[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 85 (Monday, May 17, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H2385-H2387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       NATIONAL ESTUARIES AND ACIDIFICATION RESEARCH ACT OF 2021

  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2533) to provide for a study by the National Academies of 
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine examining the impact of ocean 
acidification and other stressors in estuarine environments.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2533

       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 ``National Estuaries and 
     Acidification Research Act of 2021'' or the ``NEAR Act of 
     2021''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) Ocean acidification impacts human health, natural 
     resources, and the environmental, economic, and recreational 
     uses of the coastline.
       (2) The current understanding of ocean acidification 
     impacts on estuarine ecosystems is inadequate to fully 
     prepare and manage for changing environmental conditions in 
     nearshore locations.
       (3) While pH can be measured with high precision and 
     accuracy in open ocean environments, more understanding of 
     the carbonate system in estuarine ecosystems is needed for 
     precise and accurate measurements and observations.
       (4) The interaction of multiple stressors, including 
     salinity, pH, temperature, sea level rise, and nutrient 
     input, within estuarine ecosystems is inadequately understood 
     for managing the health, economic, recreational, and 
     environmental impacts driven by these interactions.
       (5) A better understanding is needed of how anthropogenic 
     influences in coastal environments affect estuarine 
     ecosystems.
       (6) More integration and coordination is needed among 
     regional, national, and global environmental observations in 
     estuarine environments, supporting prior investments in 
     related topics such as nutrient loading, hypoxia, ocean 
     acidification, and harmful algae bloom research and 
     observational systems.

     SEC. 3. STUDY EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION AND 
                   OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS ON ESTUARINE 
                   ENVIRONMENTS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall make 
     appropriate arrangements with the National Academies of 
     Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (referred to in this Act 
     as the ``National Academies'') under which the National 
     Academies shall conduct a study that--
       (1) examines the existing science of ocean acidification in 
     estuarine environments;
       (2) examines the challenges to studying ocean acidification 
     and ocean acidification's interactions with other environment 
     stressors in estuarine environments;
       (3) provides recommendations for improving future research 
     with respect to ocean acidification in estuarine 
     environments; and
       (4) identifies pathways for applying science in management 
     and mitigation decisions relating to ocean acidification in 
     estuarine environments.
       (b) Contents of Study.--The study described under 
     subsection (a) shall include--
       (1) the behavior of the carbonate system within estuarine 
     environments;
       (2) the interactions of the carbonate system with other 
     biotic and abiotic characteristics of estuarine ecosystems;
       (3) how environmental and anthropogenic changes or 
     disturbances could affect abiotic and biotic processes within 
     estuaries;
       (4) how estuarine biotic and abiotic processes will be 
     affected under predicted environmental changes;
       (5) the current state of data collection, interpretation, 
     storage, and retrieval and observational infrastructure of 
     abiotic and biotic parameters in estuarine ecosystems;
       (6) the gaps that exist in understanding the socio-economic 
     and health impacts of ocean acidification in estuaries;
       (7) future directions for scientific research; and
       (8) pathways for applying science in management and 
     mitigation decisions.
       (c) Report.--In entering into an arrangement under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall request that the National 
     Academies transmit to Congress a report on the results of the 
     study not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of 
     this Act.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Oregon (Ms. Bonamici) and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Oregon.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on H.R. 2533, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Oregon?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of Congressman Posey's National 
Estuaries and Acidification Research Act. I am an original cosponsor of 
this bipartisan bill, which would direct the National Academies of 
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study that examines 
the science of ocean and coastal acidification in estuaries and provide 
recommendations to improve future research and management to inform 
mitigation decisions.
  As co-chair of both the House Oceans Caucus and Congressional Estuary 
Caucus, I know that acidification is not only affecting the open ocean, 
estuaries and nearshore waters are also absorbing tremendous amounts of 
carbon pollution and becoming more acidic.
  Our understanding of ocean acidification and its interactions with 
other environmental stressors, such as hypoxia, harmful algal blooms, 
and warming waters, is rapidly evolving, but is still limited in scope.
  Ocean and coastal acidification are often present in the context of 
other coastal processes, like runoff, erosion, and upwelled water from 
the oceans, making it difficult to measure its individual effects on 
estuaries.
  Our estuaries and nearshore waters are also experiencing the 
consequences of our inaction to address the climate crisis, and 
research has not kept pace with the needs of coastal communities. The 
NEAR Act will help address significant research gaps and the urgent 
need to improve our understanding of the ecological and socioeconomic 
effects of ocean and coastal acidification.
  I thank Congressman Posey for his leadership on this bipartisan bill 
and his efforts to preserve our Nation's estuaries. I also thank 
Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas for making this bill a 
priority.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.


