1.Short title; table of
contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the National Oceans Protection Act of
2009
.
(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.
Sec. 5. Construction.
TITLE I—National Ocean Policy and Leadership
Sec. 101. Purposes.
Sec. 102. National ocean policy and principles.
Subtitle A—National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Sec. 111. Short title.
Sec. 112. Establishment.
Sec. 113. Functions and purposes.
Sec. 114. Administration.
Sec. 115. Responsibilities of the Administrator.
Sec. 116. Powers of the Administrator.
Sec. 117. Enforcement.
Sec. 118. Regional capabilities.
Sec. 119. Intergovernmental coordination.
Sec. 120. International consultation and
cooperation.
Sec. 121. Report on oceanic and atmospheric conditions and
trends.
Sec. 122. Conforming amendments and repeals.
Sec. 123. Savings provision.
Sec. 124. Transition.
Subtitle B—Federal Coordination and Advice
Sec. 131. National Ocean Advisor.
Sec. 132. Council on Ocean Stewardship.
Sec. 133. Membership of Council on Ocean
Stewardship.
Sec. 134. Functions of Council on Ocean
Stewardship.
Sec. 135. Personnel of Council on Ocean
Stewardship.
Sec. 136. National priorities for coordination.
Sec. 137. Coordination plan.
Sec. 138. Biennial report to Congress.
Sec. 139. Presidential Panel of Advisers on Oceans and
Climate.
Sec. 140. Construction.
TITLE II—Regional Coordination and Planning
Sec. 201. Regional ocean coordination.
Sec. 202. Regional Ocean Partnerships.
Sec. 203. Regional Ocean Strategic Plans.
Sec. 204. Regulations.
Sec. 205. Other authority.
TITLE III—Ocean Science, Research, and Education
Sec. 301. Committee on Ocean Science, Education, and
Operations.
Sec. 302. National Ocean Research Priorities Plan and
Implementation Strategy.
Sec. 303. Ocean Research and Education Advisory
Panel.
Sec. 304. Marine ecosystems research.
Sec. 305. Ocean Ecosystem Resource Information
Systems.
Sec. 306. Subcommittee on Ocean Education.
Sec. 307. Ocean and Coastal Education Program.
Sec. 308. Ocean Science and Technology Scholarship
Program.
Sec. 309. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Office of Education.
Sec. 310. National ocean awareness media campaign.
TITLE IV—Ocean and Great Lakes Conservation Trust Fund and
Authorization of Appropriations
Sec. 401. Ocean and Great Lakes Conservation Trust
Fund.
Sec. 402. Payments to States.
Sec. 403. Eligibility for funding.
Sec. 404. Funding procedures.
Sec. 405. Equitable allocation.
Sec. 406. Healthy Ocean Stamp.
Sec. 407. Limitation on use of available amounts for
administration.
Sec. 408. Record keeping requirements.
Sec. 409. Maintenance of effort and matching
funding.
Sec. 410. Authorization of appropriations.
2.Congress makes the following
findings:
(1)Covering more
than two-thirds of the Earth’s surface, the oceans and Great Lakes play a
critical role in the global water and carbon cycles and in regulating climate,
sustain a large part of Earth’s biodiversity, provide an important source of
food and a wealth of other natural products, act as a frontier for scientific
exploration, are critical to national and economic security, and provide a
vital means of transportation. The coastal regions of the United States have
remarkably high biological productivity and contribute approximately 50 percent
of the gross domestic product of the United States.
(2)The oceans, Great
Lakes, and the atmosphere are susceptible to change as a direct and indirect
result of human activities, and such change can significantly impact the
ability of the oceans and atmosphere to provide the benefits upon which the
Nation depends. Changes in oceanic and atmospheric processes could affect
global climate patterns, ecosystem productivity and health, biodiversity,
environmental quality, national security, economic competitiveness,
availability of energy, vulnerability to natural hazards, and transportation
safety and efficiency.
(3)Human pressure on
ocean and Great Lakes resources is drastically increasing. Fifty percent of the
population of the United States lives within 50 miles of the coast. If
population trends continue as expected, coastal development and urbanization
impacts, which can be substantially greater than population impacts alone, will
present serious environmental, energy, and water challenges and increase our
vulnerability to coastal hazards.
(4)Ocean and Great
Lakes 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 in a precautionary manner to preserve the full range of their
benefits for present and future generations.
(5)A variety of
threats and practices have caused dramatic declines in the health and
productivity of coastal, marine, and Great Lakes ecosystems of the United
States. Among the major threats to marine ecosystem health are—
(A)chemical,
nutrient, and biological pollution;
(B)bycatch of
nontarget marine species;
(C)habitat
damage;
(D)overfishing and
use of destructive fishing practices;
(E)unwise land use
and coastal development;
(F)invasive
species;
(G)global climate
change; and
(H)ocean
acidification.
(6)These threats are
exacerbated by the legal and geographic fragmentation of authority over ocean
space and ocean resources.
(7)Activities
harming coastal and marine ecosystems jeopardize the economies and social
structure of coastal communities dependent on these resources.
(8)While there is a
plethora of laws, government agencies, and programs dealing with coastal,
ocean, and Great Lakes resources, activities thereunder are poorly coordinated
and do not constitute a unified and comprehensive public policy toward the
oceans and Great Lakes.
(9)Improving and
coordinating Federal governance will require close partnerships with States,
taking into account their public trust responsibilities, economic and
ecological interests in ocean and Great Lakes resources, and the role of State
and local governments in the implementation of policies governing the use of
coastal lands and ocean and Great Lakes resources.
(10)Ecosystem-based
management of coastal lands, oceans, and marine resources to protect, maintain,
and restore the health of marine ecosystems requires a partnership between
Federal, State, local, and tribal governments.
(11)It is the
continuing mission of the Federal Government to create, foster, and maintain
conditions, incentives, and programs that will further and ensure the
sustainable and effective conservation, management, and protection of the
oceans and atmosphere, in order to fulfill the responsibility of each
generation as trustee in protecting such resources and ensuring that such
resources will be available to meet the needs of future generations of people
in the United States.
(12)To better enable
the various levels of government with authority over coastal, ocean, and Great
Lakes space and resources to fulfill their public trust responsibilities, a
unified national oceans policy that is precautionary in nature is needed to
govern the range of human activities that may significantly affect United
States ocean waters and ocean resources.
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 ocean and Great Lakes ecosystems.
4.In this Act:
(1)The
term Administrator means the Administrator of NOAA.
(2)Commission on
Ocean PolicyThe term Commission on Ocean Policy
means the Commission on Ocean Policy established under section 3 of the Oceans
Act of 2000 (33 U.S.C. 857–19 note).
(3)Council on
Ocean StewardshipThe term Council on Ocean
Stewardship means the Council on Ocean Stewardship established under
section 132.
(4)The term Exclusive Economic Zone means
the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States specified in Presidential
Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983.
(5)The term Federal waters means the waters
located in the United States Exclusive Economic Zone seaward of the waters
under the jurisdiction of a State.
(6)Important
ecological areaThe term important ecological area
means an area that contributes significantly to local or larger marine
ecosystem health or is an especially unique or sensitive marine
ecosystem.
(7)The
term marine includes ocean and Great Lakes waters.
(8)The term marine ecosystem health
means the capability of a marine ecosystem to—
(A)support and
maintain a productive and resilient community of organisms that has a species
composition, biological diversity, and functional organization comparable to
the natural habitat of the region; and
(B)provide a range
of goods and services to humans and other species at levels and rates
comparable to those provided by a similar undisturbed ecosystem.
(9)The term National Ocean Policy means the
policy set forth in section 102(a)(1).
(10)The
term NOAA means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
(11)The terms ocean and ocean waters
include—
(A)(i)coastal waters;
(ii)the Great Lakes;
(iii)the seabed, subsoil, and waters
of the territorial sea of the United States;
(iv)the waters of the exclusive
economic zone of the United States;
(v)the waters of the high seas;
and
(vi)the seabed and subsoil of and
beyond the Outer Continental Shelf marine environment; and
(B)the natural
resources found in the areas described in clauses (i) through (vi) of
subparagraph (A).
(12)The
term oceanic refers to the areas described in paragraph
(11).
(13)The
term person—
(A)has the meaning
given that term under section 1 of title 1, United States Code; and
(B)includes any
State, political subdivision of a State, and agency or officer of such
State.
(14)Regional ocean
partnershipThe term Regional Ocean Partnership
means a Regional Ocean Partnership established or designated by the
Administrator under section 202.
(15)Except
as otherwise provided in this Act, the term Secretary means the
Secretary of Commerce.
(16)The
term State means any State of the United States, the District of
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American
Samoa, or any other Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United
States.
5.Except as specifically provided, nothing in
this Act may be construed to modify, limit, amend, or repeal any provision of
any other law or 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 ocean and coastal waters or resources, than the protection
provided under this Act.
<enum>I</enum><header>National Ocean
Policy and Leadership</header>
<section id="ID5D4685A3BB7941F79FEB59EAF7AC7E93"><enum>101.</enum><header>Purposes</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The purposes of this title are—</text>
<paragraph id="ID7DC01883BA6245319AC0FCC39E999BDD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to set forth a
national policy relating to oceans, Great Lakes, and atmosphere;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idDE0A0C1808E344598C05E5557EE15EA1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to formally
establish the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the lead
Federal agency concerned with oceanic and atmospheric matters;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID9A553961C3EE45D9B3BF502CB674EFBA"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to statutorily
establish in NOAA the authorities, functions, and powers relating to the
conservation, management, and protection of the oceans, Great Lakes, and
atmosphere that have previously been established by regulation or
reorganization plan;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID8E7A953DB9824EFCBBB13BB58FC132FB"><enum>(4)</enum><text>to set forth the
duties and responsibilities of the Administrator and the principal officers of
the Administrator;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDBDD6FBFBF0E04B599CE02497FEB3CB05"><enum>(5)</enum><text>to establish a
mechanism for Federal leadership and coordinated action on national oceanic and
atmospheric priorities that are essential to the economic and environmental
security of the United States; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5CDAF2694361499DAFDB7076A6969339"><enum>(6)</enum><text>to enhance
Federal partnerships with State and local governments with respect to ocean and
Great Lakes activities, including management of resources and identification of
appropriate opportunities for policymaking and decision making at the State and
local level.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="ID1302B5A48FA24375BED9C9CFFDC44C18"><enum>102.</enum><header>National ocean
policy and principles</header>
<subsection id="HF445ED8F2D784AF19DEDCDA1184F8C55"><enum>(a)</enum><header>National ocean
policy</header>
<paragraph id="H8304B35F296C42E300E925A934D01FA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>It is the policy of the United States to protect,
maintain, and restore the health of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems
in order to fulfill the ecological, economic, educational, social, cultural,
nutritional, recreational, and other requirements of current and future
generations of Americans.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H668FC6CD97C447CBBAFF6EB1513BD541"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Principles</header><text>The
National Ocean Policy shall be implemented in accordance with the following
principles:</text>
<subparagraph id="H8AA9DF90740A451684D1F489DE4455CF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Policies,
programs, and activities should minimize negative environmental impacts to
oceans, Great Lakes, and coastal waters, and their resources and be conducted
so that they do not undermine, by themselves or cumulatively, the protection,
maintenance, and restoration of marine ecosystem health.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4CB5E6569F654E20BC781028A8270946"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Oceans, Great
Lakes, and coasts and their resources should be managed to meet the needs of
the present generation without compromising their ability to meet the needs of
future generations.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBB82D08F26134CC0BE30CF951EE0927"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Oceans, Great
Lakes, coasts, and the resources of each should be managed using
ecosystem-based management.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H20E0E63A6F634158A8AF5D551BEC4417"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The lack of
scientific certainty should not be used as justification for postponing action
to prevent negative environmental impacts. In cases in which significant
threats to marine ecosystem health exist, the best of the available science
should be used to manage the oceans, Great Lakes, coasts, and their resources
in a manner that gives the greatest weight to the protection, maintenance, and
restoration of marine ecosystem health.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H40B9A4CEFF5042AF9CFEC8B0A06E776C"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Policies,
programs, and activities should recognize—</text>
<clause id="id6831D454F2A54858AAC7E502362D6C27"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the
interconnectedness of the land, atmosphere (including climate), oceans, and
Great Lakes, including their water resources; and</text>
</clause><clause id="idDDAA227F759947F3BCC1C6C73CD9DA94"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>that actions
affecting any 1 of these natural resources, such as the climate, are likely to
affect another, such as ocean resources.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H440FAA5EF9A1405DB56C771792A5B2D8"><enum>(F)</enum><text>Potential uses of
the oceans, Great Lakes, coasts, and their resources should be managed in a way
that balances competing uses and does not undermine the protection,
maintenance, and restoration of marine ecosystem health.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HE489A333312C432E916619C14EC901D2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Implementation</header>
<paragraph id="H8DE070C904A241B1AA9797FFB8FC35CF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>To
the fullest extent possible and in accordance with applicable laws, each
Federal agency shall interpret and administer policies, regulations, and laws
in accordance with the National Ocean Policy.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H561D83F15DCC460B8CAA252FEFD674E1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Guidance</header>
<subparagraph id="H93B8AF529B184DBF85ACF5FB13DBB29E"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the National Ocean Advisor shall develop and issue guidance,
consistent with the National Ocean Policy, for the promulgations of regulations
to implement the National Ocean Policy.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0B230C9894524921AF6FD5C355A0FA17"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Public
participation</header><text>The National Ocean Advisor shall provide adequate
opportunity for public comment and review during the development of the
guidance under subparagraph (A).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H1CCB7061572A42648229783862062086"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Agency
actions</header>
<paragraph id="HCB14B5AAA7824663AAA443F51B0737B3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Regulations</header>
<subparagraph id="HFC79FCC7D0D04F14B744EA355D952215"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 2 years after the issuance of guidance
under subsection (b)(2), the head of each Federal agency shall issue new or
revised regulations to ensure consistency with the National Ocean Policy for
any actions undertaken, authorized, or funded by the agency that may
significantly affect the oceans, Great Lakes, coasts, and their
resources.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8CCA378DF7884626949B002200B9AC78"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Public
comment</header><text>The head of each Federal agency shall—</text>
<clause id="H082A64353C56415886B24516C507AF3B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>publish proposed
regulations under this subsection in the Federal Register; and</text>
</clause><clause id="HFB3C106DD2A941AD8654297C3F62208E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>provide a period
for public comment of not less than 60 days before final regulations are
published under clause (i).</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H682A1FC7F07946D3ADBBE19CE7AAEF9B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Review</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the issuance of
guidance under subsection (b)(2), the head of each Federal agency shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="HE677A055EEE34ED095C3CF50262D9B2D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>conduct a review
of the existing policies, regulations, and laws that apply to the agency and
identify any inconsistencies that preclude the agency from fully implementing
the National Ocean Policy; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0EED0AA56AEC4F059BD9F8D4B4488C2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>submit a report on
such review, which shall include such proposals as may be necessary to
eliminate such inconsistencies, to—</text>
<clause id="id0C7A12B9E22948408256B6551D3EBAD0"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the
<committee-name committee-id="SSCM00">Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate</committee-name>;</text>
</clause><clause id="id3E160B69E9C443BABDB96C265D655E3F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the
<committee-name committee-id="">Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives</committee-name>; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id61B4D71C46D741808B27EBCCA67277FD"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the Council on
Ocean Stewardship.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><subtitle id="ID5F7BF7E944E34193A36367FA341D5768"><enum>A</enum><header>National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration</header>
<section id="ID371C8E66108C4657B488172D758D75C8"><enum>111.</enum><header>Short
title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This subtitle may be
cited as the <quote><short-title>Ernest
<quote>Fritz</quote> Hollings National Ocean Policy and Leadership
Act</short-title></quote>.</text>
</section><section id="id5887D44D764E4B50BE18AEE45E82C998"><enum>112.</enum><header>Establishment</header>
<subsection id="id251ED063575E4AAAAFC00DF5D0A6A5E8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is established
an agency to be known as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
which shall be the civilian agency principally responsible for providing
oceanic, weather, and atmospheric services, and supporting research,
conservation, management, and education to the Nation.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idCEEDBC55A5FC4237B2B426731AB476B0"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Succession</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration established under this Act shall succeed the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration established on October 3, 1970, in
Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970, and shall continue the activities of that
agency as it was in existence on the day before the effective date of this
Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID5D3BF2CE822D42AAAB096BB4A294FC30"><enum>113.</enum><header>Functions and
purposes</header>
<subsection id="IDF2D862938E204465A68F6021EFAFD014"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>NOAA, which shall carry out the policy of this Act in a
coordinated, integrated, and ecosystem-based manner for the benefit of the
United States, shall be responsible for the following functions:</text>
<paragraph id="IDEFE7B55CCE3F4578BADFF51C4D51B44C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Management,
conservation, protection, and restoration of ocean and Great Lakes resources,
including living marine resources, habitats, and ocean ecosystems.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID25E4C9C0B3D246A192DEAC1F40785F88"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Observation,
monitoring, assessment, forecasting, prediction, operations, and exploration of
oceanic, Great Lakes, and atmospheric environments including weather, climate,
navigation, and marine resources.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID82CD45F2899542CCA538B88E11EFF127"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Research,
education and outreach, technical assistance, and technology development and
innovation activities relating to oceanic, Great Lakes, and atmospheric
environments, including basic scientific research and activities that support
other agency functions and missions.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDADD0CED966C14EECB582AEC0E186C444"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Transfer of
Functions</header><text>There shall be transferred to the Administrator any
authority established by law that, before the date of the enactment of this
Act, was vested in the Secretary of Commerce and pertains to the functions,
responsibilities, or duties of NOAA under subsection (a).</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDC769034823E34749AC792AF0A72066B5"><enum>114.</enum><header>Administration</header>
<subsection id="ID5E7F2B4425AB42EBAD95F66C15A3DF43"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Administrator</header>
<paragraph id="ID6DBF9194A4564391B037C21E2C0636AD"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Appointment</header><text>NOAA
shall be administered by the Administrator, who shall be appointed by the
President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID7ED6A414D3D64D6593542E93BE46FAD6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Compensation</header><text>The
Administrator shall be compensated at the rate provided for level III of the
Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDEE26DCED6B1C477A810EA2CAB03DD061"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Qualifications</header><text>The
Administrator shall have a broad background, professional knowledge, and
substantial experience in oceanic or atmospheric affairs, including—</text>
<subparagraph id="id6C828AA1E7FB4BB9AA2946E0081EBEA9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>any field
relating to marine or atmospheric science and technology, biological sciences,
or engineering; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id41CFD638CADB40B5B806F892178897DF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>education,
economics, governmental affairs, planning, law, or international
affairs.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDEED61E1930FF46D7B1D4682F8CC2DF1F"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Authority</header><text>The
Administrator—</text>
<subparagraph id="idF472924FB10E435697D3B0C888C574BD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall carry out
all functions transferred to the Administrator under this Act; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD42F6B8FF1C94970A2CA6B1D975AF45C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall have
authority and control over all personnel, programs, and activities of
NOAA.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDF786E99D464C44F28B9CF9B4F95CD87F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Deputy
Administrator</header>
<paragraph id="id51A3FC5CBE584DA1936A311543127E1C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Appointment</header><text>There
shall be a Deputy Administrator of NOAA, who shall be appointed by the
President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, based on the
individual’s professional qualifications and without regard to political
affiliation.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id6C1DA46FDD2B4CEEB5EF6DA661951451"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Compensation</header><text>The
Deputy Administrator shall be the Administrator’s first assistant for purposes
of subchapter III of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, and shall be
compensated at the rate provided for level IV of the Executive Schedule under
section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id8F8EA82E47474985BAEF660A20A5905E"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Qualifications</header><text>The
Deputy Administrator shall have a broad background, professional knowledge, and
substantial experience in oceanic or atmospheric policy or programs, including
science, technology, and education.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id6B1A8898426347C0B3E6130FE3A6C470"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The
Deputy Administrator shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="id8E3CC96FAF604BF58E58B8052C43FAC0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>serve as an
adviser to the Administrator on program and policy issues, including
crosscutting program areas such as research, technology, and education;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC41C1DC4E5DB45A2AF4A8906A36E08DF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>perform such
functions and exercise such powers as the Administrator may prescribe;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id83343F5EC4ED42E287A81925144DC860"><enum>(C)</enum><text>perform the
functions of the Administrator during the absence or disability of the
Administrator or in the event of a vacancy in the office of the
Administrator.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID5F542D15D74644EFA99523AC1F9BAC23"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Associate
Administrator for Ocean Management and Operations</header><text>There shall be
an Associate Administrator for Ocean Management and Operations of NOAA, who
shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate. The Associate Administrator for Ocean Management and Operations shall
have a broad background, professional knowledge, and substantial experience in
oceanic or atmospheric policy or programs, and shall perform such duties and
exercise such powers as the Administrator shall from time to time designate.
