[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 49 (Monday, March 31, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H1778-H1781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     NATIONAL INTEGRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN OBSERVATION ACT OF 2008

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2342) to direct the President to establish a National 
Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2342

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

     SECTION 1. ENHANCING CLIMATE CHANGE PREDICTIONS.

       (a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the 
     ``National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation Act of 
     2008''.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are the 
     following:
       (1) Establish a National Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
     Observation System comprised of Federal and non-Federal 
     components, coordinated at the national level by the National 
     Ocean Research Leadership Council and at the regional level 
     by a network of Regional Information Coordination Entities, 
     that includes in situ, remote, and other coastal and ocean 
     observations, technologies, and data management and 
     communication systems, to gather specific coastal and ocean 
     data variables and to ensure the timely dissemination and 
     availability of usable observation data--
       (A) to support national defense, marine commerce, energy 
     production, scientific research, ecosystem-based marine and 
     coastal resource management, weather and marine forecasting, 
     public safety and public outreach training and education; and
       (B) to promote greater public awareness and stewardship of 
     the Nation's ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and 
     the general public welfare.
       (2) Improve the Nation's capability to measure, track, 
     explain, and predict events related directly and indirectly 
     to weather and climate change, natural climate variability, 
     and interactions between the oceanic and atmospheric 
     environments, including the Great Lakes.
       (3) Authorize activities to promote basic and applied 
     research to develop, test, and deploy innovations and 
     improvements in coastal and ocean observation technologies, 
     modeling systems, and other scientific and technological 
     capabilities to improve our conceptual understanding of 
     weather and climate, ocean atmosphere dynamics, global 
     climate change, and physical, chemical, and biological 
     dynamics of the ocean and coastal and Great Lakes 
     environments.
       (c) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the National Ocean 
     Research Leadership Council referred to in section 7902 of 
     title 10, United States Code.
       (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
     Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration.
       (3) Federal assets.--The term ``Federal assets'' means all 
     relevant nonclassified civilian coastal and ocean 
     observations, technologies, and related modeling, research, 
     data management, basic and applied technology research and 
     development, and public education and outreach programs, that 
     are managed by member agencies of the Council.
       (4) Interagency working group.--The term ``Interagency 
     Working Group'' means the Interagency Working Group on Ocean 
     Observations as established by the U.S. Ocean Policy 
     Committee Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology 
     pursuant to Executive Order 13366 signed December 17, 2004.
       (5) Non-federal assets.--The term ``non-Federal assets'' 
     means all relevant coastal and ocean observations, 
     technologies, related basic and applied technology research 
     and development, and public education and outreach programs 
     that are integrated into the System and are managed through 
     States, regional organizations, universities, nongovernmental 
     organizations, or the private sector.
       (6) Regional information coordination entities.--
       (A) In general.--The term ``Regional Information 
     Coordination Entity'', subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), 
     means an organizational body that is certified or established 
     by the lead Federal agency designated in subsection 
     (d)(3)(C)(iii) and coordinating State, Federal, local, and 
     private interests at a regional level with the responsibility 
     of engaging the private and public sectors in designing, 
     operating, and improving regional coastal and ocean observing 
     systems in order to ensure the provision of data and 
     information that meet the needs of user groups from the 
     respective regions.
       (B) Included associations.--Such term includes Regional 
     Associations as described by the System Plan.
       (C) Limitation.--Nothing in this section shall be construed 
     to invalidate existing certifications, contracts, or 
     agreements between Regional Associations and other elements 
     of the System.
       (7) System.--The term ``System'' means the National 
     Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System established 
     under subsection (d).
       (8) System plan.--The term ``System Plan'' means the plan 
     contained in the document entitled ``Ocean.US Publication No. 
     9, The First Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) 
     Development Plan''.
       (d) National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observing 
     System.--
       (1) Establishment.--The President, acting through the 
     Council, shall establish a National Integrated Coastal and 
     Ocean Observation System to fulfill the purposes set forth in 
     subsection (b) and the System plan and to fulfill the 
     Nation's international obligations to contribute to the 
     global earth observation system of systems and the global 
     ocean observing system.
       (2) Support of purposes.--The head of each agency that is a 
     member of the Interagency Working Group shall support the 
     purposes of this section.
       (3) Availability of data.--The head of each Federal agency 
     that has administrative jurisdiction over a Federal asset 
     shall make available data that are produced by that asset and 
     that are not otherwise restricted for integration, 
     management, and dissemination by the System.
       (4) Enhancing administration and management.--The head of 
     each Federal agency that has administrative jurisdiction over 
     a Federal asset may take appropriate actions to enhance 
     internal agency administration and management to better 
     support, integrate, finance, and utilize observation data, 
     products, and services developed under this section to 
     further its own agency mission and responsibilities.
       (5) Participation in regional information coordination 
     entity.--The head of each Federal agency that has 
     administrative jurisdiction over a Federal asset may 
     participate in regional information coordination entity 
     activities.

