[House Report 118-48]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
118th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 118-48
======================================================================
COASTAL COMMUNITIES OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ACT
OF 2023
_______
May 5, 2023.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Lucas, from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 676]
The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to whom
was referred the bill (H.R. 676) to amend the Federal Ocean
Acidification Research And Monitoring Act of 2009 to require
the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to
collaborate with State and local governments and Indian Tribes
on vulnerability assessments related to ocean acidification,
research planning, and similar activities, and for other
purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon
without amendment and recommends that the bill do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 2
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 2
Legislative History.............................................. 2
Section-by-Section............................................... 3
Committee Consideration.......................................... 3
Roll Call Votes.................................................. 3
Application of Law to the Legislative Branch..................... 5
Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the
Committee...................................................... 5
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 5
Duplication of Federal Programs.................................. 5
Federal Advisory Committee Act................................... 5
Unfunded Mandate Statement....................................... 5
Earmark Identification........................................... 5
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 5
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 6
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................ 6
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 6
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 676 increases the involvement of Indian Tribes with
ongoing National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
ocean acidification activities. This bill amends the Federal
Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 to
require the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, to collaborate with State and local governments
and Indian Tribes on vulnerability assessments related to ocean
acidification, research planning, and similar activities.
Background and Need for Legislation
Ocean acidification is the global phenomenon of the gradual
decrease in oceanic pH primarily from the absorption of excess
carbon. It is a growing problem for coastal communities and
economies that are dependent on ocean resources. Coastal
economies contribute significantly to the nation's gross
domestic product (GDP). According to NOAA, fourteen percent of
U.S. counties that are adjacent to the coasts produce 45
percent of the nation's GDP, with nearly three million jobs
directly dependent on ocean and coastal resources. Some coastal
economies in the United States have already been negatively
impacted by ocean acidification, and there is a growing need to
understand the social and economic effects of ocean
acidification to help communities better prepare and respond.
As required by the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and
Monitoring Act of 2009, NOAA has established an Interagency
Working Group and conducts a strategic research plan and
program research on ocean and coastal acidification. State and
local governments, industry, academia, and other
representatives are included in this coordination and work, but
there is no specific call out for Indian Tribes.
H.R. 676 amends the statute directing collaboration of
these activities to include Indian Tribes. Their participation
is vital because tribal communities live and work on coasts and
have used and conserved the ocean's natural resources for
thousands of years.
Legislative History
H.R. 676 was introduced on January 31, 2023, by
Representative Pingree (D-ME) and is cosponsored by Waltz (R-
FL), Golden (D-ME), Gonzalez-Colon (R-PR), Carson (D-IN),
Bonamici (D-OR), Tokuda (D-HI), Huffman (D-CA), Kilmer (D-WA),
Scanlon (D-PA), Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Panetta (D-CA), Peltola
(D-AK), Thompson (D-CA), McCollum (D-MN), Schiff (D-CA), Lieu
(D-CA), Posey (R-FL), Lee (D-PA), and McClellan (D-VA).
On March 29, 2023, the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology met to consider H.R. 676. Chairman Lucas moved that
Committee favorably report the bill, H.R. 676, without
amendment, to the House of Representatives with the
recommendation that the bill be approved. The motion was agreed
to by a vote of 35-0.
Section-by-Section
Section 1. Short title
The short title of this legislation is ``Coastal
Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2023.''
Section 2. Definitions
This section amends the definitions included in the Federal
Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 to
include Indian Tribe as defined by the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act.
Section 3. Improvement of collaboration on ocean acidification
This section makes a number of minor tweaks to existing
code that ensures Indian Tribes are included in coordination,
research, and input on ocean acidification and coastal
acidification activities. Specifically, this section designates
2 seats on the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification
for representatives from Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations,
or Tribal consortia. This section also ensures there is an
ongoing mechanism to engage affected groups and communities in
order to provide input on research, data, and monitoring that
is necessary to support on-the-ground management and decision
making related to ocean acidification.
Section 4. Technical corrections
This section updates reference and numbering in the Federal
Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 to
reflect changes made by H.R. 676.
Committee Consideration
On March 29, 2023, the Committee met in open session and
ordered reported favorably the bill, H.R. 676, without
amendment, by roll call vote, a quorum being present.
