diff --git a/.github/workflows/docs-omnibus.yml b/.github/workflows/docs-omnibus.yml
index 655813c366..1636150fae 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docs-omnibus.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docs-omnibus.yml
@@ -51,4 +51,4 @@ jobs:
       # TODO: Split testing.sh tests into their own steps in this job
       - name: Text Sphinx builds with omnibus script
         run: |
-          cd doc && conda run -n ctsm_pylib ./testing.sh
+          cd doc && ./testing.sh
diff --git a/.github/workflows/fleximod_test.yaml b/.github/workflows/fleximod_test.yaml
index 8680541676..d85958f972 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/fleximod_test.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/fleximod_test.yaml
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ jobs:
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - id: run-fleximod
         run: |
-          $GITHUB_WORKSPACE/bin/git-fleximod update
+          $GITHUB_WORKSPACE/bin/git-fleximod update -o
           echo
           echo "Update complete, checking status"
           echo
@@ -32,4 +32,4 @@ jobs:
           echo
           echo "Checking if git fleximod matches expected externals"
           echo
-          git diff --exit-code
+          git add . && git diff --exit-code && git diff --cached --exit-code
diff --git a/.github/workflows/validate_xml.py b/.github/workflows/validate_xml.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c854bf916b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/validate_xml.py
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+"""
+Check that all XML files in our repo (except for those in submodules) are well-formed. Error if not.
+"""
+import sys
+import glob
+import os
+import subprocess
+import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET
+
+
+def get_submodule_paths():
+    """
+    Get list of submodules
+    """
+    cmd = "git config --file .gitmodules --get-regexp path | awk '{ print $2 }'"
+    result = subprocess.run(cmd, capture_output=True, text=True, shell=True, check=True)
+    result_list = result.stdout.split("\n")[:-1]
+    result_list = [x for x in result_list if x]
+    return result_list
+
+
+def is_in_submodule(file_path, submodule):
+    """
+    Return True if file is in given submodule, False otherwise
+    """
+    return os.path.commonpath([file_path, submodule]) == os.path.commonpath([submodule])
+
+
+def is_in_any_submodule(file_path, submodule_paths):
+    """
+    Return True if file is in any submodule, False otherwise
+    """
+    file_path = os.path.abspath(file_path)
+    submodule_paths = map(os.path.abspath, submodule_paths)
+    return any(is_in_submodule(file_path, submodule) for submodule in submodule_paths)
+
+
+def validate_xml(file_path):
+    """
+    Return True if XML file is well-formed, False otherwise
+    """
+    try:
+        ET.parse(file_path)
+    except ET.ParseError:
+        print(f"❌ {file_path} is NOT well-formed")
+        return False
+    print(f"✅ {file_path} is well-formed")
+    return True
+
+
+def main():
+    # pylint: disable=missing-function-docstring
+    submodule_paths = get_submodule_paths()
+    all_valid = True
+    for xml_file in glob.glob("**/*.xml", recursive=True):
+        if is_in_any_submodule(xml_file, submodule_paths):
+            continue
+        if not validate_xml(xml_file):
+            all_valid = False
+
+    if not all_valid:
+        print("\nUse xmllint to show problems in malformed files")
+
+    return all_valid
+
+
+sys.exit(0 if main() else 1)
diff --git a/.github/workflows/xml-check.yml b/.github/workflows/xml-check.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..18cc6b4079
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/xml-check.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+name: Check that XML files are well-formed
+# Only check files in our repo that AREN'T in submodules
+# Use a Python command to check each file because xmllint isn't available on GH runners
+
+on: [push, pull_request] # Trigger on push or pull request
+
+jobs:
+  check-xml:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@v3
+
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v4
+        with:
+          python-version: '3.x'
+
+      - name: Check XML files
+        run: python .github/workflows/validate_xml.py
diff --git a/.gitmodules b/.gitmodules
index d6c16471a0..48bc074b92 100644
--- a/.gitmodules
+++ b/.gitmodules
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ fxDONOTUSEurl = https://github.com/ESCOMP/CMEPS.git
 [submodule "cdeps"]
 path = components/cdeps
 url = https://github.com/ESCOMP/CDEPS.git
-fxtag = cdeps1.0.73
+fxtag = cdeps1.0.75
 fxrequired = ToplevelRequired
 # Standard Fork to compare to with "git fleximod test" to ensure personal forks aren't committed
 fxDONOTUSEurl = https://github.com/ESCOMP/CDEPS.git
@@ -128,13 +128,3 @@ fxtag = v2.2.6
 fxrequired = ToplevelOptional
 # Standard Fork to compare to with "git fleximod test" to ensure personal forks aren't committed
 fxDONOTUSEurl = https://github.com/ESMCI/doc-builder
-
-# FTorch is an optional library useful for AI and Machine Learning
-# In order to use it -- it must be checked out with git-fleximod
-[submodule "FTorch"]
-path = libraries/FTorch
-url = https://github.com/ESCOMP/FTorch_interface
-fxtag = v0.0.5
-fxrequired = ToplevelOptional
-# Standard Fork to compare to with "git fleximod test" to ensure personal forks aren't committed
-fxDONOTUSEurl = https://github.com/ESCOMP/FTorch_interface
diff --git a/bld/CLMBuildNamelist.pm b/bld/CLMBuildNamelist.pm
index 408ff9b573..e498f275e6 100755
--- a/bld/CLMBuildNamelist.pm
+++ b/bld/CLMBuildNamelist.pm
@@ -1688,6 +1688,7 @@ sub process_namelist_inline_logic {
   setup_logic_cnmatrix($opts,  $nl_flags, $definition, $defaults, $nl, $envxml_ref);
   setup_logic_spinup($opts,  $nl_flags, $definition, $defaults, $nl);
   setup_logic_supplemental_nitrogen($opts, $nl_flags, $definition, $defaults, $nl);
+  setup_logic_c_isotope($opts, $nl_flags, $definition, $defaults, $nl);
   setup_logic_snowpack($opts,  $nl_flags, $definition, $defaults, $nl);
   setup_logic_fates($opts,  $nl_flags, $definition, $defaults, $nl);
   setup_logic_z0param($opts, $nl_flags, $definition, $defaults, $nl);
@@ -1737,7 +1738,6 @@ sub process_namelist_inline_logic {
   # namelist group: ch4par_in   #
   ###############################
   setup_logic_methane($opts, $nl_flags, $definition, $defaults, $nl);
-  setup_logic_c_isotope($opts, $nl_flags, $definition, $defaults, $nl);
 
   ###############################
   # namelist group: ndepdyn_nml #
@@ -3175,10 +3175,11 @@ sub setup_logic_do_grossunrep {
 
    my $var = 'do_grossunrep';
 
-   # Start by assuming a default value of '.true.'. Then check a number of
+   # Start by assuming a default value of '.false.'. Then check a number of
    # conditions under which do_grossunrep cannot be true. Under these
-   # conditions: (1) set default value to '.false.'; (2) make sure that the
+   # conditions: (1) set default value to '.false.' again; (2) make sure that the
    # value is indeed false (e.g., that the user didn't try to set it to true).
+   # Ideally the default value would be set in namelist_defaults
 
    my $default_val = ".false.";
 
@@ -3703,63 +3704,53 @@ sub setup_logic_c_isotope {
   #
   my ($opts, $nl_flags, $definition, $defaults, $nl) = @_;
 
