[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 160 (Monday, October 22, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H11795-H11800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CORAL REEF CONSERVATION AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2007
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1205) to reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of
2000, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1205
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 ``Coral Reef Conservation
Amendments Act of 2007''.
SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM.
(a) Project Diversity.--Section 204(d) of the Coral Reef
Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6403(d)) is amended--
(1) in the heading by striking ``Geographic and
Biological'' and inserting ``Project''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
``(3) Remaining funds shall be awarded for--
``(A) projects (with priority given to community-based
local action strategies) that address emerging priorities or
threats, including international and territorial priorities,
or threats identified by the Administrator in consultation
with the Coral Reef Task Force; and
``(B) other appropriate projects, as determined by the
Administrator, including monitoring and assessment, research,
pollution reduction, education, and technical support.''.
(b) Approval Criteria.--Section 204(g) of that Act (16
U.S.C. 6403(g)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``or'' after the semicolon in paragraph
(9);
(2) by striking paragraph (10); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
``(10) promoting activities designed to minimize the
likelihood of vessel impacts on coral reefs, particularly
those areas identified under section 210(b), including the
promotion of ecologically sound navigation and anchorages
near coral reefs; or
``(11) promoting and assisting entities to work with local
communities, and all appropriate governmental and
nongovernmental organizations, to support community-based
planning and management initiatives for the protection of
coral reef ecosystems.''.
SEC. 3. EMERGENCY RESPONSE.
Section 206 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (16
U.S.C. 6405) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 206. EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTIONS.
``(a) In General.--The Administrator may undertake or
authorize action necessary--
``(1) to minimize the destruction or loss of, or injury to,
a coral reef from--
``(A) vessel impacts, derelict fishing gear, vessel
anchors, and anchor chains; and
``(B) from unforeseen or disaster-related circumstances;
and
``(2) to stabilize, repair, recover, or restore such coral
reef.
``(b) Vessel Removal; Restabilization.--Action authorized
by subsection (a) includes vessel removal and emergency
restabilization of the vessel or any impacted coral reef.
``(c) Partnering With Other Federal Agencies.--When
possible, action by the Administrator under this section
should--
``(1) be conducted in partnership with other government
agencies as appropriate, including--
``(A) the Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department of
the Interior; and
``(B) agencies of States and territories of the United
States; and
[[Page H11796]]
``(2) leverage resources of other agencies.
``(d) Emergency Response Assistance by Other Federal
Agencies.--
``(1) In general.--The head of any other Federal agency may
assist the Administrator in emergency response actions under
this section, using funds available for operations of the
agency concerned.
``(2) Reimbursement.--The Administrator, subject to the
availability of appropriations, may reimburse a Federal
agency for assistance provided under paragraph (1).
``(e) Liability for Costs and Damages to Coral Reefs.--
``(1) Treatment of coral reefs under national marine
sanctuaries act.--For purposes of the provisions set forth in
paragraph (2), and subject to paragraph (3), each of the
terms `sanctuary resources', `resource', `sanctuary resource
managed under law or regulations for that sanctuary,'
`national marine sanctuary', `sanctuary resources of the
national marine sanctuary', and `sanctuary resources of other
national marine sanctuaries' is deemed to include any coral
reef that is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States
or any State, without regard to whether such coral reef is
located in a national marine sanctuary.
``(2) Applicable provisions of national marine sanctuaries
act.--The provisions referred to in paragraph (1) are the
following provisions of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act:
``(A) Paragraphs (6) and (7) of section 302 (16 U.S.C.
1432).
``(B) Paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of section 306 (16
U.S.C. 1436).
``(C) Section 307 (16 U.S.C. 1437).
``(D) Section 312 (16 U.S.C. 1443).
``(3) State consent required.--
``(A) In general.--This subsection shall not apply to any
coral reef that is subject to the jurisdiction of a State
unless the Governor of that State notifies the Secretary that
the State consents to that application.
``(B) Revocation of consent.--The governor of a State may
revoke consent under subparagraph (A) by notifying the
Secretary of such revocation.
``(4) Consistency with international law and treaties.--Any
action taken under the authority of this subsection must be
consistent with otherwise applicable international law and
treaties.
