[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4640 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 4640

     To establish a Gulf of Maine Council to promote the economic 
development and ensure the environmental quality of the Gulf of Maine, 
                        and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 23, 1994

   Mr. Andrews of Maine (for himself and Mr. Studds) introduced the 
    following bill; which was referred jointly to the Committees on 
 Merchant Marine and Fisheries, Foreign Affairs, and Public Works and 
                             Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
     To establish a Gulf of Maine Council to promote the economic 
development and ensure the environmental quality of the Gulf of Maine, 
                        and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Gulf of Maine Act of 1994''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    (a) Economic Findings.--Congress makes the following findings 
regarding economic activities in the Gulf of Maine region:
            (1) The Gulf provides significant commercial benefits to 
        the United States and Canada. The commercial fishing industry 
        of the Gulf is valued at more than $800,000,000. Approximately 
        20,000 United States and Canadian citizens fish the marine 
        resources of the Gulf.
            (2) The Gulf is an important recreational resource because 
        the Gulf--
                    (A) is within 1 day's drive of 75,600,000 people;
                    (B) contains 3 United States and Canadian national 
                parks and 1 United States national marine sanctuary; 
                and
                    (C) attracts approximately 10,000,000 visitors 
                annually.
            (3) The Gulf provides diverse livelihoods ranging from 
        tourism-based employment to seaweed harvesting.
    (b) Ecological Findings.--Congress makes the following findings 
regarding the ecological status of the Gulf of Maine region:
            (1) The Gulf supports a wide diversity of marine life, 
        including 100 species of birds, 73 species of fish, and 26 
        types of whales, porpoises, and seals, including 30 federally 
        listed endangered species including the bald eagle, sea turtle, 
        humpback whale, and sperm whale.
            (2) The Gulf of Maine region is experiencing environmental 
        problems, including--
                    (A) high levels of toxic contaminants in deep basin 
                sediments of the Gulf, as well as in organisms within 
                the Gulf of Maine ecosystem, including the bald eagle 
                and the American lobster;
                    (B) concerns about human health that have resulted 
                in the closure of about \1/3\ of Gulf shellfish beds, 
                resulting in economic losses in communities around the 
                Gulf;
                    (C) the increasing loss of habitat in the Gulf 
                region, which results in diminished coastal and 
                estuarine habitats important to migratory waterfowl and 
                commercially valuable fish species; and
                    (D) the escalating impact of recreational use on 
                the Gulf ecosystem.
    (c) Management Findings.--Congress makes the following findings 
regarding the management of the Gulf of Maine region:
            (1) The natural resources of the Gulf are interconnected, 
        forming an ecosystem that transcends political boundaries and 
        that is a public resource that needs national attention.
            (2) The efforts of the States of Maine, Massachusetts, and 
        New Hampshire, and of the Canadian Provinces of Nova Scotia and 
        New Brunswick, to form a Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine 
        Environment have laid a foundation for future efforts to 
        protect and conserve the Gulf.
            (3) There is a need to continue and expand the research, 
        monitoring, management, and development activities within the 
        Gulf and to coordinate the activities.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    As used in this Act:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
            (2) Agreement.--The term ``Agreement'' means the Gulf of 
        Maine Agreement developed under section 4(c)(1).
            (3) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the St. 
        Croix International Waterway Commission established under 
        chapter 8 of title 38 of the Maine Revised Statutes.
            (4) Gulf of maine council.--The terms ``Gulf of Maine 
        Council'' and ``Council'' mean the Gulf of Maine Council 
        established under section 4.
            (5) Gulf of maine region.--The term ``Gulf of Maine 
        region'' means the Bay of Fundy, the Gulf of Maine, including 
        Georges Bank, and the streams, rivers, lakes, and other bodies 
        of water, and the associated land mass of the bodies of water, 
        within the drainage basin of the Gulf of Maine, together with 
        the ecological community of the Gulf of Maine.
            (6) Management council.--The term ``Management Council'' 
        means the New England Fishery Management Council established 
        under section 302(a)(1) of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation 
        and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1852(a)(1)).
            (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Commerce.