Roll Call Votes
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII requires the Committee to list the
record votes on the motion to report legislation and amendments
thereto. The following reflects the record votes taken during
the Committee consideration:
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Application of Law to the Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that H.R. 676 does not relate to the
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of
the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).
Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations
of the Committee
In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause
(2)(b)(1) of rule X, the Committee's oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of
this report.
Statement of General Performance Goals And Objectives
Pursuant to clause (3)(c)(4) of rule XIII, the goal of H.R.
676 is to improve collaboration under the Federal Ocean
Acidification Research and Monitoring Act with regard to
vulnerability assessments related to ocean and coastal
acidification, as well as other ongoing NOAA activities, by
requiring the inclusion of tribal groups in this research and
planning.
Duplication of Federal Programs
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII, the Committee
finds that no provision of H.R. 676 establishes or reauthorizes
a program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of
another Federal program, including any program that was
included in a report to Congress pursuant to section 21 of
Public Law 111-139 or identified in the most recent Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance.
Federal Advisory Committee Act
The Committee finds that the legislation does not establish
or authorize the establishment of an advisory committee within
the definition of section 5(b) of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act.
Unfunded Mandate Statement
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act.
Earmark Identification
Pursuant to clauses 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the
Committee finds that H.R. 676 does not include any
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits.
Committee Cost Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII, the Committee
adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974. At the time this report was
filed, the estimate was not available.
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority,
and Tax Expenditures
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII, the Committee
finds that H.R. 676 would result in no new or increased budget
authority, entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or
revenues.
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII, at the time this
report was filed, the cost estimate prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 was not available.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, 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
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
FEDERAL OCEAN ACIDIFICATION RESEARCH AND MONITORING ACT OF 2009
* * * * * * *
TITLE XII--NOAA UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM ACT OF 2009
* * * * * * *
Subtitle D--Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of
2009
* * * * * * *
SEC. 12402. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this subtitle are to provide for--
(1) [development coordination and implementation]
development, coordination, and implementation of a
comprehensive interagency plan to--
(A) monitor and conduct research on the
processes and consequences of ocean
acidification and coastal acidification on
marine organisms and ecosystems; and
(B) maintain and advise an interagency
research, monitoring, and public outreach
program on ocean acidification and coastal
acidification;
(2) maintenance of an ocean acidification program
within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration;
(3) assessment and consideration of regional and
national ecosystem and socioeconomic impacts of
increased ocean acidification and coastal
acidification; and
(4) research adaptation strategies and mitigating the
impacts of ocean and coastal acidification and related
co-stressors on marine ecosystems.
SEC. 12403. DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle:
(1) Coastal acidification.--The term ``coastal
acidification'' means the decrease in pH and changes in
the water chemistry of coastal oceans, estuaries, and
Great Lakes from atmospheric pollution, freshwater
inputs, and excess nutrient run-off from land.
(2) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
5304).
[(2)] (3) Ocean acidification.--The term ``ocean
acidification'' means the decrease in pH and changes in
the water chemistry of the Earth's oceans, coastal
estuaries, marine waterways, and Great Lakes caused by
an increase of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and
the breakdown of organic matter.
[(3)] (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means
the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
[(4) Subcommittee.--The term ``Subcommittee'' means
the National Science and Technology Council
Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology.]
(5) State.--The term ``State'' means each State of
the United States, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the
Virgin Islands of the United States, and any other
territory or possession of the United States.
(6) Subcommittee.--The term ``Subcommittee'' means
the National Science and Technology Council
Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology.
(7) United states.--The term ``United States'' means
the States, collectively.
SEC. 12404. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.
(a) Designation.--
(1) In general.--The Subcommittee shall coordinate
Federal activities on ocean and coastal acidification
and establish and maintain an interagency working
group.
(2) Membership.--The interagency working group on
ocean acidification shall be comprised of senior
representatives from the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, the National Science
Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, the United States Geological Survey,
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau
of Ocean Energy Management, the Environmental
Protection Agency, the Department of Agriculture, the
Department of State, the Department of Energy, the
Department of the Navy, the National Park Service, the
Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, the Smithsonian Institution,
and such other Federal agencies as appropriate.
(3) Chair.--The interagency working group shall be
chaired by the representative from the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration.