+  add_default($opts, $nl_flags->{'inputdata_rootdir'}, $definition, $defaults, $nl, 'use_c13', 'bgc_mode'=>$nl_flags->{'bgc_mode'}, 'phys'=>$nl_flags->{'phys'});
+  add_default($opts, $nl_flags->{'inputdata_rootdir'}, $definition, $defaults, $nl, 'use_c14', 'bgc_mode'=>$nl_flags->{'bgc_mode'}, 'phys'=>$nl_flags->{'phys'});
   my $use_c13 = $nl->get_value('use_c13');
   my $use_c14 = $nl->get_value('use_c14');
   if ( $nl_flags->{'bgc_mode'} ne "sp" && $nl_flags->{'bgc_mode'} ne "fates" ) {
     if ( $nl_flags->{'bgc_mode'} ne "bgc" ) {
-      if ( defined($use_c13) && &value_is_true($use_c13) ) {
+      if ( &value_is_true($use_c13) ) {
         $log->warning("use_c13 is ONLY scientifically validated with the bgc=BGC configuration" );
       }
-      if ( defined($use_c14) && &value_is_true($use_c14) ) {
+      if ( &value_is_true($use_c14) ) {
         $log->warning("use_c14 is ONLY scientifically validated with the bgc=BGC configuration" );
       }
     }
-    if ( defined($use_c14) ) {
-      if ( &value_is_true($use_c14) ) {
-        my $use_c14_bombspike = $nl->get_value('use_c14_bombspike');
-        if ( defined($use_c14_bombspike) && &value_is_true($use_c14_bombspike) ) {
-           add_default($opts, $nl_flags->{'inputdata_rootdir'}, $definition, $defaults, $nl, 'atm_c14_filename',
-                   'use_c14'=>$use_c14, 'use_cn'=>$nl_flags->{'use_cn'}, 'use_c14_bombspike'=>$nl->get_value('use_c14_bombspike'),
-                   'ssp_rcp'=>$nl_flags->{'ssp_rcp'} );
-        }
-      } else {
-        if ( defined($nl->get_value('use_c14_bombspike')) ||
-             defined($nl->get_value('atm_c14_filename')) ) {
-          $log->fatal_error("use_c14 is FALSE and use_c14_bombspike or atm_c14_filename set");
-        }
+    if ( &value_is_true($use_c14) ) {
+      add_default($opts, $nl_flags->{'inputdata_rootdir'}, $definition, $defaults, $nl, 'use_c14_bombspike', 'bgc_mode'=>$nl_flags->{'bgc_mode'}, 'phys'=>$nl_flags->{'phys'});
+      my $use_c14_bombspike = $nl->get_value('use_c14_bombspike');
+      if ( &value_is_true($use_c14_bombspike) ) {
+         add_default($opts, $nl_flags->{'inputdata_rootdir'}, $definition, $defaults, $nl, 'atm_c14_filename',
+                 'use_c14'=>$use_c14, 'use_cn'=>$nl_flags->{'use_cn'}, 'use_c14_bombspike'=>$nl->get_value('use_c14_bombspike'),
+                 'ssp_rcp'=>$nl_flags->{'ssp_rcp'} );
       }
     } else {
       if ( defined($nl->get_value('use_c14_bombspike')) ||
            defined($nl->get_value('atm_c14_filename')) ) {
-        $log->fatal_error("use_c14 NOT set to .true., but use_c14_bompspike/atm_c14_filename defined.");
+        $log->fatal_error("use_c14 is FALSE and use_c14_bombspike or atm_c14_filename set");
       }
     }
-    if ( defined($use_c13) ) {
-      if ( &value_is_true($use_c13) ) {
-        my $use_c13_timeseries = $nl->get_value('use_c13_timeseries');
-        if ( defined($use_c13_timeseries) && &value_is_true($use_c13_timeseries) ) {
-           add_default($opts, $nl_flags->{'inputdata_rootdir'}, $definition, $defaults, $nl, 'atm_c13_filename',
-                   'use_c13'=>$use_c13, 'use_cn'=>$nl_flags->{'use_cn'}, 'use_c13_timeseries'=>$nl->get_value('use_c13_timeseries'),
-                   'ssp_rcp'=>$nl_flags->{'ssp_rcp'} );
-        }
-      } else {
-        if ( defined($nl->get_value('use_c13_timeseries')) ||
-             defined($nl->get_value('atm_c13_filename')) ) {
-          $log->fatal_error("use_c13 is FALSE and use_c13_timeseries or atm_c13_filename set");
-        }
+    if ( &value_is_true($use_c13) ) {
+      add_default($opts, $nl_flags->{'inputdata_rootdir'}, $definition, $defaults, $nl, 'use_c13_timeseries', 'bgc_mode'=>$nl_flags->{'bgc_mode'}, 'phys'=>$nl_flags->{'phys'});
+      my $use_c13_timeseries = $nl->get_value('use_c13_timeseries');
+      if ( &value_is_true($use_c13_timeseries) ) {
+         add_default($opts, $nl_flags->{'inputdata_rootdir'}, $definition, $defaults, $nl, 'atm_c13_filename',
+                 'use_c13'=>$use_c13, 'use_cn'=>$nl_flags->{'use_cn'}, 'use_c13_timeseries'=>$nl->get_value('use_c13_timeseries'),
+                 'ssp_rcp'=>$nl_flags->{'ssp_rcp'} );
       }
     } else {
       if ( defined($nl->get_value('use_c13_timeseries')) ||
            defined($nl->get_value('atm_c13_filename')) ) {
-        $log->fatal_error("use_c13 NOT set to .true., but use_c13_bompspike/atm_c13_filename defined.");
+        $log->fatal_error("use_c13 is FALSE and use_c13_timeseries or atm_c13_filename set");
       }
     }
   } else {
-    if ( defined($use_c13) ||
-         defined($use_c14) ||
-         defined($nl->get_value('use_c14_bombspike')) ||
+    if ( &value_is_true($use_c13) ||
+         &value_is_true($use_c14) ||
+         &value_is_true($nl->get_value('use_c14_bombspike')) ||
          defined($nl->get_value('atm_c14_filename'))  ||
-         defined($nl->get_value('use_c13_timeseries')) ||
+         &value_is_true($nl->get_value('use_c13_timeseries')) ||
          defined($nl->get_value('atm_c13_filename')) ) {
            $log->fatal_error("bgc=sp and C isotope  namelist variables were set, both can't be used at the same time");
     }
diff --git a/bld/namelist_files/namelist_defaults_ctsm.xml b/bld/namelist_files/namelist_defaults_ctsm.xml
index fedfca8020..59fc9e42dd 100644
--- a/bld/namelist_files/namelist_defaults_ctsm.xml
+++ b/bld/namelist_files/namelist_defaults_ctsm.xml
@@ -110,6 +110,17 @@ attributes from the config_cache.xml file (with keys converted to upper-case).
 <stomatalcond_method               >Medlyn2011</stomatalcond_method>
 <stomatalcond_method phys="clm4_5" >Ball-Berry1987</stomatalcond_method>
 
+<!-- Carbon isotope settings -->
+<use_c13>.false.</use_c13>
+<use_c14>.false.</use_c14>
+<use_c13_timeseries>.false.</use_c13_timeseries>
+<use_c14_bombspike>.false.</use_c14_bombspike>
+
+<use_c13 phys="clm6_0" bgc_mode="bgc" >.true.</use_c13>
+<use_c14 phys="clm6_0" bgc_mode="bgc" >.true.</use_c14>
+<use_c13_timeseries phys="clm6_0" bgc_mode="bgc" >.true.</use_c13_timeseries>
+<use_c14_bombspike phys="clm6_0" bgc_mode="bgc" >.true.</use_c14_bombspike>
+
 <!-- Carbon isotope concentration files -->
 <atm_c13_filename use_c13=".true." use_c13_timeseries=".true." ssp_rcp="hist"     >lnd/clm2/isotopes/atm_delta_C13_CMIP6_1850-2015_yearly_v2.0_c190528.nc</atm_c13_filename>
 <atm_c13_filename use_c13=".true." use_c13_timeseries=".true." ssp_rcp="SSP1-1.9" >lnd/clm2/isotopes/atm_delta_C13_CMIP6_SSP119_1850-2100_yearly_c181209.nc</atm_c13_filename>
@@ -484,13 +495,11 @@ attributes from the config_cache.xml file (with keys converted to upper-case).
 <snow_thermal_cond_method>Jordan1991</snow_thermal_cond_method>
 <snow_thermal_cond_method phys="clm6_0">Sturm1997</snow_thermal_cond_method>
 