SEC. 4. GULF OF MAINE COUNCIL.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--There is authorized to be established a 
        Gulf of Maine Council to promote the environmental and economic 
        health of the Gulf of Maine region.
            (2) Purpose.--The purpose of the Gulf of Maine Council 
        shall be to facilitate the coordination of governmental and 
        nongovernmental activities related to the Gulf of Maine region, 
        including--
                    (A) economic development, including the 
                coordination and prioritization of applications for 
                assistance submitted under section 5;
                    (B) environmental assessment and management;
                    (C) fisheries habitat improvement and management;
                    (D) marine research; and
                    (E) education and understanding concerning 
                ecological and cultural resources.
            (3) Initial organization.--On receiving a written agreement 
        of the Governors of Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, 
        and the Premiers of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, that is 
        jointly signed by each such Governor and Premier, to establish 
        the Gulf of Maine Council in accordance with this section, and 
        the nominations of the Governors and the Premiers to the Gulf 
        of Maine Council, Congress shall consider the Gulf of Maine 
        Council to be established.
            (4) Federal advisory committee act.--The Federal Advisory 
        Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2) shall not apply to any entity 
        established under this Act.
    (b) Membership, Authority, and Funding of Council.--
            (1) Membership and personnel.--
                    (A) Membership.--Not later than 180 days after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Governors of Maine, 
                Massachusetts, and New Hampshire and the Premiers of 
                Nova Scotia and New Brunswick shall each appoint 3 
                representatives to the Gulf of Maine Council. The 
                representatives of the Provinces shall be ex officio 
                members of the Council.
                    (B) Terms.--The term of each member of the Gulf of 
                Maine Council shall be 3 years, except that, in the 
                case of initial appointments, the Governors and 
                Premiers shall each appoint 1 member to a term of 2 
                years, 1 member to a term of 3 years, and 1 member to a 
                term of 4 years.
                    (C) Executive secretary and staff.--The Gulf of 
                Maine Council may employ an executive secretary and 
                such support staff as are necessary to assist the 
                Council, and the Boards and Councils referred to in 
                sections 5 through 8, in carrying out their duties, 
                including the coordination of plans and programs 
                developed under sections 5 through 8.
                    (D) Travel expenses.--A member of the Gulf of Maine 
                Council who is not an employee of the Federal 
                Government or a State government, while away from the 
                home or regular place of business of the member in 
                performing a duty of the Council, shall be allowed 
                travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
                subsistence, in the same manner as a person employed 
                intermittently in the Government service is allowed 
                expenses under section 5703 of title 5, United States 
                Code.
            (2) Decisionmaking.--The Gulf of Maine Council--
                    (A) may establish such bylaws and decisionmaking 
                processes as the Council determines are necessary; and
                    (B) shall meet not less often than annually.
            (3) Financial support.--
                    (A) In general.--
                            (i) Annual budget.--The Gulf of Maine 
                        Council shall annually adopt by consensus a 
                        budget for the activities of the Council.
                            (ii) State support.--Each State represented 
                        on the Gulf of Maine Council shall provide to 
                        the Council a payment in an amount equal to the 
                        quotient obtained by dividing--
                                    (I) the United States portion of 
                                the budget adopted under clause (i); by
                                    (II) the number of States 
                                represented on the Council.
                            (iii) Federal contributions.--The 
                        Government of the United States may make the 
                        payment required of a State under clause (ii).
                    (B) Supplemental funding.--The Gulf of Maine 
                Council may accept, from the Government of the United 
                States, the Government of Canada, other agencies, 
                corporations, organizations, and individuals, funds for 
                activities or projects to supplement funds made 
                available to the Council under subparagraph (A).
            (4) Gulf of maine advisory group.--
                    (A) In general.--The Gulf of Maine Council shall 
                establish a Gulf of Maine Advisory Group (referred to 
                in this section as the ``Advisory Group'') to advise 
                the Council, the Governors of Maine, Massachusetts, and 
                New Hampshire, and the Premiers of Nova Scotia and New 
                Brunswick on the implementation of this Act.
                    (B) Composition.--The members of the Advisory Group 
                shall be appointed by the Governors and Premiers in 
                coordination with the Gulf of Maine Council and shall 
                include not more than 15 members, including 
                representatives of the public, the fishing community, 
                the scientific community, nonprofit organizations, and 
                local governments.
    (c) Gulf of Maine Agreement.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Gulf of Maine Council shall develop 
        and adopt a Gulf of Maine Agreement. The Agreement shall set 
        forth general priorities and guidelines for the protection, 
        assessment, management, and sustainable development of the Gulf 
        of Maine region for the 10 years after the date of adoption of 
        the Agreement. The Gulf of Maine Council shall oversee the 
        implementation of the Agreement.
            (2) Elements of agreement.--The Agreement shall, at a 
        minimum--
                    (A) describe long-term goals for environmental 
                protection and sustainable economic development in the 
                Gulf of Maine region;
                    (B) identify opportunities for improved 
                coordination of activities relating to--
                            (i) economic development;
                            (ii) fisheries management;
                            (iii) environmental assessment and 
                        protection;
                            (iv) marine research; and
                            (v) education;
                    (C) be consistent with all relevant Federal and 
                State laws;
                    (D) incorporate, to the maximum extent practicable, 
                ongoing planning efforts being conducted by coastal 
                communities and members of the fishing community;
                    (E) establish parameters and criteria to monitor 
                and evaluate the effectiveness of actions taken under 
                this Act and measures to respond to evaluation results; 
                and
                    (F) facilitate and coordinate public education and 
                awareness concerning the environment and economy of the 
                Gulf of Maine region.
            (3) Review.--
                    (A) Advisory group.--The Gulf of Maine Council 
                shall provide for the participation of the Advisory 
                Group in the development of the Agreement.
                    (B) Public review and comment.--The Gulf of Maine 
                Council shall provide for public review and comment on 
                the Agreement prior to adoption, including, at a 
                minimum, a public hearing in each State and Province 
                represented on the Gulf of Maine Council.
            (4) Adoption.--After considering the comments of the 
        Advisory Group and the public, the Gulf of Maine Council shall 
        make appropriate changes to the Agreement and adopt the 
        Agreement with appropriate implementation mechanisms if the 
        Agreement is consistent with this Act.
            (5) Progress report and revision of agreement.--Not later 
        than 5 years after the date of adoption of the Agreement, the 
        Gulf of Maine Council shall prepare a report that assesses the 
        extent of progress in attaining the goals of this Act and make 
        such revisions to the Agreement and the structure of the 
        Council as the Council determines are appropriate. The report 
        shall identify opportunities to enhance mutual cooperation and 
        coordination between the United States and Canada concerning 
        the Gulf of Maine region. The report shall be submitted to 
        Congress, the Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior, the 
        Administrator, and the heads of other appropriate Federal, 
        State, and local agencies and organizations.
            (6) Extent of authority.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (C), the 
                Gulf of Maine Council may review, to the extent 
                consistent with applicable law, the activities of 
                international, Federal, State, and Provincial entities 
                in the Gulf of Maine region and make recommendations to 
                the entities regarding the compatibility of the 
                activities with the Agreement.
                    (B) Review of plans.--The Gulf of Maine Council 
                shall review plans prepared by the Boards and Councils 
                referred to in sections 5 through 8 to ensure that the 
                plans are consistent with each other and with the goals 
                and priorities established in the Agreement.
                    (C) Limitations.--No action or recommendation 
                authorized under this section--
                            (i) binds or obligates any department, 
                        agency, officer, or Act of the Federal 
                        Government, any State government, any Indian 
                        tribe, or any international entity established 
                        by treaty with authority relating to the Gulf 
                        of Maine region, unless this Act specifically 
                        provides otherwise; or
                            (ii) limits the authority of the United 
                        States to enter into treaties.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 12 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Gulf of Maine Council shall submit a report to Congress 
and the President on the activities of the Gulf of Maine Council and 
the effectiveness of this Act in promoting the economic and 
environmental health of the Gulf of Maine region. The report shall 
include recommendations for such administrative and legislative action 
as the Council considers advisable.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 5. ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE FOR THE GULF OF MAINE REGION.

