H.R. 860 (111th): Coral Reef Conservation Act Reauthorization and Enhancement Amendments of 2009

HR 860 IH

To reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, and for other purposes.

February 4, 2009

Ms. BORDALLO (for herself, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. FARR, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. HINCHEY, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. HONDA, Mr. KIRK, Ms. LEE of California, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. KLEIN of Florida, and Mr. SABLAN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

To reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the ‘Coral Reef Conservation Act Reauthorization and Enhancement Amendments of 2009’.

(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.

Sec. 2. Amendment of Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000.

TITLE I--AMENDMENTS TO THE CORAL REEF CONSERVATION ACT

Sec. 101. Short title.

Sec. 102. Expansion of Coral Reef Conservation Program.

Sec. 103. Emergency response.

Sec. 104. National program.

Sec. 105. Report to Congress.

Sec. 106. Fund; grants; grounding inventory; coordination.

Sec. 107. Clarification of definitions.

Sec. 108. Authorization of appropriations.

TITLE II--UNITED STATES CORAL REEF TASK FORCE

Sec. 201. United States Coral Reef Task Force.

TITLE III--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR CORAL REEF AUTHORITIES

Sec. 301. Amendments relating to Department of the Interior program.

Sec. 302. Clarification of definitions.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENT OF CORAL REEF CONSERVATION ACT OF 2000.

Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to or repeal of a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.).

TITLE I--AMENDMENTS TO THE CORAL REEF CONSERVATION ACT

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the ‘Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2009’.

SEC. 102. EXPANSION OF CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

(a) Project Diversity- Section 204(d) (16 U.S.C. 6403(d)) is amended--

(1) in the heading by striking ‘Geographic and Biological’ and inserting ‘Project’; and

(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:

‘(3) Remaining funds shall be awarded for--

‘(A) projects (with priority given to community-based local action strategies) that address emerging priorities or threats, including international and territorial priorities, or threats identified by the Administrator in consultation with the United States Coral Reef Task Force; and

‘(B) other appropriate projects, as determined by the Administrator, including monitoring and assessment, research, pollution reduction, education, and technical support.’.

(b) Approval Criteria- Section 204(g) (16 U.S.C. 6403(g)) is amended--

(1) by striking ‘or’ after the semicolon in paragraph (9);

(2) by striking paragraph (10); and

(3) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:

‘(10) promoting activities designed to minimize the likelihood of vessel impacts on coral reefs, particularly those areas identified under section 210(b), including the promotion of ecologically sound navigation and anchorages near coral reefs; or

‘(11) promoting and assisting entities to work with local communities, and all appropriate governmental and nongovernmental organizations, to support community-based planning and management initiatives for the protection of coral reef ecosystems.’.

SEC. 103. EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

Section 206 (16 U.S.C. 6405) is amended to read as follows:

‘SEC. 206. EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTIONS.

‘(a) In General- The Administrator may undertake or authorize action necessary--

‘(1) to minimize the destruction of or injury to a coral reef, or loss of an ecosystem function of a coral reef, from--

‘(A) vessel impacts, derelict fishing gear, vessel anchors, and anchor chains; and

‘(B) from unforeseen or disaster-related circumstances as a result of human activities; and

‘(2) to stabilize, repair, recover, or restore a coral reef that is destroyed or injured, or that has incurred the loss of an ecosystem function, as described in paragraph (1).

‘(b) Vessel Removal; Stabilization- Action authorized by subsection (a) includes vessel removal and emergency stabilization of the vessel or any impacted coral reef.

‘(c) Partnering With Other Federal Agencies- When possible, action by the Administrator under this section should--

‘(1) be conducted in partnership with other government agencies as appropriate, including--

‘(A) the Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department of the Interior; and

‘(B) agencies of States; and

‘(2) leverage resources of other agencies.

‘(d) Emergency Response Assistance by Other Federal Agencies-

‘(1) IN GENERAL- The head of any other Federal agency may assist the Administrator in emergency response actions under this section, using funds available for operations of the agency concerned.

‘(2) REIMBURSEMENT- The Administrator, subject to the availability of appropriations, may reimburse a Federal agency for assistance provided under paragraph (1).

‘(e) Liability for Costs and Damages to Coral Reefs-

‘(1) TREATMENT OF CORAL REEFS UNDER NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES ACT- For purposes of the provisions set forth in paragraph (2), and subject to paragraph (3), each of the terms ‘sanctuary resources’, ‘resource’, ‘sanctuary resource managed under law or regulations for that sanctuary’, ‘national marine sanctuary’, ‘sanctuary resources of the national marine sanctuary’, and ‘sanctuary resources of other national marine sanctuaries’ is deemed to include any coral reef that is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States or any State, without regard to whether such coral reef is located in a national marine sanctuary.

