1.Short title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the Oceans Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act
.
(b)The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents
Sec. 2. Findings
Sec. 3. Purpose
Sec. 4. Definitions
Title I—Congressional declaration of national oceans policy
Sec. 101. National oceans policy
Title II—National standards
Sec. 201. National standards
Sec. 202. Determination of compliance with national oceans policy and national standards
Sec. 203. Implementation
Sec. 204. Stricter standards
Title III—National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Sec. 301. Existence in Department of Commerce; mission
Sec. 302. Administrator; functions
Sec. 303. Other officers
Sec. 304. Qualifications of Administration officers
Sec. 305. Transfer of marine mammals management functions to the Administrator
Sec. 306. Science Advisory Board
Sec. 307. Report of recommendations for reorganization to establish a Department of Natural Resources
Title IV—National Oceans Advisor
Sec. 401. Executive Advisor; mission
Sec. 402. Staffing
Title V—National Oceans Council
Sec. 501. Establishment of Council; mission
Sec. 502. Chair; membership; functions
Sec. 503. Limitations on voting
Title VI—Council of Advisors on Oceans Policy
Sec. 601. Establishment of Council
Sec. 602. Duties
Sec. 603. Membership
Sec. 604. Meetings
Title VII—Regional Planning
Sec. 701. Findings
Sec. 702. Designation of ocean regions; Regional Administrators
Sec. 703. Regional Ocean Councils
Sec. 704. Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plans
Sec. 705. Consistency requirements
Sec. 706. Regional Ocean Council advisory committees
Sec. 707. Financial assistance to States
Sec. 708. Citizen suits
Title VIII—Ocean science, exploration, and research coordination
Sec. 801. Committee on Ocean Science, Education, and Operations
Sec. 802. National Strategy for Ocean and Coastal Science
Sec. 803. National Ocean Partnership Program
Sec. 804. Ocean Research and Education Advisory Panel
Sec. 805. Marine ecosystems research
Sec. 806. Authorization of appropriations
Title IX—Ocean Education
Sec. 901. Subcommittee on Ocean Education
Sec. 902. Ocean and coastal education program
Sec. 903. Ocean Science and Technology Scholarship Program
Sec. 904. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Education
Sec. 905. Amendment to the National Sea Grant College Program Act
Sec. 906. National ocean awareness media campaign
Sec. 907. Authorization of appropriations
Title X—Ocean Exploration
Sec. 1001. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Ocean Exploration
Sec. 1002. Subcommittee on Ocean Exploration
Sec. 1003. Authorization of appropriations
Title XI—Ocean and Great Lakes Conservation Trust Fund
Sec. 1101. Establishment of Fund
Sec. 1102. Limitation on use of available amounts for administration
Sec. 1103. Recordkeeping requirements
Sec. 1104. Maintenance of effort and matching funding
Sec. 1105. Sunset
Sec. 1106. Community assistance formula and payments
Sec. 1107. Approval of State funding and spending plans
2.The Congress finds the following:
(1)United States ocean waters and the ocean resources they contain are vital for the national security, environment, economy, and culture of the United States.
(2)Consistent with customary international law, the United States exercises sovereign rights over ocean resources within United States ocean waters.
(3)These ocean resources are the property of the people of the United States, are held in trust for them by Federal, State, local, and tribal governments, and should be managed to preserve the full range of their benefits for present and future generations.
(4)Marine, terrestrial, and atmospheric systems are interdependent, requiring that policy, information transfer, and the management of human activities be coordinated across systems.
(5)Healthy and productive coastal and marine ecosystems are the keys to securing the full range of benefits from ocean resources for the people of the United States.
(6)A variety of threats and practices have caused dramatic declines in the health and productivity of coastal and marine ecosystems of the United States. Among the major threats to marine ecosystem health are—
(A)global climate change;
(B)chemical, nutrient, and biological pollution;
(C)unwise land use and coastal development;
(D)habitat damage;
(E)overfishing; and
(F)invasive species.
(7)These threats are exacerbated by the legal and geographic fragmentation of authority over ocean space and ocean resources.
(8)Activities harming coastal and marine ecosystems jeopardize the economies and social structure of coastal communities dependent on these resources.
(9)While there is a plethora of laws, government agencies, and programs dealing with coastal resources and ocean resources, activities thereunder are poorly coordinated and do not constitute a unified and comprehensive public policy toward the oceans.
(10)To better enable the various levels of government with authority over coastal and ocean space, coastal resources, and ocean resources to fulfill their public trust responsibilities, a unified national oceans policy is needed to govern the range of human activities affecting the health and productivity of marine ecosystems.
3.The purpose of this Act is to secure, for present and future generations of people of the United States, the full range of environmental, economic, educational, social, cultural, nutritional, and recreational benefits of healthy marine ecosystems, by—
(1)establishing a comprehensive national oceans policy that is binding on all covered actions that may significantly affect United States ocean waters and ocean resources;
(2)requiring covered actions to be consistent with the purposes and policies of this Act;
(3)mandating that clear standards be set against which compliance with the national oceans policy can be measured;
(4)providing a mechanism through which compliance with this Act can be assured;
(5)consolidating and restructuring Federal ocean programs to support this Act; and
(6)promoting ecologically sustainable ocean resource management by strengthening and empowering ocean governance.
4.In this Act:
(1)The term covered action means any activity affecting United States ocean waters or ocean resources, that is carried out—
(A)by a Federal agency, including the issuance of a Federal license or permit; or
(B)by any other person using Federal funds.
(2)The term Administrator means the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(3)The term Administration means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provided for in section 301.
(4)The term Advisor means the National Oceans Advisor appointed under section 401.
(5)The term biological diversity means a collection of genomes, species, and ecosystems occurring in a geographically defined region.
(6)The term ecologically sustainable means capable of maintaining biological diversity and ecosystem structure and functioning from 1 human generation to the next, so as not to deny future generations the goods and services provided by marine ecosystems that are enjoyed today.
(7)The term function, when used in reference to a function of a government agency or official, includes authorities, powers, rights, privileges, immunities, programs, projects, activities, duties, and responsibilities.
(8)Marine ecosystem health and health of marine ecosystemsEach of the terms marine ecosystem health and health of marine ecosystems means the ability of a marine ecosystem to support and maintain a productive and resilient community of organisms, having a species composition, diversity, and functional organization resulting from the natural habitat of the region, such that it provides a complete range of ecological benefits, including—
(A)a complete diversity of native species and habitats wherein each native species is able to maintain an abundance, population structure, and distribution supporting its ecological and evolutionary functions and processes; and
(B)a physical, chemical, geological, and microbial environment that is supportive of the requirements of this paragraph.
(9)The term healthy marine ecosystem means a marine ecosystem with the ability to support and maintain a productive and resilient community of organisms, having a species composition, diversity, and functional organization resulting from the natural habitat of the region, such that it provides a complete range of ecological benefits, including—
(A)a complete diversity of native species and habitats wherein each native species is able to maintain an abundance, population structure, and distribution supporting its ecological and evolutionary functions and processes; and
(B)a physical, chemical, geological, and microbial environment that is supportive of the requirements of this paragraph.
(10)Ecosystem-based managementThe term ecosystem-based management means an approach to the management of human activities and natural resources affected by such activities that incorporates the following:
(A)Long term ecological sustainability.
(B)Clear, operational goals, with reference to a desired future status of ecosystem processes and components.
(C)Use of the best available scientific information regarding ecosystems and their functions, including, but not limited to, multiple indicators, including models and other quantitative and qualitative techniques at varying scales.
(D)Awareness of complexity, interconnectedness, and resiliency.
(E)Recognition that ecosystems are dynamic.
(F)Attention to context and scale, as necessary to align decision processes with ecosystem processes that vary across space and time.
(G)Acknowledgement of humans as ecosystem components who must be engaged to achieve long term management goals.
(H)Accountability.
(I)Identification of uncertainties.
(J)Adaptiveness, including approaches that supplement limited predictive capacities and respond to changes in ecosystems, information, and anthropogenic stressors.
(11)United States ocean watersThe term United States ocean waters means the zone extending from the baseline from which the breadth of the United States territorial sea is measured to the extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone as specified in Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983, including the territorial waters of the Great Lakes and the waters of the continental shelf to which the United States is granted sovereign rights under international law.
(12)The term ocean resources means any living, nonliving, or cultural amenity in United States ocean waters.
(13)The term coastal includes coastal areas of United States ocean waters of the Great Lakes.
(14)The term marine includes of or relating to United States ocean waters of the Great Lakes.
(15)The term Regional Ocean Council means such a council established by the Administrator under section 703.
(16)The term ocean region means such a region designated under section 702(a).
(17)Qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenuesThe term `qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues' means (except as otherwise provided in this paragraph) all moneys received by the United States from each leased tract or portion of a leased tract lying seaward of the zone defined and governed by section 8(g) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1337(g)), or lying within such zone but to which section 8(g) does not apply, the geographic center of which lies within a distance of 200 miles from any part of the coastline of any coastal State, including bonus bids, rents, royalties (including payments for royalty taken in kind and sold), net profit share payments, and related late-payment interest from natural gas and oil leases issued pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Such term does not include any revenues from a leased tract or portion of a leased tract that is located in a geographic area subject to a leasing moratorium on January 1, 2001, unless the lease was issued prior to the establishment of the moratorium and was in production on January 1, 2001.
(18)The term coastal State—
(A) means a State of the United States in, or bordering on, the Atlantic, Pacific, or Arctic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, Long Island Sound, or 1 or more of the Great Lakes; and
(B)includes Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, and American Samoa.
(19)Coastal political subdivisionThe term coastal political subdivision means a political subdivision of a coastal State all or part of which political subdivision is within the coastal zone (as defined in section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C.1453)).
(20)Coastal population densityThe term coastal population density means the population as determined by the most recent census data in the States coastal zone as determined pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. (16 U.S.C.1451 et seq.).
<enum>I</enum><header>Congressional declaration of national oceans policy</header>
<section id="HAE67B438394A47A190BC2C9FA1AF73FB"><enum>101.</enum><header>National oceans policy</header>
<subsection id="H79955696101A454FB4FA366200ECE200"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Policy</header><text>The Congress declares that it is the continuing policy of the United States to protect, maintain, and restore the health of marine ecosystems in order to fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H93632B63294E494C849C8C816DD7EF4B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Responsibility of Federal governance system</header><text>In order to carry out the policy set forth in this Act, the President, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and top officials of other Federal agencies and departments, shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H415E2F9457524E2DA8476D37009339C0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>protect, maintain, and restore marine biological diversity and the functioning of marine ecosystems;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H39581AEC871D49BFB58200FA39A1C894"><enum>(2)</enum><text>require that ocean resources be used in a manner that is ecologically sustainable;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6D20017B8518456AAA12F3721E8124F7"><enum>(3)</enum><text>manage covered actions affecting the oceans on an ecosystem basis;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEE691D675F4441B900B39BD4D6EF7DA6"><enum>(4)</enum><text>exercise precaution in support of protecting, restoring, and maintaining the health of marine ecosystems in the case of uncertain or inadequate information;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H06D5853AC3994C0CA8A1B7EE4B573CE6"><enum>(5)</enum><text>use the best available scientific, social, and economic information to make decisions;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7AC829EE08A94570B7CB5D6D31E9C44E"><enum>(6)</enum><text>support research and education to improve basic understanding of marine ecosystems and their management and restoration;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H27897124A699401BB36DF73AC919284"><enum>(7)</enum><text>promote and support international collaboration on research of marine ecosystems and the conservation of healthy marine ecosystems;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC850DCC9025443069B3E5583E32F1B3B"><enum>(8)</enum><text>adapt in a timely manner to new information on the health of marine ecosystems and the effectiveness of management decisions;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5244C5A3C5234D6384AE18BA8CA4B81D"><enum>(9)</enum><text>be equitable and transparent, and promote cooperation among all stakeholders; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H03886664F09040C3B30095FB0046B85F"><enum>(10)</enum><text>provide accountability.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<enum>II</enum><header>National standards</header>
<section id="H9932B3B185DD40B3ADD69B4953905325"><enum>201.</enum><header>National standards</header>
<subsection id="HC8C226E9AA064BEBA91773F7637BEBA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment of standards</header><text>To the fullest extent possible the policies, regulations, and Public Laws of the United States shall be interpreted and administered in accordance with the following national standards:</text>
<paragraph id="H34D4F64AA0BB40929E8FF399BCFC808"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Covered actions affecting United States ocean waters or ocean resources must be conducted in a manner that is consistent with the protection and maintenance of healthy marine ecosystems and, where appropriate, the restoration of degraded marine ecosystems.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H33D16208360E441F8DB17D07199D3DB6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Any covered action that may significantly affect United States ocean waters or ocean resources may proceed only if the covered action, individually and in combination with other covered actions—</text>
<subparagraph id="H40EFD67D2F4A47A89F192E4406052049"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is not likely to significantly harm the health of any marine ecosystem; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA6B0D8173D7A43DAAF67E5F87B37B283"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is not likely to significantly impede the restoration of the health of any marine ecosystem.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDB94C59EEC594F46AF68C28699E45BD2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>In the case of incomplete or inconclusive information as to the effects of a covered action on United States ocean waters or ocean resources, decisions shall be made in such a way as will ensure protection, maintenance, and restoration of healthy marine ecosystems.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD190A709BCC248B5A25774D904A05EFB"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To the extent practicable, and consistent with other provisions of this Act, including the other National Standards under this subsection, adverse social and economic impacts on communities that are significantly resource dependent shall be minimized. Consideration of impacts on resource dependent communities shall include, but not be limited to, cumulative impacts.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H26F8E1C5A678496F8296689CB33E77F4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Rulemaking</header>
<paragraph id="H76CB22C8E51049B083F6EB03964361F1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Application of national standards to covered actions</header><text>Within 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the National Oceans Council, shall issue regulations that shall govern the application of the national standards set forth in subsection (a) with respect to covered actions.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFBC32461809E46A1949533F212C0AEBA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Other regulations</header><text>The Administrator may issue other regulations regarding implementation of subsection (a) as the Administrator considers necessary.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HE2583533D0D24070A79BCB15BF08C51E"><enum>202.</enum><header>Determination of compliance with national oceans policy and national standards</header>
<subsection id="H8125A22A0DF4442F951FAF57D198F4E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>Any determination of whether a covered action complies with section 201 shall be made in accordance with</text>
<paragraph id="HCCF1917C49B94BFFB64F69EBCEF01D42"><enum>(1)</enum><text>regulations issued under section 201; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA4DD6C1CD4824F6C9D9DC4413CDFF328"><enum>(2)</enum><text>any applicable Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan that is approved or prepared by the Administrator under this Act.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HB5B8EA8B5E404ABBA327A011E0E333CF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Application of national standards not affected</header><text>This section shall not be construed as limiting the application of section 201 before the approval or issuance of a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan by the Administrator.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HF31DDD4D643044CA0010B7F08F62DF08"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Guidance</header><text>Within 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the National Oceans Council, shall issue detailed guidance to the Regional Ocean Councils, based on the national standards listed in section 201, for the issuance of Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plans under title VII. The guidance shall address—</text>
<paragraph id="H9DC9861736B84F61A54F7B928E29C4C5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>assessing and monitoring the health of marine ecosystems;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD35F30DE0BED4D978F075564E993D875"><enum>(2)</enum><text>how to apply the definition of <quote>marine ecosystem health</quote> at the regional level, including establishing marine ecosystem health criteria and indicators;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H34C5CC8393894C03B6B9CF40023D7E4D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>predicting the likely effects of proposed covered actions on the health of marine ecosystems, and determining whether those effects are significant;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H05D587D02B1C435B950028C203C8679B"><enum>(4)</enum><text>facilitating ecosystem-based management of United States ocean waters and ocean resources; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H086B9ADFDA3344088BE3445414851557"><enum>(5)</enum><text>the types of covered actions that are likely to have a significant effect on the health of marine ecosystems.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HE319D641C58F49BE8D73A77D8950DD28"><enum>(d)</enum><header>National Research Council</header><text>To assist the Administrator in issuing guidance under subsection (c), the Administrator may request the National Research Council to—</text>
<paragraph id="H5D3C01D660CE47AFACFE577F639C332B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>convene a panel with expertise on marine science and the management of ocean resources to develop recommendations; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H23B6D04BC7C749C6BE20C34300538B84"><enum>(2)</enum><text>update such recommendations every 5 years.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H5F606F2722074EC89861C6EE6A86958"><enum>203.</enum><header>Implementation</header>
<subsection id="HD119D3B6D2864A91A55FECEC57E7A341"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The head of each Federal agency shall, in consultation with the Administrator, ensure that all covered actions of the agency comply with the national standards set forth in section 201.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H5824C4ED32AF4F6586A8815F00E9EB99"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Compliance review</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In conducting an environmental review authorized under the <act-name parsable-cite="NEPA69">National Environmental Policy Act of 1969</act-name>, the head of each Federal agency shall, after consultation with the Administrator, include in the review an assessment of the impact of the proposed covered action on the health of marine ecosystems. The Administrator, after considering any findings of the Regional Administrator concerned, shall determine whether the proposed covered action is in compliance with the policies, national standards, and any applicable Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan that is approved or prepared by the Administrator under this Act.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H296670BA8B554AB6874126B2EC7DA561"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Changes or alternatives</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the Administrator determines that a proposed covered action is not in compliance with the policies, national standards, and any applicable approved Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan under this Act, the Administrator shall propose changes or alternatives to the proposed covered action that would make the covered action be in compliance with this Act.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H988BDC5D5BAE4FA4909EAF6943007312"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Resolution of disputes</header>
<paragraph id="H755F8514F693418392584EE48EEF00"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Appeal to Council</header><text>If the Administrator determines that a proposed covered action is not in compliance with the policies and national standards set forth in this Act, the head of the agency proposing the covered action may appeal the determination to the National Oceans Council.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H65AFE7662AC44E6BB3EC7B2564E4EAC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Policies and procedures for appeals</header><text>The National Oceans Council shall issue policies and procedures for hearing appeals under this subsection.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD16FA49FFFC64159A0A71EAEC4FDDC92"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Determination of appeal</header><text>If an appeal is granted, the National Oceans Council shall, by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the Council, determine whether or not the proposed covered action is in compliance with the policies and national standards set forth in this Act.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7E8A179A8DE1420DA789B9556E135723"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Conditional determination of compliance</header>
<subparagraph id="HCC00FEC57E244584A6E0337174FC48AE"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Conditional determination</header><text>The National Oceans Council may determine that a proposed covered action is in compliance with this Act subject to the agency complying, in conducting the action, with requirements, restrictions, or other conditions established by the National Oceans Council.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2A30ED969DC945F200DB518F3133C443"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Compliance with conditions required</header><text>If the National Oceans Council establishes conditions for a proposed covered action under subparagraph (A), the agency may not conduct the action except in compliance with such conditions.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H01FFD051F97044B08E60D6751C2C7683"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Referral to President</header><text>If the National Oceans Council does not determine in accordance with paragraph (2) that the proposed covered action is in compliance with the policies and national standards set forth in this Act—</text>
