110 HR 21 IH: Oceans Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2007-01-04
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the Oceans Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act
.
(b)The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Purpose.
Sec. 4. Definitions.
Title I—Establishment of a National Oceans Policy
Sec. 101. National oceans policy.
Title II—NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION ORGANIC ACT
Sec. 201. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Sec. 202. Administration leadership.
Sec. 203. National Weather Service.
Sec. 204. Resource management.
Sec. 205. Operations and services.
Sec. 206. Research and technology development.
Sec. 207. Education and outreach.
Sec. 208. Science Advisory Board.
Sec. 209. Reports.
Sec. 210. Public-private partnerships.
Sec. 211. Reorganization plan.
Sec. 212. Facility evaluation process.
Sec. 213. Administration budget.
Sec. 214. Baselines and cost controls.
Sec. 215. Offshore performance of contracts for the procurement of goods and services.
Title III—NATIONAL OCEAN LEADERSHIP AND COORDINATION
Sec. 301. National Oceans Advisor.
Sec. 302. Committee on Ocean Policy.
Sec. 303. Establishing a coordinated management regime for activities in Federal waters.
Sec. 304. Council of Advisors on Oceans Policy.
Title IV—REGIONAL COORDINATION AND ECOSYSTEM PLANNING
Sec. 401. Findings.
Sec. 402. Regional Ocean Partnerships.
Sec. 403. Regional Ocean Strategic Plans.
Sec. 404. National Academy of Sciences study of regional oceans governance.
Sec. 405. Ocean ecosystem resource information systems.
Sec. 406. Regulations.
Sec. 407. Other authority.
Sec. 408. Authorization of appropriations.
Title V—OCEAN AND GREAT LAKES CONSERVATION TRUST FUND
Sec. 501. Establishment of fund.
Sec. 502. Limitation on use of available amounts for administration.
Sec. 503. Recordkeeping requirements.
Sec. 504. Maintenance of effort and matching funding.
Sec. 505. Community assistance formula and payments.
Sec. 506. Approval of State funding and spending plans.
Sec. 507. Special postage stamp.
Title VI—ADMINISTRATION FUNDING
Sec. 601. Authorization of appropriations.
2.The Congress finds the following:
(1)United States ocean waters and the ocean resources they contain are vital for the national security, environment, economy, and culture of the United States.
(2)The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is the lead ocean agency in the United States, performing critical services and activities for the nation and its citizens.
(3)Recent reports by the United States Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission call for, among other things—
(A)a more comprehensive and integrated ecosystem-based management approach to address current and future ocean and coastal challenges;
(B)coordination and increased efficiency of ocean governance;
(C)a strengthened National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to enhance its ability to fulfill its core missions; and
(D)the need for a dedicated source of funds for improved management and understanding of ocean and coastal resources.
(4)Consistent with customary international law, the United States exercises sovereign rights over ocean resources within United States ocean waters.
(5)These ocean resources are the property of the people of the United States, are held in trust for them by Federal, State, local, and tribal governments, and should be managed to preserve the full range of their benefits for present and future generations.
(6)Knowledge of the world’s oceans is critically important to the operations of the United States Armed Forces, particularly the Navy and Coast Guard operations, and therefore to the national security of the United States.
(7)Marine, terrestrial, and atmospheric systems are interdependent, requiring that policy, information transfer, and the management of human activities be coordinated across systems.
(8)Healthy and productive coastal and marine ecosystems are the keys to securing the full range of benefits from ocean resources, including important economic uses such as productive fisheries, for the people of the United States.
(9)A variety of threats and practices have caused dramatic declines in the health and productivity of coastal and marine ecosystems of the United States. Among the major threats to marine ecosystem health are—
(A)global climate change;
(B)chemical, nutrient, and biological pollution;
(C)unwise land use and coastal development;
(D)habitat damage;
(E)overfishing;
(F)bycatch; and
(G)invasive species.
(10)These threats are exacerbated by the legal and geographic fragmentation of authority over ocean space and ocean resources.
(11)Activities harming coastal and marine ecosystems jeopardize the economies and social structure of coastal communities dependent on these resources.
(12)Healthy marine ecosystems provide more goods and services, such as seafood and tourism opportunities, than degraded marine ecosystems.
(13)While there is a plethora of laws, government agencies, and programs dealing with coastal resources and ocean resources, activities thereunder are poorly coordinated and do not constitute a unified and comprehensive public policy toward the ocean waters and resources.
(14)To better enable the various levels of government with authority over coastal and ocean waters, habitats, and resources, and ocean resources to fulfill their public trust responsibilities, a unified national oceans policy is needed to govern the range of human activities affecting the health and productivity of marine ecosystems.
3.The purpose of this Act is to secure, for present and future generations of people of the United States, the full range of ecological, economic, educational, social, cultural, nutritional, and recreational benefits of healthy marine ecosystems, by—
(1)establishing a comprehensive national oceans policy regarding all covered actions that may significantly affect United States ocean waters and ocean resources;
(2)requiring covered actions to be consistent with the policies and standards of this Act;
(3)setting clear standards against which compliance with the national oceans policy can be measured;
(4)providing standards through which compliance with this Act can be assured;
(5)promoting ecologically sustainable ocean resource use and management by strengthening and empowering ocean governance on regional and Federal levels;
(6)promoting ecosystem-based approaches to management of ocean waters and resources;
(7)enhancing responsible ocean stewardship through education, information collection, and citizen involvement; and
(8)establishing a ocean and great lakes conservation trust fund to support the purposes and policies of this Act.
4.In this Act:
(1)United States ocean waters or oceansThe term United States ocean waters
or oceans
means the zone extending from the baseline from which the breadth of the United States territorial sea is measured to the extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone as specified in Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983, including the territorial waters of the Great Lakes and the waters of the continental shelf to which the United States is granted sovereign rights under international law.
(2)The term coastal waters
means the waters within the coastal zone as defined in section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1453), which includes such waters as bays and estuaries.
(3)Ocean resources or coastal resourcesThe term ocean resources
or coastal resources
means any living, nonliving, or cultural amenity in United States ocean waters or coastal waters.
(4)The term covered action
means any activity affecting United States ocean or coastal waters or resources, that is authorized (including the issuance of a Federal license or permit), carried out, or funded by a Federal agency.
(5)The term Administration
means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provided for in section 201.
(6)The term Administrator
means the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(7)The term Advisor
means the National Oceans Advisor appointed under section 301.
(8)The term function
, when used in reference to a function of a government agency or official, includes authorities, powers, rights, privileges, immunities, programs, projects, activities, duties, and responsibilities.
(9)The term biological diversity
means a collection of genomes, species, and ecosystems occurring in a geographically defined region.
(10)The term ecologically sustainable
means capable of maintaining biological diversity and ecosystem structure and functioning from one human generation to the next, so as not to deny future generations the goods and services that healthy marine ecosystems provide.
(11)The term marine
includes of or relating to United States ocean and coastal waters.
(12)Marine ecosystem health and health of marine ecosystemsEach of the terms marine ecosystem health
and health of marine ecosystems
means the ability of a marine ecosystem to support and maintain a productive and resilient community of organisms, having a species composition, diversity, and functional organization resulting from the natural habitat of the region, such that it provides a complete range of ecological benefits, including—
(A)a complete diversity of native species and habitats wherein each native species is able to maintain an abundance, population structure, and distribution supporting its ecological and evolutionary functions and processes; and
(B)a physical, chemical, geological, and microbial environment that is supportive of the requirements of this paragraph.
(13)The term healthy marine ecosystem
means a marine ecosystem with the ability to support and maintain a productive and resilient community of organisms, having a species composition, diversity, and functional organization resulting from the natural habitat of the region, such that it provides a complete range of ecological benefits, including—
(A)a complete diversity of native species and habitats wherein each native species is able to maintain an abundance, population structure, and distribution supporting its ecological and evolutionary functions and processes; and
(B)a physical, chemical, geological, and microbial environment that is supportive of the requirements of this paragraph.
(14)Ecosystem-based managementThe term ecosystem-based management
means an integrated approach to management that—
(A)considers the entire ecosystem, including humans;
(B)has as its goal the maintenance of ecosystems in a healthy, productive, and resilient condition so that they can provide the services humans want and need;
(C)accounts for the interactions among species, activities, and sectors of management;
(D)considers the cumulative impacts of different sectors;
(E)emphasizes the protection of ecosystem structure, functioning, and key processes;
(F)is place-based in focusing on a specific ecosystem and the range of activities affecting it;
(G)explicitly accounts for the interconnectedness within systems, recognizing the importance of interactions between many target species or key services and other non-target species;
(H)acknowledges interconnectedness among systems, such as between air, land, and sea; and
(I)integrates ecological, social, economic, and institutional perspectives, recognizing their strong interdependences.
(15)Important ecological areaThe term Important Ecological Area
means an area that contributes significantly to the health of the local or larger marine ecosystem, such as areas that are critical habitats because they are breeding, feeding, spawning or nursery grounds for one or more species and/or are especially unique or sensitive marine ecosystems.
(16)The term Federal agency
means any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States.
(17)Regional ocean partnershipsThe term Regional Ocean Partnerships
means such a council established by the Administrator under section 402.
(18)The term ocean region
means such a region designated under section 402(b).
(19)The term coastal State
—
(A)means a State of the United States in, or bordering on, the Atlantic, Pacific, or Arctic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, Long Island Sound, or one or more of the Great Lakes; and
(B)includes Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, and American Samoa.
(20)Coastal political subdivisionThe term coastal political subdivision
means a political subdivision of a coastal State all or part of which political subdivision is within the coastal zone (as defined in section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1453)).
(21)Coastal population densityThe term coastal population density
means the population as determined by the most recent census data in the State’s coastal zone as determined pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.).
(22)The term ocean stewardship
means the careful and responsible management of coastal and ocean resources by current generations such that it ensures future generations can obtain the full range of benefits from those resources.
(23)The term precautionary approach
means the approach used to ensure the health and sustainability of marine ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations, in which lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a justification for postponing action to prevent environmental degradation.
<enum>I</enum><header>Establishment of a National Oceans Policy</header>
<section id="HD1249BAFCF184E1B9B46A396ABB614E7"><enum>101.</enum><header>National oceans policy</header>
<subsection id="H58463D0DF6F9413E89E0858584232F11"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Policy</header><text>It is the continuing policy of the United States to protect, maintain, and restore the health of marine ecosystems in order to fulfill the ecological, economic, educational, social, cultural, nutritional, recreational and other requirements of current and future generations of Americans.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H568ED53358264FA1BBD1BE6541B0DD8E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>National standards</header>
<paragraph id="H6F6AA4D2DB2C4769B6CC679DD000821E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>To the fullest extent possible, the policies, regulations, and Public Laws of the United States shall be interpreted and administered by any Federal agency in accordance with the policy in subsection (a) for any covered actions.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6B46C23FF5984ADBA8B57100ABFE8B46"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Covered actions</header>
<subparagraph id="H7FA7AE04D902470385A430545F1876C9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Covered actions affecting United States ocean waters or ocean resources must be conducted in a manner that is consistent with the protection, maintenance, and restoration of healthy ecosystems.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1EA78174D47F43E49EB8008F8D808B31"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Any covered action that may significantly affect United States ocean waters or ocean resources may proceed only if the covered action, individually and in combination with other covered actions—</text>
<clause id="H528C30FE3B5545FDAE4674A2198DDB38"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is not likely to significantly harm the health of any marine ecosystem; and</text> </clause>
<clause id="H19A47CB434474245B7DC000017F550AE"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>is not likely to significantly impede the restoration of the health of any marine ecosystem.</text> </clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB9FD341D628F4B8985568E50FFB51D2"><enum>(C)</enum><text>In the case of incomplete or inconclusive information as to the effects of a covered action on United States ocean waters or ocean resources, decisions shall be made using the precautionary approach to ensure protection, maintenance, and restoration of healthy marine ecosystems.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8941A90AD7B749F7B5A8B5BC1DD1B7B1"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Adverse social and economic impacts on communities that are significantly resource dependent shall be minimized to the extent practicable, while remaining consistent with other provisions of this Act that include the other national standards under this subsection. Consideration of impacts on resource dependent communities shall include, but not be limited to, cumulative impacts.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HAEFB893C0357477384B00590CCFC3DCC"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>Within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the Committee on Ocean Policy, shall issue such regulations as are necessary to implement this section of the Act.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H14942FB4FBE64EF9A9D308C6AADBD128"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Implementation</header><text>Each Federal agency that undertakes, authorizes, or funds a covered action shall ensure, in consultation with and with the assistance of the Administrator, that any covered action by such agency complies with the policy and national standards in subsection (a) and (b) of this section, in accordance with the following schedule:</text>
<paragraph id="H2442A50D471E48F4937E8F30644099F2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Not less than 180 days prior to taking final agency action on a covered action, the head of each Federal agency shall certify whether the action complies with the policy and national standards, and submit the certification to the Administrator for review.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA9830BD37E264B92A71DE273DE14318B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Not later than 90 days after receipt of the agency’s certification under subparagraph (a), the administrator shall determine whether he concurs with the agency’s finding and provide the head of such agency a written analysis documenting the basis for the administrator’s determination. this analysis shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="H1B4FE1AD9C194ABDA9CC13006FA24708"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a summary of the information on which the Administrator’s determination is based;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H98BABD4F53A84952827819A007F18BA2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a detailed assessment of the effects the covered action has on marine ecosystem health; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBA3428CFE7F949E0A85C01FCED61765"><enum>(C)</enum><text>recommendations to remedy any identified deficiencies.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HC9052241C28F4FA89D1100598304D8E7"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Savings clause</header><text>Nothing in this Act shall be construed to supersede or diminish the authority and responsibility, under any other provision of law, of any Federal agency or State, or any political subdivision thereof, to establish or implement more stringent requirements to conserve ocean resources.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H3E483722D71742A2A9BB54F25EE4D79D"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Judicial review</header><text>Regulations promulgated by the Administrator and determinations on covered actions, under this section of the Act, shall be subject to judicial review to the extent authorized by, and in accordance with, <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/7">chapter 7</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text> </subsection></section>
<enum>II</enum><header>NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION ORGANIC ACT</header>
<section id="H82C3A4DC764F45C0A23DB95BA0ED9026"><enum>201.</enum><header>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</header>
<subsection id="H4FBA97A02274441DB43BA2EF11793ECA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In General</header><text>There shall be an agency known as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 shall have no further force or effect.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H66E6A64AC0EF4926A336977F49FA6D2E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Mission</header><text>The mission of the administration is to—</text>
<paragraph id="H825B869D8775450897DE68AB2DA12719"><enum>(1)</enum><text>act as the nonmilitary Federal agency with responsibility for providing oversight of all United States coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes waters and resources;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD177B1D4B09445858D6357528D20C7A1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>understand the systems of the Earth’s oceans and atmosphere and predict changes in the Earth’s oceans and atmosphere and the effects of such changes on the land environment;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBFCF2071D4134E3987C101BF51FBEABB"><enum>(3)</enum><text>conserve and manage coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes resources and ecosystems to meet national economic, social, and environmental needs, and promote the ecologically sustainable use of these resources so such future needs of the nation can be met;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBD9FBF29ADB4433CA586603C048EF5FF"><enum>(4)</enum><text>protect, maintain, and restore the health of coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes ecosystems; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBF21C50C7923478399FE6E1643833300"><enum>(5)</enum><text>educate the public about these topics.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8BB5790416BE4B3A97E6978C00613EC1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The functions of the Administration, through which it shall carry out the policy and standards set forth in section 101, shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="H6A24D174F0014B4681AF44D2B9408DA1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>conducting and supporting basic and applied research, development, and technology transfer as may be necessary to carry out the mission described in subsection (b);</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBB12428C3F4043499D19E8F9889F7019"><enum>(2)</enum><text>protecting, restoring, and maintaining the health and sustainability of the coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes through ecosystem-based research, development, demonstration, and management;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H62F1E237771A4B71973600C608305F6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>collecting, through observation and other means, communicating, analyzing, processing, and disseminating comprehensive scientific data and information about weather and climate, solar and geophysical events on the Sun and in the space environment, and about the coasts, oceans, Great Lakes, upper reaches of estuaries, and hydrologic systems;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD0E4841340134B51BA2D5313D0CADBF"><enum>(4)</enum><text>operating and maintaining a system for the storage, retrieval, and dissemination of data relating to weather and climate, solar and geophysical events on the Sun and in the space environment, and about the coasts, oceans, Great Lakes, upper reaches of estuaries, and hydrologic systems;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE592E5863B8E4FA5BF8072AD4E2F769D"><enum>(5)</enum><text>using observational data and technologies developed by other Federal agencies to improve the Administration’s operations;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H731BDDA724DD4AE78BA1C3D246B2052"><enum>(6)</enum><text>coordinating efforts of Federal agencies with respect to meteorological and oceanic services, and acting as a focal point regarding oceans research and management;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5A5AB8DC7AB149A3971CE4ACA2B8CAF"><enum>(7)</enum><text>using the best available technology to explore and map the coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes waters of the United States, and work collaboratively with other countries to use the best available technology to explore and map their coastal and ocean waters and other significant water bodies, in order to better understand ocean dynamics;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA2922BF3EC35429DBDB3B5DBC94F06B5"><enum>(8)</enum><text>issuing weather, water, climate, space weather, tsunami, and other forecasts and warnings related to Earth’s oceans and atmosphere as to enhance society’s preparedness for responding to such weather-related conditions;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2DB18C65571743F69C32698C0341AA8B"><enum>(9)</enum><text>working with other Federal agencies, State, tribal, and local governments, and the public to improve regional coordination and integration and promote ecosystem-based management of coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD66DEB43FDA54193AD0812C7CA9500A8"><enum>(10)</enum><text>understanding the science of Earth’s climate and the impact of related systems on climate variability and change, and undertaking research and development to enhance society’s ability to plan for and respond to climate variability and change;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBF4845A68DF54CE9A349A22D207D20D"><enum>(11)</enum><text>administering public outreach and education programs and services to increase scientific and environmental literacy about—</text>