The Associate Administrator shall be compensated at the rate provided for level
V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States
Code.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDAEA6B7C56F0E48329326974BDD86DEBE"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Associate
Administrator for Climate and Atmosphere</header><text>There shall be an
Associate Administrator for Climate and Atmosphere of NOAA, who shall be
appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
The Associate Administrator for Climate and Atmosphere shall have a broad
background, professional knowledge, and substantial experience in oceanic or
atmospheric policy or programs, and shall perform such duties and exercise such
powers as the Administrator shall from time to time designate. The Associate
Administrator shall be compensated at the rate provided for level V of the
Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID8095B2A77D5F4460BA3AAF4E6742B66E"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Chief Operating
Officer</header>
<paragraph id="id82535DF9B0A445CEA9ABE3260D87F985"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>There
shall be a Chief Operating Officer of NOAA, who—</text>
<subparagraph id="id29437F05961E4A598D7633A11463904A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall assume the
responsibilities held by the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce on the day
before the date of the enactment of this Act;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA8DE0EC345CF4FE5B680B79CFD7AC7E4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall be
responsible for ensuring the timely and effective implementation of NOAA’s
purposes and authorities;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5FD39BCDC6C6481297D46DA881B39ADF"><enum>(C)</enum><text>shall provide
resource, budget, and management support to the Office of the Administrator;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3DA74F30C52044D686024063EF749881"><enum>(D)</enum><text>shall be
responsible for all aspects of NOAA operations and management, including
budget, financial operations, information services, facilities, human
resources, procurement, and associated services.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idFE809C4AB42C4D49B2B42B77ECD5F2E0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>SES</header><text>The
Chief Operating Officer shall be a member of the Senior Executive Service, as
authorized under section 3133 of title 5, United States Code.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID6DF392BAEAEB4E0C936CA01C55D4C3A5"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Assistant
Administrators</header><text>There shall be at least 3, but not more than 4,
Assistant Administrators of NOAA. The Assistant Administrators shall perform
such programmatic and policy functions as the Administrator shall from time to
time assign or delegate, and shall have background, professional knowledge, and
substantial experience in 1 or more of the following aspects of oceanic and
atmospheric affairs:</text>
<paragraph id="IDA0681F53019B4D86B9EECA359B54CC2B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Resource
management, protection, and restoration.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDA2277A242F264657841B2F74C03CC296"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Operations,
forecasting, and services, including weather and climate.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5E15CAEA32BC4260B2EA95FC166D702A"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Science,
technology, and education.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDC6F388C4193E420ABA41347F517DA644"><enum>(g)</enum><header>General
Counsel</header><text>There shall be a General Counsel of NOAA appointed by the
President upon recommendation by the Administrator. The General Counsel shall
serve as the chief legal officer for all legal matters that may arise in
connection with the conduct of the functions of NOAA.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDE3F984C5393A4BC6BA32D9018C1DD175"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Commissioned
Officers</header>
<paragraph id="ID8CD11789FF3F4651AA8C5BC1490BEE2A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Oversight</header><text>The
Administrator shall designate 1 or more officers to be responsible for
oversight of NOAA’s vessel and aircraft fleets and for the administration of
NOAA’s commissioned officer corps under subtitle B of title II of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002
(33 U.S.C. 3021 et seq.).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID22663E5E3346437E99DA7FB924AC8866"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Continuation</header><text>The
Commissioned Officer Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration established by Reorganization Plan No. 4 of October 3, 1970, as
in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, is the
Commissioned Officer Corps of NOAA established under this Act. All statutes
that applied to officers of the Commissioned Officers Corps of NOAA on the day
before the date of the enactment of this Act apply to officers of the Corps on
and after such date.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDE9C291F1FE574465AE237BA5570B082B"><enum>(3)</enum><header>List</header><text>There
are authorized to be on the lineal list of the Commissioned Officers Corps of
NOAA not less than 350 officers, plus any additional officers necessary to
support NOAA’s missions and the operation and maintenance of NOAA’s ships and
aircraft.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDAC31F771BD9C477AB14148A6ADC6D929"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Appointment</header><text>The
President may appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, 2
commissioned officers to serve at any time as the designated heads of 2
principal constituent organizational entities of NOAA, or the President may
designate 1 such officer as the head of such an organizational entity and the
other as the head of the commissioned corps of NOAA. Any such designation shall
create a vacancy on the active list and the officer while serving under this
subsection shall have the rank, pay, and allowances of a rear admiral (upper
half).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDDF1F5512F9AD4AA893A8A06E12BF6B02"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Retirement
rank</header><text>Any commissioned officer of NOAA who has served under
paragraph (4) and is retired while so serving or is retired after the
completion of such service while serving in a lower rank or grade, shall be
retired with the rank, pay, and allowances authorized by law for the highest
grade and rank held by him, but any such officer, upon termination of
appointment in a rank above that of captain, shall, unless appointed or
assigned to some other position for which a higher rank or grade is provided,
revert to the grade and number the officer would have occupied had he not
served in a rank above that of captain and such officer shall be an extra
number in that grade.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID93B14A37EB31493A82E7A4F6F43E7C66"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Naval
Deputy</header>
<paragraph id="id37E01B2D64714338AEC26D7D71468827"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Detail</header><text>The
Secretary of the Navy may detail a Naval Deputy to the Administrator. This
position shall be filled on an additional duty basis by the Oceanographer of
the Navy.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idCCD5D0E79EEC4E64ABACD88EB46EFAB7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The
Naval Deputy shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID88FDEA1CED7149BAA1DB8A627FDD90B2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>act as a liaison
between the Administrator and the Secretary of the Navy in order to avoid
duplication between Federal oceanographic and atmospheric activities;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID8E95372FA3864A7EB4B4967451BED1D5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>ensure
coordination and joint planning by NOAA and the Navy on research,
meteorological, oceanographic, and geospatial information services, and
programs of mutual organizational interest.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID8F4CF644CBAA42C2BA200CFF7D254FD6"><enum>115.</enum><header>Responsibilities
of the Administrator</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In
addition to administering and carrying out all activities, programs, functions,
and duties, and exercising the powers that are assigned, delegated, or
transferred to the Administrator under this Act, under any other statute, or by
the President, the Administrator shall be responsible for—</text>
<paragraph id="IDBC4E65BC413A4592A203EDBB09BC8954"><enum>(1)</enum><text>managing,
conserving, protecting, and restoring ocean and Great Lakes resources,
including—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID39F02F5F177340FEA2133F93967F3A5F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>living marine
resources, including fisheries, vulnerable species and habitats, and marine
biodiversity;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDA3E108BF91C945BD99D79DA4B5EE2783"><enum>(B)</enum><text>ocean and Great
Lakes areas, including marine sanctuaries, estuarine reserves, and other
managed areas;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID01C89EA867D64F3DA5B76CE342543CAE"><enum>(C)</enum><text>marine
aquaculture;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDF55BA1F01D2740B79929351A1FB617B6"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the protection of
ocean and Great Lakes environments from threats to human and ecosystem health,
including pollution and invasive species;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDBC7E15B6CE1244B2AB8EC4C0A404E14D"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the sustainable
management, beneficial use, protection, and development of coastal regions;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDA634184F75894B0388E05B7B3471A30D"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the mitigation of
impacts of natural and man-made hazards, including climate change;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID4D41A6E3B9C440FE9B9D4965AF132115"><enum>(2)</enum><text>partnering with,
and supporting, State and local communities in undertaking management,
conservation, protection, and restoration of the ocean and Great Lakes
resources described in paragraph (1);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID62C1F2FB238246D7AA51F3A9FEF44624"><enum>(3)</enum><text>observing,
analyzing, processing, and communicating comprehensive data and information
concerning the State of—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDBFFCCE90E1E44592860FD8FD140311C7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the upper and
lower atmosphere;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID5D703A867AAE449B92094A585126CD16"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the oceans, Great
Lakes, and the resources they provide; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID904F73DE915D4CFDB6CAC29F80AE1290"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the Earth and
near space environment;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID29D016E1128B438692CF2134D01D1C45"><enum>(4)</enum><text>collecting,
storing, analyzing, and providing reliable scientific information relating to
weather (including space weather), climate, air quality, water, navigation,
marine resources, and ecosystems that may be used as a basis for sound
management, policy, and public safety decisions;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDF2513BB4BD2F4634924161780A89C0A3"><enum>(5)</enum><text>carrying out
broadly based data, observation, monitoring, and information activities,
programs, and systems relating to oceanic and atmospheric monitoring and
prediction, weather forecasting, and storm warning, including satellite-based
and in situ data collection and associated services;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDAC52D4E990014927B387D829476B4B6F"><enum>(6)</enum><text>carrying out
weather forecasting, storm warnings, and other responsibilities of the
Secretary of Commerce and the National Weather Service under Reorganization
Plan No. 2 of 1965, Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 (as in effect on the day
before the date of the enactment of this Act), sections 3 and 4 of the Act of
October 1, 1890 (15 U.S.C. 312 and 313) and the Weather Service Modernization
Act (15 U.S.C. 313 note), and all other statutes, rules, plans, and orders
relating to the same subject;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5543E6A7E1EC41D6859D3FF349AC6DFE"><enum>(7)</enum><text>providing
navigation and assessment operations and services, including—</text>
<subparagraph id="idD77C25F5D0364186975B57F3D9391323"><enum>(A)</enum><text>developing maps
and charts for the safety of marine and air navigation;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id18156B7CF0FD4493BCD31856F9EC403C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>maintaining a
network of geographic reference coordinates for geodetic control; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD3FA56B8A3E84E458D5CBB500FBAE3D7"><enum>(C)</enum><text>observing,
charting, mapping, and measuring the marine environment and ocean
resources;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDCD6B9F9DCAFB4090AEA4E609919EE0A4"><enum>(8)</enum><text>developing and
improving geodetic and mapping methods and studies of geophysical phenomena,
such as crustal movement, Earth tides, and ocean circulation (including
estuarine areas);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID2B11E33768764658AA5B779B2AE8C325"><enum>(9)</enum><text>collecting,
disseminating, and maintaining on a continuing basis information relating to
the status, trends, health, use, and protection of the oceans, Great Lakes, and
atmosphere, to all interested parties, including through an integrated ocean
observing system and national and regional ecosystem-based information
management systems;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID7C5DBDD0A3564B79BDE503AD2E64F5B1"><enum>(10)</enum><text>administering,
operating, and maintaining satellite and in situ systems that can monitor
global and regional atmospheric weather conditions, climate and related
oceanic, solar, hydrological, and other environmental conditions, collect
information required for research on weather, climate, and related
environmental matters, and monitor the extent of human-induced changes in the
lower and upper atmosphere and the related environment;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID61A3CB849FC34B0F95C4760430DCCBE8"><enum>(11)</enum><text>collecting,
analyzing, and disseminating environmental information, in support of
environmental research and development, including data in the fields of
climatology, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, biology, geology, geophysics,
solar-terrestrial relationships, and the relationship among oceans, climate,
and human health;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3BEA201393EE4443B9CB2148A60991F1"><enum>(12)</enum><text>undertaking a
comprehensive, integrated, and ecosystem-based program of oceanic, Great Lakes,
climate, and atmospheric research related to, and supportive of, the missions
of NOAA and which uses research products, new findings, and methodologies to
develop the most current scientific advice for ecosystem-based
management;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDC7687CAC1DA641E698FDF929DAB7DC33"><enum>(13)</enum><text>conducting
environmental research and development activities that are necessary to advance
the United States oceanic, atmospheric, engineering, and technology expertise,
including the development and operation of observing platforms such as ships,
aircraft, satellites, data buoys, manned or unmanned research submersibles,
underwater laboratories or platforms, and improved instruments and calibration
methods, and the advancement of undersea diving techniques;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID6DCB41AE3DDF43A7BA985214DA6F3E5A"><enum>(14)</enum><text>conducting a
continuing program of ocean and Great Lakes exploration and discovery and
conservation of significant undersea resources, including cultural resources,
to benefit, inform, and inspire the people of the United States, including
communication of such knowledge to policymakers and the public;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDDC4C08714ED142568CE37A77F288D77A"><enum>(15)</enum><text>developing and
implementing, in cooperation with other agencies and entities as appropriate,
national oceanic and atmospheric education, technical assistance, extension
services, and outreach programs designed to increase literacy concerning
oceanic and atmospheric issues, develop a diverse workforce, and enhance
stewardship of oceanic and atmospheric resources and environments;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDB97921159E3046B6A1C9B6F1139D22E4"><enum>(16)</enum><text>ensuring the
execution and implementation of national oceanic, atmospheric, and
environmental policy goals through a variety of oceanic and atmospheric
programs;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDE8A6D7E90B044BE1A92FD6174B343CD6"><enum>(17)</enum><text>undertaking
activities involving the integration of domestic and international policy
relating to the oceans, Great Lakes, and the atmosphere, including the
provision of technical advice to the President on international negotiations
involving ocean resources, ocean technologies, and climate matters;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID9122AF82C35A4673954F55E42BC777E8"><enum>(18)</enum><text>providing for,
encouraging, and assisting public participation in the development and
implementation of oceanic and atmospheric policies and programs;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID86209B0A96C242F7ADA7694192DBA4B9"><enum>(19)</enum><text>conducting,
supporting, and coordinating efforts to enhance public awareness of NOAA, its
purposes, programs, and activities, and the results thereof, including
education and outreach to the public, teachers, students, and ocean resource
managers;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID835576D26646483095A4B8B47389F0BD"><enum>(20)</enum><text>partnering with
other government agencies, States, academia, and the private sector, via
cooperative agreements or other formal or informal arrangements, to improve the
acquisition of data and information and the implementation of management,
monitoring, research, exploration, education, and other programs;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5314D6054674457A9919767673DD26E7"><enum>(21)</enum><text>partnering with
other Federal agencies and with States and communities to address the issues of
land-based activities and their impact on the ocean environment;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idCB6E714B92C54025B474B200F4968485"><enum>(22)</enum><text>working with
other Federal agencies, State, tribal, and local governments, and the public to
improve regional coordination and integration and promote ecosystem-based
management of coasts, oceans, and the Great Lakes; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID270C056CACC743ABB22237B09119BCD3"><enum>(23)</enum><text>coordinating
with other Federal agencies that have related responsibilities.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="IDA3CD245F7AFF47799280F27D79413A6F"><enum>116.</enum><header>Powers of the
Administrator</header>
<subsection id="ID79FD6A5666234287A086DB8D9AAC9D0B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Delegation</header><text>Unless
otherwise prohibited by law or reserved by the Secretary of Commerce, the
responsibilities of the Administrator may be delegated by the Administrator to
other officials in NOAA, and may be redelegated as authorized by the
Administrator.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDC5CAC7893473413EA051B2DD5515F1B2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>The
Administrator may issue, amend, or rescind such rules and regulations as are
necessary or appropriate to carry out the responsibilities and functions of the
Administrator. The promulgation of such rules and regulations shall be governed
by the provisions of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDF7017D3C227848098ACD0B8957179577"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Contracts</header><text>The
Administrator may, without regard to subsection (a) or (b) of section 3324 of
title 31, United States Code, enter into and perform such contracts, leases,
grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions (without regard to
chapter 63 of title 31, United States Code), as may be necessary to carry out
NOAA’s purposes and authorities, on terms the Administrator deems appropriate,
with Federal agencies, instrumentalities, and laboratories, State and local
governments, regional and interstate entities, Native American tribes and
organizations, international organizations, foreign governments, educational
institutions, nonprofit organizations, commercial organizations, and other
public and private persons or entities.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID3794913C16B54FDAA488C84BC909162D"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Gifts and
Donations</header>
<paragraph id="ID9A09B2C2F33D43D198B7F3843AB31A03"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Notwithstanding section 1342 of title 31, United States
Code, and subject to such conditions and covenants as the Administrator deems
appropriate, the Administrator may accept, hold, administer, and
utilize—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID932FD9AFA4674E7292587FF3AC6936D5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>gifts, bequests,
or donations of services, money, or property, real or personal (including
patents and rights thereunder), mixed, tangible or intangible, or any interest
therein;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID69CF8D354E034057A95041D53B77DE88"><enum>(B)</enum><text>contributions of
funds; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID2F146E2629804CB8A07C6D19D450783D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>funds from
Federal agencies, instrumentalities, and laboratories, State and local
governments, Native American tribes and organizations, international
organizations, foreign governments, educational institutions, nonprofit
organizations, commercial organizations, and other public and private persons
or entities.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDB469DF07ACB2432FB3C7659CEF3F96C8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Use,
obligation, and expenditure</header>
<subparagraph id="idEE41FB7067C049F1BF677843AB41F816"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Property and
services</header><text>The Administrator may use property and services accepted
by NOAA under paragraph (1) to carry out the mission and purposes of
NOAA.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id40C5F49AE479451E9FF5CFD806BA544B"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Funds</header><text>Amounts
accepted by NOAA under paragraph (1) shall be available for obligation and
expenditure by NOAA to carry out the mission and purposes of NOAA.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDD31FE52F7C2B44809F755A58E5511590"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Facilities and
personnel</header><text>The Administrator may use the services, equipment,
personnel, and facilities of Federal agencies, instrumentalities and
laboratories, State and local governments, Native American tribes and
organizations, international organizations, foreign governments, educational
institutions, nonprofit organizations, commercial organizations, and other
public and private persons or entities, with the consent of such persons or
entities, and with or without reimbursement.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID61977DB8D54B43DEBF8559A6391DF74C"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Information</header><text>The
Administrator shall provide for the most practicable and widest appropriate
dissemination of information concerning NOAA, its purposes, programs, and
activities, and the results thereof, including authority to conduct education,
technical assistance, and outreach to the public, teachers, students, and ocean
and coastal resource managers.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID8EF4937503AE414490809FE736BDBCC8"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Acquisition and
construction</header><text>The Administrator may—</text>
<paragraph id="ID9E1A5D8A7D28427280250D64D7C9AA8F"><enum>(1)</enum><text>acquire (by
purchase, lease, condemnation, or otherwise), lease, sell, or convey, services,
money or property, real or personal (including patents and rights thereunder),
mixed, tangible or intangible, or any interest therein; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID108B5AC5094644499E3C8938375F9B7D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>construct,
improve, repair, operate, maintain, or dispose of real or personal property,
including buildings, facilities, and land.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="IDE3A75B7474B74D628A5827FA1ABAC12C"><enum>117.</enum><header>Enforcement</header>
<subsection id="ID2A7902A4D2E348D5AACEFADAE2A78F22"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authority</header><text>The
Administrator is authorized to enforce the applicable provisions of any Act,
the enforcement of which is, in whole or in part, assigned, delegated, or
transferred to the Administrator, and any term of a license, permit,
regulation, or order issued pursuant to such Act. The Administrator may
designate any person, officer, or agency to exercise the authority of the
Administrator under this title.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDC24C2E0CC20047FAB5928632479289EF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Use of State
personnel</header>
<paragraph id="ID5041C96D0001446F8E2087C8D8B000CA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Administrator may—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID502F264A73C54DE78BF2CA7B45522BF6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>utilize by
agreement, with or without reimbursement, the personnel, services, and
facilities of any State agency to the extent the Administrator deems it
necessary and appropriate for effective enforcement of any law for which the
Administrator has enforcement authority; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDD6468FB459194838BF59390C88E302CA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>designate such
personnel to exercise the enforcement authority of the Administrator under
subsection (a).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID48B80A02629F4C908364369CE4AAB780"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Status and
powers</header><text>Any personnel designated by the Administrator under
paragraph (1)(B)—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDB02C846584D844D898D18392A2D6117B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall not be
deemed to be Federal employees (except as provided in subparagraph (D)) and
shall not be subject to the provisions of law relating to Federal employment,
including those relating to hours of work, competitive examination, rates of
compensation, and Federal employee benefits, but may be considered to be
eligible for compensation for work-related injuries under subchapter III of
chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, sustained while acting pursuant to
such designation;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDB423747905F54BC188AF88A31BE91822"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall be
considered to be investigative or law enforcement officers of the United States
for purposes of the tort claim provisions of title 28, United States
Code;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDE752E1E11A494EAEA1AA098E2B9422BF"><enum>(C)</enum><text>may, to the
extent specified by the Administrator, search, seize, arrest, and exercise any
other law enforcement functions or authorities described in this title where
such authorities are made applicable by this or other law to employees,
officers, or other persons designated or employed by the Administrator;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID3084CB72F7B140A3B9F77707255EE132"><enum>(D)</enum><text>shall be
considered to be officers or employees of the Department of Commerce for
purposes of section 112 and section 1114 of title 18, United States
Code.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDEE0BCAC5949D4C48A7F16BD019E1F364"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Cooperative
enforcement agreements</header><text>The Administrator may—</text>
<paragraph id="id3AE0CEFD4D6143B786BEAEAD1568B894"><enum>(1)</enum><text>enter into
cooperative agreements with State authorities to ensure coordinated enforcement
of State and Federal laws;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id45EF46F7D1BF4B8589A56E86EA7368BD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by such
agreements, assume enforcement authority under State law when the Administrator
and State authorities jointly determine that such assumption of authority is
appropriate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id1BABC87F8B32423E897988CA5D42CF6F"><enum>(3)</enum><text>when so
authorized, function, or designate another to function, as a State law
enforcement officer within the scope of the delegation, except that Federal law
shall control the resolution of any conflict concerning the employee status of
any Federal officer while enforcing State law.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID7E9C0F9F8E2242169FD4200EF8EABB92"><enum>118.</enum><header>Regional
capabilities</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator
shall—</text>
