[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 118 (Monday, July 23, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H8199-H8201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING INTEGRATION ACT

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2400) to direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration to establish an integrated Federal ocean 
and coastal mapping plan for the Great Lakes and coastal state waters, 
the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, and the Continental 
Shelf of the United States, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2400

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Ocean and Coastal Mapping 
     Integration Act''.

     SEC. 2. INTEGRATED OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic 
     and Atmospheric Administration shall establish a program to 
     develop, in coordination with the Interagency Committee on 
     Ocean and Coastal Mapping and affected coastal states, a 
     coordinated and comprehensive Federal ocean and coastal 
     mapping plan for the Great Lakes and coastal state waters, 
     the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, and the 
     Continental Shelf of the United States that enhances 
     ecosystem approaches in decisionmaking for conservation and 
     management of marine resources and habitats, establishes 
     priorities for research and mapping, supports the siting of 
     research and other platforms, enhances safety of navigation, 
     and advances ocean and coastal science.
       (b) Program Parameters.--In developing such a program, the 
     Administrator shall work with the Committee to--
       (1) identify all Federal and federally funded programs 
     conducting shoreline delineation and ocean or coastal 
     mapping, noting geographic coverage, frequency, spatial 
     coverage, resolution, and subject matter focus of the data 
     and location of data archives;
       (2) facilitate cost-effective, cooperative mapping efforts 
     that incorporate policies for contracting with non-
     governmental entities among all Federal agencies conducting 
     ocean and coastal mapping, by increasing data sharing, 
     developing appropriate data acquisition and metadata 
     standards, and facilitating the interoperability of in situ 
     data collection systems, data processing, archiving, and 
     distribution of data products;
       (3) facilitate the adaptation of existing technologies as 
     well as foster expertise in new ocean and coastal mapping 
     technologies, including through research, development, and 
     training conducted among Federal agencies and in cooperation 
     with non-governmental entities;
       (4) develop standards and protocols for testing innovative 
     experimental mapping technologies and transferring new 
     technologies between the Federal Government, coastal state, 
     and non-governmental entities;
       (5) provide for the archiving, management, and distribution 
     of data sets through a national registry as well as provide 
     mapping products and services to the general public in 
     service of statutory requirements;
       (6) develop data standards and protocols consistent with 
     standards developed by the Federal Geographic Data Committee 
     for use by Federal, coastal state, and other entities in 
     mapping and otherwise documenting locations of federally 
     permitted activities, living and nonliving coastal and marine 
     resources, marine ecosystems, sensitive habitats, submerged 
     cultural resources, undersea cables, offshore aquaculture 
     projects, offshore energy projects, and any areas designated 
     for purposes of environmental protection or conservation and 
     management of living and nonliving coastal and marine 
     resources;
       (7) identify the procedures to be used for coordinating the 
     collection and integration of Federal ocean and coastal 
     mapping data with coastal state and local government 
     programs;
       (8) facilitate, to the extent practicable, the collection 
     of real-time tide data and the development of hydrodynamic 
     models for coastal areas to allow for the application of V-
     datum tools that will facilitate the seamless integration of 
     onshore and offshore maps and charts;
       (9) establish a plan for the acquisition and collection of 
     ocean and coastal mapping data; and
       (10) set forth a timetable for completion and 
     implementation of the plan referred to in subsection (a).

     SEC. 3. INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE ON OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING.

       (a) In General.--The Administrator, within 30 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, shall convene or utilize 
     an existing interagency committee on ocean and coastal 
     mapping to implement section 2.
       (b) Membership.--The committee shall be comprised of senior 
     representatives from Federal agencies with ocean and coastal 
     mapping and surveying responsibilities. The representatives 
     shall be high-ranking officials of their respective agencies 
     or departments and, whenever possible, the head of the 
     portion of the agency or department that is most relevant to 
     the purposes of this Act. Membership shall include senior 
     representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration, the Chief of Naval Operations, the United 
     States Geological Survey, the Minerals Management Service, 
     the National Science Foundation, the National Geospatial-
     Intelligence Agency, the United States Army Corps of 
     Engineers, the Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection 
     Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National 
     Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other appropriate 
     Federal agencies involved in ocean and coastal mapping.
       (c) Chairman.--The committee shall have as its chairman the 
     representative from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration. The chairman may create subcommittees chaired 
     by any member agency of the committee. The full committee may 
     form working groups to address issues of short duration.
       (d) Meetings.--The committee shall meet on a quarterly 
     basis, but each subcommittee and each working group shall 
     meet on an as-needed basis.
       (e) Coordination.--The committee shall coordinate 
     activities, when appropriate, with--
       (1) other Federal efforts, including the Digital Coast, 
     Geospatial One-Stop, and the Federal Geographic Data 
     Committee;
       (2) international mapping activities;
       (3) coastal states;
       (4) user groups through workshops and other appropriate 
     mechanisms; and
       (5) representatives of non-governmental entities.
       (f) Advisory Panel.--The Administrator may convene an ocean 
     and coastal mapping advisory panel consisting of 
     representatives from non-governmental entities to provide 
     input regarding activities of the committee.