<subparagraph id="H862732E771624CBBB054886F454690EA"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the National Oceans Council shall, by vote of a majority of the members of the Council, approve and submit to the President a recommendation for resolving the matter; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HCE00FFE0767F4C80966012009F9800C1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the President, after consideration of such recommendations, shall determine whether the proposed covered action is in compliance with the policies and national standards set forth in this Act.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H344FCA90BD154CDA9DC95FBA23E3EF04"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Ensuring compliance</header><text>The head of each Federal agency and department shall ensure that final covered actions of such agency or department comply with this Act, including the implementation of changes recommended by the Administrator, the Council, or the President.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H713D89C0A43C4B6A89D70755EDC5E7E9"><enum>204.</enum><header>Stricter standards</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the authority of a local or State government or the Federal Government to establish more stringent standards, requirements, or restrictions within their respective jurisdictions, in order to provide greater protection of marine ecosystem health (including to be consistent with other applicable law), than the protection provided by a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan that is approved or prepared by the Administrator under this Act.</text></section>
<enum>III</enum><header>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</header>
<section id="HDEA7C42A927A449EAF9BE4BBFC26EAA5"><enum>301.</enum><header>Existence in Department of Commerce; mission</header>
<subsection id="HFA13982C03FF48EE87FE2EF256FC1133"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There shall be in the Department of Commerce the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 shall have no further force or effect.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HB2D6EDE041E54FF39D04F2014CE36441"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Mission</header><text>The primary mission of the Administration is to—</text>
<paragraph id="HB3A352D7B414497FB1F7B01751BD09B"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">act as the non-military Federal agency with responsibility for providing oversight of all United States ocean waters and ocean resources;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H48892D50E5EF4E6ABBDA138C9B25D036"><enum>(2)</enum><text>understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment and conserve and manage ocean resources to meet our Nation’s economic, social, and environmental needs;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEB04E25BF80F4E0A9B3F3F002CF63EBA"><enum>(3)</enum><text>protect, maintain, and restore the health of marine ecosystems; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H458864CB0B524F59B471EA5F3C4BEC63"><enum>(4)</enum><text>promote the ecologically sustainable use and management of United States ocean waters and ocean resources.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HE057E6CE2ABA47488EC6D5F85B00E334"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Duties</header><text>It is the duty of the Administration to—</text>
<paragraph id="H7B0D334A1E2C461AA7E6C2E827465F31"><enum>(1)</enum><text>protect, maintain, and restore the health of marine ecosystems through ecosystem-based management in the United States;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6BEA96ADD32F44C09116FD71CEC4EA6F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>assess climate variability and change to understand and predict climate system dynamics and the impacts of coupled atmosphere/oceans/land systems;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H515BECF7FDDF40E087A81756367347CA"><enum>(3)</enum><text>meet society’s diverse and expanding needs for weather-related information, and enhance preparedness for responding to weather conditions;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB0C18C5C277E48E6AB52C3065DE6E236"><enum>(4)</enum><text>support research that provides a comprehensive understanding of marine systems to meet the environmental, economic, and public safety needs of the United States;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3D5E6A0FC03B4640BFDFB81211740000"><enum>(5)</enum><text>use the best available technology to explore and map United States ocean waters, and work collaboratively with other countries to use the best available technology to explore and map their ocean waters, in order to better understand ocean dynamics;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE171BD58651F4FA989D97652DBC432CD"><enum>(6)</enum><text>educate the United States about earth’s dynamic biosphere and how humans impact it;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEDCCFD5E5BAE413981E00099007DB9C6"><enum>(7)</enum><text>carry out all functions of entities transferred to the Administration, including by acting as a focal point regarding oceans research and management;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6FBA3FBC56DD4445A58FE98BFDF93D81"><enum>(8)</enum><text>ensure that people of the United States have access to the full range of environmental, economic, educational, social, cultural, nutritional, and recreational benefits of healthy marine ecosystems; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE5E495E2FCAF411BA00770D4D7460066"><enum>(9)</enum><text>perform functions authorized to be carried out by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration immediately before the enactment of this Act.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H267A945353904859A4EA059FE8D9056B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Offices</header><text>There shall be in the Administration the following offices:</text>
<paragraph id="HBA77CC9E63B542B290A003FDDC9EFEDF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Office of Oceans Ecosystem Management and Protection, which, subject to the other provisions of this Act, shall perform the functions performed immediately before the enactment of this Act by—</text>
<subparagraph id="HF9176C76C05642BB80808990D025F250"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the National Ocean Service; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC28B1C075AEB4C1CA402693C1336E91C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the National Marine Fisheries Service.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8FBDC20A341D412D94A467D0B84C46DE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The National Weather Service.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9903FD0B828C405297B6AA7DC9BBDD95"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The Office of Oceans and Atmospheric Research and Data Services, which, subject to the other provisions of this Act, shall perform the functions performed immediately before the enactment of this Act by—</text>
<subparagraph id="H14BECA4E6B714A7EAC00943123AC5C14"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Office of Ocean and Atmospheric Research; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5B7A6A23DCF64B5EBB4FD8F363F195F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H47587D213C0C4FD7AA672375F434A2AD"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The Office of Education.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5074AFD646684935B3594C45C56619E3"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The Office of Personnel, Program, and Facilities Management, which, subject to the other provisions of this Act, shall perform the functions performed immediately before the enactment of this Act by—</text>
<subparagraph id="H239851D0B626404891CD178A8ACB919"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Office of Program Planning and Integration; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HEBB87970A9674C5EA45EB0CDE29CC195"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HAAEDBD7F22E94597B7BFA04979925DA"><enum>302.</enum><header>Administrator; functions</header>
<subsection id="H4611E9F3713E4EE49795B1F445D1D4D5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Administrator</header>
<paragraph id="H7E62392E712C4F9F0028E8B4F9B0183"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There is an Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. The Under Secretary shall be the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBEFA9531F537464F9733B14996B07651"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Head of agency</header><text>The Administrator—</text>
<subparagraph id="H819B8D3B1C9B4A22BA9791714948F89D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is the head of the Administration; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H930E279E92BB4FC486539251C41B9664"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall be responsible for ensuring that the duties of the Administration under section 301(c) are performed.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6A5EAB7752F14EDFB79B83B20660087C"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Functions vested in Administrator</header><text>All functions of all officers, employees, and organizational units of the Administration are vested in the Administrator.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HED5632A794CB43D6B9F88F4D3D75BAF1"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Pay</header><text>The Administrator shall be paid at the rate of basic pay for level III of the Executive Schedule under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/5314">section 5314</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HF4FAF5DC15BB4A8C9F7C4844AB00B66B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Authorities</header><text>The Administrator—</text>
<paragraph id="HC179F4C022E84DBEBBE6F1CAF81DEC68"><enum>(1)</enum><text>except as otherwise provided in this Act, may delegate any of the Administrator’s functions to any officer, employee, or organizational unit of the Administration;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD0BBA5B419714BBDA0377B669594F516"><enum>(2)</enum><text>may make contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, and enter into agreements with other executive agencies, Indian tribes, States, regional agencies, interstate agencies, and local governments, as may be necessary and proper to carry out the Administrator’s responsibilities under this Act or as otherwise provided by law;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDBE9C00BE08D4D4800097B8ED37B4ED5"><enum>(3)</enum><text>shall take reasonable steps to ensure that information systems and databases of the Administration are compatible with each other and with appropriate databases of other agencies;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1CD6EE5D59C94041A71144A45D17BEB8"><enum>(4)</enum><text>has the authority to hire personnel, including the selection, appointment, distribution, supervision, compensation, and separation of personnel;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H822C0191D6B0496980B4B280064C746B"><enum>(5)</enum><text>may procure services of experts and consultants in accordance with <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/3109">section 3109</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1A3973860F1E4256BF3BBD6F587906F7"><enum>(6)</enum><text>shall develop policy and guidance;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2760B75156C442D28EE83CB55B84A7A"><enum>(7)</enum><text>shall perform general management; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H73FEDF1EBF634CCDB188943D0420538F"><enum>(8)</enum><text>may prescribe external affairs, including legal, legislative, and public affairs.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H16142AA0CCAE40CA8591DD817B4BDCF5"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Coordination with non-federal entities</header><text>With respect to the duties of the Administration under section 301(c), the Administrator shall coordinate with State and local government personnel, agencies, and authorities, with the private sector, and with other entities.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HC6F54D37C7FF45B28BA3B3BBB359DCC3"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Report to Congress</header><text>The Administrator shall transmit to the Congress once every 3 years a report that sets forth—</text>
<paragraph id="HD14CAD98288C49179613BC7698261CC2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the status and condition of the health of marine ecosystems in United States ocean waters;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H86BE9D54848F4E188771CBEC7F083518"><enum>(2)</enum><text>past, current, and projected trends in the quality, management, and utilization of United States ocean waters and the effects of those trends on the social, economic, recreational, and other requirements of the United States;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD253A5C0BBB64BDBBE37995C1CED895C"><enum>(3)</enum><text>a review of the programs and covered actions (including regulatory activities) of the Federal Government, State and local governments, and nongovernmental entities or individuals with particular reference to their effect on ocean waters and on the conservation, development, and utilization of ocean resources;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFD7F0223BE1B4789BFAF60E8BA81777"><enum>(4)</enum><text>a description of activities of the Administration to perform its duties under section 301(c) during the period covered by the report; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H03B17019438B44B5A40030746E60BBB8"><enum>(5)</enum><text>a program for remedying the deficiencies of existing programs and activities, including recommendations for legislation.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HB6852C9219A941119BB8B7DB2B93CE53"><enum>303.</enum><header>Other officers</header>
<subsection id="HA2878F91D599460193DF8243B75F0863"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Deputy Administrator</header>
<paragraph id="H48C6D801DDBC40CA8DBE00E72F6E4636"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There is a Deputy Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who shall be appointed by the Administrator. The position of Deputy Administrator shall be a Senior Executive Service general position authorized under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/3133">section 3133</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDA2E3832266347728C13E91CA83547B5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The Deputy Administrator is—</text>
<subparagraph id="H01DE7C836FEF4C55A84EAB5662C1DFFF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Administrator’s first assistant and serves as an advisor to the Administrator on all program and policy issues;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA45FD9A659F64A1B86BB40B56309E177"><enum>(B)</enum><text>responsible for ensuring the timely and effective implementation of Administration policies and objectives; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HCF74948D7F7843C7003382B3BC04F866"><enum>(C)</enum><text>acts in the position of the Administrator in the absence or disability of the Administrator, or in the event of a vacancy of that position.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H447FFEA7086741469D53CE54F9C51F53"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Assistant Administrators</header>
<paragraph id="H057E6B0093854A9CA45072BBDCE49042"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There are the following officers with specified functions of the Administration, who shall each be appointed by the Administrator:</text>
<subparagraph id="H6B2567B3ECAC4BC6B1F9CB7B857DAE3C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>An Assistant Administrator for Oceans Ecosystem Management and Protection, who shall be the head of the Office of Oceans Ecosystem Management and Protection and shall oversee programs and activities of the Administration relating to marine ecosystem health and ecosystem-based management of United States ocean waters, including—</text>
<clause id="H6F4DF5E0438640DCA1609B44C044DBB6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>coastal, estuary, Great Lakes, and ocean management;</text></clause>
<clause id="H78976109055B4072A5DA13F71D2D04E3"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>watershed monitoring;</text></clause>
<clause id="HFD9155B936714EBCB593C1EC2D6CD45"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>coral reefs;</text></clause>
<clause id="H5A61F47B067749C4B7EDC2FA2F311369"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>harmful algal blooms;</text></clause>
<clause id="HA46A5B43ABFC4CC9BEBD00D370BD895F"><enum>(v)</enum><text>hypoxia;</text></clause>
<clause id="H3D5AB072FF0245E5BED253BC0000F285"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>response and restoration;</text></clause>
<clause id="H94BCF6DB95C9400A9FB3C9C75EB6998C"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>fisheries research and management;</text></clause>
<clause id="HAC8CC9027CBF46E180FECF2CD7B166E8"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>protected resources research and management;</text></clause>
<clause id="H67CE6ADB633F40019940F0B203362504"><enum>(ix)</enum><text>habitat conservation research and management;</text></clause>
<clause id="H4877CAFBBC71490192D30851313B637C"><enum>(x)</enum><text>enforcement and surveillance services;</text></clause>
<clause id="H7ED25DB866DC463ABB41A9A2C116218B"><enum>(xi)</enum><text>marine and estuarine aquaculture;</text></clause>
<clause id="H5788C91BD6684C94AD15321075E0E700"><enum>(xii)</enum><text>coastal and estuarine land conservation and restoration;</text></clause>
<clause id="HC1C3D3CA37E444B3A8B3A9B2F41445E2"><enum>(xiii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">sanctuaries and marine protected areas;</text></clause>
<clause id="H8A9B02994F8D431CB684B22432307965"><enum>(xiv)</enum><text>invasive species; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H98DF9C30F2E44561BDBE22E621C55C"><enum>(xv)</enum><text>ocean and coastal partnerships.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H372BB46E8D8F4F429BFECFC5ED7742B7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>An Assistant Administrator for Weather Services, who shall be the head of the National Weather Service and shall oversee programs and activities of the Administration relating to—</text>
<clause id="H600C424E9FD845EAA6FAACFBA97B13CF"><enum>(i)</enum><text>weather research;</text></clause>
<clause id="HFAAD89AAB4C8455FB647426E75B5AB79"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>air quality research; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H04AD9380DE144A22816B4871FF8B253B"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>weather systems operations and management.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H55CFB27FD3394451845B003862928272"><enum>(C)</enum><text>An Assistant Administrator for Oceans and Atmospheric Research and Data Services, who shall be the head of the Office of Oceans and Atmospheric Research and Data Services and shall oversee programs and activities of the Administration relating to oceans and atmospheric science and research, including—</text>
<clause id="HF04A37D0ED334F69817052DFD0EE0018"><enum>(i)</enum><text>oceans, coastal, and Great Lakes research;</text></clause>
<clause id="H7F897BC752224160A300E7965846EE09"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>navigation;</text></clause>
<clause id="H181A840023BC486696A003E36335641"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>coastal and ocean observing systems;</text></clause>
<clause id="H797F8B2AC9CD464FA86EB24F58BA3C6"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>climate research;</text></clause>
<clause id="HF9A0854991364580A4948C09838F3C00"><enum>(v)</enum><text>the National Sea Grant College Program;</text></clause>
<clause id="HB2BAAF3F33A44CA7B920333042BB65D5"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>the National Undersea Research Program;</text></clause>
<clause id="H778544C3A36746BA87B59DFAC217E9A5"><enum>(vii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">ocean exploration, including as described in section 1001;</text></clause>
<clause id="H68254946187349CDB05787ED6B068B2E"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>polar research;</text></clause>
<clause id="HA2ECE3E3981A45F9BA3252DEA48E8985"><enum>(ix)</enum><text>environmental satellite observing systems; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H7D204D1F13C54E8BB5B1ED2EF3072328"><enum>(x)</enum><text>data centers and information services.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD2E58E41709242238400A5F1AF2C4FED"><enum>(D)</enum><text>An Assistant Administrator for Oceans and Atmospheric Education, who shall be the head of the Office of Education and shall oversee programs and activities of the Administration relating to marine education and outreach, including—</text>
<clause id="H394486B212C94B50A0C2EB66641D593D"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the JASON Project;</text></clause>
<clause id="H237BA5E28DEA4F659FD8BA06F8E925E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>ocean science competition; </text></clause>
<clause id="HDD5689C46929481189B600D6806105C2"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>educational partnership programs; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H4DBB4D5E2BB54C36007375FCD6800AB"><enum>(iv)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">other responsibilities as described in section 904.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4CFE4076213E4CDB9E250265B6B807D4"><enum>(E)</enum><text>An Assistant Administrator for Personnel, Program, and Facilities Management, who shall be the head of the Office of Personnel, Program, and Facilities Management, shall oversee the programs and activities of the Administration relating to general management of personnel, programs, facilities (including all vessels and aircraft), and financial matters, including—</text>
<clause id="H8478753B8E8B452FADB7066D47AFA099"><enum>(i)</enum><text>program management and direction;</text></clause>
<clause id="H32CAAE88D19A4402AEFB7FCEE3B00AF"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>budget formulation, guidance, and execution;</text></clause>
<clause id="H85885D6062A74708939CC6784F608BDE"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>resource requirements determination and allocation;</text></clause>
<clause id="HCFDD7E4DE7F243AD85AE523F5FE25CE1"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>environment, safety, and health operations; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H11845EEB6DB44E74AB7845C28F143868"><enum>(v)</enum><text>administration of contracts, real property, and facilities.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H53F9715D8C0E44FB99489C000032DDA8"><enum>(F)</enum><text>A Chief Scientist, who shall be the chair of the Science Advisory Board of the Administration.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF42BA1E40707435397A5BCD28729401D"><enum>(G)</enum><text>A General Counsel, who shall—</text>
<clause id="H398B3F2F832D45BE8800502D6DF85C3C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>be the chief legal officer of the Administration for all legal matters that arise in connection with the conduct of the functions of the Administration; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H2A13C0C7D47D4156A240BDE431C662B9"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>perform such other functions and exercise such powers as the Administrator may prescribe.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6590AEC38A4546DFB1672E64110029C1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Pay</header><text>The Chief Scientist, General Counsel, and each Assistant Administrator is a Senior Executive Service general position.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HE75DF3BB3B1C4623B7E8FD1444BFB4FF"><enum>304.</enum><header>Qualifications of Administration officers</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Chief Scientist, General Counsel, Assistant Administrators, and Regional Administrators of the Administration shall be appointed from among individuals who are qualified by reason of background and experience to direct the implementation and administration of the functions for which they are responsible.</text></section>
<section id="H7B7F95EBE42C4DEAB1AB3446FA2C4404"><enum>305.</enum><header>Transfer of marine mammals management functions to the Administrator</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There is hereby transferred to the Administrator the function of marine mammals management authorized by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and under the jurisdiction of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service immediately before the date of enactment of this Act.</text></section>
<section id="H24279D204F4B493E8FD16FD263FCAF"><enum>306.</enum><header>Science Advisory Board</header>
<subsection id="H9953CBE7194644DC9E39AEE7E7E68930"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There shall be in the Administration a Science Advisory Board, which shall report to the Administrator.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H69DFE1E4B9594942A43CBA8521D1E17C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>The purpose of the Science Advisory Board is to advise the Administrator on long-range and short-range strategies for research, education, and application of science to ocean resource management and environmental assessment and prediction.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HE2D1457D0EEB4AEAABBE9525EFD9E82"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Members</header>
<paragraph id="H2A04043958AD45FB9FC633C1DCDA5D82"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Science Advisory Board shall consist of not less than 11 members, and not more than 15 members, appointed by the Administrator to assure a balanced representation among scientists, engineers, educators, and science policy experts who are preeminent in their field and have demonstrated experience reflecting the full breadth of the Administration’s areas of responsibility.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCCC1EB574F4343E3B96050F8F5BFA300"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Terms</header><text>Members of the Science Advisory Board—</text>