[[Page H1779]]

       (6) Non-federal assets.--Non-Federal assets shall be 
     coordinated by the Interagency Working Group or by Regional 
     Information Coordination Entities.
       (e) Policy Oversight, Administration, and Regional 
     Coordination.--
       (1) National ocean research leadership council.--The 
     National Ocean Research Leadership Council shall be 
     responsible for establishing broad coordination and long-term 
     operations plans, policies, protocols, and standards for the 
     System consistent with the policies, goals, and objectives 
     contained in the System Plan, and coordination of the System 
     with other earth observing activities.
       (2) Interagency working group.--The Interagency Working 
     Group shall, with respect to the System, be responsible for--
       (A) implementation of operations plans and policies 
     developed by the Council;
       (B) development of and transmittal to Congress at the time 
     of submission of the President's annual budget request an 
     annual coordinated, comprehensive System budget;
       (C) identification of gaps in observation coverage or needs 
     for capital improvements of both Federal assets and non-
     Federal assets;
       (D) establishment of data management and communication 
     protocols and standards;
       (E) establishment of required observation data variables;
       (F) development of certification standards for all non-
     Federal assets or Regional Information Coordination Entities 
     to be eligible for integration into the System;
       (G) subject to the availability of appropriations, 
     establish through one or more participating Federal agencies, 
     in consultation with the System Advisory Committee 
     established under paragraph (5), a competitive matching grant 
     or other program to promote research and development of 
     innovative observation technologies including testing and 
     field trials; and
       (H) periodically review and recommend to the Council 
     revisions to the System Plan.
       (3) Lead federal agency.--The Administrator shall function 
     as the lead Federal agency for the System. The Administrator 
     may establish an Interagency Program Coordinating Office to 
     facilitate the Administrator's responsibilities as the lead 
     Federal agency for System oversight and management. The 
     Administrator shall--
       (A) implement policies, protocols, and standards 
     established by the Council and delegated by the Interagency 
     Working Group;
       (B) promulgate regulations to integrate the participation 
     of non-Federal assets into the System and enter into and 
     oversee contracts and agreements with Regional Information 
     Coordination Entities to effect this purpose;
       (C) implement a competitive funding process for the purpose 
     of assigning contracts and agreements to Regional Information 
     Coordination Entities;
       (D) certify or establish Regional Information Coordination 
     Entities to coordinate State, Federal, local, and private 
     interests at a regional level with the responsibility of 
     engaging private and public sectors in designing, operating, 
     and improving regional coastal and ocean observing systems in 
     order to ensure the provision of data and information that 
     meet the needs of user groups from the respective regions;
       (E) formulate a process by which gaps in observation 
     coverage or needs for capital improvements of Federal assets 
     and non-Federal assets of the System can be identified by the 
     Regional Information Coordination Entities, the 
     Administrator, or other members of the System and transmitted 
     to the Interagency Working Group;
       (F) be responsible for the coordination, storage, 
     management, and dissemination of observation data gathered 
     through the System to all end-user communities;
       (G) implement a program of public education and outreach to 
     improve public awareness of global climate change and effects 
     on the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes environment; and
       (H) report annually to the Council through the Interagency 
     Working Group on the accomplishments, operational needs, and 
     performance of the System to achieve the purposes of this 
     title and the System Plan.
       (4) Regional information coordination entity.--To be 
     certified or established under paragraph (3)(D), a Regional 
     Information Coordination Entity must be certified or 
     established by contract or agreement by the Administrator, 
     and must agree to--
       (A) gather required System observation data and other 
     requirements specified under this section and the System 
     plan;
       (B) identify gaps in observation coverage or needs for 
     capital improvements of Federal assets and non-Federal assets 
     of the System, and transmit such information to the 
     Interagency Working Group via the Administrator;
       (C) demonstrate an organizational structure and strategic 
     operational plan to ensure the efficient and effective 
     administration of programs and assets to support daily data 
     observations for integration into the System;
       (D) comply with all financial oversight requirements 
     established by the Administrator, including requirements 
     relating to audits; and
       (E) demonstrate a capability to work with other 
     governmental and nongovernmental entities at all levels to 
     identify and provide information products of the System for 
     multiple users within the service area of the Regional 
     Information Coordination Entities and otherwise.
       (5) System advisory committee.--
       (A) In general.--The Administrator shall establish a System 
     Advisory Committee, which shall provide advice as may be 
     requested by the Administrator or the Interagency Working 
     Group.
       (B) Purpose.--The purpose of the System Advisory Committee 
     is to advise the Administrator and the Interagency Working 
     Group on--
       (i) administration, operation, management, and maintenance 