<paragraph id="ID90153FEB339C4DEA9DE5F80C6284E8F3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>organize agency
activities and programs around common ecoregional boundaries identified through
a process established by the Council on Ocean Stewardship, based upon
recommendations contained in the report of the Commission on Ocean Policy, and
coordinated with the Regional Ocean Partnerships, in order to—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID313588E449B04933BBE1B8D8C57189D0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>enhance inter-
and intra-agency cooperation;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID2EECDF5F78114005BE7555DB6F2620B4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>maximize Federal
capabilities in such region;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID92D1A58D345D4A54A0CEA025A7F08467"><enum>(C)</enum><text>develop
coordinated, ecosystem-based management and research programs;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID4C2EB293290147D386CC0E893F1FC2D7"><enum>(D)</enum><text>develop research
partnerships with States, Regional Ocean Partnerships, and academic
institutions;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID5D31A45442EF4F229F013EF91E15B4A5"><enum>(E)</enum><text>substantially
improve the ability of the public to contact and work with all relevant Federal
agencies; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID2E2A2F29E2164F6F96ED09091A007AD6"><enum>(F)</enum><text>maximize
opportunities to work in partnership with States and Regional Ocean
Partnerships in order to facilitate ecoregional management and enhance State,
Regional Ocean Partnership, and local capacity to manage issues on an
ecoregional basis;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID2F42B60074294AF9A8CCA440C7196F66"><enum>(2)</enum><text>work with other
Federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the United
States Fish and Wildlife Service, Army Corps of Engineers, and State agencies
to—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID0B040DC5FD924D3BAAC7C3FF87ED7E3B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>encourage similar
ecoregional organization and, if appropriate, colocation of related programs
and facilities to achieve goals described in paragraph (1); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID171CB766C9C44C65A7686D3FF0F45CBA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>plan and
implement ecoregional activities to encourage early cooperation, coordination,
and integration across the Federal agencies and with relevant State programs,
and to assure applicable Federal and State ocean policies; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDB8BCF0E0328C4A559285F0FC3FB19900"><enum>(3)</enum><text>ensure that NOAA
consults with the States and Regional Ocean Partnerships established under
section 302, develop regional information programs as recommended by the
Commission on Ocean Policy, including—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID0DCB309C46FC4523807FE6F9DDC99660"><enum>(A)</enum><text>coordinated
research strategies;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID42E73FC06CED48DAB7541EF8F4B842D1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>integrated
oceanic and atmospheric monitoring and observation activities; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID6880FAD2075D4198838DB85E655B85F8"><enum>(C)</enum><text>establishment of
service centers and coordinators to support development of innovative tools,
technologies, training, and technical assistance to facilitate the
implementation of ecosystem-based management.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></section><section id="ID9DA34127FA354D3483C2B4A0D367EFD5"><enum>119.</enum><header>Intergovernmental
coordination</header>
<subsection id="IDFEA56C3AD6654B889630213653E68472"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Avoidance of
duplicative requirements</header><text>In carrying out the provisions of this
Act, the Administrator shall consult and coordinate with the head of any
Federal agency having authority to issue any license, lease, or permit to
engage in an activity related to the functions of the Administrator for
purposes of assuring that inconsistent or duplicative requirements are not
imposed upon any applicant for, or holder of, any such license, lease, or
permit.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID07FEBA3537BA4CBFBBE4CF4EB4E8E5CB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Avoidance of
inconsistent and conflicting activities and policies</header><text>To identify
and resolve inconsistent or conflicting Federal oceanic and atmospheric
activities and policies, the Administrator shall—</text>
<paragraph id="ID5A9AE5A3E659497083DC767EAFBEB5D3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>consult and
coordinate with the head of any Federal agency on the activities and policies
of that agency to provide services related to the functions of the
Administrator;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDA366112BD6454A97BD1FC88B99F23BFE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>request the head
of any Federal agency to provide clarification and justification of those
activities and policies that the Administrator determines are inconsistent or
conflicting with the Administrator's functions; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID8B0435317B444CA58D204DDD249BD6B3"><enum>(3)</enum><text>issue, as the
Administrator determines to be appropriate, reports to the President, the
Council on Ocean Stewardship, the head of any Federal agency, and Congress
concerning inconsistent or conflicting activities and policies of any Federal
agency relating to oceanic and atmospheric activities, including
recommendations on how to reconcile inconsistent and conflicting Federal
oceanic and atmospheric activities and policies throughout the Federal
Government.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDF80CACA2012F47DA9E6BBC09624A35AB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Consultation
with Administrator</header><text>The head of any Federal agency or department,
and all other Federal officials, having responsibilities related to the
functions of the Administrator shall consult with the Administrator on any
subject matter that directly involves any actions or activities described in
this Act, to ensure that all such activities are well coordinated.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDFF4EA8F7E95A4D42ACF13BF413DF8CC1"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Coordination
with States</header><text>The Administrator shall ensure that NOAA employees
work with the States to encourage early cooperation, coordination, and
integration of Federal and State oceanic and atmospheric programs, including
planning and implementing ecoregional activities.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDE3130DE7C39842EF8BC09ACB5FE113C7"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Office of
Intergovernmental Affairs</header><text>The Administrator shall establish an
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, which shall—</text>
<paragraph id="idA5EF1120F83D47F3969216DC7A3DED83"><enum>(1)</enum><text>assist in
implementing this section; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id11921067CF6E40B1B677C2937ED5C70F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>facilitate
planning of joint programs between NOAA line offices and other Federal agencies
or departments, including the Department of Defense.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="IDBB4AE1E7E746459D8804DC860BC77027"><enum>120.</enum><header>International
consultation and cooperation</header>
<subsection id="ID975A262C7FC94096A2CEDA04C7E22B48"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Cooperation
with Secretary of State</header><text>The Administrator shall cooperate with
the Secretary of State to the fullest extent practicable in providing
representation at all meetings and conferences relating to actions or
activities described in this Act in which representatives of the United States
and foreign countries participate.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDEE1999BE61144B82B8BC5958507FAB87"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Consultation
with Administrator</header><text>The Secretary of State and all other officials
having responsibilities for agreements, treaties, or understandings with
foreign nations and international bodies shall consult with the Administrator
when the subject matter or activities described in this Act are involved, with
a view to ensuring that such interests are adequately represented.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID4A03A51119CF44C28F5668841665514F"><enum>121.</enum><header>Report on
oceanic and atmospheric conditions and trends</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the Administrator, in
consultation with relevant Federal and State agencies and departments, shall
submit a report to Congress that describes—</text>
<paragraph id="ID968FBE9F2C7C40CABFA971328005DC53"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the status and
condition of the United States oceanic and atmospheric environments, including
with respect to climate change;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID6EFF5DDADDF048A59B13628E475A17E0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>current and
foreseeable trends in the quality, management, and utilization of such
environments; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDA59A2030043E459C876AB937EAE3D720"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the effects of
such trends on the social, economic, ecological, and other requirements of the
United States.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="ID0DFCA8544E174E269A83F261DC433740"><enum>122.</enum><header>Conforming
amendments and repeals</header>
<subsection id="IDEE9E1C1CCA6247B7B816CD6D8D52E2AE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Reorganization
Plan No. 4</header><text>Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 (15 U.S.C. 1511
note) is repealed.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDD5B0D5DF9E6B483C811829448262115D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>References to
NOAA</header><text>Any reference to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
(either by that title or by the title of the Administrator of NOAA), or any
other official of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in any
law, rule, regulation, certificate, directive, instruction, or other official
paper in force on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act shall be
deemed to refer and apply to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration established under this Act, or to the position of Administrator
established under this Act, respectively.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID16F1B20812994F3087F68D000D39BE81"><enum>(c)</enum><header>References to
NOAA as within the Department of Commerce</header>
<paragraph id="IDA4C3A371CB134E08972F3102EB5F0D59"><enum>(1)</enum><header>NOAA
officers</header><text>Section 407 of the Act entitled <quote>An Act to amend
certain provisions of the law regarding the fisheries of the United States, and
for other purposes</quote>, approved November 14, 1986 (Public Law 99–659; 110
Stat. 3739), is repealed.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID7EF635CAD22E45A8855B7E3A9ED5789C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Bureaus in
NOAA</header><text>Section 12 of the Act of February 14, 1903 (15 U.S.C. 1511),
is amended—</text>
<subparagraph id="id2B6C77070F194CC59C3405ED14B90F27"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking
paragraph (1);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8C5A1F2A94AA49C088CA06EBEF962101"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by redesignating
paragraphs (2) through (6) as paragraphs (1) through (5), respectively;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF8E741EC91DD43069FEC7F5AF0252F5C"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in paragraph (3),
as so redesignated, by inserting a semicolon at the end.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDD7F7AAB0829F4388AFD79E2948F71A03"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Conforming
amendment</header><text>Section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, is amended
by striking <quote>Assistant Secretaries of Commerce (11).</quote> and
inserting <quote>Assistant Secretaries of Commerce (10).</quote>.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDB3B7BE200386499DAF9E3D5B56B9FD12"><enum>123.</enum><header>Savings
provision</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">All rules and
regulations, determinations, standards, contracts, certifications,
authorizations, appointments, delegations, results and findings of
investigations, or other actions duly issued, made, or taken pursuant to or
under the authority of any statute that resulted in the assignment of functions
or activities to the Secretary, the Department of Commerce, the Under
Secretary, the Administrator, or any other officer of NOAA, in effect
immediately before the date of the enactment of this Act shall continue in full
force and effect after the date of the enactment of this Act until modified or
rescinded.</text>
</section><section id="IDF1D47B7D09754D9FA8AE69DB64F4FA0B"><enum>124.</enum><header>Transition</header>
<subsection id="ID4859F0BCE1514B33939516BDD725651B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>The provisions of this subtitle shall become effective on
the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID2A3C0B7AA80443CEB6056614ADD1F94D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Reorganization</header><text>Not
later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Administrator, in consultation with the Assistant Administrator for Program
Planning and Integration of NOAA, shall submit to Congress a plan and budget
proposal that sets forth a proposal for NOAA and program reorganization
that—</text>
<paragraph id="ID746A66593CFF4162A67C615A887C6461"><enum>(1)</enum><text>meets the
requirements of this title;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID32599BA5640442BF80CE7D90FEA1B629"><enum>(2)</enum><text>reflects the
recommendations of the Commission on Ocean Policy, particularly with respect to
ecosystem-based science and management and additional budgetary requirements;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1631E82DC47A40DA8D0C4CD6157DBCA8"><enum>(3)</enum><text>provide
integrated oceanic and atmospheric programs and services for the benefit of the
United States.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="IDB52D13FF16114FD19582017056481FEB"><enum>B</enum><header>Federal
Coordination and Advice</header>
<section id="HB25339BA1E404F0284AC2309B460B2D9"><enum>131.</enum><header>National Ocean
Advisor</header>
<subsection id="H989D4A9BE01C46C2B0444CD664117675"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header>
<paragraph id="HA740FD8E00684B108FA367241C74E553"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>There is established in the Executive Office of the
President the position of National Ocean Advisor (referred to in this section
as the <quote>Advisor</quote>), who—</text>
<subparagraph id="id42B3D4ACBBC943589829D9F08D0D8BC4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall be
appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE91BC26DF94D440F982F5F4E8690385C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may not be an
employee of an agency or department of the United States.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HDFB6911939634FBA92E2D033E96CE84B"><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 section 5136 of title
5, United States Code.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB18E73ABDA064172A986903D4B016651"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Qualifications</header><text>The
individual appointed as the Advisor shall be a person who, as a result of the
individual's training, experience, and attainments, is well qualified—</text>
<subparagraph id="H2C2FF13F884B426BA8204FD7D55EE900"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to analyze and
interpret marine ecosystem trends and all relevant information related to such
trends;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3C7D5B904E27442981B3D4D378FE1E46"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to appraise
programs and activities of the Federal Government with consideration of the
goals of the National Ocean Policy; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HAEFD4059D7D04233A1F2396EE891388E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>to formulate and
recommend actions and decisions to promote marine ecosystem health.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HBCAA1F63C089495100F50407FF74FFF9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The
Advisor shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HFCAB8A87B96C413CB32303D99E027203"><enum>(1)</enum><text>advise the
President on implementation of this Act, activities of the Council on Ocean
Stewardship, and other matters relating to ocean waters, coastal waters, ocean
resources, and maintaining marine ecosystem health;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H234700735CB94FFBA9389B7D128774D3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>serve as the
chairperson of the Council on Ocean Stewardship;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HADE21250D61542EFABEA567190D3C6E4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>lead efforts to
coordinate Federal agency actions to implement the National Ocean
Policy;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H67A890A0D3A049B391C8BC00DA2BF393"><enum>(4)</enum><text>establish a
process, in consultation with the Council on Ocean Stewardship, for resolving
interagency disputes and advise Federal agencies as requested regarding the
implementation of the National Ocean Policy; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H97F91DE036F1488FADE55D1095EF45CB"><enum>(5)</enum><text>develop, issue,
and revise as needed, the guidance required under section 102(b)(2).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H9F7BBBB78D2B4959B1CD665BA2590050"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Staffing</header>
<paragraph id="H15E7186AEDF643C48C353266A639E3E5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Staff</header><text>The
Advisor may employ such staff as may be necessary to carry out this
section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HCB6E338EEC5A4542AD108BF3718D2DFB"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Uncompensated
services</header><text>The Advisor may accept, utilize, and terminate voluntary
and uncompensated services to carry out this section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID6A15C52BA8A94F4C862433CFEE3AF169"><enum>132.</enum><header>Council on
Ocean Stewardship</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There is
established in the Executive Office of the President the Council on Ocean
Stewardship (referred to in this subtitle as the
<quote>Council</quote>).</text>
</section><section id="ID4300A907865149E29C0587C267F4A4E7"><enum>133.</enum><header>Membership of
Council on Ocean Stewardship</header>
<subsection id="IDC486CD861E6148ACAB0596E439B0DDC8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>The
Council shall be composed of at least 3 members and not more than 5 members who
shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDBCB1B264F2354D34B8B744DD270D0D04"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Qualifications</header><text>Each
member of the Council shall be, as a result of training, experience, and
attachments, exceptionally well qualified—</text>
<paragraph id="ID57E5DE3D795543A0BFFA23381CD7D619"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to analyze and
interpret all types of oceanic and atmospheric trends and information;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDDA56073F7B204228A1D8B083E6D37D34"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to appraise
programs and activities of the Federal Government in comparison with the
National Ocean Policy;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDD5216465C36347B78AE8F50E0FEC9FC3"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to be conscious
of and responsive to the scientific, environmental, ecosystem, economic,
social, aesthetic, and cultural needs and interests of the United States;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDC22CFE2C10E4480087E5D7833EE51963"><enum>(4)</enum><text>to formulate and
recommend national policies to promote the improvement and the quality of the
ocean and atmospheric environments, including as those environments relate to
practices on land.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID7F981BEF89D34C6BB189911C6976C91B"><enum>134.</enum><header>Functions of
Council on Ocean Stewardship</header>
<subsection id="ID6BB5E8E1D9AA49A090288C5C52FFFED5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Coordination
and advice</header><text>The Council—</text>
<paragraph id="ID4FEF356AD1D34B8597B1616056696714"><enum>(1)</enum><text>shall coordinate
oceanic and atmospheric activities among the agencies and departments of the
United States, particularly focusing on the National Ocean Policy, while
minimizing duplication, including ensuring that other ocean-related agencies
work together at the operation, program, and research levels in cooperation
with NOAA;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDB1482A804E20496195371B35776FBA0A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>shall provide a
forum for improving planning among such agencies and departments, budget and
program coordination, administration, outreach, and cooperation on such
programs and activities;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5561D9B8FA7F4CDB998E01EB1E3ED25D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>shall ensure that
such agencies and departments engaged in oceanic and atmospheric activities
adopt and implement the principle of ecosystem-based management and take
necessary steps to improve regional coordination and delivery of services
around common ecoregional boundaries;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID83FE77279CA149779866707BCA16963F"><enum>(4)</enum><text>shall review and
evaluate the various programs and activities of the Federal Government in light
of the National Ocean Policy for the purpose of determining the extent to which
such programs and activities are effective and contributing to the achievement
of such policy and the overall health of the oceanic and atmospheric
environment, including marine ecosystems;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID8C7FF3320E2A4D60B3E8704154C96BD9"><enum>(5)</enum><text>shall conduct an
annual review and analysis of funding proposed for oceanic and atmospheric
research and management in the budgets of such agencies and departments, and
provide budget recommendations to the President, the agencies, and the Office
of Management and Budget to carry out the National Ocean Policy, improve
coordination, cooperation, and effectiveness of such activities, eliminate
unnecessary overlap, and identify areas of highest priority for funding and
support;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID0B37BC19C1824A1C83009733FABB8F06"><enum>(6)</enum><text>shall identify
progress made by oceanic and atmospheric programs carried out by such agencies
or departments toward achieving the goals of—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDDB51C7B8B0684683BEE32A0ACAD6E95C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>providing more
effective protection and restoration of marine ecosystems;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDAAD74BAA549B4A6BA5DFFA3BA70D2548"><enum>(B)</enum><text>improving
predictions of climate change and variability (weather), including their
effects on coastal communities and the Nation;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDE5A0451B0E7043FD88B969F92065EEF9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>improving the
safety and efficiency of marine operations;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDD6131AB704DA411CAED294AF330C59A3"><enum>(D)</enum><text>more effectively
mitigating the effects of natural hazards;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID25259AEC1D70498C9B6993AF1E7D91B6"><enum>(E)</enum><text>reducing public
health risks from oceanic and atmospheric sources;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDAEAD6642229640F89578D23C1A7DC64C"><enum>(F)</enum><text>ensuring
sustainable use of resources; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDFB0C8A9701034EDC9BE9F1156EA2D85A"><enum>(G)</enum><text>improving
national and homeland security;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID0EAA16253512488884B35813A8954AB9"><enum>(7)</enum><text>shall promote
efforts to increase and enhance partnerships with States that border a coast or
a Great Lake and other non-Federal entities to support Regional Ocean
Partnerships and enhanced regional research, resource, hazards, ecosystem-based
management, education and outreach, and marine ecosystem protection,
maintenance, and restoration;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID6CFAA9990C9E475386A5E2CFE6869BC7"><enum>(8)</enum><text>shall identify
statutory and regulatory redundancies or omissions and develop strategies to
resolve conflicts, fill gaps, and address new and emerging oceanic and
atmospheric issues for national and regional benefit;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID815CC58911104AEAA69FD87D5CF8501F"><enum>(9)</enum><text>shall emphasize
the development and support of partnerships among government agencies and
nongovernmental organizations, academia, and the private sector, including
regional partnerships;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDF78BB39149D845D38D9A2BD10C1E7B10"><enum>(10)</enum><text>shall expand
research, education, and outreach efforts by all Federal agencies undertaking
oceanic and atmospheric activities;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDC6D19FB1431F41DC801A88C3908229D5"><enum>(11)</enum><text>may establish a
Federal Coordinating Committee on Oceans, chaired by the Chair of the Council,
to carry out the coordination of oceanic and atmospheric programs and
priorities required under this title; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id8F27889AD91B44D9BFD2719ABFF92A78"><enum>(12)</enum><text>may establish
any other ocean-related committee the Council determines to be
appropriate.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDFCD9D7D58EE04A0CBC067D1F6B615E18"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>In
exercising its powers, functions, and duties under this subtitle, the Council
shall—</text>
<paragraph id="IDFAE66D108F174960849FB80EFB02A507"><enum>(1)</enum><text>consult with the
Administrator and the Presidential Panel of Advisers on Oceans and Climate
established under section 139 to ensure input from potentially affected States,
the public, and other stakeholders;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDD1A16BDB51FE41FC9B65FF6D62B75799"><enum>(2)</enum><text>work in close
consultation and cooperation with the Council on Environmental Quality, the
Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Council of Economic Advisers, and
other offices within the Executive Office of the President;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID489E6508586241DC9EA97AA50851C3B4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>utilize the
expertise and coordinate the capabilities of the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean
Science and Technology of the National Science and Technology Council and any
ocean-related committees formed under the Council with respect to oceanic and
atmospheric science, technology, and education matters, including development
of a national research strategy; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDA065D0618226412C8CEDB7B2B3147450"><enum>(4)</enum><text>utilize, to the
fullest extent possible, the services, facilities, and information (including
statistical information) of public and private agencies and organizations and
individuals, in order to avoid duplication of effort and expense, and ensure
that the Council’s activities will not unnecessarily overlap or conflict with
similar activities authorized by law and performed by the Administrator or the
head of any other agency or department of the United States.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID202378FF7CD04346938C4F85FAE75C66"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Reviews and
reports</header><text>The Council shall make and furnish such studies, reports,
and recommendations with respect to matters of policy and legislation as the
President may request.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID3DC16F9B7AFC41AF8ED4F6CCBA6774F1"><enum>135.</enum><header>Personnel of
Council on Ocean Stewardship</header>
<subsection id="ID82BCA12373E14788B141053AE405706D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Assistance from
other agencies or departments</header>
<paragraph id="ID2CE15615A39D48EAB8326CB0478317F8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>For the purpose of carrying out the functions of the
Council, each agency or department of the United States that conducts oceanic
or atmospheric activities shall furnish any assistance requested by the
Council.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDA5F27DD8672A45E6A0B43E7452B25A6D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Forms of
assistance</header><text>Assistance furnished under paragraph (1) may
include—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDD6A308C172884BFAB0D73BBC5B7D16B4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>detailing
employees to the Council to perform such functions, consistent with the
purposes of this subtitle, as the Chair of the Council may assign; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID8024AB93246C48D2928BC398067B0313"><enum>(B)</enum><text>undertaking, upon
