110 HR 6204 IH: Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary U.S. House of Representatives 2008-06-05 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6204 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 5, 2008 Mr. Stupak (for himself, Mr. McCotter, and Mr. Kildee) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To expand the boundaries of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve Boundary Modification Act.

2.

Findings and purposes

(a)

Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1)Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve in Lake Huron contains more than 100 recorded historic vessel losses. (2)The areas immediately surrounding the Sanctuary, including the offshore waters of Presque Isle and Alcona counties, Michigan, contain an equal number of historic vessel losses. (3)Many of these shipwrecks and underwater cultural resources are popular recreational diving destinations, and all contribute to our collective maritime heritage. (4)These resources are susceptible to damage from human activities, and must be properly preserved for themselves and to protect the economic viability of their contribution to national and regional economies. (b)

Purposes

The purposes of this Act are— (1)to expand the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve boundaries to encompass the offshore waters of Presque Isle and Alcona counties, Michigan and outward to the international border between the United States and Canada; and (2)to provide the underwater cultural resources of those areas equal protection to that currently afforded to the Sanctuary.

3.

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Sanctuary

The term Sanctuary means the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve. (2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce.

4.

Sanctuary boundary adjustment

(a)

Boundary adjustment

Notwithstanding any provision of law or regulation, including section 922.190 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sanctuary shall consist of the geographic area described in subsection (b). (b)

Expanded Sanctuary boundary

The area referred to in subsection (a) is all submerged lands, including the underwater cultural resources, lake ward of the mean high water line, within the boundaries of a line formed by connecting points in succession beginning at a point along the mean high water line located approximately at 45.628741N, 84.206983W (at Hammond Bay in Presque Isle County) then due east to the international boundary between the United States and Canada approximately located at 45.628741N, 83.163783W then following the international boundary between the United States and Canada in a generally southeasterly direction where it intersects latitude 44.511111N, then due west to a point along the mean high water line located approximately at 44.511111N, 83.318483W (in Alcona County just south of the town of Greenbush) returning to the first point along the mean high water line. (c)

Authority To make minor adjustments

The Secretary may make minor adjustments to the boundary described in subsection (b) to facilitate enforcement and clarify the boundary to public provided the resulting boundary is consistent the purposes described in section 2(b). (d)

Inclusion in the system

The area described in subsection (b), as modified in accordance with subsection (c), shall be managed as part of the National Marine Sanctuary System established by section 301(c) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431(c)), in accordance with that Act. (e)

Updated NOAA charts

The Secretary shall— (1)produce updated National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration charts for the area in which the Sanctuary is located; and (2)include on such charts the boundaries of the Sanctuary described in subsection (b), as modified in accordance with subsection (c).

5.

Extension of regulations and management

(a)

Regulations

The regulations applicable to the Sanctuary codified in subpart R of part 922 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, shall apply to the geographic area added to the Sanctuary pursuant to section 4, unless the Secretary specifies otherwise by regulation. (b)

Existing certifications

The Secretary may certify that any license, permit, approval, other authorization, or right to conduct a prohibited activity made pursuant to section 922.194 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, that exists on the date of the enactment of this Act shall apply to such an activity conducted within the geographic area added to the Sanctuary pursuant to section 4. (c)

Date of Sanctuary designation

For purposes of section 922.194 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, the date of the enactment of this Act shall be deemed to be the date of Sanctuary designation. (d)

Management plan

To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall apply the management plan in effect for the Sanctuary of the date of the enactment of this Act to the geographic area added to the Sanctuary pursuant to section 4.