<subparagraph id="H52A48D5542BA4F9AB12DBC007D86D00"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall be appointed for a 3-year term;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE080BD3922A244359DA9BC4EB015A754"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may be reappointed once; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDB25BE4EE9E942E899088DCB956F166F"><enum>(C)</enum><text>shall serve at the discretion of the Administrator.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H9F6809DC06AB42ACB1A866A695ECA75C"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Compensation and expenses</header><text>A member of the Science Advisory Board shall not receive compensation for service on such board, but upon request by the member may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/57">chapter 57</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HA90765082051438C8DDAEE347C52BCE3"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Ethical standards</header><text>Members of the Science Advisory Board are subject to the ethical standards applicable to special Government employees.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H2D59C2AB37C243C298123BC5E239F5C1"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Chair</header><text>The Chief Scientist is the chair of the Science Advisory Board.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H519D01F6ADF24D27BBBFD638097C366"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Meetings</header><text>The Science Advisory Board shall meet at least twice a year, and at other times at the call of the Administrator or the chair of the Board.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HAA96AC6354A64FF9803E3FE0F1EFC595"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Administrative support</header><text>The Administrator shall provide administrative support to the Science Advisory Board.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H8C3E372672984C4993AB007999FFA1D"><enum>307.</enum><header>Report of recommendations for reorganization to establish a Department of Natural Resources</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The President shall submit to the Congress by not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act recommendations for reorganizing functions and components of existing Federal departments and agencies for the purpose of establishing a Department of Natural Resources having authority for Federal programs relating to land, air, and water resources, including freshwater and ocean resources.</text></section>
<enum>IV</enum><header>National Oceans Advisor</header>
<section id="HCE953DC9DDB047AC8C1EB2BC698DC648"><enum>401.</enum><header>Executive Advisor; mission</header>
<subsection id="HA22B51C9FDF94B5887D1BC9C15D3A1F5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header>
<paragraph id="HB8DFE79559D5424585BD83ACF3061BAB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There is established in the Executive Office of the President a National Oceans Advisor, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE1AECEBD821B4F339C9DFDDE6FB48497"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Compensation</header><text>The Advisor shall be paid at a rate specified by the President not to exceed the rate payable for Level V of the Executive Schedule under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/5136">section 5136</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H26D51185EF314DF5ABFBA9DE08369FE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Duties</header><text>The Advisor shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H877781E64EDF4906812FCB1C98CD4E24"><enum>(1)</enum><text>advise the President on implementation of this Act, activities of the National Oceans Council, section 501, and other covered actions relating to United States ocean waters and marine ecosystem health;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF5307FE298244C4DA26719ADB054FB2B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>serve as the Executive Director of the National Oceans Council established by section 501; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDF168D50562344B893B5AA57DA1E7DED"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in consultation with the Administrator, coordinate Federal agency covered actions related to United States ocean waters and marine ecosystem health.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HF968595C32494D47A077B9F34360AA3E"><enum>402.</enum><header>Staffing</header>
<subsection id="HF469ED3DE1694E789DD1321671FFBEA1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Advisor, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations governing employment in the competitive service, may employ such officers and employees as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the National Oceans Advisor under this Act.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HE0FC93F8AB6E4468942CA4512222BBD0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Voluntary and uncompensated services</header><text>The Advisor may accept, employ, and terminate voluntary and uncompensated services in furtherance of the purposes of the Advisor.</text></subsection></section>
<enum>V</enum><header>National Oceans Council</header>
<section id="H91A8ADFD5AD2407EB8D1BFAA86BEBCAC"><enum>501.</enum><header>Establishment of Council; mission</header>
<subsection id="HDF0CA95DBAB74AF79300135D7E9DB539"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There is established in the Executive Office of the President a National Oceans Council.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H1E5B4372DBFD47E782E663E085D3BD96"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Duties</header><text>The Council shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H74A03B3DACE4481BB1A56013C5A20101"><enum>(1)</enum><text>facilitate interagency coordination on Federal agency covered actions related to United States ocean waters and marine ecosystem health and the implementation of this Act;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H43A1F5F9EF5C4F589E3CDFEBB8B664B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>review and appraise the various programs and activities of the Federal Government for consistency with the policy set forth in section 101 and make recommendations to the President with respect thereto no later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H20162B6531B84ADDBAE6A82B00FE14FF"><enum>(3)</enum><text>resolve interagency disputes regarding marine ecosystem health and in particular the implementation of this Act;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8C8A4ECF7F60465AA94C0001B47E9DA"><enum>(4)</enum><text>coordinate and certify agency ocean budgets regarding their sufficiency to achieve the policy set forth in section 101; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAF414F4C6EEC4776901103E7EEE39B7C"><enum>(5)</enum><text>submit to the President and publish at least once every 2 years a report on the condition of United States ocean waters.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HD976F9E618FD41CC80B06E88EDD43755"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Resources</header><text>In carrying out its functions under this Act, the Council may secure directly from any Federal agency or department any information it considers to be necessary to carry out its functions under this Act. Each such agency or department may cooperate with the Council and, to the extent permitted by law, shall furnish such information (other than information described in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/552">section 552(b)(1)(A)</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code) to the Council, upon request of the Council.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HF6FF0241A8234396B11C2D3ECDF12429"><enum>502.</enum><header>Chair; membership; functions</header>
<subsection id="HE759254DA95D44AE8BF7005F1BCEAC2E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Chair</header><text>The National Oceans Advisor shall be the Chair of the Council.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HFDC1EC01ADFA4DF0A33D02008483ACA2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Membership</header>
<paragraph id="HAB47E030B7F5418A8CA2332FB0FDECC0"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Council shall have 19 voting members, as follows:</text>
<subparagraph id="HE52ACD6063A44595A4AADF0350A205A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8B822B88DEE444BFB1FFC9945B8F44A2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Secretary of State.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H861BFF18DA2A4D52A31B26FA08777E86"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The Secretary of the Interior.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HEA58DCEA7887423F97E35B2227045D5D"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The Secretary of Defense.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD88EE60E874D42738E006E1201C8546F"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The Secretary of Agriculture.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H37D1668FE2B7451ABECB8360F48E319C"><enum>(F)</enum><text>The Secretary of Transportation.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H6CC8FD27B44B4706A4D12E874FF8962B"><enum>(G)</enum><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H54984C059A7C463D84C1CC51CE1C8176"><enum>(H)</enum><text>The Secretary of Education.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7B55552F9B3845838F6120921E00BB9"><enum>(I)</enum><text>The Secretary of Energy.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1E8C0D9121E74F868485E493EAB88600"><enum>(J)</enum><text>The Secretary of Health and Human Services.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF44992F1D86A42B0AD8E8C7D4399B6D9"><enum>(K)</enum><text>The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5FB2EED1C30F47B6ACFB7D3823B1CA27"><enum>(L)</enum><text>The Director of the Office of Management and Budget.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8C914E103F584B0C9981BA3D17CE8D01"><enum>(M)</enum><text>The Director of the National Science Foundation.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC5BE9357AA084FBAA6660882B558B500"><enum>(N)</enum><text>Four State governors appointed by the National Governors Association, who shall represent State and local interests.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD7EF129F54C44E0597CA0677F003D7D"><enum>(O)</enum><text>The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H6F61FA153D7A4D1E9709B4D4EF9B486D"><enum>(P)</enum><text>The Chair of the National Research Council Governing Board.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAAE7E25CC3CC42C9949B8F9D24C6028B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>State governor members</header>
<subparagraph id="HCB41804B4960470BA8B4A6E44126167F"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Terms</header><text>Of the members appointed under paragraph (1)(N)—</text>
<clause id="HCC9B58E3C21242F7972123009004593D"><enum>(i)</enum><text>except as provided in clause (iii), their term as a member shall be 3 years;</text></clause>
<clause id="HC450031E12664D47955210D38F969535"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>one member shall be appointed to an initial 3-year term that begins in a Federal election year in which there occurs an election of the President;</text></clause>
<clause id="H22614E7C3973465D8E27727C7200CAE1"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>one member shall be appointed to an initial 3-year term that begins in a Federal election year in which there does not occur an election of the President; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HF82AA47E5D064A60928FB24BED6DE18"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>at least 2 shall be governors of coastal States.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1ABC97FC22044BF2BDEA92CE03588E23"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Limitation on appointment</header><text>A governor of a State may not be appointed under paragraph (1)(K) to a term on the Council that begins before the end of the 3-year period that begins upon the expiration of a prior term on the Council served by a governor of the State.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HB58D2ABE0E484E96B62C00ED0578D86C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Staff</header>
<paragraph id="HB6F0EED283DF42F6A0E2EE7AF9825D4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Chair, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations, may employ and terminate such employees as may be necessary to carry out its function under this Act.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFD3C4250659141A3BCD7516C9C83F8C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Voluntary and uncompensated services</header><text>The Chair may accept, employ, and terminate voluntary and uncompensated services in furtherance of the purposes of the Council.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H633B29D9ABA34D3E89485BA72D9210F3"><enum>503.</enum><header>Limitations on voting</header>
<subsection id="H85BE52143D7A4684A369A4A43CBB4FDE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Administrator</header><text>The Administrator may not participate in any vote of the National Oceans Council on any matter concerning resolution of an interagency dispute regarding marine ecosystem health.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H4BF4B47A8D0C452A000576B458898F93"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Head of agency</header><text>A member of the National Oceans Council may not participate in any vote of the National Oceans Council on any matter concerning resolution of an interagency dispute regarding a covered action by a Federal agency that is under the administrative jurisdiction of the member.</text></subsection></section>
<enum>VI</enum><header>Council of Advisors on Oceans Policy</header>
<section id="HAEF9277147D2446190948B568D6C4880"><enum>601.</enum><header>Establishment of Council</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There is established the Council of Advisors on Oceans Policy.</text></section>
<section id="HADD7A21943B346C5BDF213D8F0D7551C"><enum>602.</enum><header>Duties</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Council shall advise the President, the National Oceans Advisor, and the National Oceans Council on policies to protect, maintain, and restore the health of marine ecosystems on a regional and national basis.</text></section>
<section id="HB57AF1B86EC64223B91B27A29BCA45C2"><enum>603.</enum><header>Membership</header>
<subsection id="H2CE22E2F02BB46D89E5B717BEBA8FA2"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Council shall have not less than 13 members and not more than 17 members (as determined by the President) appointed by the President.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H92576F68BD0B49CE9451D17784BFB600"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Included members</header><text>The members of the Council shall include at least 1 representative of each of the following:</text>
<paragraph id="H56A4BBB1DE034CA49E4EACDE6748D87"><enum>(1)</enum><text>State, tribal, and local governments.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCA9B547646A348DA8D00B301A3FA238"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The marine science research community.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0C8BA2B979B942B08C0213574445DCA6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The marine science education community.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2560B7BE60A14A4EB105C7ED7955E0F2"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Fisheries.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC28BB5A780D644AF82901D75B1935019"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Non-fishing marine activities.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H68DDD4C6DA8D4C2E9FFF897F50EF1ECA"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Agriculture, which may include timber.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8568F48D2936497300F5FDBB3FFE0FF"><enum>(7)</enum><text>Watershed organizations (other than organizations represented under paragraph (8)), which may include resource conservation districts.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8CA1AAE1413D4BF18900E57EB5B50041"><enum>(8)</enum><text>Non-governmental organizations (other than organizations represented under paragraph (7)), including groups interested in marine conservation.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H91FFE0A8B4CB41968E393DBA983BA1D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Terms</header>
<paragraph id="H826E308A33A0412FB22FBA9C44369907"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), the term of a member of the Council shall be 3 years.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA78871A440DB4CCC8B6822A077F72D1F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Initial appointees</header><text>Of the members initially appointed to the Council—</text>
<subparagraph id="H1824BC84CC974535BF39F92DEDE7689D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>one-half shall be appointed to a 3-year term that ends in a Federal election year in which there occurs an election of the President; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5DA5547D19F542718C5959A1FEBA5BE7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>one-half shall be appointed to a 3-year term that ends in a Federal election year in which there does not occur an election of the President;</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H7FCBCEBE126D4A7CAC484D7C2006E18D"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Qualification</header><text>Members of the Council shall be appointed based on their knowledge and experience in coastal, ocean, and atmospheric science, policy, and other related areas.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HB7815C83BD204AF0836CE95690B18797"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Vacancies</header><text>Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H18CBDFEDD8404EC4ABF087CCE592CE7F"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>An individual may not serve more than 2 terms as a member of the Council.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H0E6629C1BD2A462FB64E76F2BD7FCD10"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Compensation and expenses</header><text>A member of the Council shall not receive compensation for service on the Council, but upon request by the member may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/57">chapter 57</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H6FFED4701E18455D9DA64E91AE0013E3"><enum>604.</enum><header>Meetings</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Council shall meet at least 2 times each year and more often at the President’s discretion.</text></section>
<enum>VII</enum><header>Regional Planning</header>
<section id="HFD8A9AEE5B75442989F26FFD7513FCF" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>701.</enum><header>Findings</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Congress finds the following:</text>
<paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5425E9B0B86F4EB8B579ACE68BF6E02F"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Ecosystem-based management of United States ocean waters—</text>
<subparagraph id="HD5D94AAB821A47E2B86174558E1E9283"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is needed to protect, maintain, and restore the health of marine ecosystems;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9889C06DE8A14DF39F00D100B503A0C8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may occur at scales larger or smaller than the ocean regions designated by this title;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE05B46F1D27C408C00CB7BA1E2FE408"><enum>(C)</enum><text>will coordinate among management of terrestrial, atmospheric, and ocean resources;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE186F5429D9E44C488ED50E7F77D8998"><enum>(D)</enum><text>requires partnerships among State, local, tribal, and Federal governments that promote coordination of such governments; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBFB2FC66097E40A3A2A7D61BA4FEFD5D"><enum>(E)</enum><text>will be greatly enhanced by regional ocean observing systems.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></section>
<section id="HC0EDE574C6744FD1BCCA5D84A6AB20EE"><enum>702.</enum><header>Designation of ocean regions; Regional Administrators</header>
<subsection id="HF0E743542C814E40ACF70255C6939F00"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment of regions</header><text>There are hereby designated the following ocean regions:</text>
<paragraph id="HE50423DFD3C248508D21CE00BD081727"><enum>(1)</enum><header>North Pacific Ocean Region</header><text>The North Pacific Ocean Region, which shall consist of United States ocean waters off the coast of the State of Alaska, including such waters of the Arctic Ocean, Bering Sea, and Pacific Ocean seaward of Alaska.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2B08A5AEDB2E41F3A4A5E8AF768BAB4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Pacific Ocean Region</header><text>The Pacific Ocean Region, which shall consist of United States ocean waters off the coast of the States of California, Oregon, and Washington.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9EC0A72C1EDA4E319F761193E808A300"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Western Pacific Ocean Region</header><text>The Western Pacific Ocean Region, which shall consist of United States ocean waters off the coast of the State of Hawaii and of American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands, including such waters of the Pacific Ocean seaward of the Commonwealths, territories, and possessions of the United States in the Pacific Ocean area.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBA3596572B6E4BD88939512C00475591"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Gulf of Mexico Ocean Region</header><text>The Gulf of Mexico Ocean Region, which shall consist of United States ocean waters of the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4E17173A607F4FE38ED3F7A52446CC3D"><enum>(5)</enum><header>South Atlantic Ocean Region</header><text>The South Atlantic Ocean Region, which shall consist of United States ocean waters of the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the States of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD210DFE96F574EDC825E5E006C1B4FDF"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Caribbean Ocean Region</header><text>The Caribbean Ocean Region, which shall consist of United States ocean waters of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5F1E8ECD4FC34FB88296C0CF18B7E5C7"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Mid-Atlantic Ocean Region</header><text>The Mid-Atlantic Ocean Region, which shall consist of United States ocean waters of the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the States of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H169843BBB9224334A7A172DE397D0400"><enum>(8)</enum><header>New England Ocean Region</header><text>The New England Ocean Region, which shall consist of United States ocean waters of the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE4262DCD4C3C417C859364BB59886290"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Great Lakes Region</header><text>The Great Lakes Region, which shall consist of United States ocean waters of the Great Lakes off the coast of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HBBE520F215964A0DB765A2F256550100"><enum>(b)</enum><header>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Regional Offices</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline"/>
<paragraph id="HED0E599428C7487A8544CCF22E00F885"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The Administrator shall, by not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act—</text>
<subparagraph id="H9EE4C22BCE2341DBB3ED77B15EC46F1C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>establish for each ocean region designated under subsection (a) a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Regional Office, which shall be relatively centrally located in the coastal area of the ocean region; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD619F3E540B24ACB8D26B36E96AD35D3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>appoint a Regional Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for that region.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H08EC70E2E4C9428699C17302E6E98BC4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions of Regional Administrators</header><text>A Regional Administrator appointed under paragraph (1) for an ocean region shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="HA17AAC6383024A8D9E3DA768A37DB359"><enum>(A)</enum><text>be the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Regional Office established for that region;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4CAB0EC0FF864BC8AEB6C4646FB42B18"><enum>(B)</enum><text>be responsible for implementation of this title with respect to that ocean region;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HCED2A84686D6484EADE900CF03E5781"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide a written opinion to the Administrator on the consistency of a proposed covered action with an approved Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H37A0CF7546AC4F648E9928D0D822A173"><enum>(D)</enum><text>support coordination and information transfer between Regional Oceans Councils and agencies and groups at the international, Federal, State, tribal, territorial, local, and other levels;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1439BE89547043088717C07B31005DB9"><enum>(E)</enum><text>conduct other tasks as deemed necessary by the Administrator to fulfill the mission of the Agency; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H327E2283EB9849219064F1A6794E7BBE"><enum>(F)</enum><text>report directly to the Administrator on matters relating to regional implementation of this Act.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H15A30104A7944410B99699EEF343ACA7"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Staff</header><text>The Regional Administrator appointed under paragraph (1) for an ocean region shall appoint staff for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Regional Office for the ocean region.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H5EA34E061F1046E08C7E6500A3817EB7"><enum>703.</enum><header>Regional Ocean Councils</header>
<subsection id="H4EBF8035CCEB4D50BE4D2898002FC084"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The Administrator shall establish, within 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, a Regional Ocean Council for each of the regions designated under section 702(a), as follows:</text>