[[Page H2386]]


         House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, 
           and Technology,
                                   Washington, DC, April 16, 2021.
     Chairman Raul M. Grijalva,
     Committee on Natural Resources,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Grijalva: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 
     2533, the ``National Estuaries and Acidification Research Act 
     of 2021,'' which was referred to the Committee on Science, 
     Space, and Technology as lead committee and sequentially 
     referred to the Committee on Natural Resources on April 14, 
     2021.
       I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this 
     bill. I recognize that the bill contains provisions that fall 
     within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Natural 
     Resources. I acknowledge that your Committee will waive 
     further consideration of H.R. 2533 and that this action is 
     not a waiver of future jurisdictional claims by the Committee 
     on Natural Resources over this subject matter.
       I will make sure to include our exchange of letters in the 
     Congressional Record and will support the appointment of the 
     Committee on Natural Resources conferees during any House-
     Senate conference. Thank you for your cooperation on this 
     legislation.
           Sincerely,
                                            Eddie Bernice Johnson,
      Chairwoman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Natural Resources,

                                   Washington, DC, April 20, 2021.
     Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson,
     Chairwoman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairwoman Johnson: In recognition of the goal of 
     expediting consideration of H.R. 2533, a bill to provide for 
     a study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, 
     and Medicine examining the impact of ocean acidification and 
     other stressors in estuarine environments, the Committee on 
     Natural Resources agrees to waive formal consideration of the 
     bill as to provisions that fall within the Rule X 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Natural Resources.
       The Committee on Natural Resources takes this action with 
     the mutual understanding that, in doing so, we do not waive 
     any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or 
     similar legislation, and that the Committee will be 
     appropriately consulted and involved as the bill or similar 
     legislation moves forward so that we may address any 
     remaining issues within our jurisdiction. Our Committee also 
     reserves the right to seek appointment of conferees to any 
     House-Senate conference involving this or similar 
     legislation.
       Thank you for agreeing to include our exchange of letters 
     in the Congressional Record. I appreciate your cooperation 
     regarding this legislation and look forward to continuing to 
     work with you as this measure moves through the legislative 
     process.
           Sincerely,

                                             Raul M. Grijalva,

                                                            Chair,
                                House Natural Resources Committee.

  Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2533, the National Estuaries 
and Acidification Research Act of 2021, a bipartisan bill sponsored by 
Congressman Bill Posey, my esteemed colleague on the Science Committee.
  This legislation directs the Secretary of Commerce to coordinate a 
study with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
Medicine to examine the effects of ocean acidification on estuary 
environments, and to submit that report to Congress within 2 years.