the request of the Chair of the Council, such special studies for the Council
as are necessary to carry out the functions of the Council.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID9554A49DD7FF408986176BAF733900A6"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Personnel
management</header><text>The Chair of the Council shall have the authority to
make personnel decisions regarding any employees detailed to the
Council.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDCDB06BC3AC33440887535EAE03443902"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Employment of
personnel, experts, and consultants</header><text>The Council may—</text>
<paragraph id="IDF8D1D1F28A2441688E614BE90927001A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>employ such
officers and employees as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the
Council under this subtitle;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDDD02E4126CE346029450FD5FE01723F6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>employ and fix
the compensation of such experts and consultants as may be necessary to carry
out the functions of the Council under this subtitle, in accordance subsection
(b) of section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code (without regard to the
last sentence of such subsection); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDA7C1EFE82A0844D1BA81B6D1436C369C"><enum>(3)</enum><text>notwithstanding
section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, accept and employ voluntary and
uncompensated services in furtherance of the purposes of the Council.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="IDBC8D280A4F7A4435BFDEF41D3FB9E36F"><enum>136.</enum><header>National
priorities for coordination</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Council, in coordination with the Joint
Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology of the National Science and
Technology Council, shall ensure that the Federal agencies conducting oceanic
and atmospheric activities give priority attention and develop coordinated
Federal budgets, programs, and operations that will minimize duplication and
foster improved services and other benefits to the United States in the
following areas:</text>
<paragraph id="IDA4760A54BE694A628D2593948D599A9C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Prevention,
management, and control of nonpoint source pollution, including regional or
watershed strategies.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDE475F3B910EC4E248A9CC82B3A35FAA9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>An integrated
ocean and coastal observing system and an associated Earth observing
system.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID0E9BD1AD021744EB9CCF56B5DB7C2F69"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Ecosystem-based
management, protection, and restoration of oceanic and atmospheric resources
and environments, including management-oriented research, technical assistance
and organization of programs, and activities along common ecoregional
boundaries.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3012408610BB4741A433C85EDC745B9D"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Ocean education
and outreach.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4BFD625D5F59422EA43B65C1B214DA9D"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Regionally based
coastal land protection, conservation, maintenance, and restoration.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDC3926FF9E459438FB98789D3AE455367"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Enhanced research
and technology development on crosscutting areas, including—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID652583E44C7E498C907F94727568E636"><enum>(A)</enum><text>oceans and human
health;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDD514F229ABF246B1BFC0CE6FA439D98A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>social science
and economics;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDDE3BECDB0EC14193B44AA2CA368A5DCC"><enum>(C)</enum><text>atmospheric
monitoring and climate change;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID63881E94C4C2449D99392EC67DB1DD4A"><enum>(D)</enum><text>marine
ecosystems, marine biodiversity, and ocean exploration;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID4D0528F58E4B473ABF8D0C9014D3C023"><enum>(E)</enum><text>marine and
atmospheric hazards, including sea level rise and geological events; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID15195EAC97E34B14B40CF6F675F8F5B3"><enum>(F)</enum><text>marine
aquaculture.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID4F4D97BDC00240D28228BBD501C0AA7D"><enum>(7)</enum><text>Characterization
and mapping of the coastal zone, coastal State waters, the territorial sea, the
exclusive economic zone and Outer Continental Shelf, including ocean
resources.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="H2D7DB276B52047F0973CC45AA0145CE"><enum>137.</enum><header>Coordination
plan</header>
<subsection id="H4C37EEB8F8ED4CE5BE17643144894767"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Coordination
plan</header><text>Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Council shall submit to Congress a plan for coordinating
activities of each agency or department of the United States related to ocean
waters that—</text>
<paragraph id="HB30EE84B55894D87A75CFA9911CECAD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is
consistent with the National Ocean Policy;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H591933627D424B1EB48C9DCB36F10663"><enum>(2)</enum><text>designates a lead
Federal entity for each existing activity and new activity in Federal waters
and identifies a process for coordination of such activity among such agencies
or departments;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HBB6350E1A8F0444E8691FDE444A8B469"><enum>(3)</enum><text>identifies the
process by which such agencies or departments may coordinate with and
participate in the Regional Ocean Partnerships and establishes Federal regional
ocean partnership teams to participate in that process;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HCF5DC520E76D482B841C5CF14D9DF3BF"><enum>(4)</enum><text>considers possible
consolidation of oceanic or atmospheric programs, functions, services, or
resources within or among such agencies or departments, if such consolidation
would not undermine the National Ocean Policy;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC3F88FA4F3EC4B0000E49738ECC4F9CE"><enum>(5)</enum><text>includes
recommendations prepared for any resources or new authorities that such
agencies or departments may need to implement the National Ocean Policy;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H25C0EB68E5324A7A8DD3D107DC5DA42C"><enum>(6)</enum><text>includes
recommendations regarding agency ocean budgets and the sufficiency of such
budgets to carry out the National Ocean Policy.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H940A78B2A2C84A8DB63F785B35882340"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Review and
update</header><text>The Council shall review and update the coordination plan
under this section as needed, but not less frequently than once every 6
years.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID1287792AA479469883460942E6B302EA"><enum>138.</enum><header>Biennial
report to Congress</header>
<subsection id="ID46DE7491B3554E0EA6F35CA59C156CE0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment
of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the President, through the Council,
shall submit a report to Congress on Federal oceanic and atmospheric programs,
priorities, and accomplishments, which shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="ID85BE6706EFB842238BAF0B0C1BC4F507"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a comprehensive
description of the oceanic and atmospheric programs and accomplishments of all
agencies of the United States;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID14A9CBE87AC840AEA1987AE63E4B5910"><enum>(2)</enum><text>an evaluation of
such programs and accomplishments in terms of the National Ocean Policy and the
national priorities identified in section 136, which specifies the progress
made with respect to the goals set out in this title;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID204CA66E05A047E79103B279A2DB0A7A"><enum>(3)</enum><text>a report on
progress in improving Federal, State, and Regional Ocean Partnership
coordination on ocean and atmospheric activities, including coordination
efforts required under this Act;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDCA371FD815A9460E8AD344497A785149"><enum>(4)</enum><text>an analysis of
the Federal budget allocated to such programs including estimates of the
funding requirements of each such agency for such programs during the
succeeding 5 to 10 fiscal years;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3CE747997B0A49A49B2DEC568555BAAD"><enum>(5)</enum><text>recommendations
for remedying deficiencies, and for improving organization, effectiveness, and
outreach of Federal oceanic and atmospheric programs and services, on a
regional and national basis, including support for State and local efforts that
leverage public, nongovernmental, and private sector involvement; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDFF5D6FA226E84EAEBE634A415C4FD5AE"><enum>(6)</enum><text>recommendations
for legislative or other action.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDBEDBC0803240494F910D65C0DCEE5D0D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Presidential
transmittal</header><text>The President shall submit the biennial report
prepared pursuant to this section to the President of the Senate and the
Speaker of the House of Representatives not later than December 31 of the year
in which such report is due.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID09E4FE0E738C41FF895594F7384E3078"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Agency
cooperation</header><text>Each Federal agency shall cooperate by
providing—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA1968AC9B4494446A380BC388F9213D2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>such data and
information without cost as may be requested by the Council for the purpose of
this section; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF17F94AB48734CD7B3329EA2624E95DA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>services and
personnel on a cost reimbursable basis at the request of the Chair of the
Council for the purpose of accomplishing the requirements of this
section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HFC4E95D2F41F44FA85C6B4D070161E3E"><enum>139.</enum><header>Presidential
Panel of Advisers on Oceans and Climate</header>
<subsection id="IDE8C4133F4BA84AEF9E733B66AE4042BA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header>
<paragraph id="id2110F91FA5014399847C735565ED04DE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The President shall establish a Presidential Panel of
Advisers on Oceans and Climate (referred to in this section as the
<quote>Presidential Panel</quote>).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idAB6BA2C699A64B5D81BA15085A917C95"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>The
purpose of the Presidential Panel shall be—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID2C5CC44F5BB44DF096331CDFD4D3462F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to advise and
assist the President and the Chair of the Ocean Stewardship Council in
identifying and fostering policies to protect, manage, and restore oceanic and
atmospheric environments and resources, on a regional and national basis;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID6AA993917F3E481CAFFD2D2B4AFFB243"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to undertake a
continuing review, on a selective basis, of priority issues relating to—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id717396567C67400B812591A42E910869"><enum>(i)</enum><text>national oceanic
and atmospheric policy (including climate change);</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5A7C9A4BDE1947E59AFA29C48F34E950"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>conservation and
management of ocean environments and resources; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id52805A5BEEC847E3B2E9B8937B7ACE7D"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the status of
the oceanic and atmospheric science and service programs of the United
States.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H0A65F5166AF944109498066116CB63C1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Membership</header>
<paragraph id="idE3277A89C39545BCB455101D7A125498"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Presidential Panel shall include at least 20 members
appointed by the President, in consultation with the National Ocean Advisor
(who shall serve as an ex officio member of the Presidential Panel)—</text>
<subparagraph id="HFC5B30BFB5B24A3B8575A54800A8DE98"><enum>(A)</enum><text>who shall be
appointed based on their knowledge of and experience with coastal, ocean, and
atmospheric science, policy, and other related areas; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD9DDAE409B814D67A9E6A0A080436778"><enum>(B)</enum><text>which shall
include at least 1 representative from—</text>
<clause id="H1C42C70C8B7B4B45AE4EF3ED37781201"><enum>(i)</enum><text>local
governments;</text>
</clause><clause id="H51B39989BFB041EA00282C32D41CA43C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Indian
tribes;</text>
</clause><clause id="H3CBCE5F23EFD422383B9EA33B217315D"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the marine
science research community;</text>
</clause><clause id="H6CA30DD533084D43ADDEE77BCAD0A676"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the
marine science education community;</text>
</clause><clause id="H113911DCC4E2482AA6BF68418EB7C056"><enum>(v)</enum><text>the
commercial fishing sector;</text>
</clause><clause id="H38530ADCCEEE4B09B7BACF45A9005EA9"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>the
recreational fishing sector;</text>
</clause><clause id="H211E62C5A7764EB4A136D31CAD77A580"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>the energy
development, the shipping and transportation, and the marine tourism
industries;</text>
</clause><clause id="H2E851784E582450495DF5923CBBA7200"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>agriculture,
which may include timber;</text>
</clause><clause id="H715DF927B6AD42D4B8E022CEA216972E"><enum>(ix)</enum><text>watershed
organizations (other than organizations represented under clause (x)), which
may include resource conservation districts; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H6CA7E39D624F4CC49DB8E01F763C8B34"><enum>(x)</enum><text>nongovernmental
organizations (other than organizations represented under clause (ix)),
including groups interested in marine conservation.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID69DDD280DC4C440C89AD54650AC13143"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Chairperson</header><text>The
Chairperson of the Council on Ocean Stewardship shall serve as co-chairperson
of the Presidential Panel with a non-Federal member designated by the
President.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID8B5E33C546734DF1819FFD64A59C11B6"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Appointment and
qualifications</header><text>Each member of the Presidential Panel shall be
appointed by the President for a 3-year term from among individuals with
diverse perspectives and expertise in 1 or more of the disciplines or fields
associated with oceanic and atmospheric policy, including—</text>
<paragraph id="ID77BB82931B40450EA87F10D53F6DF8BC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>marine-related
State, tribal, and local government functions;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID2AF60AED39874E8C9F15E0E41E23FCDD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>ocean and coastal
resource conservation and management;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID244C9F50D5E14E919B9A2E89DF2AA303"><enum>(3)</enum><text>atmospheric or
oceanic science, engineering, and technology;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID73DC481B221A4C53BEDE117DDA104C76"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the marine
industry (including recreation and tourism);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDED79485DB7414472BD3E0A901D0214D8"><enum>(5)</enum><text>climate
change;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDA6984BE53EEC429EBAFE8895A2398015"><enum>(6)</enum><text>atmospheric or
coastal hazards; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID7C79B5076C5E4345BA3A7903AB1CC756"><enum>(7)</enum><text>other fields
appropriate for consideration of matters of oceanic or atmospheric
policy.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID05D619E54E564842BFDC3B06C87AF255"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Vacancies</header><text>An
individual appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the
term for which the individual’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed
only for the remainder of such term. No individual may be reappointed to the
Presidential Panel for more than 1 additional 3-year term. A member may serve
after the date of the expiration of the term of office for which appointed
until the individual’s successor takes office.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDFFF263F62F2C4925A88B54F982D19314"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Compensation</header><text>Each
member of the Presidential Panel shall, while serving on business of the
Commission, be entitled to receive compensation at a rate not to exceed a daily
rate to be determined by the President consistent with other Federal advisory
boards. Federal and State officials serving on the Commission and serving in
their official capacity shall not receive compensation in addition to their
Federal or State salaries for their time on the Commission. Members of the
Presidential Panel may be compensated for reasonable travel expenses while
performing their duties as members.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID6173C943949E4659A3A3BC1F0208CF9E"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Meetings</header><text>The
Presidential Panel shall meet at least twice per year, or as prescribed by the
President.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID90863E0C7BB44E0BA108AF8907ABE21D"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Reports</header>
<paragraph id="ID3D6A48D965D14A26BD5E8467A5517C06"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Beginning not later than the first June 30 that is at
least 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Presidential
Panel shall submit an annual report to the President and to Congress setting
forth an assessment, on a selective basis, of the status of the Nation’s ocean
activities, and shall submit such other reports as may from time to time be
requested by the President or Congress.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID25EAAA58DED5401D92E729A40F83B672"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Comment and
review by council</header><text>Each annual report shall be submitted to the
Chairperson of the Council on Ocean Stewardship who, in consultation with the
Administrator, not later than 60 days after the receipt of such report, shall
submit the Chairperson’s comments and recommendations to the President and to
Congress.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="IDEA1511BEA7134FDC99D3F6D2A0EA3405"><enum>140.</enum><header>Construction</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Except as explicitly provided, nothing in
this subtitle or the amendments made by this subtitle may be construed to
modify the authority of the Administrator under any other provision of
law.</text>
</section></subtitle><enum>II</enum><header>Regional
Coordination and Planning</header>
<section id="H68043916A912465B9190ADC0D23D5D"><enum>201.</enum><header>Regional ocean
coordination</header>
<subsection id="H5A5A6ADADBC74A0081E6ABC189BB6896"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The purpose of this title is to promote coordinated
regional efforts to further the implementation of the National Ocean Policy
through—</text>
<paragraph id="HC1159ADBD31D4E6F9147290081131B06"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the designation of
distinct ocean regions; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2346A49514BF44EE9DDAFE22AED09303"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the establishment
of Regional Ocean Partnerships and the development and implementation of
regional ocean strategic plans.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H36CD56D1AD30488399A988ACB2A2FB42"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Objectives of
regional efforts</header><text>Regional efforts described in subsection (a)
shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HEB35198F3A35435DA453D1FE670800CC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>provide for more
systematic communication, coordination, and alignment of State and Federal
governmental authorities and programs with the size, scale, and characteristics
of regional marine ecosystems while recognizing regional economic and social
patterns;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H647E9DAA1427412CBB0067218EF36800"><enum>(2)</enum><text>build on and
improve existing regional programs and initiatives and foster the creation of
new regional efforts in areas where effective interstate and Federal
cooperative efforts are lacking;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFA528C99A6DA4D6E8DCE161114F70025"><enum>(3)</enum><text>provide for
regional and subregional ocean assessments, based on the best available
science, to determine status and trends and to provide the information needed
to improve management decisions;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H56322ED0DAD144F9AF6BFDF7D99BE845"><enum>(4)</enum><text>identify shared
Federal and State priority issues and address such issues in a collaborative
and coordinated way based on existing legal authorities;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H6D492036D59A442EB4B4E6694ED9348D"><enum>(5)</enum><text>improve the
integration of government efforts and maximize government efficiency;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H0094C457B82D4C16B4F0B6EBC70029D7"><enum>(6)</enum><text>identify and
provide data and information needed by the Regional Ocean Partnerships;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB7073F2E556B4CC3BA84E76671ECFF6D"><enum>(7)</enum><text>provide for
opportunities for public input on regional priorities and plans and for
improved citizen and community stewardship of ocean waters, coastal waters, and
ocean resources.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H975227BB60A14EB79FC39815E706EAFC"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Regions</header>
<paragraph id="H9C507676A8EB4C22A9B9422EEA41C3AD"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Designation</header><text>There
are hereby designated the following ocean regions:</text>
<subparagraph id="HEEE85AC520C043ABA10061CD43AD6F48"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The North Pacific
Ocean Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone and watershed areas of
the State of Alaska that have a significant impact on coastal waters of the
State of Alaska seaward to the extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H95BAD81076804167AAA887FD8142C5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Pacific Ocean
Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone and watershed areas of the
States that have a significant impact on coastal waters of the States of
Washington, Oregon, and California seaward to the extent of the Exclusive
Economic Zone.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDDF25082BDC442FBA1FEBD15E4A1AFCE"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The Western
Pacific Ocean Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone of the States of
Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands seaward to the
extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCAB35A89FD074D7DBF6B4E82009DDC13"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The Gulf of Mexico
Ocean Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone and watershed areas of
the States that have a significant impact on coastal waters of the States of
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida seaward to the extent of
the Exclusive Economic Zone.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEFF0DC5A2E1448DC8C8BF0E46FF1FCAA"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The Caribbean
Ocean Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone and watershed areas of
the States that have a significant impact on coastal waters of the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands seaward to the extent of the Exclusive
Economic Zone.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCE10BDE678FB4A4890B97CC9A4F55E4B"><enum>(F)</enum><text>The Southeast
Atlantic Ocean Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone and watershed
areas of the States that have a significant impact on coastal waters of the
States of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina seaward to the
extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDD5DA9A060834E8BA31CACBEEBB09746"><enum>(G)</enum><text>The Northeast
Atlantic Ocean Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone and watershed
areas of the States that have a significant impact on coastal waters of the
States of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island
seaward to the extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDA30BF31094E4E02A60027458F324328"><enum>(H)</enum><text>The Mid-Atlantic
Ocean Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone and watershed areas of
the States that have a significant impact on coastal waters of the States of
Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia seaward to
the extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB528D9D04C79497000CCA3482FFA00DF"><enum>(I)</enum><text>The Great Lakes
Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone and watershed areas of the
States that have a significant impact on coastal waters of the States of
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and
Wisconsin to the extent of the territorial waters of the United States in the
Great Lakes.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE982686BA6CE4E5EA477A6B76B8EC6C1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Subregions</header><text>Each
Regional Ocean Partnership established under section 202 may establish such
subregions, or geographically specified management areas, as necessary for
efficient and effective management of region-specific ecosystem issues.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA558BAECA0114E878D4402FE1D87853D"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Coastal zone
defined</header><text>In this subsection, the term <term>coastal zone</term>
has the meaning given such term in section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management
Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1453).</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H0321EF24CA8C450B87E8107FEE39483"><enum>202.</enum><header>Regional Ocean
Partnerships</header>
<subsection id="HD80496C50E4C4D2796CFB87E79757BC0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header>
<paragraph id="HD5FC1480ED5845408320A752A94E300"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>Not
later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Administrator, in consultation with the Council on Ocean Stewardship and the
appropriate States, shall establish or designate a Regional Ocean Partnership
(referred to in this section as a <quote>Partnership</quote>) for each of the
ocean regions established under section 201.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H3F292029540E459B9324D900DA53863D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>Each
Partnership shall, for the ocean region for which it is established or
designated—</text>
<subparagraph id="H856DA03092C745D4B53CFE58F78E5DEA"><enum>(A)</enum><text>pursue the
objectives set forth in section 201(b);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2FC13E04911B42099FE52FB9FA11BFF5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>further the
implementation of the National Ocean Policy; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9EB483BA60E149D89F91ACC82912B49"><enum>(C)</enum><text>develop and
implement a Regional Ocean Strategic Plan under section 203.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H2FCFEAD187414AEC88FF02E596AA7BB3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Existing
regional efforts</header>
<paragraph id="id4F8648008CC249DCA2CAD85E985A617E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>For any ocean region for which a regional ocean
governance effort exists, the relevant coastal States shall work with the
Administrator to determine whether—</text>
<subparagraph id="id94293AFBDC5547D88286CAE09D49BAA4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Partnership
established or designated for the ocean region should build upon and expand
that effort; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idBE2478F82D9E4AED840B9D030E4D2B03"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Administrator
should initiate a new effort.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idE52BCA8C1D4D41A2BFBD3B46A2EEFEAC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Great lakes
region</header><text>For the Great Lakes Region, the Regional Ocean Partnership
shall build upon, rather than duplicate or supercede, the efforts of the Great
Lakes Regional Collaboration established under Executive Order 13340 (69 Fed.