<paragraph id="HFEFB47F1F8D54DC1B7C949162CF71CA4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>North Pacific council</header><text>The North Pacific Regional Ocean Council, which shall include at least 1 representative of the State of Alaska and shall have authority to develop and implement a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan as required under section 704 for United States ocean waters of the North Pacific Ocean Region.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD0C14DD9ED9D4CA4B9DA8030BCBB92E8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Pacific council</header><text>The Pacific Regional Ocean Council, which shall include at least 1 representative of each of the States of California, Oregon, and Washington, and shall have authority to develop and implement a Regional Ocean Ecosystem plan as required under section 704 for United States ocean waters of the Pacific Ocean Region.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3A4189B73F7146EDA0D4B0268C00AD2"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Western Pacific council</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Western Pacific Regional Ocean Council, which shall include at least 1 representative of each of the State of Hawaii and American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands and shall have authority to develop and implement a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan as required under section 704 for United States ocean waters of the Pacific Ocean Region.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3271B9073E4F4304967DE0D54328FBB9"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Gulf of Mexico council</header><text>The Gulf of Mexico Regional Ocean Council, which shall include at least 1 representative of each of the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida and shall have authority to develop and implement a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan as required under section 704 for United States ocean waters of the Gulf of Mexico Ocean Region.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFBF648DABEDB4FA4962D258BF77B1031"><enum>(5)</enum><header>South Atlantic council</header><text>The South Atlantic Regional Ocean Council, which shall include at least 1 representative of each of the States of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida and shall have authority to develop and implement a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan as required under section 704 for United Sates ocean waters of the Atlantic Ocean Region.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF9D6CBE162A94CA9B8CBB83DC5916F06"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Caribbean council</header><text>The Caribbean Regional Ocean Council, which shall include at least 1 representative of each of the Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and shall have authority to develop and implement a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan as required under section 704 for United States ocean waters of the Caribbean Ocean Region.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H87C39B3C79494988B16667F5FF750003"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Mid-Atlantic council</header><text>The Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Council, which shall include at least 1 representative of each of the States of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia and shall have authority to develop and implement a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan as required under section 704 for United States ocean waters of the Atlantic Ocean Region.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2F45A3EC33E1431F97079EB00700064"><enum>(8)</enum><header>New England council</header><text>The New England Regional Ocean Council, which shall include at least 1 representative of each of the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut and shall have authority to develop and implement a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan as required under section 704 for United States ocean waters of the New England Ocean Region.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6002E6DD18E74392989D6F51162F8B7C"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Great Lakes council</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Great Lakes Oceans Council, which shall include at least 1 representative of each of the States of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York and shall have authority to develop and implement a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan as required under section 704 for United States ocean waters of the Great Lakes Region.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H3F43A7B6755647B8009C4DD4B367BF5F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Membership</header>
<paragraph id="H640D1BED621F4144A1BC5F958CB091E8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Number</header><text>Each Council shall consist of—</text>
<subparagraph id="H3BFE1626969F4E4F972975E9ACF3E64D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Regional Administrator for the ocean region under the authority of the Council, who shall be the chairperson of the Council; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4DFF7D270A334705925E0810E2AE671B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a number of additional members determined by the Administrator consistent with this subsection.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDBEC4E1177B64B48A376F3D327F976C5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Equal numbers of Federal and State members</header><text>Of the total number of members of each Council under paragraph (1)(B)—</text>
<subparagraph id="H17593F5001924D1DAB3D74C295B6870"><enum>(A)</enum><text>one half shall be Federal representatives appointed under paragraph (3); and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2010ADE1464E492BB360ADF53300DED9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>one half shall be State representatives appointed under paragraph (4).</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB20ED0AB6A894B9686950028874C4FD6"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Federal representatives</header>
<subparagraph id="H387F5116D7B64969BAE2C441F15037B"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Administrator, in consultation with the National Oceans Council, shall appoint representatives of the Federal Government to each Council from among officers or employees of Federal agencies or departments whose actions relate to protecting, maintaining, and restoring marine ecosystem health of United States ocean waters.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA6D6589183314ABBB1F35CB83C3D2613"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Included agencies</header><text>The members appointed to each Council under this paragraph—</text>
<clause id="H32DB4D8EAE2045908800C1E4E4906E3"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">may include officers or employees of the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Corps of Engineers, and other agencies considered by the Regional Administrator for the ocean region under the authority of the Council to be appropriate to implement ecosystem-based management; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H215FEE15FAD040A7B7AF2E824574F2D2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>shall include an officer or employee of the Administration.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD73B0A7AC1504DC08FD39D9C4479714F"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Pacific and North Pacific Councils</header><text>The members appointed to each of the Pacific Regional Ocean Council and the North Pacific Regional Ocean Council shall include tribal representation.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7113AD659C8A4D8EB190524F5ED22FB2"><enum>(4)</enum><header>State representatives</header>
<subparagraph id="H888EC8674FEE451D9F70C28568ADB986"><enum>(A)</enum><header>State Appointments</header><text>The Governor of each State, Commonwealth, territory, and possession of the United States with a representative on a Council under subsection (a) shall appoint as such member of the Council an officer or employee of a State agency having responsibilities relating to marine ecosystem health.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HABA43B408CE54FEBB98161D189238656"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Additional Appointments</header><text>The Administrator shall appoint to each Council such total number of additional representatives of States, Commonwealths, territories, and possessions of the United States with a representative on the Council under subsection (a) as is necessary to comply with paragraph (2).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HDC21EA3D811A4C199B5100D8425708C6"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Procedures</header>
<paragraph id="HAF8F17F255844F679F23009069E8C582"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), each Council shall operate in accordance with procedures established by the Council and approved by the Administrator.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4321BC1B6C044E91AEB6F6B5D27B07DF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Interim procedures</header><text>Each Council shall operate in accordance with interim procedures prescribed by the Administrator until such time as the Administrator approves procedures established by the Council under paragraph (1).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE4463A944D474A5890F405F8A7F2783D"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Required procedures</header><text>The Administrator shall prescribe requirements for approval of procedures under paragraph (1), and interim procedures for purposes of paragraph (2), including such requirements and interim procedures that address—</text>
<subparagraph id="H9AB6CA4A740F47F18293231FC1702218"><enum>(A)</enum><text>issues of transparency in decision making; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD2D622837E3741EBBD847E38C5DCABC1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>opportunities for public comment.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H689B3EE51E81452BB88B5F8753AA6D6C"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Staff</header><text/>
<paragraph id="H4AF615D2E0E94BE6AA9617BB2194D055"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Hiring authority</header><text>Each Council may hire such staff as is necessary to perform the functions of the Council.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5F01BDE690674697A72271C9EA2D7F3"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Treatment</header><text>Staff hired by a Council shall be treated as employees of the Administration.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H42E2FB4FB9054F0B85015FA6EBCFE913"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Consideration of other regional efforts</header><text>In performing functions under this title, each Council shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H6B0A426EBE5948D900B684BD9151E720"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to the extent practicable and consistent with other provisions of this Act, consider and build on other efforts within the region relating to the ecologically sustainable management of United States ocean waters, including regional ocean observing programs and restoration projects; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H95B53C5C887747B0AFDBC973BF804EBF"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in cases in which marine ecosystem health may be better ensured by activities at a scale larger or smaller than the ocean region of the Council, make every effort to consider and support such activities.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H4E4FB8B9C4FB484BB75CD6B60FF5D09"><enum>(f)</enum><header>International cooperation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each Council is encouraged to foster non-binding relationships with foreign governments, agencies, States, provinces, and other entities as appropriate, at scales appropriate to the region under the authority of the Council, including by providing opportunities for non-voting participation by foreign representatives at meetings of the Council, its advisory committees, and other working groups.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HA63874557C5540038723D7972822C95"><enum>704.</enum><header>Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plans</header>
<subsection id="HB1B64C53708D4CC0BC81D531BC31301D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>Each Regional Ocean Council shall, within 5 years after the establishment of the Council, prepare and submit to the Administrator a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan for the ocean region under the authority of the Council.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H79403C3F27EC46AAAE67E16B784DA122"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>Each Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan prepared under this section shall include, at a minimum, provisions that accomplish the following with respect to the ocean region for which it is prepared:</text>
<paragraph id="H4CB79B7E02084A2C99A9153478D31820"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Provide guidance for implementing ecosystem-based management of all United States ocean waters.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB1C9D5E780974860A0002D10B5F1357"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Assess the history and state of the ocean region, including the health of marine ecosystems within the ocean region.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3722E0880FA94E65A28221CD9C8BB7AC"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Identify the key threats to marine ecosystem health and describe ways to address those threats.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDD9A357F2F074CA3B77205475DB85559"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Identify gaps in knowledge and information that would inform ecosystem-based management.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC63A2CDF4196428091BC12CF27846257"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Prioritize research and conservation efforts needed, including research and conservation carried out by the Administration.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0AD91D8D6A7544949C573B3EC9E2B83"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Provide for the development and monitoring of criteria and indicators, as described in section 202, of the health of marine ecosystems.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H12E3AA2F62F04E179B5D9BEC1C5D4C79"><enum>(7)</enum><text>Establish clear and measurable management and restoration goals for marine ecosystem health.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1427DAEB5C7C42BAB03222B0E72258B1"><enum>(8)</enum><text>Provide for the development and implementation of enforceable policies to protect, maintain, and restore marine ecosystem health.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB1E766A3627A4F45AFAA6EFE4BAAF1B1"><enum>(9)</enum><text>Comply with the national standards and policy under section 201.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF5C09DDFAC5A4F6A82003F68E122CC67"><enum>(10)</enum><text>Assign clear roles and responsibilities regarding efforts to protect, maintain, and restore marine ecosystem health.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8E8916B6D8B742D0BBEDF3C96CD14ED7"><enum>(11)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Coordinate with existing ecosystem-based management efforts within the ocean region.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8D76BD332C3F4DAA8FC02B27E89FC349"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Review of plans</header>
<paragraph id="H18CEE86AFF044C59953DF8745F6DCD7C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Review by Administrator</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Upon submission by a Council to the Administrator of a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan or amendment to such a plan, the Administrator shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="HDE03CA39384B4F04A26C5132A15F8400"><enum>(A)</enum><text>immediately commence a review of the plan or amendment to determine whether it is consistent with the national standards, the other provisions of this Act, and any other applicable law; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF1DA412ACAD04C4993408577A6F694DB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>immediately publish in the Federal Register a notice stating that the plan or amendment is available and that written information, views, or comments of interested persons on the plan or amendment may be submitted to the Administrator—</text>
<clause id="H0C206A23ACCC4815008207AF835427D8"><enum>(i)</enum><text>during the 120-day period beginning on the date the notice is published, in the case of a plan; or</text></clause>
<clause id="HFAD00D6FBCFA4DC48C36483846B90037"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>90-day period beginning on the date the notice is published, in the case of an amendment.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD3AB69F0E3FE4765AC72A44E00FC333E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Considerations and consultation</header><text>In undertaking the review required under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="HC6A3AA525BC047BFB11BF388D3A7B773"><enum>(A)</enum><text>take into account the information, views, and comments received from interested persons;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE81882C1916A4D208DC342C5F1C91013"><enum>(B)</enum><text>consult with the Secretary of State with respect to foreign use of United States ocean waters;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC612676D29EF42218922D91267F7A129"><enum>(C)</enum><text>consult with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating with respect to enforcement at sea; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA754909695FA4B86AE813348322DCD70"><enum>(D)</enum><text>consult with the Secretary of the Interior and other Federal agencies, as appropriate.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H58D110443B5747E4A95EFA25825D4341"><enum>(3) </enum><header>Approval or disapproval</header>
<subparagraph id="H0DC7A8488A934CB4954414D9B702C82"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>The Administrator shall approve, disapprove, or partially approve a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan or amendment within 60 days after the end of the comment period under paragraph (1) in the case of a plan, or within 30 days after the end of the comment period under paragraph (1) in the case of an amendment, by written notice to the Council. A notice of disapproval or partial approval shall specify—</text>
<clause id="HF65141BF1E03456D8F4CC75657581F49"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the applicable law with which the plan or amendment is inconsistent;</text></clause>
<clause id="H944C75851F8846528FFFC45CB5F9FFD"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the nature of such inconsistencies; and</text></clause>
<clause id="H9DB9EA7A760F42FCAAFF16CA40E0807E"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>recommendations concerning the actions that could be taken by the Council to conform such plan or amendment to the requirements of applicable law.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H60A747C97AA44091AA17C6C1004B8146"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Automatic effectiveness</header><text>If the Administrator does not notify a Council within 60 days after the end of the comment period in the case of a plan, or within 30 days after the end of the comment period in the case of an amendment, of the approval, disapproval, or partial approval of a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan or amendment, then such plan or amendment shall take effect as if approved.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB44ACE5B539344F58E33A1B800A0039"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Submission of revisions for full approval</header><text>If the Administrator disapproves or partially approves a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan or amendment, the Council may submit a revised plan or amendment to the Administrator for review under this subsection.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H77594CF834554CF6A325F49C73DF1DA6"><enum>(5) </enum><header>Immediately defined</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of this subsection, the term <term>immediately</term> means on or before the 5th day after the day on which a Council transmits to the Administrator a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan or amendment to such a plan that the Council characterizes as final.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H5B86015C95E3456D8F3921F4E82E3E00"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Interim report</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each Council shall submit to the Administrator, by not later than 30 months after the date of completion of appointment of the members of the Council, an interim report on progress made by the Council in preparing a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan under this section.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H75050B6CBF964CD2AFB3A4F21E857CA"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Preparation by Administrator</header><text>If a Council fails to prepare and submit a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan in accordance with this section within 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall prepare such plan within 7 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. If a Council fails to have a fully approved Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan for that ocean region within 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall prepare such amendments as necessary to make the plan be in compliance with this Act within 8 years after the date of enactment of this Act. The Regional Administrator for that ocean region shall be responsible for monitoring the progress of the Council’s development of the Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan and offering comment regarding the extent to which the plan is consistent with this Act.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HF036C1F38E8C40E8A499B55749802815"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Updating of plans</header><text>Each Council shall review and, as appropriate, submit to the Administrator amendments to revise the Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan that applies to the ocean region over which it has authority at least once every 8 years.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H79A55BFBBB444361ADC21CF58D89EDCB"><enum>705.</enum><header>Consistency requirements</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Each covered action that may significantly affect United States ocean waters in an ocean region shall be carried out in a manner that is consistent to the fullest extent possible with the enforceable policies of any Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan that is approved or prepared by the Administrator under this title.</text></section>
<section id="H6E7BCA7CA9294A4C9B6FBEC6358EA4A7"><enum>706.</enum><header> Regional Ocean Council advisory committees</header>
<subsection id="HA5DE2E1B47A84F8B9CF5A6F9CFD0EDFA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authority</header><text>Each Council may establish and appoint the members of advisory committees and working groups as necessary for preparation of a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan under this title.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H493364E1AF9744A29C00508B18DA381B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Required advisory committees</header><text>Each Council shall establish and appoint the members of the following advisory committees:</text>
<paragraph id="H32F34B2F4B584E9180DE3ECEB3001BF3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A Science Advisory Committee in accordance with subsection (c).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H65A38D8B969044A880AC2DE6CF840082"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A Citizens Advisory Committee in accordance with subsection (d).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H73B34CF5555349F58553A883B0514D25"><enum>(3)</enum><text>An Inland States Advisory Committee in accordance with subsection (e).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H61E8C2AD69244BE99F768F34C85ED506"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Advice and input</header><text>The Council, advisory committees, and any associated working groups may seek advice and input from any interested or knowledgeable person as deemed necessary. </text></subsection>
<subsection id="H813075D99D5442D4BB75DEB479FAC911"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Science Advisory Committee</header>
<paragraph id="HD00C39EDF6CA421D995F38D06D5F8700"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>The Science Advisory Committee established under subsection (b) shall be comprised of an interdisciplinary membership that includes individuals who are qualified by reason of academic background and experience to represent natural and social science fields of study, including biology, ecology, oceanography, atmospheric science, geology, geography, sociology, anthropology, and economics.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H339A9A87D8D04760991B19C1DA1085E0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The Science Advisory Committee established under subsection (b) shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="H5444A0221B374098AA368D66F5187FC4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>provide scientific expertise on the validity and overall approach taken by the Council in its efforts to protect, maintain, and restore the health of marine ecosystems; </text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0C33744F7C2C4C71A774DB271DD037D8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>oversee the peer-review of documents and technical reports produced by the Council and the quality of documents and technical reports used by the Council; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HFC1067B8D4C247F8B5764B91000025AF"><enum>(C)</enum><text>provide consultation to Council staff in their efforts to provide information or guidance requested by the Council, its committees and working groups.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H75B2905F58CE4C7E8B9472A630594335"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Effect of recommendations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Science Advisory Committee may issue publicly available Implementation Instructions. In such cases, the Council shall, within 90 days of issuance of Implementation Instructions, consult with advisory committees and working groups as deemed appropriate, and—</text>
<subparagraph id="H2CCB4D307AE94557903EA670EB625C9F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>implement the recommendation; or</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3FEAFE18529446A486055961FC007876"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provide publicly available written explanation as to why the Implementation Instructions were not implemented.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBDF6882986B7488BA97B201D5D96DC57"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Other guidance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Science Advisory Committee may issue guidance and other statements not subject to the above provision.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H094D117F748D4AC2BB2D001C54BE52D4"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Citizens Advisory Committee</header>
