[Senate Report 110-276]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



110th Congress                                                   Report
                                 SENATE
 2d Session                                                     110-276
_______________________________________________________________________

                                     

                                                       Calendar No. 620

             CORAL REEF CONSERVATION AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2007

                               __________

                              R E P O R T

                                 OF THE

           COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION

                                   on

                                S. 1580



                                     

                 March 13, 2008.--Ordered to be printed

       SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
                       one hundred tenth congress
                             second session

                   DANIEL K. INOUYE, Hawaii, Chairman
                   TED STEVENS, Alaska, Vice-Chairman
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, West         JOHN McCAIN, Arizona
    Virginia                         KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, Texas
JOHN F. KERRY, Massachusetts         OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, Maine
BYRON L. DORGAN, North Dakota        GORDON H. SMITH, Oregon
BARBARA BOXER, California            JOHN ENSIGN, Nevada
BILL NELSON, Florida                 JOHN E. SUNUNU, New Hampshire
MARIA CANTWELL, Washington           JIM DeMINT, South Carolina
FRANK R. LAUTENBERG, New Jersey      DAVID VITTER, Louisiana
MARK PRYOR, Arkansas                 JOHN THUNE, South Dakota
THOMAS CARPER, Delaware              ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi
CLAIRE McCASKILL, Missouri
AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota
          Margaret Cummisky, Staff Director and Chief Counsel
         Lila Helms, Deputy Staff Director and Policy Director
       Jean Toal Eisen, Senior Advisor and Deputy Policy Director
     Christine Kurth, Republican Staff Director and General Counsel
                Paul J. Nagle, Republican Chief Counsel
             Mimi Braniff, Republican Deputy Chief Counsel


                                                       Calendar No. 620
110th Congress                                                   Report
                                 SENATE
 2d Session                                                     110-276

======================================================================



 
             CORAL REEF CONSERVATION AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2007

                                _______
                                

                 March 13, 2008.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

       Mr. Inouye, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation, submitted the following

                                 REPORT

                         [To accompany S. 1580]

    The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to 
which was referred the bill (S. 1580) to reauthorize the Coral 
Reef Conservation Act of 2000, and for other purposes, having 
considered the same, reports favorably thereon with amendments 
and recommends that the bill (as amended) do pass.

                          Purpose of the Bill

  The purpose of S. 1580, the Coral Reef Conservation 
Amendments Act of 2007 is to reauthorize the Coral Reef 
Conservation Act of 2000 (CRCA), address inconsistencies among 
the existing protections for coral reefs located in waters 
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and 
strengthen Federal authorities for addressing threats to coral 
reefs. The bill responds to issues identified during Committee 
hearings held on June 15, 2005, and May 10, 2007, addresses 
comments from a wide variety of stakeholders interested in the 
bill, including representatives of the shipping industry, 
conservation organizations, academic institutes, the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United 
States Coast Guard, and the Department of Justice, and 
incorporates provisions from the Administration's proposed 
bill, S. 1583.

                          Background and Needs

  Coral reefs are among the oldest and most diverse ecosystems 
on the planet. Covering less than one percent of the Earth's 
surface, these fragile coral reefs provide resources and 
services worth billions of dollars each year to the U.S. 
economy and economies worldwide. Coral reef resources provide 
economic and environmental benefits in the form of food, jobs, 
tourism, natural products, pharmaceuticals, and shoreline 
protection. While coral reef ecosystems have survived for 
millions of years despite an abundance of natural disturbances, 
at present, warming ocean temperatures, acidification, 
pollution, overfishing, and vessel groundings are having a 
significant effect on the health of coral reef ecosystems. A 
2004 report on the status of coral reefs found that 20 percent 
of the world's coral reefs have effectively been destroyed, 
another 24 percent of the world's reefs are under imminent risk 
of collapse through human pressures, and a further 26 percent 
are under a longer term threat of collapse. In 2006, two 
species of stony coral that were once dominant builders of 
reefs throughout the Caribbean, elkhorn coral (Acropora 
palmata), and staghorn coral (A. cervicornis), were listed as 
threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Recent scientific 
research has identified a new threat to corals--the increasing 
acidification of the oceans from absorption of carbon dioxide 
emissions.
  In 2000, Congress recognized the need to preserve, sustain, 
and restore the condition of coral reef ecosystems by enacting 
the CRCA, which called for the creation of a national strategy 
and program to address the threats to coral reef ecosystems. 
The CRCA directed NOAA to carry out a number of activities to 
promote the wise management and sustainable use of coral reef 
ecosystems, to develop sound scientific information on the 
condition of coral reef ecosystems, and to assist in the 
preservation of coral reefs by supporting external conservation 
programs. The Act created a Coral Reef Conservation Program 
within NOAA to provide grants in support of public-private 
matching funds, as well as a Coral Reef Conservation Fund to 
establish partnerships to further the purposes of the CRCA.
  Authorization of appropriations for the CRCA expired at the 
end of fiscal year (FY) 2004. While the program has been very 
successful, changes and expansions have been suggested. The 
U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy recognized the need for more 
comprehensive coral reef protection and management legislation 
to address research, protection, and restoration of coral reef 
ecosystems. It also recommended a strengthened Federal-state 
coordination mechanism, as well as increased attention to coral 
issues at the international level.
  On June 15, 2005, the National Ocean Policy Study 
Subcommittee held a hearing entitled Ballast Water Invasive 
Species Management and Threats to Coral Reefs. At this hearing, 
Mr. Timothy Keeney, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
Oceans and Atmosphere and co-chair of the U.S. Coral Reef Task 
Force, testified on the need to reauthorize CRCA to continue 
NOAA's progress, in coordination with other Federal, State, and 
territorial governments, in understanding and conserving coral 
reef ecosystems. He noted vessel impacts as a high priority for 
legislative attention, explaining that NOAA has the authority 
to address coral reef damage from groundings in designated 
protected areas such as National Marine Sanctuaries, but has no 
such authority outside of these designated areas.
  Also at this hearing, Ms. Kim Hum, Coastal Marine Program 
Director at The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, testified about 
the effectiveness of the coral reef mapping and conservation 
efforts in that State, and of the need for greater authority 
for NOAA to respond to coral reef groundings outside of 
designated National Marine Sanctuaries. She also recommended 
greater use of community-based solutions to coral reef 
management that rely on traditional or island-based management 
concepts, such as those being developed in Hawaii and the 
Western Pacific.
  On February 2, 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate 
Change (IPCC), Working Group I released its scientific report 
on the causes and impacts of climate change entitled The 
Physical Science Basis. That report noted that progressive 
acidification of oceans due to increasing atmospheric carbon 
dioxide is expected to have negative impacts on marine shell-
forming organisms, such as corals, and their dependent species.
  On May 10, 2007, the Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast 
Guard Subcommittee held a hearing on the effects of climate 
change and ocean acidification on living marine resources. The 
impacts on coral reefs were particularly highlighted, as well 
as the need to take steps to help coral reefs adapt to expected 
changes from ocean warming and acidification.
  The full Senate passed a previous version of this bill, S. 
1390, in the 109th Congress. That bill would have reauthorized 
the CRCA, and included a number of additional authorities to 
address vessel impacts and community-based funding initiatives.
  In 2007, the Administration proposed a CRCA reauthorization 
bill, S. 1583, introduced by Senators Inouye and Stevens, by 
request. S. 1583 includes provisions to address inconsistencies 
between protections for coral reefs that are located within 
sanctuaries established by the National Marine Sanctuaries Act 
and those outside such boundaries. The Administration's bill 
also includes additional liability and enforcement provisions 
and a mechanism for funding restoration activities.
  The Committee believes that Federal agencies should have the 
authority to respond swiftly to coral reef vessel groundings, 
since rapid response can often allow stabilization of the coral 
reef, lessening both the extent of damage to the reef and the 
costs of recovery. The Committee also believes that it is 
desirable to take steps to prevent damage to coral reefs, such 
as designation of anchorage areas to provide more certainty to 
commercial and recreational boaters. The Committee also 
believes that a Community-Based Grants Program that enhances 
existing investment in coral reef activities could offer more 
cost-effective and long-lasting coral reef conservation results 
at the local level. The one-time program authorization included 
in the bill is designed to test the effectiveness of this 
approach, which the Committee will evaluate during the next 
reauthorization cycle. The Committee also agrees that many of 
the provisions included in the Administration's proposed bill 
would add important tools to help ensure that damage to corals 
is prevented, and that damage to coral reefs are effectively 
addressed. Therefore, S. 1580 adopts many of the provisions 
from the Administration's bill.
  The Committee also recognizes that authorization levels in 
CRCA needed to be increased to conform to funding priorities 
and needs. The CRCA authorized appropriations of $16 million 
annually for the program through FY 2004, of which $8 million 
was for the grant program, and the lesser of $1 million or 10 
percent for administrative costs. Since enactment of the CRCA, 
NOAA's enacted appropriations levels for CRCA activities have 
exceeded authorized amounts, rising to an enacted level of 
$29.3 million in FY 2008.

                         Summary of Provisions

  The Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007 would 
reauthorize the CRCA through FY 2012 and allow the Secretary of 
Commerce to more comprehensively address threats to coral 
reefs. The bill would include new authorities to allow the 
Secretary of Commerce to address the threat of marine debris to 
coral reefs ecosystems by removing abandoned fishing gear, 
other discarded objects, and abandoned vessels from coral 
reefs. The bill also would provide the Secretary of Commerce 
the authority to respond to vessel groundings on coral reefs, 
maintain a vessel grounding inventory, identify at-risk reefs, 
and recommend preventative measures, such as navigational aids 
and fixed anchors.
  The bill would amend the authority under the current grants 
program to address emerging threats to coral reefs, such as 
coral bleaching and disease. The bill specifically would call 
for local approaches and traditional or island-based resource 
management concepts.
  The bill also would direct the Secretary of Commerce to 
establish an International Coral Reef Conservation Program to 
support conservation efforts for coral reefs outside of the 
U.S. exclusive economic zone. Such a program is important 
because of the worldwide decline in coral reefs, the importance 
of those reefs for ecosystem health, and because certain 
international coral reefs have a high conservation value and 
are important for U.S. marine resources and other interests, 
including domestic coral reefs and fisheries.
  The bill would include new provisions taken from the 
Administration's bill that would prohibit damage to coral 
reefs. These provisions would be similar to current authorities 
included in the National Marine Sanctuaries Act for coral reefs 
and other resources located within National Marine Sanctuaries. 
These provisions would include specific exemptions to allow 
activities such as research, the use of fishing gear permitted 
under Federal or State laws, and other activities authorized by 
Federal or State laws. Certain safety and emergency exemptions 
also would be included.
  The bill also would establish liability and civil and 
criminal penalties for damage to coral reefs resulting from 
prohibited activities and would specifically prohibit 
interference with enforcement activities. The bill also would 
include forfeiture provisions for vessels and other property 
connected to a violation of the Act. The bill would provide a 
mechanism for both the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary 
of the Interior to recoup response costs and damages from 
responsible parties and apply such funds to restoration of 
coral reefs in areas under their jurisdiction.
  Emergency responses to coral injury from ship groundings and 
other events are time-critical, and there is often a narrow 
window in which to stabilize dislodged corals and take other 
actions to prevent further harm. However, past experience has 
shown that lack of dedicated funding has slowed or prevented 
timely response efforts. The bill would establish an Emergency 
Response, Stabilization, and Restoration Account in NOAA's 
Damage Assessment and Restoration Revolving Fund, similar to an 
existing fund within the Department of the Interior. This 
emergency fund would allow the agency to take necessary actions 
without uncertainty about the source of funding. Recovered 
costs would then be deposited in the Fund. The Committee 
recognizes that cost-recoveries will never fully replenish the 
Fund, nor is the fund initially endowed, and the Secretary of 
Commerce has the discretion to set aside a portion of the 
appropriated funds for such purposes.
  The bill would also require the Secretary of Commerce and the 
Secretary of the Interior to enter into written agreements with 
States and territories with respect to response and restoration 
actions for coral reefs. The purpose of these agreements is to 
ensure that planning and preparedness activities incorporate 
local concerns before an incident so that response and 
restoration actions are implemented in a coordinated and cost-
effective manner. These agreements should be crafted to augment 
and harmonize with existing contingency and emergency response 
plans.
  The bill would increase annual authorizations for the NOAA 
program to $34 million in FY 2008, $36 million in FY 2009, $38 
million in FY 2010, and $40 million for each of FY 2011 and FY 
2012. The bill would set aside at least 30 percent of funding 
for the current coral reef conservation grants program. In 
addition, the bill would authorize a total of $8 million for FY 
2008 through FY 2012, to remain available until expended, for 
community-based planning grants to focus on implementation of 
community-based protection plans. An additional $5 million for 
FY 2008 and $10 million for each of FY 2009 through 2012 would 
be authorized for the International Coral Reef Conservation 
Program, such sums to remain available until expended.