-<!-- TODO change clm6 to Jordan with answer changing tag for glacier mass ballance -->
 <snow_thermal_cond_glc_method>Jordan1991</snow_thermal_cond_glc_method>
-<snow_thermal_cond_glc_method phys="clm6_0">Sturm1997</snow_thermal_cond_glc_method>
+<snow_thermal_cond_glc_method phys="clm6_0">Jordan1991</snow_thermal_cond_glc_method>
 
-<!-- TODO change clm6 to Sturm with answer changing tag -->
 <snow_thermal_cond_lake_method>Jordan1991</snow_thermal_cond_lake_method>
-<snow_thermal_cond_lake_method phys="clm6_0">Jordan1991</snow_thermal_cond_lake_method>
+<snow_thermal_cond_lake_method phys="clm6_0">Sturm1997</snow_thermal_cond_lake_method>
 
 <!-- Default glacier behavior is:
      Mountain glaciers: single_at_atm_topo
@@ -532,7 +541,7 @@ attributes from the config_cache.xml file (with keys converted to upper-case).
 <!-- The default filenames are given relative to the root directory
      for the CLM2 data in the CESM distribution -->
 <!-- Plant function types (relative to {csmdata}) -->
-<paramfile phys="clm6_0" >lnd/clm2/paramdata/ctsm60_params.c250311.nc</paramfile>
+<paramfile phys="clm6_0" >lnd/clm2/paramdata/ctsm5.3.041.Nfix_params.v13.c250221_upplim250.nc</paramfile>
 <paramfile phys="clm5_0" >lnd/clm2/paramdata/clm50_params.c250311.nc</paramfile>
 <paramfile phys="clm4_5" >lnd/clm2/paramdata/clm45_params.c250311.nc</paramfile>
 
@@ -1283,14 +1292,14 @@ attributes from the config_cache.xml file (with keys converted to upper-case).
          ic_ymd="18500101" sim_year="1850" do_transient_pfts=".false." use_excess_ice=".true."
          ic_tod="0" glc_nec="10" use_crop=".true." irrigate=".false."
          phys="clm6_0"
->lnd/clm2/initdata_esmf/ctsm5.3/ctsm53019_f09_BNF_pSASU.clm2.r.0161-01-01-00000.nc
+>lnd/clm2/initdata_esmf/ctsm5.4/ctsm53041_54surfdata_snowTherm_100_pSASU.clm2.r.0161-01-01-00000_64bitoffset.nc
 </finidat>
 <!-- Corresponding ne30 -->
 <finidat hgrid="ne30np4.pg3" mask="tx2_3v2" use_cn=".true." use_cndv=".false." use_fates=".false."
          sim_year="1850" do_transient_pfts=".false." use_excess_ice=".true."
          use_crop=".true." irrigate=".false."
          phys="clm6_0" use_init_interp=".true."
->lnd/clm2/initdata_esmf/ctsm5.3/ctsm53019_f09_BNF_pSASU.clm2.r.0161-01-01-00000.nc
+>lnd/clm2/initdata_esmf/ctsm5.4/ctsm53041_54surfdata_ne30_102_pSASU.clm2.r.0081-01-01-00000_64bitoffset.nc
 </finidat>
 <!-- Corresponding f19 -->
 <finidat hgrid="1.9x2.5" mask="gx1v7" use_cn=".true." use_cndv=".false." use_fates=".false."
@@ -1425,13 +1434,13 @@ attributes from the config_cache.xml file (with keys converted to upper-case).
          ic_ymd="20000101" sim_year="2000" use_excess_ice=".true."
          ic_tod="0" glc_nec="10" use_crop=".true." irrigate=".true."
          phys="clm6_0" use_init_interp=".true."
->lnd/clm2/initdata_esmf/ctsm5.3/ctsm53019_f09_BNF_hist.clm2.r.2000-01-01-00000.nc
+>lnd/clm2/initdata_esmf/ctsm5.4/ctsm53041_54surfdata_ne30_102_HIST.clm2.r.2000-01-01-00000.nc
 </finidat>
 <finidat hgrid="ne30np4.pg3"    maxpft="79"  mask="tx2_3v2" use_cn=".true." use_cndv=".false." use_fates=".false."
          ic_ymd="20000101" sim_year="2000" use_excess_ice=".true."
          ic_tod="0" glc_nec="10" use_crop=".true." irrigate=".true."
          phys="clm6_0" use_init_interp=".true."
->lnd/clm2/initdata_esmf/ctsm5.3/ctsm53019_f09_BNF_hist.clm2.r.2000-01-01-00000.nc
+>lnd/clm2/initdata_esmf/ctsm5.4/ctsm53041_54surfdata_ne30_102_HIST.clm2.r.2000-01-01-00000.nc
 </finidat>
 
 <!-- clm5_0 and cam7.0 -->
@@ -1700,7 +1709,7 @@ lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/ctsm5.3.0/surfdata_4x5_hist_1850_16pfts_c241007.nc</fsurd
 <fsurdat hgrid="360x720cru"  sim_year="1850">
 lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/ctsm5.3.0/surfdata_360x720cru_hist_1850_78pfts_c240908.nc</fsurdat>
 <fsurdat hgrid="0.9x1.25"    sim_year="1850" >
-lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/ctsm5.3.0/surfdata_0.9x1.25_hist_1850_78pfts_c240908.nc</fsurdat>
+lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/ctsm5.4.0/surfdata_0.9x1.25_hist_1850_78pfts_c250428.nc</fsurdat>
 <fsurdat hgrid="1.9x2.5"     sim_year="1850" use_crop=".true.">
 lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/ctsm5.3.0/surfdata_1.9x2.5_hist_1850_78pfts_c240908.nc</fsurdat>
 <fsurdat hgrid="10x15"       sim_year="1850" >
@@ -1718,7 +1727,7 @@ lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/ctsm5.3.0/surfdata_ne30np4_hist_1850_78pfts_c240908.nc</f
 <fsurdat hgrid="ne30np4.pg2" sim_year="1850">
 lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/ctsm5.3.0/surfdata_ne30np4.pg2_hist_1850_78pfts_c240908.nc</fsurdat>
 <fsurdat hgrid="ne30np4.pg3" sim_year="1850">
-lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/ctsm5.3.0/surfdata_ne30np4.pg3_hist_1850_78pfts_c240908.nc</fsurdat>
+lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/ctsm5.4.0/surfdata_ne30np4.pg3_hist_1850_78pfts_c250428.nc</fsurdat>
 <fsurdat hgrid="ne3np4.pg3"  sim_year="1850">
 lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/ctsm5.3.0/surfdata_ne3np4.pg3_hist_1850_78pfts_c240908.nc</fsurdat>
 
@@ -1778,7 +1787,7 @@ lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/NEON/ctsm5.3.0/surfdata_1x1_NEON_TOOL_hist_2000_78pfts_c2
 