``(5) Actions authorized with respect to vessels.--Actions
authorized under this subsection include vessel removal, and
emergency re-stabilization of a vessel and any coral reef
that is impacted by a vessel
``(6) Regulations.--The Secretary may issue regulations
necessary to implement this subsection.''.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL PROGRAM.
(a) Purpose of Act.--Section 202 of the Coral Reef
Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6401) is amended--
(1) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) to develop sound scientific information on the
condition of coral reef ecosystems and the threats to such
ecosystems including large-scale threats related to climate
change, to benefit local communities and the Nation, and to
the extent practicable support and enhance coral reef
research capabilities at local academic institutions;''; and
(2) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of
paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end of paragraph
(6) and inserting ``; and'', and by adding at the end the
following:
``(7) to recognize the benefits of healthy coral reefs to
island and coastal communities and to encourage Federal
action to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, the
continued availability of those benefits.''.
(b) Goals and Objectives of National Coral Reef Action
Strategy.--Section 203(b)(8) of the Coral Reef Conservation
Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6402(b)(8)) is amended to read as
follows:
``(8) conservation, including resilience and the
consideration of island and local traditions and
practices.''.
(c) Amendments Relating to Activities to Conserve Coral
Reefs and Coral Reef Ecosystems.--Section 207(b) of the Coral
Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6406) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3) by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (4)--
(A) by striking ``cooperative conservation'' and inserting
``cooperative research, conservation,'' ; and
(B) by striking ``partners.'' and inserting ``partners,
including academic institutions located in those States,
territories, and freely associated States referred to in
section 212; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) activities designed to minimize the likelihood of
vessel impacts or other physical damage to coral reefs,
including those areas identified in section 210(b).''.
SEC. 5. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
Section 208 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (16
U.S.C. 6407) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 208. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
``Not later than March 1, 2010, and every 3 years
thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and
the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives a report describing all activities undertaken
to implement the strategy, including--
``(1) a description of the funds obligated by each
participating Federal agency to advance coral reef
conservation during each of the 3 fiscal years next preceding
the fiscal year in which the report is submitted;
``(2) a description of Federal interagency and cooperative
efforts with States, United States territories, freely
associated States, and non-governmental partner organizations
to prevent or address overharvesting, coastal runoff, or
other anthropogenic impacts on coral reef ecosystems,
including projects undertaken with the Department of the
Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental
Protection Agency, and the Army Corps of Engineers;
``(3) a summary of the information contained in the vessel
grounding inventory established under section 210, including
additional authorization or funding, needed for response and
removal of such vessels;
``(4) a description of Federal disaster response actions
taken pursuant to the National Response Plan to address
damage to coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems; and
``(5) an assessment of the condition of United States coral
reefs, accomplishments under this Act, and the effectiveness
of management actions to address threats to coral reefs,
including actions taken to address large-scale threats to
coral reef ecosystems related to climate change.''.
SEC. 6. FUND; GRANTS; GROUNDING INVENTORY; COORDINATION.
(a) Fund; Grants; Grounding Inventory; Coordination.--The
Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.)
is amended--
(1) in section 205(a) (16 U.S.C. 6404(a)), by striking
``organization solely'' and all that follows and inserting
``organization--
``(1) to support partnerships between the public and
private sectors that further the purposes of this Act and are
consistent with the national coral reef strategy under
section 203; and
``(2) to address emergency response actions under section
206.'';
(2) by adding at the end of section 205(b) (16 U.S.C.
6404(b)) ``The organization is encouraged to solicit funding
and in-kind services from the private sector, including
nongovernmental organizations, for emergency response actions
under section 206 and for activities to prevent damage to
coral reefs, including areas identified in section
210(b)(2).'';
(3) in section 205(c) (16 U.S.C. 6404(c)), by striking
``the grant program'' and inserting ``any grant program or
emergency response action'';
(4) by redesignating sections 209 and 210 as sections 213
and 214, respectively; and
(5) by inserting after section 208 the following:
``SEC. 209. COMMUNITY-BASED PLANNING GRANTS.
