[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 144 (Monday, October 12, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H10594-H10597]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   APPROVING A GOVERNING INTERNATIONAL FISHERY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE 
                        UNITED STATES AND POLAND

  Mr. HANSEN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on Resources be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 
3461) to approve a governing international fishery agreement between 
the United States and the Republic of Poland, and ask for its immediate 
consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Utah?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the bill, as follows:

                               H.R. 3461

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

     SECTION 1. GOVERNING INTERNATIONAL FISHERY AGREEMENT WITH 
                   POLAND.

       Notwithstanding section 203 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
     Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1823), the 
     governing international fishery agreement between the 
     Government of the United States of America and the Government 
     of the Republic of Poland, as contained in the message to 
     Congress from the President of the United States dated 
     February 5, 1998, is approved as a governing international 
     fishery agreement for the purposes of such Act and shall 
     enter into force and effect with respect to the United States 
     on the date of enactment of this Act.


     Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute Offered by Mr. Hansen

  Mr. HANSEN. Madam Speaker, I offer an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute.
  The Clerk read as follows:

       Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute Offered by Mr. 
     Hansen:
       Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:

     TITLE I--GOVERNING INTERNATIONAL FISHERY AGREEMENT WITH POLAND

     SEC. 101. GOVERNING INTERNATIONAL FISHERY AGREEMENT WITH 
                   POLAND.

       Notwithstanding section 203 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
     Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1823), the 
     governing international fishery agreement between the 
     Government of the United States of America and the Government 
     of the Republic of Poland, as contained in the message to 
     Congress from the President of the United States dated 
     February 5, 1998, is approved as a governing international 
     fishery agreement for the purposes of such Act and shall 
     enter into force and effect with respect to the United States 
     on the date of enactment of this Act.

              TITLE II--MISCELLANEOUS FISHERIES PROVISIONS

     SEC. 201. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE NORTHWEST ATLANTIC FISHERIES 
                   CONVENTION ACT OF 1995.

       (a) Reauthorization.--Section 211 of the Northwest Atlantic 
     Fisheries Convention Act of 1995 (16 U.S.C. 5610) is amended 
     by striking ``for each of '' and all that follows through the 
     end of the sentence and inserting ``for each fiscal year 
     through fiscal year 2001.''.
       (b) Miscellaneous Technical Amendments.--The Northwest 
     Atlantic Fisheries Convention Act of 1995 is further 
     amended--
       (1) in section 207(e) (16 U.S.C. 5606(e)), by striking 
     ``sections'' and inserting ``section'';
       (2) in section 209(c) (16 U.S.C. 5608(c)), by striking 
     ``chapter 17'' and inserting ``chapter 171''; and
       (3) in section 210(6) (16 U.S.C. 5609(6)), by striking 
     ``the Magnuson Fishery'' and inserting ``the Magnuson-Stevens 
     Fishery''.
       (c) Report Requirement.--The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries 
     Convention Act of 1995 (16 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 212. ANNUAL REPORT.

       ``The Secretary shall annually report to the Congress on 
     the activities of the Fisheries Commission, the General 
     Council, the Scientific Council, and the consultative 
     committee established under section 208.''.
       (d) North Atlantic Fisheries Organization Quota Allocation 
     Practice.--The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Convention Act of 
     1995 (16 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) is further amended by adding at 
     the end the following:

     ``SEC. 213. QUOTA ALLOCATION PRACTICE.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary of Commerce, acting 
     through the Secretary of State, shall promptly seek to 
     establish a new practice for allocating quotas under the 
     Convention that--
       ``(1) is predictable and transparent;
       ``(2) provides fishing opportunities for all members of the 
     Organization; and
       ``(3) is consistent with the Straddling Fish Stocks 
     Agreement.
       ``(b) Report.--The Secretary of Commerce shall include in 
     annual reports under section 212--
       ``(1) a description of the results of negotiations held 
     pursuant to subsection (a);
       ``(2) an identification of barriers to achieving such a new 
     allocation practice; and
       ``(3) recommendations for any further legislation that is 
     necessary to achieve such a new practice.
       ``(c) Definition.--In this section the term `Straddling 
     Fish Stocks Agreement' means the United Nations Agreement for 
     the Implementation of the Provisions of the United

[[Page H10595]]

     Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 
     Relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling 
     Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks.''.

     SEC. 202. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE ATLANTIC TUNAS CONVENTION 
                   ACT OF 1975.