     of the System, including integration of Federal and non-
     Federal assets and data management and communication aspects 
     of the System, and fulfillment of the purposes specified 
     under subsection (b);
       (ii) expansion and periodic modernization and upgrade of 
     technology components of the System;
       (iii) identification of end-user communities, their needs 
     for information provided by the System, and the System's 
     effectiveness in disseminating information to end-user 
     communities and the general public; and
       (iv) any other purpose identified by the Administrator or 
     the Interagency Working Group.
       (C) Members.--
       (i) In general.--The System Advisory Committee shall be 
     composed of members appointed by the Administrator. Members 
     shall be qualified by education, training, and experience to 
     evaluate scientific and technical information related to the 
     design, operation, maintenance, or use of the System, or use 
     of data products provided through the System.
       (ii) Terms of service.--Members shall be appointed for 3-
     year terms, renewable once. A vacancy appointment shall be 
     for the remainder of the unexpired term of the vacancy, and 
     an individual so appointed may subsequently be appointed for 
     2 full 3-year terms if the remainder of the unexpired term is 
     less than one year.
       (iii) Chairperson.--The Administrator shall designate a 
     chairperson from among the members of the System Advisory 
     Committee.
       (iv) Appointment.--Members of the System Advisory Committee 
     shall be appointed as special Government employees for 
     purposes of section 202(a) of title 18, United States Code.
       (D) Administrative provisions.--
       (i) Reporting.--The System Advisory Committee shall report 
     to the Administrator and the Interagency Working Group, as 
     appropriate.
       (ii) Administrative support.--The Administrator shall 
     provide administrative support to the System Advisory 
     Committee.
       (iii) Meetings.--The System Advisory Committee shall meet 
     at least once each year, and at other times at the call of 
     the Administrator, the Interagency Working Group, or the 
     chairperson.
       (iv) Compensation and expenses.--Members of the System 
     Advisory Committee shall not be compensated for service on 
     that Committee, but may be allowed travel expenses, including 
     per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with 
     subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
       (v) Expiration.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the System 
     Advisory Committee.
       (6) Civil liability.--For purposes of determining liability 
     arising from the dissemination and use of observation data 
     gathered pursuant to this section, any non-Federal asset or 
     Regional Information Coordination Entity that is certified 
     under paragraph (3)(D) and that is participating in the 
     System shall be considered to be part of the National Oceanic 
     and Atmospheric Administration. Any employee of such a non-
     Federal asset or Regional Information Coordination Entity, 
     while operating within the scope of his or her employment in 
     carrying out the purposes of this section, with respect to 
     tort liability, is deemed to be an employee of the Federal 
     Government.
       (f) Interagency Financing, Grants, Contracts, and 
     Agreements.--
       (1) In general.--The member departments and agencies of the 
     Council, subject to the availability of appropriations, may 
     participate in interagency financing and share, transfer, 
     receive, obligate, and expend funds appropriated to any 
     member agency for the purposes of carrying out any 
     administrative or programmatic project or activity to further 
     the purposes of this section, including support for the 
     Interagency Working Group, the Interagency Coordinating 
     Program Office, a common infrastructure, and integration to 
     expand or otherwise enhance the System.
       (2) Joint centers and agreements.--Member Departments and 
     agencies of the Council shall have the authority to create, 
     support, and maintain joint centers, and to enter into and 
     perform such contracts, leases, grants, and cooperative 
     agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of 
     this section and fulfillment of the System Plan.
       (g) Application With Other Laws.--Nothing in this section 
     supersedes or limits the authority of any agency to carry out 
     its responsibilities and missions under other laws.
       (h) Report to Congress.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than two years after the date of 
     enactment of this section, the Administrator through the 
     Council shall submit to Congress a report that describes the 
     status of the System and progress made to achieve the 
     purposes of this section and the goals identified under the 
     System Plan.
       (2) Contents.--The report shall include discussion of the 
     following:
       (A) Identification of Federal and non-Federal assets as 
     determined by the Council that have been integrated into the 
     System, including assets essential to the gathering of 
     required observation data variables necessary to meet the 
     respective missions of Council agencies.
       (B) A review of procurements, planned or initiated, by each 
     Council agency to enhance, expand, or modernize the 
     observation capabilities and data products provided by the 
     System, including data management and communication 
     subsystems.
       (C) An assessment regarding activities to integrate Federal 
     and non-Federal assets, nationally and on the regional level, 
     and discussion of the performance and effectiveness of 
     Regional Information Coordination Entities to coordinate 
     regional observation operations.
       (D) An evaluation of progress made by the Council to 
     achieve the purposes of this section and the goals identified 
     under the System Plan.