<subparagraph id="H7F4B471565DC4A189F3B5958D133F4A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>coasts, oceans, Great Lakes, upper reaches of estuaries, and hydrologic systems;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9B78F2F773994AFB8E770247D5E7E83D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>weather and climate;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H612B1EFF320D44F8BA182662EEDE1F8C"><enum>(C)</enum><text>solar and geophysical events on the Sun and in the space environment; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE0AA208CEFCF4E26877BF0A700F4D2E4"><enum>(D)</enum><text>direct and indirect human impacts on the systems of Earth’s oceans, atmosphere, and related systems;</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8195AD8AF52F44BE8442606CB9B3EB1C"><enum>(12)</enum><text>providing, as appropriate and in cooperation with the Secretary of State, representation at all international meetings and conferences relating to the mission of the Administration, including meteorological, climate, and Earth and ocean observing issues;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8BE718663E614DC0A72CBA6C28D9448F"><enum>(13)</enum><text>any other function assigned to the Administration by law; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H933C417D3A504BC8B6F8CF456C08622"><enum>(14)</enum><text>such other functions as are necessary to accomplish the mission described in subsection (b).</text> </paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H22C0A155BDA341FEB18606948E300000"><enum>202.</enum><header>Administration leadership</header>
<subsection id="H980AC944E767483484FCB7132FEA1B9F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator</header>
<paragraph id="H0C9352021FC34BF5B0EB967553EB98B8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There shall be, as the Administrator of the Administration, an Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. The Administrator shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The term of office of any individual appointed after the date of enactment of this Act to serve as Administrator shall be 6 years, with eligibility for reappointment.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1F0AA60F4BA74D1E9E8E88D77CC6B821"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The Administrator, as head of the Administration, shall be responsible for—</text>
<subparagraph id="H6081AC0D983D4439AE8D2D7695E48044"><enum>(A)</enum><text>ensuring that the functions of the Administration under section 201(c) are fulfilled;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF80E12B3854F4F948011E4CFF7848C73"><enum>(B)</enum><text>general management and supervision of the operations of the Administration;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H35E4A54485664383A69C120700AA945D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>policy development and guidance;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0FE5ED35CEA549CFB39217D99BDA5500"><enum>(D)</enum><text>formulation, guidance, and execution of budget for the Administration, including submission of annual budget requests to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC2C29F67401447839D9E19E3BEAC472D"><enum>(E)</enum><text>serving as the Department of Commerce official for all ocean and atmosphere issues with other elements of the Department of Commerce and with other Federal agencies, State, tribal, and local governments, and the public; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H046D397DB9DE47FBA145514BD816B70"><enum>(F)</enum><text>such other duties with respect to the Administration as the Secretary may prescribe.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H90A680D24ED94B50A993F700C6BFFDED"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Delegation of authority</header><text>The Administrator may, except as otherwise prohibited by law—</text>
<subparagraph id="H20C77159B4704C3DA9FCAFC3F265F2AB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>delegate any functions, powers, or duties of the Administrator to such officers and employees of the Administration as the Administrator may designate; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H34FAAB5D94894A6892D76368B05BB1D5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>authorize such successive redelegations of such functions, powers, or duties within the Administration as the Administrator considers necessary or appropriate.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD42487CFB38A4C419EE0386571D83DCA"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Pay</header><text>The Administrator shall be paid at the rate of basic pay for level III of the Executive Schedule under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/5314">section 5314</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0826C94EC8024DFFBF3688D812F218F"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Authorities</header>
<subparagraph id="H79EC1C6D4C7C464A8267AB59A7FE95FA"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>As may be necessary or proper to carry out the Administration’s functions under this Act or as otherwise provided by law, the Administrator may—</text>
<clause id="H01EBB367E848493384EE252962C1069"><enum>(i)</enum><text>promulgate rules and regulations;</text> </clause>
<clause id="H698FADDEE7374D6895605E523B1638B5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>hire personnel, including the selection, appointment, distribution, supervision, compensation, and separation of personnel;</text> </clause>
<clause id="H63676289AC1444CFAD26B0157EEC9582"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>enter into and perform contracts, leases, grants, and cooperative agreements with Federal agencies, State and local governments, regional and interstate agencies, Indian tribes, international organizations, foreign governments, educational institutions, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, and commercial organizations;</text> </clause>
<clause id="H2248BDD9961D4B1B95F11C6CF1BDDCC"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>use, with their consent, and with or without reimbursement, the services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of other departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Federal Government;</text> </clause>
<clause id="HB131472986804AA7846E284FFAB2E358"><enum>(v)</enum><text>conduct education and outreach in direct support of the mission described in section 201(b);</text> </clause>
<clause id="H85F4DBA6A96640C9B95039BF8ED6CB7"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>take reasonable steps to ensure that information systems and databases of the Administration are compatible with each other and with appropriate databases of other agencies;</text> </clause>
<clause id="HBCC3BAB927194693ABF719A480094205"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>procure services of experts and consultants in accordance with <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/3109">section 3109</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code; and</text> </clause>
<clause id="HAEFB178BF306495AB732469B52356E7D"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>prescribe external affairs, including legal, legislative, and public affairs.</text> </clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H618BA50C0E8C42B08030DF58DA4C3591"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>The authorities conferred on the Administrator by this paragraph do not include the authority to contract for services that are an inherently governmental function as defined in section 5 of the Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act of 1998 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/31/501">31 U.S.C. 501</external-xref> note).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H021DCEDC84A14D2BAFB8041436829B8C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy Administrator</header>
<paragraph id="H101D0F948F2845229E31A1B5E7129042"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There shall be, as Deputy Administrator of the Administration, an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. The Deputy Administrator shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Deputy Administrator shall be the Administrator’s first assistant for purposes of subchapter III of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/33">chapter 33</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1874795D542743489EB467AFF03BCE04"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The deputy administrator shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="HE34DF68F290745ECBF067BB7B3BD45C7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>serve as an advisor to the Administrator on all program and policy issues;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3506444664B141139ED1185CF21FC2D4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>perform such functions and exercise such powers as the Administrator may prescribe; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7CB913F2C3534912B4CBBA70C95109AD"><enum>(C)</enum><text>act as Administrator during the absence or disability of the Administrator or in the event of a vacancy in the office of Administrator.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD6D826C2F7FE49C185B95C7F2539937"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Pay</header><text>The Assistant Secretary shall be paid at the rate of basic pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H327F1DBE69C9438AB9678C797B1C007E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere and Chief Operating Officer</header>
<paragraph id="H1C6346CAF768446AB4AE90C1FA05DFE0"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There shall, be as the Chief Operating Officer of the Administration, a Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. The Deputy Under Secretary shall be appointed by the Secretary. The position of Deputy Under Secretary shall be a Senior Executive Service position authorized under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/3133">section 3133</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF56602B33D524318A47941E6F3ECFCD6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The Deputy Under Secretary shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="HA42CF96A105E4D2184B12C35E300A7D3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>ensure the timely and effective implementation of Administration policies and objectives;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9E8A94AEE9BF4D10B5B22D48FDCE98C7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>be responsible for all aspects of the Administration’s operations and management, including budget, financial operations, information services, facilities, human resources, procurements, and associated services;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD0FC07D83CD3460C8D5BA3A872D8D1B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>act as Assistant Secretary during the absence or disability of the Assistant Secretary or in the event of a vacancy in such position; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBF0AD74BEE3C4143A05F5C01B05C7802"><enum>(D)</enum><text>perform such other duties as the Administrator shall prescribe.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H52EE1F701C7540759EFF134D7642B7D5"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Deputy Assistant Secretaries</header>
<paragraph id="H2388C8492A7142CBBE287BBE50769BFF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There may be in the Administration no more than three Deputy Assistant Secretaries.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9D4E3E1989A140B3A76FD2604F1D48F9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The functions of the Deputy Assistant Secretaries shall be designated by the Secretary and must be consistent with at least one of the three primary functions of the Administration—</text>
<subparagraph id="HAAABAD1AF28743B5981EC80352341700"><enum>(A)</enum><text>assessment, prediction, and operations;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA0610BA2AEBA4BBF9C8443DCAA5E72B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>management, especially ecosystem-based; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H13A817E5086E4FA39DD064A6A7ABC892"><enum>(C)</enum><text>research and education.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H74508DBA437047DBA06EB931828781A3"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Qualifications</header><text>The Deputy Assistant Secretaries shall be appointed by the Secretary from among individuals who are qualified by reason of background and experience to direct the implementation and administration of the functions for which they are responsible. The positions of Deputy Assistant Secretaries shall be Senior Executive Service positions authorized under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/3133">section 3133</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HE88EDD961C6147E7003BE45DD3B2B64B"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Assistant Administrators</header>
<paragraph id="HE9DBB79AB55543F699610031A96581E7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There shall be in the Administration no more than five Assistant Administrators who shall head one of each of the operating offices of the Administration, overseeing the programs and activities of each such office.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0FBAC3959B0C4F64A99D5DA8AB2E00AD"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The functions of the Assistant Administrators shall be specified by the Administrator to fulfill the duties of the offices they oversee and must be consistent with at least one of the three primary functions of the Administration, while minimizing overlap of such functions between them, including—</text>
<subparagraph id="H53317426564B4227A334BE5EFE088360"><enum>(A)</enum><text>assessment, prediction, and operations;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H57BEF379FAAF4207A50038F690E60093"><enum>(B)</enum><text>management, especially ecosystem-based; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HCB2E6EDC9FE443E0A570A92D3CD8E8A0"><enum>(C)</enum><text>research and education.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF16029BAB54D4A30AF395EC3A10024EF"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Qualifications</header><text>Each Assistant Administrator shall be appointed by the Administrator from among individuals who are qualified by reason of background and experience to direct the implementation and administration of the functions for which they are responsible shall be designated by the Secretary and must be consistent with at least one of the three primary functions of the Administration—</text>
<subparagraph id="HD51DC8891BAC4DD1B70757E6EE7DF538"><enum>(A)</enum><text>assessment, prediction, and operations;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB333E5CE93BA4FD397C11D2D92305669"><enum>(B)</enum><text>management, especially ecosystem-based; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB6BDF1A713314D7C96826BF9CB3312FC"><enum>(C)</enum><text>research and education.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HB4C921348DD24DB09ED8D042E4508C36"><enum>(f)</enum><header>General Counsel</header>
<paragraph id="H6480316D5A064FFF9C00E5F4629D1B2E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There shall be in the Administration a General Counsel. The General Counsel shall be appointed by the Secretary. The General Counsel shall be paid at the rate of basic pay for level V of the Executive Schedule.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2537942B2EDE4EBC9F44E0C0EF19FCD2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The General Counsel shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="H1A0BEC5E3F924529B8846FA26FDEAD80"><enum>(A)</enum><text>serve as the chief legal officer of the Administration for all legal matters that arise in connection with the conduct of the functions of the Administration; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0E446E188AB84ABF9FDD00B9059F9D55"><enum>(B)</enum><text>perform such other functions and exercise such powers as the Administrator may prescribe.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HA00091B7E18C41C8A6C8A0956D985D1E"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Continuation of service</header><text>Any individual serving on the effective date of this Act in a position provided for in this Act may continue to serve in that position until a successor is appointed under this Act. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require the appointment of a successor under this Act sooner than would have been required under law as in effect before the effective date of this Act.</text> </subsection></section>
<section id="H5D47AA638C3742EDAD2EBC2223036743"><enum>203.</enum><header>National Weather Service</header>
<subsection id="HCDBA4F4AEF3E410ABFDC88BE01827C76"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In General</header><text>The Secretary shall maintain within the Administration the National Weather Service.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H2A08DCFE9F384A8BB69B9C04171BB0E9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Mission</header><text>The mission of the National Weather Service is to provide weather, water, climate, tsunami, and space weather forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters, and ocean areas for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. In carrying out the mission of the National Weather Service, the Administrator shall ensure that the National Weather Service—</text>
<paragraph id="H499502693FEF40DE9CF4F0DF70044FC3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>provides timely and accurate weather, water, climate, tsunami, and space weather forecasts; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H300CCA7CCFF54C9200AA231C5DEF7512"><enum>(2)</enum><text>provides timely and accurate warnings of natural hazards related to weather, water, climate, and tsunamis, and of space weather hazards.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HB2D3DBBFB7FA4414A364C9D8F2F032EE"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>To accomplish the mission described in section 201(b), and in addition to the functions described in section 201(c), the functions of the National Weather Service shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="H994428B5A5D64DA400EB2D3FD0200848"><enum>(1)</enum><text>maintaining a network of local weather forecast offices;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H32C7C501C25F4450A2F99D0050F7E4AC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>maintaining a network of observation systems to collect weather and climate data;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD43EF0E77EA1468B821DEF92EDC66DE"><enum>(3)</enum><text>operating national centers to deliver guidance, forecasts, warnings, and analysis about weather, water, climate, tsunami, and space weather phenomena for the Administration and the public;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H949424B614A84F4187606E1019DC6347"><enum>(4)</enum><text>providing information to Federal agencies and other organizations responsible for emergency preparedness and response as required by law;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H470C00CD36304C6B834CED6700593E96"><enum>(5)</enum><text>conducting and supporting applied research to facilitate the rapid incorporation of weather and climate science advances into operational tools; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC835794CD5D44B9F88027B8B66581465"><enum>(6)</enum><text>other functions to serve the mission of the National Weather Service described in subsection (b).</text> </paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H618988F3A2C849C5845599B423A76767"><enum>204.</enum><header>Resource management</header>
<subsection id="H7C35D73ED30D446AB7C15FAAF7313178"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In General</header><text>The Secretary shall maintain within the Administration programs to protect, maintain and restore the health and sustainability of coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes resources through ecosystem-based management.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="HA4130DDFF3BC45F7907DB6312959942F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>To accomplish the mission described in section 201(b), and in addition to the functions described in section 201(c), the resource management aspects of the Administration shall take an ecosystem-based approach to fulfilling its responsibilities with respect to—</text>
<paragraph id="HBB6F3EE5B679433785DE48FF5733B8D0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>management of domestic and international fisheries for increased sustainability;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2E1CCA26EDB840469FBC4CBE54A121E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>conservation of marine mammals, protected species, coral reefs, and other living marine resources;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC1BD1052ACEB405594693126933EC900"><enum>(3)</enum><text>protection and management of ocean and coastal areas, including areas designated under the National Marine Sanctuary, National Estuarine Research Reserve, and National Monument systems, other managed areas, areas considered essential fish habitat, and other important ecological areas as appropriate;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H007BF7E4A61742A1BD46A3B7D902F15E"><enum>(4)</enum><text>management of coastal zones and watersheds;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2F90E3F84B6F41C38BAAE4B797330906"><enum>(5)</enum><text>response to, mitigation of, and adequate compensation for pollution events, including oil and other hazardous waste spills;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF21AD40E76A543600020B988095C2400"><enum>(6)</enum><text>restoration of degraded coastal and ocean areas, including through a community-based approach;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H316128CCCFF745839684A2D214B28517"><enum>(7)</enum><text>partnerships with other Federal agencies and with States and communities to address the issues of land-based activities and their impact on the ocean environment;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDD9B8FF35FC84206B61CF27ED07334E9"><enum>(8)</enum><text>mitigation of the impacts of natural and manmade hazards;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HABB8069727B14B66938DE5ED62F4FE33"><enum>(9)</enum><text>control and minimization of invasive species proliferation and marine debris;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF204A7C7D0A24534BDCF64CB2C278F4B"><enum>(10)</enum><text>assessment, monitoring, and promotion of the long-term health, productivity, and diversity of the coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes, and their natural resources; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF3DABD4DDE494763B6A7FC97FE72BED"><enum>(11)</enum><text>such other ecosystem-based resource management functions to serve the mission of the Administration as the Administrator may prescribe.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H9EFB56D8CF53406F91DC8E2FC9F951C4"><enum>205.</enum><header>Operations and services</header>
<subsection id="HFB50F8433E1143E9843E388F566C7DA7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall maintain within the Administration programs to support efforts, on a continuing basis, to collect data and provide information and products regarding satellites, observations, and coastal, ocean and Great Lakes information.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H15E948AE077B458FB25109EAD91002C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>To accomplish the mission described in section 201(b), and in addition to the functions described in section 201(c), the operations and service functions of the Administration include—</text>
