[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 16, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H7607-H7609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              MINING AND MINERAL RESOURCES INSTITUTES ACT

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate 
consideration in the House of the bill (H.R. 3249) to authorize 
appropriations for a mining institute to develop domestic technological 
capabilities for the recovery of minerals from the Nation's seabed, and 
for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, and I 
will not object, I would like to have time to speak under the 
reservation.
  Mr. Speaker, under my reservation, I yield to the gentleman from 
Mississippi [Mr. Wicker].
  Mr. WICKER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and friend from Hawaii, 
Mr. abercrombie, for yielding me this time, and I shall not take much 
time, but I am pleased to speak in support of

[[Page H7608]]

H.R. 3249 and to thank the gentleman for his leadership in working with 
me on this legislation which will continue a valuable marine minerals 
resource program.
  Since its inception in 1988 this program has had as its primary goal 
the environmentally responsible exploration and development of mineral 
resource found within our Nation's exclusive economic zone. For a 
relatively small input of Federal money a strong relationship has been 
forged between Federal, academic, and industry teams to address 
problems in marine resources and the environment.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting the reauthorization of 
this exceptional program. I thank the leadership of the committee in 
this regard.
  Today, I am pleased to speak in support of H.R. 3249, legislation to 
continue a valuable, marine minerals resource program. Since its 
inception in 1988, this program has had as its primary goal the 
environmentally responsible exploration and development of mineral 
resources found within our Nation's Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ].
  This region covers more area than the United States proper and 
contains a resource base estimated in the trillions of dollars. By 
successfully merging the skills of academia and the talents of 
industry, this program is working to place the United States well above 
its international competitors in underwater technology development. At 
the same time, this program invests in the future by providing graduate 
students with firsthand training in marine mineral development.
  At present, the United States is in danger of being surpassed by 
other nations that are aggressively pursuing the development of 
environmentally friendly ocean mining technology. Japan, the United 
Kingdom, France, and China, in particular, have devoted considerable 
time and money toward developing such technologies and promoting 
industry support. This program directs successful applied research 
efforts with numerous concrete accomplishments. To meet future 
challenges, researchers are working to develop surveying and sampling 
systems for use in locating important mineral deposits. The systems can 
be used for locating sand resources for coastline stabilization and 
beach replenishment. In addition, they are essential in assessing and 
monitoring pollutants in river and oceanic sediments. Researchers are 
also working to develop an acoustical filter system to control dredging 
turbidity and to process industry waste.
  For a relatively small input of Federal money, a strong relationship 
has been forged between Federal, academic, and industry teams to 
address problems in marine resources and the environment. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in supporting the reauthorization of this 
exceptional program.
  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, continuing under my reservation of 
objection, I would like to say that I am also pleased to rise in strong 
support of H.R. 3249, the Mining and Mineral Resources Institutes Act.
  This legislation, as indicated, was drafted and introduced in the 
true spirit of bipartisanship by the gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. 
Wicker] and myself. We have had the extensive cooperation and support 
again of the gentleman from California [Mr. Calvert], our able chair, 
and of the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Alaska 
[Mr. Young], for which I am very appreciative.
  H.R. 3249 would extend authorization for the Mining Institute to 
promote environmentally responsible mining technology development for 
the recovery of the minerals from our Nation's seabed. This type of 
technology, Mr. Speaker, is critical to the future of mining in the 
United States, and I am very pleased that this is recognized, again on 
a bipartisan basis, and am very thankful for the individual 
encouragement from the chairman of the full committee and the gentleman 
from California [Mr. Calvert].
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in strong support of H.R. 3249, the 
Mining and Mineral Resources Institutes Act. This is legislation that 
was drafted and introduced in the true spirit of bipartisanship by the 
gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. Wicker] and myself.
  H.R. 3249 would extend authorization for a mining institute to 
promote environmentally responsible technology development for the 
recovery of minerals from the Nation's seabed. This type of technology 
is critical to the future of mining in the United States.
  H.R. 3249 is not a new Government program. Previously, the marine 
mining program was carried out under the Mineral Institutes Program 
within the Bureau of Mines. Last year the decision was made to 
terminate the Bureau of Mines. Yet, worthwhile functions of this agency 
still deserve and need support. One such example is in the Marine 
Mineral Technology Center of the Mineral Institutes Program. The 
executive branch, recognizing the value of this program, transferred 
this program to the Minerals Management Service.
  The Marine Mining Technology Center program is a unique cooperative 
program involving leading universities with expertise in applied 
problems in marine resources and the marine environment. The program is 
singular because for a relatively small sum of Federal seed money to 
State institutions and small research organizations, we have seen a 
prodigious amount of practical research and development accomplished. 
Additionally, as a byproduct, a number of high-quality graduate 
students have gained practical hands-on experience. The center's 
program of research, technology development, and education is 
multidisciplinary and international in scope.
  Currently, the marine mining program is carried out by the 
Continental Shelf Division, located at the University of Mississippi, 
and the Oceans Basins Division at the University of Hawaii. The 
University of Hawaii program has been assisted by matching funds from 
the State of Hawaii because of its critical input to State cooperative 
development programs, as well as university research and education. 
Practical aspects of the program have included major inputs to an 
environmental impact statement on cobalt crusts in the exclusive 
economic zone [EEZ] of the Hawaiian and Johnston Islands, State 
programs on sand for the preservation of Hawaii's beaches and coastal 
environment, and the cleanup of military ordinance from the offshore 
areas of Kaho'olawe Island, recently returned to the native Hawaiian 
people by the Navy.
  This program merits continued Federal support. I am hopeful that we 
will see this legislation proceed expeditiously through the Senate so 
that President Clinton can sign it into law this year.
  In that light, Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection
  The Clerk read the bill, as follows:

                               H.R. 3249

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SEABED MINERALS.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 2(a) of 
     Public Law 98-409 (30 U.S.C. 1222(a)) is amended by adding 
     the following at the end thereof: ``There is authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Secretary not more than $1,200,000 for 
     each of the fiscal years after fiscal year 1996 to be made 
     available by the Secretary to an institute experienced in 
     investigating the shallow and deep seabed as a source for 
     nonfuel minerals to be used by the institute to assist in 
     developing domestic technological capabilities required for 
     the location of, and the efficient and environmentally sound 
     recovery of, minerals (other than oil and gas) from the 
     nation's shallow and deep seabed.''.
       (b) Short Title.--Section 11 of Public Law 98-409 (30 
     U.S.C. 1201 note) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 11. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Mining and Mineral Resources 
     Institutes Act.''.

           committee amendment in the nature of a substitute

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the committee 
amendment in the nature of a substitute.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Committee amendment in the nature of a substitute:

     SECTION 1. SEABED MINERALS.

       (A) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 2(a) of the 
     Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute Act of 1984 
     (30 U.S.C. 1222(a)) is amended by adding the following at the 
     end thereof:

     ``There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary not 
     more than $1,800,000 for each of the fiscal years after 
     fiscal year 1996 to be made available by the Secretary to an 
     institute or institutes experienced in investigating the 
     continental shelf regions of the United States, the deep 
     seabed and near shore environments of islands, and the Arctic 
     and cold water regions as a source for nonfuel minerals. Such 
     funds are to be used by the institute or institutes to assist 
     in developing domestic technological capabilities required 
     for the location of, and the efficient and environmentally 
     sound recovery of, minerals (other than oil and gas) from the 
     Nation's shallow and deep seabed.''.
       (b) Short Title.--Section 11 of such Act (30 U.S.C. 1201 
     note) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 11. SHORT TITLE

       ``This Act may be cited as the `Mining and Mineral 
     Resources Institutes Act'.''.

  Mr. CALVERT. (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent that the committee amendment in the

[[Page H7609]]

nature of a substitute be considered as read and printed in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the committee amendment 
in the nature of a substitute.
  The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to.
  The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read 
the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the 
table.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to 
authorize appropriations for a mining institute or institutes to 
develop domestic technological capabilities for the recovery of 
minerals from the Nation's seabed, and for other purposes.''.

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