy within 180 days and take immediate steps to expand pollinator habitat on federal lands, revise landscaping guidance, assess pesticide impacts, and increase conservation program acreage for pollinators.

Federal Register Open PDF 79 FR 35903

Impact dates

  1. National Pollinator Health Strategy due

  2. Task Force member agencies provide habitat enhancement plans

  3. CEQ and GSA revise guidance documents for designed landscapes and public buildings

  4. Departments of Agriculture and Interior develop best management practices for federal lands

Key directives

  • Establish Pollinator Health Task Force co-chaired by Secretary of Agriculture and EPA Administrator
  • Develop National Pollinator Health Strategy within 180 days with explicit goals, milestones, and metrics
  • Task Force member agencies develop and provide habitat enhancement plans within 180 days
  • CEQ and GSA revise guidance documents within 90 days to incorporate pollinator-friendly practices
  • Departments of Agriculture and Interior develop best management practices within 90 days
  • Departments of Agriculture and Interior establish native seed mix reserve for restoration
  • Department of Agriculture substantially increase pollinator habitat acreage in conservation programs
  • EPA assess pesticide effects including neonicotinoids and take protective action
  • Department of Defense direct military installations to use pollinator-friendly landscaping
  • Army Corps of Engineers incorporate pollinator conservation on 12 million acres
  • All agencies take immediate measures for 2014 growing season and thereafter

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Task Force establishment
  • measures to support pollinators during 2014 growing season
  • agency reporting on implementation begins

Near term (90d)

  • CEQ and GSA revise guidance documents for designed landscapes and public buildings
  • Departments of Agriculture and Interior develop best management practices for federal lands

Long term

  • National Pollinator Health Strategy due (180 days)
  • agency habitat enhancement plans due (180 days)
  • ongoing implementation of habitat restoration on federal lands
  • increased conservation program acreage for pollinator habitat

Risks & tensions

  • Implementation subject to availability of appropriations may limit action
  • EPA pesticide assessment including neonicotinoids could conflict with agricultural chemical industry interests
  • Multiple agency coordination required across 15+ entities creates bureaucratic complexity
  • Task Force structure without dedicated funding mechanism may reduce enforceability
  • Document notes native bee decline is 'much less studied' indicating data gaps in understanding
Presidential Memorandum: Creating a Federal Strategy To Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators · Executive Orders