     SEC. 4. NOAA INTEGRATED MAPPING INITIATIVE.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation 
     with the Committee, shall develop and submit to the Congress 
     a plan for an integrated ocean and coastal mapping initiative 
     within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
       (b) Plan Requirements.--The plan shall--
       (1) identify and describe all ocean and coastal mapping 
     programs within the agency, including those that conduct 
     mapping or related activities in the course of existing 
     missions, such as hydrographic surveys, ocean exploration 
     projects, living marine resource conservation and management 
     programs, coastal zone management projects, and ocean and 
     coastal observations and science projects;
       (2) establish priority mapping programs and establish and 
     periodically update priorities for geographic areas in 
     surveying and mapping across all missions of the National 
     Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as minimum 
     data acquisition and metadata standards for those programs;
       (3) encourage the development of innovative ocean and 
     coastal mapping technologies and applications, such as 
     Digital Coast, through research and development through 
     cooperative or other agreements with joint or cooperative 
     research institutes or centers and with other non-
     governmental entities;
       (4) document available and developing technologies, best 
     practices in data processing and distribution, and leveraging 
     opportunities with other Federal agencies, coastal states, 
     and non-governmental entities;

[[Page H8200]]

       (5) identify training, technology, and other resource 
     requirements for enabling the National Oceanic and 
     Atmospheric Administration's programs, vessels, and aircraft 
     to support a coordinated ocean and coastal mapping program;
       (6) identify a centralized mechanism or office for 
     coordinating data collection, processing, archiving, and 
     dissemination activities of all such mapping programs within 
     the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that 
     meets Federal mandates for data accuracy and accessibility 
     and designate a repository that is responsible for archiving 
     and managing the distribution of all ocean and coastal 
     mapping data to simplify the provision of services to benefit 
     Federal and coastal state programs; and
       (7) set forth a timetable for implementation and completion 
     of the plan, including a schedule for submission to the 
     Congress of periodic progress reports and recommendations for 
     integrating approaches developed under the initiative into 
     the interagency program.
       (c) NOAA Joint Ocean and Coastal Mapping Centers.--The 
     Administrator may maintain and operate up to 3 joint ocean 
     and coastal mapping centers, including a joint hydrographic 
     center, which shall each be co-located with an institution of 
     higher education. The centers shall serve as hydrographic 
     centers of excellence and may conduct activities necessary to 
     carry out the purposes of this Act, including--
       (1) research and development of innovative ocean and 
     coastal mapping technologies, equipment, and data products;
       (2) mapping of the United States Outer Continental Shelf 
     and other regions;
       (3) data processing for nontraditional data and uses;
       (4) advancing the use of remote sensing technologies, for 
     related issues, including mapping and assessment of essential 
     fish habitat and of coral resources, ocean observations, and 
     ocean exploration; and
       (5) providing graduate education and training in ocean and 
     coastal mapping sciences for members of the National Oceanic 
     and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, 
     personnel of other agencies with ocean and coastal mapping 
     programs, and civilian personnel.
       (d) Enhanced Opportunities for Non-Governmental 
     Contracting.--The Administrator shall continue developing a 
     strategy for expanding contracting with non-governmental 
     entities to minimize duplication and take maximum advantage 
     of non-governmental capabilities in fulfilling the 
     Administration's mapping and charting responsibilities. 
     Within 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
     Administrator shall transmit a report describing the strategy 
     developed under this subsection to the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee 
     on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.

     SEC. 5. INTERAGENCY PROGRAM REPORTING.