Reg. 29043; relating to the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF0C52C2B9CA04E34A6BE8F0E5BF8899"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Membership</header>
<paragraph id="H4F2CAB0535F54E32B54BCB4EFE1E9903"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Federal
representatives</header><text>Not later than 270 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Council on Ocean Stewardship shall designate the
agencies and departments of the United States that shall participate in each
Partnership. Among such agencies and departments designated for each
Partnership, the Council shall include such agencies and departments that have
expertise in ocean and coastal policy, oversee ocean and coastal policy or
resource management, or engage in activities that significantly affect ocean
waters, coastal waters, or ocean resources. The head of each such agency or
department designated by the Council shall select and appoint officers or
employees of such agency or department to serve as representatives to each
Partnership. The Administrator, or designated representative of the
Administrator, shall serve as the chairperson of each Partnership.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H3FC280F78BC94E0BA57CF84D2F261E8E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>State
representatives</header>
<subparagraph id="H62799201010E422A82D50411F61E43EF"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Coastal State
representatives</header><text>Subject to subparagraph (C), the Governor of each
coastal State within each ocean region designated under section 201(c)
shall—</text>
<clause id="HDC9A22FB34E044CDA3CCD8D209EA7CEA"><enum>(i)</enum><text>not
later than 9 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, inform the
Administrator if the State intends to participate in the Partnership for the
ocean region; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H4F23FF92A2D44805A59DFCC834C3F914"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>if
the State intends to participate in such Partnership, not later than 1 year
after the date of the enactment of this Act, appoint an officer or employee of
the coastal State agency with primary responsibility for overseeing ocean and
coastal policy or resource management to that Partnership.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H84E70EA81BBF4391B28457DDB9F8E248"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Noncoastal State
appointments</header>
<clause id="H2950B63F297B469D8364CB58003B4539"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 9 months after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Governor of each noncoastal State within each ocean region
designated under section 201(c) shall notify the Administrator if the State
seeks to participate in the Partnership for the ocean region. Subject to clause
(ii), the Partnership for that region shall appoint to the Partnership 1 or
more representatives of each noncoastal State that notifies the Administrator
of its intent to participate in the Partnership.</text>
</clause><clause id="H6879E95E08D844A9B6B04F14502F02D1"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Appointments
for multiple noncoastal States</header><text>If more than 1 noncoastal State
notifies the Administrator under clause (i) that it seeks to participate in the
Partnership for an ocean region—</text>
<subclause id="H7F9C5C8227564C84B2A1F2513D06F45B"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the Partnership
shall establish a process for nominating and appointing representatives under
this subparagraph;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="HB0E8946691384F9EB4B7893E9265DCAC"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the total number
of representatives appointed under this subparagraph for the Partnership may
not exceed the number of coastal State representatives on the Partnership;
and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="H2CD95F5CF3484F279671B32F181FF2B2"><enum>(III)</enum><text>in appointing
representatives to the Partnership, the Partnership shall consider the relative
impact on the ocean region for which the Partnership must prepare a Regional
Ocean Strategic Plan of the waters under each such noncoastal State’s
jurisdiction that feed into the ocean region.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0F9B890AF63E46B6A8F2E5E99C4508F"><enum>(C)</enum><header>North Pacific
Regional Ocean Partnership</header><text>The Governor of the State of
Washington—</text>
<clause id="HD4E721D960634EE9912E004D06875DFB"><enum>(i)</enum><text>not
later than 9 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, shall notify
the Administrator if the State intends to participate in the North Pacific
Regional Ocean Partnership; and</text>
</clause><clause id="HFFBA56BCE492409D98DE29E67409A7B4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>if
such State intends to participate in such Partnership, not later than 1 year
after the date of the enactment of this Act, shall appoint to such Partnership
an officer or employee of the Washington State agency with primary
responsibility for overseeing ocean and coastal policy or resource
management.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H014AC6998BF442089351333813BC6EB7"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Regional Fishery
Management Council representation</header><text>The executive director of each
Regional Fishery Management Council with jurisdiction in the ocean region of a
Partnership and the executive director of the interstate marine fisheries
commission with jurisdiction in the ocean region of a Partnership shall each
serve as a member of the Partnership, and shall be considered non-Federal
representatives for the purposes of paragraph (5)(A).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD856D55B090B4296B2E9431E4BEF4DB2"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Local government
representative</header><text>Each Partnership shall receive nominations and
select 1 representative from a coastal political subdivision to represent the
interests of local and county governments on the Partnership.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H733F2D65C10C4964A8DAEBC358AA5D64"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Additional
appointments</header>
<subparagraph id="HEC92AB5CEF39412FAA90554C21E88F5"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Balance</header><text>Each
Partnership shall—</text>
<clause id="H55B8A865CD2845BE8C86C8679E1F9D4F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>identify the total
number of additional non-Federal representatives within the ocean region of the
Partnership necessary to ensure that the combined number of non-Federal
representatives on the Partnership equals the number of Federal representatives
on the Partnership; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H2D3763DE05D74A18B9F422D62715EEED"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>identify a
process for selecting such non-Federal representatives that, to the maximum
extent practicable, assures balanced and broad non-Federal
representation.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC3B12C0FF6C54362A08C8762779BD588"><enum>(B)</enum><header>International
representatives</header><text>In cooperation with the Secretary of State, each
Partnership may foster nonbinding relationships with foreign governments,
agencies, States, provinces, and other entities as appropriate, at scales
appropriate to the ocean region under the authority of the Partnership,
including by providing opportunities for participation by foreign
representatives at meetings of the Partnership, its advisory committees, and
other working groups.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H0842434E88A9471689616500E7D4C3B7"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Steering
Committee</header>
<paragraph id="HFDF1F584A6424AB78D17F1C032622C65"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Each Partnership may establish a Steering Committee to
provide leadership with respect to the development and implementation of the
Regional Ocean Strategic Plan under section 203 and to ensure that the goals
set forth in such Regional Ocean Strategic Plan are being met within the time
lines established by that section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC4FE092EE94348E88961DA3FBEB62FC6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>The
Steering Committee shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="H3060B2B1908D4BAF8752D1D53BA52E02"><enum>(A)</enum><text>1 representative
from each coastal State that appoints a representative to the Partnership;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H69D771D79BCA4C19BD35AADA8DE67479"><enum>(B)</enum><text>1 representative
from each of not more 3 Federal agencies or departments that have jurisdiction
over ocean or Great Lakes resources.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H582F4B19741E4E8C8000401203F1C708"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Advisory
committees</header>
<paragraph id="H4C0C868FF967489DB2EE7EE918FC57FF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Authority</header><text>Each
Partnership may establish and appoint members of advisory committees and
working groups as necessary for preparation and implementation of its Regional
Ocean Strategic Plan under this title.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H5223CEC58F654FB4891E66AE967967F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Advice and
input</header><text>Each Partnership shall provide opportunities for citizen
and stakeholder input in the development and implementation of its Regional
Ocean Strategic Plan.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H309F29F761BD462E0023194FF68F6EC"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Coordination</header>
<paragraph id="HF7199E3E63BD47ADAA907C5CF0E69CAF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Existing
programs</header><text>Each Partnership shall build upon and complement State,
multistate, and regional capacity and governance and institutional mechanisms
to manage and protect ocean waters, coastal waters, and ocean resources.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC46B136E69234C8590B8343528938477"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Inland
regions</header><text>Each Partnership shall collaborate and coordinate, as
necessary and appropriate, with noncoastal States that may significantly impact
marine ecosystem health in the ocean region or the Partnership.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H7F3449C61EDE480DB2FC64D0B1ACC9EA"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Procedures</header>
<paragraph id="H1F54F1703C4D4256BF00960703003389"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Each Partnership shall operate in accordance with
procedures established by the Partnership and approved by the
Administrator.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC46F2752B78A4077A929ACA7D9F90697"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Required
procedures</header><text>The Administrator shall prescribe requirements for the
approval of procedures under paragraph (1) that provide, at a minimum,
for—</text>
<subparagraph id="H9B2EE77CB0C1481187C306C3B95087C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>transparency in
decision making;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H329847F793E1442D9D68DAFBE078E439"><enum>(B)</enum><text>opportunities for
public input and participation; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4409FFBF3DA6487CBB3B28471C5C1FF"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the use of advisory
committees that may be established under subsection (e).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF5C9F25901324C5ABD9F099BE8613BB2"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Staff</header>
<paragraph id="H1B7E2DFE8F62478BBA7653E2F210998F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Hiring
authority</header><text>Each Partnership may hire such staff as is necessary to
perform the functions of the Partnership.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H101C3C12903F4469BC8D8B3EDB91AFA5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Treatment</header><text>Staff
hired by a Partnership shall be treated as employees of the Administration,
except for any staff that are hired by participating States.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H73A1B1035DA84F83A3669750FC4EE7AA"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Federal Advisory
Committee Act</header>
<paragraph id="H7A7ED6214E6146D1A89733DDFF8C8969"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall
not apply to Partnerships, steering committees, or any advisory committee
established under this title.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HCAC4C95171A644AA991600B39D4E81E1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Compliance</header><text>Notwithstanding
paragraph (1), each Partnership and each advisory committee of a Partnership
shall be appointed and operate in a manner consistent with all provisions of
the Federal Advisory Committee Act with respect to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H942737A69FCB4E18A233B13B7EE78ED1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the balance of
their membership;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDE38B84379B7436DBE6DE670A029AD94"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provision of
public notice regarding their activities;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H819119FE237242EF98F65420CEDB7FE6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>open meetings;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEB39610BD6224A97B9686CBC7B016822"><enum>(D)</enum><text>public access to
documents created by the Partnerships or advisory committees of the
Partnerships.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H94E3024D379641CD88E7E0EE96BFFBE8"><enum>203.</enum><header>Regional Ocean
Strategic Plans</header>
<subsection id="H5B454B45154444D0BDA3E9EFBA3D40CA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Initial ocean
region assessment</header>
<paragraph id="H61C2240FD2604F06BCDBC36E254F4CF4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Administrator, in consultation with the Regional
Ocean Partnership for an ocean region and other experts, shall, not later than
1 year after the date of the establishment or designation of such Partnership,
prepare an initial assessment of the ocean region to guide the development of
the Regional Ocean Strategic Plan prepared for such ocean region under
subsection (b).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H5B641A2836E740E8A61728DED4F2D756"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>Each
initial assessment under paragraph (1) shall include a summary of—</text>
<subparagraph id="H951ED3816F214D5D965038C8B7E62D4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the ocean region’s
marine ecosystem health, culture, and economy;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H20334AF90F614BD9A8B3FE66BFBCE00"><enum>(B)</enum><text>existing, emerging,
and cumulative threats to marine ecosystem health of the ocean region;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDBF7D74A16ED4E048D6467AB3777BED1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>indicators that
measure marine ecosystem health of the ocean region; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3A3C976D572947D9992F478E5C28F1CD"><enum>(D)</enum><text>important
ecological areas within the ocean region.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HFE3DCF3D7FD54973A4994C95EA06D79"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Public
participation</header><text>The Administrator, in consultation with the
Regional Ocean Partnership, shall provide opportunities for public input in the
development of the initial assessment and updates of the assessment under
subsection (c). Such opportunities shall include sharing the latest science and
local knowledge regarding the ocean region’s ocean waters, coastal waters, and
ocean resources using annual public ecosystem forums.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF485B7074193457982A1EFA549790015"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Regional Ocean
Strategic Plan</header>
<paragraph id="H550C1101217C48B299EEEDCDD44D8C33"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>Not
later than 2 years after the completion of the initial assessment for each
ocean region, the Regional Ocean Partnership shall prepare and submit, to the
Administrator for review, consultation, and approval, a Regional Ocean
Strategic Plan for adaptive, ecosystem-based management of United States ocean
waters, coastal waters, and ocean resources for the ocean region of the
Partnership in accordance with the National Ocean Policy.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H8873E4AA5F8B4BE8A9F5944344342045"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>Each
Plan prepared by a Regional Ocean Partnership under paragraph (1) shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="H2D319BABBBA34CF6A0DA623867664DB0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>be based on the
ocean region assessment required under subsections (a) and (c);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE565637AA1994E5C9C2C88FADC591F18"><enum>(B)</enum><text>describe
short-term and long-term goals for improving marine ecosystem health in the
ocean region covered by the Plan;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H34C0DCE126F6454E84E585CA7B2DEBB"><enum>(C)</enum><text>recommend long-term
monitoring measures for important ecological areas within the ocean region
covered by the Plan;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD12164B9EEFF4FB0B7D1AD4EC2490072"><enum>(D)</enum><text>identify Federal
and State priority issues within the ocean region covered by the Plan;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H619A4CEF1619478281988DC7737DE14D"><enum>(E)</enum><text>describe
ecosystem-based management solutions and policies to address the priority
issues;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD7B21BD40C1648EF8201E6BFD31E3389"><enum>(F)</enum><text>describe
short-term and long-term indicators for measuring improvements in economic
sustainability in the ocean region that result from improved ecological
conditions and improved collaboration and coordination among Federal and State
agencies;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H889A9369D5184D478CE9416C77BBE0A"><enum>(G)</enum><text>identify research,
information, and data needed to carry out the Plan;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEDD39D9B1C524353AB563949C192C3BE"><enum>(H)</enum><text>identify
performance measures and benchmarks for purposes of subparagraphs (B), (C), and
(E) to be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Plan; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H785DE7757AE74C33A63DD72BF9679AC"><enum>(I)</enum><text>define
responsibilities and include an analysis of the gaps in authority,
coordination, and resources, including funding, which must be filled in order
to fully achieve the performance measures and benchmarks identified under
subparagraph (H).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HF860E4809A7F4AFEAF9E0531BCE8BB03"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Public
participation</header><text>Each Regional Ocean Partnership shall provide
adequate opportunities for public input during the development of the Plan and
any Plan revisions.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HD6591361AB4E458AB3C01694C0059F6"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Updated ocean
region assessments</header><text>Not later than 4 years after the approval of
the Plan and at least once every 6 years thereafter, the Administrator, in
consultation with the appropriate Regional Ocean Partnership and other experts,
shall update the initial ocean region assessment prepared under subsection
(a)—</text>
<paragraph id="idE37AF766F16C4B8DA669B7D8028AD27E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to provide more
detailed information regarding the required elements of the assessment;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id336BE0C9ED66462FB47EDBFFCF6D42D9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to include any
new information that has become available.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H0F4F69BFACF64FC6AE7EEB4082EB90D"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Plan
revision</header><text>Each approved Regional Ocean Strategic Plan shall be
reviewed and revised by the relevant Regional Ocean Partnership at least once
every 6 years. Such review and revision shall be based on a recently updated
ocean region assessment. Any proposed revisions to the Plan shall be submitted
to the Administrator for review and approval pursuant to this section.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H2B09433D722B45A4B368A25121B0D22B"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Action by the
Administrator</header>
<paragraph id="H1E9A7D9FEF5B4478BD1439162BE86B02"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Review of
plans</header>
<subparagraph id="H02A7995FFA074BCE96DD1973EAEE8D38"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Commencement of
review</header><text>Not later than 10 days after the submission of a Regional
Ocean Strategic Plan, or any revision to such a Plan, by a Regional Ocean
Partnership, the Administrator shall commence a review of the Plan or the
revised Plan, respectively.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC361E871CCDC475498505D4E552938EF"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Public notice
and comment</header><text>Immediately after the receipt of such a Plan or
revision, the Administrator shall—</text>
<clause id="id60C943D787244D92814AD84A4E709515"><enum>(i)</enum><text>publish the plan
or revision in the Federal Register; and</text>
</clause><clause id="idF88BE23DAD3B48B996D9D6F1196579B8"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>provide an
opportunity for the submission of public comment during the 60-day period
beginning on the date of such publication.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0C6F64C2187245719D09A659F83F99FC"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Requirements for
approval</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Administrator
shall not approve a plan, or any revision to a plan, unless the Administrator
determines that the plan or revision—</text>
<clause id="H275745BBBF35480F96C2C8BE02729800"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is
consistent with the National Ocean Policy; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H12E7ED367A634DDEB79807EB31763D7D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>adequately
addresses the required elements described in subsection (b).</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD1E11AB8881645B7B5FD94736931B859"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Deadline for
review</header><text>Not later than 120 days after the date on which a Plan, or
a revision to a Plan, is submitted, the Administrator shall approve or
disapprove the Plan or revision by written notice.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H01BE3A97D0AE4EA9BFE1C72CC32C6A7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Regional
information systems</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in collaboration with marine
laboratories and academic and other relevant institutions, shall establish a
network of regional ocean ecosystem resource information systems for each ocean
region—</text>
<subparagraph id="H6ED858F25DBA405C006D7F5083579BBA"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to provide access
to geophysical, atmospheric, oceanographic, and marine biological data,
including genetic research, studies, data, maps, and analyses necessary to the
understanding of the ocean ecosystem;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1DB86FA5DDEB4B9DAE0547279BDB2792"><enum>(B)</enum><text>from which to draw
information for the establishment of policies and priorities related to the
conservation, use, and management of ocean waters, coastal waters, and ocean
resources; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H95689B3EF90847D3B187C0FC00C6C4FD"><enum>(C)</enum><text>to provide
information regarding the development and implementation of Plans under this
section.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H71BF985B7B9E485687CC68DB2246FDE"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Implementation</header><text>Members
of a Regional Ocean Partnership shall, to the maximum extent practicable,
implement a Regional Ocean Strategic Plan that is prepared by the Partnership
and approved by the Administrator under this section, consistent with existing
legal authorities.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H6EC72791DEAD4571BFE84314ED39CF25"><enum>204.</enum><header>Regulations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator shall issue such
regulations as the Administrator considers necessary to ensure proper
administration of this title.</text>
</section><section id="H3814EF1BE9B141A1B009B6AECE02CAF8"><enum>205.</enum><header>Other
authority</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title may not
be construed to supersede or diminish the authorities and responsibilities,
under any other provision of law, of the Administrator or any other Federal,
State, or tribal officer, employee, department, or agency.</text>
</section><enum>III</enum><header>Ocean Science,
Research, and Education</header>
<section id="ID31EC076B0CFD4F598C982D1CFA3272B3"><enum>301.</enum><header>Committee on
Ocean Science, Education, and Operations</header>
<subsection id="IDC03AF9406C4C4FFE8B50DAE5E11E3A5C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Committee</header><text>The
