[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.

                          ____________________