‘(2) APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES ACT- The provisions referred to in paragraph (1) are the following provisions of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act:

‘(A) Paragraphs (6) and (7) of section 302 (16 U.S.C. 1432).

‘(B) Paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of section 306 (16 U.S.C. 1436).

‘(C) Section 307 (16 U.S.C. 1437).

‘(D) Section 312 (16 U.S.C. 1443).

‘(3) STATE CONSENT REQUIRED-

‘(A) IN GENERAL- This subsection shall not apply to any coral reef that is subject to the jurisdiction of a State unless the Governor of that State notifies the Secretary that the State consents to that application.

‘(B) REVOCATION OF CONSENT- The governor of a State may revoke consent under subparagraph (A) by notifying the Secretary of such revocation.

‘(4) CONSISTENCY WITH INTERNATIONAL LAWS AND TREATIES- Any action taken under the authority of this subsection must be consistent with otherwise applicable international laws and treaties.

‘(5) ACTIONS AUTHORIZED WITH RESPECT TO VESSELS- Actions authorized under this subsection include vessel removal, and emergency re-stabilization of a vessel and any coral reef that is impacted by a vessel.’.

SEC. 104. NATIONAL PROGRAM.

(a) Purpose of Act- Section 202 (16 U.S.C. 6401) is amended--

(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) as paragraphs (3) through (6), respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:

‘(2) to promote the resilience of coral reef ecosystems;’.

(2) by amending paragraph (4), as so redesignated, to read as follows:

‘(4) to develop sound scientific information on the condition of coral reef ecosystems and the threats to such ecosystems including large-scale threats related to climate change, to benefit local communities and the Nation, and to the extent practicable support and enhance coral reef research capabilities at local academic institutions;’; and

(3) by striking ‘and’ after the semicolon at the end of paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by striking the period at the end of paragraph (6), as so redesignated, and inserting ‘; and’, and by adding at the end the following:

‘(7) to recognize the benefits of healthy coral reefs to island and coastal communities and to encourage Federal action to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, the continued availability of those benefits.’.

(b) Goals and Objectives of National Coral Reef Action Strategy- Section 203(b)(8) (16 U.S.C. 6402(b)(8)) is amended to read as follows:

‘(8) conservation, including resilience and the consideration of island and local traditions and practices.’.

(c) Amendments Relating to Activities To Conserve Coral Reefs and Coral Reef Ecosystems- Section 207(b) (16 U.S.C. 6406(b)) is amended--

(1) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘and’ after the semicolon;

(2) in paragraph (4)--

(A) by striking ‘cooperative conservation’ and inserting ‘cooperative research, conservation,’; and

(B) by striking ‘partners.’ and inserting ‘partners, including academic institutions located in States;’; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

‘(5) improving and promoting the resilience of coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems; and

‘(6) activities designed to minimize the likelihood of vessel impacts or other physical damage to coral reefs, including those areas identified in section 210(b).’.

(d) Criteria for Approval of Project Proposals- Section 204(g) (16 U.S.C. 6403(g)) is further amended by striking ‘or’ after the semicolon at the end of paragraph (10), by redesignating paragraph (11) as paragraph (12), and by inserting after paragraph (10) the following:

‘(11) improving and promoting the resilience of coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems; or’.

(e) Data Archive, Access, and Availability- Section 207 (16 U.S.C. 6406) is amended--

(1) in subsection (b) (as amended by subsection (b) of this section) by striking ‘and’ after the semicolon at the end of paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end of paragraph (6) and inserting ‘; and’, and by adding at the end the following:

‘(7) centrally archiving, managing, and distributing data sets and providing coral reef ecosystem assessments and services to the general public with local, regional, or international programs and partners.’; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

‘(c) Data Archive, Access, and Availability- The Secretary, in coordination with similar efforts at other Departments and agencies shall provide for the long-term stewardship of environmental data, products, and information via data processing, storage, and archive facilities pursuant to this title. The Secretary may--

‘(1) archive environmental data collected by Federal, State, local agencies and tribal organizations and federally funded research;

‘(2) promote widespread availability and dissemination of environmental data and information through full and open access and exchange to the greatest extent possible, including in electronic format on the Internet;

‘(3) develop standards, protocols and procedures for sharing Federal data with State and local government programs and the private sector or academia; and

‘(4) develop metadata standards for coral reef ecosystems in accordance with Federal Geographic Data Committee guidelines.’.

