[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 135 (Wednesday, September 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CORAL REEF CONSERVATION ACT REAUTHORIZATION AND ENHANCEMENT AMENDMENTS 
                                OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 22, 2009

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address concerns over the 
definition of ``coral reef' in H.R. 860, which were raised by the 
gentleman from Oklahoma, a co-chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's 
Caucus, Congressman Dan Boren, during a Committee on Natural Resources 
mark-up on April 22, 2009.
  My colleague was concerned that the definition of ``coral reef' 
inappropriately included references to limestone structures that could 
have been interpreted to include sea floor habitat beyond what is 
commonly recognized as a coral reef.
  The bill, which was amended and adopted in the whole House by voice 
vote on Tuesday, September 22, 2009, includes revisions to this 
definition that better capture the physical structure and biological 
elements of coral reefs. The new definition also limits the geographic 
scope of coral reefs to those features that appear as reefs and shoals. 
In this regard, this new definition makes it clear that areas which are 
composed mainly of limestone bedrock, such as large areas of seabed on 
the continental shelf of the Gulf of Mexico, are not coral reefs for 
the purposes of this Act.
  This definition is supported by the Congressional Sportsmen's 
Foundation, the American Sportfishing Association, and the National 
Marine Manufacturers Association and I appreciate their collaboration 
in developing this compromise.
  I am confident that this new definition will provide clear guidance 
to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in their 
interpretation of this Act, and I thank my colleague, Congressman Boren 
for providing constructive clarification of this definition.

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