(b) Duties.--The Subcommittee shall--
(1) develop the strategic research and monitoring
plan to guide Federal research on ocean acidification
required under section 12405 of this subtitle and
oversee the implementation of the plan;
(2) oversee the development of--
(A) an assessment of the potential impacts of
ocean acidification and coastal acidification
on marine organisms and marine ecosystems; and
(B) adaptation and mitigation strategies to
conserve marine organisms and ecosystems
exposed to ocean acidification and coastal
acidification;
(3) facilitate communication and outreach
opportunities with nongovernmental organizations and
members of the stakeholder community with interests in
marine resources;
(4) coordinate the United States Federal research and
monitoring program with research and monitoring
programs and scientists from other nations;
(5) establish or designate, and contribute to as
appropriate, an Ocean Acidification Information
Exchange to make information on ocean acidification and
coastal acidification developed through or utilized by
the interagency ocean acidification program accessible
through electronic means, including information which
would be useful to policymakers, researchers, and other
stakeholders in mitigating or adapting to the impacts
of ocean acidificationand coastal acidification[; and].
(c) Advisory Board.--
(1) Establishment.--The Chair of the Subcommittee
shall establish an Ocean Acidification Advisory Board.
(2) Duties.--The Advisory Board shall--
(A) maintain a process for reviewing and
making recommendations to the Subcommittee on--
(i) the biennial report specified in
[subsection (d)(2)] subsection (e)(2);
and
(ii) the strategic research plan in
[subsection (d)(3)] subsection (e)(3);
(B) provide ongoing advice to the
Subcommittee and the interagency working group
on matters related to Federal activities on
ocean and coastal acidification, including
impacts and mitigation of ocean and coastal
acidification[; and];
(C) advise the Subcommittee and the
interagency working group on--
(i) efforts to coordinate research
and monitoring activities related to
ocean acidification and coastal
acidification; and
(ii) the best practices for the
standards developed for data archiving
under section 12406(d)[.]; and
(D) maintain or establish an ongoing
mechanism (such as a liaison or other contact
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, standing meetings, or an online
platform) to engage affected industry members,
coastal stakeholders, community acidification
networks, fishery management councils and
commissions, indigenous knowledge groups, non-
Federal resource managers, and scientific
experts not employed by the Federal Government
to provide input on research, data, and
monitoring that is necessary to support on-the-
ground management, decision making, and
adaptation related to ocean acidification and
coastal acidification and the impacts of ocean
acidification and coastal acidification.
(3) Membership.--The Advisory Board shall consist of
25 members as follows:
(A) Two representatives of the shellfish,
lobster, or crab industry.
(B) One representative of the finfish
industry.
(C) One representative of seafood processors.
(D) Three representatives from academia,
including both natural and social sciences.
(E) One representative of recreational
fishing.
(F) One representative of a relevant
nongovernmental organization.
(G) Two representatives from Indian Tribes,
Tribal organizations, and Tribal consortia
affected by ocean acidification and coastal
acidification.
[(G) Six] (H) Four representatives from
relevant State and local governments with
policy or regulatory authorities related to
ocean acidification and coastal acidification.
[(H)] (I) One representative
from the Alaska Ocean
Acidification Network or a
subsequent entity that
represents the same
geographical region and has a
similar purpose.
[(I)] (J) One representative from the
California Current Acidification Network or a
subsequent entity that represents the same
geographical region and has a similar purpose.
[(J)] (K) One representative from the
Northeast Coastal Acidification Network or a
subsequent entity that represents the same
geographical region and has a similar purpose.
[(K)] (L) One representative from the
Southeast Coastal Acidification Network or a
subsequent entity that represents the same
geographical region and has a similar purpose.
[(L)] (M) One representative from the Gulf of
Mexico Coastal Acidification Network or a
subsequent entity that represents the same
geographical region and has a similar purpose.
[(M)] (N) One representative from the Mid-
Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network or a
subsequent entity that represents the same
geographical region and has a similar purpose.
[(N)] (O) One representative from the Pacific
Islands Ocean Observing System or a subsequent
entity that represents the island territories
and possessions of the United States in the
Pacific Ocean, and the State of Hawaii and has
a similar purpose.