SEC. 105. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

Section 208 (16 U.S.C. 6407) is amended to read as follows:

‘SEC. 208. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

‘Not later than March 1, 2010, and every 3 years thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing all activities undertaken to implement the strategy, including--

‘(1) a description of the funds obligated by each participating Federal agency to advance coral reef conservation during each of the 3 fiscal years next preceding the fiscal year in which the report is submitted;

‘(2) a description of Federal interagency and cooperative efforts with States and non-governmental partner organizations to prevent or address overharvesting, coastal runoff, or other anthropogenic impacts on coral reef ecosystems, including projects undertaken with the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Army Corps of Engineers;

‘(3) a summary of the information contained in the vessel grounding inventory established under section 210, including additional authorization or funding, needed for response and removal of such vessels;

‘(4) a description of Federal disaster response actions taken pursuant to the National Response Plan to address damage to coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems; and

‘(5) an assessment of the condition of United States coral reefs, accomplishments under this Act, and the effectiveness of management actions to address threats to coral reefs, including actions taken to address large-scale threats to coral reef ecosystems related to climate change.’.

SEC. 106. FUND; GRANTS; GROUNDING INVENTORY; COORDINATION.

(a) Fund; Grants; Grounding Inventory; Coordination- The Act (16 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.) is amended--

(1) in section 205(a) (16 U.S.C. 6404(a)), by striking ‘organization solely’ and all that follows and inserting ‘organization--

‘(1) to support partnerships between the public and private sectors that further the purposes of this Act and are consistent with the national coral reef strategy under section 203; and

‘(2) to address emergency response actions under section 206.’;

(2) by adding at the end of section 205(b) (16 U.S.C. 6404(b)) ‘The organization is encouraged to solicit funding and in-kind services from the private sector, including nongovernmental organizations, for emergency response actions under section 206 and for activities to prevent damage to coral reefs, including areas identified in section 210(b)(2).’;

(3) in section 205(c) (16 U.S.C. 6404(c)), by striking ‘the grant program’ and inserting ‘any grant program or emergency response action’;

(4) by redesignating sections 209 and 210 as sections 217 and 218, respectively; and

(5) by inserting after section 208 the following:

‘SEC. 209. COMMUNITY-BASED PLANNING GRANTS.

‘(a) In General- The Administrator may make grants to entities that are eligible to receive grants under section 204(c) to provide additional funds to such entities to work with local communities and through appropriate Federal and State entities to prepare and implement plans for the increased protection of coral reef areas identified by the community and scientific experts as high priorities for focused attention. The plans shall--

‘(1) support attainment of one or more of the criteria described in section 204(g);

‘(2) be developed at the community level;

‘(3) utilize where applicable watershed-based or ecosystem-based approaches;

‘(4) provide for coordination with Federal and State experts and managers;

‘(5) build upon local approaches or models, including traditional or island-based resource management concepts; and

‘(6) complement local action strategies or regional plans for coral reef conservation.

‘(b) Terms and Conditions- The provisions of subsections (b), (d), (f), and (h) of section 204 apply to grants under subsection (a), except that, for the purpose of applying section 204(b)(1) to grants under this section, ‘75 percent’ shall be substituted for ‘50 percent’.

‘SEC. 210. VESSEL GROUNDING INVENTORY.

‘(a) In General- The Administrator, in coordination with other Federal agencies, may maintain an inventory of all vessel grounding incidents involving coral reefs, including a description of--

‘(1) the impacts to such resources;

‘(2) vessel and ownership information, if available;

‘(3) the estimated cost of removal, mitigation, or restoration;

‘(4) the response action taken by the owner, the Administrator, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, or other Federal or State agency representatives;

‘(5) the status of the response action, including the dates of vessel removal and mitigation or restoration and any actions taken to prevent future grounding incidents; and

‘(6) recommendations for additional navigational aids or other mechanisms for preventing future grounding incidents.

‘(b) Identification of At-Risk Reefs- The Administrator may--

‘(1) use information from any inventory maintained under subsection (a) or any other available information source to identify all coral reef areas that have a high incidence of vessel impacts, including groundings and anchor damage;

‘(2) identify appropriate measures, including action by other agencies, to reduce the likelihood of such impacts; and

‘(3) develop a strategy and timetable to implement such measures, including cooperative actions with other Government agencies and non-governmental partners.

‘SEC. 211. REGIONAL, STATE, AND TERRITORIAL COORDINATION.