       No later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, and biannually thereafter, the Chairman of the Committee 
     shall transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Natural 
     Resources of the House of Representatives a report detailing 
     progress made in implementing this Act, including--
       (1) an inventory of ocean and coastal mapping data within 
     the territorial sea and the exclusive economic zone and 
     throughout the Continental Shelf of the United States, noting 
     the age and source of the survey and the spatial resolution 
     (metadata) of the data;
       (2) an inventory and description of any new Federal or 
     federally funded programs conducting shoreline delineation 
     and ocean or coastal mapping since the previous reporting 
     cycle;
       (3) identification of priority areas in need of survey 
     coverage using present technologies;
       (4) a resource plan that identifies when priority areas in 
     need of modern ocean and coastal mapping surveys can be 
     accomplished;
       (5) the status of efforts to produce integrated digital 
     maps of ocean and coastal areas;
       (6) a description of any products resulting from 
     coordinated mapping efforts under this Act that improve 
     public understanding of the coasts and oceans, or regulatory 
     decisionmaking;
       (7) documentation of minimum and desired standards for data 
     acquisition and integrated metadata;
       (8) a statement of the status of Federal efforts to 
     leverage mapping technologies, coordinate mapping activities, 
     share expertise, and exchange data;
       (9) a statement of resource requirements for organizations 
     to meet the goals of the program, including technology needs 
     for data acquisition, processing, and distribution systems;
       (10) a statement of the status of efforts to declassify 
     data gathered by the Navy, the National Geospatial-
     Intelligence Agency, and other agencies to the extent 
     possible without jeopardizing national security, and make it 
     available to partner agencies and the public;
       (11) the status of efforts to coordinate Federal programs 
     with coastal state and local government programs and leverage 
     those programs; and
       (12) a description of efforts of Federal agencies to 
     increase contracting with non-governmental entities.

     SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--In addition to the amounts authorized by 
     section 306 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 
     1998 (33 U.S.C. 892d), there are authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this Act--
       (1) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
       (2) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
       (3) $32,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
       (4) $38,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
       (5) $45,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015.
       (b) Joint Ocean and Coastal Mapping Centers.--Of the amount 
     appropriated under subsection (a) for each fiscal year, no 
     more than 25 percent may be appropriated to carry out section 
     4(c).

     SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
     Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration.
       (2) Coastal state.--The term ``coastal state'' has the 
     meaning given that term by section 304(4) of the Coastal Zone 
     Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1453(4)).
       (3) Committee.--The term ``Committee'' means the 
     Interagency Committee on Ocean and Coastal Mapping 
     established by section 3.
       (4) Exclusive economic zone.--The term ``exclusive economic 
     zone'' means the exclusive economic zone of the United States 
     established by Presidential Proclamation No. 5030, of March 
     10, 1983.
       (5) Non-governmental entities.--The term ``non-governmental 
     entities'' includes non-governmental organizations, members 
     of the academic community, and private sector organizations 
     that provide products and services associated with measuring, 
     locating, and preparing maps, charts, surveys, aerial 
     photographs, satellite imagines, or other graphical or 
     digital presentations depicting natural or manmade physical 
     features, phenomena, and legal boundaries of the Earth.
       (6) Ocean and coastal mapping.--The term ``ocean and 
     coastal mapping'' means the acquisition, processing, and 
     management of physical, biological, geological, chemical, and 
     archaeological characteristics and boundaries of ocean and 
     coastal areas, resources, and sea beds through the use of 
     acoustics, satellites, aerial photogrammetry, light and 
     imaging, direct sampling, and other mapping technologies.
       (7) Outer continental shelf.--The term ``Outer Continental 
     Shelf'' means all submerged lands lying seaward and outside 
     of lands beneath navigable waters (as that term is defined in 
     section 2 of the Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1301)), and 
     of which the subsoil and seabed appertain to the United 
     States and are subject to its jurisdiction and control.
       (8) Territorial sea.--The term ``territorial sea'' means 
     the belt of sea measured from the baseline of the United 
     States determined in accordance with international law, as 
     set forth in Presidential Proclamation Number 5928, dated 
     December 27, 1988.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. 
McMorris Rodgers) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend and include extraneous 
material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2400 would direct the administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish an integrated 
Federal ocean and coastal mapping plan for the Great Lakes and coastal 
waters and the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone and the 
Continental Shelf. The legislation responds to the U.S. Commission on 
Ocean Policy's recommendation that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration consolidate and coordinate the Federal Government's 
mapping activities. A National Research Council study made a similar 
recommendation.
  To accomplish this end, H.R. 2400 would coordinate the efforts of all 
Federal agencies involved in mapping our oceans and coasts. Consistent 
protocols would be developed across all Federal agencies to collect 
data and develop maps, instead of various agencies using their own 
criteria.
  In addition, the legislation would require Federal agencies to 
coordinate their efforts. Ultimately, those entities dependent on maps 
for navigation, national security, scientific research, energy 
development and location of cultural resources, such as shipwrecks,

[[Page H8201]]

would all greatly benefit. H.R. 2400 will increase the efficiency of 
our mapping efforts, reduce redundancy and allow data used by one 
agency to be used again and again by others for multiple purposes.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this bill and encourage Members to vote for 
this noncontroversial legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I will include for the Record the exchange of letters 
regarding the Committee on Science and Technology's jurisdictional 
interest in this legislation.

