[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 4 (Friday, January 9, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E62]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF THE OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING INTEGRATION ACT

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                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 9, 2009

  Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, today I have reintroduced legislation to 
provide a framework for an integrated ocean and coastal mapping program 
within the Federal government. The bill, entitled the ``Ocean and 
Coastal Mapping Integration Act,'' specifically requires the President 
to establish a program for the development of a coordinated and 
comprehensive federal ocean and coastal mapping plan for the Great 
Lakes and coastal state waters, the territorial sea, the exclusive 
economic zone, and the continental shelf of the United States.
  The program is meant to enhance ecosystem-based approaches in 
decision-making for conservation and management of marine resources and 
habitats, establish research and mapping priorities for federal-state-
local government partnership, support the sound siting of research and 
other platforms off our coastlines, and advance ocean and coastal 
science. The President shall coordinate with affected coastal states 
and territories and an Interagency Committee on Ocean and Coastal 
Mapping to be convened by the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, in establishing this program. The 
program is also meant to facilitate the adoption of uniform mapping 
standards and the utilization of the latest technology for mapping 
activities. Such an approach will allow for the sharing of maps among 
stakeholders.
  Today, at least 15 Federal agencies, most coastal states and 
territories, and numerous local agencies, academic institutions, and 
private companies conduct mapping and charting activities for U.S. 
waters. No central repository or coordinating authority, however, 
exists under U.S. law to oversee and track these various mapping 
efforts. The absence of coordination in mapping has resulted in 
redundancy of efforts in certain areas. While some areas are ``over 
mapped,'' there is a lack of data for other regions. The program 
authorized by this bill is meant to reduce such redundancy, and expand 
the availability of quality, up-to-date, accurate and comprehensive 
maps and charts for all U.S. waters.
  I introduced this bill in the 110th Congress as H.R. 2400. The bill 
passed the House of Representatives on July 23, 2007, but did not 
receive the approval of the Senate despite it having been considered in 
the other body as part of omnibus legislation. I have, therefore, 
reintroduced this bill today given the ongoing necessity and importance 
of improving and streamlining our ocean and coastal mapping 
capabilities. Ultimately, this bill, if enacted, will improve the 
conservation and management of marine resources and marine 
transportation safety.

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