    (a) Economic Development Board.--
            (1) Establishment.--The Gulf of Maine Council, in 
        cooperation with the Economic Development Administration and 
        the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the 
        Department of Commerce, shall establish an Economic Development 
        Board (referred to in this subsection as the ``Board'') to 
        develop and implement a long-term plan for coordinating 
        environmentally sound economic assistance for the Gulf of Maine 
        region provided under this section and from other sources.
            (2) Purpose and duties.--The purpose of the Board shall be 
        to identify economic assistance priorities and projects with 
        the greatest potential to aid the restoration of both the 
        economic and ecological health of the Gulf of Maine region. The 
        Board shall provide grantmaking agencies and organizations with 
        the information referred to in the preceding sentence and shall 
        carry out the responsibilities of the Council referred to in 
        section 4(a)(2)(A).
            (3) Members.--The Board shall consist of such individuals 
        as the members of the Gulf of Maine Council determine are 
        appropriate and should include representatives of the Economic 
        Development Administration, the Office of Sustainable 
        Development, and the Small Business Administration of the 
        Department of Commerce, the Department of Labor, and State 
        agencies and private entities involved in economic development 
        activities in the Gulf of Maine region. The individuals who 
        represent Provinces shall be ex officio members of the Board.
            (4) Annual plan.--The Board shall prepare an annual plan 
        that identifies goals and objectives for environmentally sound 
        economic assistance (including high-priority projects), 
        describes the status of any ongoing projects, and reflects the 
        goals and priorities established in the Agreement. The Board 
        shall provide for public review of and comment on the plan. 
        Prior to release of the plan for public review, the Boards and 
        Councils referred to in sections 6 through 8 shall review and 
        comment on the plan.
    (b) Planning Grants.--
            (1) In general.--In accordance with this subsection, the 
        Secretary may provide planning grants to the Gulf of Maine 
        Council for a period of 1 year for 100 percent of the total 
        project cost, as determined by the Secretary. In carrying out 
        this paragraph, the Secretary may enter into a cooperative 
        agreement with the Council.
            (2) Eligible activities.--A cooperative agreement under 
        this subsection shall be made available through the Economic 
        Development Administration of the Department of Commerce for 
        the planning of economic development programs designed 
        specifically to retain or create full-time permanent jobs and 
        income for individuals who are unemployed or underemployed as a 
        result of the implementation of fishery management regulations 
        imposed by the Federal Government that have a severe economic 
        impact on communities in the Gulf of Maine region.
    (c) Technical Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--In accordance with this subsection, the 
        Secretary may provide grants for local technical assistance to 
        the Gulf of Maine Council through the Economic Development 
        Administration of the Department of Commerce in an amount equal 
        to not more than 75 percent of the total project cost, as 
        determined by the Secretary.
            (2) Eligible activities.--Activities eligible for 
        assistance under this subsection include--
                    (A) enabling the building and expansion of local 
                organizational capacity;
                    (B) technical or market feasibility studies;
                    (C) collecting and disseminating information 
                relevant to diversification efforts, including stock 
                projections, market forecasts, international trade 
                opportunities, and technology needs assessment;
                    (D) conversion assistance for new nonfishing 
                occupations, including financial support for regional 
                business development efforts, and technology needs 
                assessment;
                    (E) restoration of natural resources, such as the 
                building of fish passages and the restoration of 
                wetlands and shellfish harvesting areas, that will 
                enhance economic opportunities for Gulf of Maine 
                communities; and
                    (F) otherwise responding to developmental 
                opportunities for individuals unemployed or 
                underemployed as a result of the implementation of 
                fishery management regulations imposed by the Federal 
                Government that have a severe economic impact on 
                communities in the Gulf of Maine region.
    (d) Eligible Applicants.--
            (1) Grants.--The sole eligible applicant to receive grants 
        under this section shall be the Gulf of Maine Council, on 
        behalf of the Gulf of Maine region which shall be deemed to be 
        an economic development district for the purpose of part B of 
        title IV of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 
        1965 (42 U.S.C. 3171 et seq.).
            (2) Subgrants.--The Gulf of Maine Council shall use grants 
        received under this section to provide assistance for 
        activities referred to in this section to eligible applicants, 
        including public and private nonprofit national, State, area, 
        district, and local organizations, units of local government, 
        and public and private colleges and universities.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 6. FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLANS.