         House of Representatives, Committee on Science and 
           Technology,
                                    Washington, DC, July 20, 2007.
     Hon. Nick J. Rahall, II,
     Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I write with regard to H.R. 2400, the 
     Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act, which was referred 
     to both the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee 
     on Science and Technology on May 21, 2007.
       As you know, I support passage of the bill, and I do not 
     intend to object to its consideration on the House floor. I 
     am therefore willing to waive further consideration of the 
     bill by the Committee on Science and Technology at this time. 
     I want to make clear, however, that this waiver does not in 
     any way serve as a jurisdictional precedent as to our two 
     committees. Also, I ask that you support my request for 
     appointment of conferees from the Committee on Science and 
     Technology if a conference is held on this matter.
       I request that you send to me a letter confirming our 
     agreement and that, as part of the consideration of the bill 
     on the House floor, you insert our two letters in the 
     Congressional Record.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Bart Gordon,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Natural Resources,

                                    Washington, DC, July 20, 2007.
     Hon. Bart Gordon,
     Chairman, Committee on Science and Technology,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Bart: Thank you for your willingness to allow floor 
     consideration of H.R. 2400, the Ocean and Coastal Mapping 
     Integration Act, to proceed unimpeded.
       I appreciate your willingness to waive rights to further 
     consideration of H.R. 2400, even though your Committee shares 
     jurisdiction over it and has received an additional referral. 
     Of course, this waiver does not prejudice any further 
     jurisdictional claims by your Committee over this legislation 
     or similar language. Furthermore, I agree to support your 
     request for appointment of conferees from the Committee on 
     Science and Technology if a conference is held on this 
     matter.
       As you requested, I will insert our two letters in the 
     Congressional Record as part of the consideration of the bill 
     on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in 
     which you have worked regarding this matter and others 
     between our respective committees.
       With warm regards, I am
           Sincerely,
                                               Nick J. Rahall, II,
                         Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources.

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2400, the Ocean and Coastal 
Mapping Integration Act. Chairman Grijalva has adequately explained the 
bill, which will lead to a more efficient and effective use of ocean 
data.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2400, the Ocean 
and Coastal Mapping Integration Act, which I introduced on May 21, 
2007, and which the Committee on Natural Resources ordered to be 
favorably reported to the House on June 28, 2007.
  The surveying and mapping of our coasts and oceans is one of the 
oldest functions of the Federal Government. In 1807, Thomas Jefferson 
signed into law an act requiring the President ``to cause a survey to 
be taken of the coast of the United States . . . together with such 
other matters as he may deem proper for completing an accurate chart of 
every part of the coasts.'' Ever since the enactment of that law, the 
mapping and charting of our coasts and marine waters, including the 
Great Lakes, continues to be an activity of great national importance.
  In 2004 the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy released a report at the 
request of the President recommending actions needed to improve ocean 
policy in the United States. Among the suggestions made by the 
commission was a recommendation that existing Federal mapping 
activities be consolidated and coordinated, and that the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, lead this effort.
  At the same time, the National Research Council, NRC, completed a 
study identifying the most pressing national needs for coastal mapping 
and charting. This study, requested by three of the primary agencies 
involved in ocean and coastal surveying, identified the same need for 
coordination. The NRC findings included a need for a consistent spatial 
framework, increased access to geospatial data and mapping products, 
and increased inter- and intra-agency communication, cooperation, and 
coordination.
  Learning of these recommendations, I introduced H.R. 2400 along with 
my colleague from South Carolina, the ranking Republican Member of the 
Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, Congressman Henry 
Brown, to coordinate and strengthen the efforts of Federal agencies to 
map our oceans and coasts.
  The coordination required by this legislation will result in 
increased efficiency, eliminate redundant mapping efforts, and allow 
data collected by one agency to be used multiple times by other 
agencies and stakeholders for myriad purposes.
  Passage of this legislation will fulfill an important recommendation 
of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and result in immediate benefits 
for national security, maritime commerce, navigation, and marine 
resource, management and scientific research.
  For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I ask members on both sides to 
support passage of this non-controversial bill.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2400, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________