                          Legislative History

  S. 1580 was introduced in the Senate on June 7, 2007, by 
Senator Inouye and is co-sponsored by Senators Stevens, 
Cantwell, Kerry, Snowe, Lautenberg, and Boxer. The bill was 
referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation. On October 30, 2007, the Committee considered 
the bill in an open executive session. Senators Inouye and 
Stevens offered a managers' amendment, co-sponsored by Senators 
Cantwell, Kerry, Snowe, Lautenberg, and Boxer, making a number 
of changes to the bill as introduced, and the Committee, by 
voice vote, ordered S. 1580 reported as amended by the 
managers' amendment.

                            Estimated Costs

  In accordance with paragraph 11(a) of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate and section 403 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee provides the 
following cost estimate, prepared by the Congressional Budget 
Office:
S. 1580--Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007
    Summary: S. 1580 would authorize the appropriation of $241 
million over the 2008-2012 period to the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Assuming appropriation of 
the authorized amounts, CBO estimates that implementing the 
bill would cost $218 million over the 2008-2012 period. (The 
remaining $23 million authorized would be spent after 2012.) 
Enacting S. 1580 could increase revenues and associated direct 
spending, but we estimate that such changes--about $2 million 
over the 2008-2017 period--would have no significant net impact 
in each year.
    The bill contains intergovernmental and private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA), 
but CBO estimates that the annual costs of those mandates would 
not exceed the thresholds established in UMRA ($66 million in 
2007 for intergovernmental mandates and $131 million in 2007 
for private-sector mandates; the thresholds are adjusted 
annually for inflation).
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated 
budgetary impact of S. 1580 is shown in the following table. 
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 300 
(natural resources and environment).

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  By fiscal year, in millions of dollars
                                 ---------------------------------------
                                   2008    2009    2010    2011    2012
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation
 Program:
    Authorization Level.........      34      36      38      40      40
    Estimated Outlays...........      22      31      35      39      40
International Coral Reef
 Conservation:
    Authorization Level.........       5      10      10      10      10
    Estimated Outlays...........       4       9      10      10      10
Community Planning Grants:
    Estimated Authorization            1       2       2       2       1
     Level......................
    Estimated Outlays...........       1       2       2       2       1
Total Changes:
    Estimated Authorization           40      48      50      52      51
     Level......................
    Estimated Outlays...........      27      42      47      51      51
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that S. 
1580 will be enacted near the start of calendar year 2008 and 
that the authorized amounts will be appropriated for each year. 
Estimated outlays are based on historical spending patterns for 
conservation programs carried out by NOAA.
Spending subject to appropriation
    S. 1580 would authorize appropriations totaling $241 
million over the 2008-2012 period for federal activities and 
grants to protect coral reefs. The authorizations include 
between $34 million and $40 million annually for NOAA's current 
domestic program and between $5 million and $10 million 
annually for new international programs. By comparison, NOAA 
received an appropriation of $26 million in 2007 for the coral 
reef conservation program. The agency has not yet received 
full-year appropriations for 2008.
    The bill also would authorize the appropriation of $8 
million over the 2008-2012 period for NOAA's community planning 
grants to states. CBO assumes that the $8 million would be 
appropriated and spent roughly evenly over the five-year 
period.
Revenues and direct spending
    Enacting S. 1580 would increase both revenues and direct 
spending. CBO estimates that those changes would largely offset 
each other over the 2008-2017 period.
    S. 1580 would prohibit certain actions that damage or 
destroy coral reefs. The bill would extend legal protection to 
reefs in all U.S. waters (rather than only those in national 
marine sanctuaries or national parks as under existing law), 
establish enforcement mechanisms such as penalties and asset 
forfeitures, and make violators liable for damages and the 
costs of federal responses to accidents that harm coral. Based 
on information provided by NOAA on recent accidents that 
damaged coral reefs in national marine sanctuaries, CBO 
estimates that collecting penalties, damages, and cost 
reimbursements from those who damage reefs in other U.S. waters 
would increase revenues by about $1 million over the 2008-2012 
period and by $2 million over the 2008-2017 period.
    Amounts collected under S. 1580 from civil penalties and 
other monetary collections would be available without further 
appropriation to NOAA for activities such as repairing and 
restoring damaged reefs. Criminal penalties would be deposited 
in and spent from the Crime Victims Fund.
    S. 1580 also would authorize NOAA to impose fees for 
permits to collect coral. CBO estimates that new offsetting 
receipts from permit fees would be negligible. Spending of 
those receipts would be subject to appropriation.
    Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: S. 1580 
contains intergovernmental and private-sector mandates as 
defined in UMRA, but CBO estimates that the annual costs of 
those mandates would not exceed the thresholds established in 
UMRA.
    The bill would impose a private-sector mandate by making it 
unlawful, with some exceptions, for any person to damage any 
coral reef that is subject to the jurisdiction of the United 
States. In addition, persons that damage coral reefs would be 
liable for the restoration and response costs. Currently, only 
those coral reefs protected under separate legal authorities, 
such as corals located within national marine sanctuaries, 
receive such protection. Based on information from NOAA, CBO 
estimates that the direct cost of the mandate would not be 
significant.
    The bill also would authorize the Secretary of Commerce to 
issue permits allowing for activities that would affect coral 
reefs. If the Secretary established a permit program, 
researchers, such as those at public universities, and other 
persons, would be required to obtain a permit. That requirement 
would be a private-sector and intergovernmental mandate. Based 
on information from NOAA, CBO estimates that the cost of that 
mandate would be small.
    Overall, S. 1580 would create several new grant programs 
that would benefit state and local governments. Any costs to 
those governments would result from complying with conditions 
of federal aid.
    Previous CBO estimate: On August 3, 2007, CBO transmitted a 
cost estimate for H.R. 1205, the Coral Reef Conservation 
Amendments Act of 2007, as ordered reported by the House 
Committee on Natural Resources on June 28, 2007. H.R. 1205 and 
S. 1580 are very similar, but the Senate legislation would 
authorize higher appropriations than H.R. 1205. Also, S. 1580 
contains enforcement provisions that could result in additional 
revenues (from civil penalties, asset forfeitures, or damages) 
and spending of such amounts. Those differences are reflected 
in the CBO cost estimates.
    On November 29, 2007, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for 
S. 1580, the Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007, as 
ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation on October 30, 2007. That estimate 
incorrectly stated that the bill would authorize funding of 
between $5 million and $10 million for the Department of the 
Interior, rather than NOAA.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal Spending: Deborah Reis; 
Federal Revenues: Barbara Edwards; Impact on State, Local, and 
Tribal Governments: Neil Hood; Impact on the Private Sector: 
Amy Petz.
    Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Assistant Director 
for Budget Analysis.

                      Regulatory Impact Statement

  In accordance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides the 
following evaluation of the regulatory impact of the 
legislation, as reported:

                       NUMBER OF PERSONS COVERED

  S. 1580, as reported, would authorize appropriations to 
continue and expand existing NOAA programs and make a number of 
changes to current law. This bill would have little, if any, 
regulatory impact.

                            ECONOMIC IMPACT

  This bill, as reported, provides authorization levels of $34 
million for FY 2008, $36 million for FY 2009, $38 million for 
FY 2010, and $40 million for each of FY 2011 and FY 2012 for 
NOAA to carry out the purposes of this bill. The bill also 
would provide a one-time authorization of $8 million for the 
Community-Based Planning Grants program, to be available until 
FY 2012. In addition, this bill would authorize $5 million for 
FY 2008 and $10 million for each of FY 2009 through FY 2012 for 
the International Coral Reef Conservation program. These 
funding levels are not expected to have an inflationary impact 
on the Nation's economy.

                                PRIVACY

  The reported bill would have little, if any, impact on the 
personal privacy of U.S. citizens.

                               PAPERWORK

  The reported bill would not increase paperwork requirements 
for the private sector. Those State, local, and non-
governmental partners that volunteer to participate in the 
Coral Reef Grant program or Community-Based Planning Grants 
program would need to provide applications and documentation to 
the NOAA.