<paragraph id="H84E7D18E5A8B4F95B6DE38C6DF6B1FC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>acquiring, managing, and operating coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes observing systems;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBC044D43AA9941BD8FDFF200E32330DC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>contributing to the operation of a global Earth-observing system;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H14F67E3BA3E142C986A58DF08C89595C"><enum>(3)</enum><text>integrating Administration remote sensing and in situ assets that provide critical data needed to support the mission of the Administration, and providing that data to decision-makers and the public;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD68F7282455E4B0398EA7CFB871016DD"><enum>(4)</enum><text>developing, acquiring, and managing operational environmental satellite programs and associated ground control and data acquisition and delivery facilities to support the mission of the Administration;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6E263642FC5645458FE9EC03BEE4FA37"><enum>(5)</enum><text>managing and distributing atmospheric, geophysical, and marine data and data products for the Administration through national environmental data centers;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5A5D1E3AC18A44EFA0D6691E3237B2E5"><enum>(6)</enum><text>providing for long-term stewardship of environmental data, products, and information via data processing, storage, reanalysis, reprocessing, and archive facilities;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2C87F564EBD54BC4B7DECD3B32C64889"><enum>(7)</enum><text>issuing licenses for private remote sensing space systems under the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9C9917B5E5E84BADB5F9A7D3889E67C7"><enum>(8)</enum><text>administering a national water level observation network, which shall include monitoring of the Great Lakes;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF4EE12EBC22048C7A174699843BB41DE"><enum>(9)</enum><text>providing charts and other information for safe navigation of the oceans and inland waters, as provided by law;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0401A1B026DC4FF6A637C4989299346D"><enum>(10)</enum><text>maintaining a fleet of ships and aircraft to support the mission of the Administration; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H98003E3B9AA9498C9C333215327C35ED"><enum>(11)</enum><text>such other operations and services functions to serve the mission of the Administration as the Administrator may prescribe.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HCC3EBDF1C9144592BB45C7884A0636E"><enum>206.</enum><header>Research and technology development</header>
<subsection id="H07B2AB33A11642F8B6D46000F5370500"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In General</header><text>The Secretary shall maintain within the Administration programs to conduct and support research and the development of technologies relating to weather, climate, and the coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="HE80CBC23EBB64BCFB2944C0052C7FF05"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>To accomplish the mission described in section 201(b), and in addition to the functions described in section 201(c), the research and development functions of the Administration shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="H57029190FF98489AACD00D067154700"><enum>(1)</enum><text>conducting and supporting research and technology development to improve the Administration’s capabilities to collect, through observation and otherwise, communicate, analyze, process, and disseminate comprehensive scientific data and information about weather, climate, and the coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1387B48F9C9B4E6CB92CE242A4659C29"><enum>(2)</enum><text>improving ecological prediction and management capabilities through ecosystem-based research and technology development;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H813CB5145FA54513A2195B8DE92EABC4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>contributing information on the Earth’s climate and related systems, obtained through research and observation, that addresses questions confronting policymakers, resources managers, and other users;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6CE094F6DDDF42CD85193DF5BB284DC7"><enum>(4)</enum><text>reducing uncertainty in projections of how the Earth’s climate and related systems may change in the future;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H51B9B007422C4B62ADB58F4853955C6B"><enum>(5)</enum><text>conducting and supporting research and development of technology for exploration of the oceans;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H950AE9E97A6D4D449EBFE0B1F2365AC"><enum>(6)</enum><text>maintaining a system of laboratories to perform the functions described in this subsection;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H94BEE60C82F9452DBB4518C775291BB8"><enum>(7)</enum><text>supporting extramural peer-reviewed competitive grant programs to assist the Administration in performing the functions described in this subsection; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H18642D4914ED4FB881B000DAC56CF73"><enum>(8)</enum><text>such other research and technology development functions to serve the mission of the Administration as the Administrator may prescribe.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H890F5E9D62B1497592C8B400E8F85B1E"><enum>207.</enum><header>Education and outreach</header>
<subsection id="H3F8E4191B97B4758B2491CC9953C51D1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In General</header><text>The Secretary shall maintain within the Administration the Office of Education.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="HAF855ABC9BF245B18C69B609ED3B4B40"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Mission</header><text>The mission of the Office of Education is to conduct and support education programs and outreach activities related to oceans and atmosphere, and to provide interagency and intra-agency coordination of such programs and activities on the national, regional, State, and local levels.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="HB36BCB4EA50C41DCB35BECA438E15494"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>To accomplish the mission described in section 201(b), and in addition to the functions described in section 201(c), the education and outreach functions of the Administration, through the Office of Education, shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="HD2329A33DD4F480890757961058D5749"><enum>(1)</enum><text>fostering the public’s ability to understand and integrate scientific information into considerations of national environmental issues through education and public outreach activities;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H44078DFDA9BF42B3BDFAB24D9DB3D445"><enum>(2)</enum><text>informing the public about how the Earth’s climate and related systems may change in the future, based on the best available science;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H0BF5F7661CC741F297CAD4A728CEEEEB"><enum>(3)</enum><text>supporting and partnering with educational institutions to foster ocean literacy and promote the ocean workforce, especially minority-serving institutions;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8160E138D42E4E7D9E868CD22B01A235"><enum>(4)</enum><text>support professional development and a program for certification of individuals engaged in commercial uses of ocean waters;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H104DAEAAD7B3470C8FD3F03057F9902C"><enum>(5)</enum><text>create and implement effective approaches to disseminate agency products and ocean information to the general public, including improving access to the Administration’s educational resources; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H13F2C3D0CBF748229B6079C1BE6D1FD4"><enum>(6)</enum><text>such other education and outreach functions to serve the mission of the Administration as the Administrator may prescribe.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H01F34B1E4D4F4A7EAEC7852D88EE3E61"><enum>208.</enum><header>Science Advisory Board</header>
<subsection id="HAB7764AFEF264CD6B465E293F5BF4E5C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In General</header><text>There shall be within the Administration a Science Advisory Board, which shall provide such scientific advice as may be requested by the Administrator, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, or the Committee on Science or on Resources of the House of Representatives.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H728E434CA14B438FBAE239353700E2AC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>The purpose of the Science Advisory Board is to advise the Administrator and Congress on long-range and short-range strategies for research, education, and the application of science to coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes resource management and environmental assessment and prediction.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="HED7535211C7C42A1BCF8C97FB6D0EBD5"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Members</header>
<paragraph id="HCEC7930B00BA437D97960300829E31C6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Science Advisory board shall be composed of at least 15 members appointed by the administrator. Each member of the board shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="HF0A7ED8C42CC45DEB400DEE083506745"><enum>(A)</enum><text>be qualified by education, training, and experience to evaluate scientific and technical information on matters referred to the Board under this section; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC93FAB89FDEA4928BBA2EE44BF5724D8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>collectively represent a balanced group of experts reflecting the full breadth of the Administration’s areas of responsibility.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDD05E5664E8C4115B67D4B792BF783A7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Terms of service</header><text>Members shall be appointed for 3-year terms, renewable once, and shall serve at the discretion of the Administrator. An individual serving a term as a member of the Science Advisory Board on the date of enactment of this Act may complete that term, and may be reappointed once for another term of 3 years unless the term being served on such date of enactment is the second term served by that individual. Vacancy appointments shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term of the vacancy, and an individual so appointed may subsequently be appointed for 2 full 3-year terms if the remainder of the unexpired term is less than one year.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H483FFEC4302C423781B9C7E7F127B41"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Chairperson</header><text>The Administrator shall designate a chairperson from among the members of the Board.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCE48D2BC74204414BE0094989F195C22"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Appointment</header><text>Members of the Science Advisory Board shall be appointed as special Government employees, within the meaning given such term in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/18/202">section 202(a)</external-xref> of title 18, United States Code, and subject to the ethical standards therein.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HC95367209A6146FA9933359D073F2782"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Administrative provisions</header>
<paragraph id="H89E1C45AD33D45A4A64FA680E3A71EE2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Reporting</header><text>The Science Advisory Board shall report to the Administrator and the appropriate requesting party.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2FD391EEA8834930A78639851617FB1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Administrative support</header><text>The Administrator shall provide administrative support to the Science Advisory Board.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H591BC94E4A0F4B2ABCFB08F7CF9C60B7"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Meetings</header><text>The Science Advisory Board shall meet at least twice each year, and at other times at the call of the Administrator or the Chairperson.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF2A079EA333344CD9F162B5B62B0EBE"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Compensation and expenses</header><text>A member of the Science Advisory Board shall not be compensated for service on such board, but may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/57">chapter 57</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5CBA06F780454A7688009F0135EFB0F1"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Subcommittees</header><text>The Science Advisory Board may establish such subcommittees of its members as may be necessary. The Science Advisory Board may establish task forces and working groups consisting of Board members and outside experts as may be necessary.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H1306B5BDC3704548871F6DA93FFEF0B3"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Federal Advisory Committee Act</header>
<paragraph id="H3D40493081804B3CB3AFDBE3AE5C0318"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 App. U.S.C.) shall not apply to the Science Advisory Board.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF3534E33DEC24B2098C3F54BCBDEC2D9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Compliance</header><text>Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Science Advisory Board shall be appointed and operate in a manner consistent with all provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act with respect to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H87206457ED8745608FCD877FCB0951F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the balance of its membership;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBEA6F8EB9D484F95AA3E7291A7C22F00"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provision of public notice regarding its activities;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H90122221C21A498EB8DF93CE00615D70"><enum>(C)</enum><text>open meetings; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H18173B397C084CE900A618CB8BA3C078"><enum>(D)</enum><text>public access to documents created by Science Advisory Board.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HD7C7FAE3125848E692A07FF65F66D157"><enum>209.</enum><header>Reports</header>
<subsection id="H92277F01E25647B7BE8F6FC13E256742"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Report on status of ocean ecosystems and resources</header>
<paragraph id="HBB8BF48ED82E4B58917EDFEA79E1BAC7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop a baseline report on the status and condition of the ocean ecosystems and resources under United States jurisdiction. Once every 3 years thereafter, there shall be updates to the report. In preparing the report, the Administrator shall consult with the heads of other departments and agencies as appropriate. The plan shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="H0A3185910C0E43689D6EFA00C463426D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a description of the related activities of the Administration to perform its functions under section 201(c) during the period covered by the report;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H44F5E2395C0B45D2974802002E0383C7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an assessment of the status and condition of the health of ecosystems in United States coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes waters;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC3F7280CC7CD48879930242299E92DB"><enum>(C)</enum><text>an analysis of past, current, and projected trends in the quality, management, and utilization of United States coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes waters and the effects of those trends on the economic, social, educational, ecological, and other needs of the United States;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7868E40DD8414EAF88436F8DE97B610"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a review of the programs and covered actions (including regulatory activities) of the Federal Government, State and local governments, and nongovernmental entities or individuals with particular reference to their effect on coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes waters and on the conservation, development, and utilization of coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes resources;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H37FBCE8B7F014E2DA81CFE2FB809B0FE"><enum>(E)</enum><text>an analysis of whether the programs and activities (including regulatory activities) of the Administration fully implemented the national oceans policy under section 3 during the period covered by the report; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0F585FE627D14C8AB77982F34D584C37"><enum>(F)</enum><text>a program for remedying the deficiencies of existing programs and activities, including recommendations for legislation and funding priorities.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H43A934B1FD284AA4966B71D3911BCA64"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Transmittal to congress</header><text>The Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives the report, and subsequent reports, as outlined in paragraph (1) upon completion.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H011411B2FCD9444BB958DFBD6F4EF575"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report on data management, archival, and distribution</header>
<paragraph id="HCDC93868D6DE4B6BB2EB1E6001AC00CC"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and once every 5 years thereafter, the Administrator shall do the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="H60309A9069D6498CB803EB0389FF3293"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences to review the environmental data and information systems of the Administration and to provide recommendations to address any inadequacies identified by the review. The review shall assess the adequacy of the environmental data and information systems of the Administration to—</text>
<clause id="H3E17DF7060EA496FB72072A22BCEE81"><enum>(i)</enum><text>provide adequate capacity to manage, archive and disseminate environmental information collected and processed, or expected to be collected and processed, by the Administration, including data gathered by other agencies that is processed or stored by the Administration;</text> </clause>
<clause id="H3091461333A743D4A0A6DACEB5D8144C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>establish, develop, and maintain information bases, including necessary management systems, which will provide for consistent, efficient, and compatible transfer and use of data;</text> </clause>
<clause id="HBD79B1B3EBD842DDA89053119D8B9FAC"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>develop effective interfaces among the environmental data and information systems of the Administration and other appropriate departments and agencies;</text> </clause>
<clause id="HF7504552E28C4E22B882D5514547F872"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>develop and use nationally accepted formats and standards for data collected by various national and international sources;</text> </clause>
<clause id="HD512A3A1D4DC4CF68161694F14CB74A1"><enum>(v)</enum><text>integrate and interpret data from different sources to produce information that can be used by decision-makers in developing policies that effectively respond to national and global environmental concerns; and</text> </clause>
<clause id="H6EFFC23AD3AD49199325BA1DE540DA36"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>reanalyze and reprocess the archived data as better science is developed to integrate diverse data sources.</text> </clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H73D325F3644B46E7B9A022320013009E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Develop a strategic plan, with respect to the environmental data and information systems of the Administration, to—</text>
<clause id="H309340B9954843D5AF9BEE324F867673"><enum>(i)</enum><text>respond to each of the recommendations in the review conducted under subparagraph (A);</text> </clause>
<clause id="HBF02E2E0CD9648E590CEB98C1ED8EA0"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>set forth modernization and improvement objectives for an integrated national environmental data access and archive system for the 10-year period beginning with the year in which the plan is transmitted, including facility requirements and critical new technology components that would be necessary to meet the objectives set forth;</text> </clause>
<clause id="HD0492D51997E42FD99EAD71F5F38417F"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>propose specific Administration programs and activities for implementing the plan;</text> </clause>
<clause id="H3617F99B5C1443C48C6410B3143F08"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>identify the data and information management, reanalysis, reprocessing, archival, and distribution responsibilities of the Administration with respect to other Federal departments and agencies and international organizations; and</text> </clause>
<clause id="HE36B5B69BAE145DA94D9BCDD41DA14C3"><enum>(v)</enum><text>provide an implementation schedule and estimate funding levels necessary to achieve modernization and improvement objectives.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA418E189A0064E10814DF144F0067E8E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Transmittal to Congress</header><text>Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives the initial review and strategic plan developed under paragraph (1). Subsequent reviews and strategic plans developed under paragraph (1) shall also be transmitted to those committees upon completion.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HB5808F1996E64CCD00F1A950AD146048"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Strategic plan for research and development</header>
<paragraph id="H193A550D191C47D8B4EB1CDD0075CBA5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and once every 5 years thereafter, the Administrator shall develop a strategic plan for research and development at the Administration. The plan shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="H9799B37B1F62490EABCE46DCB402EAAB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an assessment of the science and technology needs of the Administration based on the Administration’s operational requirements and on input provided by external stakeholders at the national, regional, State, and local levels; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB0F01DC75D8A4C8DB4F86D003C05B671"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a strategic plan that assigns specific programs within the administration the responsibility to meet each need identified under subparagraph (A) and that describes the extent to which each need identified in subparagraph (A) will be addressed through—</text>
<clause id="HB8A910240F5E41918776552C57E848F2"><enum>(i)</enum><text>intramural research;</text> </clause>
<clause id="HE233C3C3F567405BB1F188B2600019F3"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>extramural, peer-reviewed, competitive grant programs; and</text> </clause>
<clause id="H14045D323BA746F19EE4F66B38858919"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>work done in cooperation with other Federal agencies.</text> </clause></subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H59EE808446F04D4499E94000D700D215"><enum>(2)</enum><header>National Academy of Sciences review</header><text>The Administrator shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences for a review of the plan developed under paragraph (1).</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFB2AB2ABD9A94564BD53445777F1A88"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Transmittal to Congress</header><text>Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives the initial strategic plan developed under paragraph (1) and the review prepared pursuant to paragraph (2). Subsequent strategic plans developed under paragraph (1) shall also be transmitted to those committees upon completion.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HB3160DB2FD19439FA72040D8DF7142A5"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Other reports</header>
<paragraph id="H57707F14F52A4646857ECBABC63322C6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Administrator shall submit to Congress other reports and written notifications as explicitly described elsewhere in this Act.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6957574CBAEC4BCBACE8286C67030090"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Nothing in this section shall be construed to waive any other reporting required of the Administrator prior to enactment of this Act.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HD0858AB171D14B389EBFC2D732E30006"><enum>210.</enum><header>Public-private partnerships</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not less than once every 5 years, the Secretary shall develop and submit to Congress a policy that defines processes for making decisions about the roles of the Administration, the private sector, and the academic community in providing environmental information, products, technologies, and services. The first such submission shall be completed not less than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act. At least 90 days before each submission of the policy to Congress, the Secretary shall publish the policy in the Federal Register for a public comment period of not less than 60 days. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require changes in the policy in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.</text> </section>
<section id="H9D2259EB84F643B9A28C12F2967B16E"><enum>211.</enum><header>Reorganization plan</header>