``(a) In General.--The Administrator may make grants to
entities that are eligible to receive grants under section
204(c) to provide additional funds to such entities to work
with local communities and through appropriate Federal and
State entities to prepare and implement plans for the
increased protection of coral reef areas identified by the
community and scientific experts as high priorities for
focused attention. The plans shall--
``(1) support attainment of 1 or more of the criteria
described in section 204(g);
``(2) be developed at the community level;
``(3) utilize where applicable watershed-based or
ecosystem-based approaches;
``(4) provide for coordination with Federal and State
experts and managers;
``(5) build upon local approaches or models, including
traditional or island-based resource management concepts; and
``(6) complement local action strategies or regional plans
for coral reef conservation.
``(b) Terms and Conditions.--The provisions of subsections
(b), (d), (f), and (h) of section 204 apply to grants under
subsection (a), except that, for the purpose of applying
section 204(b)(1) to grants under this section, `75 percent'
shall be substituted for `50 percent'.
``SEC. 210. VESSEL GROUNDING INVENTORY.
``(a) In General.--The Administrator, in coordination with
other Federal agencies, may maintain an inventory of all
vessel grounding incidents involving coral reefs, including a
description of--
``(1) the impacts to such resources;
``(2) vessel and ownership information, if available;
``(3) the estimated cost of removal, mitigation, or
restoration;
``(4) the response action taken by the owner, the
Administrator, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, or other
Federal or State agency representatives;
``(5) the status of the response action, including the
dates of vessel removal and mitigation or restoration and any
actions taken to prevent future grounding incidents; and
``(6) recommendations for additional navigational aids or
other mechanisms for preventing future grounding incidents.
``(b) Identification of At-Risk Reefs.--The Administrator
may--
``(1) use information from any inventory maintained under
subsection (a) or any other available information source to
identify all coral reef areas that have a high incidence of
vessel impacts, including groundings and anchor damage; and
``(2) identify appropriate measures, including action by
other agencies, to reduce the likelihood of such impacts.
[[Page H11797]]
``SEC. 211. REGIONAL COORDINATION.
``The Administrator shall work in coordination and
collaboration with other Federal agencies, States, and United
States territorial governments to implement the national
coral reef action strategy developed under section 203,
including regional and local strategies, to address multiple
threats to coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems such as
coastal runoff, vessel impacts, overharvesting, and factors
attributed to climate change.
``SEC. 212. UNITED STATES CORAL REEF TASK FORCE.
``(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the
United States Coral Reef Task Force.
``(b) Goal.--The goal of the Task Force shall be to lead,
coordinate, and strengthen Federal Government actions to
better preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems.
``(c) Duties.--The duties of the Task Force shall be--
``(1) to coordinate, in cooperation with State, territory,
freely associated State, commonwealth, and local government
partners, academic, and nongovernmental partners if
appropriate, activities regarding the mapping, monitoring,
research, conservation, mitigation, restoration of coral
reefs and coral reef ecosystems;
``(2) to monitor and advise regarding implementation of the
policy and Federal agency responsibilities set forth in
Executive Order 13089 and the national coral reef action
strategy developed under section 203; and
``(3) to work with the Secretary of State and the
Administrator of the Agency for International Development,
and in coordination with the other members of the Task Force,
to--
``(A) assess the United States role in international trade
and protection of coral species; and
``(B) encourage implementation of appropriate strategies
and actions to promote conservation and sustainable use of
coral reef resources worldwide.
``(d) Membership, Generally.--The Task Force shall be
comprised of--
``(1) the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, and the Secretary of the Interior, who shall
be co-chairs of the Task Force;
``(2) the Administrator of the Agency of International
Development;
``(3) the Secretary of Agriculture;
``(4) the Secretary of Defense;
``(5) the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps
of Engineers;
``(6) the Secretary of Homeland Security;
``(7) the Attorney General;
``(8) the Secretary of State;
``(9) the Secretary of Transportation;
``(10) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency;
``(11) the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration;
``(12) the Director of the National Science Foundation;
``(13) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor,
of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands;
``(14) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor,
of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
``(15) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor,
of the State of Florida;
``(16) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor,
of the State of Hawaii;
``(17) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor,
of the Territory of Guam;
``(18) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor,
of the Territory of American Samoa; and
``(19) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor,
of the Virgin Islands.
``(e) Nonvoting Members.--The President, or a
representative of the President, of each of the Freely
Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, the
Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau
may appoint a nonvoting member of the Task Force.