‘(a) Regional Coordination- The Secretary and other Federal members of the United States Coral Reef Task Force shall work in coordination and collaboration with other Federal agencies and States to implement the strategies developed under section 203, including regional and local strategies, to address multiple threats to coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems such as coastal runoff, vessel impacts, and overharvesting.

‘(b) Response and Restoration Activities- The Secretary shall enter into written agreements with any States in which coral reefs are located regarding the manner in which response and restoration activities will be conducted within the affected State’s waters. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit Federal response and restoration activity authority before any such agreement is final.

‘(c) Cooperative Enforcement Agreements- All cooperative enforcement agreements in place between the Secretary and States affected by this title shall be updated to include enforcement of this title where appropriate.

‘SEC. 212. AGREEMENTS.

‘(a) In General- The Secretary may execute and perform such contracts, leases, grants, or cooperative agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this title.

‘(b) Cooperative Agreements- In addition to the general authority provided by subsection (a), the Secretary may enter into, extend, or renegotiate agreements with universities and research centers with established management-driven national or regional coral reef research institutes to conduct ecological research and monitoring explicitly aimed at building capacity for more effective resource management. Pursuant to any such agreements these institutes shall--

‘(1) collaborate directly with governmental resource management agencies, non-profit organizations, and other research organizations;

‘(2) build capacity within resource management agencies to establish research priorities, plan interdisciplinary research projects and make effective use of research results; and

‘(3) conduct public education and awareness programs for policy makers, resource managers, and the general public on coral reef ecosystems, best practices for coral reef and ecosystem management and conservation, their value, and threats to their sustainability.

‘(c) Use of Other Agencies’ Resources- For purposes related to the conservation, preservation, protection, restoration, or replacement of coral reefs or coral reef ecosystems and the enforcement of this title, the Secretary is authorized to use, with their consent and with or without reimbursement, the land, services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of any Department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, or of any State, local government, or Indian tribal government, or of any political subdivision thereof, or of any foreign government or international organization.

‘(d) Authority To Utilize Grant Funds-

‘(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may apply for, accept, and obligate research grant funding from any Federal source operating competitive grant programs where such funding furthers the purpose of this title.

‘(2) The Secretary may not apply for, accept, or obligate any grant funding under paragraph (1) for which the granting agency lacks authority to grant funds to Federal agencies, or for any purpose or subject to conditions that are prohibited by law or regulation.

‘(3) Appropriated funds may be used to satisfy a requirement to match grant funds with recipient agency funds, except that no grant may be accepted that requires a commitment in advance of appropriations.

‘(4) Funds received from grants shall be deposited in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration account for the purpose for which the grant was awarded.

‘SEC. 213. INTERNATIONAL CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

‘(a) Establishment of the Program-

‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall establish an International Coral Reef Conservation Program to carry out activities consistent with the purposes of this title with respect to coral reef ecosystems in waters outside United States jurisdiction. The Program shall consist of the development and implementation of an international coral reef ecosystem strategy pursuant to subsection (b), and an international coral reef ecosystem partnership program pursuant to subsection (c).

‘(2) COORDINATION- In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of State, the Administrator of the Agency for International Development, the Secretary of the Interior, and other relevant Federal agencies, and relevant United States stakeholders, and shall take into account coral reef ecosystem conservation initiatives of other nations, international agreements, and intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations so as to provide effective cooperation and efficiencies in international coral reef conservation. The Secretary may consult with the United States Coral Reef Task Force in carrying out this subsection.

‘(b) International Coral Reef Ecosystem Strategy-

‘(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Coral Reef Conservation Act Reauthorization and Enhancement Amendments of 2009, the Secretary shall submit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, and publish in the Federal Register, an international coral reef ecosystem strategy, consistent with the purposes of this title and the national strategy required pursuant to section 203(a). The Secretary shall periodically review and revise this strategy as necessary.

‘(2) CONTENTS- The strategy developed by the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall--

‘(A) identify coral reef ecosystems throughout the world that are of high value for United States marine resources, that support high-seas resources of importance to the United States such as fisheries, or that support other interests of the United States;

‘(B) summarize existing activities by Federal agencies and entities described in subsection (a)(2) to address the conservation of coral reef ecosystems identified pursuant to subparagraph (A);

‘(C) establish goals, objectives, and specific targets for conservation of priority international coral reef ecosystems;

‘(D) describe appropriate activities to achieve the goals and targets for international coral reef conservation, in particular those that leverage activities already conducted under this title;

‘(E) develop a plan to coordinate implementation of the strategy with entities described in subsection (a)(2) in order to leverage current activities under this title and other conservation efforts globally;

‘(F) identify appropriate partnerships, grants, or other funding and technical assistance mechanisms to carry out the strategy; and

‘(G) develop criteria for prioritizing partnerships under subsection (c).