[(O)] (P) One representative from the
Caribbean Regional Association for Coastal
Ocean Observing or a subsequent entity that
represents Puerto Rico and the United States
Virgin Islands and has a similar purpose.
[(P)] (Q) One representative from the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Olympic Coast Ocean Acidification Sentinel Site
or a subsequent entity that represents the same
geographical representation.
[(Q)] (R) One representative from the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
shall serve as an ex-officio member of the
Advisory Board without a vote.
(4) Appointment of members.--The Chair of the
Subcommittee shall--
(A) appoint members to the Advisory Board
(taking into account the geographical interests
of each individual to be appointed as a member
of the Advisory Board to ensure that an
appropriate balance of geographical interests
are represented by the members of the Advisory
Board) who--
(i) represent the interest group for
which each seat is designated;
(ii) demonstrate expertise on ocean
acidification or coastal acidification
and its scientific, economic, industry,
cultural, and community impacts; and
(iii) have a record of distinguished
service with respect to ocean
acidification or coastal acidification,
and such impacts;
(B) give consideration to nominations and
recommendations from the members of the
interagency working group and the public for
such appointments; and
(C) ensure that an appropriate balance of
scientific, industry, [State and local] State,
local, and Tribal resource managers, and
geographical interests are represented by the
members of the Advisory Board.
(5) Term of membership.--Each member of the Advisory
Board--
(A) shall be appointed for a 5-year term; and
(B) may be appointed to no more than two
terms.
(6) Chair.--The Chair of the Subcommittee shall
appoint one member of the Advisory Board to serve as
the Chair of the Advisory Board.
(7) Meetings.--Not less than once each calendar year,
the Advisory Board shall meet at such times and places
as may be designated by the Chair of the Advisory
Board, in consultation with the Chair of the
Subcommittee and the Chair of the interagency working
group.
(8) Briefing.--The Chair of the Advisory Board shall
brief the Subcommittee and the interagency working
group on the progress of the Advisory Board as
necessary or at the request of the Subcommittee.
[(9) Tribal government engagement and coordination.--
[(A) In general.--The Advisory Board shall
maintain mechanisms for coordination, and
engagement with Tribal governments.
[(i) Rule of construction.--Nothing in
subparagraph (A) may be construed as affecting
any requirement to consult with Indian Tribes
under Executive Order 13175 (25 U.S.C. 5301
note; relating to consultation and coordination
with Tribal governments) or any other
applicable law or policy.]
(9) Engagement and coordination with indian tribes.--
(A) Policy required.--Not later than one year
after the date on which the Advisory Board is
established, the Advisory Board shall develop
and commence maintaining a policy for
engagement and coordination with Indian Tribes
affected by ocean acidification and coastal
acidification.
(B) Consultation.--In developing the policy
under subparagraph (A), the Advisory Board
shall consult with Indian Tribes affected by
ocean acidification and coastal acidification.
(10) Federal advisory committee act.--Section 14 of
the Federal Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to
the Advisory Board for 10 years from the date of
enactment of this Act.
(d) Prize Competitions.--
(1) In general.--Any Federal agency with a
representative serving on the interagency working group
established under this section may, either individually
or in cooperation with one or more agencies, carry out
a program to award prizes competitively under section
24 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of
1980 (15 U.S.C. 3719). An agency seeking to carry out
such a program shall carry out such program in
coordination with the chair of such interagency working
group.
(2) Purposes.--Any prize competition carried out
under this subsection shall be for the purpose of
stimulating innovation to advance our Nation's ability
to understand, research, or monitor ocean acidification
or its impacts, or to develop management or adaptation
options for responding to ocean and coastal
acidification.
(3) Priority programs.--Priority shall be given to
establishing programs under [this section] this
subsection that address communities, environments, or
industries that are in distress due to the impacts of
ocean and coastal acidification.
(e) Reports to Congress.--
(1) Initial report.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Subcommittee shall
transmit a report to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Science and Technology and the Committee
on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives
that--
(A) includes a summary of federally funded
ocean acidification research and monitoring
activities, including the budget for each of
these activities; and
(B) describes the progress in developing the
plan required under section 12405 of this
subtitle.
