[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 160 (Monday, October 24, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H6991-H6992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     AUTHORIZATION OF HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES SPECIFIC TO THE ARCTIC.

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 295) to amend the Hydrographic Services Improvement 
Act of 1998 to authorize funds to acquire hydrographic data and provide 
hydrographic services specific to the Arctic for safe navigation, 
delineating the United States extended continental shelf, and the 
monitoring and description of coastal changes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 295

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

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 306 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 
     1998 (33 U.S.C. 892d) is amended--
       (1) by inserting before the text the following: ``(a) In 
     General.--''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(b) Arctic Programs.--Of the amount authorized by this 
     section for fiscal year 2012--
       ``(1) $5,000,000 is authorized for use to acquire 
     hydrographic data, provide hydrographic services, conduct 
     coastal change analyses necessary to ensure safe navigation, 
     and improve the management of coastal change in the Arctic; 
     and
       ``(2) $2,000,000 is authorized for use to acquire 
     hydrographic data and provide hydrographic services in the 
     Arctic necessary to delineate the United States extended 
     Continental Shelf.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Alaska (Mr. Young) and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. 
Napolitano) each will control 20 minutes.

[[Page H6992]]

  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Alaska.


                             General Leave

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Alaska?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 295 would use existing authorized appropriations in 
the Hydrographic Survey Improvement Act of 1998 for fiscal year 2012 to 
fund surveys and mapping activities in the Arctic.
  Currently, base hydrographic data in the Arctic is woefully 
inadequate and not sufficient to support current, let alone future, 
marine activity. With the last major hydrographic survey activity 
having occurred more than 60 years ago, after World War II, and with 
other areas not having been surveyed since the 1800s, there's a lot of 
work to do.
  As we all know, the Arctic has become the focus of many of its 
surrounding nations to determine ownership of the sea bed and any 
potential energy sources in the area. In addition, the lack of sea ice 
is opening up shipping routes to commercial and recreational vessels.
  H.R. 295 is an effort to move this process forward, and this bill is 
necessary to emphasize the need for the agency to collect hydrographic 
data and provide hydrographic services in the Arctic region. Last 
Congress, similar legislation passed out of the House by a roll call 
vote of 420-0.
  I urge adoption of the measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mrs. NAPOLITANO asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
her remarks.)
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. I rise in support of H.R. 295, as amended, which 
would amend the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 to 
authorize appropriations specifically for the acquisition of 
hydrographic data and coastal change analysis in the Arctic Ocean.
  Again, I commend my colleague for this forward-looking piece of 
legislation. We sometimes ignore scientific evidence that will help us 
be able to gauge where the rest of the world is going to be in regard 
to changes in the atmosphere, et cetera.
  And as scientific evidence does show, melting Arctic sea ice is 
drastically changing the Arctic landscape. The collection of data 
authorized by this bill would help NOAA delineate the U.S.-extended 
Continental Shelf, monitor coastal and ice pack changes, and also 
provide information so critical to international commerce, to our 
national defense, and to our natural resource management in that area.
  I again commend and thank my colleague, Congressman Young from 
Alaska, for introducing the bill, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I have no requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 295, ``the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 to 
authorize funds to acquire hydrographic data and provide hydrographic 
services specific to the Arctic for safe navigation, delineating the 
United States extended continental shelf, and the monitoring and 
description of coastal changes'' which amends the Hydrographic Services 
Improvement Act of 1998 to provide the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) with the funds necessary to accurately map the 
U.S. Arctic.
  Thomas Jefferson signed into law legislation that would result in a 
complete survey of our coast. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) has been honoring this mandate by charting our 
waters for over 200 years. NOAA develops and supplies a variety of 
products which enables vessels to safely navigate our waterways. These 
products include nautical charts, tide, current and weather 
information. These projects are vital to safe navigation of our coast.
  I represent the 18th District of Texas, which contains one of the 
world's leading ports, the Port of Houston. I understand the importance 
of providing pilots and captains with precise and accurate maps. Having 
a detailed representation of our nation's terrain ensures the safety of 
ships, their crew and their cargo. We must remember that every single 
day, thousands of vessels enter America's ports. These ports are vital 
to our economy.
  The Port of Houston, which consists of the uppermost 26 miles of the 
Houston Ship Channel, is a significant economic engine locally, 
regionally and nationally. Each year, the port is responsible for 
nearly $285 billion in economic activity, supports more than 1.5 
million direct and indirect jobs and generates $16.2 billion in tax 
revenue annually nationwide. Ships that enter ports like the Port of 
Houston carry cargo that is going to enter our stream of commerce and 
boast our economy. Across our nation this is a one trillion dollar 
industry that supports more than 13 million jobs in the United States. 
It is important to note that over 98 percent of the tonnage and more 
than 59 percent of the value of our foreign trade is conveyed via the 
maritime transportation system.
  By expanding our map to include the Arctic, we expand the ability of 
ships and airplanes to safely maneuver through those waters, thereby 
expanding commerce and creating jobs. In addition, having a detailed 
map of the Arctic is vital to our national security and can aid in the 
detection of climate change in the region.
  As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation Security 
and Infrastructure Protection and Member of the Border and Maritime 
Subcommittee, I know that it is imperative that we protect our borders 
by land, air and by sea. As any Commander would agree, it is difficult 
to mount a defense without having a map to clearly navigate the 
terrain. The services provided by NOAA would allow us to map terrain 
that has not been adequately mapped in decades.
  Over the last five years there has been a dramatic change in sea ice 
extents. They have decreased in thickness by 35 percent. This may be a 
significant sign for environmental change. The decrease in sea ice 
means that more ships may have access to the area, thereby opening 
additional trade routes. To be clear, the erosion of sea ice has a 
serious impact on the livelihoods of people living in the region. The 
only way to begin to find an answer to the issues posed in the Arctic 
is to have a studied and detailed analysis of its current structure and 
how that structure has changed and may continue to change. These maps 
will help to generate commerce, which will create jobs and help our 
economy. At the same time these maps will be vital to noting any 
significant changes to our environment. Lastly, knowing our waters 
ensures that we will be able to defend ourselves against all enemies. 
If indeed the erosion of the sea ice extends, it will provide 
additional access to trade routes. It also provides additional access 
to our nation. These maps will be an invaluable aid to protecting our 
borders.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 295, 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.

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