                      Section-by-Section Analysis

Section 1. Short Title
  This section would provide the short title of the bill, the 
Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007.
Section 2. Amendment of Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000
  This section would describe the relationship between this Act 
and the CRCA.
Section 3. Findings and Purposes
  This section of the bill would describe the important 
ecological and economic functions provided by coral reef 
ecosystems and summarize the factors that have led to the 
global decline of coral reef ecosystems. The section also would 
restate the existing purposes of the Act, including 
preservation, protection, management, research, and restoration 
of coral reef ecosystems. A new purpose would be added to 
clarify the additional focus of the program on addressing 
damage to coral reefs.
Section 4. National Coral Reef Action Strategy
  This section would require the Secretary of Commerce, within 
one year of enactment of the Act, to submit to Congress a new 
national coral reef action strategy.
Section 5. Coral Reef Conservation Program
  This section would amend the existing grants program to 
include additional criteria for the Secretary of Commerce in 
approving grants to include projects that strive to prevent or 
respond to damage to coral reef ecosystems, as well as projects 
that improve scientific information on threats such as coral 
disease and bleaching. The section would make technical 
amendments to refer consistently to the defined term ``coral 
reef ecosystems.'' Projects would be required to be consistent 
with the national coral reef action strategy.
Section 6. Coral Reef Conservation Fund
  This section would amend section 205(a), which establishes 
the Coral Reef Conservation Fund, to clarify that the Secretary 
of Commerce may enter into agreements with one or more 
nonprofit organizations to receive, hold, and administer funds, 
including use of interest-bearing accounts for activities 
consistent with the national coral reef action strategy. This 
authority would increase the Secretary's flexibility in working 
with external partners and strengthen those partnerships for 
the purposes of promoting coral reef ecosystem conservation.
Section 7. Agreements
  This section would authorize the Secretary of Commerce to 
execute and perform contracts, leases, grants, or cooperative 
agreements necessary to carry out the provisions of the Act. It 
also would allow the Secretary of Commerce to enter into 
agreements with universities and research centers with 
established management-driven coral reef institutes to conduct 
activities including research and public outreach. The section 
also would allow the Secretary of Commerce to use grant funding 
and the resources of other departments, agencies, State 
governments, and international organizations to carry out the 
provisions of the Act, with the consent of such other party.
Section 8. Emergency Assistance
  This section would amend section 207 of the CRCA, as 
redesignated, to allow the Secretary of Commerce, in 
cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as 
appropriate, to provide emergency disaster-related assistance 
to State, territorial, and local agencies with jurisdiction 
over coral reef ecosystems. This provision is important because 
grants are not an efficient funding mechanism for emergency 
response due to the time required for the processing and 
awarding of grants.
Section 9. National Program
  This section would amend section 208 of the CRCA, as 
redesignated, to clarify the scope and geographic focus of 
NOAA's coral reef program and to provide a mechanism for 
funding emergency response, stabilization, and restoration 
activities. New subsection 208(a) would allow the Secretary of 
Commerce to conduct coral reef conservation activities with 
appropriate local, regional, and international programs. New 
subsection 208(b) would authorize additional coral reef 
conservation actions including removal, either directly or 
through assistance to States, of abandoned vessels, marine 
debris, and abandoned fishing gear, and responding to incidents 
and events that threaten and damage coral reef ecosystems. New 
subsection 208(c) would include specific guidelines to the 
Secretary of Commerce for long-term stewardship of 
environmental data, reports, and other information. New 
subsection 208(d) would require the Secretary of Commerce to 
develop, within the existing Damage Assessment Restoration 
Revolving Fund, an Emergency Response, Stabilization, and 
Restoration Account for implementation of emergency actions.
Section 10. International Coral Reef Conservation Program
  This section would create a new section 209 in the CRCA that 
directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish an International 
Coral Reef Conservation Program and provide a strategic plan to 
Congress to address coral reefs important to U.S. interests, 
consistent with the national strategy. It also would provide 
grant-making authority to support partnerships in implementing 
the strategy. This is important because of the worldwide 
decline in coral reefs, because of the importance of those 
reefs for ecosystem health, and because certain international 
coral reefs have a high conservation value and are important 
for U.S. marine resources and interests, including domestic 
coral reefs and fisheries.
Section 11. Community-Based Planning Grants
  This section would create a new section 210 in the CRCA that 
would authorize the Secretary of Commerce to award grants to 
entities which have already received general Coral Reef 
Conservation Grants to allow them to develop and implement 
community-based coral reef protection plans, in coordination 
with appropriate Federal and State authorities. These plans, 
based on watershed approaches and incorporating local 
approaches or models, should encourage comprehensive planning 
programs and provide for more effective conservation of coral 
reefs. The section also would provide that the non-Federal 
matching requirement for such grants would be 25 percent, 
rather than the 50 percent match required for the grants 
provided under section 5, in recognition of the limited 
resources available to many local communities.
Section 12. Vessel Grounding Inventory
  This section would create a new section 211 in the CRCA that 
authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to create and maintain an 
inventory of all vessel grounding incidents involving coral 
reef resources. For each incident, the inventory would contain 
information related to: (1) grounding impacts; (2) vessel 
identity; (3) estimated costs of removal, mitigation, or 
restoration; (4) summary of any incident response; (5) status 
of response action; and (6) recommendations for preventing 
similar incidents. The section also would direct the Secretary 
of Commerce to identify coral reef areas that have a high 
incidence of vessel impacts, including groundings and anchor 
damage, and to identify and develop measures and strategies to 
prevent or mitigate these impacts. The section also would 
direct the Secretary of Commerce to develop a timetable and 
strategy for implementation of prevention and mitigation 
measures, including cooperative actions with other government 
agencies and non-governmental partners.
Section 13. Prohibited Activities
  This section would create a new section 212 in the CRCA that 
establishes prohibited activities pertaining to coral reefs, 
similar to authorities that pertain to coral reefs and other 
natural resources located within a National Marine Sanctuary. 
New section 212 would define the scope of prohibited actions 
including making it illegal to destroy, take, cause the loss 
of, or injure any coral reef or any component thereof. The 
section would provide exceptions in the case of fishing allowed 
under Federal or State laws, other activities authorized under 
Federal or State laws, bona fide marine scientific research, 
and injuries caused by Federal agencies that occurred during 
law enforcement, search and rescue, a threat to national 
security, or other emergency events. The section also would 
provide an exception for actions taken by the master of a 
vessel to ensure the safety of the vessel or to save a life at 
sea. The section would make it unlawful to interfere with 
enforcement of this title, violate permits or regulations 
promulgated pursuant to this title, or to possess, transport, 
or distribute coral taken in violation of this title. The 
prohibitions in this section, as well as the remedies in 
sections 14 and 15 of the Act would extend to coral reefs 
managed by the Secretary of Commerce or the Secretary of the 
Interior, and Secretary is defined for these sections as either 
the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior, 
corresponding to the areas managed by each.
Section 14. Destruction of Coral Reefs
  This section would create a new section 213 in the CRCA which 
establishes liability for damage to coral reefs resulting from 
prohibited activities listed in section 13. This section would 
provide a mechanism to recover response costs and damages from 
parties responsible for damages to coral reef ecosystems in 
order to assess the damages and undertake restoration 
activities.
  New subsection 213(a) would describe the elements of 
liability for the destruction, loss, taking of, or injury to 
coral reefs. Persons and vessels in violation of the Act would 
be liable for response costs, natural resource damages, cost of 
seizure and forfeiture actions, and interest, storage, and 
disposal costs. The subsection would provide specific defenses 
from liability, including injuries that are solely the result 
of an act of God, an act of war, or an act or omission of a 
third party.
  New subsection 213(b) would provide authority for response 
actions and damage assessment, including actions to prevent or 
minimize the destruction, loss of, or injury to coral reefs or 
the risk of these impacts. This subsection would require 
consultation with States regarding damage assessment within 
State waters and stipulates that there will be no double 
recovery for the same incident.
  New subsection 213(c) would allow for civil judicial actions 
to recover response costs and damages and specifies venue.
  New subsection 213(d) would specify the management and use of 
recovered amounts. Amounts recovered would be held in the 
existing Department of Commerce Damage Assessment and 
Restoration Revolving Fund, or the existing Department of the 
Interior Natural Resources Damage Assessment and Restoration 
Fund, consistent with existing areas managed by each 
Department, and used for response costs and damages. These 
amounts would be used to reimburse the relevant Secretary, or 
any State or Federal agency that conducted response actions, 
seizure, forfeiture, storage, or disposal, and secondly for 
restoration and monitoring of coral reefs or to minimize or 
prevent threats of equivalent injury.
  New subsection 213(e) would set the statute of limitations 
for claims as three years from the completion of the damage 
assessment and restoration plan.
  New subsection 213(f) would require that Federal agencies 
responsible for injuries to coral reefs take appropriate 
actions to respond and restore the affected reef, in 
coordination with the relevant Secretary, and reimburse the 
Secretary for all assessment costs.
Section 15. Enforcement
  This section would create a new section 214 in the CRCA to 
provide for the enforcement of Title II and give the relevant 
Secretary specific enforcement authorities, including the 
ability to board and inspect vessels suspected of being in 
violation of the Act, the ability to seize evidence, and the 
ability to execute warrants, issue subpoenas, make arrests, and 
exercise other lawful enforcement activities. The section would 
provide for injunctive relief in the event of an imminent 
threat to coral reefs. The section would outline both civil and 
criminal enforcement provisions, including administrative and 
judicial penalties, and would permit sanctions and claims 
against vessels. The section would specify procedures for 
collection of penalties and the appropriate venues for bringing 
actions. The section would authorize criminal and civil 
forfeiture of property obtained or used in violation of the Act 
and would allow the Secretary to recovery reasonable costs in 
the storage and maintenance of any seized property. The section 
would specify that civil penalties and costs imposed under this 
section would be placed into an account to be available until 
expended, and would specify the uses of such funds.
Section 16. Permits
  This section would create a new section 215 in the CRCA that 
would authorize the relevant Secretary to issue permits for 
legitimate research and allow other necessary actions that may 
result in coral reef injury. This section would require that 
the activity to be conducted is compatible with the purposes in 
section 202(b) of the Act, the activity conforms to the 
provisions of all other laws and regulations, and that the 
injury to coral reefs cannot be practicably avoided. Each 
Secretary would be authorized to assess and collect appropriate 
fees, including the cost of processing and administering the 
permit and the cost of monitoring the permitted activity. The 
section would allow each Secretary discretion in waiving the 
fee and specifically would exempt lawful fishing activities 
from requiring permits.
Section 17. Regional, State, and Territorial Coordination
  This section would create a new section 216 in the CRCA that 
would require the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of 
the Interior to coordinate and collaborate with other Federal, 
State, and territorial governments in implementing the national 
coral reef action strategy. The Secretaries would be required 
to work with appropriate States in conducting response and 
restoration activities within State waters and to develop 
cooperative enforcement agreements.
Section 18. Regulations
  This section would create a new section 217 in the CRCA that 
would authorize the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of 
the Interior to issue necessary and appropriate regulations to 
carry out the purposes of the Act.
Section 19. Effectiveness Report
  This section would amend section 218 of the CRCA, as 
redesignated, to require the Secretary of Commerce to submit to 
Congress, starting in 2009 and every three years thereafter, a 
report describing the condition of U.S. coral reefs, 
accomplishments under the Act, and effectiveness of management 
actions to address threats to coral reefs. The report also 
would summarize activities undertaken to implement the national 
coral reef action strategy, including use of funds, cooperative 
efforts, and a description of efforts to protect and manage 
coral reefs, including projects undertaken by other Federal 
agencies. The report also would include a summary of the vessel 
grounding inventory and a description of Federal disaster 
response actions.
Section 20. Authorization of Appropriations
  This section would amend section 219 of the CRCA, as 
redesignated, to increase the total authorized appropriations 
to the Secretary of Commerce to implement the Act, from $16 
million per year to $34 million in FY 2008, $36 million in FY 
2009, $38 million in FY 2010, and $40 million for each of FY 
2011 and FY 2012. The higher level of authorized appropriations 
would allow NOAA to undertake the increased level of 
coordination required by this bill and allow for funding of 
local action strategies. The new section 219 would direct at 
least 30 percent of the authorized funds to the general grants 
program. This subsection also would set aside up to 10 percent 
of appropriations for the Coral Reef Conservation Fund. The 
section would authorize a total of $8 million for FY 2008 
through FY 2012, to remain available until expended, for the 
Community Based Planning Grants to provide long-term funding 
for implementation of community-based plans. The section would 
also authorize $5 million for FY 2008 and $10 million for each 
of FY 2009 through 2012, such sums to remain available until 
expended, for the International Coral Reef Conservation 
Program.
Section 21. Judicial Review
  This section would create a new section 220 in the CRCA that 
would allow standard provisions for judicial review of actions 
taken by either Secretary except for actions taken pursuant to 
section 212(c) regarding interference with enforcement, which 
may only be had by filing a complaint in the U.S. District 
Court within 30 days of final agency action. The section would 
allow courts to award costs of litigation to any prevailing 
party when appropriate.
Section 22. Definitions
  This section would amend section 221 of the CRCA, as 
redesignated, to define biodiversity, conservation, coral, 
coral reef, coral reef component, coral reef ecosystem, coral 
products, damages, emergency actions, and other key terms in 
the Act. For purposes of sections 212 through 217 and section 
220 of the CRCA, as redesignated, it would define Secretary as 
either the Secretary of Commerce or the Secretary of the 
Interior, corresponding to areas managed by each Department.

                        Changes in Existing Law

  In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing 
Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by the bill, 
as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be 
omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new material is printed 
in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown 
in roman):

CORAL REEF CONSERVATION ACT OF 2000

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

                         [16 U.S.C. 6401 note]

  This title may be cited as the ``Coral Reef Conservation Act 
of 2000''.

[SEC. 202. PURPOSES.

                            [16 U.S.C. 6401]

  [The purposes of this title et seq.] are--
          [(1) to preserve, sustain, and restore the condition 
        of coral reef ecosystems;
          [(2) to promote the wise management and sustainable 
        use of coral reef ecosystems to benefit local 
        communities and the Nation;
          [(3) to develop sound scientific information on the 
        condition of coral reef ecosystems and the threats to 
        such ecosystems;
          [(4) to assist in the preservation of coral reefs by 
        supporting conservation programs, including projects 
        that involve affected local communities and 
        nongovernmental organizations;
          [(5) to provide financial resources for those 
        programs and projects; and
          [(6) to establish a formal mechanism for collecting 
        and allocating monetary donations from the private 
        sector to be used for coral reef conservation 
        projects.]

SEC. 202. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

  (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
          (1) coral reefs contain high biological diversity and 
        serve important ecosystem functions;
          (2) coral reef ecosystems provide economic and 
        environmental benefits in the form of food, jobs, 
        natural products, and pharmaceuticals;
          (3) coral reef ecosystems are the basis of thriving 
        commercial and recreational fishing and tourism 
        industries;
          (4) a combination of stressors, including climate 
        change, has caused a rapid decline in the health of 
        many coral reef ecosystems globally;
          (5) coral reef ecosystems are also adversely impacted 
        by human impacts including pollution, ocean 
        acidification, overfishing, and physical damage; and
          (6) healthy coral reefs provide shoreline protection 
        for coastal communities and resources.
  (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
          (1) to preserve, sustain, and restore the condition 
        of coral reef ecosystems;
          (2) to promote the wise management and sustainable 
        use of coral reef ecosystems to benefit local 
        communities, the Nation, and the world;
          (3) to develop sound scientific information on the 
        condition of coral reef ecosystems and the threats to 
        such ecosystems;
          (4) to assist in the preservation of coral reef 
        ecosystems by supporting conservation programs, 
        including projects that involve affected local 
        communities and nongovernmental organizations;
          (5) to provide financial resources for those programs 
        and projects;
          (6) to establish a formal mechanism for collecting 
        and allocating monetary donations from the private 
        sector to be used for coral reef conservation projects; 
        and
          (7) to provide mechanisms to prevent and minimize 
        damage to coral reefs.

SEC. 203. NATIONAL CORAL REEF ACTION STRATEGY.

                            [16 U.S.C. 6402]

  [(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate and to the Committee on Resources of the House of 
Representatives and publish in the Federal Register a national 
coral reef action strategy, consistent with the purposes of 
this title. The Administrator shall periodically review and 
revise the strategy as necessary. In developing this national 
strategy, the Secretary may consult with the Coral Reef Task 
Force established under Executive Order 13089 (June 11, 1998).]
  ``(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of the Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 
2007, the Secretary shall submit to the Senate Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and to the House of 
Representatives Committee on Natural Resources and publish in 
the Federal Register a national coral reef ecosystem action 
strategy, consistent with the purposes of this title. The 
Secretary shall periodically review and revise the strategy as 
necessary. In developing this national strategy, the Secretary 
may consult the Coral Reef Task Force established under 
Executive Order 13089 (June 11, 1998).
  (b) Goals and Objectives.--The action strategy shall include 
a statement of goals and objectives as well as an 
implementation plan, including a description of the funds 
obligated each fiscal year to advance coral reef conservation. 
The action strategy and implementation plan shall include 
discussion of--
          (1) coastal uses and management;
          (2) water and air quality;
          (3) mapping and information management;
          (4) research, monitoring, and assessment;
          (5) international and regional issues;
          (6) outreach and education;
          (7) local strategies developed by the States or 
        Federal agencies, including regional fishery management 
        councils; and
          (8) conservation, including how the use of marine 
        protected areas to serve as replenishment zones will be 
        developed consistent with local practices and 
        traditions.