       (a) Reauthorization.--Section 10(4) of the Atlantic Tunas 
     Convention Act of 1975 (16 U.S.C. 971h(4)) is amended by 
     striking ``For fiscal year 1998,'' and inserting ``For each 
     of fiscal years 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001,''.
       (b) Miscellaneous Technical Amendments.--(1) The Atlantic 
     Tunas Convention Act of 1975 is further amended--
       (A) in section 2 (16 U.S.C. 971), by redesignating the 
     second paragraph (4) as paragraph (5);
       (B) in section 5(b) (16 U.S.C. 971c(b)), by striking 
     ``fisheries zone'' and inserting ``exclusive economic zone'';
       (C) in section 6(c)(6) (16 U.S.C. 971d(c)(6))--
       (i) by designating the last sentence as subparagraph (B), 
     and by indenting the first line thereof; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (A)(iii), by striking ``subparagraph 
     (A)'' and inserting ``clause (i)'';
       (D) by redesignating the first section 11 (16 U.S.C. 971 
     note) as section 13, and moving that section so as to appear 
     after section 12 of that Act;
       (E) by amending the style of the heading and designation 
     for each of sections 11 and 12 so as to conform to the style 
     of the headings and designations of the other sections of 
     that Act; and
       (F) by striking ``Magnuson Fishery'' each place it appears 
     and inserting ``Magnuson-Stevens Fishery''.
       (2) Section 3(b)(3)(B) of the Act of September 4, 1980 
     (Public Law 96-339; 16 U.S.C. 971i(b)(3)(B)), is amended by 
     inserting ``of 1975'' after ``Act''.

     SEC. 203. AUTHORITY OF STATES OF WASHINGTON, OREGON, AND 
                   CALIFORNIA TO MANAGE DUNGENESS CRAB FISHERY.

       (a) In General.--Subject to the provisions of this section 
     and notwithstanding section 306(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens 
     Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1856(a)), 
     each of the States of Washington, Oregon, and California may 
     adopt and enforce State laws and regulations governing 
     fishing and processing in the exclusive economic zone 
     adjacent to that State in any Dungeness crab (Cancer 
     magister) fishery for which there is no fishery management 
     plan in effect under that Act.
       (b) Requirements for State Management.--Any law or 
     regulation adopted by a State under this section for a 
     Dungeness crab fishery--
       (1) except as provided in paragraph (2), shall apply 
     equally to vessels engaged in the fishery in the exclusive 
     economic zone and vessels engaged in the fishery in the 
     waters of the State, and without regard to the State that 
     issued the permit under which a vessel is operating;
       (2) shall not apply to any fishing by a vessel in exercise 
     of tribal treaty rights except as provide in United States v. 
     Washington, D.C. No. CV-70-09213, United States District 
     Court for the Western District of Washington; and
       (3) shall include any provisions necessary to implement 
     tribal treaty rights pursuant to the decision in United 
     States v. Washington, D.C. No. CV-70-09213.
       (c) Limitation on Enforcement of State Limited Access 
     Systems.--Any law of the State of Washington, Oregon, or 
     California that establishes or implements a limited access 
     system for a Dungeness crab fishery may not be enforced 
     against a vessel that is otherwise legally fishing in the 
     exclusive economic zone adjacent to that State and that is 
     not registered under the laws of that State, except a law 
     regulating landings.
       (d) State Permit or Treaty Right Required.--No vessel may 
     harvest or process Dungeness crab in the exclusive economic 
     zone adjacent to the State of Washington, Oregon, or 
     California, except as authorized by a permit issued by any of 
     those States or pursuant to any tribal treaty rights to 
     Dungeness crab pursuant to the decision in United States v. 
     Washington, D.C. No. CV-70-09213.
       (e) State Authority Otherwise Preserved.--Except as 
     expressly provided in this section, nothing in this section 
     reduces the authority of any State under the Magnuson-Stevens 
     Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et 
     seq.) to regulate fishing, fish processing, or landing of 
     fish.
       (f) Termination of Authority.--The authority of the States 
     of Washington, Oregon, and California under this section with 
     respect to a Dungeness crab fishery shall expire on the 
     effective date of a fishery management plan for the fishery 
     under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
     Management Act.
       (g) Repeal.--Section 112(d) of Public Law 104-297 (16 
     U.S.C. 1856 note) is repealed.
       (h) Definitions.--The definitions set forth in section 3 of 
     the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
     (16 U.S.C. 1802) shall apply to this section.
       (i) Sunset.--This section shall have no force or effect on 
     and after September 30, 2001.