[[Page H1780]]

       (E) Recommendations for operational improvements to enhance 
     the efficiency, accuracy, and overall capability of the 
     System.
       (3) Biennial update.--Two years after the transmittal of 
     the initial report prepared pursuant to this subsection and 
     biennially thereafter, the Administrator, through the 
     Council, shall submit to Congress an update of the initial 
     report.
       (i) Public-Private Use Policy.--The Council shall develop a 
     policy within 6 months after the date of the enactment of 
     this section that defines processes for making decisions 
     about the roles of the Federal Government, the States, 
     Regional Information Coordination Entities, the academic 
     community, and the private sector in providing to end-user 
     communities environmental information, products, 
     technologies, and services related to the System. The Council 
     shall publish the policy in the Federal Register for public 
     comment for a period not less than 60 days. Nothing in this 
     subsection shall be construed to require changes in policy in 
     effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (j) Independent Cost Estimate.--The Interagency Working 
     Group, through the Administrator and the Director of the 
     National Science Foundation, shall obtain within one year 
     after the date of the enactment of this section an 
     independent cost estimate for operations and maintenance of 
     existing Federal assets of the System, and planned or 
     anticipated acquisition, operation, and maintenance of new 
     Federal assets for the System, including operation 
     facilities, observation equipment, modeling and software, 
     data management and communication, and other essential 
     components. The independent cost estimate shall be 
     transmitted unabridged and without revision by the 
     Administrator to Congress.
       (k) Intent of Congress.--It is the intent of Congress that 
     funding provided to agencies of the Council to implement this 
     section shall supplement, and not replace, existing sources 
     of funding for other programs. It is the further intent of 
     Congress that agencies of the Council shall not enter into 
     contracts or agreements for the development or procurement of 
     new Federal assets for the System that are estimated to be in 
     excess of $250,000,000 in life-cycle costs without first 
     providing adequate notice to Congress and opportunity for 
     review and comment.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Bishop) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Rhode Island.