SEC. 204. CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

                            [16 U.S.C. 6403]

  [(a) Grants.--The Secretary, through the Administrator and 
subject to the availability of funds, shall provide grants of 
financial assistance for projects for the conservation of coral 
reefs (hereafter in this title referred to as ``coral 
conservation projects''), for proposals approved by the 
Administrator in accordance with this section.]
  (a) Grants.--The Secretary, subject to the availability of 
funds, shall provide grants of financial assistance for 
projects for the conservation of coral reef ecosystems 
(hereafter in this title referred to as ``coral conservation 
projects''), for proposals approved by the Secretary in 
accordance with this section.
  (b) Matching Requirements.--
          (1) Fifty percent.--Except as provided in paragraph 
        (2), Federal funds for any coral conservation project 
        under this section may not exceed 50 percent of the 
        total cost of such project. For purposes of this 
        paragraph, the non-Federal share of project costs may 
        be provided by in-kind contributions and other noncash 
        support.
          (2) Waiver.--The [Administrator] Secretary may waive 
        all or part of the matching requirement under paragraph 
        (1) if the [Administrator] Secretary determines that no 
        reasonable means are available through which applicants 
        can meet the matching requirement and the probable 
        benefit of such project outweighs the public interest 
        in such matching requirement.
  [(c) Eligibility.--Any natural resource management authority 
of a State or other government authority with jurisdiction over 
coral reefs or whose activities directly or indirectly affect 
coral reefs, or coral reef ecosystems, or educational or 
nongovernmental institutions with demonstrated expertise in the 
conservation of coral reefs, may submit to the Administrator a 
coral conservation proposal under subsection (e).]
  (c) Eligibility.--Any natural resource management authority 
of a State or other government authority with jurisdiction over 
coral reef ecosystems, or whose activities directly or 
indirectly affect coral reef ecosystems, or educational or 
nongovernmental institutions with demonstrated expertise in the 
conservation of coral reef ecosystems, may submit a coral 
conservation proposal to the Secretary under subsection (e).
  (d) [Geographic and Biological] Project Diversity.--The 
[Administrator] Secretary shall ensure that funding for grants 
awarded under subsection (b) during a fiscal year are 
distributed in the following manner:
          (1) No less than 40 percent of funds available shall 
        be awarded for coral conservat0ion projects in the 
        Pacific Ocean within the maritime areas and zones 
        subject to the jurisdiction or control of the United 
        States.
          (2) No less than 40 percent of the funds available 
        shall be awarded for coral conservation projects in the 
        Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean 
        Sea within the maritime areas and zones subject to the 
        jurisdiction or control of the United States.
          [(3) Remaining funds shall be awarded for projects 
        that address emerging priorities or threats, including 
        international priorities or threats, identified by the 
        Administrator. When identifying emerging threats or 
        priorities, the Administrator may consult with the 
        Coral Reef Task Force.]
          (3) Remaining funds shall be awarded for--
                  (A) projects (with priority given to 
                community-based local action strategies) that 
                address emerging priorities or threats, 
                including international and territorial 
                priorities, or threats identified by the 
                Secretary; and
                  (B) other appropriate projects, as determined 
                by the Secretary, including monitoring and 
                assessment, research, pollution reduction, 
                education, and technical support.
  (e) Project Proposals.--Each proposal for a grant under this 
section shall include the following:
          (1) The name of the individual or entity responsible 
        for conducting the project.
          (2) A description of the qualifications of the 
        individuals who will conduct the project.
          (3) A succinct statement of the purposes of the 
        project.
          (4) An estimate of the funds and time required to 
        complete the project.
          (5) Evidence of support for the project by 
        appropriate representatives of States or other 
        government jurisdictions in which the project will be 
        conducted.
          (6) Information regarding the source and amount of 
        matching funding available to the applicant.
          (7) A description of how the project meets one or 
        more of the criteria in subsection (g).
          (8) Any other information the [Administrator] 
        Secretary considers to be necessary for evaluating the 
        eligibility of the project for funding under this 
        title.
  (f) Project Review and Approval.--
          (1) In general.--The [Administrator] Secretary shall 
        review each coral conservation project proposal to 
        determine if it meets the criteria set forth in 
        subsection (g).
          (2) Review; approval or disapproval.--Not later than 
        6 months after receiving a project proposal under this 
        section, the [Administrator] Secretary shall--
                  (A) request and consider written comments on 
                the proposal from each Federal agency, State 
                government, or other government jurisdiction, 
                including the relevant regional fishery 
                management councils established under the 
                Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
                Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), or any 
                National Marine Sanctuary, with jurisdiction or 
                management authority over coral reef ecosystems 
                in the area where the project is to be 
                conducted, including the extent to which the 
                project is consistent with locally-established 
                priorities;
                  (B) provide for the merit-based peer review 
                of the proposal and require standardized 
                documentation of that peer review;
                  (C) after considering any written comments 
                and recommendations based on the reviews under 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B), approve or 
                disapprove the proposal; and
                  (D) provide written notification of that 
                approval or disapproval to the person who 
                submitted the proposal, and each of those 
                States and other government jurisdictions that 
                provided comments under subparagraph (A).
  [(g) Criteria for Approval.--The Administrator may not 
approve a project proposal under this section unless the 
project is consistent with the coral reef action strategy under 
section 203 and will enhance the conservation of coral reefs 
by--
          [(1) implementing coral conservation programs which 
        promote sustainable development and ensure effective, 
        long-term conservation of coral reefs;
          [(2) addressing the conflicts arising from the use of 
        environments near coral reefs or from the use of 
        corals, species associated with coral reefs, and coral 
        products;
          [(3) enhancing compliance with laws that prohibit or 
        regulate the taking of coral products or species 
        associated with coral reefs or regulate the use and 
        management of coral reef ecosystems;
          [(4) developing sound scientific information on the 
        condition of coral reef ecosystems or the threats to 
        such ecosystems, including factors that cause coral 
        disease;
          [(5) promoting and assisting to implement cooperative 
        coral reef conservation projects that involve affected 
        local communities, nongovernmental organizations, or 
        others in the private sector;
          [(6) increasing public knowledge and awareness of 
        coral reef ecosystems and issues regarding their long 
        term conservation;
          [(7) mapping the location and distribution of coral 
        reefs;
          [(8) developing and implementing techniques to 
        monitor and assess the status and condition of coral 
        reefs;
          [(9) developing and implementing cost-effective 
        methods to restore degraded coral reef ecosystems; or
          [(10) promoting ecologically sound navigation and 
        anchorages near coral reefs.]
  (g) Criteria for Approval.--The Secretary may not approve a 
project proposal under this section unless the project is 
consistent with the coral reef action strategy under section 
203 and will enhance the conservation of coral reef ecosystems 
nationally or internationally by--
          (1) implementing coral conservation programs which 
        promote sustainable development and ensure effective, 
        long-term conservation of coral reef ecosystems and 
        biodiversity;
          (2) addressing the conflicts arising from the use of 
        environments near coral reef ecosystems or from the use 
        of corals, species associated with coral reef 
        ecosystems, and coral products;
          (3) enhancing compliance with laws that prohibit or 
        regulate the taking of coral products or species 
        associated with coral reef ecosystems or regulate the 
        use and management of coral reef ecosystems;
          (4) developing sound scientific information on the 
        condition of coral reef ecosystems or the threats to 
        such ecosystems and their biodiversity, including 
        factors that cause coral disease, ocean acidification, 
        and bleaching;
          (5) promoting and assisting the implementation of 
        cooperative coral reef ecosystem conservation projects 
        that involve affected local communities, 
        nongovernmental organizations, or others in the private 
        sector;
          (6) increasing public knowledge and awareness of 
        coral reef ecosystems and issues regarding their long-
        term conservation, including how they function to 
        protect coastal communities;
          (7) mapping the location, distribution, and 
        biodiversity of coral reef ecosystems;
          (8) developing and implementing techniques to monitor 
        and assess the status and condition of coral reef 
        ecosystems and biodiversity;
          (9) developing and implementing cost-effective 
        methods to restore degraded coral reef ecosystems and 
        biodiversity;
          (10) responding to coral disease, ocean 
        acidification, and bleaching events;
          (11) promoting activities designed to prevent or 
        minimize damage to coral reef ecosystems, including the 
        promotion of ecologically sound navigation and 
        anchorages; or
          (12) promoting and assisting entities to work with 
        local communities, and all appropriate governmental and 
        nongovernmental organizations, to support community-
        based planning and management initiatives for the 
        protection of coral reef systems.
  (h) Project Reporting.--Each grantee under this section shall 
provide periodic reports as required by the [Administrator.] 
Secretary. Each report shall include all information required 
by the [Administrator] Secretary for evaluating the progress 
and success of the project.
  (i) Coral Reef Task Force.--The [Administrator] Secretary may 
consult with the Coral Reef Task Force to obtain guidance in 
establishing coral conservation project priorities under this 
section.
  (j) Implementation Guidelines.--Within 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the [Administrator] 
Secretary shall promulgate necessary guidelines for 
implementing this section. In developing those guidelines, the 
[Administrator] Secretary shall consult with State, regional, 
and local entities involved in setting priorities for 
conservation of [coral reefs] coral reef ecosystems and provide 
for appropriate public notice and opportunity for comment.

SEC. 205. CORAL REEF CONSERVATION FUND.

                            [16 U.S.C. 6404]

  [(a) Fund.--The Administrator may enter into an agreement 
with a nonprofit organization that promotes coral reef 
conservation authorizing such organization to receive, hold, 
and administer funds received pursuant to this section. The 
organization shall invest, reinvest, and otherwise administer 
the funds and maintain such funds and any interest or revenues 
earned in a separate interest bearing account, hereafter 
referred to as the Fund, established by such organization 
solely to support partnerships between the public and private 
sectors that further the purposes of this Act and are 
consistent with the national coral reef action strategy under 
section 203.]
  ``(a) Fund.--The Secretary may enter into agreements with 
nonprofit organizations promoting coral reef ecosystem 
conservation by authorizing such organizations to receive, 
hold, and administer funds received pursuant to this section. 
Such organizations shall invest, reinvest, and otherwise 
administer the funds and maintain such funds and any interest 
or revenues earned in a separate interest-bearing account 
(referred to in section 3219(a) as the ``Fund'') established by 
such organizations solely to support partnerships between the 
public and private sectors that further the purposes of this 
title and are consistent with the national coral reef action 
strategy under section 203.
  (b) Authorization To Solicit Donations.--Pursuant to an 
agreement entered into under subsection (a) of this section, an 
organization may accept, receive, solicit, hold, administer, 
and use any gift to further the purposes of this title. Any 
moneys received as a gift shall be deposited and maintained in 
the Fund established by the organization under subsection (a).
  (c) Review of Performance.--The [Administrator] Secretary 
shall conduct a continuing review of [the grant program] any 
grant program administered by an organization under this 
section. Each review shall include a written assessment 
concerning the extent to which that organization has 
implemented the goals and requirements of this section and the 
national coral reef action strategy under section 203.
  (d) Administration.--Under an agreement entered into pursuant 
to subsection (a), the [Administrator] Secretary may transfer 
funds appropriated to carry out this title to an organization. 
Amounts received by an organization under this subsection may 
be used for matching, in whole or in part, contributions 
(whether in money, services, or property) made to the 
organization by private persons and State and local government 
agencies.

SEC. 206. AGREEMENTS.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary may execute and perform such 
contracts, leases, grants, or cooperative agreements as may be 
necessary to carry out the purposes of this title.
  (b) Cooperative Agreements.--In addition to the general 
authority provided by subsection (a), the Secretary may enter 
into, extend, or renegotiate agreements with universities and 
research centers with established management-driven national or 
regional coral reef research institutes to conduct ecological 
research and monitoring explicitly aimed at building capacity 
for more effective resource management. Pursuant to any such 
agreements these institutes shall--
          (1) collaborate directly with governmental resource 
        management agencies, non-profit organizations, and 
        other research organizations;
          (2) build capacity within resource management 
        agencies to establish research priorities, plan 
        interdisciplinary research projects and make effective 
        use of research results; and
          (3) conduct public education and awareness programs 
        for policy makers, resource managers, and the general 
        public on coral reef ecosystems, best practices for 
        coral reef and ecosystem management and conservation, 
        their value, and threats to their sustainability.
  (c) Use of Other Agencies' Resources.--For purposes related 
to the conservation, preservation, protection, restoration, or 
replacement of coral reefs or coral reef ecosystems and the 
enforcement of this title, the Secretary is authorized to use, 
with their consent and with or without reimbursement, the land, 
services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of any 
Department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, or 
of any State, local government, Indian tribal government, 
Territory or possession, or of any political subdivision 
thereof, or of any foreign government or international 
organization.
  (d) Authority To Utilize Grant Funds.--
          (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the 
        Secretary may apply for, accept, and obligate research 
        grant funding from any Federal source operating 
        competitive grant programs where such funding furthers 
        the purpose of this title.
          (2) The Secretary may not apply for, accept, or 
        obligate any grant funding under paragraph (1) for 
        which the granting agency lacks authority to grant 
        funds to Federal agencies, or for any purpose or 
        subject to conditions that are prohibited by law or 
        regulation.
          (3) Appropriated funds may be used to satisfy a 
        requirement to match grant funds with recipient agency 
        funds, except that no grant may be accepted that 
        requires a commitment in advance of appropriations.
          (4) Funds received from grants shall be deposited in 
        the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
        account for the purpose for which the grant was 
        awarded.