 <!-- 78-pft landuse files -->
 <flanduse_timeseries hgrid="0.9x1.25"      sim_year_range="1850-2000"
- >lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/ctsm5.3.0/landuse.timeseries_0.9x1.25_SSP2-4.5_1850-2100_78pfts_c240908.nc</flanduse_timeseries>
+ >lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/ctsm5.4.0/landuse.timeseries_0.9x1.25_hist_1850-2023_78pfts_c250428.nc</flanduse_timeseries>
 <flanduse_timeseries hgrid="1.9x2.5"       sim_year_range="1850-2000" use_crop=".true."
  >lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/ctsm5.3.0/landuse.timeseries_1.9x2.5_SSP2-4.5_1850-2100_78pfts_c240908.nc</flanduse_timeseries>
 <flanduse_timeseries hgrid="ne0np4.ARCTICGRIS.ne30x8" sim_year_range="1850-2000"
@@ -1808,7 +1817,7 @@ lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/NEON/ctsm5.3.0/surfdata_1x1_NEON_TOOL_hist_2000_78pfts_c2
 <flanduse_timeseries hgrid="ne16np4.pg3"   sim_year_range="1850-2000"
 >lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/ctsm5.3.0/landuse.timeseries_ne16np4.pg3_SSP2-4.5_1850-2100_78pfts_c240908.nc</flanduse_timeseries>
 <flanduse_timeseries hgrid="ne30np4.pg3"   sim_year_range="1850-2000"
->lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/ctsm5.3.0/landuse.timeseries_ne30np4.pg3_SSP2-4.5_1850-2100_78pfts_c240908.nc</flanduse_timeseries>
+>lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/ctsm5.4.0/landuse.timeseries_ne30np4.pg3_hist_1850-2023_78pfts_c250428.nc</flanduse_timeseries>
 
 <flanduse_timeseries hgrid="C96"           sim_year_range="1850-2000"
 >lnd/clm2/surfdata_esmf/ctsm5.3.0/landuse.timeseries_C96_SSP2-4.5_1850-2100_78pfts_c240908.nc</flanduse_timeseries>
diff --git a/cime_config/testdefs/ExpectedTestFails.xml b/cime_config/testdefs/ExpectedTestFails.xml
index 77083c778d..a9fbebcdf8 100644
--- a/cime_config/testdefs/ExpectedTestFails.xml
+++ b/cime_config/testdefs/ExpectedTestFails.xml
@@ -36,27 +36,6 @@
     </phase>
   </test>
 
-  <test name="SMS_Ld5.f09_t232.ISSP245Clm60BgcCropCrujra.derecho_intel.clm-ciso_dec2050Start">
-    <phase name="SETUP">
-      <status>FAIL</status>
-      <issue>#2686</issue>
-    </phase>
-  </test>
-
-  <test name="SMS_Ld5.f09_t232.ISSP370Clm60BgcCropCrujra.derecho_intel.clm-ciso_dec2050Start">
-    <phase name="SETUP">
-      <status>FAIL</status>
-      <issue>#2686</issue>
-    </phase>
-  </test>
-
-  <test name="SMS_Ld5.f09_t232.ISSP585Clm60BgcCropCrujra.derecho_intel.clm-ciso_dec2050Start">
-    <phase name="SETUP">
-      <status>FAIL</status>
-      <issue>#2686</issue>
-    </phase>
-  </test>
-
   <test name="SMS_Ld5.f09_g17.IHistClm50Sp.derecho_intel.clm-nofire">
     <phase name="SHAREDLIB_BUILD">
       <status>FAIL</status>
@@ -83,6 +62,27 @@
   </test>
 
   <!-- aux_clm test suite failures -->
+  <test name="LII2FINIDATAREAS_D_P256x2_Ld1.f09_t232.I1850Clm60BgcCrop.derecho_intel.clm-default">
+    <phase name="RUN">
+      <status>FAIL</status>
+      <issue>#3252</issue>
+      <comment>Works with finidat = 'ctsm53041_54surfdata_snowTherm_100_pSASU.clm2.r.0161-01-01-00000.nc' and fails with finidat = 'ctsm53041_54surfdata_snowTherm_100_pSASU.clm2.r.0161-01-01-00000_64bitoffset.nc'.</comment>
+    </phase>
+  </test>
+  <test name="LII2FINIDATAREAS_D_P256x2_Ld1.f09_t232.I1850Clm60BgcCrop.derecho_intel.clm-default--clm-matrixcnOn_ignore_warnings">
+    <phase name="RUN">
+      <status>FAIL</status>
+      <issue>#3252</issue>
+      <comment>Works with finidat = 'ctsm53041_54surfdata_snowTherm_100_pSASU.clm2.r.0161-01-01-00000.nc' and fails with finidat = 'ctsm53041_54surfdata_snowTherm_100_pSASU.clm2.r.0161-01-01-00000_64bitoffset.nc'.</comment>
+    </phase>
+  </test>
+  <test name="SMS_D_Ld5.f09_g17.ISSP126Clm50BgcCrop.derecho_intel.clm-default">
+    <phase name="RUN">
+      <status>FAIL</status>
+      <issue>#3250</issue>
+      <comment>SSP landuse files not available for ctsm54, yet.</comment>
+    </phase>
+  </test>
   <test name="SMS_Ld2_D_PS.f09_g17.I1850Clm50BgcCropCmip6.derecho_intel.clm-basic_interp">
     <phase name="RUN">
       <status>FAIL</status>
@@ -159,11 +159,15 @@
     </phase>
   </test>
   
-  <test name="FUNITCTSM_P1x1.f10_f10_mg37.I2000Clm50Sp.izumi_intel"
+  <test name="FUNITCTSM_P1x1.f10_f10_mg37.I2000Clm50Sp.izumi_intel">
     <phase name="MODEL_BUILD">
       <status>FAIL</status>
       <issue>#3182</issue>
     </phase>
+    <phase name="RUN">
+      <status>FAIL</status>
+      <issue>#3182</issue>
+    </phase>
   </test>
 