``(f) Responsibilities of Federal Agency Members.--
``(1) In general.--The Federal agency members of the Task
Force shall--
``(A) identify the actions of their agencies that may
affect coral reef ecosystems;
``(B) utilize the programs and authorities of their
agencies to protect and enhance the conditions of such
ecosystems; and
``(C) assist in the implementation of the National Action
Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs, the national coral reef action
strategy developed under section 203, the local action
strategies, and any other coordinated efforts approved by the
Task Force.
``(2) Co-chairs.--In addition to their responsibilities
under paragraph (1), the co-chairs of the Task Force shall
administer performance of the functions of the Task Force and
facilitate the coordination of the Federal agency members of
the Task Force.
``(g) Working Groups.--
``(1) In general.--The co-chairs of the Task Force may
establish working groups as necessary to meet the goals and
duties of this Act. The Task Force may request the co-chairs
to establish such a working group.
``(2) Participation by nongovernmental organizations.--The
co-chairs may allow a nongovernmental organization or
academic institution to participate in such a working group.
``(h) FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C.
App.) shall not apply to the Task Force.''.
(b) Cooperative Agreements.--Section 204 of the Coral Reef
Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6403) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(k) Multiyear Cooperative Agreements.--The Administrator
may enter into multiyear cooperative agreements with the
heads of other Federal agencies, States, territories, other
freely associated States, local governments, academic
institutions, and non-governmental organizations to carry out
the activities of the national coral reef action strategy
developed under section 203 and to implement regional
strategies developed pursuant to section 211.''.
SEC. 7. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
PROGRAM.
(a) Amendments and Clarifications to Definitions.--
(1) Fish and wildlife coordination act.--Section 8 of the
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 666b) is
amended by inserting before the period at the end the
following: ``, including coral reef ecosystems (as such term
is defined in section 214 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act
of 2000)''.
(2) Fish and wildlife act of 1956 and fish and wildlife
improvement act of 1978.--With respect to the authorities
under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a et.
seq) and the authorities under the Fish and Wildlife
Improvement Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 742l), references in such
Acts to ``wildlife'' and ``fish and wildlife'' shall be
construed to include coral reef ecosystems (as such term is
defined in section 214 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of
2000, as amended by this Act).
(b) Coral Reef Conservation Assistance.--The Secretary of
the Interior may provide technical assistance and, subject to
the availability of appropriations, financial assistance to
coastal States (as that term is defined in the Coral Reef
Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by this Act).
SEC. 8. CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITIONS.
Section 214 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as
redesignated by section 6(a) of this Act (relating to
definitions; 16 U.S.C. 6409), is further amended--
(1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator'--
``(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), means the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration; and
``(B) in sections 206 and 209, means the Secretary of the
Interior for purposes of application of those sections to
national parks, national wildlife refuges, and Wake
Island.'';
(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) Conservation.--The term `conservation' means the use
of methods and procedures that are necessary to preserve or
sustain coral reefs and associated species as diverse,
viable, and self-perpetuating coral reef ecosystems,
including--
``(A) all activities associated with resource management,
such as assessment, conservation, protection, restoration,
sustainable use, and management of habitat;
``(B) mapping;
``(C) monitoring of coral reef ecosystems;
``(D) assistance in the development of management
strategies for marine protected area or networks thereof and
marine resources consistent with the National Marine
Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) and the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C.
1801 et seq.);
``(E) law enforcement;
``(F) conflict resolution initiatives;
``(G) community outreach and education; and
``(H) activities that promote safe and ecologically sound
navigation.'';
(3) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) Coral.--The term `coral' means species of the phylum
Cnidaria, including--
``(A) all species of the orders Antipatharia (black
corals), Scleractinia (stony corals), Gorgonacea (horny
corals), Stolonifera (organpipe corals and others),
Alcyonacea (soft corals), and Helioporacea (blue coral), of
the class Anthozoa; and
``(B) all species of the families Milleporidae (fire
corals) and Stylasteridae (stylasterid hydrocorals), of the
class Hydrozoa.'';
(4) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:
``(4) Coral reef.--The term `coral reef' means a limestone
structure composed in whole or in part of living
zooxanthellate stony corals (Class Anthozoa, Order
Scleractinia), their skeletal remains, or both.'';
(5) by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows:
``(5) Coral reef ecosystem.--The term `coral reef
ecosystem' means a system of coral reefs and geographically
associated species, habitats, and environment, including
mangroves and seagrass habitats, and the processes that
control its dynamics.''; and
(6) by amending paragraph (7) to read as follows:
``(7) Secretary.--The term `Secretary'--
``(A) except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C),
means the Secretary of Commerce;
``(B) in section 206(e), means--
``(i) the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to any
coral reef or component thereof that is located in--
``(I) the National Wildlife Refuge System;
``(II) the National Park System; or
[[Page H11798]]
``(III) the waters surrounding Wake Island under the
jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior, as set forth
in Executive Order 11048 (27 Fed. Reg. 8851), dated September
4, 1962; or
``(ii) the Secretary of Commerce, with respect to any other
coral reef or component thereof; and
``(C) in sections 203 and 209, means the Secretary of
Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior.''.