                 TITLE III--NOAA HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES

     SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Hydrographic Services 
     Improvement Act of 1998''.

     SEC. 302. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
     Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration.
       (2) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' means the 
     National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
       (3) Hydrographic data.--The term ``hydrographic data'' 
     means information acquired through hydrographic or 
     bathymetric surveying, photogrammetry, geodetic measurements, 
     tide and current observations, or other methods, that is used 
     in providing hydrographic services.
       (4) Hydrographic services.--The term ``hydrographic 
     services'' means--
       (A) the management, maintenance, interpretation, 
     certification, and dissemination of bathymetric, 
     hydrographic, geodetic, and tide and current information, 
     including the production of nautical charts, nautical 
     information databases, and other products derived from 
     hydrographic data;
       (B) the development of nautical information systems; and
       (C) related activities.
       (5) Act of 1947.--The term ``Act of 1947'' means the Act 
     entitled ``An Act to define the functions and duties of the 
     Coast and Geodetic Survey, and for other purposes'', approved 
     August 6, 1947 (33 U.S.C. 883a et seq.).

     SEC. 303. FUNCTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR.

       (a) Responsibilities.--To fulfill the data gathering and 
     dissemination duties of the Administration under the Act of 
     1947, the Administrator shall--
       (1) acquire and disseminate hydrographic data;
       (2) promulgate standards for hydrographic data used by the 
     Administration in providing hydrographic services;
       (3) promulgate standards for hydrographic services provided 
     by the Administration;
       (4) ensure comprehensive geographic coverage of 
     hydrographic services, in cooperation with other appropriate 
     Federal agencies;
       (5) maintain a national database of hydrographic data, in 
     cooperation with other appropriate Federal agencies;
       (6) provide hydrographic services in uniform, easily 
     accessible formats;
       (7) participate in the development of, and implement for 
     the United States in cooperation with other appropriate 
     Federal agencies, international standards for hydrographic 
     data and hydrographic services; and
       (8) to the greatest extent practicable and cost-effective, 
     fulfill the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (6) through 
     contracts or other agreements with private sector entities.
       (b) Authorities.--To fulfill the data gathering and 
     dissemination duties of the Administration under the Act of 
     1947, and subject to the availability of appropriations, the 
     Administrator--
       (1) may procure, lease, evaluate, test, develop, and 
     operate vessels, equipment, and technologies necessary to 
     ensure safe navigation and maintain operational expertise in 
     hydrographic data acquisition and hydrographic services;
       (2) may enter into contracts and other agreements with 
     qualified entities, consistent with subsection (a)(8), for 
     the acquisition of hydrographic data and the provision of 
     hydrographic services;
       (3) shall award contracts for the acquisition of 
     hydrographic data in accordance with title IX of the Federal 
     Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 
     541 et seq.); and
       (4) may design and install where appropriate Physical 
     Oceanographic Real-Time Systems to enhance navigation safety 
     and efficiency.

     SEC. 304. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM.

       (a) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
     ``hydrographic product'' means any publicly or commercially 
     available product produced by a non-Federal entity that 
     includes or displays hydrographic data.
       (b) Program.--
       (1) In general.--The Administrator may--
       (A) develop and implement a quality assurance program that 
     is equally available to all applicants, under which the 
     Administrator may certify hydrographic products that satisfy 
     the standards promulgated by the Administrator under section 
     303(a)(3);
       (B) authorize the use of the emblem or any trademark of the 
     Administration on a hydrographic product certified under 
     subparagraph (A); and
       (C) charge a fee for such certification and use.
       (2) Limitation on fee amount.--Any fee under paragraph 
     (1)(C) shall not exceed the costs of conducting the quality 
     assurance testing, evaluation, or studies necessary to 
     determine whether the hydrographic product satisfies the 
     standards adopted under section 303(a)(3), including the cost 
     of administering such a program.
       (c) Limitation on Liability.--The Government of the United 
     States shall not be liable for any negligence by a person 
     that produces hydrographic products certified under this 
     section.
       (d) Hydrographic Services Account.--
       (1) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury a 
     separate account, which shall be known as the Hydrographic 
     Services Account.
       (2) Content.--The account shall consist of--
       (A) amounts received by the United States as fees charged 
     under subsection (b)(1)(C); and

[[Page H10596]]

       (B) such other amounts as may be provided by law.
       (3) Use.--Amounts in the account shall be available to the 
     Administrator, without further appropriation, for 
     hydrographic services.
       (e) Limitation on New Fees and Increases in Existing Fees 
     for Hydrographic Services.--After the date of the enactment 
     of this Act, the Administrator may not--
       (1) establish any fee or other charge for the provision of 
     any hydrographic service except as authorized by this 
     section; or
       (2) increase the amount of any fee or other charge for the 
     provision of any hydrographic service except as authorized by 
     this section and section 1307 of title 44, United States 
     Code.

