[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 2226-2227]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


    THE CORAL REEF CONSERVATION ACT REAUTHORIZATION AND ENHANCEMENT 
                           AMENDMENTS OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2011

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, today I have reintroducted a bill to 
enhance and reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. In the 
111th Congress, I sponsored this legislation as H.R. 860, the ``Coral 
Reef Conservation Act Reauthorization and Enhancement

[[Page 2227]]

Amendments of 2009'', which the House of Representatives passed by 
voice vote on September 22, 2009. The bill I have introduced today, 
with 12 of my colleagues, strengthens H.R. 860 without changing its 
original intent.

  The conservation of coral reef ecosystems is essential to protect 
public health, ensure environmental sustainability, support thousands 
of American jobs, and guarantee the long-term economic progress of 
coastal regions across the nation. United States waters contain some of 
the world's greatest coral reef biodiversity. From the waters off the 
coast of Guam and islands in the Pacific, to Florida and the U.S. 
Territories in the Caribbean, our reefs provide habitat and shelter for 
fisheries and food and recreation for our residents. These ecosystems 
also protect us from storm waves and are the basis for marine tourism 
industries.

  Today, however, our coral reefs, and the numerous ecosystem services 
that they provide, are under threat from pollution, climate change, and 
overharvesting, among others stressors. Unless the United States acts 
in conjunction with the global community to support focused, long-term 
action on coral reef education, research, and management, the state of 
our coral reefs will continue to deteriorate.

  Since its enactment, the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 has 
sparked a greater commitment to protect, conserve, and restore coral 
reef resources within our waters. We now have improved our 
understanding of the condition of our coral reefs, and have better 
focused our management capabilities. The Coral Reef Conservation Act 
Reauthorization and Enhancement Amendments of 2011 would further 
strengthen the original legislation by improving the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration's, NOAA, ability to respond to emergency 
or disaster-related situations and minimize the likelihood of vessel 
impacts on coral reefs. Specifically, the legislation would establish 
community-based planning grants for states and territories to support 
projects that address emerging threats to corals. In addition, the 
legislation would promote international cooperation by authorizing NOAA 
to engage with international partners to protect coral reef ecosystems.

  This bill would also codify the United States Coral Reef Task Force 
established in 1998 by President Clinton through Executive Order 13089. 
The work of the Task Force, and its mission to coordinate the efforts 
of the United States in promoting conservation and the sustainable use 
of coral reefs internationally, is vital to our interests and coastal 
economies.

  I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle to advance this legislation, enhance and conserve our coral reef 
ecosystems, and protect coastal jobs.



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