    (a) Coordination with Existing Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Gulf of Maine Council shall cooperate 
        with the New England Fishery Management Council established 
        under title III of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and 
        Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1851 et seq.).
            (2) Authority.--The Management Council shall continue to 
        exercise the authorities and responsibilities established in 
        title III of such Act (16 U.S.C. 1851 et seq.) and shall also 
        participate, as described in subsection (b)(1)(A), with the 
        Gulf of Maine Council and with other organizations established 
        under this Act in cooperative efforts to promote the 
        environmental and economic health of the Gulf of Maine region.
    (b) Recommendations by the Gulf of Maine Council.--
            (1) Recommendations.--
                    (A) To management council.--The Gulf of Maine 
                Council may, after notice and opportunity for public 
                comment, develop recommendations to submit to the 
                Management Council on any fishery management plan being 
                considered by the Management Council, if the Gulf of 
                Maine Council determines that the recommendations are 
                necessary to make the fishery management plan reflect 
                the goals and priorities established in the Agreement. 
                The recommendations shall be submitted during the 
                applicable public comment period established under 
                title III of the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and 
                Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1851 et seq.).
                    (B) To secretary.--The Gulf of Maine Council may, 
                after notice and opportunity for public comment, 
                develop recommendations, based on the Agreement, to 
                submit to the Secretary regarding any fishery 
                management plan of the Management Council being 
                considered by the Management Council or submitted to 
                the Secretary, including asking the Secretary to 
                convene a negotiated rulemaking provided for under 
                subchapter III of chapter 5 of title 5, United States 
                Code, for the management plan. The recommendations 
                shall be submitted during the applicable public comment 
                period established under section 304 of the Magnuson 
                Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
                1854).
            (2) Approval by the council.--The Gulf of Maine Council may 
        submit recommendations under paragraph (1) only if the 
        recommendations are approved by a majority of the voting 
        members of the Gulf of Maine Council.
            (3) Review.--If the Secretary receives recommendations 
        prepared by the Gulf of Maine Council, the Secretary shall 
        commence a review of the recommendations to determine whether 
        the recommendations are necessary to make any fishery 
        management plan consistent with the Agreement.
            (4) Consultation.--In undertaking the review required under 
        paragraph (3), the Secretary shall--
                    (A) give careful consideration to the comments and 
                recommendations of the Gulf of Maine Council; and
                    (B) provide the Gulf of Maine Council, upon 
                request, the opportunity to meet with and present the 
                comments or recommendations of the Council directly to 
                the Secretary during the applicable public comment 
                period established under section 304 of the Magnuson 
                Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
                1854).
            (5) Nonacceptance by the secretary.--If the Secretary does 
        not accept the recommendations reviewed under paragraph (3), 
        the Secretary shall specify the reasons the recommendations 
        were not accepted.
            (6) Findings.--Notwithstanding any other law, if the 
        Secretary concurs with the recommendations submitted by the 
        Gulf of Maine Council under this subsection, the Secretary 
        shall issue a finding to the Management Council requesting that 
        the Management Council review the fishery management plan in 
        light of the recommendations of the Gulf of Maine Council not 
        later than 180 days after the issuance of the finding. The 
        Secretary shall also inform the Gulf of Maine Council of the 
        finding.