     SEC. 305. REPORTS.

       (a) Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall report to the 
     Congress on a plan to increase, consistent with this title, 
     contracting with the private sector for photogrammetric and 
     remote sensing services related to hydrographic data 
     acquisition or hydrographic services. In preparing the 
     report, the Administrator shall consult with private sector 
     entities knowledgeable in photogrammetry and remote sensing.
       (2) Contents.--The report shall include the following:
       (A) An assessment of which of the photogrammetric and 
     remote sensing services related to hydrographic data 
     acquisition or hydrographic services performed by the 
     National Ocean Service can be performed adequately by 
     private-sector entities.
       (B) An evaluation of the relative cost-effectiveness of the 
     Federal Government and private-sector entities in performing 
     those services.
       (C) A plan for increasing the use of contracts with 
     private-sector entities in performing those services, with 
     the goal of obtaining performance of 50 percent of those 
     services through contracts with private-sector entities by 
     fiscal year 2003.
       (b) Ports.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator and the Commandant 
     of the Coast Guard shall report to the Congress on--
       (1) the status of implementation of real-time tide and 
     current data systems in United States ports;
       (2) existing safety and efficiency needs in United States 
     ports that could be met by increased use of those systems; 
     and
       (3) a plan for expanding those systems to meet those needs, 
     including an estimate of the cost of implementing those 
     systems in priority locations.
       (c) Maintaining Federal Expertise in Hydrographic 
     Services.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall report to the 
     Congress on a plan to ensure that Federal competence and 
     expertise in hydrographic surveying will be maintained after 
     the decommissioning of the 3 existing Administration 
     hydrographic survey vessels.
       (2) Contents.--The report shall include--
       (A) an evaluation of the seagoing capacity, personnel, and 
     equipment necessary to maintain Federal expertise in 
     hydrographic services;
       (B) an estimated schedule for decommissioning the 3 
     existing survey vessels;
       (C) a plan to maintain Federal expertise in hydrographic 
     services after the decommissioning of these vessels; and
       (D) an estimate of the cost of carrying out this plan.
       (d) United States Implementation of Electronic Nautical 
     Charts.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment 
     of this Act, the Administrator shall report to the Congress 
     on the status of implementation by the United States of 
     electronic nautical charts. The report shall address, at a 
     minimum--
       (1) the role of the private sector, and the potential for 
     the Administration to employ partnerships or other 
     arrangements with the private sector, in domestic and 
     international development and implementation of electronic 
     nautical chart technology;
       (2) the effects of private sector participation in the 
     development and implementation of electronic nautical chart 
     technology on public safety and the continued ability of the 
     Federal Government to assume liability for United States 
     nautical charts; and
       (3) the range of alternative means by which the 
     Administration can effectively and efficiently make 
     electronic nautical chart data available to the private 
     sector and the general public, including an evaluation of 
     relative costs and advantages or disadvantages of each such 
     alternative.

     SEC. 306. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator 
     the following:
       (1) To carry out nautical mapping and charting functions 
     under the Act of 1947 and sections 303 and 304, except for 
     conducting hydrographic surveys, $33,000,000 for fiscal year 
     1999, $34,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, $35,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2001, and $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
       (2) To conduct hydrographic surveys under section 
     303(a)(1), including leasing of ships, $33,000,000 for fiscal 
     year 1999, $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, $37,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2001, and $39,000,000 for fiscal year 2002. Of 
     these amounts, no more than $15,000,000 is authorized for any 
     one fiscal year to operate hydrographic survey vessels owned 
     and operated by the Administration.
       (3) To carry out geodetic functions under the Act of 1947, 
     $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, and $22,000,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2000, 2001, and 2002.
       (4) To carry out tide and current measurement functions 
     under the Act of 1947, $22,500,000 for each of fiscal years 
     1999 through 2002. Of these amounts, $3,500,000 is authorized 
     for each fiscal year to implement and operate a national 
     quality control system for real-time tide and current data, 
     and $7,250,000 is authorized for each fiscal year to design 
     and install real-time tide and current data measurement 
     systems under section 303(b)(4).

     SEC. 307. AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF NOAA CORPS COMMISSIONED 
                   OFFICERS.

