I 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6251 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 1, 2012 Ms. Bonamici (for herself, Ms. Herrera Beutler, Mr. Schrader, Mr. McDermott, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Mr. Honda, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Thompson of California, Ms. Chu, Ms. Speier, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr. Dicks, Ms. Woolsey, Mr. George Miller of California, Ms. Hahn, Mr. Walden, and Mr. Stark) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To amend the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act to establish an expedited award process for grants to address marine debris emergencies, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Marine Debris Emergency Act of 2012.

2.

Marine debris emergencies

Section 3 of the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act (33 U.S.C. 1952) is amended by adding at the end the following: (d)

Marine Debris Emergency

(1)

Declaration of a marine debris emergency

(A)

In General

The Administrator may declare a marine debris emergency if the Administrator determines that marine debris— (i)is an immediate threat to the United States with respect to— (I)living marine resources; (II)the marine environment; (III)navigation safety; or (IV)public health; and (ii)requires Federal resources to supplement the State and local resources available to alleviate such threat. (B)

Request for a Declaration

(i)

In General

The Governor of a State may request that the Administrator declare a marine debris emergency in such State or a region that includes such State. (ii)

Administrator May Request Information

In response to a Governor’s request under clause (i), the Administrator may request that the Governor provide information on— (I)the nature and immediacy of the threat; and (II)the nature and amount of State and local resources that have been or will be committed to alleviating the threat. (C)

Response to Governor’s Request

Within 30 days after a Governor submits a request under subparagraph (B)(i), the Administrator shall either— (i)grant that Governor’s request; or (ii)submit a response to that Governor, explaining why the Administrator has not granted the Governor’s request. (2)

Preference for marine debris emergencies in marine debris grants

(A)

In General

In evaluating applications for grants under section 3(c), the Administrator shall give preference to projects to address marine debris emergencies, including projects to address marine debris that has introduced or is likely to introduce marine invasive species into the United States. (B)

Expedited grant award process

Not later than 60 days after receipt of an application under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall, to the extent feasible— (i)approve or disapprove such application; and (ii)if such application is approved, disperse the approved funds to the grantee. (3)

Marine Invasive Species

In this section, the term marine invasive species means a marine nonindigenous species (as defined in section 4702 of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4702)) the introduction of which to the United States will, or is likely to, cause economic or environmental harm, threaten the diversity or abundance of native species or the ecological stability of infested waters, or disrupt commercial, agricultural, aquacultural, or recreational activities dependent on such waters. .

3.

Guidance for grant recipients engaged in marine debris response efforts

Section 3 of the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act (33 U.S.C. 1952) is further amended by adding at the end the following: (e)

Guidance for grant recipients engaged in marine debris response efforts

The Administrator shall take appropriate steps to encourage grant recipients under this section to— (1)educate staff and volunteers who are engaged in marine debris response efforts on the potential threats that marine debris and marine invasive species (as defined in subsection (d)(3)) may pose to the United States with respect to living marine resources, the marine environment, navigation, and public health; and (2)coordinate their marine debris response efforts with relevant Federal, State, local, and non-governmental entities. .