SEC. 7. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--There is established an Environmental 
        Management and Assessment Program (referred to in this 
        subsection as the ``Program'') for the Gulf of Maine region.
            (2) Management of program.--
                    (A) In general.--The Program shall be managed by 
                the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment 
                Working Group in existence on the date of enactment of 
                this Act (referred to in this section as the ``Working 
                Group'').
                    (B) Members.--The Working Group shall consist of 
                such individuals as the members of the Gulf of Maine 
                Council who represent States determine are appropriate. 
                Membership should include representatives of Federal, 
                State, and local governments and nonprofit 
                organizations that have environmental management and 
                assessment programs in the Gulf of Maine region.
            (3) Participation in the program.--The Gulf of Maine 
        Council shall ensure that--
                    (A) all Federal and State agencies that have 
                environmental management and assessment programs in the 
                Gulf of Maine region have an opportunity to participate 
                in the Program; and
                    (B) the Program includes representation of the 
                environmental management and assessment efforts being 
                carried out by nongovernmental entities in the Gulf of 
                Maine region.
    (b) Environmental Management and Assessment Plan.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the Agreement 
        is adopted, and after providing for public review and comment, 
        the Working Group shall publish a plan for improved 
        environmental management and assessment in the Gulf of Maine 
        region. Prior to release of the plan for public review, the 
        Boards and Councils referred to in sections 5, 6, and 8 shall 
        review and comment on the plan.
            (2) Contents of plan.--The plan required under paragraph 
        (1) shall--
                    (A) establish a comprehensive program for the long-
                term monitoring and assessment of the Gulf of Maine 
                region, based on the Gulf of Maine Monitoring Plan 
                established in 1990 by the Governors of Maine, 
                Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, and the Premiers of 
                Nova Scotia and New Brunswick;
                    (B) identify environmental protection and 
                management programs being carried out in the Gulf of 
                Maine region and make recommendations for improving the 
                effectiveness of the programs and coordination among 
                programs;
                    (C) identify and monitor priority habitat for the 
                fish and wildlife species in the Gulf of Maine region 
                and recommend measures for habitat conservation, 
                including protection and restoration; and
                    (D) reflect the goals and priorities established in 
                the Agreement.
            (3) Planning and implementation grants.--The Administrator, 
        the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of the Interior 
        may provide planning and implementation grants to the Gulf of 
        Maine Council in an amount equal to not more than 75 percent of 
        the total project cost, as determined by the Administrator or 
        the Secretary, respectively, for planning and implementing 
        environmental management and assessment projects under this 
        section. In carrying out this paragraph, the Administrator and 
        each Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement with the 
        Council.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 8. GULF OF MAINE RESEARCH.

