[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 46 (Monday, November 20, 2000)]
[Pages 2866-2867]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the National Marine Sanctuaries Amendments Act of 
2000

November 13, 2000

    Today I am pleased to sign into law S. 1482, the ``National Marine 
Sanctuaries Amendments Act of 2000,'' which reauthorizes the National 
Marine Sanctuaries Act for 5 years.
    The National Marine Sanctuaries Act (NMSA) authorizes the 
establishment of a unique system of marine protected areas dedicated to 
the conservation of special areas of the marine environment for the 
appreciation and enjoyment of present and future generations. The 
National Marine Sanctuary Program currently comprises 13 sanctuaries 
around the country, including sites in American Samoa and Hawaii. In the 
quarter century since its inception, the NMSA has provided a powerful 
mandate for marine resource protection, resulting in the permanent 
conservation of many invaluable habitats. Drawing upon this experience, 
S. 1482 refines the NMSA in substantive ways to reflect the growth and 
evolution of the Program.
    The National Marine Sanctuary Program is a key part of my 
Administration's ocean policy. In particular, this long-standing program 
will be an integral part of the national system of marine protected 
areas, which I recently directed Federal agencies to establish. In 
addition, sanctuaries are essential to achieving the goals of the Coral 
Reef Task Force of protecting important coral areas and will be a focus 
of the Ocean Exploration initiative, which I recently announced, to 
better understand the unexplored ocean areas.
    This legislation establishes the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship 
Program, which will support graduate students in oceanography, marine 
biology, and maritime archaeology. Much of the success of the National 
Marine Sanctuary Program is attributable to Dr. Foster's advocacy of the 
program and her tenure as the head of the program in its early years, 
and I am pleased that these scholarships will honor such a fine leader 
in ocean and coastal management. Throughout her career, Dr. Foster 
demonstrated a commitment to mentoring and supporting women and 
minorities in the marine sciences. She will be greatly missed.
    I congratulate the congressional supporters of this Act. I am 
pleased by the increased interest in our oceans and coastal resources 
and the recognition of the value of the continued protection and 
management of these areas. S. 1482 will be instrumental in

[[Page 2867]]

helping to ensure our ocean legacy for future generations.
                                            William J. Clinton
 The White House,
 November 13, 2000.

Note: At the time of publication, S. 1482, approved November 13, had not 
been received by the Office of the Federal Register in time for 
assignment of a public law number.