<paragraph id="HEF3CE06EF7AB4B82B6668B76CD2B17B3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Membership</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Citizens Advisory Committee shall be comprised of nongovernmental members of the public, including, but not limited to, a wide range of citizens interested in multiple uses of United States ocean waters and ocean resources.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA00545BDF8CE44B58100DE3CFE65D7DA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Citizens Advisory Committee shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="HF310F371ED0F49A08FBBBFBD009D44D9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>provide information about the activities encompassed in, affected by, or pertinent to Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plans;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD8B89622207548B1B25E24062BA2976"><enum>(B)</enum><text>advise the Council as appropriate; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDA922FCA5CD64F549BBC2177651F66E0"><enum>(C)</enum><text>provide consultation to Council staff in their efforts to provide information or guidance requested by the Council, its committees, and working groups.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8090C7A592B4457DA784E272005800F0"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Inland States Advisory Committee</header><text>The Inland-States Advisory Committee established under subsection (b) shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H8A20A5C105F345DC94F33827E4613018"><enum>(1)</enum><text>have a membership that is comprised of representatives of inland States that, according to maps and data of the United States Geological Survey, have jurisdiction over waters that feed into the ocean region over which the Council has authority; </text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE05F0583A7B148CC8B8DC192B897E22B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>facilitate communication between such inland States and coastal States regarding important coastal and ocean issues that cannot be solved without inland State participation; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5DEE2770A3DB4F6FB82C62F94BCABDC"><enum>(3)</enum><text>provide consultation to Council staff in their efforts to provide information or guidance requested by the Council, its committees, and working groups.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H66AFD0A1D77C498C92B3BB6B4D03CCB"><enum>(g)</enum><header>FACA</header><text>The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 App. U.S.C.) shall not apply to any advisory committee established by a Council.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H06532002EBFF4AF28E61886E8D7B7803"><enum>707.</enum><header>Financial assistance to States</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator shall provide financial assistance to States for expenses incurred in participating on a Regional Ocean Council or an Inland States Advisory Committee under this title.</text></section>
<section id="H51173AA6B70347419F22FE9B3499F269"><enum>708.</enum><header>Citizen suits</header>
<subsection id="HFECF429C03B742BB9460A03BBD79C8D2"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Suits authorized</header><text>Any person may commence a civil suit on the person’s own behalf—</text>
<paragraph id="HC13EF623962D4571B19D8E56005D04D8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to enjoin any person, including the United States or any other governmental instrumentality or agency (to the extent permitted by the eleventh amendment to the Constitution), that is alleged to be in violation of this Act or any regulation issued under this Act;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2C4A15AA9D494314A1247D03A63B4692"><enum>(2)</enum><text>seeking judicial review of the compliance—</text>
<subparagraph id="H96CBE7B3F7D3454590F5FC6E5EA8002D"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">of a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan with the requirements of this Act; or</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8406C2DAD4024BB8852585352251C7F9"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">of the actions of any person with a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan approved or prepared by the Administrator under this Act; or </text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3E05137C9D0D4ADDB1E4999435FFA549"><enum>(3)</enum><text>against the Administrator for a failure of the Administrator to perform any act or duty under this Act that is not discretionary.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HA3EB6180B9DE4924B0521DC6738DAF00"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Jurisdiction</header><text>The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction, without regard to the amount in controversy or the citizenship of the parties, to enforce this Act or any such regulation or to order the Administrator to perform such act or duty, as the case may be.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H1EAAA6E00B754A6286A6B67595AF756E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Venue</header><text>Any suit under this section shall be brought in the Federal judicial district in which occurs the violation or failure, as applicable.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HB36BD603409F4CA6B4D963007B00E307"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Intervention by United States</header><text>In any suit under this section in which the United States is not a party, the Attorney General, at the request of the Administrator, may intervene on behalf of the United States as a matter of right.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H9E0742722FB0454DBC809FB349518265"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Award of costs</header><text>The court, in issuing any final order in any suit brought under this section, may award costs of litigation (including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees) to any party, whenever the court determines such award is appropriate.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HF3057C5D44EA4AC6821886F4F3B6996C"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Preservation of other rights</header><text>This section shall not restrict any right that any person or class of persons may have under any statute or common law to seek enforcement of any standard or limitation or to seek any other relief, including relief against the Administrator or a State agency.</text></subsection></section>
<enum>VIII</enum><header>Ocean science, exploration, and research coordination</header>
<section id="H0885D50342374E2D899BFD91A3747F12" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>801.</enum><header>Committee on Ocean Science, Education, and Operations</header>
<subsection id="HAB9D879D1B43444FB4F7000BC38BDF1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Committee</header><text>The Chair of the National Oceans Council created under section 502 of this Act shall establish a Committee on Ocean Science, Education, and Operations (referred to in this Act as the <quote>Committee</quote>).</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H1FEC9974FF364C14B3A9313650C6AFE2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>The Committee shall be composed of the following members:</text>
<paragraph id="H3684727D51AB4BB09796110001843E24"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Administrator.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1F76FDBC72C449C091644B90A6F0B836"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Secretary of the Navy.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H99A6A5EC0FAA4101876F8123A5CF1900"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The Director of the National Science Foundation.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8E93D721724E438C8D31BA66962999EB"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7F13C9E9F850408AB2C57F6F00E67C58"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The Under Secretary of Energy for Energy, Science, and Environment.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDB893BC29A324EE593FC59EE80EC83FB"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAB7E21528FA8459990E5E20064D91361"><enum>(7)</enum><text>The Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Science and Technology.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDE83D4BB3ED84519A724021B64311698"><enum>(8)</enum><text>The Commandant of the Coast Guard.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5EACECD85E8E420ABF695F9D0978A0A0"><enum>(9)</enum><text>The Director of the United States Geological Survey.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7D8195743E734EE0AE610008A5DA048C"><enum>(10)</enum><text>The Director of the Minerals Management Service.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC3FA39746DE3434C8FC244AEE72D2EAC"><enum>(11)</enum><text>Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE78F7BD7FA77433EADFFBF456DB26C12"><enum>(12)</enum><text>The Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD24B166DE3A14AE68703D3AA6C8288D4"><enum>(13)</enum><text>The Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE721E39BFD624F24A0D2F1233E4339D3"><enum>(14)</enum><text>The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE49766DDF9C540C20002B8008CE222CC"><enum>(15)</enum><text>The Director of the Office of Management and Budget.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H471CF168F1E64B419B8F706DEFC23324"><enum>(16)</enum><text>The Under Secretary of Education.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3B78A1FD5283422AA5D1ECA97FE412C8"><enum>(17)</enum><text>The leadership of such other Federal agencies and departments as the chair and vice chairs of the Committee consider appropriate.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HFC30D0F89C4F43B4B6E93BDAA00365B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Chair and vice chairs</header><text>The chair and vice chairs of the Committee shall be appointed every two years by a selection subcommittee of the Committee composed of, at a minimum, the Administrator, the Secretary of the Navy, the Director of the United States Geological Survey, and the Director of the National Science Foundation. The term of office of the chair and vice chairs shall be two years. A person who has previously served as chair or vice chair may be reappointed.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H31B0FBF6F91A453AB27E1C381D009F9D"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The Committee shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H33A73215BF86410CAEB9009BC0B30726"><enum>(1)</enum><text>serve as the primary source of advice and support on scientific research, technology, education, and operational matters for the National Oceans Council and assist in carrying out the functions of the National Oceans Council as they relate to such matters, including budgetary analyses;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H002BA45D8F4047E484F008C09EBBCAB6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>improve cooperation among Federal departments and agencies with respect to ocean and coastal science budgets;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H02B9A246C5604DD99DDC1E798E074100"><enum>(3)</enum><text>develop and recommend to the National Oceans Council the National Strategy for Ocean and Coastal Science under section 802, and oversee its implementation;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA6611B7A4D2C4548BD2BE787E1EEB892"><enum>(4)</enum><text>prescribe policies and procedures and provide support for the National Ocean Partnership Program under section 803;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2824E657344C476880BF1DB7999D779C"><enum>(5)</enum><text>establish interagency subcommittees and working groups as appropriate to develop comprehensive and balanced Federal programs and approaches to ocean and coastal science issues and needs;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB4281ABA09DD405B91D846B969E7CB5"><enum>(6)</enum><text>consult with Regional Ocean Councils and academic, State, industry, foundation, and other partners in the conduct of coastal and marine operations, research, and education and with actual and potential users of ocean science information in establishing priorities and developing plans for research and technology and education;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H37F33DC4E89E469BB93FC1DC3D9E16C0"><enum>(7)</enum><text>cooperate with the Secretary of State in—</text>
<subparagraph id="H6F921F4B065A44E2A3564CD0B544E324"><enum>(A)</enum><text>coordinating United States Government activities with those of other nations and with international research and technology and education relating to or affecting issues addressed by the National Oceans Council; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H887443C1F7A745C8B47400F8EECD595D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>providing, as appropriate, support for and representation on United States delegations to relevant international meetings; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8119D970D0974017B3D99F41B1B8ADA7"><enum>(8)</enum><text>carry out such other activities as the National Oceans Council may require.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HF7590CCFD15B4ABCA8DF8D0097F9E68B"><enum>802.</enum><header>National Strategy for Ocean and Coastal Science</header>
<subsection id="H0D14B612F302440CBFA80005DA00DF64"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Goals and priorities</header><text>The Chair of the National Oceans Council, after consultation with Regional Ocean Councils established under title VII and through the Committee, shall develop a National Strategy for Ocean and Coastal Science. The Chair shall submit the strategy to the Congress within two years after the date of enactment of this Act, and a revised strategy shall be submitted at least once every five years thereafter. The strategy shall establish, for the 10-year period beginning in the year the strategy is submitted, the scientific goals and priorities for ocean and coastal research, technology, education, and operations which most effectively advance knowledge and provide usable information as the basis for policy decisions to—</text>
<paragraph id="HA5262BB583DE4FBC9B054DCE82A0A9A7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>understand, assess, and respond to human-induced and natural processes of global climate and environmental change;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD72B09593D25468ABD64FB65C707598"><enum>(2)</enum><text>improve public forecasts and warnings and mitigate natural hazards;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H66D54707873444F6002643004186ED75"><enum>(3)</enum><text>enhance safety and efficiency of marine operations to benefit the public, the economy, and the environment;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0ED37B82A7ED4C57876726A03E4E2F5D"><enum>(4)</enum><text>support efforts to protect, maintain, and restore the health of marine ecosystems and to implement ecosystem-based management of United States ocean waters and ocean resources, including how marine ecosystems function on varying spatial and temporal scales and how biological, physical, geological, chemical, and socioeconomic processes interact;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE23725F080984A868C6B27FCE74C44FD"><enum>(5)</enum><text>implement and monitor the effectiveness of ocean and coastal environmental policies; </text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9D1C74D69E374905ABE9B0ECC1C7104"><enum>(6)</enum><text>contribute to public understanding of coastal and global ocean systems and public awareness of the importance and health of marine ecosystems;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8FFBED29FE004AAAAD0000A4A0D4C30"><enum>(7)</enum><text>respond to environmental changes that affect human health; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFAC5DD8E44CE406884D31590EA855EF"><enum>(8)</enum><text>strengthen homeland security and military preparedness.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HB37DCFBF5BFF4BB8B4343878924F00A1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Strategy</header><text>The strategy shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HAD0519B79C904B4FB7F8B24D2598C6C7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>describe specific activities required to achieve established goals and priorities including research and education programs, observation collection and analysis requirements, technology development, facility and equipment investments, information management, student support and training, data stewardship and access, and participation in international research, education, and other capacity-building efforts;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9D815505DD7B4E43B1A20078240690C1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>identify and address relevant programs and activities of the Federal agencies and departments represented on the Committee that will contribute to scientific goals and priorities and set forth the role of the National Ocean Partnership Program and each Federal agency and department in implementing the strategy;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H713625EF3C104B47ABF21E5083329608"><enum>(3)</enum><text>consider and use, as appropriate, reports and studies conducted by Federal agencies and departments, Regional Ocean Councils, the National Research Council, or other entities;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7073B2523ECF42AE881707009586A6E7"><enum>(4)</enum><text>make recommendations for the coordination of ocean and coastal science activities of the United States with those of other nations and international organizations, including bilateral and multilateral proposals for cooperation on major projects, for improving worldwide access to scientific data and information, and for encouraging participation in international ocean science research and education programs by developing nations; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDD00E677FD18423994CEC583CE1DF9B2"><enum>(5)</enum><text>estimate, to the extent practicable, Federal funding for ocean and coastal science activities to be conducted pursuant to the strategy.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H07A4607B90DF487E8B8D895244CF5F75"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Strategic elements</header><text>The strategy shall provide for, but not be limited to, the following elements:</text>
<paragraph id="HA9E87184D5E24D3C90325D1151D6B4C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Global measurements on all relevant spatial and time scales, establishing worldwide observations necessary to study and assess coastal and global ocean systems, including health of marine ecosystems, and support information needs for goals and priorities identified in section 802(a).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2837A4B2109A4AC98904A059E29BF25"><enum>(2)</enum><text>National ocean partnerships, building partnerships among Federal agencies, academia, industries, and other members of the ocean and coastal science community in the areas of research, education, data systems, and communication.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF0B157ECAC0D4E97B0CC28DD9600FC64"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Marine science facility support, ensuring the procurement, maintenance, and operation of the national oceanographic research fleet and related infrastructure to provide for sustained ocean and coastal observations from in situ, remote, aircraft, and vessel platforms.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H193AD6538C4D4DC88B8635F9CA6C8520"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Focused research initiatives, using a competitive process to select and fund grants to advance understanding of, the nature of, and interaction among physical, chemical, geological, and biological processes of the oceans, including the effects of human activities on such processes and assessment and development of methods for restoration of these processes.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD64CF72EC1F945C0A83DFD71D5356440"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Technology development, supporting development of new technologies and sensors to achieve strategic and program goals, and development of algorithms, analysis methods, and long-term data records for emerging operational sensors.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H48BCFEA550FE413FBBF51179FB217720"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Workforce development, building and maintaining a diverse national ocean science professional workforce through traineeships, scholarships, fellowships, and internships.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8430383AE90740B7AA215E3201D4219F"><enum>(7)</enum><text>Ocean science education, providing national coordination of formal and informal ocean science education programs at all education levels and establishing mechanisms to improve ocean literacy, contribute to public awareness of the importance of healthy marine ecosystems, and create an oceans stewardship ethic among citizens.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB3849E38A2E646E09CC55D09046C9547"><enum>(8)</enum><text>Information management, establishing and maintaining information systems that promote efficient stewardship, transfer, and use of data, create globally accessible data standards and formats, and allow analysis of data from varied sources to produce information readily usable by policymakers and stakeholders.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H74E87A02FCFB4FAEAEA280D3F035D89D"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Public participation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In developing the strategy, the Committee shall consult with Regional Ocean Councils and academic, State, industry, and environmental groups and representatives. Not later than 90 days before the Chair of the Council submits the strategy, or any revision thereof, to the Congress, a summary of the proposed strategy shall be published in the Federal Register for a public comment period of not less than 60 days.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="HBC7DF3ADD6CC4AD2B5004D5400F46E5"><enum>803.</enum><header>National Ocean Partnership Program</header>
<subsection id="HF4BB3331D1C048C5AB9DCBAD26768C6E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Purposes</header><text>Building on the program established under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/10/7901">section 7901</external-xref> of title 10, United States Code, the Committee shall strengthen and maintain the National Ocean Partnership Program for the purposes of—</text>
<paragraph id="HB83E708B03B540779232B4F1004DCF7F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>coordinating and strengthening ocean and coastal science efforts to promote interagency goals and priorities established in the National Strategy for Ocean and Coastal Science;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF9D4CBFDCA064F6CA9AE5F9D3507FB2D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>identifying and providing support for partnerships among Federal agencies, academia, industries, and other members of the ocean and coastal science community in the areas of research and technology, education, data systems, observations, and communication;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H63117D59B53A43BC9E19FEDBE2A65D94"><enum>(3)</enum><text>monitoring trends in the Federal investment in ocean sciences research and development and in education for marine-oriented professions, focusing in particular on Federal workforce needs; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6FDFD2FA38F74C34A644BDC4830004F2"><enum>(4)</enum><text>reporting to Congress on the progress of partnership activities under the program.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H30EC89B4F3E5401F952BA4E403824A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Selection criteria</header><text>Partnership projects for implementation under the program shall be reviewed, selected, identified, and allocated funding based on the following criteria:</text>
<paragraph id="H2D4253F5597C4C73AEBBE228075D57E7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The project addresses critical scientific research or education objectives or operational goals which add value through interagency cooperation.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0F41AFE6CE98435BA418ED9B173397F0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The project has broad participation within the marine community.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1F31FB06326E4397A470CCEC1180957B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The partners have a long-term commitment to the objectives of the project.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCBDC5574128A4E46B8007778E4E03EA3"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Resources supporting the project are shared among the partners.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5752562C132E470A899006BE9E9C2700"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The project includes a plan for education and outreach.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF008EC42FF0848ED8518A0BA343748C9"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The project has been subjected to peer review.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H4AFE8897314144630049D83CE4DF005F"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Annual report</header><text>Not later than March 1 of each year, the Committee shall submit to Congress a report on the National Ocean Partnership Program. The report shall contain the following:</text>