<subsection id="HC7DF38EF1C1743AD8E35004012C28035"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In General</header><text>The Administrator shall develop a reorganization plan for the Administration as described in this section, and in accordance with section 101. In developing the plan, the Administrator shall consult with interested parties, including the States, academia, industry, conservation organizations, and Administration employees.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="HFB4AC2C15A724E858900736226F5DE5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Content</header><text>The plan, to the greatest extent practicable, shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H97DAC5709995441BA818547222BC9BB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>consider aspects of the administration, such as—</text>
<subparagraph id="H079F6E9DA02C4D5E8FE3A75B95D04E2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>leadership positions and roles;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H1CF4F5CDD2464C7200ACC0BA7FE535B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>program offices and duties;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HFC4DFD33D8084643B0897EA9042F73FB"><enum>(C)</enum><text>regional and ecosystem-wide approaches to management;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HAA82E80C98E345EBA9C956EB0033C2C3"><enum>(D)</enum><text>coordination with outside entities, both nationally and internationally; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H791B53F9FDC14434BAFAA274331015AB"><enum>(E)</enum><text>needs to expand or downsize employees and/or facilities.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5A4983614ABE41799CFB2110A7A2787F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>consistent with section 201 and the other provisions of this Act, maximize the efficiency with which the Administration carries out and assures the effectiveness of the functions of—</text>
<subparagraph id="H3F98B089FF99497EA1D00C692CCF06C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>operations and services;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HDC06C312055742CCBCBA45E1DD205100"><enum>(B)</enum><text>research and education; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA2CF401C68EE4F40ADAA1C9F7FB662D9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>resource management;</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H68D4ABE1E9F14C51A96CAF123000AE99"><enum>(3)</enum><text>improve the sharing of research and other information that is of use across programmatic themes; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H499A79C8B1354C4AB370A831FBC0656"><enum>(4)</enum><text>eliminate duplication of effort or overlapping efforts among offices.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HF040BDA433B7427293C8A91E4051B9CB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Schedule</header>
<paragraph id="H07A1273EE5404FC1A7C1204FDC272828"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop the plan and shall publish the plan in the Federal Register.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1171864536894055A7094DC2009045F7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Federal Register notice shall solicit comments for a period of 60 days.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBF730A289E224C34BEFBFBA91D96752E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Not later than 120 days after the expiration date of the comment period described in paragraph (2), the Administrator shall complete a revised version of the plan that takes into account the comments received.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDD2960B3896946F7BEB626FAA9F303C3"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Upon completing the revision, along with an explanation of how the administrator addressed each issue raised by the public comments received, the administrator shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="H778B4FE38C8A48E000D478DC903032"><enum>(A)</enum><text>transmit the revised plan and explanation to the National Oceans Advisor, established in section 301 for review;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H25F0A08F1FCD4E85A8E800B467BC4B91"><enum>(B)</enum><text>transmit the revised plan and explanation to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committees on Science and on Resources of the House of Representatives for review; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2694C72873AC4D1983B6BA1EF2CAE2B2"><enum>(C)</enum><text>publish the revised plan and explanation in the Federal Register.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H3E5E6CAF61EB47B7B998533E58FBA2DF"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Implementation</header><text>If no objections are received from the National Oceans Advisor or Congress within 90 days of transmittal of the revised plan, the Administrator shall implement the such plan.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H411D8B9FF4204A0DBE3263DFB0C1D42B"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Reporting</header>
<paragraph id="HC3940649B2B7447AA916A17411635379"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Administration internal review</header><text>Once every 3 years after implementation of the reorganization plan, the Administrator shall transmit a report to Congress assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Administration in carrying out its functions and fulfilling its mission, as set forth in sections 201(b) and 201(c), respectively;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB86F0057AF9B4042A4B031336651B537"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Government Accountability Office review</header><text>Not later than 5 years after the Administration implements the reorganization plan, and every 5 years thereafter, the Government Accountability Office shall conduct an independent review of the effectiveness and efficiency of the Administration in carrying out its functions and fulfilling its mission, as set forth in sections 201(b) and 201(c), respectively. Upon completing the review, the Government Accountability Office shall transmit a report to Congress with its findings.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HBB0BAFB369434EC283826F024257E2BF"><enum>212.</enum><header>Facility evaluation process</header>
<subsection id="HFD89B9B6CBF345748FA7A0A94D503624"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definition</header><text>For purposes of this section—</text>
<paragraph id="H3964C19680B1407BA1FBB8DCBD0005BE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the term <quote>facility</quote> means a laboratory, operations office, administrative service center, or other establishment of the Administration; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE85FF90DC60D4B0E9DFF3F00BD0095E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the term <quote>field office</quote> has the same meaning given that term in section 702 of the Weather Service Modernization Act.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H19B6A3917FAE4A5CA2D215D9EDD191D5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Public notification and assessment process</header>
<paragraph id="H7D3A50F933A9410D9E8BBAEEB950D59C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Administrator shall not close, consolidate, relocate, subdivide, or establish a facility of the Administration, unless and until the Administrator has followed the procedures required by this section.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H11ACB64647BA4072B7763DE1B1053995"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Review process</header><text>The Administrator shall not close, consolidate, relocate, subdivide, or establish a facility of the Administration with an annual operating budget of $5,000,000 or greater, or a National Weather Service field office, unless and until—</text>
<subparagraph id="H9D5683CB09A3407794C8AFA92C81E2D0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Administrator has published in the Federal Register the proposed action and a description of the offices, personnel, and activities of the Administration that would be affected by the proposed change, and has provided for a minimum of 60 days for public comment;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF2F63838279E4851BFD67AC476874B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if the proposed change involves a science facility of the Administration, the Science Advisory Board has reviewed the proposed change and provided to the Administrator written findings regarding the proposed change;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H995E0122BB8849F8BF41E79EB7828086"><enum>(C)</enum><text>if the proposed change involves a National Weather Service field office, the Administrator has prepared a report including—</text>
<clause id="H92D67299545E43B4B98D1F198DB46DF6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a description of local weather characteristics and weather-related concerns which affect the weather services provided within the service area;</text> </clause>
<clause id="H82FFE92CC34A4C96AF65CF9E5F001CF2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a detailed comparison of the services provided within the service area and the services to be provided after the proposed change;</text> </clause>
<clause id="HE8F61942CC0F4D1C88751E6B6399C8A5"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>a description of any recent or expected modernization of National Weather Service operations which will enhance services in the service area;</text> </clause>
<clause id="H33CA478DD79D499EABD6DAA267CD9124"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>an identification of any area within any State which would not receive coverage (at an elevation of 10,000 feet) due to the proposed change; and</text> </clause>
<clause id="H1C5FFB551E494179AB004159A1F37F77"><enum>(v)</enum><text>evidence, based on operational demonstration of National Weather Service operations, which was considered in reaching the conclusion that no degradation in service will result from the proposed change;</text> </clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7B0F41BEE08A43F69BEAB2CAAD08B41"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the Administrator has prepared an analysis of the anticipated costs and savings associated with the proposed facility change, including both costs and savings in the first fiscal year following the change, and changes in operations and maintenance costs and savings over a ten-year period; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H516A1B9CB7AA4635A8EAEDA8FBD40035"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the Administrator has prepared an analysis of the effects of the facility change on operations and research of the Administration, and the potential impacts on cooperative institutes, other external Administration partnerships, partnerships with other Federal agencies, and any State and local partnerships.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA6890EDDEFFC499BA2C757085ED14887"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Notice to Congress</header>
<subparagraph id="H93E3F9FD44884EE9947EDBB1F4FE4CD0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Administrator shall provide to Congress, at least 90 days before any closure, consolidation, relocation, subdivision, or establishment of a facility of the Administration with an annual budget of $5,000,000 or greater, or any National Weather Service field office, a summary of the public comments received pursuant to paragraph (2)(A), any written findings prepared under paragraph (2)(B), any report prepared under paragraph (2)(C), and the analyses prepared under paragraph (2)(D) and (E).</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB374086552684A4693DB1760016354DA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Administrator shall provide to Congress, at least 90 days before any closure, consolidation, relocation, subdivision, or establishment of a facility of the Administration not described in subparagraph (A), written notification of the planned closure, consolidation, relocation, subdivision, or establishment.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H7A6A312603374A4B92912F7BA7F30073"><enum>(c)</enum><header>National Weather Service modernization</header><text>Nothing in this Act shall be construed to alter the Weather Service Modernization Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/313">15 U.S.C. 313</external-xref> note).</text> </subsection></section>
<section id="H4F235D61A61240ECAC5903C6F3B68FD9"><enum>213.</enum><header>Administration budget</header>
<subsection id="H38CBDC0808654837B3CAA1CE81E5A931"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Examination</header><text>When the Administrator submits the annual budget request for the Administration and its programs to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, examination shall take place within natural resource programs.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H64E46A9BBC2748209770C644B766C142"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Reprogramming</header><text>Whenever the Administrator transmits a budget reprogramming request to the Appropriations Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Administrator shall simultaneously submit a copy of the request to the Committee on Science and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.</text> </subsection></section>
<section id="H5B5C0A8AF75440F38FB642C538FDBDCB"><enum>214.</enum><header>Baselines and cost controls</header>
<subsection id="HE7266ED869E74D369E08B41825897157"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>For the purposes of this section—</text>
<paragraph id="H27AD351B328C423A963BC4143FE884B0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the term <quote>development</quote> means the phase of a program following the formulation phase and beginning with the approval to proceed to implementation;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3FED612F286F4A79808312003F37145E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the term <quote>development cost</quote> means the total of all costs, including construction of facilities and civil servant costs, from the period beginning with the approval to proceed to implementation through the achievement of operational readiness, without regard to funding source or management control, for the life of the program;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF3C3E222A2EE4D1A9948698154D4E6F4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the term <quote>life-cycle cost</quote> means the total of the direct, indirect, recurring, and nonrecurring costs, including the construction of facilities and civil servant costs, and other related expenses incurred or estimated to be incurred in the design, development, verification, production, operation, maintenance, support, and retirement of a program over its planned lifespan, without regard to funding source or management control; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H41A35F2C48EE42F0AFC8B6D63DF967C3"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the term <quote>major program</quote> means an activity approved to proceed to implementation that has an estimated life-cycle cost of more than $250,000,000.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HA980947A04FD4DAA94028FBF97A58170"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conditions for development</header>
<paragraph id="H4EBAD46B3F994BE9A7C800B2278A810"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Administration shall not enter into a contract for the development of a major program unless the Administrator determines that—</text>
<subparagraph id="H65D14DCDC0EF41FBB745FD2586EA15DD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the technical, cost, and schedule risks of the program are clearly identified and the program has developed a plan to minimize those risks;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF131D99F1C10446488A9C85EA8CE18D9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the technologies required for the program have been demonstrated in a relevant laboratory or test environment; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HAE31C6F81F474F7290A7A78980C016D5"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the program complies with all relevant policies, regulations, and directives of the Administration.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H06C6CDCA385F420A892504AFFBE0FA28"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Report</header><text>The Administrator shall transmit a report describing the basis for the determination required under paragraph (1) to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate at least 30 days before entering into a contract for development under a major program.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD47564004F1B4AB9BBFC24625372FFD4"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Non-delegation</header><text>The Administrator may not delegate the determination requirement under this subsection, except in cases in which the Administrator has a conflict of interest.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H6069A199B7904D318F399FCD2C02FFE2"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Major program annual reports</header>
<paragraph id="HAA655D48F1DA42448B136DC195672437"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>Annually, at the same time as the President’s annual budget submission to the Congress, the Administrator shall transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that includes the information required by this section for each major program for which the Administration proposes to expend funds in the subsequent fiscal year. Reports under this paragraph shall be known as Major Program Annual Reports.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD2156A63335546A2977B82F802283D94"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Baseline report</header><text>The first Major Program Annual Report for each major program shall include a Baseline Report that shall, at a minimum, include—</text>
<subparagraph id="HF5B4942FA82A4E8494BCB6BF0698541"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the purposes of the program and key technical characteristics necessary to fulfill those purposes;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H26BE3DDF5EB74455A0C1705DC98CDCC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an estimate of the life-cycle cost for the program, with a detailed breakout of the development cost, program reserves, and an estimate of the annual costs until development is completed;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF448335AF12443DBA64FF97F4B39DBC7"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the schedule for development, including key program milestones;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0F792611467B4365AEA489BEAEDAB338"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the plan for mitigating technical, cost, and schedule risks identified in accordance with subsection (b)(1)(A); and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF6728FFB08C2480C95858529F95F17D4"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the name of the person responsible for making notifications under subsection (d), who shall be an individual whose primary responsibility is overseeing the program.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H27EB4334EF6B438D9BEDC7906EF78F08"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Information updates</header><text>For major programs for which a Baseline Report has been submitted, each subsequent Major Program Annual Report shall describe any changes to the information that had been provided in the Baseline Report, and the reasons for those changes.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HA954BD4DA56546A68C95CB1B833630A"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Notification</header>
<paragraph id="HC4E6CFC83106460999213FA9A17836DC"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>The individual identified under subsection (c)(2)(E) shall immediately notify the Administrator any time that individual has reasonable cause to believe that, for the major program for which he or she is responsible—</text>
<subparagraph id="H722691BBA8204B3397838FC100A9E9CD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the development cost of the program is likely to exceed the estimate provided in the Baseline Report of the program by 15 percent or more; or</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H62565AD384D64FFEA0EF18EF139D788"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a milestone of the program is likely to be delayed by 6 months or more from the date provided for it in the Baseline Report of the program.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCE9AD8ED078443CCA900DD002EDC00CE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Reasons</header><text>Not later than 30 days after the notification required under paragraph (1), the individual identified under subsection (c)(2)(E) shall transmit to the Administrator a written notification explaining the reasons for the change in the cost or milestone of the program for which notification was provided under paragraph (1).</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDCD1B8D189A54FDB88826BAD14C34F2E"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Notification of Congress</header><text>Not later than 15 days after the Administrator receives a written notification under paragraph (2), the Administrator shall transmit the notification to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H949075193E254971ABC8D989C5EC00F1"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Fifteen percent, six-month threshold</header><text>Not later than 30 days after receiving a written notification under subsection (d)(2), the Administrator shall determine whether the development cost of the program is likely to exceed the estimate provided in the Baseline Report of the program by 15 percent or more, or whether a milestone is likely to be delayed by 6 months or more. If the determination is affirmative, the Administrator shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H9B433EE427CA41BEAEA4CAE12A59B5C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, not later than 15 days after making the determination, a report that includes—</text>
<subparagraph id="HDA2865C1FFD34F1ABDF75CE6CBB8CC00"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a description of the increase in cost or delay in schedule and a detailed explanation for the increase or delay;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2FD6A3C542C64955B228B36D00CE0015"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a description of actions taken or proposed to be taken in response to the cost increase or delay; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7F2A84874DA84A9FBCA92F48D07FCC90"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a description of any impacts the cost increase or schedule delay, or the actions described under subparagraph (B), will have on any other program within the Administration; and</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H893AB716E0C442FAAA348E8B93F68072"><enum>(2)</enum><text>if the Administrator intends to continue with the program, promptly initiate an analysis of the program, which shall include, at a minimum—</text>
<subparagraph id="H9A75BDF0B8B64AC0BBDAE8A7B59C6202"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the projected cost and schedule for completing the program if current requirements of the program are not modified;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H95C6DD9F979A4B92007E08C1DAF8D87E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the projected cost and the schedule for completing the program after instituting the actions described under paragraph (1)(B); and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H63863503B86C4E8CBACA2E354B566BF9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a description of, and the projected cost and schedule for, a broad range of alternatives to the program.</text> </subparagraph><continuation-text continuation-text-level="paragraph">The Administration shall complete an analysis initiated under paragraph (2) not later than 3 months after the Administrator makes a determination under this subsection. The Administrator shall transmit the analysis to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later than 30 days after its completion.</continuation-text></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HB9A82687076F4306A28D16A4F00E1D5"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Thirty percent threshold</header><text>If the Administrator determines under subsection (d) that the development cost of a program will exceed the estimate provided in the Baseline Report of the program by more than 30 percent, then, beginning 18 months after the date the Administrator transmits a report under section (e)(1), the Administrator shall not expend any additional funds on the program, other than termination costs, unless the Congress has subsequently authorized continuation of the program by law. An appropriation for the specific program enacted subsequent to a report being transmitted shall be considered an authorization for purposes of this subsection. If the program is continued, the Administrator shall submit a new Baseline Report for the program no later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Act under which Congress has authorized continuation of the program.</text> </subsection></section>