                             General Leave

  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Rhode Island?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  H.R. 2342, the National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation Act 
of 2008, was introduced by our colleague from Maine (Mr. Allen). This 
bill establishes a National Integrated Coastal Ocean Observation System 
to gather real-time data on the ocean environment, to refine and 
enhance predictive capabilities, and to provide other immediate 
societal benefits, such as improved fisheries management and safer 
navigation.
  Capitalizing on newer and better integrated technologies would help 
address huge information gaps and significantly advance our 
understanding of ocean processes. I would say coming from a State 
called The Ocean State, this is a particularly important piece of 
legislation, and representing a university that is a recipient of Sea 
Grants, we are very interested in passing this legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I ask colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support 
passage of this noncontroversial bill.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Committee, I submit the following 
exchange of letters.

         House of Representatives, Committee on Science and 
           Technology,
                                   Washington, DC, March 27, 2008.
     Hon. Nick J. Rahall II,
     Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Rahall: I write to you regarding H.R. 2342, 
     the ``National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation 
     Act.'' This legislation was initially referred to both the 
     Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Science 
     and Technology.
       H.R. 2342 was marked up by the Committee on Natural 
     Resources on March 12, 2008. 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. 2342.
       Further, I request your support for the appointment of 
     Science and Technology Committee conferees during any House-
     Senate conference convened on this legislation. 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.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Natural Resources,
                                   Washington, DC, March 27, 2008.
     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. 2342, the National Integrated 
     Coastal and Ocean Observation Act, to proceed.
       I appreciate your willingness to waive your Committee's 
     right to further consideration of H.R. 2342, even though your 
     Committee shares jurisdiction over the bill 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 is customary, I will insert our two letters in the 
     Congressional Record as part of the consideration of H.R. 
     2342 on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit 
     in which you have worked regarding this matter and others 
     between our respective committees.
       With warm regards, I am
           Sincerely,
                                                Nick J. Rahall II,
                         Chairman, Committee on Natural Resources.

  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, there are currently many Federal and State agencies, 
universities and private entities collecting ocean and coastal 
observation data. H.R. 2342 will coordinate these efforts and create a 
national integrated coastal and ocean observing system. The national 
system will provide many benefits to the Nation by support weather, 
marine forecasts, marine transportation, public safety, scientific 
research, and public outreach and education activities.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KENNEDY. I would just say once again, Madam Speaker, we are in 
the process as a Nation of taking an assessment of our coastal zones, 
and in particularly in light of our energy needs, for our wind needs, 
for the possibility of harnessing the oceans for purposes of energy in 
our oceans, and, of course, tabulating the effects of global warming. 
All of these things use data, and those data points can certainly be 
drawn from the passage of legislation like this that will integrate all 
of those data points through a coastal and ocean observatory system.
  I think we owe a great debt of gratitude to the author of this 
legislation, Representative Allen, for the work that he put into 
authoring it.
  At this time, I would like yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Maine (Mr. Allen).
  Mr. ALLEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to express my support for H.R. 2342, the 
National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation Act. I commend 
Chairman Rahall and Chairwoman Bordallo of the Natural Resources 
Committee for their leadership and foresight in supporting this 
legislation to give us the tools we need to manage and protect our 
marine resources and coastal communities. I also want to thank Mr. 
Brown and Mr. Young for their work on this bill.
  My legislation establishes a nationwide integrated ocean and coastal 
observing system, based on the internationally acclaimed Gulf of Maine 
Ocean Observing System, GoMOOS. That is the acronym, GoMOOS. GoMOOS was 
developed by Maine oceanographers, and has improved safety for 
fishermen and boaters, increased understanding of ocean weather and 
helped forecast the effects of global climate change.
  My legislation builds on the success of regional programs like GoMOOS 
and will greatly enhance our knowledge about our oceans and their 
resources and vastly improve our ability to manage them properly.