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 213 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000
(formerly 16 U.S.C. 6408), as redesignated by section 4, is
amended--
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out this title
$30,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $32,000,000 for fiscal year
2009, $34,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and $35,000,000 for
fiscal years 2011 and 2012.'';
(2) in subsection (b) by striking ``$1,000,000'' and
inserting ``$2,000,000'';
(3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
``(c) Community-Based Planning Grants.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out section
209, $8,000,000 for fiscal years 2008 through 2012, to remain
available until expended.''; and
(4) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
``(d) Department of the Interior.--There is authorized to
be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior to carry out
this title $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through
2012.''.
SEC. 10. ENSURING RESILIENCE.
(a) Purposes.--Section 202 of the Coral Reef Conservation
Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6401) is further amended by
redesignating paragraphs (2) through (7) as paragraphs (3)
through (8), respectively, and by inserting after paragraph
(1) the following:
``(2) to promote the resilience of coral reef
ecosystems;''.
(b) Criteria for Approval of Project Proposals.--Section
204(g) of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C.
6403(g)) is further amended by striking ``or'' after the
semicolon at the end of paragraph (10), by redesignating
paragraph (11) as paragraph (12), and by inserting after
paragraph (10) the following:
``(11) improving and promoting the resilience of coral
reefs and coral reef ecosystems; or''.
(c) Activities Authorized Under National Program.--Section
207(b) of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C.
6406(b)) is further amended by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon at the end of paragraph (4), by redesignating
paragraph (5) as paragraph (6), and by inserting after
paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) improving and promoting the resilience of coral reefs
and coral reef ecosystems; and''.
SEC. 11. FUNDING FOR MARINE FACILITIES, CORAL REEF RESEARCH,
AND CORAL REEF INSTITUTES.
(a) American Samoa Community College.--There is authorized
to be appropriated $1,000,000 to the Secretary of Commerce,
acting through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, to provide funds to a research facility for
coral reef research and protection, and coastal ecology and
development, at the American Samoa Community College.
(b) University of Guam.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $1,000,000 to the Secretary of Commerce, acting
through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
to provide funds to the University of Guam for coral reef
research and protection.
(c) Support for Coral Reef Institutes.--The Administrator,
subject to the availability of appropriations specifically to
carry out this subsection, may enter into, renegotiate, or
extend a cooperative agreement with any university or local
academic institution or other research center with
established programs that support coral reef conservation to
accomplish the following:
(1) Provide technical and other assistance to build
capacity for effective resource management on a regional
level and within local communities.
(2) Facilitate interdisciplinary research regarding coral
reef ecosystems to improve resource management and improve
understanding of potential impacts to such ecosystems
attributed to climate change.
(3) Conduct public education programs regarding coral reefs
and coral reef ecosystems to improve public awareness of the
need to protect and conserve such resources.
(4) To advance the purposes and policies set forth in the
Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000.
(d) Definitions.--For purposes of this section the
definitions in section 214 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act
of 2000, as redesignated by section 6(a) of this Act and
amended by section 8 of this Act, apply.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.
{time} 1515
General Leave
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Jackson of Illinois). Is there objection
to the request of the gentlewoman from Guam?
There was no objection.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 1205, as amended, would reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation
Act through fiscal year 2012 and give the Federal Government, States
and territories additional tools to protect and conserve coral reefs. I
commend the gentleman from American Samoa, the Honorable Eni
Faleomavaega, for sponsoring this legislation and for his hard work to
move it forward.