(2) Biennial Report.--Not later than 2 years after
the delivery of the initial report under paragraph (1)
and every 2 years thereafter until 2032, the
Subcommittee shall transmit a report to the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
and the Committee on Science and Technology and the
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives, and to the Office of Management and
Budget, that includes--
(A) a summary of federally funded ocean
acidification research and monitoring
activities, including the budget for each of
these activities; and
(B) an analysis of the progress made toward
achieving the goals and priorities for
[interagency] the strategic research plan
developed by the Subcommittee under section
12405.
(3) Strategic research plan.--Not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Subcommittee shall transmit the strategic research plan
developed under section 12405 to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and
the Committee on Science and Technology and the
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives. A revised plan shall be submitted at
least once every 5 [years until 2031 thereafter] years
thereafter until 2031.
(4) Economic vulnerability report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after
the date of the enactment of the Coordinated
Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020,
and every 6 years thereafter until 2032, the
Subcommittee shall transmit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report that--
(i) is named the ``Ocean Chemistry
Coastal Community Vulnerability
Assessment'';
(ii) identifies gaps in ocean
acidification monitoring by public,
academic, and private assets in the
network of regional coastal observing
systems;
(iii) identifies geographic areas
which have gaps in ocean acidification
research;
(iv) identifies United States coastal
communities, including island
communities, fishing communities, low-
population rural communities, tribal
and subsistence communities, and island
communities, that may be impacted by
ocean acidification;
(v) identifies impacts of changing
ocean carbonate chemistry on the
communities described in clause (iv),
including impacts from changes in ocean
and coastal marine resources that are
not managed by the Federal Government;
(vi) identifies gaps in understanding
of the impacts of ocean acidification
on economically or commercially
important species, particularly those
which support United States commercial,
recreational, and tribal fisheries and
aquaculture;
(vii) identifies habitats that may be
particularly vulnerable to corrosive
sea water, including areas experiencing
multiple stressors such as hypoxia,
sedimentation, and harmful algal
blooms;
(viii) identifies areas in which
existing National Integrated Coastal
and Ocean Observation System assets,
including unmanned maritime systems,
may be leveraged as platforms for the
deployment of new sensors or other
applicable observing technologies;
(ix) identifies the efforts of the
Secretary to collaborate with State and
local governments and Indian Tribes on
community vulnerability assessments,
research planning, and similar
activities, pursuant to section
12406(e);
[(ix)] (x) is written in
collaboration with Federal agencies
responsible for carrying out this
subtitle, including representatives
of--
(I) the National Marine
Fisheries Service and the
Office for Coastal Management
of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration;
(II) regional coastal
observing systems established
under section 12304(c)(4);
(III) regional ocean
acidification networks; and
(IV) sea grant programs (as
defined in section 203 of the
National Sea Grant College
Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1122));
and
[(x)] (xi) is written in consultation
with experts, including subsistence
users, academia, and stakeholders
familiar with the economic, social,
ecological, geographic, and resource
concerns of coastal communities in the
United States.
(B) Form of report.--
(i) Initial report.--The initial
report required under subparagraph (A)
shall include the information described
in clauses (i) through (viii) of that
subparagraph on a national level.
(ii) Subsequent reports.--Each report
required under subparagraph (A) after
the initial report--
(I) may describe the
information described in
clauses (i) through (viii) of
that subparagraph on a national
level; or
(II) may consist of separate
reports for each region of the
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.
(iii) Regional reports.--If the
Subcommittee opts to prepare a report
required under subparagraph (A) as
separate regional reports under clause
(ii)(II), the Subcommittee shall submit
a report for each region of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration not less frequently than
once during each 6-year reporting
period.
(C) Appropriate committees of congress
defined.--In this paragraph and in paragraph
(5), the term ``appropriate committees of
Congress'' means the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of
the House of Representatives, and the Committee
on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives.
(5) Monitoring prioritization plan.--Not later than
180 days after the date of the submission of the
initial report under paragraph (4)(A), the Subcommittee
shall transmit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report that develops a plan to deploy new
sensors or other applicable observing technologies such
as unmanned maritime systems--
(A) based on such initial report;
(B) prioritized by--
(i) the threat to coastal economies
and ecosystems;
(ii) gaps in data; and
(iii) research needs; and
(C) that leverage existing platforms, where
possible.
SEC. 12405. STRATEGIC RESEARCH PLAN.