<paragraph id="H80E42B84015A488CAE62699BD4B2EFD0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A description of activities of the program carried out during the fiscal year before the fiscal year in which the report is prepared, together with a list of the members of the Ocean Research and Education Advisory Panel and any working groups in existence during the fiscal year covered.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H665CCA7C2712497AA67376DEC6255700"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A general outline of the activities planned for the program during the fiscal year in which the report is prepared.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD270040C661F49D484273FD004BD672C"><enum>(3)</enum><text>A summary of projects continued from the fiscal year before the fiscal year in which the report is prepared and projects expected to be started during the fiscal year in which the report is prepared and during the following fiscal year.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA0B47DC15512496BACD35D2F18B27510"><enum>(4)</enum><text>An analysis of trends in ocean-related human resource development, focusing in particular on Federal workforce needs, and in the Federal investment in ocean sciences research and development.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H115C18790CA14B789D67BE92C9E1C78"><enum>(5)</enum><text>A description of the involvement of the program with Federal interagency coordinating entities.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC4481A99FF224F64BCD9CCD520C9DF46"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The amounts requested, in the budget submitted to Congress pursuant to <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/31/1105">section 1105(a)</external-xref> of title 31, United States Code, for the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the report is prepared, for the programs, projects, and activities of the program and the estimated expenditures under such programs, projects, and activities during such following fiscal year.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H0835093840534DFAA847CDF62C7F184E"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Partnership program office</header><text>The Committee shall establish a partnership program office for the National Ocean Partnership Program. The Committee shall use competitive procedures in selecting an operator for the partnership program office and supervise performance of duties by such office. Responsibilities of the partnership program office shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="H92559C5198D04006BB13D3B46653647E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>establishment and oversight of working groups to identify potential themes suitable for partnership projects to the Committee and recommendations to the Committee on such projects;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB1467CE519F847619C294D08B056746F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>management of the process for proposing partnership projects to the Committee, including the peer review process for such projects;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB92A710738BE42E3BCEB7500A467556"><enum>(3)</enum><text>preparation and submission to the Committee of the annual status of all partnership projects and activities of the office;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1C940BD435A14171B4A81B22FBFEB7C"><enum>(4)</enum><text>development and maintenance of a database on investments by Federal agencies in ocean and coastal research and education and on the status of the national ocean and coastal workforce; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC335CD5FD7B5487493CDC2DB4E98A456"><enum>(5)</enum><text>any additional duties for the administration of the National Ocean Partnership Program or to support Committee activities that the Committee considers appropriate.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HA517073F1C5D472D9FB299C054B33FE1"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Contract and grant authority</header><text>The Committee may authorize 1 or more of the departments or agencies represented on the Committee to enter into contracts and make grants, using funds appropriated pursuant to an authorization for the National Ocean Partnership Program, for the purpose of implementing the program and carrying out the responsibilities of the National Oceans Council.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HA4B3D71A5FDE4FB68F5E5B355E49AFFA"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Interagency financing</header><text>The departments and agencies represented on the Committee are authorized to participate in interagency financing and share, transfer, receive, and spend funds appropriated to any member of the Committee for the purposes of carrying out any administrative or programmatic project or activity under the National Ocean Partnership Program, including support for a common infrastructure and system integration for an ocean observing system. Funds may be transferred among such departments and agencies through an appropriate instrument that specifies the goods, services, or space being acquired from another Committee member and the costs of the same.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H23206BCEEB9D4131A718C682AF78C6E4"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Forms of partnership projects and activities</header>
<paragraph id="H2830308CDEBF45E6AE6F00DAB13FE9A9" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A partnership project or activity under the National Ocean Partnership Program may be established by any instrument that the Committee considers appropriate, including grants, memoranda of understanding, cooperative research and development agreements, and similar instruments.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H830DBF51472C41E5AA027D6607C4679E" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Committee shall establish uniform proposal request and application procedures and reporting requirements for use by each department and agency represented on the Committee that are applicable to all projects and activities under the National Ocean Partnership Program.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3FF50F1BE535464D9434B679812BFF37" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Projects under the program may include demonstration projects.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HADD30F1A26F444FABD087F0023FF00A4"><enum>804.</enum><header>Ocean Research and Education Advisory Panel</header>
<subsection id="HD246EEB999D044ECAC8E3791D7201212"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>The Committee shall maintain an Ocean Research and Education Advisory Panel consisting of not less than 10 and not more than 18 members appointed by the chair, including the following:</text>
<paragraph id="H7B374C38BA724190A3B686AF278900AC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>One member representing the National Academy of Sciences.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H846FB08EDB5E451FBAB3BD11E1C9468F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>One member representing the National Academy of Engineering.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4B982628C5354289B33CA37BEBD13242"><enum>(3)</enum><text>One member representing the Institute of Medicine.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H48995DAE76CA47CDB206F14811E39428"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Members selected from among individuals representing ocean industries, State governments, academia, nongovernmental organizations, and such other participants in ocean and coastal activities as the chair considers appropriate.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB2960F6B2D474A6EB6581DCB24E135B0"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Members selected from among individuals eminent in the fields of marine science, marine policy, ocean engineering, or related fields.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD1E58334E3CD4BFB80D4C3A7632E4882"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Members selected from among individuals eminent in the field of education.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H6146316640A34DCDB5DFF8362B28B422"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Term limits</header><text>Members shall be appointed for 3 years.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HC9CFA1077EC8402FB798FDA619C37D45"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The Advisory Panel shall advise the Committee on the following:</text>
<paragraph id="HA53523DC3C5D4DBFABF5DC2CC3C98158"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Development and implementation of the National Strategy for Ocean and Coastal Science.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3C3BB8D589C94AE8983827CC25D99993"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Policies and procedures to implement the National Ocean Partnership Program and on selection of partnership projects and allocation of funds to implement partnership projects under the program.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H988DDCAB2AEA46B2BA71A95F649F00D4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Matters relating to national oceanographic data requirements, ocean and coastal observing systems, ocean science education and training, and oceanographic facilities including renewal of the national academic research fleet.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2BE5AE6B18F34E6B95DE9B7697D64B39"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Any additional matters that the Committee considers appropriate.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HE47C6998B04446B18FCDA16F07B74ECE"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Procedural matters</header>
<paragraph id="HF0C89355918141DDBFDD9E7371D17D40" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>All meetings of the Advisory Panel shall be open to the public, except that a meeting or any portion of it may be closed to the public if it concerns matters or information that pertains to national security, employment matters, litigation, or other reasons provided under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/552b">section 552b</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code. Interested persons shall be permitted to appear at open meetings and present oral or written statements on the subject matter of the meeting. The Advisory Panel may administer oaths or affirmations to any person appearing before it.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1376A18C9562422CB748FB6DFE806777" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>All open meetings of the Advisory Panel shall be preceded by timely public notice in the Federal Register of the time, place, and subject of the meeting.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2675BB9169974F26B493C7ED6BC6A875" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Minutes of each meeting shall be kept and shall include a record of the people present, a description of the discussion that occurred, and copies of all statements filed. Subject to <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/552">section 552</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code, the minutes and records of all meetings and other documents that were made available to or prepared for the Advisory Panel shall be available for public inspection and copying at a single location in the partnership program office.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2BC5E80AA784402BA1FBD40019DDC4D6" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) does not apply to the Advisory Panel.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HEE3C66FD6DCF4A80A528ADBA0B3D653"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>The chair and vice chairs of the Committee annually shall make funds available to support the activities of the Advisory Panel.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H8C18F96BB4C94A0281B3EEB43EE8EEEB"><enum>805.</enum><header>Marine ecosystems research</header>
<subsection id="HF524ADE2BF54484F87CCD9C8A7DAE340"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Ecosystem-based approaches</header><text>The Administrator shall work with the Committee to identify research efforts for improving ecosystem-based management efforts to protect, maintain, and restore marine ecosystem health while accommodating human use and occupancy.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H713083AFD5CE48788994B577C2309A7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Marine biodiversity research program</header><text>As part of this effort, the Administrator, in cooperation with the Office of Naval Research, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and other Federal agencies represented on the Committee, shall establish and maintain a ten-year interagency research program to assess and explain the diversity, conservation, distribution, functions, and abundance of marine organisms in the world’s oceans for the purposes of—</text>
<paragraph id="H0F70CBAB9322471697E84EB3183D19D4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>understanding the patterns, causes, processes, and consequences of changing marine biological diversity;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7551484CCA804619A7438CAFDF5FF8F6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>improving the linkages between marine ecological and oceanographic sciences and guiding ecosystem-based management efforts, so as to protect, maintain, and restore marine ecosystem health;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1C6D24DEE6AD4AACBEBEC7931DC2EC36"><enum>(3)</enum><text>strengthening and expanding the field of marine taxonomy, including use of genomics and proteomics;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF834D715462D4DBF980777FF7F2D7738"><enum>(4)</enum><text>facilitating and encouraging the use of new technological advances, predictive models, and historical perspectives to investigate marine biodiversity;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1C328E65491943DF984479CBDB8FA5E3"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">using new understanding gained through the program to improve predictions of the impacts of human activities on the health of the marine environment, and of the impacts of changes in the health of the marine environment on human well-being; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6D179941E7844297BB92A398E3543BCE"><enum>(6)</enum><text>enhancing formal and informal outreach and education efforts through research-generated knowledge, information, and tools.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HAC9C4631AC774D428FB841DB5C5C00CE"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Program elements</header><text>The research program established under this section shall provide for, but not be limited to, the following:</text>
<paragraph id="H22E361FB7F1D469A958300FA689F41D3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Dynamic access to biological data through an ocean biogeographic information system that links marine databases, manages data generated by the program, and supports analysis of biodiversity and related physical and ecological parameters.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB07161E8E79C4080927E064B5EBA2C19"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Integrated regional studies of marine ecosystems that focus on appropriate scales to support ecosystem-based management.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H146D9A9A6AFA45769E388976A743E00"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Improved biological sensors for ocean observing systems.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF5FEF917F6C7471CAFED5ED646ADC700"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Investment in exploration and taxonomy to study little known areas and describe new species.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H26DA9D7995264B00BF14AA1751A623A2"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Studies of earlier changes in marine populations to trace information on biological abundance, distribution, function, and diversity to the earliest historical periods of minimum human impact.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7BF93F252ED54B71BF9C732CBC269668"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Improved predictive capability to enhance the effectiveness of ecosystem-based management and minimize adverse impacts of human activities on United States ocean waters and ocean resources.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H6F73A60604674DDF00FC21298885042B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Scientific assessment</header><text>The Administrator, through the Committee, shall prepare and submit to the President and the Congress a biennial assessment that—</text>
<paragraph id="HD48B3A090D1C49BFAE73F16C00707E01"><enum>(1)</enum><text>integrates, evaluates, and interprets the findings of the program and discusses the scientific uncertainties associated with such findings; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5BE350C2162D487EA5D3C92CEC655EF3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>analyzes current trends in marine and coastal ecosystems, both human-induced and natural, including marine ecosystem health, and projects major trends for the subsequent decade.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H0CEA3AAC0D0E44BD9493FDD8799203F4"><enum>806.</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header>
<subsection id="H1C15E2753AC34522A35F3000CD089F73"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Partnership projects and administration</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated annually to the Department of the Navy, the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal year 2005 through fiscal year 2010—</text>
<paragraph id="HF5FC7987A1A841E39FB9AD58AD67C5BC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$25,000,000 for each agency for the National Ocean Partnership Program projects under section 803; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0A35A08E88684356988325F5C0A299B0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>at least $600,000 or 3 percent of the amount appropriated for the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, whichever is greater, shall be available for operations of the partnership program office established under section 803.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H9A58D92D4CCE41B785CED4691262009E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Marine ecosystems research</header><text>For development and implementation of the research program under section 805, there are authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HDB785D79E3DB4D58B3581C31E133E982"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Availability</header><text>Sums appropriated under this section shall remain available until expended.</text></subsection></section>
<enum>IX</enum><header>Ocean Education</header>
<section id="H7EEB9198ED7D413E8CC024D26F3140A4"><enum>901.</enum><header>Subcommittee on Ocean Education</header>
<subsection id="H815A58915C4146A799C298E97800CE40"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>The Committee shall establish a Subcommittee on Ocean Education (in this title referred to as the <quote>Subcommittee</quote>). Each member of the Committee may designate a senior representative with expertise in education to serve on the Subcommittee. The Committee shall select a Chair and 1 or more Vice Chairs for the Subcommittee from the membership of the Subcommittee.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H0A934ACA1DFC4936B05D7105F8AF8C59"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The Subcommittee shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H2B76871436B54C6984B850BE7B2DFE08"><enum>(1)</enum><text>support and advise the Committee and the National Oceans Council on matters related to ocean and coastal education for the purpose of increasing the overall effectiveness and productivity of Federal education and outreach efforts;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFD61CA2BCE9C4A71A88E4EE2EEB5AB02"><enum>(2)</enum><text>provide recommendations on education goals and priorities for and implementation of the National Strategy for Ocean and Coastal Science developed under section 802 and guidance for educational investments;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD916C188B2DC4B30803227C7DD171C3"><enum>(3)</enum><text>coordinate Federal ocean and coastal education activities for students at all levels, including funding for educational opportunities at the undergraduate, graduate; and postdoctoral levels;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H04690CAFFFF34D79BCA051B6ABFD5500"><enum>(4)</enum><text>identify and work to establish linkages among Federal programs and those of States, academic institutions, museums and aquaria, industry, foundations, and other nongovernmental organizations;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H15849C361EB8481080C43D08B2202BE2"><enum>(5)</enum><text>facilitate Federal agency efforts to work with minority-serving institutions and historically black colleges and universities, and also with traditionally majority-serving institutions, to ensure that students of underrepresented groups have access to and support for pursuing ocean-related careers;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC6931B80D317452E8EA4235D2FF7FD4"><enum>(6)</enum><text>lead development of effective strategies with common perspectives and messages for formal and informal ocean and coastal education efforts; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H19ABB7196D964E16B253BFD92B6B00DD"><enum>(7)</enum><text>carry out such other activities as the Committee and the National Oceans Council request.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HF83C6F73BDDF4664AC003B2460840000"><enum>902.</enum><header>Ocean and coastal education program</header>
<subsection id="HC4E9CE1F00274886BFDC3195593931C5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>Consistent with the National Strategy for Ocean and Coastal Science, the Committee, through the Subcommittee, shall establish an interagency ocean and coastal education program to improve public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the role of the oceans in meeting our Nation’s economic, social, and environmental needs.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H1164039A2B73457D8B10D619194D38C4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Scope</header><text>The ocean and coastal education program shall include formal education activities for elementary, secondary, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students, continuing education activities for adults, and informal education activities for learners of all ages.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HDEDD8098C8FF4CDA9907C34551BC6105"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The program shall use the National Ocean Partnership Program and other appropriate mechanisms and shall, at a minimum, provide sustained funding for the following:</text>
<paragraph id="H9DA4EE9161D0462DBBCFDCEE78009147"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A national network of centers for ocean science education excellence to improve the acquisition of knowledge by students at all levels.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H214444DCC4A042069567B900A75BF3B5"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A regional education network, in coordination with the Regional Ocean Councils, to support academic competition and experiential learning opportunities for high school students.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB4E20DEF17EB484196D1D25C9868613B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Teacher enrichment programs that provide for participation in research expeditions, voyages of exploration, and the conduct of scientific research.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1B47A7E87586490390BD1C5301CDB1F3"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Development of model instructional programs for students at all levels.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8A770902F0AD46EC8705062CCE83DB1D"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Student training and support to provide diverse ocean-related education opportunities at the undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF4939144FF3D4C88A779D294549B51F6"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Mentoring programs and partnerships with minority-serving institutions to ensure diversity in the ocean and coastal workforce.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H66844780352440C4BE00992D81C751FF"><enum>(7)</enum><text>Dissemination of ocean and coastal information that is relevant for a wider public audience.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H1C9A4F1AC9BA4FA1998B9B3139824F46"><enum>903.</enum><header>Ocean Science and Technology Scholarship Program</header>
<subsection id="H6BD9C5F053824960A7AD6BEFB2EB2C4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header>
<paragraph id="H877978B936774D6BA558C184DADEA1F" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Committee shall establish a National Ocean Science and Technology Scholarship Program that is designed to recruit and prepare students for careers in the departments or agencies that are represented on the Committee (in this section referred to as <quote>participating agencies</quote>). The Program shall award scholarships to individuals who are selected through a competitive process primarily on the basis of academic merit, with consideration given to financial need and the goal of promoting the participation of individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC8A09DF8CEC942F28BF93FC8D9EB26D8" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To carry out the Program, participating agencies shall enter into contractual agreements with individuals selected under paragraph (1) under which the individuals agree to serve as full-time employees of the participating agency, for the period of time to be determined by the participating agency, and stated in the contractual agreements, in positions needed by the participating agency and for which the individuals are qualified, in exchange for receiving a scholarship.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H4EAE175C043747AB908F2CB8002B8E27"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligibility criteria</header><text>In order to be eligible to participate in the Program, an individual must—</text>
<paragraph id="H8FBB80DC05EB4151A4FC322493127D54"><enum>(1)</enum><text>be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student at an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965) in an academic field or discipline described in the list made available under subsection (c);</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0729D66EEF3C4D2690AC6FC900E053E0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>be a United States citizen or national; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF29CACE60E224348A51C7692AD068CFE"><enum>(3)</enum><text>at the time of the initial scholarship award, not be an employee of the department or agency providing the award.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HD85E9DB908CB4B979529A900B62D4764"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Program listing</header><text>The Committee shall make publicly available a list of academic programs and fields of study for which scholarships under the Program may be used, and shall update the list as necessary.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HF5D1BAF1933244A1A2DC5E9B50FE9348"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Application</header><text>An individual seeking a scholarship under this section shall submit an application to a participating agency at such time, in such manner, and containing such information, agreements, or assurances as the participating agency may require.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H680B9A2FE76541A093F555CF12646DC8"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Scholarship limits</header>