H.R. 1205 was referred to the Natural Resources Committee and the
Science and Technology Committee. I'm including in the Congressional
Record an exchange of letters between Chairmen Nick Rahall and Bart
Gordon asserting both committees jurisdiction in H.R. 1205. Science
Committee Chairman Bart Gordon gracefully agreed to allow this bill to
come to the floor today.
H.R. 1205, as amended, broadens and improves the definition of
``coral reef ecosystem'' to include mangroves and sea grass habitats.
Additionally, the bill gives the Secretaries of Commerce and the
Interior the authority to cover related costs for damages to coral
reefs in U.S. waters located outside national marine sanctuaries.
Mr. Speaker, more than 70 percent of the coral reefs under the
jurisdiction of the United States are found in the Pacific, including
Guam. Regrettably, coral reefs worldwide remain imperiled and deserving
of greater protection. I am a proud cosponsor of this legislation, and
I urge my colleagues to support the bill, as amended.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC, September 26, 2007.
Hon. Bart Gordon,
Chairman, Committee on Science and Technology, Washington,
DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your willingness to allow
floor consideration of H.R. 1205, the Coral Reef Conservation
Amendments Act of 2007, to proceed unimpeded.
I appreciate your willingness to waive rights to further
consideration of H.R. 1205, 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.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Science and Technology,
Washington, DC, September 27, 2007.
Hon. Nick J. Rahall II,
Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Rahall: I write to you regarding H.R. 1205,
the ``Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007.'' This
legislation was initially referred to both the Committee on
Natural Resources and the Committee on Science and
Technology.
H.R. 1205 was marked up by the Committee on Natural
Resources on June 28, 2007. I recognize and appreciate your
desire to bring this legislation before the House in an
expeditious manner, and, accordingly, I will waive further
consideration of this bill in Committee. However, agreeing to
waive consideration of this bill should not be construed as
the Committee on Science and Technology waiving its
jurisdiction over H.R. 1205.
Further, I request your support for the appointment of
Science and Technology Committee conferees during any House-
Senate conference convened on this legislation on provisions
of the bill that are within the Committee's jurisdiction. I
also ask that a copy of this letter and your response be
placed in the Congressional Record during consideration of
this bill.
I look forward to working with you as we prepare to pass
this important legislation.
Sincerely,
Bart Gordon,
Chairman.
[[Page H11799]]
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1205, the Coral
Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007. We thank the gentleman from
American Samoa and, once again, my friend from Guam and also the
gentleman from Puerto Rico for their work on this legislation.
Coral reefs are truly a treasure, but they mean the world to the
aquatic life in those areas. This legislation authorizes the Secretary
of the Interior to undertake coral reef conservation activities. It
does involve matching grants, and it provides it in areas under the
jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior.
At this time, though, Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield such time as
he may consume to my friend from Maryland (Mr. Gilchrest).
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1205
today, and I want to thank my good friend from American Samoa (Mr.
Faleomavaega) for his effort in reauthorizing the Coral Reef
Restoration Act.
I want to thank the chairman of the subcommittee, Ms. Bordallo, for
her work in helping us facilitate a number of provisions in this bill;
Mr. Rahall, of course, and certainly Mr. Young and Mr. Brown. This
Coral Reef Restoration Act brings a number of different agencies; once
again to thank Mr. Faleomavaega for helping make this happen. The
coordination between various Federal agencies in ensuring that the
restoration process continues and does so in a very timely fashion is
admirable.
For example, ship strikes pose, used to pose somewhat of a danger to
coral reefs because of the various levels of bureaucracy. This bill
codifies the Coral Reef Task Force, which coordinates those various
Federal agencies to more quickly implement policies that can deal with
the restoration process.
Mr. Speaker, 20 percent of America's coral reefs are dead. They are
destroyed. 50 percent of America's coral reefs are in danger of dying
for various, various reasons, and it is so important at this critical
time that we understand the nature and the importance, the value to the
ecosystem, the value to marine biological communities, and the economic
value to all those States and areas that live next to coral reefs and
depend upon them for their fisheries, for tourism, for coastal
protection and so on.