   <test name="SMS_Ld10_D_Mmpi-serial.CLM_USRDAT.I1PtClm60Bgc.izumi_nag.clm-default--clm-NEON-HARV--clm-matrixcnOn">
diff --git a/cime_config/testdefs/testlist_clm.xml b/cime_config/testdefs/testlist_clm.xml
index 9b97da53fe..c67955b16e 100644
--- a/cime_config/testdefs/testlist_clm.xml
+++ b/cime_config/testdefs/testlist_clm.xml
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@
       <machine name="izumi" compiler="nag" category="aux_clm"/>
     </machines>
     <options>
-      <option name="wallclock">00:30:00</option>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:40:00</option>
       <option name="comment">CESM3 development Exact restart test with change in the processor count at f10, for izumi nag</option>
     </options>
   </test>
@@ -551,7 +551,7 @@
       <machine name="izumi" compiler="nag" category="aux_clm"/>
     </machines>
     <options>
-      <option name="wallclock">00:40:00</option>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:50:00</option>
     </options>
   </test>
   <test name="ERI_D_Ld9_P48x1" grid="f10_f10_mg37" compset="I2000Clm50Sp" testmods="clm/SNICARFRC">
@@ -559,7 +559,7 @@
       <machine name="izumi" compiler="nag" category="aux_clm"/>
     </machines>
     <options>
-      <option name="wallclock">00:40:00</option>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:50:00</option>
     </options>
   </test>
   <test name="ERS_D" grid="f10_f10_mg37" compset="I1850Clm60Sp" testmods="clm/ExcessIceStreams">
@@ -567,7 +567,7 @@
       <machine name="izumi" compiler="nag" category="aux_clm"/>
     </machines>
     <options>
-      <option name="wallclock">00:30:00</option>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:40:00</option>
       <option name="comment">Include an excess ice test starting up from streams</option>
     </options>
   </test>
@@ -1339,7 +1339,7 @@
       <machine name="izumi" compiler="nag" category="matrixcn"/>
     </machines>
     <options>
-      <option name="wallclock">00:20:00</option>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:30:00</option>
       <option name="comment">Repeat last ERP_D_Ld5_P48x1...ciso test with matrixcnOn</option>
     </options>
   </test>
@@ -1593,7 +1593,7 @@
       <machine name="izumi" compiler="nag" category="prealpha"/>
     </machines>
     <options>
-      <option name="wallclock">00:20:00</option>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:30:00</option>
     </options>
   </test>
   <test name="ERP_D_P48x1" grid="f10_f10_mg37" compset="IHistClm60Bgc" testmods="clm/decStart--clm/matrixcnOn_ignore_warnings">
@@ -2269,7 +2269,7 @@
       <option name="comment">Repeat LII_D... test with matrixcnOn</option>
     </options>
   </test>
-  <test name="LII2FINIDATAREAS_D_P256x2_Ld1" grid="f09_g17" compset="I1850Clm50BgcCrop" testmods="clm/default">
+  <test name="LII2FINIDATAREAS_D_P256x2_Ld1" grid="f09_t232" compset="I1850Clm60BgcCrop" testmods="clm/default">
     <machines>
       <machine name="derecho" compiler="intel" category="aux_clm"/>
     </machines>
@@ -2278,7 +2278,7 @@
       <option name="comment">Exercise the init_interp_method='use_finidat_areas' option. See documentation at the top of the python script implementing this test for more details and rationale. This test requires a compatible finidat file (i.e., a file that can be used without interpolation). If no such file is available out-of-the-box, then the test will need to use a testmod that points to a compatible file.</option>
     </options>
   </test>
-  <test name="LII2FINIDATAREAS_D_P256x2_Ld1" grid="f09_g17" compset="I1850Clm50BgcCrop" testmods="clm/default--clm/matrixcnOn_ignore_warnings">
+  <test name="LII2FINIDATAREAS_D_P256x2_Ld1" grid="f09_t232" compset="I1850Clm60BgcCrop" testmods="clm/default--clm/matrixcnOn_ignore_warnings">
     <machines>
       <machine name="derecho" compiler="intel" category="aux_clm"/>
       <machine name="derecho" compiler="intel" category="matrixcn"/>
@@ -2700,7 +2700,7 @@
       <machine name="izumi" compiler="nag" category="aux_clm"/>
     </machines>
     <options>
-      <option name="wallclock">00:20:00</option>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:30:00</option>
     </options>
   </test>
   <test name="ERP_D_P64x2_Ld3" grid="f10_f10_mg37" compset="I2000Clm45BgcCrop" testmods="clm/no_subgrid_fluxes">
@@ -2830,7 +2830,7 @@
       <machine name="derecho" compiler="intel" category="aux_clm_mpi_serial"/>
     </machines>
     <options>
-      <option name="wallclock">00:20:00</option>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:30:00</option>
       <option name="tput_tolerance">0.5</option>
       <option name="comment">Add at least one test of a NEON site with SP</option>
     </options>
@@ -2872,7 +2872,7 @@
       <machine name="izumi" compiler="nag" category="fates"/>
     </machines>
     <options>
-      <option name="wallclock">00:20:00</option>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:30:00</option>
       <option name="tput_tolerance">0.5</option>
       <option name="comment">Add at least one test of a FATES NEON site that needs lightning data</option>
     </options>
@@ -2887,7 +2887,7 @@
       <machine name="derecho" compiler="gnu" category="fates"/>
     </machines>
     <options>
-      <option name="wallclock">00:20:00</option>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:30:00</option>
       <option name="tput_tolerance">0.5</option>
       <option name="comment">Add at least one test of a FATES NEON site with PRISM precipitation</option>
     </options>
@@ -3073,6 +3073,65 @@
       <option name="comment">Transient production test with clm6, t232, and Crujra while the defaults have not changed</option>
     </options>
   </test>
+  <test name="SMS_D_Ld5" grid="f09_g17" compset="ISSP126Clm50BgcCrop" testmods="clm/default">
+    <machines>
+      <machine name="derecho" compiler="intel" category="aux_clm"/>
+      <machine name="derecho" compiler="intel" category="ssp"/>
+    </machines>
+    <options>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:20:00</option>
+      <option name="comment">Transient production with anomaly forcing future scenario SSP1-2.6 case</option>
+    </options>
+  </test>
+  <test name="SMS_D_Ld5" grid="f10_f10_mg37" compset="ISSP245Clm50BgcCrop" testmods="clm/default">
+    <machines>
+      <machine name="derecho" compiler="intel" category="aux_clm"/>
+      <machine name="derecho" compiler="intel" category="ssp"/>
+    </machines>
+    <options>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:20:00</option>
+      <option name="comment"  >Transient production with anomaly forcing future scenario SSP2-4.5 case</option>
+    </options>
+  </test>
+  <test name="SMS_D_Ld5" grid="f10_f10_mg37" compset="ISSP245Clm50BgcCrop" testmods="clm/default--clm/noAnomalyForcing">
+    <machines>
+      <machine name="derecho" compiler="intel" category="ssp"/>
+    </machines>
+    <options>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:20:00</option>
+      <option name="comment"  >Transient production with future scenario SSP2-4.5 but NO anomaly forcing</option>
+    </options>
+  </test>
+  <test name="SMS_D_Ld5" grid="f10_f10_mg37" compset="ISSP245Clm50BgcCrop" testmods="clm/datm_rcp45_anom_forc">
+    <machines>
+      <machine name="derecho" compiler="intel" category="aux_clm"/>
+      <machine name="derecho" compiler="intel" category="ssp"/>
+    </machines>
+    <options>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:20:00</option>
+      <option name="comment"  >Transient production with anomaly forcing future scenario RCP4.5 (CMIP5) case</option>
+    </options>
+  </test>
+  <test name="SMS_D_Ld5" grid="f09_g17" compset="ISSP370Clm50BgcCrop" testmods="clm/default">
+    <machines>
+      <machine name="derecho" compiler="intel" category="ssp"/>
+    </machines>
+    <options>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:20:00</option>
+      <option name="comment"  >Transient production with anomaly forcing future scenario SSP3-7.0 case</option>
+    </options>
+  </test>
+  <test name="SMS_D_Ld5" grid="f09_g17" compset="ISSP585Clm50BgcCrop" testmods="clm/default">
+    <machines>
+      <machine name="derecho" compiler="intel" category="ssp"/>
+    </machines>
+    <options>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:20:00</option>
+      <option name="comment"  >Transient production with anomaly forcing future scenario SSP5-8.5 case</option>
+    </options>
+  </test>
+
+
   <test name="ERP_D_Ld5" grid="f10_f10_mg37" compset="I1850Clm50Bgc" testmods="clm/nlevgrnd_small">
     <machines>
       <machine name="derecho" compiler="intel" category="aux_clm">
@@ -3252,7 +3311,7 @@
       <machine name="izumi" compiler="nag" category="aux_clm"/>
     </machines>
     <options>
-      <option name="wallclock">00:40:00</option>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:50:00</option>
       <option name="comment">Ensure functionality of two-stream radiation option in FATES</option>
     </options>
   </test>
@@ -3301,7 +3360,7 @@
       <machine name="izumi" compiler="nag" category="aux_clm"/>
     </machines>
     <options>
-      <option name="wallclock">00:40:00</option>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:50:00</option>
     </options>
   </test>
   <test name="ERS_Ld397" grid="f10_f10_mg37" compset="I2000Clm50Fates" testmods="clm/FatesCold">
@@ -4266,7 +4325,7 @@
       <machine name="izumi" compiler="nag" category="aux_clm"/>
     </machines>
     <options>
-      <option name="wallclock">00:30:00</option>
+      <option name="wallclock">00:40:00</option>
     </options>
   </test>
 