(a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, and not later than every 5 years
following the publication of each subsequent strategic research
plan until 2035, the Subcommittee shall develop a strategic
plan for Federal research and monitoring on ocean acidification
and coastal acidification that will provide for an assessment
of the impacts of ocean acidification and coastal acidification
on marine organisms and ecosystems and the development of
adaptation and mitigation strategies to address the
socioeconomic impacts of ocean acidification and coastal
acidification and coastal acidification and coastal
acidification and to conserve marine organisms and ecosystems.
In developing the plan, the Subcommittee shall consider and use
information, reports, and studies of ocean acidification and
coastal acidification that have identified research and
monitoring needed to better understand ocean acidification and
coastal acidification and its potential impacts, and
recommendations made by the Advisory Board established in
section 12404(c).
(b) Contents of the Plan.--The plan shall--
(1) provide for interdisciplinary research among the
ocean sciences and social sciences, and coordinated
research and activities to improve the understanding of
ocean chemistry that will affect marine ecosystems;
(2) establish, for the 10-year period beginning in
the year the plan is submitted, the goals and
priorities for Federal research and monitoring which
will--
(A) advance understanding of ocean
acidification and its physical, chemical, and
biological impacts on marine organisms and
marine ecosystems;
(B) assess the short-term and long-term
socioeconomic impacts of ocean acidification;
(C) provide information for the development
of adaptation and mitigation strategies to
address--
(i) socioeconomic impacts of ocean
acidification and coastal
acidification;
(ii) conservation of marine organisms
and ecosystems;
(iii) assessment of the effectiveness
of such adaptation and mitigation
strategies; and
(D) improve research on--
(i) ocean acidification and coastal
acidification;
(ii) the interactions between and
effects of ocean and coastal
acidification and multiple combined
stressors including changes in water
chemistry, changes in sediment
delivery, hypoxia, and harmful algal
blooms, on ocean acidification and
coastal acidification; and
(iii) the effect or effects of
clauses (i) and (ii) on marine
resources and ecosystems;
(3) describe specific activities, including--
(A) efforts to determine user needs;
(B) research activities;
(C) monitoring activities;
(D) technology and methods development;
(E) data collection;
(F) data management;
(G) modeling activities;
(H) assessment of ocean acidification
impacts;
(I) participation in international research
efforts;
(J) assessment of adaptation and mitigation
strategies; and
(K) education and outreach activities;
(4) identify relevant programs and activities of the
Federal agencies that contribute to the interagency
program directly and indirectly and ensure an
appropriate balance of contribution in establishing the
role of each Federal agency in implementing the plan;
(5) consider and utilize, as appropriate, the best
available peer-reviewed scientific reports and studies
conducted by Federal agencies, the National Research
Council, or other entities;
(6) make recommendations for the coordination of the
ocean acidification and coastal acidification research
and monitoring activities within the United States with
such activities of other nations and international
organizations;
(7) outline budget requirements for Federal ocean
acidification research and monitoring and assessment
activities to be conducted by each agency under the
plan;
(8) identify the monitoring systems and sampling
programs currently employed in collecting data relevant
to ocean acidification and coastal acidification and
prioritize additional monitoring systems that may be
needed to ensure adequate data collection and
monitoring of ocean acidification and coastal
acidification and their impacts;
(9) describe specific activities designed to
facilitate outreach and data and information exchange
with stakeholder communities;
(10) make recommendations for research to be
conducted, including in the social sciences and
economics, to address the key knowledge gaps identified
in the Ocean Chemistry Coastal Community Vulnerability
Assessment conducted under [section 12404(c)(4)]
section 12404(e)(4);
(11) describe monitoring needs necessary to support
[potentially affected industry members, coastal
stakeholders, fishery management councils and
commissions, Tribal governments, non-Federal resource
managers, and scientific experts] affected industry
members, coastal stakeholders, community acidification
networks, fishery management councils and commissions,
indigenous knowledge groups, non-Federal resource
managers, and scientific experts not employed by the
Federal Government on decision-making and adaptation
related to ocean acidification and coastal
acidification; and
(12) describe the extent to which the Subcommittee
incorporated feedback from the Advisory Board
established in section 12404(c).