[SEC. 206. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.

                            [16 U.S.C. 6405]

  [The Administrator may make grants to any State, local, or 
territorial government agency with jurisdiction over coral 
reefs for emergencies to address unforeseen or disaster-related 
circumstance pertaining to coral reefs or coral reef 
ecosystems.]

SEC. 207. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.

  The Secretary, in cooperation with the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, as appropriate, may provide assistance to 
any State, local, or territorial government agency with 
jurisdiction over coral reef ecosystems to address any 
unforeseen or disaster-related circumstance pertaining to coral 
reef ecosystems.

[SEC. 207. NATIONAL PROGRAM.

                            [16 U.S.C. 6406]

  [(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of 
appropriations, the Secretary may conduct activities to 
conserve coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems, that are 
consistent with this title, the National Marine Sanctuaries 
Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
1972.
  [(b) Authorized Activities.--Activities authorized under 
subsection (a) include--
          [(1) mapping, monitoring, assessment, restoration, 
        and scientific research that benefit the understanding, 
        sustainable use, and long-term conservation of coral 
        reefs and coral reef ecosystems;
          [(2) enhancing public awareness, education, 
        understanding, and appreciation of coral reefs and 
        coral reef ecosystems;
          [(3) providing assistance to States in removing 
        abandoned fishing gear, marine debris, and abandoned 
        vessels from coral reefs to conserve living marine 
        resources; and
          [(4) cooperative conservation and management of coral 
        reefs and coral reef ecosystems with local, regional, 
        or international programs and partners.]

SEC. 208. NATIONAL PROGRAM.

  (a) In General.--Subject to the availability of 
appropriations, the Secretary may conduct activities, including 
with local, regional, or international programs and partners, 
as appropriate, to conserve coral reef ecosystems, that are 
consistent with this title, the National Marine Sanctuaries 
Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
1972.
  (b) Authorized Activities.--Activities authorized under 
subsection (a) include--
          (1) mapping, monitoring, assessment, restoration, 
        socioeconomic and scientific research that benefit the 
        understanding, sustainable use, biodiversity, and long-
        term conservation of coral reef ecosystems;
          (2) enhancing public awareness, education, 
        understanding, and appreciation of coral reef 
        ecosystems;
          (3) removing, and providing assistance to States in 
        removing, abandoned fishing gear, marine debris, and 
        abandoned vessels from coral reef ecosystems to 
        conserve living marine resources;
          (4) responding to incidents and events that threaten 
        and damage coral reef ecosystems, including disease and 
        bleaching;
          (5) conservation and management of coral reef 
        ecosystems;
          (6) centrally archiving, managing, and distributing 
        data sets and providing coral reef ecosystem 
        assessments and services to the general public. with 
        local, regional, or international programs and 
        partners; and
          (7) activities designed to prevent or minimize damage 
        to coral reef ecosystems, including those activities 
        described in section 212 of this title.
  (c) Data Archive, Access, and Availability.--The Secretary, 
in coordination with similar efforts at other Departments and 
agencies shall provide for the long-term stewardship of 
environmental data, products, and information via data 
processing, storage, and archive facilities pursuant to this 
title. The Secretary may--
          (1) archive environmental data collected by Federal, 
        State, local agencies and tribal organizations and 
        federally funded research;
          (2) promote widespread availability and dissemination 
        of environmental data and information through full and 
        open access and exchange to the greatest extent 
        possible, including in electronic format on the 
        Internet;
          (3) develop standards, protocols and procedures for 
        sharing Federal data with State and local government 
        programs and the private sector or academia; and
          (4) develop metadata standards for coral reef 
        ecosystems in accordance with Federal Geographic Data 
        Committee guidelines.
  (d) Emergency Response, Stabilization, and Restoration.--The 
Secretary shall establish an account (to be called the 
Emergency Response, Stabilization, and Restoration Account) in 
the Damage Assessment Restoration Revolving Fund established by 
the Department of Commerce Appropriations Act, 1991 (33 U.S.C. 
2706 note), for implementation of this subsection for emergency 
actions. Amounts appropriated for the Account under section 
219, and funds authorized by sections 213(d)(3)(B) and 
214(f)(3)(B), shall be deposited into the Account and made 
available for use by the Secretary as specified in sections 213 
and 214.

SEC. 209. INTERNATIONAL CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

  (a) Establishment of the Program.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish an 
        International Coral Reef Conservation Program to carry 
        out activities consistent with the purposes of this Act 
        with respect to coral reef ecosystems in waters outside 
        United States jurisdiction. The Program shall consist 
        of the development and implementation of an 
        international coral reef ecosystem strategy pursuant to 
        subsection (b), and an international coral reef 
        ecosystem partnership program pursuant to subsection 
        (c).
          (2) Coordination.--In carrying out this subsection, 
        the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of 
        State, the Administrator of the Agency for 
        International Development, the Secretary of the 
        Interior, and other relevant Federal agencies, and 
        relevant United States stakeholders, and shall take 
        into account coral reef ecosystem conservation 
        initiatives of other nations, international agreements, 
        and intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations 
        so as to provide effective cooperation and efficiencies 
        in international coral reef conservation. The Secretary 
        may consult with the Coral Reef Task Force in carrying 
        out this subsection.
  (b) International Coral Reef Ecosystem Strategy.--
          (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
        of enactment of the Coral Reef Conservation Amendments 
        Act of 2007, the Secretary shall submit to the Senate 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and 
        the House of Representatives Committee on Natural 
        Resources, and publish in the Federal Register, an 
        international coral reef ecosystem strategy, consistent 
        with the purposes of this Act and the national strategy 
        required pursuant to section 203(a). The Secretary 
        shall periodically review and revise this strategy as 
        necessary.
          (2) Contents.--The strategy developed by the 
        Secretary under paragraph (1) shall--
                  (A) identify coral reef ecosystems throughout 
                the world that are of high value for United 
                States marine resources, that support high-seas 
                resources of importance to the United States 
                such as fisheries, or that support other 
                interests of the United States;
                  (B) summarize existing activities by Federal 
                agencies and entities described in subsection 
                (a)(2) to address the conservation of coral 
                reef ecosystems identified pursuant to 
                subparagraph (A);
                  (C) establish goals, objectives, and specific 
                targets for conservation of priority 
                international coral reef ecosystems;
                  (D) describe appropriate activities to 
                achieve the goals and targets for international 
                coral reef conservation, in particular those 
                that leverage activities already conducted 
                under this Act;
                  (E) develop a plan to coordinate 
                implementation of the strategy with entities 
                described in subsection (a)(2) in order to 
                leverage current activities under this Act and 
                other conservation efforts globally;
                  (F) identify appropriate partnerships, 
                grants, or other funding and technical 
                assistance mechanisms to carry out the 
                strategy; and
                  (G) develop criteria for prioritizing 
                partnerships under subsection (c).
  (c) International Coral Reef Ecosystem Partnerships.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish an 
        international coral reef ecosystem partnership program 
        to provide support, including funding and technical 
        assistance, for activities that implement the strategy 
        developed pursuant to subsection (b).
          (2) Mechanisms.--The Secretary shall provide such 
        support through existing authorities, working in 
        collaboration with the entities described in subsection 
        (a)(2).
          (3) Criteria for approval.--The Secretary may not 
        approve a partnership proposal under this section 
        unless the partnership is consistent with the 
        international coral reef conservation strategy 
        developed pursuant to subsection (b), and meets the 
        criteria specified in that strategy.''.

SEC. 210. COMMUNITY-BASED PLANNING GRANTS.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary may make grants to entities 
who have received grants under section 204 to provide 
additional funds to such entities to work with local 
communities and through appropriate Federal and State entities 
to prepare and implement plans for the increased protection of 
coral reef areas identified by the community and scientific 
experts as high priorities for focused attention. The plans 
shall--
          (1) support attainment of 1 or more of the criteria 
        described in section 204(g);
          (2) be developed at the community level;
          (3) utilize watershed-based approaches;
          (4) provide for coordination with Federal and State 
        experts and managers; and
          (5) build upon local approaches, strategies, or 
        models, including traditional or island-based resource 
        management concepts.
  (b) Terms and Conditions.--The provisions of subsections (b), 
(d), (f), and (h) of section 204 apply to grants under 
subsection (a), except that, for the purpose of applying 
section 204(b)(1) to grants under this section, ``75 percent'' 
shall be substituted for ``50 percent''.

SEC. 211. VESSEL GROUNDING INVENTORY.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary may maintain an inventory of 
all vessel grounding incidents involving coral reefs, including 
a description of--
          (1) the impacts to affected coral reef ecosystems;
          (2) vessel and ownership information, if available;
          (3) the estimated cost of removal, mitigation, or 
        restoration;
          (4) the response action taken by the owner, the 
        Secretary, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, or other 
        Federal or State agency representatives;
          (5) the status of the response action, including the 
        dates of vessel removal and mitigation or restoration 
        and any actions taken to prevent future grounding 
        incidents; and
          (6) recommendations for additional navigational aids 
        or other mechanisms for preventing future grounding 
        incidents.
  (b) Identification of At-Risk Reefs.--The Secretary may--
          (1) use information from any inventory maintained 
        under subsection (a) or any other available information 
        source to identify coral reef ecosystems that have a 
        high incidence of vessel impacts, including groundings 
        and anchor damage;
          (2) identify appropriate measures, including the 
        acquisition and placement of aids to navigation, 
        moorings, designated anchorage areas, fixed anchors and 
        other devices, to reduce the likelihood of such 
        impacts; and
          (3) develop a strategy and timetable to implement 
        such measures, including cooperative actions with other 
        government agencies and non-governmental partners.

SEC. 212. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AND SCOPE OF PROHIBITIONS.

  (a) Provisions as Complementary.--The provisions of this 
section are in addition to, and shall not affect the operation 
of, other Federal, State, or local laws or regulations 
providing protection to coral reef ecosystems.
  (b) Destruction, Loss, Taking, or Injury.--
          (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        it is unlawful for any person to destroy, take, cause 
        the loss of, or injure any coral reef or any component 
        thereof.
          (2) Exceptions.--The destruction, loss, taking, or 
        injury of a coral reef or any component thereof is not 
        unlawful if it--
                  (A) was caused by the use of fishing gear 
                used in a manner permitted under the Magnuson-
                Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
                (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) or other Federal or 
                State law;
                  (B) was caused by an activity that is 
                authorized or allowed by Federal or State law 
                (including lawful discharges from vessels, such 
                as graywater, cooling water, engine exhaust, 
                ballast water, or sewage from marine sanitation 
                devices), unless the destruction, loss, or 
                injury resulted from actions such as vessel 
                groundings, vessel scrapings, anchor damage, 
                excavation not authorized by Federal or State 
                permit, or other similar activities;
                  (C) was the necessary result of bona fide 
                marine scientific research (including marine 
                scientific research activities approved by 
                Federal, State, or local permits), other than 
                excessive sampling or collecting, or actions 
                such as vessel groundings, vessel scrapings, 
                anchor damage, excavation, or other similar 
                activities;
                  (D) was caused by a Federal Government 
                agency--
                          (i) during--
                                  (I) an emergency that posed 
                                an unacceptable threat to human 
                                health or safety or to the 
                                marine environment;
                                  (II) an emergency that posed 
                                a threat to national security; 
                                or
                                  (III) an activity necessary 
                                for law enforcement or search 
                                and rescue; and
                could not reasonably be avoided; or
                  (E) was caused by an action taken by the 
                master of the vessel in an emergency situation 
                to ensure the safety of the vessel or to save a 
                life at sea.
  (c) Interference With Enforcement.--It is unlawful for any 
person to interfere with the enforcement of this title by--
          (1) refusing to permit any officer authorized to 
        enforce this title to board a vessel (other than a 
        vessel operated by the Department of Defense or United 
        States Coast Guard) subject to such person's control 
        for the purposes of conducting any search or inspection 
        in connection with the enforcement of this title;
          (2) resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, 
        harassing, bribing, interfering with, or forcibly 
        assaulting any person authorized by the Secretary to 
        implement this title or any such authorized officer in 
        the conduct of any search or inspection performed under 
        this title; or
          (3) submitting false information to the Secretary or 
        any officer authorized to enforce this title in 
        connection with any search or inspection conducted 
        under this title.
  (d) Violations of Title, Permit, or Regulation.--It is 
unlawful for any person to violate any provision of this title, 
any permit issued pursuant to this title, or any regulation 
promulgated pursuant to this title.
  (e) Possession and Distribution.--It is unlawful for any 
person to possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, or ship by 
any means any coral taken in violation of this title.