diff --git a/cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/clm/datm_ssp126_anom_forc/include_user_mods b/cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/clm/datm_rcp45_anom_forc/include_user_mods
similarity index 100%
rename from cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/clm/datm_ssp126_anom_forc/include_user_mods
rename to cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/clm/datm_rcp45_anom_forc/include_user_mods
diff --git a/cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/clm/datm_rcp45_anom_forc/user_nl_datm b/cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/clm/datm_rcp45_anom_forc/user_nl_datm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a1e2523cca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/clm/datm_rcp45_anom_forc/user_nl_datm
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+anomaly_forcing = 'Anomaly.Forcing.cmip5.rcp45'
diff --git a/cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/clm/datm_ssp126_anom_forc/user_nl_datm b/cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/clm/datm_ssp126_anom_forc/user_nl_datm
deleted file mode 100644
index d8ee13a339..0000000000
--- a/cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/clm/datm_ssp126_anom_forc/user_nl_datm
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-anomaly_forcing = 'Anomaly.Forcing.Temperature'
diff --git a/cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/clm/datm_ssp126_anom_forc/user_nl_datm_streams b/cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/clm/datm_ssp126_anom_forc/user_nl_datm_streams
deleted file mode 100644
index 34ca8a96ae..0000000000
--- a/cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/clm/datm_ssp126_anom_forc/user_nl_datm_streams
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,22 +0,0 @@
-Anomaly.Forcing.Temperature:year_first=2015
-Anomaly.Forcing.Temperature:year_last=2100
-Anomaly.Forcing.Temperature:year_align=2015
-Anomaly.Forcing.Temperature:meshfile =$DIN_LOC_ROOT/share/meshes/fv0.9x1.25_141008_polemod_ESMFmesh.nc
-! List of Data types to use
-! Remove the variables you do NOT want to include in the Anomaly forcing:
-!     pr is preciptiation
-!     tas is temperature
-!     huss is humidity
-!     uas and vas are U and V winds
-!     rsds is solare
-!     rlds is LW down
-Anomaly.Forcing.Temperature:datavars = pr    Faxa_prec_af, \
-                                       tas   Sa_tbot_af, \
-                                       ps    Sa_pbot_af, \
-                                       huss  Sa_shum_af, \
-                                       uas   Sa_u_af, \
-                                       vas Sa_v_af, \
-                                       rsds  Faxa_swdn_af, \
-                                       rlds  Faxa_lwdn_af
-Anomaly.Forcing.Temperature:datafiles =$DIN_LOC_ROOT/atm/datm7/anomaly_forcing/CMIP6-SSP1-2.6/af.allvars.CESM.SSP1-2.6.2015-2100_c20220628.nc
-
diff --git a/cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/clm/noAnomalyForcing/user_nl_datm b/cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/clm/noAnomalyForcing/user_nl_datm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e609bf1b7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cime_config/testdefs/testmods_dirs/clm/noAnomalyForcing/user_nl_datm
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+anomaly_forcing = 'none'
+
diff --git a/cime_config/usermods_dirs/clm/NEON/FATES/defaults/user_nl_datm b/cime_config/usermods_dirs/clm/NEON/FATES/defaults/user_nl_datm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ec9f6cbcc7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cime_config/usermods_dirs/clm/NEON/FATES/defaults/user_nl_datm
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+anomaly_forcing = 'none'
diff --git a/cime_config/usermods_dirs/clm/NEON/defaults/user_nl_datm b/cime_config/usermods_dirs/clm/NEON/defaults/user_nl_datm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ec9f6cbcc7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cime_config/usermods_dirs/clm/NEON/defaults/user_nl_datm
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+anomaly_forcing = 'none'
diff --git a/cime_config/usermods_dirs/clm/NEON/defaults/user_nl_datm_streams b/cime_config/usermods_dirs/clm/NEON/defaults/user_nl_datm_streams
index bae77db6b5..36f1e72b3a 100644
--- a/cime_config/usermods_dirs/clm/NEON/defaults/user_nl_datm_streams
+++ b/cime_config/usermods_dirs/clm/NEON/defaults/user_nl_datm_streams
@@ -37,4 +37,3 @@ preso3.SSP3-7.0:year_first=2018
 preso3.SSP3-7.0:year_last=2022
 preso3.SSP3-7.0:year_align=2018
 preso3.SSP3-7.0:dtlimit=30
-
diff --git a/cime_config/usermods_dirs/clm/PLUMBER2/defaults/user_nl_datm b/cime_config/usermods_dirs/clm/PLUMBER2/defaults/user_nl_datm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ec9f6cbcc7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cime_config/usermods_dirs/clm/PLUMBER2/defaults/user_nl_datm
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+anomaly_forcing = 'none'
diff --git a/cime_config/usermods_dirs/clm/PLUMBER2/defaults/user_nl_datm_streams b/cime_config/usermods_dirs/clm/PLUMBER2/defaults/user_nl_datm_streams
index 29a8c675ac..cacc92f688 100644
--- a/cime_config/usermods_dirs/clm/PLUMBER2/defaults/user_nl_datm_streams
+++ b/cime_config/usermods_dirs/clm/PLUMBER2/defaults/user_nl_datm_streams
@@ -38,4 +38,3 @@ presndep.SSP3-7.0:datafiles = $DIN_LOC_ROOT/lnd/clm2/ndepdata/fndep_clm_SSP370_b
 presndep.SSP3-7.0:dtlimit=30
 