(c) Program Elements.--The plan shall include at a minimum
the following program elements:
(1) Monitoring of ocean chemistry and biological
impacts associated with ocean acidification at selected
coastal and open-ocean monitoring stations, including
satellite-based monitoring to characterize--
(A) marine ecosystems;
(B) changes in marine productivity; and
(C) changes in ocean chemistry.
(2) Research to understand the species specific
physiological responses of marine organisms to ocean
acidification and coastal acidification, impacts on
marine food webs of ocean acidification and coastal
acidification, and to develop environmental and
ecological indices that track marine ecosystem
responses to ocean acidification and coastal
acidification.
(3) Modeling to predict changes in the ocean carbon
cycle as a function of carbon dioxide and atmosphere-
induced changes in temperature, ocean circulation,
biogeochemistry, ecosystem and terrestrial inputs,
modeling to determine impacts on marine ecosystems,
marine food webs, and individual marine organisms, and
modeling that supports fisheries management.
(4) Technology development and standardization of
carbonate chemistry measurements on moorings and
autonomous floats.
(5) Assessment of socioeconomic impacts of ocean
acidification and coastal acidification and development
of adaptation and mitigation strategies to conserve
marine organisms and marine ecosystems.
(6) Research to understand the combined impact of
changes in ocean chemistry and other stressors,
including sediment delivery, hypoxia, and harmful algal
blooms, on each other and on living marine resources,
including aquaculture and coastal ecosystems.
(7) Applied research to identify adaptation
strategies for species impacted by changes in ocean
chemistry including vegetation-based systems, shell
recycling, species and genetic diversity, applied
technologies, aquaculture methodologies, and management
recommendations.
(8) Research to understand related and cumulative
stressors and other biogeochemical processes occurring
in conjunction with ocean acidification and coastal
acidification.
(d) Publication.--Concurrent with the submission of the plan
to Congress, the Subcommittee shall publish the plan on a
public website.
SEC. 12406. NOAA OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ACTIVITIES.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish and maintain
an ocean acidification program within the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration to conduct research, monitoring,
coordination, and other activities consistent with the
strategic research and implementation plan developed by the
Subcommittee under section 12405 that--
(1) includes--
(A) interdisciplinary research among the
ocean and atmospheric sciences, and coordinated
research and activities to improve
understanding of ocean acidification and
coastal acidification;
(B) the establishment of a long-term
monitoring program of ocean acidification and
coastal acidification utilizing existing global
and national ocean observing assets, including
leveraging, as appropriate, the Integrated
Ocean Observing System and the ocean observing
assets of other Federal, State, and Tribal
agencies, and adding instrumentation and
sampling stations as appropriate to the aims of
the research program;
(C) prioritization of the location of
monitoring instruments, assets, and projects to
[maximize] take into consideration the
efficiency of resources and agency and
department missions;
(D) an optimization of understanding of
socioeconomic impacts and ecosystem health;
(E) research to identify and develop
adaptation and mitigation strategies and
techniques for effectively conserving marine
ecosystems as they cope with increased ocean
acidification and coastal acidification;
(F) technical assistance to socioeconomically
vulnerable States, local governments, [Tribal
governments] Indian Tribes, communities, and
industries impacted by ocean and coastal
acidification to support their development of
ocean and coastal acidification mitigation
strategies;
(G) as an integral part of the research
programs described in this subtitle,
educational opportunities that encourage an
interdisciplinary and international approach to
exploring the impacts of ocean acidification
and coastal acidification;
(H) as an integral part of the research
programs described in this subtitle, national
public outreach activities to improve the
understanding of current scientific knowledge
of ocean acidification and coastal
acidification and their respective impacts on
marine resources;
(I) coordination of ocean acidification and
coastal acidificationresearch, monitoring, and
adaptation and mitigation strategies with other
appropriate international ocean science bodies
such as the International Oceanographic
Commission, the International Council for the
Exploration of the Sea, the North Pacific
Marine Science Organization, and others;
(J) research to improve understanding of--
(i) the impact of ocean acidification
and coastal acidification; and
(ii) how multiple environmental
stressors may contribute to and
exacerbate ocean and coastal
acidification on living marine
resources and coastal ecosystems; and
(K) research to support the development of
adaptation and mitigation strategies to address
the socioeconomic impacts of ocean and coastal
acidification on coastal communities;
(2) provides grants for critical research, education,
and outreach projects that explore and communicate the
effects of ocean acidification and coastal
acidification on ecosystems and the socioeconomic
impacts of increased ocean acidification and coastal
acidification that are relevant to the goals and
priorities of the strategic research plan;
(3) incorporates a competitive merit-based process
for awarding grants that may be conducted jointly with
other participating agencies or under the National
Oceanographic Partnership Program under section 8931 of
title 10, United States Code; and
(4) includes an ongoing mechanism that allows
[industry members, coastal stakeholders, fishery
management councils and commissions, non-Federal
resource managers, community acidification networks,
indigenous knowledge groups, and scientific experts]
affected industry members, coastal stakeholders,
community acidification networks, fishery management
councils and commissions, indigenous knowledge groups,
non-Federal resource managers, and scientific experts
not employed by the Federal Government to provide input
on monitoring needs that are necessary to support on
the ground management, decision making, and adaptation
related to ocean acidification and its impacts.