SEC. 213. DESTRUCTION, LOSS, OR TAKING OF, OR INJURY TO, CORAL REEFS.

  (a) Liability.--
          (1) Liability to the united states.--Except as 
        provided in subsection (f), all persons who engage in 
        an activity that is prohibited under subsections (b) or 
        (d) of section 212, or create an imminent risk thereof, 
        are liable, jointly and severally, to the United States 
        for an amount equal to the sum of--
                  (A) response costs and damages resulting from 
                the destruction, loss, taking, or injury, or 
                imminent risk thereof, including damages 
                resulting from the response actions;
                  (B) costs of seizure, forfeiture, storage, 
                and disposal arising from liability under this 
                section; and
                  (C) interest on that amount calculated in the 
                manner described in section 1005 of the Oil 
                Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2705).
          (2) Liability in rem.--
                  (A) Any vessel used in an activity that is 
                prohibited under subsection (b) or (d) of 
                section 212, or creates an imminent risk 
                thereof, shall be liable in rem to the United 
                States for an amount equal to the sum of--
                          (i) response costs and damages 
                        resulting from such destruction, loss, 
                        or injury, or imminent risk thereof, 
                        including damages resulting from the 
                        response actions;
                          (ii) costs of seizure, forfeiture, 
                        storage, and disposal arising from 
                        liability under this section; and
                          (iii) interest on that amount 
                        calculated in the manner described in 
                        section 1005 of the Oil Pollution Act 
                        of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2705).
                  (B) The amount of liability shall constitute 
                a maritime lien on the vessel and may be 
                recovered in an action in rem in any district 
                court of the United States that has 
                jurisdiction over the vessel.
          (3) Defenses.--A person or vessel is not liable under 
        this subsection if that person or vessel establishes 
        that the destruction, loss, taking, or injury was 
        caused solely by an act of God, an act of war, or an 
        act or omission of a third party (other than an 
        employee or agent of the defendant or one whose act or 
        omission occurs in connection with a contractual 
        relationship, existing directly or indirectly with the 
        defendant), and the person or master of the vessel 
        acted with due care.
          (4) No limit to liability.--Nothing in sections 30501 
        through 30512 or section 30706 of title 46, United 
        States Code, shall limit liability to any person under 
        this title.
  (b) Response Actions and Damage Assessment.--
          (1) Response actions.--The Secretary may undertake or 
        authorize all necessary actions to prevent or minimize 
        the destruction, loss, or taking of, or injury to, 
        coral reefs, or components thereof, or to minimize the 
        risk or imminent risk of such destruction, loss, or 
        injury.
          (2) Damage assessment.--
                  (A) The Secretary shall assess damages (as 
                defined in section 221(8)) to coral reefs and 
                shall consult with State officials regarding 
                response and damage assessment actions 
                undertaken for coral reefs within State waters.
                  (B) There shall be no double recovery under 
                this chapter for coral reef damages, including 
                the cost of damage assessment, for the same 
                incident.
  (c) Commencement of Civil Action for Response Costs and 
Damages.--
          (1) Commencement.--The Attorney General, upon the 
        request of the Secretary, may commence a civil action 
        against any person or vessel that may be liable under 
        subsection (a) of this section for response costs, 
        seizure, forfeiture, storage, or disposal costs, and 
        damages, and interest on that amount calculated in the 
        manner described in section 1005 of the Oil Pollution 
        Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2705). The Secretary, acting as 
        trustee for coral reefs for the United States, shall 
        submit a request for such an action to the Attorney 
        General whenever a person or vessel may be liable for 
        such costs or damages.
          (2) Venue in civil actions.--A civil action under 
        this title may be brought in the United States district 
        court for any district in which--
                  (A) the defendant is located, resides, or is 
                doing business, in the case of an action 
                against a person;
                  (B) the vessel is located, in the case of an 
                action against a vessel;
                  (C) the destruction, loss, or taking of, or 
                injury to a coral reef, or component thereof, 
                occurred or in which there is an imminent risk 
                of such destruction, loss, or injury; or
                  (D) where some or all of the coral reef or 
                component thereof that is the subject of the 
                action is not within the territory covered by 
                any United States district court, such action 
                may be brought either in the United States 
                district court for the district closest to the 
                location where the destruction, loss, injury, 
                or risk of injury occurred, or in the United 
                States District Court for the District of 
                Columbia.
  (d) Use of Recovered Amounts.--
          (1) In general.--Any costs, including response costs 
        and damages recovered by the Secretary under this 
        section shall--
                  (A) be deposited into an account or accounts 
                in the Damage Assessment Restoration Revolving 
                Fund established by the Department of Commerce 
                Appropriations Act, 1991 (33 U.S.C. 2706 note), 
                or the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and 
                Restoration Fund established by the Department 
                of the Interior and Related Agencies 
                Appropriations Act, 1992 (43 U.S.C. 1474b), as 
                appropriate given the location of the 
                violation;
                  (B) be available for use by the Secretary 
                without further appropriation and remain 
                available until expended; and
                  (C) be for use, as the Secretary considers 
                appropriate--
                          (i) to reimburse the Secretary or any 
                        other Federal or State agency that 
                        conducted activities under subsection 
                        (a) or (b) of this section for costs 
                        incurred in conducting the activity;
                          (ii) to be transferred to the 
                        Emergency Response, Stabilization and 
                        Restoration Account established under 
                        section 208(d) to reimburse that 
                        account for amounts used for authorized 
                        emergency actions; and
                          (iii) after reimbursement of such 
                        costs, to restore, replace, or acquire 
                        the equivalent of any coral reefs, or 
                        components thereof, including the 
                        reasonable costs of monitoring, or to 
                        minimize or prevent threats of 
                        equivalent injury to, or destruction of 
                        coral reefs, or components thereof.
          (2) Restoration considerations.--In development of 
        restoration alternatives under paragraph (1)(C), the 
        Secretary shall consider State and territorial 
        preferences and, if appropriate, shall prioritize 
        restoration projects with geographic and ecological 
        linkages to the injured resources.
  (e) Statute of Limitations.--An action for response costs or 
damages under subsection (c) shall be barred unless the 
complaint is filed within 3 years after the date on which the 
Secretary completes a damage assessment and restoration plan 
for the coral reefs, or components thereof, to which the action 
relates.
  (f) Federal Government Activities.--In the event of 
threatened or actual destruction of, loss of, or injury to a 
coral reef or component thereof resulting from an incident 
caused by a component of any Department or agency of the United 
States Government, the cognizant Department or agency shall 
satisfy its obligations under this section by promptly, in 
coordination with the Secretary, taking appropriate actions to 
respond to and mitigate the harm and restoring or replacing the 
coral reef or components thereof and reimbursing the Secretary 
for all assessment costs.