<section id="HE395BE0021E243F5AE63FFA6FE299524"><enum>215.</enum><header>Offshore performance of contracts for the procurement of goods and services</header>
<subsection id="HA53F9FD82972408FB10076781DB160D0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Limitations</header>
<paragraph id="HE93D2D332D3F4BAD9BCDE1578CE30928"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Conversions to contractor performance of Administration activities</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (3), an activity or function of the Administration that is converted to contractor performance under Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76 may not be performed by the contractor or any subcontractor at a location outside the United States.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8F57164012474DEBB1FB3785010261CE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contracts for the procurement of services</header>
<subparagraph id="H2F290BEA25F24408AADF8403001D406C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Except as provided in paragraph (3), a contract for the procurement of goods or services that is entered into by the Administrator may not be performed outside the United States unless it is to meet a requirement of the Administration for goods or services specifically at a location outside the United States.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB9BD5BE3FB8F48299CB0F8CE1770BEDF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The President may waive the prohibition in subparagraph (A) in the case of any contract for which the President determines in writing that it is necessary in the national security interests of the United States for goods or services under the contract to be performed outside the United States.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4522AF1ABB6448B9874C7F3DDEEDF5EB"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The Administrator may waive the prohibition in subparagraph (A) in the case of any contract for which the Administrator determines in writing that essential goods or services under the contract are only available from a source outside the United States.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD2CB0C53EA6742308F77284BDFDA2D34"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>Paragraphs (1) and (2)(A) shall not apply to the extent that the activity or function under the contract was previously performed by Federal Government employees outside the United States.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBB0C6C4DA3384ED1A86B76F7A9115E94"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Consistency with international agreements</header><text>The provisions of this section shall not apply to the extent that they are inconsistent with obligations of the United States under international agreements.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H10C4C99190B04149BB9F9696CCABF36"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Recordkeeping and reporting requirement</header><text>The Administrator shall transmit to Congress, not later than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year beginning with the first fiscal year after the date of enactment of this Act, a report on the contracts and subcontracts performed overseas and the amount of purchases directly or indirectly by the Administration from foreign entities in that fiscal year. The report shall separately indicate—</text>
<paragraph id="H96D9BAFAC450475380590239B699C6B7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the contracts and subcontracts and their dollar values for which the Administrator determines that essential goods or services under the contract are available only from a source outside the United States; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF1C1D93885D64D4B9F04DC3C3E3E624F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the items and their dollar values for which the Buy American Act was waived pursuant to obligations of the United States under international agreements.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section>
<enum>III</enum><header>NATIONAL OCEAN LEADERSHIP AND COORDINATION</header>
<section id="H39793D3304C14C81B858105E247CF9ED"><enum>301.</enum><header>National Oceans Advisor</header>
<subsection id="H8B9A68348EE0446CB17E00AF146CC1DF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header>
<paragraph id="HB5992FFC319D484588D706EE8C356C8D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There is established in the Executive Office of the President a National Oceans Advisor, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6072090CC4C54AF28C64561700F336FD"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Compensation</header><text>The Advisor shall be paid at a rate specified by the President not to exceed the rate payable for Level V of the Executive Schedule under <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/5136">section 5136</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H74394BCAE2BB448EBDD7851E1CD69D2B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The Advisor shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HFD1FEB03538D47D1A8CCD24C04565187"><enum>(1)</enum><text>advise the President on implementation of this Act, activities of the Committee on Ocean Policy, section 302, and other covered actions relating to United States ocean and coastal waters and marine ecosystem health;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H16181F5BDA9449429877B554DCCD1C44"><enum>(2)</enum><text>serve as the Executive Director and Chair of the Committee on Ocean Policy established by section 302; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA5B40846813944E3BC18D22E002533AD"><enum>(3)</enum><text>in consultation with the Administrator, coordinate Federal agency covered actions related to United States ocean waters and marine ecosystem health.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H72A92118CE874D57B529EC67EB67164D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Staffing</header>
<paragraph id="H56C8177D933B4F44BA06EA26EF6F856D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The Advisor, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations governing employment in the competitive service, may employ such officers and employees as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the National Oceans Advisor under this Act.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2908811D4C7F4794B019B7AF1778DE7C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Advisor may accept, employ, and terminate voluntary and uncompensated services in furtherance of the purposes of the Advisor.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H98B1092D92A347FFBFC9D73F73E2FF91"><enum>302.</enum><header>Committee on Ocean Policy</header>
<subsection id="H07AE37242B6E4FA985636E0795AA3BAE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There is established in the Executive Office of the President a Committee on Ocean Policy (in this title referred to as the <quote>Committee</quote>), which succeeds the Committee on Ocean Policy established on December 17, 2004, by Executive Order 13366 and shall continue the activities of that committee as it was in existence on the day before the date of enactment of this Act.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H4508AF2B4DC549DC9630879D31C7CDC1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The Committee shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H7C688DAD953C45AEBACE677E16D221ED"><enum>(1)</enum><text>facilitate interagency coordination on Federal agency covered actions related to United States ocean waters and marine ecosystem health and the implementation of this Act;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H02D593E3373F49ADBEE7557B749842E2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>review and appraise the various programs and activities of the Federal Government for consistency with the policy and standards set forth in section 101 and make recommendations to the President with respect thereto no later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA1F7E15A298F4C15BEBBC5690972C110"><enum>(3)</enum><text>resolve interagency disputes regarding marine ecosystem health and in particular the implementation of this Act;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBF46059B22D14C6300A492EA7B9EDEAC"><enum>(4)</enum><text>coordinate and certify agency ocean budgets regarding their sufficiency to achieve the policy and standards set forth in section 101;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9FC501B15E1840FA9032925576934000"><enum>(5)</enum><text>in coordination with the Administrator, submit to the President and publish at least once every 3 years a report on the condition of United States ocean waters; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H95D4836DE84D4FC5B971A805D4E779E4"><enum>(6)</enum><text>obtain and provide information to facilitate and advance ecosystem-based management of Regional Ocean Partnerships in accordance with title IV.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8AE3D5FB2416492F882380C2F1B361A0"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Chair</header><text>The National Oceans Advisor shall be a non-voting member and the chair of the committee as set forth in section 301(b)(2), and shall, in this capacity, be responsible for—</text>
<paragraph id="HB106EEA30F9F4CB6BA2FC9551DA743C5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>regularly convening and presiding at meetings of the Committee;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H347542F0B099498B96EEFCBE90B6EE3F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>directing the work of the Committee; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H77134F564B85446EAFFBCEB36C5EBAD4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>establishing and directing subcommittees of the Committee, as appropriate.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HCA5CDBADABC3479C96B7F005DBA373B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Membership</header>
<paragraph id="HF2B5C9239E984BA2AC865096A200AC24"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Committee shall have the following voting members:</text>
<subparagraph id="H6FBBC9E31C5743F2970508008056647F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Secretary of Commerce.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF6A3FE71F027479099AC62002973008B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Secretary of State.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD6869D3FDC464FA59EDDA00ED4B8D30"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The Secretary of the Interior.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H64834D31CB2C47F089543DAA7537ACB9"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The Secretary of Defense.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H45E64D952690451188681B961690D7E7"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The Secretary of Agriculture.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HCA206BDFDB1940FDAC7E1C5528BD20B1"><enum>(F)</enum><text>The Secretary of Transportation.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H66FF4193ACD0453DB60042BA717356CB"><enum>(G)</enum><text>The Secretary of Homeland Security.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H8D1D511A22BE4DE6004900E600F9D5CD"><enum>(H)</enum><text>The Secretary of Education.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA1F8312B764F46EA9B8E3181EAB2EF68"><enum>(I)</enum><text>The Secretary of Energy.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H6FC91352CA664C0F8DFDAC9C06DD7199"><enum>(J)</enum><text>The Secretary of Health and Human Services.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H878C01D73DD44D5C82F0F6609804A6F3"><enum>(K)</enum><text>The Secretary of Labor</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC2BE03D4B1E247FDB1ED865475820000"><enum>(L)</enum><text>The Attorney General</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HAA3D783C1C8449069614E9DA55A58E00"><enum>(M)</enum><text>The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H20E6583B542443119D103C80C10FECB"><enum>(N)</enum><text>The Director of the Office of Management and Budget.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB6BCED1E2FD14C13B41FD4D385B9414F"><enum>(O)</enum><text>The Director of the National Science Foundation.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF348BFEEE1F148D2B7869E277DE03300"><enum>(P)</enum><text>Six State Governors appointed by the National Governors Association, who shall represent State and local interests.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H77E7CEEBBA6048B0A3C100359542A6C7"><enum>(Q)</enum><text>The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HE44C1A31B7B24AE9A239DDD9ABCEB41D"><enum>(R)</enum><text>The Chair of the National Research Council Governing Board.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA0AB46061041422D96C3C00B8BBFD55"><enum>(S)</enum><text>The Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDD3A8F25FBAE48B6B31E30390057081E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Delegation</header><text>A member of the Committee may designate, to perform the Committee or subcommittee functions of the member, any person who is within such member’s department, agency, or office and who is—</text>
<subparagraph id="H87007BF0CC034FB599898D9B934417AB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an officer of the United States appointed by the President;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H20AD88572D4440CB886BBA53B396D6E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a member of the Senior Executive Service; or</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H95AF2BAD18274D7B96EF2BC06C86A138"><enum>(C)</enum><text>an officer or employee within the Executive Office of the President.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H972813F7B7F24480A7233E5EFBBE0662"><enum>(3)</enum><header>State governor members</header>
<subparagraph id="HF87C84A4F7BA40E9BF3B8F005324D8D"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Terms</header><text>Of the members appointed under paragraph (1)(P)—</text>
<clause id="H670772DDDBD340F6872CCEEAB41876F5"><enum>(i)</enum><text>their term as a member shall be 4 years, with eligibility for reappointment;</text> </clause>
<clause id="H7AB0C11590E1469AA8C97B83479347CF"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>at least 4 shall be Governors of coastal States; and</text> </clause>
<clause id="H0D6C0B7E73494EE28BE8B47BEA64C00"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>any that cannot serve the full length of their term shall be replaced by the new Governor or acting Governor of that State to carry out the remainder of that term.</text> </clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9FDCBAE8547E4694A6E41ECD721824A"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Limitation on appointment</header><text>A Governor of a State may not be appointed under paragraph (1)(P) to a term on the Committee that begins before the end of the 4-year period that begins upon the expiration of a prior term on the Committee served by the Governor.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HF4ABEC3AD1934608A01CCDD9FF3DC36C"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Subcommittees</header><text>The Chair of the Committee, with consultation with the Administrator, has the authority to create such subcommittees of the Committee as necessary to help carry out the functions of the Committee.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H73F6C9DD7FB7446DA529F539C866AB8C"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Coordination</header><text>The Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality and the National Oceans Advisor shall ensure appropriate coordination of the activities of the Committee and other policy coordination structures relating to ocean or maritime issues.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="HAD09D3EACC7D4B12004EA3B7362F263E"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>Consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Council on Environmental Quality shall provide the funding, including through the Office of Environmental Quality and administrative support for the Committee necessary to implement this section.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H20D668DABF904B818C4B519CA63C0007"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Staff</header>
<paragraph id="HE1CED1F14B48462BBED3A9D0AFE9B058"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Chair, without regard to the civil service laws and regulations, may employ and terminate such employees as may be necessary to carry out its function under this Act.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF5379DF699094E1CB97BCCD580FA7274"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Voluntary and uncompensated services</header><text>The Chair may accept, employ, and terminate voluntary and uncompensated services in furtherance of the purposes of the Committee.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H649DE8F071F14A25855C00DE5906FBFD"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Resources</header><text>In carrying out its functions under this Act, the Committee may secure directly from any Federal agency or department any information it considers to be necessary to carry out its functions under this Act. Each such agency or department may cooperate with the Committee and, to the extent permitted by law, shall furnish such information (other than information described in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/5/552">section 552(b)(1)(A)</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code) to the Committee, upon request of the Committee.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H9B834A5BE01B41F9A7A686B6606F562D"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Federal Advisory Committee Act</header>
<paragraph id="H93B459D1DC2B40DFAFEA328807725D9"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 App. U.S.C.) shall not apply to the Committee on Ocean Policy, or any of its subcommittees formed in accordance with section 302(e).</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB2C4B153AAA94C2FB0B245D58DD13006"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Compliance</header><text>Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Committee and its subcommittees shall be appointed and operate in a manner consistent with all provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act with respect to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H7A2C076E94884E35B5A090BA6199E76D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the balance of its of the Committee;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4CD6D6734E77486EAA16893B623F489B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provision of public notice regarding its activities;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA8ABCA14E7AD4AB1904C24E7D590F1FA"><enum>(C)</enum><text>open meetings; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HFC42E2D9E845453FAB1192FBD86822C1"><enum>(D)</enum><text>public access to documents created by the Committee.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H00742E14404F43A8ADF0BFC8E2258EF1"><enum>303.</enum><header>Establishing a coordinated management regime for activities in Federal waters</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Committee shall submit to the Congress by not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act recommendations with justifications, a plan, and proposed schedule for creating a balanced, efficient, and effective ecosystem-based management regime for activities in Federal waters that—</text>
<paragraph id="H8EA24CC1F3904450AC922045B2F4DF35"><enum>(1)</enum><text>consider the use of ocean zoning and cumulative impacts of multiple uses;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H40F1C535C49148E8A9C7B709D4BD9DAC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>designate a lead Federal agency for each existing activity and new activity in Federal waters;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD8B76B9019A74EB2AD1BA624671D2D0"><enum>(3)</enum><text>ensure that each such lead Federal agency coordinates with other applicable authorities, including States and Regional Ocean Partnerships established under title IV of this Act;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFCB208BEA9A84EC3B1102BF61112E21"><enum>(4)</enum><text>consider possible consolidation of oceanic or atmospheric programs, functions, services, or resources within or among Federal agencies, if their consolidation would not undermine policy goals set forth in this Act;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3A29E62ED7FA4AA2A4CCDCD813640717"><enum>(5)</enum><text>fully consider the public interest; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HD1E79A5638B84AD68DC7A0AB026655F8"><enum>(6)</enum><text>are consistent with the national ocean policy and standards as set forth in section 101 of this Act.</text> </paragraph></section>
<section id="HBA92C6CE3F9142E78CC80068296D5FF9"><enum>304.</enum><header>Council of Advisors on Oceans Policy</header>
<subsection id="H126433A5084F419381C8AFDB791521BD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There is established the Council of Advisors on Oceans Policy (in this section referred to as the <quote>Council</quote>), which shall advise the President, the National Oceans Advisor, and the Committee on Ocean Policy on policies to protect, maintain, and restore the health of marine ecosystems on a regional and national basis.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H67572C809B7A46EEB53906D9005FDF88"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>The Council shall have at least 15 members appointed by the president, in consultation with the National Ocean Advisor established in section 301. Members of the Council shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HEFCD8A4009B642C000474C3D3D57373D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>be appointed based on their knowledge and experience in coastal, ocean, and atmospheric science, policy, and other related areas; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1E91B8703994499DA0E4B5FFC6D0D132"><enum>(2)</enum><text>include at least 1 representative of each of the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="H2452600257084F72AEDA00584728A6CC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>State governments;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD436F9CAAE554C3B92FFB7AFFE54813F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Local governments;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB65AAA553DEF4788A3036C7284003102"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Indian tribes;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H900BC9C97FA34671AA7B00F0182C50A2"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The marine science research community;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA246D774887543AB8350BA66B22376AE"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The marine science education community;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC8E5C1441727407D96CEB1522FDB913"><enum>(F)</enum><text>Fisheries;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H987E20E7F93945B3873CC3C7564F68A1"><enum>(G)</enum><text>Non-fishing marine activities;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HFDCE38DA1EE64496B150B45F14FE30E7"><enum>(H)</enum><text>Agriculture, which may include timber;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H03D3A75400BC4ACF8F19DA02E41DD6F7"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Watershed organizations (other than organizations represented under subparagraph (J)), which may include resource conservation districts; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HF4DFF62498B04D4C81A300A4DD5E9545"><enum>(J)</enum><text>Nongovernmental organizations (other than organizations represented under subparagraph (I)), including groups interested in marine conservation.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H4466E1A84D09440C985D71BFCFDAFFCB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Terms of membership</header>
<paragraph id="H2B88186F1F2A40A9952252618F002E57"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), the term of a member of the Council shall be 4 years.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAF2ECF2125AE45E1A688ABC196469700"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Initial appointees</header><text>Of the members initially appointed to the Council—</text>