Administrator shall establish a Committee on Ocean Science, Education, and
Operations (referred to in this title as the <quote>Committee</quote>).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDE28F3AAA52634DA48A9A6CEC8650FA15"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>The
Committee shall be composed of the following members:</text>
<paragraph id="ID404FFA1C204E4EBB975A0FD770AEDDCE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The
Administrator.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID0A5CAF5D58814D9FB4C27EAA5648F72C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Director of
the National Science Foundation.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID0103CD01AF9E42B8882B84D6161F325A"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The Administrator
of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID55F89EE8FF8546BA9EE5D73E09F67B68"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The Under
Secretary of Energy</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID57D0FB1D2C46409E93E9688C801A38E1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The Administrator
of the Environmental Protection Agency.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID133ACDC48E00484D9600806D8DCB5F1A"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The Under
Secretary of Homeland Security for Science and Technology.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDCEC640AD56834CECA5B9C361A165EE2B"><enum>(7)</enum><text>The Commandant of
the Coast Guard.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1C13DECF80B2494DBEA1FAFDDE2027BB"><enum>(8)</enum><text>The Director of
the Office of Naval Research.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDFF6DFE871EE14BA2A1B081D998652136"><enum>(9)</enum><text>The Director of
the United States Geological Survey.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID980A5A81211C48CA84A97D4381232C5D"><enum>(10)</enum><text>The Director of
the Minerals Management Service.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID971549D0A88441AC9082A16371C63752"><enum>(11)</enum><text>Under Secretary
of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID2F848611038F4105ABBFB1C7362B3709"><enum>(12)</enum><text>The Assistant
Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific
Affairs.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDBB93EBFBDC44412C87A0A248D6859B7B"><enum>(13)</enum><text>The Director of
the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID835FB224F4FA4BA09DA98D266E20A5A5"><enum>(14)</enum><text>The Director of
the Office of Science and Technology Policy.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID7BDEF807CF67406FBBFB7B1555AC136C"><enum>(15)</enum><text>The Director of
the Office of Management and Budget.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDB54CC5D4573944C59DA5F6097AEDE463"><enum>(16)</enum><text>The Under
Secretary of Education.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDD4D76883197D420993869A399089FA2C"><enum>(17)</enum><text>The leadership
of such other agency or department as the chairperson and vice chairpersons of
the Committee consider appropriate.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID86D05A36EF4340CC8424D9EE026D2D0E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Chairperson and
vice chairpersons</header><text>The chairperson and vice chairpersons of the
Committee shall be appointed every 2 years by a selection subcommittee of the
Committee composed of, at a minimum, the Administrator, the Director of the
National Science Foundation, and the Director of the United States Geological
Survey. The term of office of the chairperson and vice chairpersons shall be 2
years. A person who has previously served as chairperson or vice chairperson
may be reappointed.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID06803DA34C72481FB7DAB7D8BC13DC1B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The
Committee shall—</text>
<paragraph id="IDF57B7202F6904B00948986DDF0A122C2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>serve as a source
of advice and support on scientific research, technology, education, and
operational matters, including budgetary analyses;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1416F6D285244B4E97C2E82F2C210CB5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>improve
cooperation among Federal departments and agencies with respect to ocean and
coastal science budgets;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDEAD515302AC54603AFD52A6A9D9BC0B2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>review, update,
and modify, as necessary the National Ocean Research Priorities Plan and
Implementation Strategy referred to in section 302(a) and oversee the
implementation of such Strategy;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDBD5715C6EAA6453FA0F91D4509D24F00"><enum>(4)</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="ID28D6287AB21340C0AB105A01319B0EEF"><enum>(5)</enum><text>consult with
academic institutions, fisheries, States, industries, foundations, 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="IDAB6E1246B1E643988595BCF96BD58D49"><enum>(6)</enum><text>cooperate with
the Secretary of State in—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID08957471406443D791002D1122B69012"><enum>(A)</enum><text>coordinating
United States Government activities with those of other nations and with
international research and technology and education; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDB4A28DB857A54812B49A6299458F7E8F"><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="ID397C93895C6244A7AE5553EB8A71F4C3"><enum>(7)</enum><text>carry out such
other activities as may be required.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID02BED3A2AD7B420199B6E102FD2EB5D9"><enum>302.</enum><header>National Ocean
Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy</header>
<subsection id="idB453CA94F8F7470DABE6A9892B2F3156"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Review, update,
and modify</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 2
years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than
once every 5 years thereafter, the Committee shall review, update, and modify,
as necessary, the National Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation
Strategy developed by the National Science and Technology Council’s Joint
Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (referred to in this section as
the <quote>Strategy</quote>). The Committee shall ensure that the Strategy
establishes, 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, outreach, and operations which most effectively advance
knowledge and provide usable information as the basis for policy decisions
to—</text>
<paragraph id="ID1BB850BB442B465EBBD634FF9B4CBEEF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>understand,
assess, and respond to human-induced and natural processes of global climate
change;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID22906C54874842A2A2A827B27F134BF5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>improve
understanding, public forecasts, and warnings and mitigate natural
hazards;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID05CA179E05BE428FB1D1F17374191D1D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>enhance public
safety and efficiency of marine operations;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID18F098A390FF420EBFCA59BA9892E6E7"><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, including
how marine ecosystems function on varying spatial and temporal scales and how
biological, physical, chemical, and socioeconomic processes interact;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDF9C698BA02FD48A694A6D56AC29486BD"><enum>(5)</enum><text>implement and
monitor the effectiveness of ocean and coastal environmental policies;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5556B6D349B2424FBAA4C305C6A34506"><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="ID4A45107EFD73479B816012D613EA926D"><enum>(7)</enum><text>respond to
environmental changes that affect human health;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID50C5BDC9302A407B9C6E353D0E62E151"><enum>(8)</enum><text>strengthen
homeland security and military preparedness; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID37B05F9C781C439698EB433B520CC92F"><enum>(9)</enum><text>improve
understanding of sea level changes, shoreline erosion, and the condition of the
beaches in the United States.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDF58BF28BF6BD414CB8912D239792C845"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Content</header><text>The
Committee shall ensure that the Strategy—</text>
<paragraph id="IDD6EEF0DE31A84FDA9E7C07BCC76655FA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>describes
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, professional
certification and training for persons engaged in fishing and other maritime
activities, data stewardship and access, and participation in international
research and education and other capacity-building efforts;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5980D572E2214C49AED46D31F4EB95F8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>identifies and
addresses 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 each Federal agency and
department in implementing the strategy;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID6090346FDCFB44099BE43C78D2AD7F97"><enum>(3)</enum><text>considers and
uses, as appropriate, reports and studies conducted by Federal agencies and
departments, the National Research Council, or other entities;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDEC3965738C03417AAAF3F934B7EA4C45"><enum>(4)</enum><text>makes
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;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID98DDF97014C6440DA47D55F49F9F9E02"><enum>(5)</enum><text>provides
estimates, to the extent practicable, of Federal funding for ocean and coastal
science activities to be conducted pursuant to the strategy; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3CF6581D93D24D1EA5C14C88BDECE3CE"><enum>(6)</enum><text>ensures the
integrity of ocean and coastal science and research.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID18E3D4B1D21F48A6A27C9DEBC74C3775"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The
Committee shall ensure that the Strategy includes the following
elements:</text>
<paragraph id="ID21AE688A362649B4889206DB7A10D28B"><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 and
support information needs, including marine ecosystem health.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID97164C633A854140AB41C8F49EFACFBD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>National ocean
partnerships, building partnerships among Federal agencies, academia, fishing
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="IDDFAAA61D0B37447988FF9C49B1737784"><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="ID8AA8CFE1186C4BD4853252D4823DECBC"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Focused research
initiatives, funding competitive research grants to advance understanding of
the nature of and interaction among physical, chemical, and biological
processes of the oceans, including the effect of human activities on such
processes.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4961F66622EE4D64A8F5C7DF94117019"><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="ID1F21481CA0B24A8BB81807316B3B90E1"><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="ID75FB492908A343F48E1868011FEBBAB7"><enum>(7)</enum><text>Ocean science
education, providing national coordination and support 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 and health of marine ecosystems, and create an oceans stewardship
ethic among citizens.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID228A63E14D354B73A12F16089623CE9C"><enum>(8)</enum><text>Professional
training, including certification and continuing education programs, for
persons engaged in the harvest, handling, and processing of fish and seafood
aboard vessels to assure the highest levels of care are taken to selectively
harvest fish from the sea with the minimum impact on habitat to handle fish
onboard vessels with techniques that assure the safety and highest quality of
fish landed, and improve the safety of vessels and their personnel at
sea.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDC7BFDB68A80E4DDB8A144E4BA42CCF91"><enum>(9)</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="ID6A79D23B45F84EF996D60E0D43C88656"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Public
participation</header><text>In developing the Strategy, the Committee shall
consult with academic, State, industry, fisheries, and environmental groups and
representatives. Not later than 90 days before the chairperson of the Committee
submits the strategy, or any revision of the strategy, to 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="ID3541695225EA4EA29EB9CAC71A3454FD"><enum>303.</enum><header>Ocean Research
and Education Advisory Panel</header>
<subsection id="IDD08229D0EECA4F56B9408FA014111CDB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>The
Committee shall maintain an Ocean Research and Education Advisory Panel
(referred to in this section as the <quote>Advisory Panel</quote>) consisting
of not less than 10 members and not more than 18 members appointed by the
chair, including—</text>
<paragraph id="ID18A324D0725140D88128DC9A6FEE7774"><enum>(1)</enum><text>1 member
representing the National Academy of Sciences;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID46E66D52F49C4832836B978AC7745BF6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>1 member
representing the National Academy of Engineering;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDB2809C459A4A4500A02CFF852421A857"><enum>(3)</enum><text>1 member
representing the Institute of Medicine;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID34E7A58581DC4F31958714DD978EED33"><enum>(4)</enum><text>1 Sea Grant
director;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDC1C0295B8561483CB29AE62440DAABE4"><enum>(5)</enum><text>members selected
from among individuals representing ocean industries, State governments, tribal
governments, academia, fisheries, nongovernmental organizations, and such other
participants in ocean and coastal activities as the chair considers
appropriate;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID27F8636CBB754C829F3C54C627D8D25A"><enum>(6)</enum><text>members selected
from among individuals eminent in the fields of marine science, marine policy,
ocean engineering, or related fields; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID50305CBEC679452FA597BEA6DBDEA9B4"><enum>(7)</enum><text>members selected
from among individuals eminent in the field of education.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDB8029B2D090F4DB58A73DB5A745998B8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The
Advisory Panel shall advise the Committee on—</text>
<paragraph id="IDEA5BAE44660B4BDB8689211DEBBAA779"><enum>(1)</enum><text>revision and
implementation of the National Ocean Priorities Plan and Implementation
Strategy;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID77A720B32CC34D5F8E124114B9E528A2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>matters relating
to national oceanographic data requirements, ocean and coastal observation
systems, ocean science education and training, and oceanographic facilities
including renewal of the national academic research fleet; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID276CD08C1204486BA2E47BCD5622F4B1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>any additional
matters that the Committee considers appropriate.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDF8A03BAE1C31444C8DA8752BD31A9936"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Procedural
Matters</header>
<paragraph id="ID4BEF4CBB87434289BE0EEF4B9D822717"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Public
meetings</header><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 pertain to national security,
employment matters, litigation, or other reasons provided under section 552b 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="ID11A7D50202A245B7932260FD87218CB5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Publication of
meetings</header><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="ID281588A5AEEC4495B20A4E28F8DFFD3F"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Minutes</header><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 section 552 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="ID812B0943E8D441B1B86B40F887BC485E"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Disclosures</header>
<subparagraph id="id1DB68F7ED53B4A408ABA729F5F68813B"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Relationship to
FACA</header><text>The <act-name parsable-cite="FACA">Federal Advisory
Committee Act</act-name> (5 U.S.C. App.) does not apply to the Advisory
Panel.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3810AB6ECF3D40D08E196BA1495DD6F4"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Public
availability</header><text>Any product or recommendation made by the Advisory
Panel shall be made available to the public and to Congress.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDB880B6FC6BA34590ADAE011C15371FB2"><enum>(d)</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="ID2EE6B3B258744EACA51066418DDF0C22"><enum>304.</enum><header>Marine
ecosystems research</header>
<subsection id="IDDB67DD6766464E0E8142887CFECCB645"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Ecosystem-based
approaches</header><text>The Administrator shall work with the Committee to
identify research efforts for improving the implementation of this Act by
informing ecosystem-based management efforts to protect, maintain, and restore
marine ecosystem health.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID57DD07E567764D8BA75BDCAA07C3DE3B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Marine
biodiversity research program</header><text>As part of this effort, the
Administrator, in cooperation with the National Science Foundation and other
Federal agencies represented on the Committee, shall establish and maintain a
10-year interagency research program to assess and explain the diversity,
distribution, functions, and abundance of marine organisms in the world’s
oceans for the purposes of—</text>
<paragraph id="IDE6C7F2857BAE4B879D4D0C237891CAFA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>understanding the
patterns, processes, and consequences of changing marine biological
diversity;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID47AF0216B9FC4AEEA514A651B1AEDC94"><enum>(2)</enum><text>improving the
linkages between marine ecological and oceanographic sciences and informing
ecosystem-based management efforts so as to protect, maintain, and restore
marine ecosystem health;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID592D96AA54F24E64ACDB8EBFE350B968"><enum>(3)</enum><text>strengthening and
expanding the field of marine taxonomy, including the use of genomics and
proteomics;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDCD1F3F4E57C64FC2AE3559735BFC7187"><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="ID233D114C00434D19AB5A6391E41FB4B3"><enum>(5)</enum><text>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 marine environment on human well-being; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1384475B12D744CDAF96AF438E03E928"><enum>(6)</enum><text>enhancing formal
and informal outreach and education efforts through research-generated
knowledge, information, and tools.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID6D85110C57524882A80511CC9B3FD4D3"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Program
elements</header><text>The research program established under this section
shall provide for—</text>
<paragraph id="IDD6BD7077168945FC8895FC8D0A01311C"><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="ID5CDF64C7F71849B988037C1E503A6E40"><enum>(2)</enum><text>integrated
regional studies that focus on appropriate scales to support ecosystem-based
management;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID9D910E0331184DABB12FD0E8A0292776"><enum>(3)</enum><text>improved
biological sensors for ocean observing systems;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID7CD4B9A00323490EAAC58149D31C7E5D"><enum>(4)</enum><text>investment in
exploration and taxonomy to study little known areas and describe new
species;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID746A3826734C49AC85CEA8D16165A985"><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; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDF7237B2A0A734D779E9C3FAAD2A3BFAE"><enum>(6)</enum><text>improved
predictive capability to enhance the effectiveness of conservation and
ecosystem-based management programs and minimize adverse impacts of human
activities and natural processes on United States ocean waters.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID15E9160767CC4E0D9A32E26B6411A25F"><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="ID4E2FA2F1A0D7442DA5F764A245C4A048"><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="IDA83662FC4DD14B00BEFBAB57C3A45231"><enum>(2)</enum><text>analyzes current
trends in marine and coastal ecosystems, both human-induced and natural, and
projects major trends, including marine ecosystem health, for the subsequent
decade.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID74A4FFC779A74C2AB33ACF30B917FF74"><enum>305.</enum><header>Ocean
Ecosystem Resource Information Systems</header>
<subsection id="ID293F1FB3A34C49E8A1E55BFB7C0C4AAB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Findings</header><text>Congress
makes the following findings:</text>
<paragraph id="ID8CF9302FCB09414BA82FC369CC78863E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Conservation and
management of the United States ocean waters requires an understanding of the
ocean ecosystem in order to make knowledgeable decisions regarding the uses of
the oceans, or extractions therefrom, and their effect on other ocean uses and
resources.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3F4125FFD52446C190BAF301E0D47D48"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The United States
Commission on Ocean Policy and the President’s Ocean Action Plan both call for
ecosystem-based management of the United States ocean waters.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDEDBCC959DBDE415B82DD45ECEE8C6CD5"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Ecosystem-based
management will require development of an ocean information system and products
representing integration of data useful to management decisions. This
information includes terrestrial, aquatic, oceanographic, and biological data
to accomplish the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="ID56F047AFFDEA4960A041E0880C5639C1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Serve as a
repository of existing information and new research and data sets as they
become available.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID101B08856E29403C9E33D07F673ADF93"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Help understand
relationships of ocean and ecosystem functions and factors affecting oceans and
their resources.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDEE060D0A1ED94BEEBB65EC9D3D9151FD"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Provide a
foundation upon which to base policies and decisions for conserving and
managing the Nation’s ocean water and living marine resources.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDD4EE86851A3141C8AA01874C21310276"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Identify gaps in
the knowledge of the Nation’s oceans and living marine resources that may serve
as a guide in the development of new research priorities.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDC052FF9434784F708BC2FB95B47B439F"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Information
generated by ocean monitoring systems, including the National Environmental
Observatory Network (NEON), will be more useful if fully integrated into
resource information systems developed for ecosystem-based management
applications. Data from these offshore monitoring programs, coupled with other
information on ocean and aquatic ecosystems, will provide a basis for
understanding natural and anthropogenic environmental variability, including
climate change and the resulting impacts on living marine resources.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDD72A39AA7185468B9C7287C73E60C4AF"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Natural resource
information systems have been developed and are presently a successful
management tool for terrestrial uses, including some Pacific Coast watersheds,
and they should now be applied to the aquatic environment to facilitate
ecosystem-based management of the United States oceans.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDA9BD695F4C094E5BB3D582793E3BBD04"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Establishment</header>
<paragraph id="ID9849F6E3E62B40C58EE0852DF9C7FA0B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than June 30, 2008, the Administrator shall
cause to be established a network of regional Ocean Ecosystem Resource
Information Systems to act as an organized repository of geophysical, relevant
atmospheric, oceanographic, and marine biological data, including genetic
research, studies, data, maps, and analyses necessary to the understanding of
the ocean ecosystem, and from which to draw information for the establishment
of national policies and priorities related to the conservation, use, and
management of the United States ocean waters and the marine resources therein.