       (a) Authorized Number.--Section 2 of the Coast and Geodetic 
     Survey Commissioned Officers' Act of 1948 (33 U.S.C. 853a) is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (a) through (e) as 
     subsections (b) through (f), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting before subsection (b), as redesignated, 
     the following:
       ``(a)(1) Except as provided as in paragraph (2), there are 
     authorized to be not less than 264 and not more than 299 
     commissioned officers on the active list of the National 
     Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for fiscal years 1999, 
     2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003.
       ``(2) The Administrator may reduce the number of 
     commissioned officers on the active list below 264 if the 
     Administrator determines that it is appropriate, taking into 
     consideration--
       ``(A) the number of billets on the fisheries, hydrographic, 
     and oceanographic vessels owned and operated by the 
     Administration;
       ``(B) the need of the Administration to collect high-
     quality oceanographic, fisheries, and hydrographic data and 
     information on a continuing basis;
       ``(C) the need for effective and safe operation of the 
     Administration's fisheries, hydrographic and oceanographic 
     vessels;
       ``(D) the need for effective management of the commissioned 
     Corps; and
       ``(E) the protection of the interests of taxpayers.
       ``(3) At least 90 days before beginning any reduction as 
     described in paragraph (2), the Administrator shall provide 
     notice of such reduction to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committees 
     on Resources of the House of Representatives.''.
       (b) Officer Responsible for Commissioned Officers and 
     Vessel Fleet.--Section 24(a) of the Coast and Geodetic Survey 
     Commissioned Officers' Act of 1948 (33 U.S.C. 853u(a)) is 
     amended by inserting ``One such position shall be appointed 
     from the officers on the active duty promotion list serving 
     in or above the grade of captain, and who shall be 
     responsible for administration of the commissioned officers, 
     and for oversight of the operation of the vessel fleet, of 
     the Administration.'' before ``An officer''.
       (c) Relief From Moratorium on New Appointments.--The 
     Secretary of Commerce immediately shall terminate the 
     moratorium on new appointments of commissioned officers to 
     the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps.

       TITLE IV--NORTHWEST STRAITS MARINE CONSERVATION INITIATIVE

     SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Northwest Straits Marine 
     Conservation Initiative Act''.

     SEC. 402. ESTABLISHMENT.

       There is established a commission to be known as the 
     Northwest Straits Advisory Commission (in this title referred 
     to as the ``Commission'').

     SEC. 403. ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION.

       The Commission shall be organized and operated in 
     accordance with the provisions of the Northwest Straits 
     Citizen's Advisory Commission Report of August 20, 1998, on 
     file with the Secretary of Commerce (in this title referred 
     to as the ``Report'').

     SEC. 404. FUNDING.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Commerce may, from 
     amounts available to the Secretary to carry out the work of 
     the Commission, provide assistance for use in accordance with 
     the Report and the priorities of the Commission--
       (1) to collect marine resources data in the Northwest 
     Straits;
       (2) to coordinate Federal, state and local marine resources 
     protection and restoration activities in the Northwest 
     Straits; and
       (3) to carry out other activities identified in the Report 
     as important to the protection and restoration of marine 
     resources in the Northwest Straits.
       (b) Provision.--The Secretary may provide the assistance 
     authorized by subsection (a) through the Director of the 
     Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, unless the 
     Governor of the State of Washington objects. If the Governor 
     objects, then the Secretary may provide the assistance though 
     the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration.

     SEC. 405. LIMITATION.

       Nothing in this title provides the Commission with the 
     authority to implement any Federal law or regulation.

  Mr. HANSEN (during the reading). Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent that the amendment in the nature of a substitute be considered 
as read and printed in the Record.