Coral reefs do protect coastlines, and they're valued for supporting
rich biological diversity that is of immense economic value to a number
of regions throughout the United States. Half of the federally managed
fish species, that equals billions of dollars, spend much of their life
cycle in coral reefs.
But coral reefs, as a result of coastal runoff, Overharvesting, and
now the effects of climate change, these particular areas of
degradation act in a phenomenally coordinated fashion to degrade our
coral reefs. And so this type of legislation can ameliorate the effects
of the anthropogenic onslaught to coral reefs; that's the human
activity that degrades coral reefs.
Now, this bill, and I'll close with this, affects coral reefs in this
manner, because there's multiple effects on coral reefs:
Overharvesting, climate change, acidification of the ocean, runoff,
pollution in our oceans, debris in our oceans, and a whole range of
other things. That means that we have to approach this from a multiple-
stressor effect. How do we deal with all these things?
To account for future effects of human activity, including climate
change, this bill enables us to manage the coral reefs in something
that we will call ``ecosystem resilience,'' the resilience of an
ecosystem. If you look at the human body--your lungs, your liver, your
kidneys, your bloodstream, your heart--the human body functions in an
extraordinary coordinated fashion. It's our own personal ecosystem.
And in the ecosystem abroad, in the Nation's oceans, that ecosystem
can function, if it's restored, understanding that concept of an
ecosystem, of a metabolism, if you will, to restore it so it is
resilient, just like the human body can be restored. But unless you
have a process where you're healthy, where you exercise, where you have
a good diet, et cetera, et cetera, then you will run through cycles of
health and ill health.
The ecosystem of coral reefs will be managed for its resiliency so it
can come back after an onslaught of overharvesting; it can come back
after an onslaught of pollution; it can resist and be resilient to this
unknown factor of climate change.
So for all these reasons, and for all the help we've had from the
staff and the Members, I heartily endorse H.R. 1205, and ask the
Members to vote in favor of this legislation.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I now recognize my colleague from Florida,
the Honorable Mr. Klein, for 3 minutes.
Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Thank you, Chairwoman Bordallo, for yielding me
time and Congressman Faleomavaega for bringing this important
legislation to the floor today.
Mr. Speaker, coral reefs are among the most diverse, biologically
complex, and valuable ecosystems on Earth. In my home State of Florida,
we are fortunate to have the third largest barrier reef in the world.
Along with their natural beauty, Florida's coral reef systems serve as
a critical place for fish habitat and as a potentially lifesaving
barrier against hurricanes as well.
But it's only on an everyday level that coral reefs probably have the
greatest impact on south Florida, serving as an important source of
tourism, jobs and revenue. In Broward County alone, coral reefs
contribute over $2 billion annually to the local economy.
However, coral reefs are in nothing short of a crisis. Because of a
variety of threats, scientists estimate that 60 percent of coral reefs
may disappear before 2050.
That's why I'm very proud to support all of my colleagues' efforts
today to bring this legislation forward. H.R. 1205 will make important
changes to the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. One will be able to
take advantage of the vast resources and expertise at various coral
reef conservation institutions across the country, like the National
Coral Reef Institute.
The National Coral Reef Institute will be hosting the 11th
International Coral Reef Symposium next year in Florida, which will
bring together scientists from throughout the world, over 3,000 of
those scientists, to discuss coral reef issues. Harnessing their
experience and knowledge and other institutions' will be a vital
component of any Federal coral reef conservation plan.
Another important aspect of this legislation we're considering today
will be to authorize NOAA to respond to vessel groundings. Since 1994,
we've seen 12 large ships run aground on sensitive coral reef areas
near Ft. Lauderdale. The last one, occurring almost a year ago,
involved a freighter that left a 20-foot swath of destruction along 100
feet of a coral reef. Whatever coral that once lived there is now,
unfortunately, gone.
Part of the solution to vessel groundings is adopting better
prevention strategies, such as closing anchorage sites in shallow
waters that are close to coral reefs. And I'm very proud that the Coast
Guard and others have worked to achieve this objective.
But we also need to respond faster when a vessel does run aground,
because the sooner coral reefs can be restored, the better chances for
their survival. Expanding NOAA's authority to act will allow NOAA to
utilize their experience and resources to both assess the damage and
restore the reefs.