SEC. 214. ENFORCEMENT.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct enforcement 
activities to carry out this title.
  (b) Powers of Authorized Officers.--Any person who is 
authorized to enforce this title may--
          (1) board, search, inspect, and seize any vessel or 
        other conveyance suspected of being used to violate 
        this title, any regulation promulgated under this 
        title, or any permit issued under this title, and any 
        equipment, stores, and cargo of such vessel;
          (2) seize wherever found any component of coral reef 
        taken or retained in violation of this title, any 
        regulation promulgated under this title, or any permit 
        issued under this title;
          (3) seize any evidence of a violation of this title, 
        any regulation promulgated under this title, or any 
        permit issued under this title;
          (4) execute any warrant or other process issued by 
        any court of competent jurisdiction;
          (5) exercise any other lawful authority; and
          (6) arrest any person, if there is reasonable cause 
        to believe that such person has committed an act 
        prohibited by section 212.
  (c) Civil Enforcement and Permit Sanctions.--
          (1) Civil administrative penalty.--Any person subject 
        to the jurisdiction of the United States who violates 
        this title or any regulation promulgated or permit 
        issued hereunder, shall be liable to the United States 
        for a civil administrative penalty of not more than 
        $200,000 for each such violation, to be assessed by the 
        Secretary. Each day of a continuing violation shall 
        constitute a separate violation. In determining the 
        amount of civil administrative penalty, the Secretary 
        shall take into account the nature, circumstances, 
        extent, and gravity of the prohibited acts committed 
        and, with respect to the violator, the degree of 
        culpability, and any history of prior violations, and 
        such other matters as justice may require. In assessing 
        such penalty, the Secretary may also consider 
        information related to the ability of the violator to 
        pay.
          (2) Permit sanctions.--For any person subject to the 
        jurisdiction of the United States who has been issued 
        or has applied for a permit under this title, and who 
        violates this title or any regulation or permit issued 
        under this title, the Secretary may deny, suspend, 
        amend, or revoke in whole or in part any such permit. 
        For any person who has failed to pay or defaulted on a 
        payment agreement of any civil penalty or criminal fine 
        or liability assessed pursuant to any natural resource 
        law administered by the Secretary, the Secretary may 
        deny, suspend, amend or revoke in whole or in part any 
        permit issued or applied for under this title.
          (3) Imposition of civil judicial penalties.--Any 
        person who violates any provision of this title, any 
        regulation promulgated or permit issued thereunder, 
        shall be subject to a civil judicial penalty not to 
        exceed $250,000 for each such violation. Each day of a 
        continuing violation shall constitute a separate 
        violation. The Attorney General, upon the request of 
        the Secretary, may commence a civil action in an 
        appropriate district court of the United States, and 
        such court shall have jurisdiction to award civil 
        penalties and such other relief as justice may require. 
        In determining the amount of a civil penalty, the court 
        shall take into account the nature, circumstances, 
        extent, and gravity of the prohibited acts committed 
        and, with respect to the violator, the degree of 
        culpability, any history of prior violations, and such 
        other matters as justice may require. In imposing such 
        penalty, the district court may also consider 
        information related to the ability of the violator to 
        pay.
          (4) Notice.--No penalty or permit sanction shall be 
        assessed under this subsection until after the person 
        charged has been given notice and an opportunity for a 
        hearing.
          (5) In rem jurisdiction.--A vessel used in violating 
        this title, any regulation promulgated under this 
        title, or any permit issued under this title, shall be 
        liable in rem for any civil penalty assessed for such 
        violation. Such penalty shall constitute a maritime 
        lien on the vessel and may be recovered in an action in 
        rem in the district court of the United States having 
        jurisdiction over the vessel.
          (6) Collection of penalties.--If any person fails to 
        pay an assessment of a civil penalty under this section 
        after it has become a final and unappealable order, or 
        after the appropriate court has entered final judgment 
        in favor of the Secretary, the Secretary shall refer 
        the matter to the Attorney General, who shall recover 
        the amount assessed in any appropriate district court 
        of the United States (plus interest at current 
        prevailing rates from the date of the final order). In 
        such action, the validity and appropriateness of the 
        final order imposing the civil penalty shall not be 
        subject to review. Any person who fails to pay, on a 
        timely basis, the amount of an assessment of a civil 
        penalty shall be required to pay, in addition to such 
        amount and interest, attorney's fees and costs for 
        collection proceedings and a quarterly nonpayment 
        penalty for each quarter during which such failure to 
        pay persists. Such nonpayment penalty shall be in an 
        amount equal to 20 percent of the aggregate amount of 
        such person's penalties and nonpayment penalties that 
        are unpaid as of the beginning of such quarter.
          (7) Compromise or other action by secretary.--The 
        Secretary may compromise, modify, or remit, with or 
        without conditions, any civil administrative penalty or 
        permit sanction which is or may be imposed under this 
        section and that has not been referred to the Attorney 
        General for further enforcement action.
          (8) Jurisidiction.--The several district courts of 
        the United States shall have jurisdiction over any 
        actions brought by the United States arising under this 
        section. For the purpose of this section, American 
        Samoa shall be included within the judicial district of 
        the District Court of the United States for the 
        District of Hawaii. Each violation shall be a separate 
        offense and the offense shall be deemed to have been 
        committed not only in the district where the violation 
        first occurred, but also in any other district as 
        authorized by law.
  (d) Forfeiture.--
          (1) Criminal forfeiture.--A person who is convicted 
        of an offense in violation of this title shall forfeit 
        to the United States--
                  (A) any property, real or personal, 
                constituting or traceable to the gross proceeds 
                taken, obtained, or retained, in connection 
                with or as a result of the offense, including, 
                without limitation, any coral reef or coral 
                reef component (or the fair market value 
                thereof); and
                  (B) any property, real or personal, used or 
                intended to be used, in any manner, to commit 
                or facilitate the commission of the offense, 
                including, without limitation, any vessel 
                (including the vessel's equipment, stores, 
                catch and cargo), vehicle, aircraft, or other 
                means of transportation.
        Pursuant to section 2461(c) of title 28, United States 
        Code, the provisions of section 413 of the Controlled 
        Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 853) other than subsection 
        (d) thereof shall apply to criminal forfeitures under 
        this section.
          (2) Civil forfeiture.--The property set forth below 
        shall be subject to forfeiture to the United States in 
        accordance with the provisions of chapter 46 of title 
        18, United States Code, and no property right shall 
        exist in it:
                  (A) Any property, real or personal, 
                constituting or traceable to the gross proceeds 
                taken, obtained, or retained, in connection 
                with or as a result of a violation of this 
                title, including, without limitation, any coral 
                reef or coral reef component (or the fair 
                market value thereof).
                  (B) Any property, real or personal, used or 
                intended to be used, in any manner, to commit 
                or facilitate the commission of a violation of 
                this title, including, without limitation, any 
                vessel (including the vessel's equipment, 
                stores, catch and cargo), vehicle, aircraft, or 
                other means of transportation.
          (3) Application of the customs laws.--All provisions 
        of law relating to seizure, summary judgment, and 
        judicial forfeiture and condemnation for violation of 
        the customs laws, the disposition of the property 
        forfeited or condemned or the proceeds from the sale 
        thereof, the remission or mitigation of such 
        forfeitures, and the compromise of claims shall apply 
        to seizures and forfeitures incurred, or alleged to 
        have been incurred, under the provisions of this title, 
        insofar as applicable and not inconsistent with the 
        provisions hereof. For seizures and forfeitures of 
        property under this section by the Secretary, such 
        duties as are imposed upon the customs officer or any 
        other person with respect to the seizure and forfeiture 
        of property under the customs law may be performed by 
        such officers as are designated by the Secretary or, 
        upon request of the Secretary, by any other agency that 
        has authority to manage and dispose of seized property.
          (4) Presumption.--For the purposes of this section 
        there is a rebuttable presumption that all coral reefs, 
        or components thereof, found on board a vessel that is 
        used or seized in connection with a violation of this 
        title or of any regulation promulgated under this title 
        were taken, obtained, or retained in violation of this 
        title or of a regulation promulgated under this title.
  (e) Payment of Storage, Care, and Other Costs.--Any person 
assessed a civil penalty for a violation of this title or of 
any regulation promulgated under this title and any claimant in 
a forfeiture action brought for such a violation, shall be 
liable for the reasonable costs incurred by the Secretary in 
storage, care, and maintenance of any property seized in 
connection with the violation.
  (f) Expenditures.--
          (1) Notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31, United 
        States Code, or section 311 of the Magnuson-Stevens 
        Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
        1861), amounts received by the United States as civil 
        penalties under subsection (c) of this section, 
        forfeitures of property under subsection (d) of this 
        section, and costs imposed under subsection (e) of this 
        section, shall--
                  (A) be placed into an account;
                  (B) be available for use by the Secretary 
                without further appropriation; and
                  (C) remain available until expended.
          (2) Amounts received under this section for 
        forfeitures under subsection (d) and costs imposed 
        under subsection (e) shall be used to pay the 
        reasonable and necessary costs incurred by the 
        Secretary to provide temporary storage, care, 
        maintenance, and disposal of any property seized in 
        connection with a violation of this title or any 
        regulation promulgated under this title.
          (3) Amounts received under this section as civil 
        penalties under subsection (c) of this section and any 
        amounts remaining after the operation of paragraph (2) 
        of this subsection shall--
                  (A) be used to stabilize, restore, or 
                otherwise manage the coral reef with respect to 
                which the violation occurred that resulted in 
                the penalty or forfeiture;
                  (B) be transferred to the Emergency Response, 
                Stabilization, and Restoration Account 
                established under section 208(d) or an account 
                described in section 213(d)(1) of this title, 
                to reimburse such account for amounts used for 
                authorized emergency actions;
                  (C) be used to conduct monitoring and 
                enforcement activities;
                  (D) be used to conduct research on techniques 
                to stabilize and restore coral reefs;
                  (E) be used to conduct activities that 
                prevent or reduce the likelihood of future 
                damage to coral reefs;
                  (F) be used to stabilize, restore or 
                otherwise manage any other coral reef; or
                  (G) be used to pay a reward to any person who 
                furnishes information leading to an assessment 
                of a civil penalty, or to a forfeiture of 
                property, for a violation of this title or any 
                regulation promulgated under this title.
  (g) Criminal Enforcement.--
          (1) Any person (other than a foreign government or 
        any entity of such government) who knowingly commits 
        any act prohibited by section 212(c) of this title 
        shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years and shall 
        be fined not more than $500,000 for individuals or 
        $1,000,000 for an organization; except that if in the 
        commission of any such offense the individual uses a 
        dangerous weapon, engages in conduct that causes bodily 
        injury to any officer authorized to enforce the 
        provisions of this title, or places any such officer in 
        fear of imminent bodily injury, the maximum term of 
        imprisonment is not more than 10 years.
          (2) Any person (other than a foreign government or 
        any entity of such government) who knowingly violates 
        subsection (b), (d), or (e) of section 212 shall be 
        fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned 
        not more than 5 years or both.
          (3) Any person (other than a foreign government or 
        any entity of such government) who violates subsection 
        (b), (d), or (e) of section 212, and who, in the 
        exercise of due care should know that such person's 
        conduct violates subsection (b), (d), or (e) of section 
        212, shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, 
        or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.
          (4) The several district courts of the United States 
        shall have jurisdiction over any actions brought by the 
        United States arising under this subsection. For the 
        purpose of this subsection, American Samoa shall be 
        included within the judicial district of the District 
        Court of the United States for the District of Hawaii. 
        Each violation shall be a separate offense and the 
        offense shall be deemed to have been committed not only 
        in the district where the violation first occurred, but 
        also in any other district as authorized by law. Any 
        offenses not committed in any district are subject to 
        the venue provisions of section 3238 of title 18, 
        United States Code.
  (h) Subpoenas.--In the case of any investigation or hearing 
under this section or any other natural resource statute 
administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration which is determined on the record in accordance 
with the procedures provided for under section 554 of title 5, 
United States Code, the Secretary may issue subpoenas for the 
attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of 
relevant papers, books, electronic files, and documents, and 
may administer oaths.
  (i) Coast Guard Authority Not Limited.--Nothing in this 
section shall be considered to limit the authority of the Coast 
Guard to enforce this or any other Federal law under section 89 
of title 14, United States Code.
  (j) Injunctive Relief.--
          (1) If the Secretary determines that there is an 
        imminent risk of destruction or loss of or injury to a 
        coral reef, or that there has been actual destruction 
        or loss of, or injury to, a coral reef which may give 
        rise to liability under section 213 of this title, the 
        Attorney General, upon request of the Secretary, shall 
        seek to obtain such relief as may be necessary to abate 
        such risk or actual destruction, loss, or injury, or to 
        restore or replace the coral reef, or both. The 
        district courts of the Unites States shall have 
        jurisdiction in such a case to order such relief as the 
        public interest and the equities of the case may 
        require.
          (2) Upon the request of the Secretary, the Attorney 
        General may seek to enjoin any person who is alleged to 
        be in violation of any provision of this title, or any 
        regulation or permit issued under this title, and the 
        district courts shall have jurisdiction to grant such 
        relief.
  (k) Area of Application and Enforceability.--The area of 
application and enforceability of this title includes the 
internal waters of the United States, the territorial sea of 
the United States, as described in Presidential Proclamation 
5928 of December 27, 1988, the Exclusive Economic Zone of the 
United States as described in Presidential Proclamation 5030 of 
March 10, 1983, and the continental shelf, consistent with 
international law.
  (l) Nationwide Service of Process.--In any action by the 
United States under this title, process may be served in any 
district where the defendant is found, resides, transacts 
business, or has appointed an agent for the service of process, 
and for civil cases may also be served in a place not within 
the United States in accordance with rule 4 of the Federal 
Rules of Civil Procedure.
  (m) Venue in Civil Actions.--A civil action under this title 
may be brought in the United States district court for any 
district in which--
          (1) the defendant is located, resides, or is doing 
        business, in the case of an action against a person;
          (2) the vessel is located, in the case of an action 
        against a vessel;
          (3) the destruction of, loss of, or injury to a coral 
        reef, or component thereof, occurred or in which there 
        is an imminent risk of such destruction, loss, or 
        injury; or
          (4) where some or all of the coral reef or component 
        thereof that is the subject of the action is not within 
        the territory covered by any United States district 
        court, such action may be brought either in the United 
        States district court for the district closest to the 
        location where the destruction, loss, injury, or risk 
        of injury occurred, or in the United States District 
        Court for the District of Columbia.

SEC. 215. PERMITS.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary may allow for the conduct of--
          (1) bona fide research, and
          (2) activities that would otherwise be prohibited by 
        this title or regulations issued thereunder,
through issuance of coral reef conservation permits in 
accordance with regulations issued under this title.
  (b) Limitation of Non-Research Activities.--The Secretary may 
not issue a permit for activities other than for bona fide 
research unless the Secretary finds--
          (1) the activity proposed to be conducted is 
        compatible with one or more of the purposes in section 
        202(b) of this title;
          (2) the activity conforms to the provisions of all 
        other laws and regulations applicable to the area for 
        which such permit is to be issued; and
          (3) there is no practicable alternative to conducting 
        the activity in a manner that destroys, causes the loss 
        of, or injures any coral reef or any component thereof.
  (c) Terms and Conditions.--The Secretary may place any terms 
and conditions on a permit issued under this section that the 
Secretary deems reasonable.
  (d) Fees.--
          (1) Assessment and collection.--Subject to 
        regulations issued under this title, the Secretary may 
        assess and collect fees as specified in this 
        subsection.
          (2) Amount.--Any fee assessed shall be equal to the 
        sum of--
                  (A) all costs incurred, or expected to be 
                incurred, by the Secretary in processing the 
                permit application, including indirect costs; 
                and
                  (B) if the permit is approved, all costs 
                incurred, or expected to be incurred, by the 
                Secretary as a direct result of the conduct of 
                the activity for which the permit is issued, 
                including costs of monitoring the conduct of 
                the activity and educating the public about the 
                activity and coral reef resources related to 
                the activity.
          (3) Use of fees.--Amounts collected by the Secretary 
        in the form of fees under this section shall be 
        collected and available for use only to the extent 
        provided in advance in appropriations Acts and may be 
        used by the Secretary for issuing and administering 
        permits under this section.
          (4) Waiver or reduction of fees.--For any fee 
        assessed under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the 
        Secretary may--
                  (A) accept in-kind contributions in lieu of a 
                fee; or
                  (B) waive or reduce the fee.
  (e) Fishing.--Nothing in this section shall be considered to 
require a person to obtain a permit under this section for the 
conduct of any fishing activities not prohibited by this title 
or regulations issued thereunder.

SEC. 216. REGIONAL, STATE, AND TERRITORIAL COORDINATION.

  (a) Regional Coordination.--The Secretary and other Federal 
members of the Coral Reef Task Force shall work in coordination 
and collaboration with other Federal agencies, States, and 
United States territorial governments to implement the 
strategies developed under section 203, including regional and 
local strategies, to address multiple threats to coral reefs 
and coral reef ecosystems such as coastal runoff, vessel 
impacts, and overharvesting.
  (b) Response and Restoration Activities.--The Secretary shall 
enter into written agreements with any States in which coral 
reefs are located regarding the manner in which response and 
restoration activities will be conducted within the affected 
State's waters. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed 
to limit Federal response and restoration activity authority 
before any such agreement is final.
  (c) Cooperative Enforcement Agreements.--All cooperative 
enforcement agreements in place between the Secretary and 
States affected by this title shall be updated to include 
enforcement of this title where appropriate.

SEC. 217. REGULATIONS.

  The Secretary may issue such regulations as are necessary and 
appropriate to carry out the purposes of this title. This title 
and any regulations promulgated under this title shall be 
applied in accordance with international law. No restrictions 
shall apply to or be enforced against a person who is not a 
citizen, national, or resident alien of the United States 
(including foreign flag vessels) unless in accordance with 
international law.

[SEC. 208. EFFECTIVENESS REPORTS.

