II 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 851 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 22, 2009 Mr. Kerry (for himself and Mr. Kennedy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To prohibit the issuance of any lease or other authorization by the Federal Government that authorizes exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in any marine national monument or national marine sanctuary or in the fishing grounds known as Georges Bank in the waters of the United States.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Georges Bank Preservation Act.

2.

Prohibition on leasing in certain Federal protected areas

(a)

In General

Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal law, no lease or other authorization may be issued by the Federal Government that authorizes exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in— (1)any marine national monument or national marine sanctuary; or (2)the fishing grounds known as Georges Bank in the waters of the United States, which is 1 of the largest and most historically important fishing grounds of the United States. (b)

Identification of Coordinates of Georges Bank

The Secretary of Commerce, after publication of public notice and an opportunity for public comment, shall identify the specific coordinates that delineate Georges Bank in the waters of the United States for purposes of subsection (a).