 co2tseries.SSP3-7.0:datafiles = $DIN_LOC_ROOT/atm/datm7/CO2/fco2_datm_globalSSP3-7.0_simyr_1750-2501_CMIP6_c201101.nc
-
diff --git a/components/cdeps b/components/cdeps
index 9e57b278de..472264c96a 160000
--- a/components/cdeps
+++ b/components/cdeps
@@ -1 +1 @@
-Subproject commit 9e57b278de18cf69351bc693fe1988143e859fa7
+Subproject commit 472264c96a14f9f97cbb087df2c2357c1dcea826
diff --git a/doc/ChangeLog b/doc/ChangeLog
index be7b37dc81..793b324524 100644
--- a/doc/ChangeLog
+++ b/doc/ChangeLog
@@ -1,4 +1,213 @@
 ===============================================================
+Tag name: ctsm5.3.055
+Originator(s): samrabin (Sam Rabin, UCAR/TSS)
+Date: Thu Jun  5 13:59:20 MDT 2025
+One-line Summary: Remove FTorch
+
+Purpose and description of changes
+----------------------------------
+
+Incorrect CMEPS version causes a build failure.
+
+
+Significant changes to scientifically-supported configurations
+--------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Does this tag change answers significantly for any of the following physics configurations?
+(Details of any changes will be given in the "Answer changes" section below.)
+
+    [Put an [X] in the box for any configuration with significant answer changes.]
+
+[ ] clm6_0
+
+[ ] clm5_0
+
+[ ] ctsm5_0-nwp
+
+[ ] clm4_5
+
+
+Bugs fixed
+----------
+
+List of CTSM issues fixed (include CTSM Issue # and description):
+- [Issue #3210: build-and-deploy failure at ctsm5.3.053](https://github.com/ESCOMP/CTSM/issues/3210)
+- [Issue #3214: Build fails with FTorch checked out](https://github.com/ESCOMP/CTSM/issues/3214)
+
+
+Testing summary:
+----------------
+
+Model now builds successfully on Izumi with all optional submodules checked out.
+
+
+Other details
+-------------
+[Remove any lines that don't apply. Remove entire section if nothing applies.]
+
+List any git submodules updated (cime, rtm, mosart, cism, fates, etc.):
+- FTorch removed
+
+Pull Requests that document the changes (include PR ids):
+- [Pull Request #3211: ctsm5.3.055: Remove broken FTorch submodule by samsrabin](https://github.com/ESCOMP/CTSM/pull/3211)
+
+===============================================================
+===============================================================
+Tag name: ctsm5.3.054
+Originator(s): samrabin (Sam Rabin, UCAR/TSS)
+Date: Mon Jun  2 11:39:50 MDT 2025
+One-line Summary: CDEPS: Allow anomaly forcings with any DATM
+
+Purpose and description of changes
+----------------------------------
+
+Updates CDEPS to version cdeps1.0.75, allowing anomaly forcings with any datm_mode. CRU-JRA thus now works with anomalies.
+
+Also brings in cdeps1.0.74: "In DATM with cplhist mode, make 1st timestep same as cam7 when using the cam7 option."
+
+
+
+Significant changes to scientifically-supported configurations
+--------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Does this tag change answers significantly for any of the following physics configurations?
+(Details of any changes will be given in the "Answer changes" section below.)
+
+    [Put an [X] in the box for any configuration with significant answer changes.]
+
+[ ] clm6_0
+
+[ ] clm5_0
+
+[ ] ctsm5_0-nwp
+
+[ ] clm4_5
+
+
+Bugs fixed
+----------
+
+List of CTSM issues fixed (include CTSM Issue # and description):
+- [Issue #3209: [CDEPS] Allow anomaly forcings with any datm](https://github.com/ESCOMP/CTSM/issues/3209)
+
+
+Testing summary:
+----------------
+
+  regular tests (aux_clm: https://github.com/ESCOMP/CTSM/wiki/System-Testing-Guide#pre-merge-system-testing):
+
+    derecho ----- OK
+    izumi ------- OK
+
+  ctsm_sci (just three tests that were failing before)
+     derecho ---- PASS 
+
+
+Answer changes
+--------------
+
+Changes answers relative to baseline: Yes (although not in tests)
+
+  Summarize any changes to answers, i.e.,
+    - what code configurations: CPLHIST
+    - what platforms/compilers: All
+    - nature of change (roundoff; larger than roundoff/same climate; new climate): Roundoff
+
+   Only affects first timestep under lnd_tuning_mode clm6_0_cam7.0.
+
+
+Other details
+-------------
+
+List any git submodules updated (cime, rtm, mosart, cism, fates, etc.):
+- cdeps updated from cdeps1.0.73 to cdeps1.0.75
+
+Pull Requests that document the changes (include PR ids):
+- [Pull Request #3212: ctsm5.3.054: CDEPS: Allow anomaly forcings with any DATM by samsrabin](https://github.com/ESCOMP/CTSM/pull/3212)
+
+===============================================================
+===============================================================
+Tag name: ctsm5.3.053
+Originator(s): samrabin (Sam Rabin, UCAR/TSS)
+Date: Fri May 30 14:56:48 MDT 2025
+One-line Summary: Fix and improve anomaly forcings for ISSP cases
+
+Purpose and description of changes
+----------------------------------
+
+Fixes a bug where all SSP cases would get RCP45 anomalies. Also makes it much simpler to run land-only SSP cases.
+
+
+Significant changes to scientifically-supported configurations
+--------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Does this tag change answers significantly for any of the following physics configurations?
+(Details of any changes will be given in the "Answer changes" section below.)
+
+[X] clm6_0
+
+[X] clm5_0
+
+[X] ctsm5_0-nwp
+
+[X] clm4_5
+
+
+Bugs fixed
+----------
+
+List of CTSM issues fixed (include CTSM Issue # and description):
+- Fixes [Issue #2301: SSP cases get rcp45 anomalies](https://github.com/ESCOMP/CTSM/issues/2301)
+- Resolves [Issue #922: Turn on anomaly forcing for ISSP compsets](https://github.com/ESCOMP/CTSM/issues/922)
+- Resolves [Issue #1730: Example, user_nl_datm_streams file for anomaly forcing for NUOPC coupler](https://github.com/ESCOMP/CTSM/issues/1730)
+
+
+Notes of particular relevance for users
+---------------------------------------
+
+Changes to CTSM's user interface (e.g., new/renamed XML or namelist variables):
+- Greatly simplifies the setup of ISSP cases where you want to use the CESM2 anomaly forcings. See updated documentation in User's Guide
+
+Changes to documentation:
+- User's Guide section on running with anomaly forcings
+
+
+Testing summary:
+----------------
+
+ [PASS means all tests PASS; OK means tests PASS other than expected fails.]
+
+  regular tests (aux_clm: https://github.com/ESCOMP/CTSM/wiki/System-Testing-Guide#pre-merge-system-testing):
+
+    derecho ----- OK
+    izumi ------- OK
+
+  any other testing (give details below):
+     ssp test suite ---- PASS
+
+Answer changes
+--------------
+
+Changes answers relative to baseline:
+
+  Summarize any changes to answers, i.e.,
+    - what code configurations: ISSP cases other than ssp245 with anomaly forcings, if the user didn't manually specify all the anomaly forcing files
+    - what platforms/compilers: all
+    - nature of change (roundoff; larger than roundoff/same climate; new climate): larger than roundoff/same climate
+
+   If this tag changes climate describe the run(s) done to evaluate the new
+   climate (put details of the simulations in the experiment database)
+       - n/a: This only affects ISSP cases
+
+
+Other details
+-------------
+
+Pull Requests that document the changes (include PR ids):
+- [Pull Request #2686: ctsm5.3.053: Fix and improve anomaly forcings for ISSP cases by samsrabin](https://github.com/ESCOMP/CTSM/pull/2686)
+
+===============================================================
+===============================================================
 Tag name: ctsm5.3.052
 Originator(s): erik (Erik Kluzek,UCAR/TSS,303-497-1326)
 Date: Fri 30 May 2025 12:44:17 AM MDT
diff --git a/doc/ChangeSum b/doc/ChangeSum
index 62bfb3262b..3b5c59acfe 100644
--- a/doc/ChangeSum
+++ b/doc/ChangeSum
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 Tag                   Who      Date  Summary
 ============================================================================================================================
+       ctsm5.3.055 samrabin 06/05/2025 Remove FTorch