    (a) Coordination With Existing Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Gulf of Maine Council shall cooperate 
        with the Regional Marine Research Board for the Gulf of Maine 
        region established under title IV of the Marine Protection, 
        Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1447 et seq.) 
        and the Regional Association for Research on the Gulf of Maine.
            (2) New authority.--The Regional Marine Research Board for 
        the Gulf of Maine region shall continue to exercise the 
        authorities and responsibilities established in title IV of 
        such Act (16 U.S.C. 1447 et seq.) and shall also participate 
        with the Gulf of Maine Council and with other organizations 
        established under this Act in cooperative efforts to promote 
        the environmental and economic health of the Gulf of Maine 
        region.
            (3) Regional marine research plans.--
                    (A) Schedules.--The Regional Marine Research Board 
                for the Gulf of Maine region may, in cooperation with 
                the Gulf of Maine Council and with the approval of the 
                Secretary, revise schedules for the development of 
                research plans under section 404 of such Act (16 U.S.C. 
                1447c) as appropriate to ensure the effective 
                coordination of the plans and programs carried out 
                under such Act with the activities and plans carried 
                out under this Act.
                    (B) Goals and priorities.--The research plans 
                referred to in subparagraph (A) shall reflect the goals 
                and priorities established in the Agreement. Each 
                research plan shall be reviewed by the Boards and 
                Councils referred to in sections 5 through 7 prior to 
                approval of the plan.
            (4) Continuation of program.--Notwithstanding section 
        403(f) of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act 
        of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1447b(f)), the Regional Marine Research 
        Board for the Gulf of Maine region shall continue to exist 
        until the termination date specified in section 10.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) Current structure.--The membership of the Regional 
        Marine Research Board for the Gulf of Maine region shall be as 
        established under section 403 of such Act (16 U.S.C. 1447b).
            (2) Research advisory group.--The Gulf of Maine Council may 
        establish a Gulf of Maine Research Advisory Group consisting of 
        such individuals as the members of the Gulf of Maine Council 
        who represent Provinces identify as appropriate to represent 
        the marine research interests, including fisheries science and 
        environmental quality, of the Provinces. The members of the 
        Research Advisory Group shall, to the extent practicable, be 
        selected in a manner consistent with paragraphs (1) and (2) of 
        section 403(b) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 1447b(b)).
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Notwithstanding section 407 
of such Act (16 U.S.C. 1447f), there are authorized to be appropriated 
such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 9. ST. CROIX INTERNATIONAL WATERWAY COMMISSION.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator may award grants to the St. 
Croix International Waterway Commission to support the activities of 
the Commission.
    (b) Federal Share.--
            (1) In general.--The Federal share of a grant awarded under 
        this section shall be 50 percent of the amount of the grant 
        award.
            (2) Non-federal share.--The non-Federal share of a grant 
        awarded under this section shall be 50 percent of the amount of 
        the grant award. Any person, including the State of Maine, the 
        Province of New Brunswick, the Government of Canada, or any 
        political subdivision thereof, may pay the non-Federal share.
    (c) Reports.--
            (1) Submission by commission.--As a condition of receiving 
        a grant award under this section, the Commission shall submit 
        to the Administrator, by a date specified by the Administrator, 
        an annual report on the activities of the Commission and the 
        use by the Commission of the grant award.
            (2) Submission by administrator.--As soon as practicable 
        after receipt of the report under paragraph (1), the 
        Administrator shall submit a copy of the report and any written 
        recommendations concerning the report to the Committee on 
        Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on 
        Public Works and Transportation of the House of 
        Representatives.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Environmental Protection Agency to carry out this 
section $100,000 for each of fiscal years 1995 through 2000.

SEC. 10. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY.

    The authority provided by this Act (except for section 9) shall 
terminate on the date that is 13 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act.

                                 <all>

HR 4640 IH----2
HR 4640 IH----3