<paragraph id="H782363002B0348E891FB2085036578B7" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The participating agency may provide a scholarship under the Program for an academic year if the individual applying for the scholarship has submitted to the participating agency, as part of the application required under subsection (d), a proposed academic program leading to a degree in a program or field of study on the list made available under subsection (c).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H189143D1017F47E2856310EB898387FB" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>An individual may not receive a scholarship under this section for more than 4 academic years, unless the participating agency grants a waiver.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF32682DF951342E587E27F9FCE9749E6" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The dollar amount of a scholarship under this section for an academic year shall be established by regulation but shall in no case exceed the cost of attendance as such cost is determined in section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H99311954E68B4B8EB02C4C7058DC2308" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>A scholarship provided under this section may be expended for tuition, fees, and other authorized expenses as established by regulation.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H13DFB8D93B5E4203B4C57F21AFE1D1DF" indent="up1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The participating agency may enter into a contractual agreement with an institution of higher education under which the amounts provided for a scholarship under this section for tuition, fees, and other authorized expenses are paid directly to the institution with respect to which the scholarship is provided.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H5F87D464A1E84CBA81279C5CB301E7F2"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Period of service</header>
<paragraph id="HDA55F8354D01404AB55996E0C83741C7" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The period of service for which an individual shall be obligated to serve as an employee of the participating agency, except as provided in subsection (h)(2), shall be determined by the participating agency as stated in subsection (a)(2).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H451209C5B8CA479595D72663C6AEECA6" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum>
<subparagraph id="HA00BC1CF664A4923B80394AC5DB089C8" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B), obligated service under paragraph (1) shall begin not later than 60 days after the individual obtains the educational degree for which the scholarship was provided.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HEC1F627B8BF2410EA7C1B86E92CDAD4B" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The participating agency may defer the obligation of an individual to provide a period of service under paragraph (1) if the participating agency determines that such a deferral is appropriate. The Administrator shall prescribe the terms and conditions under which a service obligation may be deferred through regulation.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H0A58253FC58E4927AD85C4CAE2C2183E"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Repayment</header>
<paragraph id="H267F246B278145CA8CC89F865D7269F5" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Scholarship recipients who fail to maintain a high level of academic standing, as defined by the participating agency by regulation, who are dismissed from their educational institutions for disciplinary reasons, or who voluntarily terminate academic training before graduation from the educational program for which the scholarship was awarded, shall be in breach of their contractual agreement and, in lieu of any service obligation arising under such agreement, shall be liable to the United States for repayment within 1 year after the date of default of all scholarship funds paid to them and to the institution of higher education on their behalf under the agreement, except as provided in subsection (h)(2). The repayment period may be extended by the participating agency when determined to be necessary.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3CDE1D5D46CF493699BBD9CAB1E47834" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Scholarship recipients who, for any reason, fail to begin or complete their service obligation after completion of academic training, or fail to comply with the terms and conditions of deferment established by the participating agency pursuant to subsection (f)(2)(B), shall be in breach of their contractual agreement. When recipients breach their agreements for the reasons stated in the preceding sentence, the recipient shall be liable to the United States for an amount equal to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H1F5CEF06D2C94E2DB52898C45F9874FD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the total amount of scholarships received by such individual under this section; plus</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA7C053A9CD4240B49B874BB119D966F1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the interest on the amounts of such awards which would be payable if at the time the awards were received they were loans bearing interest at the maximum legal prevailing rate, as determined by the Treasurer of the United States, multiplied by 3.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H9959C17F853440478DEFFE7452C435FF"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Cancellation or waiver</header>
<paragraph id="H6A14E8A0194A47D385DFE58141E5785" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Any obligation of an individual incurred under the Program (or a contractual agreement thereunder) for service or payment shall be canceled upon the death of the individual.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1554A6E8BA1948A6B360DC9E2BC006DA" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The participating agency shall by regulation provide for the partial or total waiver or suspension of any obligation of service or payment incurred by an individual under the Program (or a contractual agreement thereunder) whenever compliance by the individual is impossible or would involve extreme hardship to the individual, or if enforcement of such obligation with respect to the individual would be contrary to the best interests of the Government.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HCB3C80370A454AB0952CA2794DE48988"><enum>904.</enum><header>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Education</header>
<subsection id="H6BB0205FD691462097AA978837B53C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Administrator shall conduct, develop, support, promote, and coordinate education activities described in section 902(b) that enhance public awareness and understanding of the science, service, and stewardship missions of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In planning activities under this section, the Administrator shall consult with the Subcommittee and build upon the educational programs and activities of the National Sea Grant College Program, the National Marine Sanctuary Program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Ocean Exploration, and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Authorized activities shall include education of the general public, teachers, students at all levels, and ocean and coastal managers and stakeholders. In carrying out educational activities, the Administrator may enter into grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, resource sharing agreements, or interagency financing with Federal, State, and regional agencies, tribes, commercial organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, or other persons. </text></subsection>
<subsection id="H10E88629BE804FB8A4E300175D814803"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>As set forth in title III, the Administrator shall establish an Office of Education to provide interagency and intraagency coordination of the education activities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and to ensure full participation in the ocean and coastal education program established under section 902. The Office of Education shall promote and provide oversight of agency education activities as described in section 303 and shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HD0A79116BF78469ABFF21BED6498D615"><enum>(1)</enum><text>integrate agency science into high-quality educational materials;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H05AD7F2506344372AF3F1B67C2684DAF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>improve access to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration educational resources;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H090B257585F24065A2790086C1000095"><enum>(3)</enum><text>support educator professional development programs to improve understanding and use of agency sciences;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H01532C295E454EE9AA61D25453873319"><enum>(4)</enum><text>promote participation in agency-related sciences and careers, particularly by members of underrepresented groups;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9D26440982534E20A7CEE5E200939372"><enum>(5)</enum><text>leverage partnerships to enhance formal and informal environmental science education;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6DCB7D23B3134BF7AEDFC568C4B8331"><enum>(6)</enum><text>build capability within the agency for educational excellence; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB02E86E898494A0AA2949E2CC3C373DE"><enum>(7)</enum><text>create and implement effective approaches to disseminate agency products and ocean information to the general public.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H648233D9B897458E93697D4E6033E7E7"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Educational partnership program</header><text>The Administrator shall establish an educational partnership with minority-serving institutions to provide support for cooperative science centers, an environmental entrepreneurship program, a graduate sciences program, an undergraduate scholarship program, and other activities as required to meet program objectives.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H7456035B1BEE4D33BDD4C719D5A74C5D"><enum>905.</enum><header>Amendment to the National Sea Grant College Program Act</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline"> Section 212(a) of the National Sea Grant College Program Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/33/1131">33 U.S.C. 1131(a)</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:</text>
<quoted-block id="H01680346CD0A4701B98DF9DF4CE2B3B4" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="HDD82A702F1AA4E7D9EAD78E03CBD66FA"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Marine and aquatic science education</header><text>In addition to the amounts authorized for each fiscal year under paragraphs (1) and (2), there are authorized to be appropriated for marine and aquatic science education for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010—</text>
<subparagraph id="HB629DA8854874299904F714CBD861E9C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$6,000,000 in increased funding for the educational activities of sea grant programs;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H32FB6A4995654DB9A707A903ED215F85"><enum>(B)</enum><text>$4,000,000 for competitive grants for projects and research that target national and regional marine and aquatic science literacy; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE85FBB6B3E2A41FA853CEA3492FCEA74"><enum>(C)</enum><text>$4,000,000 for competitive grants to support educational partnerships under the ocean and coastal education program established under section 902 of the Oceans Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act or other appropriate mechanism.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section>
<section id="HD556E94E739A4D368BC0A55CF2EC7632"><enum>906.</enum><header>National ocean awareness media campaign</header>
<subsection id="H16E40332B4044094B45860248E92CB91"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Findings</header><text>The Congress finds the following:</text>
<paragraph id="HE20EC35CE2A246BFA9EACE633955AD7F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Ninety-five percent of the deep ocean is unexplored and unknown, and is truly the last frontier on Earth for science and civilization.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4D744FBE83C54F2780C0DD9D8CE0DD5C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The United States has more than 95,000 miles of coastline and more than 50 percent of the population of the United States lives within 50 miles of the United States ocean waters.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H660D7392D60A48C89BBE547C1612B600"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Coastal areas are regions of remarkably high biological productivity, are of considerable importance for a variety of recreational and commercial activities, and provide a vital means of transportation.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2158AB2D46E0447185DCB344B957A778"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The rich biodiversity of marine organisms provides society with resources that sustain many economically important industries including fisheries and tourism, as well as contributing novel compounds with therapeutic potentials to the biomedical industry.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5060B5D1416A4436ABE52812B8869428"><enum>(5)</enum><text>One out of six jobs in the United States is marine-related.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HADD74A7470E24645BADF13D00156D76"><enum>(6)</enum><text>One-third of our Gross National Product is produced in coastal areas, where most major cities are located.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H721180C48D30490B90726D319CE1EA2B"><enum>(7)</enum><text>National Science Foundation surveys in 2000 showed that while the majority (greater than 73 percent) of the United States public holds a positive attitude toward science and technology, that same group was only able to correctly answer 58 percent of the questions asked about basic scientific concepts. Furthermore, only 26 percent of those surveyed actually understand the nature of scientific inquiry.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE40F7757405B4005A04482E5449B8F96"><enum>(8)</enum><text>The oceans provide an exciting context in which to teach the fundamental concepts of biology, chemistry, the physical sciences, and mathematics in accordance with the National Science Education Standards (NRC, 1996) and Benchmarks for Science Literacy (AAAS, 1993).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HD8BA8D4E597D478C007EA8DF504FA63"><enum>(b)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Administrator shall conduct a national media campaign in accordance with this section for the purpose of increasing public awareness and interest in the oceans, through mass media advertising.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H984225EFFE9B410E83E63D4CCEEC8196"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Use of funds</header>
<paragraph id="HBADF63D3028641AA8CA04202C6756252"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Amounts made available to carry out this section for the media campaign may only be used for the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="H4D81BACFEE9C4C909D97ADFB19812CA8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The research, development, production, and launch of a multimedia campaign.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H42AE52E9F140469C8E72BFDA975B92DD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Evaluation of the effectiveness of the multimedia campaign.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF8BCE86639334E2FA0E2E13FC7B274EB"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Media monitoring.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H68F320AE3F124C27001364DF5D4DB786"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Distribution (public relations and grassroots community based outreach).</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9369D0FCB29D4960B2CDCB06DA97BE6E"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Partnerships with community, civic, and professional groups and government organizations related to the media campaign.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFD7C94A57A05479B99B0AC29924887D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Specific requirements</header>
<subparagraph id="HC57C11021D8F412989D790E0C64F1BCC"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Evaluation of effectiveness of media campaign</header><text>In using amounts for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the media campaign under paragraph (1)(B), the Administrator shall—</text>
<clause id="HD6BFBCDAEF52476C9EEAE082A860E629"><enum>(i)</enum><text>designate an independent entity to evaluate annually the effectiveness of the national media campaign based on data from—</text>
<subclause id="H330F2CE6DF3F45FB92CCFDB720E9754C"><enum>(I)</enum><text>public feedback; and</text></subclause>
<subclause id="H47CCC16897474F04B1E09ED5FDFB89FF"><enum>(II)</enum><text>other relevant studies or publications, as determined by the Administrator, including tracking and evaluation data collected according to marketing and advertising industry standards; and</text></subclause></clause>
<clause id="HE12C52A22ACD4566857B53CE9304D1C1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>ensure that the effectiveness of the media campaign is evaluated in a manner that enables consideration of whether the media campaign has contributed to increasing the ocean literacy of the public and such other measures of evaluation as the Director determines are appropriate.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5719D57C68B34DB590A7DC12C5B2BDCA"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Purchase of advertising time and space</header><text>For each fiscal year, not less than 77 percent of the amounts appropriated under this section shall be used for the purchase of advertising time and space for the media campaign.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8D3A1601751649F7A2C6EE3F534020D1"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Advertising</header><text>In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall devote sufficient funds to the advertising portion of the national media campaign to meet the goals of the campaign.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H99F624073C4D4C64BAAC230D9C9D896"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Prohibitions</header><text>None of the amounts made available to carry out this section may be obligated or expended for any of the following:</text>
<clause id="HACFC3FF40BCE432F0011E719BEF91384"><enum>(i)</enum><text>To supplant current oceans community-based coalitions.</text></clause>
<clause id="H8A02DEABA0BF45AFBE6EF0F6D4602F9C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>To supplant pro bono public service time donated by national and local broadcasting networks for other public service campaigns.</text></clause>
<clause id="H5CD7EDC6E1524CECBACAFFBDA7716F98"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>For partisan political purposes, or express advocacy in support of or to defeat any clearly identified candidate, clearly identified ballot initiative, or clearly identified legislative or regulatory proposal.</text></clause>
<clause id="H846C944011464A408C835BDAD683BC34"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>To fund advertising that features any elected officials, persons seeking elected office, cabinet level officials, or other Federal officials employed pursuant to section 213 of schedule C of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations.</text></clause>
<clause id="H8CD41023AFEF42709ED200BB58459DBD"><enum>(v)</enum><text>To fund advertising that does not contain a primary message intended to increase awareness and promote the protection, maintenance, and restoration of marine ecosystem health.</text></clause>
<clause id="H1F7541B95ADE4AE7A411A4AD4D402886"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>To fund advertising containing a primary message intended to promote support for the media campaign or private sector contributions to the media campaign.</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H92A3BB5ED76C4FAD817E3C7B2B1050E0"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Financial and performance accountability</header><text>The Administrator shall cause to be performed—</text>
<clause id="H1554D8A473DC4DBBB0A1BEBF4B8861F8"><enum>(i)</enum><text>audits and reviews of costs of the media campaign pursuant to section 304C of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/41/254d">41 U.S.C. 254d</external-xref>); and</text></clause>
<clause id="H349E1E1DD6854D58BF2EA67E27AB3865"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>an audit of the cost of the media campaign described in section 306 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/41/256">41 U.S.C. 256</external-xref>).</text></clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9FE6E7A2D4E04946813900BE79B9CB70"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Strategic guidance and donations</header><text>The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation shall serve as the primary outside strategic advisor to the media campaign and be responsible for coordinating donations of creative and other services to the campaign, except with respect to advertising created using funds as permitted in this subsection. The Administrator shall inform the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation of the strategic goals of the campaign and consider advice from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation on media campaign strategy.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA2824157B3484DDA8B0000C62F40F202"><enum>(G)</enum><header>Report to congress</header><text>The Administrator shall submit on an annual basis a report to Congress that describes—</text>
<clause id="H8C2366CDF8374ACC8EA807700937107C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the strategy of the media campaign and whether specific objectives of the media campaign were accomplished;</text></clause>
<clause id="H36531E957C1142D3A5CCB8D8E86BE7C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>steps taken to ensure that the media campaign operates in an effective and efficient manner consistent with the overall strategy and focus of the media campaign;</text></clause>
<clause id="H5480FAB31C294C7FAFD68142F979F897"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>plans to purchase advertising time and space;</text></clause>
<clause id="HFE4B3B0779324B3D841D6901E158056E"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>policies and practices implemented to ensure that Federal funds are used responsibly to purchase advertising time and space and eliminate the potential for waste, fraud, and abuse; and</text></clause>
<clause id="HFBA3DBBABD7A48DFA7847C59C33C97C2"><enum>(v)</enum><text>all contracts entered into with a corporation, partnership, or individual working on behalf of the media campaign.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE7D6959D9A104B1FB4862CFA004EC22C" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(3)</enum><header>National marine sanctuary resources</header><text>In conducting advertising and activities otherwise authorized under this section, the Administrator shall explore opportunities to emphasize the preservation of coral reefs and other national marine sanctuary resources.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HC302C5C18D014C27BDFD0261DEF377E"><enum>907.</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header>
<subsection id="HE14D7A74700945BAB913435F89003EFD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>National ocean and coastal education program</header><text>In addition to the amounts authorized annually to the Department of the Navy, the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal year 2005 through fiscal year 2010, $25,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated for each agency for the ocean and coastal education program under section 902.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HD687A648D1F34E4E831D51E9F6C1DEF1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Scholarship program</header><text>Of the amounts authorized annually to the Department of the Navy, the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal year 2005 through fiscal year 2010, $15,000,000 shall be available for National Ocean Science and Technology Scholarships under section 903.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HAC49437639A94998A6FBA2AF50E0A87E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>National oceanic and atmospheric administration</header>
<paragraph id="H2B8156EBCE294297BE06F6E446EB0035" display-inline="yes-display-inline"><enum>(1)</enum><text>In addition to the amounts authorized under subsections (a) and (b) and under the National Sea Grant College Program Act, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010 for education activities under section 904(b).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H024E83EFF10C4EA1AB37BE6592F0D8AB" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010 for education activities under section 904(c).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HFA0CB7F1C494490E880098F2AEC735D3"><enum>(d)</enum><header>National ocean awareness media campaign</header><text>Of the amounts authorized annually to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 906, $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2007.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HD04AC9B5F8034BFD8B1000D15ECAF890"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Availability</header><text>Sums appropriated under this section shall remain available until expended.</text></subsection></section>
<enum>X</enum><header>Ocean Exploration</header>
<section id="H1FEA4A4B5C9844589BC50692C9647700"><enum>1001.</enum><header>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Ocean Exploration</header>