For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to adopt this legislation. I
thank the sponsors on both sides of the aisle, and recommend that we
move forward.
Mr. GOHMERT. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. It does a good thing
and preserves something that is so vital to our Nation as a resource.
We do need to be careful about the unintended consequences of the
expansion of the term ``wildlife'' in other statutes just to give the
Secretary authority over coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems, even in
limited circumstances.
But with that aside, I would encourage support for the bill, and
yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I would now like to recognize the sponsor
of this bill, the Honorable Mr. Faleomavaega from American Samoa, for 4
minutes.
(Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
[[Page H11800]]
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
1205, to reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000.
First and foremost, I certainly want to commend the chairman of our
Natural Resources Committee, the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr.
Rahall), for his support and commitment to this important legislation.
I also would like to acknowledge the leadership and the tremendous
support that we have received from my good friend and colleague, the
gentleman from Alaska, our senior ranking member, Mr. Young, for his
spirit of cooperation and certainly for his support of the bill.
Last but not least, I want to recognize especially my good friend,
the chairwoman of our Subcommittee on Fisheries and Wildlife, the
gentlelady from Guam (Ms. Bordallo).
And I want to also commend the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert) for
his support and management of the bill on the other side of the aisle.
I want to thank my good friend, the gentleman and former chairman of
the Fisheries and Wildlife Subcommittee, my good friend from Maryland
(Mr. Gilchrest). I can't think of a better person that knows more about
wildlife than the gentleman from Maryland in the years that I've served
with him as a member of the Fisheries Subcommittee.
I also want to thank my good friend, the gentleman from Florida (Mr.
Klein), for his support of this legislation.
I also want to note for my colleagues that the gentlelady from
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) is also a cosponsor of this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1205, the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2007, is
an important piece of legislation because it recognizes that we need to
do more now to protect the health of our Nation's coral reefs. We have
coral reefs running along the coasts on both sides of the United
States, continental United States, especially completely surrounding
our U.S. territories.
Coral reefs are critically important, not only here in the United
States, but around the world, and we should take the lead in protecting
such a vital resource.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1205 has carried over key provisions from
legislation that I introduced in the previous Congress which had very
strong bipartisan support. This legislation will authorize funding for
management assistance grants, enhance research and monitoring,
implement local action strategies, and also codify the U.S. Coral Reef
Task Force, which was established by an executive order issued by
President Clinton in 1998.
More importantly, we have included recommendations from our experts
in the current administration as well as from other Members of
Congress, and also certainly to enhance the passage of this
legislation. This has been a work of some 7 months in consultations.
Not only did we have hearings in our subcommittee, we had a markup,
also a markup in the full committee for which we received unanimous
support.
{time} 1530
Mr. Speaker, a United Nations report estimates that 60 percent of the
world's coral reefs will die off by the year 2030. And with the drastic
change to climate as well as the escalation of global warming, our
coral reefs are in peril.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1205 affords us an opportunity to take immediate
action in conserving and protecting our coral reefs. It is not only
critical for our coastal States and territories but, more importantly,
for the rest of the world.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. And I would be
remiss if I did not recognize the senior staffs of the committee on
both sides of the aisle, Ms. Lori Sonken, Mr. Dave Jansen, and my good
friend Mr. Dave Whaley for their support and for their work in putting
this legislation in such a way that now has the bipartisan support of
our colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
Again, this is not a Democratic or Republican bill; it is a bill that
will serve the best interests of our Nation.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, as a new chairman of this subcommittee, I
want to go on record to thank my colleagues for their input, their
expertise on this particular subject. They have all spoken in support
of this legislation, and I want to thank them for their bipartisan
support.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, will the gentlewoman yield?
Ms. BORDALLO. I yield to the gentleman from American Samoa.
Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I just want to note to my colleagues
as part of our efforts in preserving the coral reefs is the
announcement by President Bush in the last year of the largest marine
monument of the world, which is known as the Papahanaumokuakea National
Marine Monument, north of the Hawaiian Islands. It is about 140,000
square miles, a little less than the size of Montana, but about the
same size as Germany. It also supports some 7,000 species of animal and
marine life, which is so important. I think we need to understand that
this is also part of what this legislation proposes.
And I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 1205, 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.
____________________