(b) Additional Authority.--In conducting the Program, the
Secretary may enter into and perform such contracts, leases,
grants, or cooperative agreements as may be necessary to carry
out the purposes of this subtitle on such terms as the
Secretary considers appropriate.
(c) Relationship to Interagency Working Group.--The National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall serve as the lead
Federal agency responsible for coordinating the Federal
response to ocean and coastal acidification. The Administration
may enter into Memoranda of Understanding to--
(1) coordinate monitoring and research efforts among
Federal agencies in cooperation with [State, local, and
Tribal governments] State and local governments, Indian
Tribes, and international partners; this may include
analysis and synthesis of the results of monitoring and
research;
(2) maintain an Ocean Acidification Information
Exchange described under section 12404(b)(5) to allow
for information to be electronically accessible,
including information--
(A) on ocean acidification developed through
or used by the ocean acidification program
described under subsection (a)[; or];
(B) on ocean acidification and coastal
acidification research, data, and monitoring
from affected industry members, coastal
stakeholders, community acidification networks,
fishery management councils and commissions,
indigenous knowledge groups, non-Federal
resource managers, and scientific experts not
employed by the Federal Government; or
[(B)] (C) that would be useful to [State
governments, local governments, Tribal
governments] State and local governments,
Indian Tribes, resource managers, policymakers,
researchers, and other stakeholders in
mitigating or adapting to the impacts of ocean
acidification and coastal acidification; and
(3) establishing and maintaining the data archive
system under subsection (d).
(d) Data Archive System.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination with
the members of the interagency working group, shall
support the long-term stewardship of, and access to,
data relating to ocean and coastal acidification
through providing the data on a publicly accessible
data archive system. To the extent possible, this data
archive system shall collect and provide access to
ocean and coastal acidification data--
(A) from relevant federally funded research;
(B) provided by a Federal, State, or local
government, academic scientist, citizen
scientist, or industry organization;
(C) voluntarily submitted by [Tribes or
Tribal governments] Indian Tribes, Tribal
organizations, and Tribal consortia; and
(D) from existing global or national data
assets that are currently maintained within
Federal agencies.
(2) Data standards.--[The Secretary to,] The
Secretary, to the extent possible, shall ensure all
such data adheres to data and metadata standards to
support the public findability, accessibility,
interoperability, and reusability of such data.
(e) Better Collaboration on Vulnerability Assessments,
Research Planning, and Similar Activities.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out the program under
subsection (a), and in support of vulnerability
assessments transmitted under section 12404(e)(4) and
recommendations included in the strategic research plan
described in section 12405(b)(10), the Secretary shall
build upon existing activities and collaborate with
State and local governments and Indian Tribes that are
conducting or have completed vulnerability assessments,
research planning, climate action plans, or other
similar activities related to ocean acidification and
coastal acidification and the impacts of ocean
acidification and coastal acidification on coastal
communities, for the purpose of--
(A) supporting collaborative interagency
relationships and information sharing at the
State, local, and Tribal levels; and
(B) assisting State and local governments and
Indian Tribes in--
(i) improving existing systems and
programs to better address ocean
acidification and coastal
acidification; and
(ii) identifying whether such
activities can be used as a model for
other communities.
(2) Priority.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall prioritize underserved populations and
entities in the use of resources of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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