<subsection id="HF70C5975C4614F0B00692E9DF5028C98"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Administrator shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HB2864671798D4843B35DE3BA9DB1F300"><enum>(1)</enum><text>conduct, develop, support, promote, and coordinate ocean exploration activities under this section;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H35682F9CA4334C1095964BF3C489F6BE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>support expeditions, exploration projects, and related field campaigns for the purpose of discovery and documentation of ocean voyages; and </text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H71D3E5E5BA564E2A8CE0AF400216067F"><enum>(3)</enum><text>enhance public awareness and understanding of the science and stewardship missions of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H94902805E2984ED8AC655FA82DD7377D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Planning and execution</header><text>In planning activities under this title, the Administrator shall consult with the Subcommittee established under section 1002. In carrying out exploration activities, the Administrator may enter into grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, resource sharing agreements, or interagency financing with Federal, State, and regional agencies, tribes, commercial organizations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, or other persons.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H5ABA52B3452141EB8882424400B49C00"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The Administrator shall establish an Office of Ocean Exploration within the Ocean and Atmospheric Research and Data Services Office to provide interagency and intraagency coordination of the ocean exploration activities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and to ensure full participation in the Subcommittee established under section 1002. The Office of Ocean Exploration shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H8A58D1AD40E44991B1FFC63DDBA6328F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>lead and coordinate efforts in ocean discovery;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6DFC0B58DE684A98B9DF9E692588B654"><enum>(2)</enum><text>explore and inventory the living and nonliving resources of the oceans under jurisdiction of the United States, and throughout the world’s oceans;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5191522AFB624C4384F13519D9AE7422"><enum>(3)</enum><text>support and promote interdisciplinary approaches to ocean investigations;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD6F8127CD7C344CF997F3D3E1DC962EE"><enum>(4)</enum><text>engage in education and outreach to increase public awareness and understanding of the oceans, in coordination with the Office of Education;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H686A9F3EC3F446BFA5EA21176DEF6B05"><enum>(5)</enum><text>provide new resources and facilities for access by researchers;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7E4423DFD43044FFA404E7DC8297BCB7"><enum>(6)</enum><text>provide a multidisciplinary archive of ocean data to serve as a source of basic data upon which to develop hypotheses for further investigation and to capitalize on the wide array of available data;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H63BFE861B7AB4AA0B6A605B710AB2251"><enum>(7)</enum><text>create and implement effective approaches to disseminate agency products and ocean information to the general public;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8740FFC7782841F2ABBBE4BE33E15EF"><enum>(8)</enum><text>identify areas that are infrequently explored;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBBDD9864707B46C5917BB401A7BEB4E6"><enum>(9)</enum><text>develop ocean and coastal mapping strategies that identify priority coastal and ocean mapping needs, and cost effective strategies to map those priority areas;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1380E592E1E94E7880C2103E3DF437A9"><enum>(10)</enum><text>map the physical, biological, chemical, and archaeological aspects of the ocean;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB0F9781DFCD047078B18CEC229E3C0AD"><enum>(11)</enum><text>develop sensors and systems to promote United States leadership in ocean technology; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H68E6C3AA9C854EDA8519FEB8ACD53956"><enum>(12)</enum><text>conduct hypothesis-driven science to understand deep ocean ecosystem patterns, processes, and mechanisms.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HF04E5E8D8EF345B2A5283E4B7F43C9EA"><enum>1002.</enum><header>Subcommittee on Ocean Exploration</header>
<subsection id="H9383352C62DA47C7879403C5C14BF767"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>The Committee shall establish a Subcommittee on Ocean Exploration. Each member of the Committee may designate a senior representative with expertise in ocean exploration to serve on the Subcommittee. The Committee shall select a Chair and 1 or more Vice Chairs for the Subcommittee from the membership of the Subcommittee.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H445179CB292D41EDBFD2295E95C582AD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The Subcommittee shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H18CE9B4572064AE2AF0000F2078EA213"><enum>(1)</enum><text>support and advise the Committee, the National Oceans Council, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Ocean Exploration on matters related to ocean exploration for the purpose of increasing the overall effectiveness and productivity of Federal ocean exploration efforts;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H412AEA53E7974959B43EA2F6D007232"><enum>(2)</enum><text>provide recommendations on ocean exploration goals and priorities for and implementation of the National Strategy for Ocean and Coastal Science developed under section 802 and guidance for ocean exploration investments;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1D1B3C942C91468DBEDFED5365A96D35"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">coordinate with the Subcommittee on Ocean Education to provide for ocean exploration funding and educational opportunities for students at all levels including undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCDE2C2F482D44D3CBEB25854DC971368"><enum>(4)</enum><text>identify and work to establish linkages among Federal programs and those of States, academic institutions, museums and aquaria, industry, foundations, and other nongovernmental organizations;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H18D896B98C6D44D3ABD3C6426661BB2C"><enum>(5)</enum><text>coordinate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Ocean Exploration and other Federal agency efforts to work with minority-serving institutions and historically black colleges and universities, and also with traditionally majority-serving institutions, to ensure that students of underrepresented groups have access to ocean exploration educational opportunities;</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5EE54F0FF9BA4E8E8EAA8B649004EDB"><enum>(6)</enum><text>lead development of effective strategies with common perspectives and messages for formal and informal ocean exploration efforts; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8230915140DD411C89558200D9E62519"><enum>(7)</enum><text>carry out such other activities as the Committee and the National Oceans Council request.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HA5DF2288B9314CBEADF7EE83165ADA2"><enum>1003.</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out this title—</text>
<paragraph id="H9AB5F9FF43D24FF4B1CEC11B4B00DA97"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$70,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2010; and</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7BA6D1FE186243A2BDE36785FA00C512"><enum>(2)</enum><text>$80,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2016.</text></paragraph></section>
<enum>XI</enum><header>Ocean and Great Lakes Conservation Trust Fund</header>
<section id="HFBC7728CA5F8441A81D7445694BB6309" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>1101.</enum><header>Establishment of Fund</header>
<subsection id="H7BCC97A5EBAA4B9598DFC26E7CF7F71"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment of Fund</header><text>There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund which shall be known as the <quote>Ocean and Great Lakes Conservation Trust Fund</quote>, in this title referred to as the <quote>Fund</quote>. In each fiscal year after fiscal year 2004, the Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit into the Fund the following amounts:</text>
<paragraph id="HC56CA4249C9C43A799006EC2D7C1C036"><enum>(1)</enum><header>OCS revenues</header><text> An amount in each such fiscal year from qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues equal to the difference between $1,300,000,000 and the amounts deposited in the Fund under paragraphs (2) and (3), notwithstanding section 9 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/1338">43 U.S.C. 1338</external-xref>).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H21BC53D96A44416C9763B7168382D5AF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Amounts not disbursed</header><text>All allocated but undisbursed amounts returned to the Fund under section 1106(a)(2).</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H343CAB10E2E245D2A702720300369FEE"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Interest</header><text>All interest earned under subsection (d).</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HE6BA405A06364EB08B370085A8F3148D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Transfer for Expenditure</header><text>The Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer amounts deposited into the Fund as follows:</text>
<paragraph id="H0545097E624746B78B808EEDFC4DCB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for purposes of making payments to coastal states only for carrying out their responsibilities for developing and implementing Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plans under title VII—</text>
<subparagraph id="H8AF90CB8DDF2470C8192CEDC15C62388"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$350,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H50F72383C831468DB968D8DB7720101"><enum>(B)</enum><text>$700,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H763A57696E6E4EFB94FC9DB3D1257CE0"><enum>(C)</enum><text>$1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2007 and each fiscal year thereafter.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3EE4BC439D694A24982B7BD02B4F3F9B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To the Administrator for allocation, with concurrence of the National Oceans Council, only for carrying out responsibilities of the Federal Government for development and implementation of Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plans required under title VII—</text>
<subparagraph id="H5349F418FF634742BBF9DD269D71F861"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$50,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HEEA96C6FA5FE4F09A79256FD15374BF2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>$100,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H14FD345767514D3FA744FC76C11D65B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>$300,000,000 for fiscal year 2007 and each fiscal year thereafter.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H2132AA56011E43FF8E5B00810090A229"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Shortfall</header><text>If amounts referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a) in any fiscal year after fiscal year 2004 are less than $1,300,000,000, the amounts transferred under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) for that fiscal year shall each be reduced proportionately.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H609CC458E9FD4330A825C8CBEDF5F0D0"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Interest</header><text>The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest moneys in the Fund (including interest), and in any fund or account to which moneys are transferred pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, in public debt securities with maturities suitable to the needs of the Fund, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, and bearing interest at rates determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into consideration current market yields on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States of comparable maturity. Such invested moneys shall remain invested until needed to meet requirements for disbursement for the programs financed under this Act.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H82400849204F43608549003F496DDC87"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Refunds</header><text>In those instances in which through judicial decision, administrative review, arbitration, or other means there are royalty refunds owed to entities generating revenues under this title, refunds shall be paid by the Secretary of the Treasury from amounts available in the Fund to the extent that such refunds are attributable to qualified Outer Continental Shelf revenues deposited in the Fund under this Act.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H3159D1FCA5054C73A86B6C426449E9B9"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Intent of Congress to Supplement Annual Appropriations for Federal agencies</header><text>Amounts made available by this Act are intended by the Congress to supplement, and not detract from, annual appropriations for Federal agencies receiving funding under this title.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H29DA1B52F562439F93BC24D037CA57CB"><enum>1102.</enum><header>Limitation on use of available amounts for administration</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Notwithstanding any other provision of law, of amounts made available by this title (including the amendments made by this title) for a particular activity, not more than 2 percent may be used for administrative expenses of that activity.</text></section>
<section id="H57AA8F604B2E42119CFE41CD7CC21F3B"><enum>1103.</enum><header>Recordkeeping requirements</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator, in consultation with the National Oceans Council, shall establish such rules regarding recordkeeping by State and local governments and the auditing of expenditures made by State and local governments from funds made available under this Act as may be necessary. Such rules shall be in addition to other requirements established regarding recordkeeping and the auditing of such expenditures under other authority of law.</text></section>
<section id="HC1181B7D94A7466E88AA03B8CFF94C3"><enum>1104.</enum><header>Maintenance of effort and matching funding</header>
<subsection id="HBA8DD6FEF937497793AC2771AEB15943"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In General</header><text>It is the intent of the Congress in this Act that States not use this Act as an opportunity to reduce State or local resources for the programs funded by this Act. Except as provided in subsection (b), no State or local government shall receive any funds under this Act during any fiscal year in which its expenditures of non-Federal funds for recurrent expenditures for programs for which funding is provided under this Act will be less than its expenditures were for such programs during the preceding fiscal year. No State or local government shall receive funding under this Act with respect to a program unless the Administrator is satisfied that such a grant will be so used to supplement and, to the extent practicable, increase the level of State, local, or other non-Federal funds available for such program.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H3F2CABE4C75541EF8CF0F92E567D958E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>The Administrator may provide funding under this Act to a State or local government not meeting the requirements of subsection (a) if the Administrator determines that a reduction in expenditures—</text>
<paragraph id="H343A1275C5524337A679763EC9383501"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is attributable to a nonselective reduction in expenditures for the programs of all executive branch agencies of the State or local government; or</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H58F68771F2EF4A6090D6A5932BF916E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>is a result of reductions in State or local revenue as a result of a downturn in the economy.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H11036741085E4990BB91FDC2838521CC"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Use of Fund to Meet Matching Requirements</header><text>All funds received by a State or local government under this Act shall be treated as Federal funds for purposes of compliance with any provision in effect under any other law requiring that non-Federal funds be used to provide a portion of the funding for any program or project.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H197182548D204527B7AC23681DD345B8"><enum>1105.</enum><header>Sunset</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title shall have no force or effect after September 30, 2024.</text></section>
<section id="HCFD4CF01F4F241B18BA069A723C5BFBA"><enum>1106.</enum><header>Community assistance formula and payments</header>
<subsection id="H02B10608344742F892259367392F3828"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Conservation Payments to Coastal States</header>
<paragraph id="HA55A21B4F1FC44FD8C38A33613475210"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Grant program</header><text>Amounts transferred to the Administrator from the Fund under section 1101(b)(1) for purposes of making payments to coastal States under this title in any fiscal year shall be allocated by the Administrator among coastal States as provided in this section each such fiscal year. In each such fiscal year, the Administrator shall, without further appropriation, disburse such allocated funds to those coastal States for which the Administrator has approved a spending plan under section 1107 and that have met all other requirements of this title. Payments for all projects shall be made by the Administrator to the Governor of the State or to the State official or agency designated by the Governor or by State law as having authority and responsibility to accept and to administer funds paid hereunder. No payment shall be made to any State until the State has agreed to provide such reports to the Administrator, in such form and containing such information, as may be reasonably necessary to enable the Administrator to perform the duties of the Administrator under this title, and provide such fiscal control and fund accounting procedures as may be necessary to assure proper disbursement and accounting for Federal revenues paid to the State under this title.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H122F6651E373401CA3FE1C16E66E81B9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Failure to make sufficient progress at developing or implementing a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan</header><text>At the end of each fiscal year, the Administrator shall return to the Fund any amount that the Administrator allocated, but did not disburse, in that fiscal year to a coastal State that, in the judgment of the Administrator, has failed to make sufficient progress in developing or implementing a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan under title VII before the end of the fiscal year in which such grant is allocated, except that the Administrator shall hold in escrow until the final resolution of the appeal any amount allocated, but not disbursed, to a coastal State that has appealed the disapproval of such funding.</text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HD0B0CBDD863A46119779087B45CC1D3D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Allocation Among Coastal States</header>
<paragraph id="H2CCE62658AD8489F91055493BB44375D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Allocable share for each state</header><text>For each coastal State, the Administrator shall determine the State’s allocable share of the total amount transferred from the Fund under section 1101(b)(1) for each fiscal year using the following weighted formula:</text>
<subparagraph id="H462D8137654142C587BADBF18DC45BD7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Thirty-five percent of such amount shall be allocated to each coastal State based on the ratio of each State’s shoreline miles to the shoreline miles of all coastal States.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8D8280BD2C5543BFB0ABA58B244CEF9E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Sixty-five percent of such amount shall be allocated to each coastal State based on the ratio of each State’s coastal population to the coastal population of all coastal States.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H248D9EC9E97D4632BE5C8D4B2642F5B4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Minimum state share</header>
<subparagraph id="HD1E4F5BDEA594DFA87F45B24E533037"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The allocable share determined by the Administrator under this subsection for each coastal State with a management program approved by the Secretary of Commerce under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1451">16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.</external-xref>), or that is making satisfactory progress toward one, shall not be less in any fiscal year than 0.50 percent of the total amount transferred by the Secretary of the Treasury to the Administrator for that fiscal year under section 1101(b)(1). For any other coastal State the allocable share shall not be less than 0.25 percent of such transferred amount.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H68BC73ECAC70464FAC386B47FDF76D04"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Recomputation</header><text>If 1 or more coastal States’ allocable shares, as computed under paragraphs (1) and (2), are increased by any amount under this paragraph, the allocable share for all other coastal States shall be recomputed and reduced by the same amount so that not more than 100 percent of the amount transferred by the Secretary of the Treasury to the Administrator for that fiscal year under section 1101(b)(1) is allocated to all coastal States. The reduction shall be divided pro rata among such other coastal States.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H7CF02602907A4CE1808C8E6E7E42F636"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Payments to Political Subdivisions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In the case of a coastal State, the Governor of the State shall pay 50 percent of the State’s allocable share, as determined under subsection (b), to the coastal political subdivisions in such State. Such payments shall be allocated among such coastal political subdivisions of the State according to an allocation formula that is based on the coastal population density of each coastal political subdivision.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HC0E1ED7517934E4F84F86E90D1233C4B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Time of Payment</header><text>Payments to coastal States and coastal political subdivisions under this section shall be made not later than December 31 of each year from revenues received during the immediately preceding fiscal year.</text></subsection></section>
<section id="H8779FDDC9D5E475489BD65BB181DBE53"><enum>1107.</enum><header>Approval of State funding and spending plans</header>
<subsection id="H353CA8A2F63345FA808BDE30B8482716"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Development and Submission of Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plans</header><text>Each coastal State seeking to receive grants under this title shall participate in the development and implementation of Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plans required under title VII.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="HCCD4213E9E124475A496BFAB415658B3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Submission of spending plan</header><text>Each coastal State seeking funding under this title shall submit annually to the Administrator a spending plan for funds provided under this title. Such spending plan shall describe how the funds provided under this title will be used by the State to implement the State’s responsibilities and obligations in developing and implementing a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan.</text></subsection>
<subsection id="H0AA4F3FC809F49BFA43CCB6E2299B4ED"><enum>(c)</enum><header> Approval or disapproval</header>
<paragraph id="HD4173E993E2F4DC500D9B274B618625E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>A coastal State shall receive funding under this title if, in consultation with the National Oceans Council, the Administrator—</text>
<subparagraph id="H5754B07CEA0F45E4BE9B0027F788E6EF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>certifies that such coastal State is participating actively and sufficiently in the development and implementation of a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan under title VII;</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H230FA167F7414D458700AE29407B0400"><enum>(B)</enum><text>approves a spending plan submitted by such State that specifies how funds provided under this title will be used to meet the State’s obligations and responsibilities in developing and implementing a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan under title VII; and</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1D88391F54474B20835EB13C2FE6AD3F"><enum>(C)</enum><text>ensures any payments under this subsection to political subdivisions are consistent under title VII.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6E62E9A6B5154B928F2E952B7266BB58"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents of plans</header><text>In addition to such other requirements as the Administrator by regulation shall prescribe, each State spending plan shall include the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="HEC3B404C4A6541D9A83BF8152FA000F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The name of the State agency that will have the authority to represent and act for the State in dealing with the Administrator for purposes of this title.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDD5C3657B1BB4D8ABAE6682920B4F44D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A description of how funds provided under this title will be used to meet the State's responsibilities to develop and implement the applicable Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H734FD4813D92447FA52B348559D484E7"><enum>(C)</enum><text>A description of how the State will evaluate the effectiveness of its efforts to implement a Regional Ocean Ecosystem Plan.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H91B4A772A5F547A6B681AD44424BB4B5"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Certification by the Governor of the State that ample opportunity has been accorded for public participation in the development and revision of the plan.</text></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HAA6AA69DD1194998B4A03CEAE0D48CBD"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Measures for taking into account other relevant Federal resources and programs.</text></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6F12747F268D4CB9AF94214BFD01CDB"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Procedure and timing; revisions</header><text>The Administrator shall approve or disapprove each spending plan submitted in accordance with this section. If a State first submits a plan by not later than 90 days before the beginning of the first fiscal year to which the plan applies, the Administrator shall approve or disapprove the plan by not later than 30 days before the beginning of that fiscal year.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBA2D820D895E4FEAABA007331CC48A9"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Amendment or revision</header><text>Any amendment to or revision of the plan shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements of this subsection and shall be submitted to the Administrator for approval or disapproval. Any such amendment or revision shall take effect only for fiscal years after the fiscal year in which the amendment or revision is approved by the Administrator.</text></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H42332E61C3514F5B9E20005E2345D686"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Public Comment</header><text>Before approving or disapproving a spending plan of a State, amendment, or revision to a plan, the Administrator shall provide for public comment on the State’s proposed expenditures for the forthcoming year.</text></paragraph></subsection></section>