                             [ U.S.C. 6407]

  [(a) Grant Program.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of 
Representatives a report that documents the effectiveness of 
the grant program under section 204 in meeting the purposes of 
this title. The report shall include a State-by-State summary 
of Federal and non-Federal contributions toward the costs of 
each project.
  [(b) National Program.--Not later than 2 years after the date 
on which the Administrator publishes the national coral reef 
strategy under section 203 and every 2 years thereafter, the 
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing 
all activities undertaken to implement that strategy, under 
section 203, including a description of the funds obligated 
each fiscal year to advance coral reef conservation.]

SEC. 218. EFFECTIVENESS REPORT.

  Not later than March 1, 2009, and every 3 years thereafter, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report 
describing all activities undertaken to implement the strategy, 
including--
          (1) a description of the funds obligated by each 
        participating Federal agency to advance coral reef 
        conservation during each of the 3 fiscal years next 
        preceding the fiscal year in which the report is 
        submitted;
          (2) a description of Federal interagency and 
        cooperative efforts with States and United States 
        territories to prevent or address overharvesting, 
        coastal runoff, or other anthropogenic impacts on coral 
        reefs, including projects undertaken with the 
        Department of Interior, Department of Agriculture, the 
        Environmental Protection Agency, and the United States 
        Army Corps of Engineers;
          (3) a summary of the information contained in the 
        vessel grounding inventory established under section 
        210, including additional authorization or funding, 
        needed for response and removal of such vessels;''
          (4) a description of Federal disaster response 
        actions taken pursuant to the National Response Plan to 
        address damage to coral reefs and coral reef 
        ecosystems; and
          (5) an assessment of the condition of United States 
        coral reefs, accomplishments under this Act, and the 
        effectiveness of management actions to address threats 
        to coral reefs.

SEC. [209.] 219. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

                            [16 U.S.C. 6408]

  (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary to carry out this title [$16,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004,] $34,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2008, $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $38,000,000 
for fiscal year 2010, and $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2011 through 2012, of which no less than 30 percent per year 
(for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012) shall be used for 
the grant program under section 204 and up to 10 percent per 
year shall be used for the Fund established under section 
205(a), which may remain available until expended.
  (b) Administration.--Of the amounts appropriated under 
subsection (a), not more than the lesser of [$1,000,000] 
$2,000,000 or 10 percent of the amounts appropriated, may be 
used for program administration or for overhead costs incurred 
by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the 
Department of Commerce and assessed as an administrative 
charge.
  [(c) Coral Reef Conservation Program.--From the amounts 
appropriated under subsection (a), there shall be made 
available to the Secretary $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 for coral reef conservation 
activities under section 204.]
  (c) Community-Based Planning Grants.--There is authorized to 
be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out section 210 the 
sum of $8,000,000 for fiscal years 2008 through 2012, such sum 
to remain available until expended.
  [(d) National Coral Reef Activities.--From the amounts 
appropriated under subsection (a), there shall be made 
available to the Secretary $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 for activities under section 207.]
  (d) International Coral Reef Conservation Program.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out 
section 209 $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and $10,000,000 
for fiscal years 2009 through 2012, such sums to remain 
available until expended.

SEC. 220. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

  (a) In General.--Judicial review of any action taken by the 
Secretary under this title shall be in accordance with sections 
701 through 706 of title 5, United States Code, except that--
          (1) review of any final agency action of the 
        Secretary taken pursuant to sections 214(c)(1) and 
        214(c)(2) may be had only by the filing of a complaint 
        by an interested person in the United States District 
        Court for the appropriate district within 30 days after 
        the date such final agency action is taken; and
          (2) review of all other final agency actions of the 
        Secretary under this title may be had only by the 
        filing of a petition for review by an interested person 
        in the Circuit Court of Appeals of the United States 
        for the District of Columbia Circuit or for the Federal 
        judicial district in which such person resides or 
        transacts business which is directly affected by the 
        action taken within 120 days after the date such final 
        agency action is taken.
  (b) No Review in Enforcement Proceedings.--Final agency 
action with respect to which review could have been obtained 
under subsection (a)(2) shall not be subject to judicial review 
in any civil or criminal proceeding for enforcement.
  (c) Cost of Litigation.--In any judicial proceeding under 
subsection (a), the court may award costs of litigation 
(including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees) to any 
prevailing party whenever it determines that such award is 
appropriate.

[SEC. 210. DEFINITIONS.

                            [16 U.S.C. 6409]

  [In this title:
          [(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means 
        the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration.
          [(2) Conservation.--The term ``conservation'' means 
        the use of methods and procedures necessary to preserve 
        or sustain corals and associated species as diverse, 
        viable, and self-perpetuating coral reef ecosystems, 
        including all activities associated with resource 
        management, such as assessment, conservation, 
        protection, restoration, sustainable use, and 
        management of habitat; mapping; habitat monitoring; 
        assistance in the development of management strategies 
        for marine protected areas and marine resources 
        consistent with the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 
        U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
        Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et 
        seq.); law enforcement; conflict resolution 
        initiatives; community outreach and education; and that 
        promote safe and ecologically sound navigation.
          [(3) Coral.--The term ``coral'' means species of the 
        phylum Cnidaria, including--
                  [(A) all species of the orders Antipatharia 
                (black corals), Scleractinia (stony corals), 
                Gorgonacea (horny corals), Stolonifera 
                (organpipe corals and others), Alcyanacea (soft 
                corals), and Coenothecalia (blue coral), of the 
                class Anthozoa; and
                  [(B) all species of the order Hydrocorallina 
                (fire corals and hydrocorals) of the class 
                Hydrozoa.
          [(4) Coral reef.--The term ``coral reef'' means any 
        reefs or shoals composed primarily of corals.
          [(5) Coral reef ecosystem.--The term ``coral reef 
        ecosystem'' means coral and other species of reef 
        organisms (including reef plants) associated with coral 
        reefs, and the nonliving environmental factors that 
        directly affect coral reefs, that together function as 
        an ecological unit in nature.
          [(6) Coral products.--The term ``coral products'' 
        means any living or dead specimens, parts, or 
        derivatives, or any product containing specimens, 
        parts, or derivatives, of any species referred to in 
        paragraph (3).
          [(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the 
        Secretary of Commerce.
          [(8) State.--The term ``State'' means any State of 
        the United States that contains a coral reef ecosystem 
        within its seaward boundaries, American Samoa, Guam, 
        the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the 
        Virgin Islands, and any other territory or possession 
        of the United States, or separate sovereign in free 
        association with the United States, that contains a 
        coral reef ecosystem within its seaward boundaries.]

SEC. 221. DEFINITIONS.

  In this title:
          (1) Biodiversity.--The term ``biodiversity'' means 
        the variability among living organisms from all sources 
        including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine, and other 
        aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of 
        which they are part, including diversity within 
        species, between species, and of ecosystems.
          (2) Conservation.--The term ``conservation'' means 
        the use of methods and procedures necessary to preserve 
        or sustain corals and associated species and habitat as 
        resilient, diverse, viable, and self-perpetuating coral 
        reef ecosystems, including all activities associated 
        with resource management (such as assessment, 
        conservation, protection, restoration, sustainable use, 
        and management of habitat, mapping, monitoring, 
        assistance in the development of management strategies 
        for marine protected areas and marine resources 
        consistent with the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 
        U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
        Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et 
        seq.), law enforcement, conflict resolution 
        initiatives, and community outreach and education) that 
        promote safe and ecologically sound navigation.
          (3) Coral.--The term ``coral'' means species of the 
        phylum Cnidaria, including--
                  (A) all species of the orders Antipatharia 
                (black corals), Scleractinia (stony corals), 
                Gorgonacea (horny corals), Stolonifera 
                (organpipe corals and others), Alcyonacea (soft 
                corals), and Helioporacea (blue coral) of the 
                class Anthozoa; and
                  (B) all species of the families Milleporidea 
                (fire corals) and Stylasteridae (stylasterid 
                hydrocorals) of the class Hydrozoa.
          (4) Coral reef.--The term ``coral reef'' means 
        limestone structures composed in whole or in part of 
        living corals, as described in paragraph (3), their 
        skeletal remains, or both, and including other corals, 
        associated sessile invertebrates and plants, and 
        associated seagrasses.
          (5) Coral reef component.--The term ``coral reef 
        component'' means any part of a coral reef, including 
        individual living or dead corals, associated sessile 
        invertebrates and plants, and any adjacent or 
        associated seagrasses.
          (6) Coral reef ecosystem.--The term ``coral reef 
        ecosystem'' means the system of coral reefs and 
        geographically associated species, habitats, and 
        environment, including any adjacent or associated 
        mangroves and seagrass habitats, and the processes that 
        control its dynamics.
          (7) Coral products.--The term ``coral products'' 
        means any living or dead specimens, parts, or 
        derivatives, or any product containing specimens, 
        parts, or derivatives, of any species referred to in 
        paragraph (3).
          (8) Damages.--The term ``damages'' includes--
                  (A) compensation for--
                          (i) the cost of replacing, restoring, 
                        or acquiring the equivalent of the 
                        coral reef, or component thereof; and
                          (ii) the lost services of, or the 
                        value of the lost use of, the coral 
                        reef or component thereof, or the cost 
                        of activities to minimize or prevent 
                        threats of, equivalent injury to, or 
                        destruction of coral reefs or 
                        components thereof, pending restoration 
                        or replacement or the acquisition of an 
                        equivalent coral reef or component 
                        thereof;
                  (B) the reasonable cost of damage assessments 
                under section 213;
                  (C) the reasonable costs incurred by the 
                Secretary in implementing section 208(d);
                  (D) the reasonable cost of monitoring 
                appropriate to the injured, restored, or 
                replaced resources;
                  (E) the reasonable cost of curation, 
                conservation and loss of contextual information 
                of any coral encrusted archaeological, 
                historical, and cultural resource;
                  (F) the cost of legal actions under section 
                213, undertaken by the United States, 
                associated with the destruction or loss of, or 
                injury to, a coral reef or component thereof, 
                including the costs of attorney time and expert 
                witness fees; and
                  (G) the indirect costs associated with the 
                costs listed in subparagraphs (A) through (F) 
                of this paragraph.
          (9) Emergency actions.--The term ``emergency 
        actions'' means all necessary actions to prevent or 
        minimize the additional destruction or loss of, or 
        injury to, coral reefs or components thereof, or to 
        minimize the risk of such additional destruction, loss, 
        or injury.
          (10) Exclusive economic zone.--The term ``Exclusive 
        Economic Zone'' means the waters of the Exclusive 
        Economic Zone of the United States under Presidential 
        Proclamation 5030, dated March 10, 1983.
          (11) Person.--The term ``person'' means any 
        individual, private or public corporation, partnership, 
        trust, institution, association, or any other public or 
        private entity, whether foreign or domestic, private 
        person or entity, or any officer, employee, agent, 
        Department, agency, or instrumentality of the Federal 
        Government, of any State or local unit of government, 
        or of any foreign government.
          (12) Response costs.--The term ``response costs'' 
        means the costs of actions taken or authorized by the 
        Secretary to minimize destruction or loss of, or injury 
        to, a coral reef, or component thereof, or to minimize 
        the imminent risks of such destruction, loss, or 
        injury, including costs related to seizure, forfeiture, 
        storage, or disposal arising from liability under 
        section 213.
          (13) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means--
                  (A) for purposes of sections 201 through 211, 
                sections 218, and 219, and the other paragraphs 
                of this section, the Secretary of Commerce, 
                acting through the Administrator of the 
                National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                Administration; and
                  (B) for purposes of sections 212 through 217 
                and section 220--
                          (i) the Secretary of the Interior for 
                        any coral reef or component thereof 
                        located in (I) the National Wildlife 
                        Refuge System, (II) the National Park 
                        System, and (III) the waters 
                        surrounding Wake Island under the 
                        jurisdiction of the Secretary of the 
                        Interior, as set forth in Executive 
                        Order 11048 (27 Fed. Reg. 8851 
                        (September 4, 1962)); or
                          (ii) the Secretary of Commerce for 
                        any coral reef or component thereof 
                        located in any area not described in 
                        clause (i).
          (14) Service.--The term ``service'' means functions, 
        ecological or otherwise, performed by a coral reef or 
        component thereof.
          (15) State.--The term ``State'' means any State of 
        the United States that contains a coral reef ecosystem 
        within its seaward boundaries, American Samoa, Guam, 
        the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the 
        Virgin Islands, and any other territory or possession 
        of the United States, or separate sovereign in free 
        association with the United States, that contains a 
        coral reef ecosystem within its seaward boundaries.
          (16) Territorial sea.--The term ``Territorial Sea'' 
        means the waters of the Territorial Sea of the United 
        States under Presidential Proclamation 5928, dated 
        December 27, 1988.


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