<subparagraph id="H0332A787283F435CB8D76D002F64AA94"><enum>(A)</enum><text>at least one-half shall be appointed to a 4-year term that ends in a Federal election year in which there occurs an election of the President; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5AE1F8B2724A43F4A5688DA4273574A6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>at least one-half shall be appointed to a 4-year term that ends in a Federal election year in which there does not occur an election of the President.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3B31E304DDCA49E9ADD98CBF68412F02"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Vacancies</header><text>Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDC4BB47605D74482B9220060F324BB4"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>An individual may not serve more than 2 terms as a member of the Council.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HCA8CE6AAF69B4E90BE177939C33FFE9C"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Meetings</header><text>The Council shall meet at least 2 times each year and more often at the President’s discretion.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H2B91A5984D934AD8A3422E40EDACDDEC"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Compensation and expenses</header><text>A member of the Council shall not receive compensation for service on the Council, but upon request by the member may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/57">chapter 57</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="HF363AE1F3C78443FA6006C8EB6288739"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Federal Advisory Committee Act</header>
<paragraph id="H5D64DC710696440B96686EF85BEBC24C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 App. U.S.C.) shall not apply to the Council of Advisors on Oceans Policy.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8295FE93575044FC88C65FFF89CF9208"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Compliance</header><text>Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Council shall be appointed and operate in a manner consistent with all provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act with respect to</text>
<subparagraph id="H897EA995B8844B77BEB2A3ECC3D683B3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the balance of its membership;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HC635535A6BE94BF484E96F683855F720"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provision of public notice regarding its activities;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0A1076E2381F427FBBB903E901E9E223"><enum>(C)</enum><text>open meetings; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H6D9EC543057849F994DFC165A824D800"><enum>(D)</enum><text>public access to documents created by the Council.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section>
<enum>IV</enum><header>REGIONAL COORDINATION AND ECOSYSTEM PLANNING</header>
<section id="HDF5292A928C840E8A29C176959296628"><enum>401.</enum><header>Findings</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Congress finds the following:</text>
<paragraph id="H4C224EEC8AA94F8E8D8357A1795773F6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Establishing a national network of governance planning bodies at the regional level is essential for solving many pressing United States ocean and coastal issues.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC49189C6564C441C89853562CD361F6F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Several States and regions have developed ocean management strategies that can be used as templates for coordinating among various government entities. A new national framework is needed to extend, integrate, and support these efforts.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1F0BD1FDC94A41FD92E14176EEBFF187"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Large marine ecosystems are biogeographically distinct ecosystem units and provide an appropriate spatial scale for ecosystem-based regional ocean governance.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEA5466CD4EF94C9784F98B11CBBBEF05"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Because ecosystems do not align with political jurisdictions, regional ocean governance mechanisms must provide for cooperation and collaboration within and among multiple levels of government, including local, State, tribal, and Federal governments.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H5456EFB9C9EB4C978D953C074CA3A8D5"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Effective regional ocean governance requires transparency and must include ample opportunities for input and participation by stakeholders and the public.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H4776E677417F4C9C9CB77F84DCD55C4F"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Important ecological areas within each large marine ecosystem need to be identified and monitored.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFA411FCDC5834322B4081085EEFEDA05"><enum>(7)</enum><text>Additional funding and other resources are necessary to promote regional coordination and collaboration and to implement regional solutions to current and future ocean and coastal management challenges.</text> </paragraph></section>
<section id="H919B7CF829934D89B84013E59842AEA"><enum>402.</enum><header>Regional Ocean Partnerships</header>
<subsection id="H67C779CC2F3645A9B984C37DE80004E9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In General</header><text>Within 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator and appropriate States, in consultation with the Committee on Ocean Policy, shall establish a Regional Ocean Partnership (in this title referred to as <quote>Partnership</quote>) for each of the ocean regions established by this section, and in accordance with the policies and standards in section 101, in order to—</text>
<paragraph id="HBFF948F006F54A9DAD6217A645A541A6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>provide for more systematic communication, collaboration, and integration of Federal and State coastal and ocean environmental and resource management efforts;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6BDEB6A164564A73A6534E8F0042357B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>provide for regional ecosystem assessment and information programs to guide management decisions;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFA9EBA62C228449E82D852EA948F2769"><enum>(3)</enum><text>provide for the identification and monitoring of important ecological areas;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCDA48B69F73D4676BE00F1E651821BDC"><enum>(4)</enum><text>provide for the creation of a strategic plan for and implement adaptive, ecosystem-based management of coastal and ocean resources within ocean regions, building on and complementing local, State, and regional efforts; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAF51688B055E4F2E00F1D4DD1432E83D"><enum>(5)</enum><text>provide for improved citizen and community stewardship of coastal and ocean resources.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HAE1A819C615A44899DACF274004FA7D"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Regions</header>
<paragraph id="H737BFB309AB74A628CB478E01E59A0FA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>There are hereby designated the following ocean regions:</text>
<subparagraph id="H756545C2B9D440A0BE23E092AC5FD3ED"><enum>(A)</enum><header>North Pacific Ocean Region</header><text>The North Pacific Ocean Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone (as defined in section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1453">16 U.S.C. 1453</external-xref>)) and watershed areas of the State of Alaska that have a significant impact on coastal waters of the State of Alaska seaward to the extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone as specified in Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA05655C584474A72A72322EE29131E74"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Pacific Ocean Region</header><text>The Pacific Ocean Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone (as defined in section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1453">16 U.S.C. 1453</external-xref>)) and watershed areas of the States that have a significant impact on coastal waters of the States of Washington, Oregon, and California seaward to the extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone as specified in Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H69B8365CE121466A9678E5F570119F00"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Western Pacific Ocean Region</header><text>The Western Pacific Ocean Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone (as defined in section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1453">16 U.S.C. 1453</external-xref>)) and watershed areas of the States that have a significant impact on coastal waters of the States of Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands seaward to the extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone as specified in Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983, including the territorial waters of the Commonwealths, territories, and possessions of the United States in the Pacific Ocean.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD00DB9BDD8F741A1AC36035320828077"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Gulf of Mexico Ocean Region</header><text>The Gulf of Mexico Ocean Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone (as defined in section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1453">16 U.S.C. 1453</external-xref>)) and watershed areas of the States that have a significant impact on coastal waters of the States of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida seaward to the extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone as specified in Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2DCC9A36B1AF4F55007D7CB1745E73A6"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Caribbean Ocean Region</header><text>The Caribbean Ocean Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone (as defined in section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1453">16 U.S.C. 1453</external-xref>)) and watershed areas of the States that have a significant impact on coastal waters of the Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico seaward to the extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone as specified in Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983, including the territorial waters of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2ABECEA918C14549BBB9B01DFAD48252"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Southeast Atlantic Ocean Region</header><text>The Southeast Atlantic Ocean Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone (as defined in section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1453">16 U.S.C. 1453</external-xref>)) and watershed areas of the States that have a significant impact on coastal waters of the States of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina seaward to the extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone as specified in Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3F8D8C223A0540479C88D87FF690AFFF"><enum>(G)</enum><header>Northeast Atlantic Ocean Region</header><text>The Northeast Atlantic Ocean Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone (as defined in section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1453">16 U.S.C. 1453</external-xref>)) and watershed areas of the States that have a significant impact on coastal waters of the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut seaward to the extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone as specified in Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H873F9E2795E74830AA12817645F85082"><enum>(H)</enum><header>Mid-Atlantic Ocean Region</header><text>The Mid-Atlantic Ocean Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone (as defined in section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1453">16 U.S.C. 1453</external-xref>)) and watershed areas of the States that have a significant impact on coastal waters of the States of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia seaward to the extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone as specified in Presidential Proclamation Number 5030, dated March 10, 1983.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2AF13AD4B662466099A5561D00A8BF8C"><enum>(I)</enum><header>Great Lakes Region</header><text>The Great Lakes Region, which shall consist of the coastal zone (as defined in section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1453">16 U.S.C. 1453</external-xref>)) and watershed areas of the States that have a significant impact on coastal waters of the States of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania to the extent of the territorial waters of the United States in the Great Lakes.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC565BDA283E94B8FB8931C3D1E1365BF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Subregions</header><text>Each Partnership may establish such subregions, or geographically specified management areas, as necessary for efficient and effective management of region-specific ecosystem issues.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HC9285E44934344C98BFFEC64B2946F39"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Membership</header>
<paragraph id="H6F533E4698E34F239D7F7415E3903B05"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Federal representatives</header>
<subparagraph id="H03BE1D514E9D46D88CC504FA0061FCFC"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the Committee on Ocean Policy, shall coordinate representatives of the Federal Government to form each Partnership. Such representatives shall be officers or employees of Federal agencies and departments that have expertise in and oversee ocean and coastal policy or resource management. Each Federal agency or department shall select and appoint their representatives to each Partnership. The Administrator, or his or her designated representative, shall serve as the chairperson of each Partnership.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H596FB24935874CEA805F336C14B063DE"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Included entities</header><text>The representatives appointed to each Partnership under this paragraph shall include one or more officers or employees of the Administration, the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Agriculture, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Commerce, and other Federal agencies and departments as necessary.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7F8E25AECB744A1AA088476F411BC77D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>State and tribal representatives</header>
<subparagraph id="H51F22E5CDD58491B87A718778C3C7325"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Coastal state appointments</header><text>The Governor of each Coastal State within the ocean region of a Partnership shall appoint an officer or employee of the State agency with primary responsibility for overseeing ocean and coastal policy or resource management to that Partnership.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HAF4FD6F38D5D48D181C94C8CA8E6BF5B"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Inland State appointment</header><text>Where appropriate, the Administrator shall receive nominations and select one representative from each of two of the inland States that, according to maps and data of the United States Geological Survey, have jurisdiction over waters that feed into the ocean region for which a Partnership must prepare a Regional Ocean Strategic Plan.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBA3FA1C1AE624396806E9FB62E5495B7"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Western Pacific and Caribbean regional ocean partnerships</header><text>The Governors of American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands shall each appoint an officer or employee of the agency with primary responsibility for overseeing ocean and coastal policy or resource management to the Western Pacific Regional Ocean Partnership. The Governors of the Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall each appoint an officer or employee of the agency with primary responsibility for overseeing ocean and coastal policy or resource management to the Caribbean Regional Ocean Partnership.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H013D6DF63BED485898B5AD261DA0254"><enum>(D)</enum><header>North Pacific Regional Ocean Partnership</header><text>The Governor of the State of Washington shall appoint an officer or employee of the Washington State agency with primary responsibility for overseeing ocean and coastal policy or resource management to the North Pacific Regional Ocean Partnership.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA534CEE9D00449C5B802E9D3769131D3"><enum>(3)</enum><header>International representatives</header><text>Where appropriate, each Partnership shall foster nonbinding relationships with foreign governments, agencies, States, provinces, and other entities as appropriate, at scales appropriate to the region under the authority of a Partnership, including by providing opportunities for nonvoting participation by foreign representatives at meetings of the Partnership, its advisory committees, and other working groups.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCF294146606B4B5482436D39864DCB5"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Regional Fisheries Management Council representative</header><text>The executive director of each Regional Fishery Management Council having jurisdiction over the ocean region of a Partnership shall serve as a voting member of the Partnership, and shall be considered a non-federal representative for the purposes of section 402(c)(6)(A).</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7349F0198D8B4A25BA61EF30804C70EA"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Local government representative</header><text>Where appropriate, the Administrator will receive nominations and select one representative from a coastal political subdivision to represent the interests of local and county governments on the Partnership.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H370CF6E01E9B4104847EABB0E284F2D3"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Additional appointments</header>
<subparagraph id="H65A749B66CB346D8B3683565AFF881AF"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Totals</header><text>The Administrator shall determine the total number of additional representatives of Indian tribes, Coastal States, and local governments within an ocean region of a Partnership as is necessary to ensure that the combined number of non-Federal voting representatives equals the number of Federal voting representatives on each Partnership.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBEFFA49707EF47B8B5DAD5F2BFBFFDA2"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Soliciting nominations</header><text>The Administrator shall solicit nominations for qualified governmental officers or employees from Indian tribes, States, Commonwealths, territories, and possessions of the United States within an ocean region of a Partnership and select nominees to fill any vacant seats on that Partnership.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H4B3E5A9E734147C886E0E6B711809853"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Selecting nominees</header><text>In selecting among nominees to serve on each Regional Ocean Partnership, the Administrator shall strive to ensure a balanced representation among these governmental entities.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H85CF22664F9C478794E1EA5DD72DE5EB"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Advisory committees</header>
<paragraph id="H375B4C2AD6CB44F7BFE373916F187655"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Authority</header><text>Each Partnership may establish and appoint members of advisory committees and working groups as necessary for preparation of a Regional Ocean Strategic Plan under this title.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1FE3F64E75944E53B007911601B8C700"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Citizens advisory committee</header><text>Each Partnership shall establish and appoint members of a Citizens Advisory Committee comprised of nongovernmental members of the public, including a wide range of citizens interested in multiple uses of United States ocean waters and ocean resources.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB080A7D68BB14988AF5F1FDF9FE01ED7"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Advice and input</header><text>Each Partnership shall take the advice and input of any Advisory Committee into consideration in the development of a Regional Ocean Strategic Plan.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H4F1FF769B41D4F648703419EB046831C"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Coordination</header>
<paragraph id="HFC406B10AD2D4D15A801E9F951CB271D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Immediately following the appointment of representatives to each Partnership, the representatives shall take steps to identify opportunities and better coordinate and integrate existing programs or activities with the other governmental entities in the ocean region of the Partnership.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HFA33D702E40249ADA2387D04588F7041"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Existing programs</header><text>Each Partnership shall not supplant the functions or authorities of existing regional entities and shall, to the maximum extent possible, build upon current State, multi-state, and regional capacity and governance and institutional mechanisms to manage ocean and coastal resources. This shall include mechanisms to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H8FBB26AAF3CD4C9DBD1352AD835E40A7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>conduct coastal and ocean monitoring, mapping, assessment, and observations;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3F452FE487034FD59F21F3EB8724365E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provide for ecologically sustainable growth;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HA501251ADD1A4DA5A6533708F7910092"><enum>(C)</enum><text>restore and conserve habitat;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD013F91420CB4348898B59C031548DAC"><enum>(D)</enum><text>manage State and Federal fisheries;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HBBDE6CF7FD21411596193B74D1002C4E"><enum>(E)</enum><text>maintain and improve the quality of coastal and ocean waters; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HAE5E43384E114E9B8B1281DE2FBB00E2"><enum>(F)</enum><text>protect and restore the resources of the Nation’s coastal zone.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9651D216C1C24FC388AF161EE6B84099"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Inland regions</header><text>Each Partnership shall collaborate and coordinate as necessary and appropriate with inland States that may significantly impact the health of marine ecosystems in the ocean region.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H0C1ACA951183477D8FD3ADC6B2253D4"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Procedures</header>
<paragraph id="H431AEF4D110C4520870499F9F3249197"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), each Partnership shall operate in accordance with procedures established by the Partnership and approved by the Administrator.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H66E659DC14344CAC8E67FEBC01C283FC"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Interim procedures</header><text>Each Partnership shall operate in accordance with interim procedures prescribed by the Administrator until such time as the Administrator approves procedures established by the Partnership under paragraph (1).</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB02C84CB7FE64A31A463FE5945020359"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Required procedures</header><text>The Administrator shall prescribe requirements for approval of procedures under paragraph (1), and interim procedures for purposes of paragraph (2), including such requirements and interim procedures that provide for—</text>
<subparagraph id="HBD58BAA8AF274577AA335ED85210DB1F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>transparency in decision-making;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H3E957CD867654FC6BD62187964ACA3CB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>opportunities for public input and participation; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H94604CE9460444C19673FAD16C55B727"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the use of science, local government, and citizen advisory committees.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HD95DF63641FB402E909B004B5C23E0BB"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Staff</header>
<paragraph id="HEC2CB7BCAD80403CAAF756BF567404B7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Hiring authority</header><text>Each Partnership may hire such staff as is necessary to perform the functions of the Partnership.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7D823E1A803B413D945C6542A464397C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Treatment</header><text>Staff hired by a Partnership shall be treated as employees of the Administration.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HABE295CAA63E42E4A885BB62A71417F2"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Federal Advisory Committee Act</header>