The Administrator shall coordinate with current ocean data acquisition and
distribution systems, such as the National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse, to
avoid duplication.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDCBCD92BB4983490F85641AD98FE20D7C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Information
included</header><text>Information for inclusion in each regional Ocean
Ecosystem Resource Information System may include—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID0072BB3B367F44BDAB36F89F0FDA0305"><enum>(A)</enum><text>relevant historic
or social science information that may aid in the understanding of ocean
ecosystems or their management; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDB4462C7220714C99AD749551BC49C435"><enum>(B)</enum><text>published and
unpublished research, data, and scientifically peer-reviewed analysis,
developed by State agencies, academic or scientific institutions, fishermen’s
collaborative research programs, and any other reliable and relevant
information sources.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID177050FA4755470E83CF2DB22A3EB57E"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Requirement for
peer review</header><text>All analysis and interpretations of data to explain
ecosystem relationships in any regional Ocean Ecosystem Resource Information
System shall be scientifically peer reviewed.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1BE6B401AEFC4F2E875D039D1B986097"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Authority to
contract</header><text>The Administrator may contract with other Federal
agencies, State agencies, nongovernmental organizations, universities, or
private academic institutions for development of portions of each regional
Ocean Ecosystem Resource Information System, provided such work will be open
source and the end product will be solely the property of NOAA.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID8018D3070F464C6FBBF83A6B7918E419"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Schedule</header><text>The
Ocean Ecosystem Resource Information Systems shall be established and in
operation for each region described in section 201(c) not later than January 1,
2012.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDA67AA417D0D74005924709374374BFA0"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Availability</header><text>The
system shall be readily accessible at no, or nominal, cost to Congress, all
Federal agencies, the States, academic and scientific institutions, and the
public through the Internet, libraries, and such other mediums as may be
appropriate and practical.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDFD0F81FDC8C941738A54FCB1E0B8FE57"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Required
regions</header><text>Ocean Ecosystem Resource Information Systems shall be
established for the each region described in section 201(c).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID78695467A7814B71B8D1877D2317B41D"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Coordination</header>
<paragraph id="IDD45B58241EE34BCDB2D9A5D397CE9590"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Administrator in the preparation of the regional
Ocean Ecosystem Resource Information Systems, shall request the cooperation and
coordination with the United States Geological Survey, the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service, the Minerals Management Service, the United States
Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Coast Guard, and the United
States Navy, together with all NOAA agencies for all unclassified information
necessary for the development and operation of the systems. The Administrator
may request and enter into cooperative agreements with States, universities, or
private academic institutions for access to information necessary or useful for
the development and operation of the systems.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDA877117CA1974338890BE07F000AE8BF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>International
agreements</header><text>The Administrator may enter into agreements with the
Government of Canada, of Mexico, or of Russia in the preparation of a regional
Ocean Ecosystem Resource Information System where an international border of
the United States or the coastal waters of the United States abut such country
or the territorial waters of such country, for any information or data that may
be necessary or useful in the development and operation of such system.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID4AABE88F4AF24A4C8515314ACB7CC051"><enum>306.</enum><header>Subcommittee
on Ocean Education</header>
<subsection id="ID42892778AC444D2D9D58D0DDFAA913AF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>The
Committee shall establish a Subcommittee on Ocean Education (referred to in
this section 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="IDE54387EA0C3047EF897B7868A6EBC39C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The
Subcommittee shall—</text>
<paragraph id="ID2DC3AAC0975B4BD0923BB98861CC6556"><enum>(1)</enum><text>support and
advise the Committee 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="ID5AC65DAFA1EA4157A9F60C1C11406286"><enum>(2)</enum><text>provide
recommendations on education goals and priorities for and implementation of the
revised National Ocean Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy developed
under section 302 and guidance for educational investments;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID629644FAEBA8488F9897F3C8A1862AD4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>coordinate
Federal ocean, coastal, and watershed education activities for students,
including funding for educational opportunities at the undergraduate, graduate,
and postdoctoral levels;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID39EE73F9D0764CA083C17B4AB35B3280"><enum>(4)</enum><text>identify and work
to establish linkages among Federal programs, such as the National Sea Grant
College Program, and those of States, academic institutions, State Sea Grant
programs, museums and aquaria, industry, foundations, and other nongovernmental
organizations;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID9DB358ECB55D479091D7996A58E2281F"><enum>(5)</enum><text>support existing
marine, coastal, and Great Lakes education and outreach programs, including
those at the State, regional, and local levels;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3B8D675B4CDA4E6D9E55F201A2E3B2F7"><enum>(6)</enum><text>facilitate
Federal agency efforts to work with minority-serving institutions, historically
Black colleges and universities, and 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="ID0BBFA74569404F4D8996292C31320C61"><enum>(7)</enum><text>promote the
establishment of professional certification, training, and continuing education
programs for persons engaged in fishing or other maritime activities, including
partnerships with academic or nongovernmental organizations to carry out such
programs;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5CA70C0C95DB4640B7D8E364B28D74AA"><enum>(8)</enum><text>lead development
of effective national strategies with common perspectives and messages for
formal and informal ocean and coastal education efforts; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDBAD4DFA27C0B416D86B712603020D169"><enum>(9)</enum><text>carry out such
other activities as the Committee may request.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID77015C79DE454C2B8A89EA36FCC46C96"><enum>307.</enum><header>Ocean and
Coastal Education Program</header>
<subsection id="IDB54D9250AA894286BC27DF2CBC217F15"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>Consistent
with the revised National Ocean Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy,
the Committee, through the Subcommittee, shall establish a national,
interagency ocean and coastal education program to improve public awareness,
understanding, and appreciation of the role of the oceans in meeting the
economic, social, and environmental needs of the United States. To the extent
practicable, the interagency program shall utilize and build from existing
Federal programs and mechanisms for ocean and coastal outreach and education at
the State, regional, and local levels.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID94D86D257CDC4DC49995F293D87F3663"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Scope</header><text>The
national, interagency 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="IDF53FBF9CC4ED417EBE8B9E9704305A80"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Elements</header><text>The
ocean and coastal education program shall use existing interesting science
programs and other appropriate mechanisms and shall, at a minimum, provide
sustained funding for the following:</text>
<paragraph id="ID246255D943DA44DDA147A5A1D2AEF17A"><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="IDE85FDCCDD0BA46368E046512F6FF4FAE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The National Sea
Grant College Program’s education and outreach efforts.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDFFA4AA4627844E9AB4AF22239C842E1D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>A regional
education network to support academic competition and experiential learning
opportunities for elementary and secondary school students.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID890EF4B6FA9A46EF8E9137312645A9E1"><enum>(4)</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="ID8F19015D9370419CB297131DB8907CE5"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Development of
model instructional programs for students at all levels.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDB6C9141AB6384812BE542CB41A9D1668"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Student training
and support to provide diverse ocean-related education opportunities at the
undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDE55AA54A9C034C64BD9C76AFE059CBC0"><enum>(7)</enum><text>Mentoring
programs and partnerships with minority-serving institutions to ensure
diversity in the ocean and coastal workforce.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID735768E5700246FAAE643CD5EEE4AFF2"><enum>(8)</enum><text>A network of
regional facilities, operated by nongovernmental organizations or academic
institutions that provide training and continuing education for persons engaged
in fishing or other maritime activities, including establishment of criteria
for professional certification programs in consultation with the fishing
industry.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDB0F6103AAD2D49D5A4D546472F5613D0"><enum>(9)</enum><text>Dissemination of
ocean and coastal information that is relevant for a wider public
audience.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID73C1B1655C60435CBE26DB2C69B01F76"><enum>308.</enum><header>Ocean Science
and Technology Scholarship Program</header>
<subsection id="ID8CAC67CDBD3C44CE8F5A8A265C2D81E9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header>
<paragraph id="ID9F36C6B90C3346DD9A30EFA3592A518C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Committee shall establish a National Ocean Science
and Technology Scholarship Program (referred to in this section as the
<quote>Program</quote>) that is designed to recruit and prepare students for
careers in the departments or agencies that are represented on the Committee
(referred to in this section 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 (42 U.S.C. 1885a and 1885b).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID230C5EB87E4A436F92729D896C5BD4BC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contractual
agreements</header><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="ID21A6D79E794245E4B9240A5F76856BF5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligibility
criteria</header><text>In order to be eligible to participate in the Program,
an individual must—</text>
<paragraph id="IDD0F732658921418182E9E514985DB3D0"><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 <act-name parsable-cite="HEA65">Higher Education Act of 1965</act-name> (20 U.S.C.
1001(a))) in an academic field or discipline described in the list made
available under subsection (c);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5C36C8A156C3406A86587C31A3F4B57E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>be a citizen of
the United States; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID5D469637032B408E9EEEBA3CD64E5E77"><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="IDE382B6EA6F26417C86EED46DC0843F15"><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="IDECB4766F1CEC43398B77978E57570100"><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="IDF88C2661D709461DA691C57F722A4617"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Scholarship
limits</header>
<paragraph id="ID2416C9F5F13C4C79AE6AA979D6560EB5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Academic
requirements</header><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="ID5BD80E5DC1764C11886CEC3AA5773E63"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Time
limitation</header><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="ID124F624DCC3847B4B72F89E214C54438"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Dollar
limitation</header><text>The dollar amount of a scholarship under this section
for an academic year shall be established by regulation but may not exceed the
cost of attendance as such cost is determined in section 472 of the
<act-name parsable-cite="HEA65">Higher Education Act of 1965</act-name> (20
U.S.C. 1087ll).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID360A5A9F2DF44007BA289624649329B1"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Use of
funds</header><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="IDC47ECC0468474474980DE7F1EF287405"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Contractual
agreement</header><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="IDDCCEBE653B804C778987E640AEC64CC9"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Period of
service</header>
<paragraph id="IDF57E66FDDB7F4F48927089857FBFFBFE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><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="ID2604DB4269EE4203BC54274D00626F75"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Start of
service</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (3), 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>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID75A783DA43064DA59D7EC61D442A875B"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Deferral</header><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>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID10242B4C3ED543BB9CAB86DB35771DDE"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Repayment</header>
<paragraph id="ID1D31483543B5426A95968C85F6A6B41A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Requirement</header><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). The
repayment period may be extended by the participating agency when determined to
be necessary.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDDAC42409BF934D0896893925E4D8ECAF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Failure to
complete service requirement</header><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)(3), 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="ID43AA12379C9F4E2EA5E4FBCE49D106D1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the total amount
of scholarships received by such individual under this section; plus</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDAF25A0824BE545E5A31F8C1FBED5FA36"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the interest that
would have been accrued if such amount was treated as a loan 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="IDC535220D7B764CD182C4755F4252E742"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Cancellation or
waiver</header>
<paragraph id="ID27CC8604A2534AE380746EC1C6DD2D56"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Cancellation</header><text>Any
obligation of an individual incurred under the Program (or a contractual
agreement under the Program) for service or payment shall be canceled upon the
death of the individual.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDDD44FA3D5CAB4926893B18A0CF66D916"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Waiver</header><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 under the Program)
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="IDA3F0808124DC4D048B8B71BB02CD8152"><enum>309.</enum><header>National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Education</header>
<subsection id="IDBF436522C25441529CA8DB5BCF31F973"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
General</header><text>The Administrator shall conduct, develop, support,
promote, and coordinate national education activities described in section 307
that enhance public awareness and understanding of the science, service, and
stewardship missions of NOAA. 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 Sanctuaries Program, the National Estuarine Research
Reserve System, and Coastal Zone Management programs. 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="ID2970D2259EEE4A96A66EE09BB8D4AF8C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>The
Administrator shall establish within NOAA an Office of Education to provide
interagency and intra-agency coordination of the education activities of NOAA
and to ensure full participation in the ocean and coastal education program
established under section 307. The Office of Education shall promote and
provide oversight of agency education activities and shall—</text>
<paragraph id="ID5B3AF4883261424C865A1EAC7BCE0674"><enum>(1)</enum><text>integrate agency
science into high-quality educational materials;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID0CA70E1D7EC14C6480A5A28AF2AF67B4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>improve access to
NOAA educational resources;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID26DAE6E1615A4342B62DE4AB6F1D2DC6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>support educator
professional development programs to improve understanding and use of agency
sciences;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDFAF716CFB7244CFABD927A3DAC08AA36"><enum>(4)</enum><text>promote
participation in agency-related sciences and careers, particularly by members
of underrepresented groups;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDEAC212A07AB24023A88D207472DAAE65"><enum>(5)</enum><text>leverage
partnerships to enhance formal and informal environmental science
education;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDACB27DB3F05D4A61982A7D085F6B6033"><enum>(6)</enum><text>build capability
within the agency for educational excellence;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDA802651784704B58B296A4DD886A7F16"><enum>(7)</enum><text>create and
implement effective approaches to disseminate agency products and ocean
information to the general public; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID84FBEBEEA848432E84452B6A3B71D905"><enum>(8)</enum><text>encourage public
involvement in coastal and ocean stewardship.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID11F2EB5CE77A46B1BA5348CBE737A295"><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, and an undergraduate scholarship program.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDA5FB0AC11B6B421E850673504895D788"><enum>310.</enum><header>National ocean
awareness media campaign</header>
<subsection id="ID03E5A5394E164B1180D30C7F8E897402"><enum>(a)</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="ID6228B0D6A094469386AEC048FE90FB0E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Coordination
with State, regional, and local efforts</header><text>To the extent
practicable, the campaign referred to in subsection (a) shall be conducted in a
manner to coordinate with existing State, regional, and local education
efforts.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDBE0C560FEC0D475A88EB79902B15A794"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Use of
funds</header>
<paragraph id="ID18FC09B9C4DE4932AB54F8365D71B5C8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Amounts made available to carry out the campaign referred
to in subsection (a) may only be used for—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID6EED52D168D6448E9A6B21EDFBC73A1B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the purchase
media time or space;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDBA218CAA6A71400887A22C066263CA10"><enum>(B)</enum><text>creative and
talent costs;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDD05E41CCCAAE4638BDAD14D763F02EC6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>advertising
production costs;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID3AB6483EB3594DB49D4CBD6096D7227C"><enum>(D)</enum><text>testing and
evaluation of advertising;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDA00DF5B0674D481799FFB5003C0B1106"><enum>(E)</enum><text>evaluation of the
effectiveness of the media campaign;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID00BF0FCAB0E347AE80962FFAEFF56396"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the negotiated
fees for the winning bidder on requests for proposals issued either by the
Administrator or a designee for purposes otherwise authorized in this
section;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDBC1BBE8FD1004C7BBA04757C7E4AC75F"><enum>(G)</enum><text>partnerships with
community, civic, and professional groups and government organizations related
to the media campaign;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID04B9AEEA07E3403596F6F339F356A124"><enum>(H)</enum><text>entertainment
industry outreach, interactive outreach, media projects and activities, public
information, news media outreach, and corporate sponsorship and participation;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDEEB48CA60BFA44B696A992A0E4768F83"><enum>(I)</enum><text>operational and
management expenses.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID5F235FBDE41B4D029378A842FB364BB5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Specific
requirements</header>
<subparagraph id="ID715A5144E2D74DE6811841214378B709"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Creative
services</header><text>In using amounts for creative and talent costs under
paragraph (1)(B), the Administrator shall use creative services donated at no
cost to the Government wherever feasible and may only procure creative services
for advertising—</text>
<clause id="ID3A3A92BE70654A41BAC3667F36498CA1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>responding to
high-priority or emergent campaign needs that cannot timely be obtained at no
cost; or</text>
</clause><clause id="ID493256A5B2B24323A1E29087B7CA15D4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>intended to
reach a minority, ethnic, or other special audience that cannot reasonably be
obtained at no cost.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID6D8164754D9B452CB241241AB31B7AA8"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Testing and
evaluation of advertising</header><text>In using amounts for testing and
evaluation of advertising under paragraph (1)(D), the Administrator shall test
all advertisements prior to use in the media campaign to ensure that the
advertisements are effective and meet industry-accepted standards. The
Administrator may waive this requirement for advertisements using no more than
10 percent of the purchase of advertising time purchased under this section in
a fiscal year and no more than 10 percent of the advertising space purchased
under this section in a fiscal year, if the advertisements respond to emergent
and time-sensitive campaign needs or the advertisements will not be widely
utilized in the media campaign.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID5DD8231908D8466F9EE603CB5520877C"><enum>(C)</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)(E),
the Administrator shall—</text>
<clause id="ID0B55869C4FC9430AAEB34A543A370847"><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="IDDB9E47AC1FF043A8A9EA59AE44D17432"><enum>(I)</enum><text>public feedback;
and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID548220C1CAF749419B69C0A529BF6D8F"><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="ID7E086AA1CA914B19980A68F223FFAC3D"><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></paragraph><paragraph id="ID9A9E34A9007241B2918470C179D39AC6"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Purchase of
advertising time and space</header><text>For each fiscal year, not less than 77
percent of the amounts made available to carry out this section shall be used
for the purchase of advertising time and space for the media campaign.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID85B70313B35A443A8023630F7549B255"><enum>(d)</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>
</subsection><subsection id="IDA2CDD3D23AC3487AAAEADE6459163395"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Prohibitions</header><text>None
of the amounts made available to carry out this section may be obligated or
expended—</text>
<paragraph id="ID2F93E2F9C06A45C8923D16A453DD6625"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to supplant
current oceans community-based coalitions;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDF69C9A030F234CB0A123ACAA205C9367"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to supplant pro
bono public service time donated by national and local broadcasting networks
for other public service campaigns;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDADA8D0F6BB2F4308A4025B6A17A0E66A"><enum>(3)</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>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4744BAC303E54937A2E7522084A931F8"><enum>(4)</enum><text>to fund
advertising that features any elected officials, persons seeking elected
office, cabinet level officials, or other Federal officials described in
schedule C of part 213 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (or any similar
successor regulation);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID480AABC28884413BA13F9B2A3A8BE6CB"><enum>(5)</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; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDBC6C84A34CCB49438456A9438391BF12"><enum>(6)</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>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID6DBB751F922E426691DDE16A1F53BEE6"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Financial and
performance accountability</header><text>The Administrator shall cause to be
performed—</text>
<paragraph id="ID18C1F7463D2A4811879C0ADFEC4A8BF2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>audits and
reviews of costs of the media campaign pursuant to section 304C of the
<act-name parsable-cite="FPASA">Federal Property and Administrative Services
Act of 1949</act-name> (41 U.S.C. 254d); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDBFD3A165099E473C8C0D7FAE99A7E427"><enum>(2)</enum><text>an audit of the
cost of the media campaign described in section 306 of such Act (41 U.S.C.
256).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDAC26231A98354E4B8D2DBC33CBCA5B92"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Strategic
advisor</header>
<paragraph id="ID0C7C3455253849B7A3D0AFDF32FA3E61"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Administrator shall select a primary outside
strategic advisor for the media campaign to be responsible for coordinating
donations of creative and other services to the campaign, except with respect
to advertising created using funds permitted in subsection (c).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID99D76C302130428EB6212B0C6E122344"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Selection</header><text>The
Administrator shall select the strategic advisor based solely on merit and the
demonstrated success and experience of the candidates. The Administrator may
consider the National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation, the National Fish and
Wildlife Foundation, or any other entity for the strategic advisor.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDC6BC63E9743E4D16976145F7B49ACC9B"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Role of
strategic advisor</header><text>The Administrator shall inform the advisor of
the strategic goals of the campaign and consider such advice of the selected
advisor on media campaign strategy.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID346024C81C8140728D743EE806BAC67D"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Annual
report</header><text>The Administrator shall submit to Congress an annual
report that describes—</text>
<paragraph id="ID863DDF0BD3384EB6BAFBDE858A42C2A4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the strategy of
the media campaign and whether specific objectives of the media campaign were
accomplished;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDB495B94A58494ABA8B50034294FD7EDE"><enum>(2)</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>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3BDB8A47BD0346889DB5DB89DDAACA0B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>plans to purchase
advertising time and space;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDAA192954B15C4462BD320A325AAFEBB2"><enum>(4)</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>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID38E65F5CAAA14404A0E73658397FF6D9"><enum>(5)</enum><text>all contracts
entered into with a corporation, partnership, or individual working on behalf
of the media campaign.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDC43E9FEE26E043F795F7DF6298BE865B"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Local target
requirement</header><text>The Administrator shall, to the maximum extent
feasible, use amounts made available to carry out this section for media that
focuses on, or includes specific information on, prevention or treatment
resources for consumers within specific local areas.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>IV</enum><header>Ocean and Great
Lakes Conservation Trust Fund and Authorization of Appropriations</header>
<section id="HAFC18E33E74C45E1A8433037D00450E4"><enum>401.</enum><header>Ocean and Great
Lakes Conservation Trust Fund</header>
<subsection id="HBE13C477074A48C6948B6CE8039EA37B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header>
<paragraph id="id6291B3F6449647D4AC52E8984724863B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</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> (referred to in this section as the <quote>Fund</quote>).