+       ctsm5.3.054 samrabin 06/02/2025 CDEPS: Allow anomaly forcings with any DATM
+       ctsm5.3.053 samrabin 05/30/2025 Fix and improve anomaly forcings for ISSP cases
        ctsm5.3.052     erik 05/30/2025 Changes to MEGAN needed for coupled cases
        ctsm5.3.051     erik 05/28/2025 Update submodules to cesm3_0_beta06 versions and update MEGAN/drydep test namelist
        ctsm5.3.050 samrabin 05/29/2025 Fix Linux Podman; prefer Linux Docker; update docs docs.
diff --git a/doc/source/users_guide/running-special-cases/Running-with-anomaly-forcing.rst b/doc/source/users_guide/running-special-cases/Running-with-anomaly-forcing.rst
index 2efa65893d..a8197d836c 100644
--- a/doc/source/users_guide/running-special-cases/Running-with-anomaly-forcing.rst
+++ b/doc/source/users_guide/running-special-cases/Running-with-anomaly-forcing.rst
@@ -5,41 +5,60 @@
 ==============================
  Running with anomaly forcing
 ==============================
-Because performing fully coupled climate simulations is computationally expensive, an alternate method of running land-only simulations forced by future climate projections was developed for CTSM called 'anomaly forcing'.  The anomaly forcing method uses a previously completed fully coupled simulation to create monthly anomalies, relative to the present day, of near-surface atmospheric states and fluxes.  These anomalies, representing the evolution of future climate projections, are applied to a repeating cycle of present day atmospheric forcing data, either as an additive (for states) or multiplicative (for fluxes) quantity.  Thus, high-frequency variability is obtained from the present day atmospheric forcing data, while the long-term evolution of the climate is determined by the anomaly forcing dataset.
-
-To enable anomaly forcing in a CTSM simulation, the following namelist variable can be added to the user\_nl\_datm file:
-
-  anomaly\_forcing = 'Anomaly.Forcing.Precip','Anomaly.Forcing.Temperature','Anomaly.Forcing.Pressure','Anomaly.Forcing.Humidity','Anomaly.Forcing.Uwind','Anomaly.Forcing.Vwind','Anomaly.Forcing.Shortwave','Anomaly.Forcing.Longwave'
-
-Any combination or subset of forcing variables can be used, e.g. to modify only a single atmospheric forcing variable, one could use:
-
-  anomaly\_forcing = 'Anomaly.Forcing.Temperature'
-
-which will only adjust the temperature (TBOT).
-
-After the namelist has been created, the run directory will be populated with files such as these:
-
-  datm.streams.txt.Anomaly.Forcing.Temperature
-
-which will contain the location of the default anomaly forcing datasets.  To use alternative data, copy these files to the case directory with the 'user\_' prefix, and modify the 'user\_*' files accordingly, e.g.:
-
-  user\_datm.streams.txt.Anomaly.Forcing.Temperature
-
-    For example, one could use the user\_datm.streams.txt.Anomaly.Forcing.* files to point to these SSP-derived anomaly forcing datasets:
-
-    /glade/p/cesmdata/cseg/inputdata/atm/datm7/anomaly\_forcing/CMIP6-SSP3-7.0
-
-    af.huss.cesm2.SSP3-7.0.2015-2100\_c20200329.nc
-    af.pr.cesm2.SSP3-7.0.2015-2100\_c20200329.nc
-    af.ps.cesm2.SSP3-7.0.2015-2100\_c20200329.nc
-    af.rlds.cesm2.SSP3-7.0.2015-2100\_c20200329.nc
-    af.rsds.cesm2.SSP3-7.0.2015-2100\_c20200329.nc
-    af.tas.cesm2.SSP3-7.0.2015-2100\_c20200329.nc
-
-Users may wish to also update files such as the landuse\_timeseries and aerosol and Ndepostion files to correspond to the appropriate SSP.
-
-For single point simulations, the global anomaly forcing files can be used, but the map_algo namelist variable should be appended with nearest neighbor values for each of the anomaly forcing fields, e.g.
-
-    mapalgo = 'nn','nn','nn','nn','nn','nn','nn','nn','nn','nn','nn','nn','nn' (the number of 'nn' values will depend on the number of original streams plus the number of anomaly forcing streams)
-
-The cycling of the present-day (base) climate is controlled through the DATM\_YR\_START and DATM\_YR\_END variables in env\_run.xml.
+Because performing fully coupled climate simulations is computationally expensive, an alternate method of running land-only simulations forced by future climate projections was developed for CTSM called "anomaly forcing." The anomaly forcing method uses a previously-completed, fully-coupled simulation to create monthly anomalies, relative to the present day, of near-surface atmospheric states and fluxes. These anomalies, representing the evolution of future climate projections, are applied to a repeating cycle of present day atmospheric forcing data, either as an additive (for states) or multiplicative (for fluxes) quantity. Thus, high-frequency variability is obtained from the present day atmospheric forcing data, while the long-term evolution of the climate is determined by the anomaly forcing dataset.
+
+Anomaly climate forcings are automatically enabled for ``ISSP`` compsets (e.g., ``ISSP585``). After the namelist has been created, ``CaseDocs/datm.streams.xml`` will have an entry like this pointing to the anomaly forcing file being used:
+
+::
+
+  <stream_info name="Anomaly.Forcing.cmip6.ssp585">
+     ...
+     <datafiles>
+        <file>/glade/campaign/cesm/cesmdata/inputdata/atm/datm7/anomaly_forcing/CMIP6-SSP5-8.5/af.allvars.CESM.SSP5-8.5.2015-2100_c20220628.nc</file>
+     </datafiles>
+     <datavars>
+        <var>huss  Sa_shum_af</var>
+        <var>pr    Faxa_prec_af</var>
+        <var>ps    Sa_pbot_af</var>
+        <var>rlds  Faxa_lwdn_af</var>
+        <var>rsds  Faxa_swdn_af</var>
+        <var>tas   Sa_tbot_af</var>
+        <var>uas   Sa_u_af</var>
+        <var>vas   Sa_v_af</var>
+     </datavars>
+     ...
+  </stream_info>
+
+To use alternative data, add a ``user_nl_datm_streams`` namelist file to your case with contents like so:
+
+::
+
+  Anomaly.Forcing.cmip6.ssp585:datafiles = /path/to/your/datafile
+  Anomaly.Forcing.cmip6.ssp585:meshfile = /path/to/meshfile/for/your/datafile
+
+  ! List of Data types to use
+  ! Remove the variables you do NOT want to include in the anomaly forcing:
+  !     pr is precipitation
+  !     tas is temperature
+  !     huss is humidity
+  !     uas and vas are U and V winds
+  !     rsds is solare
+  !     rlds is LW down
+  Anomaly.Forcing.cmip6.ssp585:datavars = pr    Faxa_prec_af, \
+                                          tas   Sa_tbot_af, \
+                                          ps    Sa_pbot_af, \
+                                          huss  Sa_shum_af, \
+                                          uas   Sa_u_af, \
+                                          vas   Sa_v_af, \
+                                          rsds  Faxa_swdn_af, \
+                                          rlds  Faxa_lwdn_af
+
+To instead disable anomaly forcing in ``ISSP`` compsets, the following can be added to the ``user_nl_datm`` file:
+
+::
+
+  anomaly_forcing = 'none'
+
+Note that other inputs are also set automatically for ``ISSP`` compsets, including CO2 (``co2tseries``), ozone (``preso3``), N deposition (``presndep``), and aerosols (``presaero``).
+
+The first and last years over which the present-day (base) climate should cycle are set through the ``DATM_YR_START`` and ``DATM_YR_END`` XML variables.
diff --git a/doc/testing.sh b/doc/testing.sh
index a44b6ad18a..9253df848c 100755
--- a/doc/testing.sh
+++ b/doc/testing.sh
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@
 set -e
 set -x
 
+SCRIPT_DIR=$( cd -- "$( dirname -- "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}" )" &> /dev/null && pwd )
+cd "${SCRIPT_DIR}"
+
+../bin/git-fleximod update -o
 rm -rf _publish*
 
 # Build all docs using container
@@ -34,7 +38,7 @@ rm -rf _build_container
 # Check that Makefile method works
 echo "~~~~~ Check that Makefile method works"
 rm -rf _build
-make SPHINXOPTS="-W --keep-going" BUILDDIR=${PWD}/_build html
+conda run -n ctsm_pylib make SPHINXOPTS="-W --keep-going" BUILDDIR=${PWD}/_build html
 
 # Check that -b works
 echo "~~~~~ Check that -b works (Podman)"