<paragraph id="H2B685736530B4914A44C1B6102F7FC1E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Regional Ocean Partnerships or to any advisory committees established under this title.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H40224D334AC844CE9ED41905E0BB1C2C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Compliance</header><text>Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Partnerships and any advisory committees of the Partnerships shall be appointed and operate in a manner consistent with all provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act with respect to—</text>
<subparagraph id="H3E9A4ADDD9C14C6BA14FF5B4C5D979F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the balance of their membership;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H01641EF0315D4D5DA017C545D35EE8CE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provision of public notice regarding their activities;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H2CB3550B81C64FD7B88900A0723E70CB"><enum>(C)</enum><text>open meetings; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H86515508B16241CFBEF723FA8DD2FD1"><enum>(D)</enum><text>public access to documents created by the Partnerships or advisory committees of the Partnerships.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="HE1DAB665A20D471C93D9C62197539E6F"><enum>403.</enum><header>Regional Ocean Strategic Plans</header>
<subsection id="H1EE1F6844C4A481188DD7EF69813F75"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>Each Regional Ocean Partnership shall, within 3 years after establishment of the Partnership, prepare and submit to the Administrator and the Committee on Ocean Policy for review and consultation and approval by the Administration, pursuant to this section, a Regional Ocean Strategic Plan (referred to in this title as <quote>Plan</quote>) for the ocean region of the Partnership.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H6707BDC9B9D04C799DF3A0711512C3B6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>Each Plan prepared by a Partnership shall include such information as the following:</text>
<paragraph id="H6BED160BCF8C43AAA8FED6CEE995B084"><enum>(1)</enum><text>An assessment of the ocean region in order to guide management decisions, including consideration of ecological, economic, educational, social, cultural nutritional, and recreational factors.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1E0EEDC891D24BFD9E63E59267DD4800"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Identification of multiple indicators that measure ecosystem health and the effectiveness of current management efforts, and an analysis of their current status.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H2898B25A0D3F42878E686E30007074C3"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Identification of important ecological areas within the region and recommendations for a long-term monitoring plan of such areas.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB34FD8C6BB754430A3FE2525B300FCFD"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Determination of priority issues within the region and adjoining inland regions and an assessment of the capacity of existing governance mechanisms to address those issues.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDBED2AE8CBB94A289B62E5BC86CFB2F5"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Determination of solutions and specific policies to address the priority problems that take an adaptive, ecosystem-based approach.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H24B47A26049A445590EC86516723A000"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Identification of short and long-term ecosystem goals, responsibilities for taking actions to implement solutions to priority problems and to achieve those ecosystem goals, and the necessary resources.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE4BADFB0A387419883A0BF06104367F4"><enum>(7)</enum><text>An analysis of the gaps in authority, coordination, and resources, including funding, that must be filled in order to fully achieve the Plan’s goals.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HEC4931CFEAE34E32839C0273DC8250B3"><enum>(8)</enum><text>Identification of model programs whose existing infrastructure aid in implementation of the Plan.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HED8D10B3ED1944CA0038D11919B5B2B6"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Meetings</header><text>Each Partnership shall meet—</text>
<paragraph id="H38671810F6FC4A808FAD85CB30856A0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>at least twice each year—</text>
<subparagraph id="H8BE1A775C04A4190AEBBB002FF42AAAB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>during the development of the Plan; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0BC12636FF6B4FA5A778E792E498700"><enum>(B)</enum><text>after completion of such plan to monitor the implementation of the plan’s goals and objectives and develop strategies for adaptive management; and</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6AA99D2059994AA7A3A9DA19C6DA4ED"><enum>(2)</enum><text>at other times at the call of the Administrator.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H2E53B80206344EFEB684723CFB317CF3"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Amending plans</header><text>Each approved Plan shall be reviewed and revised by the relevant Partnership at least once every four years. Any proposed amendments to the plan shall be transmitted to the Administrator for review pursuant to this section.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H18BAAB74EBFC46630090AC1F16DA61CF"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Action by Administrator</header>
<paragraph id="HE928BB24B89F4F2385A0D4EC63D3836"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Review of plans</header>
<subparagraph id="H01DF67B55C704ED1885851AF08C9961"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Commencement of review</header><text>Within 10 days after transmittal of a Plan by a Partnership to the Administrator and the Committee on Ocean Policy, or any amendment to such a Plan, the Administrator in consultation with the Committee on Ocean Policy shall commence a review of the Plan or amendment.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H471424A341E84EF2AE2D7983F3215E91"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Public notice and comment</header><text>Immediately after receipt of such a Plan, the Administrator shall publish in the Federal Register a notice stating that the plan or amendment is available and that public comments may be submitted to the Administrator within 60 days after the date the notice is published.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H6A463146DB5844A28C3E89AD723FDA9E"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Requirements for approval</header><text>Before approving a Regional Ocean Strategic Plan, or any amendments to such a Plan, submitted by a Regional Ocean Partnership, the Administrator, in consultation with the Committee on Ocean Policy, must find that the Plan—</text>
<clause id="H2652A6C47B0C4697A39F0096CC844F25"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is consistent with the policy and standards set forth in section 101, and</text> </clause>
<clause id="H669F9E8D8F9747FDBF1811093CEB1E2E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>adequately addresses the required elements under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </clause></subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD124C478AA08439800C8535C90092EF"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Deadline for review</header><text>Within 120 days after transmittal by the Partnership to the Administrator of a Regional Ocean Strategic Plan, or an amendment to such a Plan, the Administrator in consultation with the Committee on Ocean Policy shall approve or disapprove the plan by written notice. If the Administrator disapproves a Plan or amendment, the Administrator in consultation with the Committee on Ocean Policy shall make conforming recommendations to the Partnership. Within 60 days of receiving the recommendations, the Partnership shall submit a revised Plan or amendment(s) to the Administrator and the Committee on Ocean Policy for review under this title.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3F89F9BE045F4714B7029B16932872D2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Grants</header><text>The Administrator, subject to the availability of funds in the Ocean and Great Lakes Conservation Trust Fund established in section 501, may award grants to members of a Partnership, other than representatives of the Federal Government, to cover appropriate expenses incurred in developing a draft Ocean Strategic plan or to implement an approved plan.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H60B596D5C51E4672A1C4E3CFAD28CAB"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Implementation</header>
<paragraph id="HB893E79D9FB84A0E8D629CFFF88263A1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Indian tribes, States, Commonwealths, territories and possessions of the United States with a representative on a Regional Ocean Partnership, and the Federal Government shall, to the maximum extent practicable, implement an approved Regional Ocean Strategic Plan consistent with existing legal authorities.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB5EB7BA542134D5CA0BC7FDF41F588C8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Recommendations for more resources</header><text>If existing legal authority is inadequate or other resources are needed to successfully implement an approved Regional Ocean Strategic Plan in consultation with the Committee on Ocean Policy, the representatives of Indian tribes, States, Commonwealths, territories and possessions of the United States, and of the Federal Government serving on a Regional Ocean Partnership shall make recommendations to the Congress and States regarding necessary changes.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H40149C619E99462CA00613CDF5BE25B5"><enum>404.</enum><header>National Academy of Sciences study of regional oceans governance</header>
<subsection id="HB945004A2570412D83707CB100C42E1E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Study required</header><text>Not later than 1 year after enactment of this Act, the Administrator and the Committee on Ocean Policy shall enter into an arrangement with the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to carry out a study of existing regional and ecosystem-based approaches to coastal and ocean governance.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H67AF3F8D83B94EFB839022D486418F00"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Matters included</header><text>The study required by subsection (a) shall evaluate—</text>
<paragraph id="H2DFE5A7AF0FB403D00DC00842E7CFEA4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>current coastal and oceans approaches to ecosystem-based management and their effectiveness at maintaining healthy marine ecosystems;</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H03361F449E4E48CC8DE1AFF78FA05EA9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>approaches to regional governance currently in use in the United States; and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1BD05FC6B7E94C87BD99C1E782D5AF7"><enum>(3)</enum><text>mechanisms for engaging Federal, State, and local governments, special interest groups, and the general public in the management process.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H1FCF67D09C6446709D07C733CD691498"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Recommendations</header><text>In carrying out the study required by subsection (a), the National Research Council may develop recommendations it considers appropriate and directly related to the subject matter of the study. It is the sense of the Congress that the National Research Council should develop recommendations on the best methods of creating governance structures, specific to each of the Regional Ocean Partnerships created in section 402, that include ecosystem-based management strategies and broad participation.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H4240E20279F542D3B86953C15D1FC03"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Reports</header><text>The National Research Council shall submit to the Administrator, the Committee on Ocean Policy, and each of the Regional Ocean Partnerships created in section 402 by not later than one year after entering into the arrangement required by subsection (a), a final report on the study that includes all findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Upon receipt of the final report, each of the Regional Ocean Partnerships shall consider and integrate recommendations of the National Research Council to improve regional governance structures.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="HEA73624D30B44581B6DF7FE7141D6F8"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Provision of information</header><text>The Administrator and the Regional Ocean Partnerships shall, in a timely manner, make available to the National Research Council all information that the National Research Council considers necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this section.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H74699BC782934463AC063C2FB7626C1"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>This section shall not be construed to affect section 402, except to advise on efficient structure and operation of the partnerships for the most effective ecosystem-based management of resources as practicable.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H08E90DDE68614E2400A0C201A34F5504"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>Of the amounts made available to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration pursuant to the authorization of appropriations, an appropriate amount shall be available for carrying out the study required by this section.</text> </subsection></section>
<section id="HF0D5AA687DF94131A3F0685683DAD526"><enum>405.</enum><header>Ocean ecosystem resource information systems</header>
<subsection id="HED028A870DCF42EC95D1B5FF15F0C693"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Findings</header><text>The Congress finds the following:</text>
<paragraph id="H785197F5791244DF915E15E49C71FA6E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Ecosystem-based management will require development of an ocean information systems comprised of a set of information management tools and products capable of integrating and disseminating information essential for informed decision-making.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HB672350ABF9847B3BD36163900071740"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Information generated by ocean monitoring systems, including the National Environmental Observatory Network, will be more useful if fully integrated into resource information systems developed for ecosystem-based management applications. Data from these offshore monitoring programs, coupled with other information on ocean and aquatic ecosystems, will provide a basis for understanding natural and anthropogenic environmental variability, including climate change and the resulting impacts on living marine resources.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H744A0A6D7CE540259724B791C3E5206"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Natural resource information systems have been developed and are presently a successful management tool for onshore uses, including some Pacific Coast watersheds, and they should now be applied to the ocean environment to facilitate ecosystem-based management of the United States oceans waters.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HFF09B0EBC4184A6CB1FF00F23758F010"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Establishment</header>
<paragraph id="HB2CBA36CA49B40109600EDE0F086C3E3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>The Administrator shall, within 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, establish a network of regional ocean ecosystem resource information systems to act as an organized repository of geophysical, atmospheric, oceanographic, and marine biological data, including genetic research, studies, data, maps, and analyses necessary to the understanding of the ocean ecosystem, and from which to draw information for the establishment of national policies and priorities related to the conservation, use, and management of United States ocean waters and the marine resources therein.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H648B80240ACE4F2487D70646B3271FF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Included information</header><text>Information maintained in each regional ocean ecosystem resource information system may include—</text>
<subparagraph id="H665B2F152A2F49C6ADA52176A9542F20"><enum>(A)</enum><text>relevant historic or social science information that may aid in the understanding of ocean ecosystems or their management; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H221691BEDDCC494C91718E4967A44E89"><enum>(B)</enum><text>published and unpublished research, data, and scientifically peer-reviewed analysis, developed by State agencies, academic or scientific institutions, fishermen’s collaborative research programs, and other reliable and relevant information sources.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HAD598738CC9C45319244B9BAC72FDA01"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Review of included analyses and interpretations</header><text>Each draft analysis and interpretation of data to explain ecosystem relationships that is included in a regional ocean ecosystem resource information system shall be reviewed by qualified experts before being broadly disseminated through the system to the public.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H17399D2448054A2992BE0011D436AE2F"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Contracts and other agreements</header>
<subparagraph id="HBE606FE472E546DC9B96D86295D068B7"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Authority</header><text>The Administrator, subject to the availability of appropriations, may enter into contracts and other agreements with other Federal agencies, State agencies, non-governmental organizations, universities, and private academic institutions for development of portions of each regional ocean ecosystem resource information system.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5E8D331260D54C8A9CAF59A556535515"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Open-source software and the end-product licenses</header><text>The Administrator shall include in such agreements appropriate provisions requiring use of general public license open-source software and licensing of end-products to the Administration or to any joint authority considered appropriate by the Administrator for efficient regional operations.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HF369949ECD1D4066BAA40701098CC9CD"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Access to information</header><text>The Administrator shall ensure that information in each regional ocean ecosystem resource information system established under this section shall be readily accessible at no cost, or at nominal cost, to the Congress, all Federal agencies, States, academic and scientific institutions, and the public through the Internet, libraries, and such other mediums as may be appropriate and practical.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H27DDBA348636444BB75B718D7F4CA9F6"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Included regions and waters; schedule</header>
<paragraph id="HB1D979C273A0423C9967E29641FE8457"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Ocean regions</header><text>The Administrator shall establish by not later than 5 years after the enactment of the Act, a regional ocean ecosystem resource information system for each ocean region.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H8066CA8EF89B45C7BCABC04295C8FB2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Other waters</header><text>The Administrator, in cooperation with the affected States, shall establish by not later than 10 years after the enactment of this Act, a regional ocean ecosystem resource information system for each of the following bodies of water:</text>
<subparagraph id="H220FE6459AE24C6300AB2F2101EE33EF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The United States territorial waters of each of the Great Lakes.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H97E44203C12D44DD861E80BB72B1A8B8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Long Island Sound.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H65126E375FA84DF4B478B18EF9E9D16B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The Gulf of Maine.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD2BF6A81C56941B09FCFEF99034516E8"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Chesapeake Bay.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H337F721A040C440CA5E2CCD4B489721C"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The Mississippi River Delta.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H701526C76AB848D0A741D097009789E0"><enum>(F)</enum><text>San Francisco Bay and Delta.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD212F3A3CA494AB700B600EB60CAF27D"><enum>(G)</enum><text>The United States territorial waters of Puget Sound.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBDA7E7AB4B16471E85141C42F35C87D0"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Modification of regions and waters</header><text>The Administrator, with respect to the establishment of regional ocean ecosystem resource information systems, and for purposes of administrative convenience and to ensure the timely completion of such systems, may divide the regions and waters referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) or include other waters not listed in those paragraphs.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H8B2C48578D8B4FFCA01547D62EE6E00"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Coordination</header>
<paragraph id="H86DC8603F228471BA4E1028400C09520"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Obtaining information</header><text>In establishing regional ocean ecosystem resource information systems, the Administrator—</text>
<subparagraph id="H86D78A88015F4A4195F46B70E437BAF2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall cooperate and coordinate with the United States Geological Survey, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Minerals Management Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Coast Guard, and the Navy, and all Administration offices, including the National Marine Sanctuaries program and Regional Fishery Management Councils, in order to obtain from such agencies and offices and use all unclassified information necessary for the development and operation of the systems; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H96AFF09148834DA2A188ACF71B38D0D6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may seek to enter into cooperative agreements with States, local governments, universities, or private academic institutions in order to obtain access to information necessary or useful for the development and operation of the systems.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDBCD1EF6D3E747CBACB4032288BB2C1F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Avoidance of duplication</header><text>To avoid duplication, in establishing regional ocean ecosystem resource information systems the Administrator shall coordinate with other ocean data acquisition and distribution systems, including the National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse and the Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network program of the Administration.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H3396587D35004273BDA6B01404CFEF9C"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Integration of watershed, bay, and estuarine information systems</header><text>The Administrator, in recognition of the effects of land-based and watershed uses on ocean ecosystems, shall facilitate to the extent practical the integration of watershed, bay, and estuarine information systems with the appropriate regional ocean ecosystem resource information system.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H022DE2A1FD2042FD9B35153985855FBF"><enum>(4)</enum><header>International agreements</header><text>The Administrator may, in consultation with the Secretary of State, enter into agreements with the Governments of Canada, Mexico, and the Russian Federation with respect to establishment of a regional ocean ecosystem resource information system for United States coastal waters that abut the territorial waters of any of those countries, for purposes of inclusion in such a system of any information or data that may be necessary or useful in the development and operation of such system.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H3E2BE21C415E44EDACA05D1EB62F9B3B"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>For development and implementation of the ocean ecosystem resource information systems for ocean regions and other waters under this section, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $12,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2018.</text> </subsection></section>