                              {time}  1615

  Specifically, this study will be led by the Ocean Studies Board of 
the National Academies and provide Congress a better understanding of 
the biological and economic impacts of ocean acidification on inland 
marine environments.
  Estuaries are economically important water ecosystems that occur when 
inland rivers meet oceans. This mix of fresh and salt waters is a 
delicate balance of nature that possesses unique biological 
characteristics. To date, there have been few studies on the effects 
ocean acidification has on these ecosystems.
  We can't manage and mitigate the effects of something we don't fully 
understand. That is why H.R. 2533 is still needed today to bridge our 
knowledge gaps by utilizing the best expertise and resources to gain a 
better understanding of this important issue.
  While Oklahoma is a landlocked State without estuaries, I recognize 
the economic and environmental effects acidification has on all of our 
Nation's waterways and other natural treasures. The waters of 
Oklahoma's rivers, streams, and tributaries feed into larger systems 
and eventually make it to the ocean. At the end of the day, being a 
conservationist doesn't stop at geographic barriers. It is a nationwide 
effort.
  Mr. Speaker, this important word-for-word bill passed the House last 
Congress with the same bipartisan support it has here today. 
Unfortunately, it didn't move further in the Senate. So, 1 year later, 
we still need to improve our knowledge of coastal acidification and 
estuaries.
  I thank Mr. Posey for leading this important legislation. I know his 
constituents and the Indian River Lagoon community appreciate his 
efforts to protect their surrounding environment. I also thank my 
Science Committee colleague across the aisle, Ms. Bonamici, for leading 
the effort on the majority side.
  Mr. Speaker, as the saying goes, knowledge is power. This simple 
bipartisan bill advances our knowledge and gives us the power to 
quantify the effects estuary communities face when faced with coastal 
acidification.
  The National Academies are a tremendous resource. Their studies are 
thorough, informative, and world class. I look forward to seeing the 
final product directed by this bill.
  By preserving our Nation's estuaries, we are saving businesses from 
closing, ecosystems from dying, and people from getting sick. I, again, 
thank Representative Bill Posey and the entire Congressional Estuary 
Caucus for leading on this important topic.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, this is a commonsense bill to address the 
urgent need for research on ocean and coastal acidification in 
estuaries.
  I appreciate the partnership and leadership from Chairwoman Johnson, 
Ranking Member Lucas, and Congressman Posey to protect the health of 
our oceans and estuaries.
  Mr. Speaker, I once again urge my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle to support this bipartisan bill, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. POSEY. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to rise in support of H.R. 2533, 
The National Estuaries and Acidification Research (NEAR) Act.
  I want to thank Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Congressman Brian 
Mast for working with me to advance this important legislation.
  I also want to thank the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, 
and Medicine for their valuable input.
  The NEAR Act is a national proposal with a very special personal 
connection. People in my district--the 8th district of Florida--
understand in a very deep way, the economic and environmental 
importance of the ocean and our estuary--the Indian River Lagoon.
  This bill focuses on estuaries--those wondrous nurseries and homes 
for sea life.
  Unfortunately, the Indian River Lagoon, and other valuable estuaries 
throughout the country, are being threatened by ocean acidification, 
along with other stressors.
  Scientists tell us that when carbon dioxide is released into the 
atmosphere, about one third of that carbon dioxide is absorbed by 
seawater, creating carbonic acid.
  Shellfish and other marine organisms don't do well in acidic waters. 
We know that.
  We have over a decade of research on the impacts of acidification in 
the open ocean. Unfortunately, we don't have the same kind of knowledge 
about acidification in estuaries and waters near our shores.
  We need to deepen our investment in research in our estuaries so we 
can protect and restore our estuaries and defend our environment and 
coastal economy.
  The story of my district and the Indian River Lagoon plays out along 
our entire national coastline. More than half of the U.S. population 
lives in coastal areas.
  Five years ago, Congresswoman Bonamici and I cofounded the bipartisan 
Congressional Estuary Caucus to preserve and restore our estuaries. 
Coastal watershed counties provide an estimated 69 million U.S. jobs 
and contribute an estimated $7.9 trillion to the GDP annually.
  The National Academy study authorized by the NEAR Act is a great step 
toward filling in the gaps in our knowledge of how acidification 
affects our estuaries--both environmentally and economically.
  Mr. Speaker, when we take care of our environment, we take care of 
ourselves, and therefore, I ask my colleagues to join me in taking this 
important step toward understanding how ocean acidification affects our 
precious estuaries and support this bill today.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 2533.

[[Page H2387]]

  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ROSENDALE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

                          ____________________