For each fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit into the Fund the following
amounts:</text>
<subparagraph id="ID310f28681e2b4e168e8c599164a85783"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Offshore
uses</header><text>Amounts received for the payments described in paragraph
(2).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H31FBC43EFB80454D85C83D327C30CE78"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Healthy Ocean
Stamp</header><text>Amounts received by the United States from the sale of a
Healthy Ocean Stamp under section 406.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD9B0117B1939487FB0E732DAF18C701F"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Amounts not
disbursed</header><text>Amounts that were appropriated to carry out section 402
but not disbursed for such purpose during such fiscal year.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5D7ABB2EF6E945F2940278D79E9F00F6"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Interest</header><text>All
interest earned pursuant to subsection (b).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id964C06679E534BFAB8BB9A8798D844E6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Lease
payments</header><text>The Administrator shall establish by rule, in
consultation with the Council on Ocean Stewardship, appropriate forms of
payment for any permit or authorization granted for wind, wave, and tidal
energy, bioprospecting, carbon sequestration, ecosystem services, and other
emerging activities in Federal waters excluding fishing and mineral, oil,
natural gas, or methane hydrate leasing, exploration, development, or
production. Such payments must be derived only from activities consistent with
the National Ocean Policy and may include fees, rents, royalties, cash bonus
payments, or other payments.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H6296F6D04A0944268DD09069C6CCE019"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Interest</header><text>The
Secretary of the Treasury shall invest amounts in the Fund (including interest)
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 amounts shall remain invested until needed
to meet requirements for disbursement for the programs financed under this
Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HAE3B4EC1BA9C49CE8CC824A8E5BE1DCF"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Use of
Fund</header><text>The Administrator may use amounts available in the Fund to
supplement appropriations made pursuant to the authorization of appropriation
in section 410.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HA9B63032B3FF4CC90000C1EA9B5BAA04"><enum>402.</enum><header>Payments to
States</header>
<subsection id="H5DB9CC7CB79542CD84F9F213929F365C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Administrator shall make payments to those coastal
States that are eligible for funding under section 403, subject to the
availability of appropriations under section 410. The total of the amount paid
each fiscal year to States included in an ocean region described under section
201(c) may not exceed the amount allocated for such ocean region for that
fiscal year under section 405.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HA84B972DCF2D45B9AAA5386C251C731C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report
requirement</header><text>No payment shall be made to any State under this
section until the State has—</text>
<paragraph id="H01100358BE96415B834F42BEA390EB00"><enum>(1)</enum><text>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</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H6BECBE09B4D84D71914412D18288126B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>adopted 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></subsection><subsection id="H9478BEA44C5D47F5A1212323FF615E40"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Unexpended
funds</header><text>At the end of each fiscal year, the Administrator shall
deposit in the Fund established in section 401(a) any amount appropriated
pursuant to an authorization of appropriations in section 410 but not disbursed
to a State under this section.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H526922296D394D06AD34D2B9AFC9C418"><enum>403.</enum><header>Eligibility for
funding</header>
<subsection id="H173C8912624F4616963B91003416724B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Eligibility of
State</header><text>A State shall not be eligible to receive funds under
section 402 unless the Administrator, in consultation with the appropriate
Regional Ocean Partnership, determines that the State is participating actively
and sufficiently in the development and implementation of the appropriate
Regional Ocean Strategic Plan under section 203.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H4428BB6CFA6D49EFBD4FECC7B293DDB3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligible
purposes</header><text>A State that receives funds under this title may only
use such funds for purposes of fulfilling the State’s obligations and
responsibilities—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4BA3644CA6B742EFBCED3BBE71C5D77E"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to provide assistance to the Administrator
in conducting the initial ocean region assessment under section 203(a) until
such assessment is complete in accordance with an approved spending plan
referred to in section 404(c)(2);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF922EBC1F7E44FD49F3BA823F5CB5BC9"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to develop a Regional Ocean Strategic Plan
under section 203(b) until such Plan is complete, in accordance with such an
approved spending plan;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7DA1A098F0B3423685F47D1CD4548756"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to implement a
Regional Ocean Strategic Plan approved under section 203(e) in accordance with
such an approved spending plan; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE214819CF1F44B1BA1078C25848CCCEC"><enum>(4)</enum><text>to implement other
regional efforts to carry out the National Ocean Policy during the 3-year
period beginning on the date of the designation or establishment of the
appropriate Regional Ocean Partnership, in accordance with the applications
approved under section 404(c).</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HB23361C498504574B6A1E322D547AA70"><enum>404.</enum><header>Funding
procedures</header>
<subsection id="HB74BC56CCF76441A879900B14829F474"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Application</header><text>Each
State seeking funding under this title shall submit to the Administrator an
application for such funds. Such applications shall be developed in
coordination with all coastal agencies for that State and existing federally
approved coastal management programs.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HF4ED255468E147DBB1CAF0BDEFDFAF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Approval</header><text>The
Administrator shall approve an application submitted by a State under
subsection (a) if, in consultation with the Regional Ocean Partnership, the
Administrator—</text>
<paragraph id="HC5853563E05C4A9F99DD623D04FA2CE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>certifies that the
State is eligible for funding under section 403(a);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HA6AF2750EAF245B7B4B430CC4F15531D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>finds that the
activities proposed in the application are part of an approved spending plan
submitted by the relevant Regional Ocean Partnership under subsection (c);
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H3D652E62A8A446778356214CE33600A4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>ensures that
previous payments under this title made to the State and coastal political
subdivisions in the State were used in accordance with section 403(b).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HDA70B88EC141444D98B19D6798B52F8"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Spending plans,
budgets, and other regional efforts</header>
<paragraph id="H2CDB84A3685B4EADB6AB37D66F395572"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Spending plan
for implementing Regional Ocean Strategic Plans</header><text>Each Regional
Ocean Partnership that has participating States that are seeking funding under
section 402 shall submit to the Administrator a spending plan for such States
for each fiscal year. The total funds requested in the spending plan shall not
exceed the amount allocated to the Region by the Administrator under section
405 for that fiscal year. In addition to such other requirements as the
Administrator by regulation shall prescribe, each spending plan shall
include—</text>
<subparagraph id="H3A16CC174AC5483A974B29F2AF009811"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a list of the
States participating in the Regional Ocean Partnership;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6B6DEE67CF5A4E08AAC060D5896FF80"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the name of the
State agency for each State listed in subparagraph (A) 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="HA24BB10739154BB58800FCF1B4EE3D2"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a description of
how funds provided under this title will be used by each participating State to
implement the Regional Ocean Strategic Plan; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5056384A2DFC4DEEA3FE03FEF0FD8F5E"><enum>(D)</enum><text>certification by
the governor of each participating State that all the funds provided under this
title to the State or a political subdivisions of the State shall be used for a
purpose described in section 403(b) and in a manner consistent with carrying
out the National Ocean Policy.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HBD9D906E6A364B5FAEC9A489C5BEC0ED"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Budgets for
developing Regional Ocean Strategic Plans and assisting with initial regional
ocean assessments</header><text>Each Regional Ocean Partnership with
participating States that are seeking funding under section 402 shall submit an
annual budget for approval by the Administrator identifying—</text>
<subparagraph id="H46AFCD3DFC224CAB85F39005DB13E89"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a list of the
States participating in the Regional Ocean Partnership;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H04843FCF69F641C4BDDFD9A8C8EB004C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the name of the
State agency for each State listed in subparagraph (A) that will have the
authority to represent and act for the State in dealing with the Administrator
for purposes of this title; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF6B365F7A8EB4917A8D3285E9D0910E6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the costs under
subsection (a) or (b) of section 203 that require financial support from the
Administrator.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H625C208A2C3C450C8163FF29599F69FD"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Other regional
efforts</header><text>Each coastal State seeking funding for other regional
efforts under section 403(b)(4) shall submit an application for approval by the
Administrator that includes the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="HD22D741ACCAA44530043672E00309B22"><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 subsection.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBA8EB328394344DDA68BF9CC4FC600E7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A description of
how funds provided pursuant to this subsection will be used for activities that
further the implementation of the National Ocean Policy.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H714EF077BF8D4B7BB87CF612D541A020"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Certification by
the Governor of the State that all the funds provided pursuant to this
subsection to the State will be used in a manner consistent with the National
Ocean policy.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H9D24D201428B47ACB8C1CF9440302923"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Limitation on
other uses</header><text>Not more than 50 percent of amounts paid to a State
from amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in
section 410(a)(1)(A) may be used by the State to implement other regional ocean
governance efforts that further the implementation of the National Ocean Policy
as described in the application referred to in paragraph (3).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC6C1ED0579E54BF789F0BC00D257F951"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Procedure and
timing; revisions</header><text>The Administrator shall approve or disapprove
in accordance with this subsection each spending plan submitted under
subsection (b)(1). If a Regional Ocean Partnership 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>
</subsection><subsection id="HFD5DAB3F49294BB2819189EC8D1C71C2"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Spending plan
amendment or revision</header><text>Any amendment to or revision of the
spending plan shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements of this
section 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>
</subsection><subsection id="HA7DCCAE597AC429FA53BBBC9B274EEF2"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Public
comment</header><text>Before approving or disapproving a spending plan, or an
amendment or revision to such a plan, the Administrator shall provide for
public comment on the proposed expenditures in the spending plan for the
forthcoming year.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H615BA61A048346698857CB36AF9FEC38"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Time of
payment</header><text>Payments to States under this title shall be made not
later than December 31 of each year from appropriations made during the
immediately preceding fiscal year.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H97EBD19B341C4BA79EDB47BED5DEFB85"><enum>405.</enum><header>Equitable
allocation</header>
<subsection id="H86CAD5D4536C436987500682EDF65B52"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Maximum amount
available to each ocean region</header><text>Of the amounts authorized to be
appropriated by section 410, the Administrator shall determine and allocate to
each ocean region described in section 201(c) the maximum amount of funds that
the Administrator may grant under this title for use in that region, based on
the following weighted formula:</text>
<paragraph id="HB6524FE8270C4BABB26514E584E14CCC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>35 percent of such
amount shall be determined based on the ratio of the shoreline miles (as that
term is used in the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et
seq.)) of the ocean region to the shoreline miles of all ocean regions.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7C70506A077344C0967B97ACFE922D09"><enum>(2)</enum><text>65 percent of such
amount shall be determined based on the ratio of the coastal population density
of the ocean region to the coastal population density of all ocean
regions.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H287B30CC9A484E47B45861674E1BC245"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Payments to
political subdivisions</header><text>The governor of a State that receives
funds under this title may only use such funds for—</text>
<paragraph id="H0B1A1B2234F84A58ABAB98B27F78B432"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a
purpose described in section 403(b) that the State applied for and received the
funds; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H14060B66C88E40278E11566D3C7C55B0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>awards to coastal
political subdivisions of the State, on a competitive basis, for such
purposes.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HED1B76C5747D4E10A0105D015BACEC36"><enum>406.</enum><header>Healthy Ocean
Stamp</header>
<subsection id="HC0DB30CD6B6E4279BE62F5A392514EC0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>In order to afford a convenient way for members of the
public to support efforts to protect, maintain, and restore marine ecosystems,
the United States Postal Service may consider providing for a special postage
stamp in accordance with this section.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H0D9FCAEFBDFB413CB90980B2EED67BE9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Terms and
conditions</header><text>The issuance and sale of the stamp referred to in
subsection (a) shall be governed by section 416 of title 39, United States
Code, and regulations under such section, subject to the following:</text>
<paragraph id="HC0A7E567C0BF4DABBE7F6473DA3F60DA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Transfers</header><text>All
amounts becoming available from the sale of such stamp shall be transferred to
the Ocean and Great Lakes Conservation Trust Fund established by section 401
through payments which shall be made, at least twice a year, in the manner
required by subsection (d)(1) of section 416 of such title 39.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE77808EAEDB64E5E8CC0DC68B691D018"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Numerical
limitation</header><text>For purposes of applying any numerical limitation
referred to in subsection (e)(1)(C) of section 416 of such title 39, such stamp
shall not be taken into account.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H421F19D368E6472780FCB44091ADB15B"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>Such
stamp shall be made available to the public over such period of time as the
Postal Service may determine, except that such period—</text>
<subparagraph id="H4CBF2CADA01346A8BE6600000075CDF8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall commence not
later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8745B1120C974BD5BC8890565FF9149B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall terminate
not later than the close of the period referred to in subsection (g) of section
416 of title 39, United States Code.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H8470AEA130D34C49BEBD1891FDC900D7"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Rule of
construction</header><text>Nothing in this section shall be considered to
permit or require that any determination of the amounts becoming available from
the sale of the stamp referred to in subsection (a) be made in a manner
inconsistent with the requirements of subsection (d) or section 416 of title
39, United States Code.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H8EE5A1FD546E4B4FBDE49FF06018BE7F"><enum>407.</enum><header>Limitation on
use of available amounts for administration</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Of the amounts made available pursuant to
this title for a particular activity, not more than 2 percent may be used for
administrative expenses of that activity.</text>
</section><section id="H3B287530968544B4BEFCB07CEF92B741"><enum>408.</enum><header>Record keeping
requirements</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The
Administrator, in consultation with the Council on Ocean Stewardship, shall
establish such rules regarding record keeping 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 record keeping and the
auditing of such expenditures under other authority of law.</text>
</section><section id="HFC9AE6ACBC8346019CAFB2E96BA8B911"><enum>409.</enum><header>Maintenance of
effort and matching funding</header>
<subsection id="HBEFBC6A1B0D8419DB5994E547EC6A7B2"><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 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="H0578885C55B04DF4AAF6004E56E5B5E8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>The
Administrator may waive the requirements of subsection (a) if the Administrator
determines that a reduction in expenditures—</text>
<paragraph id="H8DF15C786F354F22890300C8C19C4824"><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="H66E726AA6C3645D6937DE602BFEFFA5F"><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="H2BA3A31E64EA4BD5BF7D52225F0820F4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Use of funds To
meet matching requirements</header><text>All funds received by a State or local
government pursuant to 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="H0207FA22F2184CD3AEF44D643C29FC4"><enum>410.</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header>
<subsection id="HFDF3E5FD79CF4068ABC177A63D00987E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Regional Ocean
Strategic Plans</header>
<paragraph id="id055B0ADCF6FA46289B964F2D8F7C5701"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Payments to
States</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Administrator for making payments to coastal States under this title—</text>
<subparagraph id="HD79C745AC2084A7091E28ED608E15CCC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$40,000,000 for
each of the fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2012 for developing a Regional Ocean
Strategic Plan under subsection (b)(1) of section 203, for assisting the
Administrator in conducting an initial ocean region assessment under subsection
(a) of such section, and for implementing other regional efforts under
subsection (e)(2) of such section; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5BCD885F57A3421B8E4E35ACBF164FA4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>$60,000,000 for
each of the fiscal years 2013 through 2020 for implementing and updating
Regional Ocean Strategic Plans under section 203(d).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H3CF58632B83345059B652085CA001612"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Assessments</header><text>There
are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $20,000,000 for each of
the fiscal years 2010 through 2020 thereafter for purposes of—</text>
<subparagraph id="H0FC6D42FF8FA42748423AEA64CCE2200"><enum>(A)</enum><text>conducting and
updating assessments for the ocean regions described under section 203;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H235E46F753B1452EB35D3C64CAE8B434"><enum>(B)</enum><text>supporting efforts
by the Regional Ocean Partnerships to develop Regional Ocean Strategic Plans
under such section.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H874606CF7DAF4930A3A72E2E8138902B"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Regional Ocean
Strategic Plans</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Administrator for allocation, with concurrence of the Council on Ocean
Stewardship, for carrying out responsibilities of the Federal Government for
development and implementation of Regional Ocean Strategic Plans under section
203—</text>
<subparagraph id="HD71952A07015426887BE673E4D7DE86F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$30,000,000 for
fiscal year 2013;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD8F828AA23E34CA18B889700EDF719FB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>$40,000,000 for
fiscal year 2014; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD493DA5DB6E94C3B8FCA4922E3F1301D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>$50,000,000 for
each of the fiscal years 2015 through 2020.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID7D35ECBF1811495097F1EE57A1D87C6A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</header>
<paragraph id="ID718BF2FB6DA94113B8EE610E418CDEBB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Office of
Education</header><text>In addition to the amounts authorized under the
National Sea Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1121 et seq.), there are
authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $30,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2010 through 2014 for educational activities under section
309(b).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID0F1C84376AD34718BF25CC3FE26BBBAC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Educational
partnership program</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to
the Administrator $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014
for educational activities under section 309(c).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID11D76165B4BD4CB69E91BB2F2798080D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>National ocean
and coastal education program</header><text>Of the amounts authorized to be
appropriated to NOAA, the Department of the Navy, the National Science
Foundation, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal
year 2010 through fiscal year 2014, $25,000,000 from each agency shall be
available for the ocean and coastal education program under section 307.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID7A778CA397944BC0A5B39143B8E1D3B8"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Scholarship
program</header><text>Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated to NOAA, the
National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
and the Department of the Navy for fiscal year 2010 through fiscal year 2014,
$15,000,000 shall be available for National Ocean Science and Technology
Scholarships under section 308.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDABEDA5739F214F2CB1849BB9DC60100D"><enum>(e)</enum><header>National ocean
awareness media campaign</header><text>Of the amounts authorized to be
appropriated to NOAA, there are authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for
each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2012 to carry out section 311.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID726D1A9DE85F4E15A544EDFA23EC90DC"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Funding for
marine ecosystem research</header>
<paragraph id="ID1B98961FAE464F13A8C1FFEA03F0EA50"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Marine
ecosystem research</header><text>For development and implementation of the
research program under section 302, there are authorized to be appropriated
$50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID0B28043DD4EA44559960DC75DB92692A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Regional Ocean
Ecosystem Resource Information Systems</header><text>For development and
implementation of the regional Ocean Ecosystem Resource Information Systems
under section 305, there are authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for each
of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id9CF93A76D6C44835AF70B35C344FFDA1"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Amendment to
the National Sea Grant College Program Act</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 212(a) of the National Sea Grant
College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1131(a)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id279A021ED651496FBAD67DAE8F3D646E" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="idD551B853AB9C492083F180B8B5784C89"><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
2010 through 2014—</text>
<subparagraph id="id77503F2D63A64FDF9596920F3F2F2C57"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$6,000,000 in
increased funding for the educational activities of sea grant programs;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD2CDF4D0F194415F87EEEE8BCAA3A4BE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>$4,000,000 for
competitive grants for projects and research that target national and regional
marine and aquatic science literacy;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idEAF2E5A30BA04470840C6BE548372900"><enum>(C)</enum><text>$5,000,000 for
competitive grants to support educational partnerships under the ocean and
coastal education program established under section 308 of the
<short-title>National Oceans Protection Act of
2009</short-title> or other appropriate mechanism; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id07D8B84B5E064FC9988B06B3BADABB2E"><enum>(D)</enum><text>$10,000,000 for
graduate fellowships and competitive distinguished professorships in marine
science.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID937310FA2DC347D5A622AC47ADDC8537"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Availability</header><text>Amounts
appropriated pursuant to an authorization of appropriations under this section
shall remain available until expended.</text>
</subsection></section>