<section id="HDEF688835D56437795CD3293B869C7C8"><enum>406.</enum><header>Regulations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator shall issue such regulations as the Administrator considers necessary to ensure proper administration of this title.</text> </section>
<section id="H5ACA9087B2FD42DE809B0205CECD5146"><enum>407.</enum><header>Other authority</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This title shall not be construed as superseding or diminishing the authorities and responsibilities, under any other provision of law, of the Administrator or any other Federal, State, or tribal officer, employee, department, or agency.</text> </section>
<section id="H6BBC89614AD4461C83C100CAA5B286F4"><enum>408.</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator for carrying out this title, including development, implementation, and monitoring of approved Regional Ocean Strategic Plans, $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013.</text> </section>
<enum>V</enum><header>OCEAN AND GREAT LAKES CONSERVATION TRUST FUND</header>
<section id="HA9222C2470EE4E5ABE132EB345D23400"><enum>501.</enum><header>Establishment of fund</header>
<subsection id="H41317C81C99A48639B4835BAF041131C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment of Fund</header><text>There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund which shall be known as the <quote>Ocean and Great Lakes Conservation Trust Fund</quote>, in this title referred to as the <quote>Fund</quote>. In each fiscal year after fiscal year 2007, the Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit into the Fund the following amounts:</text>
<paragraph id="H6E8642E279E049799420BF5CC7DF503E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>General revenue</header><text>An amount in each such fiscal year equal to the difference between $1,300,000,000 and the amounts deposited in the Fund under paragraphs (2), (3), and (4).</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HE8E9A190848E4ACFA694B7F5A5BD7D53"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Healthy Ocean Stamp</header><text>Amounts generated from the sale of a Healthy Oceans Stamp under section 507.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H818DDA21FEA44AB38FE82EC3DC4F39EF"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Amounts not disbursed</header><text>All allocated but undisbursed amounts returned to the Fund under section 505(a)(2).</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA4D0223FEB6B4A6991251EBA7D8BEF7B"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Interest</header><text>All interest earned under subsection (d).</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H775AAC17DF9C4CE6B7F1FEB069ABC6F1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Transfer for Expenditure</header><text>The Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer amounts deposited into the Fund as follows:</text>
<paragraph id="HA90A0A6BE1204EE1B1258F5000CC4988"><enum>(1)</enum><text>To the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for purposes of making payments to coastal States only for carrying out their responsibilities for developing and implementing Regional Ocean Strategic Plans under title IV—</text>
<subparagraph id="H80600751C78D4FCDAD20C339DC460651"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$350,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H7B5FB280BA9B469CA393DD57DF52C6BB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>$700,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HB234FC36364A4F40A8FA45FCCFB95B88"><enum>(C)</enum><text>$1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and each fiscal year thereafter.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="H343A636A9DB240CBB51536FF081CBDEA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>To the Administrator for allocation, with concurrence of the Committee on Ocean Policy, only for carrying out responsibilities of the Federal Government for development and implementation of Regional Ocean Strategic Plans required under title IV—</text>
<subparagraph id="H81525E111773490981C81DDAD2CAFEB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>$50,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H5B7AFB07E8BD4C24BEDFD634255A211"><enum>(B)</enum><text>$100,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9A6F23F45AE6485981C9CF5DAA27E5BE"><enum>(C)</enum><text>$300,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and each fiscal year thereafter.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H6831B8A0ADAD400BA07778D95D8D9B54"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Shortfall</header><text>If amounts referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a) in any fiscal year after fiscal year 2007 are less than $1,300,000,000, the amounts transferred under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) for that fiscal year shall each be reduced proportionately.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H96418455EB8642898B00D029A60800B8"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Interest</header><text>The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest monies in the Fund (including interest), and in any fund or account to which monies are transferred pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, in public debt securities with maturities suitable to the needs of the Fund, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, and bearing interest at rates determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into consideration current market yields on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States of comparable maturity. Such invested monies shall remain invested until needed to meet requirements for disbursement for the programs financed under this Act.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="HDBDA49270EF6414F00CE2BD7BC442E94"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Intent of Congress to Supplement Annual Appropriations for Federal Agencies</header><text>Amounts made available by this Act are intended by the Congress to supplement, and not detract from, annual appropriations for Federal agencies receiving funding under this title.</text> </subsection></section>
<section id="H4143A4DEA00745618C19060496D99600"><enum>502.</enum><header>Limitation on use of available amounts for administration</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Notwithstanding any other provision of law, of amounts made available by this title (including the amendments made by this title) for a particular activity, not more than 2 percent may be used for administrative expenses of that activity.</text> </section>
<section id="H4E75B7664B254EE4A315CD00B1C55F95"><enum>503.</enum><header>Recordkeeping requirements</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Administrator, in consultation with the Committee on Ocean Policy, shall establish such rules regarding recordkeeping by State and local governments and the auditing of expenditures made by State and local governments from funds made available under this Act as may be necessary. Such rules shall be in addition to other requirements established regarding recordkeeping and the auditing of such expenditures under other authority of law.</text> </section>
<section id="H1ECED6DC793F4AEA9C4C25B0D2A148C6"><enum>504.</enum><header>Maintenance of effort and matching funding</header>
<subsection id="HB9EA0AEFA2DA4F5D916C93FD656CBF00"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>It is the intent of the Congress in this Act that States not use this Act as an opportunity to reduce State or local resources for the programs funded by this Act. Except as provided in subsection (b), no State or local government shall receive any funds under this Act during any fiscal year in which its expenditures of non-Federal funds for recurrent expenditures for programs for which funding is provided under this Act will be less than its expenditures were for such programs during the preceding fiscal year. No State or local government shall receive funding under this Act with respect to a program unless the Administrator is satisfied that such a grant will be so used to supplement and, to the extent practicable, increase the level of State, local, or other non-Federal funds available for such program.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H13EBF5DC442E4624B09EFC35F169F037"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>The Administrator may provide funding under this Act to a State or local government not meeting the requirements of subsection (a) if the Administrator determines that a reduction in expenditures—</text>
<paragraph id="H956C96650F004ECEB0B973272F049B38"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is attributable to a nonselective reduction in expenditures for the programs of all executive branch agencies of the State or local government; or</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7CEBC233B59B40FDBEA6B66DC5733518"><enum>(2)</enum><text>is a result of reductions in State or local revenue as a result of a downturn in the economy.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="HB0A3206C03ED466D890460F990474048"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Use of Fund to meet matching requirements</header><text>All funds received by a State or local government under this Act shall be treated as Federal funds for purposes of compliance with any provision in effect under any other law requiring that non-Federal funds be used to provide a portion of the funding for any program or project.</text> </subsection></section>
<section id="H10509B5C1F6B4635AC5E4693D98EC952"><enum>505.</enum><header>Community assistance formula and payments</header>
<subsection id="HCDFCBE45F21248748711AD55D3C718D8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Conservation payments to coastal States</header>
<paragraph id="H8516A12C2BBD4D9BAF72A3F7726000B8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Grant program</header><text>Amounts transferred to the Administrator from the Fund under section 501(b)(1) for purposes of making payments to coastal States under this title in any fiscal year shall be allocated by the Administrator among coastal States as provided in this section each such fiscal year. In each such fiscal year, the Administrator shall, without further appropriation, disburse such allocated funds to those coastal States for which the Administrator has approved a spending plan under section 506 and that have met all other requirements of this title. Payments for all projects shall be made by the Administrator to the Governor of the State or to the State official or agency designated by the Governor or by State law as having authority and responsibility to accept and to administer funds paid hereunder. No payment shall be made to any State until the State has agreed to provide such reports to the Administrator, in such form and containing such information, as may be reasonably necessary to enable the Administrator to perform the duties of the Administrator under this title, and provide such fiscal control and fund accounting procedures as may be necessary to assure proper disbursement and accounting for Federal revenues paid to the State under this title.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H9B99500CC7A34F959EB896A0F239DA98"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Failure to make sufficient progress at developing or implementing a regional ocean strategic plan</header><text>At the end of each fiscal year, the Administrator shall return to the Fund any amount that the Administrator allocated, but did not disburse, in that fiscal year to a coastal State that, in the judgment of the Administrator, has failed to make sufficient progress in developing or implementing a Regional Ocean Strategic Plan under title IV before the end of the fiscal year in which such grant is allocated, except that the Administrator shall hold in escrow until the final resolution of the appeal any amount allocated, but not disbursed, to a coastal State that has appealed the disapproval of such funding.</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H0ADE65ADCA8047BA90DC11595200F489"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Allocation among coastal States</header>
<paragraph id="H663132DE9EFD43E39C0739002ECB6F33"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Allocable share for each State</header><text>For each coastal State, the Administrator shall determine the State’s allocable share of the total amount transferred from the Fund under section 501(b)(1) for each fiscal year using the following weighted formula:</text>
<subparagraph id="H03FDBE33AE8A43B591A818869B486EE4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Thirty-five percent of such amount shall be allocated to each coastal State based on the ratio of each State’s shoreline miles to the shoreline miles of all coastal States.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H65F15FC1F83E4EF59942D413449BEDB1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Sixty-five percent of such amount shall be allocated to each coastal State based on the ratio of each State’s coastal population to the coastal population of all coastal States.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HC21EF33D06B4494D90D853109CCC027D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Minimum State share</header>
<subparagraph id="H8F2BB52179DF40538C285DC0D80598F3"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The allocable share determined by the Administrator under this subsection for each coastal State with a management program approved by the Secretary of Commerce under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1451">16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.</external-xref>), or that is making satisfactory progress toward one, shall not be less in any fiscal year than 0.50 percent of the total amount transferred by the Secretary of the Treasury to the Administrator for that fiscal year under section 501(b)(1). For any other coastal State the allocable share shall not be less than 0.25 percent of such transferred amount.</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H77454D55E12B4F81BB22D87E7F1737D"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Recomputation</header><text>If 1 or more coastal States’ allocable shares, as computed under paragraphs (1) and (2), are increased by any amount under this paragraph, the allocable share for all other coastal States shall be recomputed and reduced by the same amount so that not more than 100 percent of the amount transferred by the Secretary of the Treasury to the Administrator for that fiscal year under section 501(b)(1) is allocated to all coastal States. The reduction shall be divided pro rata among such other coastal States.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H43949C246989491895BBA5D34B184932"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Payments to political subdivisions</header><text>In the case of a coastal State, the Governor of the State shall hold 50 percent of the State’s allocable share, as determined under subsection (b), in a State ocean grants fund. The Governor or his designee shall award, on a competitive basis, grants to coastal political subdivisions of the State from the State ocean grants fund only for activities relating to the development and implementation of federally approved Regional Ocean Strategic Plans that are consistent with the standard set forth in subsection 506(b).</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H45AC65742F81460A816050391D0332DA"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Time of payment</header><text>Payments to coastal States and coastal political subdivisions under this section shall be made not later than December 31 of each year from revenues received during the immediately preceding fiscal year.</text> </subsection></section>
<section id="H21D25E0568C040E8ACA553EA2D84D100"><enum>506.</enum><header>Approval of State funding and spending plans</header>
<subsection id="H027D12CFB2EF44B3B757E210A6E3250"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Development and submission of Regional Ocean Strategic Plans</header><text>Each coastal State seeking to receive grants under this title shall participate in the development and implementation of Regional Ocean Strategic Plans under title IV.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="HFE47BED6ACE14848B6098510F4E552BF"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Standard governing the expenditure of funds</header><text>All Funds disbursed to coastal States and political subdivisions shall only be used for activities that—</text>
<paragraph id="H0E4787310FD247409900412F6CA934B3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>develop or implement federally approved Regional Ocean Strategic Plans, and</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HDA6FF904A4A649DEA44480BF286ED925"><enum>(2)</enum><text>are consistent with the national standards set forth in section 101(b).</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H0554914656914A4C892CB8BBEB162673"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Submission of spending plan</header><text>Each coastal State seeking funding under this title shall submit annually to the Administrator a spending plan for funds provided under this title. In addition to such other requirements as the Administrator by regulation shall prescribe, each State spending plan shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="HA680A0DCC7C94D8E8CB6B2473CF8F5DF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The name of the State agency that will have the authority to represent and act for the State in dealing with the Administrator for purposes of this title.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBECFDDEFFDED4FB395EEE1C589FA825"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A description of how funds provided under this title will be used to meet the State’s responsibilities to develop and implement the applicable Regional Ocean Strategic Plan.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H6B8B1C4D76704CD98E29287DACFE7160"><enum>(3)</enum><text>A description of how the funds provided under this title will be used by coastal political subdivisions to develop and implement the applicable Regional Ocean Strategic Plan.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H39BEA2F027154AF2886D6444298C63CC"><enum>(4)</enum><text>An analysis of how the funds provided under this title to both coastal States and coastal political subdivisions will be consistent with the standard set forth in subsection 506(b).</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H1AA5879750434207BBBB202B297300BB"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Certification by the Governor of the coastal State that all the funds provided under this title to coastal political subdivisions will be used to develop and implement a Regional Ocean Strategic Plan in a manner that is consistent with the standard set forth in subsection 506(b).</text> </paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H42F9B938FBD84250A68358002F9FC033"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Approval or disapproval</header>
<paragraph id="H96D28DB76E154524AFEA9035EE9448E6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>A coastal State shall receive funding under this title if, in consultation with the Committee on Ocean Policy, the Administrator—</text>
<subparagraph id="HBFD73DF7DA9647F38244D2A048B1BE3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>certifies that such coastal State is participating actively and sufficiently in the development and implementation of a Regional Ocean Strategic Plan under title IV;</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H9B71FA90E5B44F458275BC00E66C92BB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>approves a spending plan submitted by such State that specifies how funds provided under this title will be used to meet the State’s obligations and responsibilities in developing and implementing a Regional Ocean Strategic Plan under title IV; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="H0491A26EF85F4457957F5F4D1D37E04F"><enum>(C)</enum><text>ensures any payments under this title to coastal States and political subdivisions are used to develop and implement an approved Regional Ocean Strategic Plan in a manner that is consistent with the standard set forth in subsection 506(b).</text> </subparagraph></paragraph>
<paragraph id="HCEF26ADA56404D4290D15D80EE337E1B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Procedure and timing; revisions</header><text>The Administrator shall approve or disapprove each spending plan submitted in accordance with this section. If a State first submits a plan by not later than 90 days before the beginning of the first fiscal year to which the plan applies, the Administrator shall approve or disapprove the plan by not later than 30 days before the beginning of that fiscal year.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H7AA5EA80551241D5A545A1DB37BE7F9"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Amendment or revision</header><text>Any amendment to or revision of the plan shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements of this subsection and shall be submitted to the Administrator for approval or disapproval. Any such amendment or revision shall take effect only for fiscal years after the fiscal year in which the amendment or revision is approved by the Administrator.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="H29A7312BC07E45E8B0A61F581317A4E2"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Public comment</header><text>Before approving or disapproving a spending plan of a State, amendment, or revision to a plan, the Administrator shall provide for public comment on the State’s proposed expenditures for the forthcoming year.</text> </paragraph></subsection></section>
<section id="H0D5A827001DD4CC3A3C099824ECC8278"><enum>507.</enum><header>Special postage stamp</header>
<subsection id="H437BB03CAFB4469A81356624042313B2"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In General</header><text>In order to afford a convenient way for members of the public to support efforts to protect, maintain, and restore marine ecosystems, the United States Postal Service shall provide for a special postage stamp in accordance with this section.</text> </subsection>
<subsection id="H1DC0FC8EA2FD4E2EADB4BF1576DCF256"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Terms and conditions</header><text>The issuance and sale of the stamp referred to in subsection (a) shall be governed by <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/416">section 416</external-xref> of title 39, United States Code, and regulations under such section, subject to the following:</text>
<paragraph id="H2FE19532F67440DCB973627BFC53C22"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Transfers</header><text>All amounts becoming available from the sale of such stamp shall be transferred to the Ocean and Great Lakes Conservation Trust Fund (as established by section 501) through payments which shall be made, at least twice a year, in the manner required by subsection (d)(1) of section 416 of such title 39.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HBC8EE60674374E95A4F2E4F28FC06457"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Numerical limitation</header><text>For purposes of applying any numerical limitation referred to in subsection (e)(1)(C) of section 416 of such title 39, such stamp shall not be taken into account.</text> </paragraph>
<paragraph id="HA88E2C414524443790C07D513B877BEC"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>Such stamp shall be made available to the public over such period of time as the Postal Service may determine, except that such period—</text>
<subparagraph id="HFADB63A6CEF64F29BBCA65EBE4BF66D4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall commence not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act; and</text> </subparagraph>
<subparagraph id="HD991EBC1481548B0908B7DE5B6FDE504"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall terminate not later than the close of the period referred to in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/416">section 416(g)</external-xref> of title 39, United States Code.</text> </subparagraph></paragraph></subsection>
<subsection id="H02578608BA6240609FCF8F3174005FD8"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Rule of Construction</header><text>Nothing in this section shall be considered to permit or require that any determination of the amounts becoming available from the sale of the stamp referred to in subsection (a) be made in a manner inconsistent with the requirements of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/39/416">section 416(d)</external-xref> of title 39, United States Code.</text> </subsection></section>
<enum>VI</enum><header>ADMINISTRATION FUNDING</header>
<section id="H68D4F13536D7423788A464D7F4FEB1BD"><enum>601.</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator such sums as necessary for the functions and activities carried out by the Administration in accordance with this Act. Sums appropriated under this section shall remain available until expended.</text> </section>