[[Page H1781]]

  The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, Pew Oceans Commission, and the 
Joint Ocean Commission Initiative have all established creation of a 
comprehensive ocean observing system as a top priority. In fact, 
Admiral James Watkins, Chair of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and 
Cochair of the Joint Oceans Commission Initiative, has testified that 
an oceans observing system, and I quote, ``is probably the most 
important single program. I think if it were to be implemented properly 
and funded to the extent we have recommended in our report, it will be 
one of the most important things we can do for future decision 
making.''
  Implementation of the Integrated Ocean Observing System will have a 
myriad of positive impacts. Implementation will, one, improve 
predictions of climate change and weather and their effects on coastal 
communities, including impacts on water and energy management; two, 
improve the safety and efficiency of marine operations; three, improve 
national and homeland security, particularly within ports and the 
Nation's heavily populated coastal regions; and, fourth, enable the 
sustained use of ocean and coastal resources and better manage 
fisheries.
  In addition to monitoring and forecasting climate change, the Ocean 
Observing System would protect coastal communities and economic 
interests of oceangoing industries like shipping and commercial fishing 
by improving warnings of tsunamis, hurricanes, coastal storms and other 
natural hazards.
  The Integrated Ocean Observing System is not just another combination 
of data satellites and buoys. It has real-time and real life practical 
applications. In the past, regional ocean systems have provided early 
warnings of harmful algal blooms that can severely impact the shellfish 
industry. Scientists use the regional system to target testing areas, 
and managers use it to issue timely and necessary warnings to protect 
public health. The Coast Guard is another frequent user. They look to 
the system for critical information to aid in search and rescue 
operations.
  Fishermen have used Maine's Ocean Observing System for years for real 
time information on sea conditions and weather. More observations 
provide more data and allow fishermen to make informed and safe 
decisions. I would just say in that context that I have had fishermen 
in Maine tell me that whereas they used to be gambling on what the 
weather might be 7 to 10 miles offshore, now they can look at their 
computer, they can get real-time data from a buoy 7 miles offshore and 
know whether or not it is safe to go out that distance.
  Many elements of a national ocean observing system are already in 
place, but currently they operate independently. Legislation is needed 
to formally define the fiduciary, legal and oversight structure to 
enable the integration of the disparate components of the ocean, 
coastal and Great Lakes observing activities. Legislation authorizing 
an integrated system will ensure the coordination and integration among 
all the elements of a national system, both Federal and regional, and 
would provide legal authority for sharing funds across Federal agencies 
for implementing IOOS.
  A national Integrated Ocean Observing system would enable managers at 
all levels, local, regional and National, to make informed and timely 
decisions to manage our ocean resources and protect our coastal 
communities.
  To summarize, what we are talking about is being able to get 
information about our oceans in the same way and on the same scale that 
today we get information about the atmosphere, and because of the 
interconnection of what is happening in the atmosphere and what is 
happening in the oceans, this will dramatically increase and expand our 
understanding of both the atmosphere and the oceans. It is an important 
piece of legislation.
  I urge my colleagues to support this measure.
  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, with no other speakers, I would just once 
again conclude that Rhode Island looks forward to hosting this ocean 
observatory system that the Representative from Maine has proposed, if 
not objected to by the gentleman from Hawaii, another sea-going State.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2342, 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.

                          ____________________