[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 11634-11635]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF THE CORAL REEF LEGACY ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RICHARD W. POMBO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 15, 2006

  Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce the Coral 
Reef Conservation Legacy Act of 2006, an important environmental 
conservation bill, during Congressional Oceans Week.
  This legislation builds on the foundation of bills introduced earlier 
this Congress by Senator Inouye and Congressman Faleoma-
vaega. Both of those bills sparked a discussion on coral reef 
conservation. I appreciate the leadership of these two gentlemen on 
this issue and I look forward to working with them as the legislation 
moves through Congress.
  The development of the Coral Reef Conservation Legacy Act is a result 
of a collaborative effort to incorporate comments from a

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number of coral reef experts within the Department of Commerce, the 
Department of the Interior, the Coral Reef Task Force, and non-
governmental organizations. All of these groups made suggestions on 
ways to improve the earlier legislation and this bill incorporates a 
number of their suggestions.
  I believe the Coral Reef Conservation Legacy Act will benefit coral 
reef conservation and will strengthen the roles of the states and 
territories through community-based planning grants and through the 
Local Action Strategies. The bill supports the continued use of these 
successful conservation management tools. To be successful in the long-
term it is imperative to have the local and regional entities involved 
in the conservation of coral reef resources from the start.
  This legislation also recognizes the important role the Department of 
the Interior has played in coral reef conservation and would authorize 
much needed funding for their activities. This bill, however, does not 
change the fundamental jurisdictions and roles of the Department of the 
Interior and the Department of Commerce, but recognizes that the 
Department of the Interior has a role in this endeavor. In addition the 
bill continues to support and recognize the accomplishments and 
conservation efforts of the Department of Commerce. Both agencies have 
participated in coral reef conservation activities and this bill 
encourages their continued cooperation and coordination.
  While the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 has been very 
successful in restoring and protecting coral reefs, it has had 
limitations in its grant program. The Coral Reef Conservation Legacy 
Act would allow for multi-year cooperative agreements between the 
Federal Government and other agencies, states, territories, academic 
institutions, and non-governmental organizations. This multi-year 
authority will allow more stability in funding for important projects 
that might now be finalized in or limited to one year.
  This legislation also codifies the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. The 
Task Force has been an important voice for coral reef activities and 
has coordinated the activities in support of coral reef conservation. 
This codification recognizes the important work of the Task Force and 
the indispensable role they have played in the conservation of coral 
reefs.
  The Coral Reef Conservation Legacy Act will continue the ongoing 
efforts to protect and restore coral reefs. I look forward to working 
with my colleagues as this bill moves through the legislative process.

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