[[Page H10597]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Utah?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MILLER of California. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the 
bill.
  H.R. 3461 consolidates numerous fisheries and marine conservation 
bills that have been passed by the Resources Committee and, in many 
cases, the full House without controversy.
  It includes a number of fisheries bills that will improve fisheries 
management and conservation on both the east and west coasts. It 
includes a provision to create a public private partnership to improve 
the quality of our Nation's nautical charts, and in turn improve the 
safety of navigation and marine environmental protection. It also 
includes a provision to help local communities in the Puget Sound 
improve the conservation of their marine resources.
  In closing, this is a good bill that is supported by Members from 
both sides of the aisle, and I am pleased to support its passage today.
  Mr. METCALF. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this 
legislation, which includes the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation 
Initiative Act. This act is a bottom up, local control approach to 
managing and protecting the waters of northern Puget Sound.
  I would like to thank Chairman, Young, Chairman Saxton, and Mr. 
Miller, and their staffs for their cooperation and assistance, and I 
appreciate their efforts in bringing this landmark legislation to the 
floor.
  I introduced legislation authorizing this act which reflects genuine 
cooperation between stakeholders spanning the spectrum of interests. 
Senator Murray has also introduced identical legislation in the U.S. 
Senate. This act represents citizen involvement, strong support from 
State, local, and the Federal Government; bipartisanship; and 
conservationists working constructively with industry and property 
rights advocates--I think this symbolizes an achievement of something 
not-much-short of a miracle.
  I welcomed the opportunity to form the Northwest Straits Advisory 
Commission with Senator Patty Murray, and I am very pleased with the 
spirit of cooperation that has led to producing this act. This 
legislation will help reverse the degradation of the marine ecosystem 
of the Northwest Straits by encouraging and supporting the concerns, 
initiative, and capabilities of the people of the Puget Sound and their 
local governments. It will also foster improved resource protection, 
preservation of commercial values and diverse ways of life. This will 
happen with the full cooperation of tribes, additional research, 
education, and interpretation and maximum cooperation by all Federal 
agencies along with State and local governments.
  For years, the debate over the National Marine Sanctuary in Puget 
Sound was conducted with growing acrimony. In fact, the public 
discourse nearly broke down altogether. I was happy to share with 
Senator Murray appreciation for another model, the San Juan County 
Marine Resource Committee, (MRC). The San Juan MRC is a citizen group 
empowered by that county to increase voluntary environmental 
protections, focus public attention on marine issues, and to aid in 
coordination of existing agencies with jurisdiction in the area. The 
San Juan MRC is an example of local citizens convening from various 
view points, rolling up their sleeves, and doing the work of 
environmental protection around the beautiful San Juan Islands.
  And that model of cooperation, communication, and working together, 
had to be the point of departure for our task of better protecting the 
magnificent northern Puget Sound. The Northwest Straits Marine 
Conservation Initiative Act centers on the formation of seven MRC's, 
one from each county affected, and would in turn participate in a 
regional panel, which would focus on scientific priorities, and 
coordinate research and educational activities throughout the region. 
The commission would be composed of local, State, and tribal 
appointees, and would hold no regulatory power.
  There are a number of benchmarks for specific performance in the 
legislation that will be used as goals, including establishment of 
marine protected areas, restoration of habitat, and reopening of areas 
for shellfish harvest, among others. The Northwest Straits Commission 
and MRC's would be required to prepare annual reports for public 
review, culminating in an extensive independent scientific review after 
five years. The Commission's work will continue only if it is apparent 
its work is making a difference.
  So I applaud the grassroots, ``bottom-up'' approach adopted by the 
Commission in its report. I also salute the commitment of NOAA, the 
Puget Sound Water Quality Action Team, tribal governments, and other 
State and Federal agencies to work with the Northwest Straits Advisory 
Commission--to highlight the problems of this region, help focus and 
coordinate scientific research, and to better use the authority already 
existent to save this treasure for our grandchildren.
  Finally, I want to thank each one of the commission members who gave 
so much time out of their busy lives to make this happen, as well as 
all the specialists, technical support people, and local government 
officials who made themselves available for this endeavor. The members 
of the Northwest Marine Straits Commission include: Kathy Fletcher--
People for the Puget Sound, Harry Hutchinson--Steamship Operators, Don 
Charnley--former State Senator, Dr. David Fluharty--U.W. School of 
Fisheries, Doug Scott--Friends of the San Juans, Brian Calvert--Chair, 
San Juan County Marine Resource Council, Dr. Dennis Willows--U.W. 
Friday Harbor Lab., Jim Darling--Executive Director, Port of 
Bellingham, Cheryl Hymes--former State Legislator, Terry Williams--
Tulalip Tribes Natural Resources, Don Hopkins--Port Commissioner, Port 
of Everett and the Longshoremen union, Mac McDowell--Island County 
Commissioner, Andy Palmer, Jefferson County conservationist--formerly 
Center for Marine Conservation, Dwain Colby--former Island County 
Commissioner, and Phil Kitchell--Clallam County Commissioner. I urge 
support for this act, a truly bipartisan, local consensus approach to 
protecting a national environmental treasure.
  The 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.
  The title was amended so as to read: ``A bill to approve a governing 
international fishery agreement between the United States and the 
Republic of Poland, and for other purposes.''
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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