‘(c) International Coral Reef Ecosystem Partnerships-

‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall establish an international coral reef ecosystem partnership program to provide support, including funding and technical assistance, for activities that implement the strategy developed pursuant to subsection (b).

‘(2) MECHANISMS- The Secretary shall provide such support through existing authorities, working in collaboration with the entities described in subsection (a)(2).

‘(3) CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL- The Secretary may not approve a partnership proposal under this section unless the partnership is consistent with the international coral reef conservation strategy developed pursuant to subsection (b), and meets the criteria specified in that strategy.

‘SEC. 214. PERMITS.

‘(a) In General- The Secretary may allow for the conduct of--

‘(1) bona fide research; and

‘(2) activities that would otherwise be prohibited by this title or regulations issued thereunder,

through issuance of coral reef conservation permits in accordance with regulations issued under this title.

‘(b) Limitation of Non-Research Activities- The Secretary may not issue a permit for activities other than for bona fide research unless the Secretary finds--

‘(1) the activity proposed to be conducted is compatible with one or more of the purposes in section 202(b) of this title;

‘(2) the activity conforms to the provisions of all other laws and regulations applicable to the area for which such permit is to be issued; and

‘(3) there is no practicable alternative to conducting the activity in a manner that destroys, causes the loss of, or injures any coral reef or any component thereof.

‘(c) Terms and Conditions- The Secretary may place any terms and conditions on a permit issued under this section that the Secretary deems reasonable.

‘(d) Fees-

‘(1) ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION- Subject to regulations issued under this title, the Secretary may assess and collect fees as specified in this subsection.

‘(2) AMOUNT- Any fee assessed shall be equal to the sum of--

‘(A) all costs incurred, or expected to be incurred, by the Secretary in processing the permit application, including indirect costs; and

‘(B) if the permit is approved, all costs incurred, or expected to be incurred, by the Secretary as a direct result of the conduct of the activity for which the permit is issued, including costs of monitoring the conduct of the activity and educating the public about the activity and coral reef resources related to the activity.

‘(3) USE OF FEES- Amounts collected by the Secretary in the form of fees under this section shall be collected and available for use only to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts and may be used by the Secretary for issuing and administering permits under this section.

‘(4) WAIVER OR REDUCTION OF FEES- For any fee assessed under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Secretary may--

‘(A) accept in-kind contributions in lieu of a fee; or

‘(B) waive or reduce the fee.

‘(e) Fishing- Nothing in this section shall be considered to require a person to obtain a permit under this section for the conduct of any fishing activities not prohibited by this title or regulations issued thereunder.

‘SEC. 215. REGULATIONS.

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

‘SEC. 216. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

‘(a) In General- Judicial review of any action taken by the Secretary under this title shall be in accordance with sections 701 through 706 of title 5, United States Code, except that--

‘(1) review of any final agency action of the Secretary taken under the authority of section 206(e) may be had only by the filing of a complaint by an interested person in the United States District Court for the appropriate district within 30 days after the date such final agency action is taken; and

‘(2) review of all other final agency actions of the Secretary under this title may be had only by the filing of a petition for review by an interested person in the Circuit Court of Appeals of the United States for the District of Columbia Circuit or for the Federal judicial district in which such person resides or transacts business which is directly affected by the action taken within 120 days after the date such final agency action is taken.

‘(b) No Review in Enforcement Proceedings- Final agency action with respect to which review could have been obtained under subsection (a)(2) shall not be subject to judicial review in any civil or criminal proceeding for enforcement.

‘(c) Cost of Litigation- In any judicial proceeding under subsection (a), the court may award costs of litigation (including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees) to any prevailing party whenever it determines that such award is appropriate.’.

(b) Cooperative Agreements- Section 204 (16 U.S.C. 6403) is amended by adding at the end the following:

‘(k) Multiyear Cooperative Agreements- The Administrator may enter into multiyear cooperative agreements with the heads of other Federal agencies, States, local governments, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations to carry out the activities of the national coral reef action strategy developed under section 203 and to implement regional strategies developed pursuant to section 211.’.

SEC. 107. CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITIONS.

Section 218, as redesignated by section 106(a) of this Act (relating to definitions; 16 U.S.C. 6409), is further amended--

(1) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:

‘(2) CONSERVATION- The term ‘conservation’ means the use of methods and procedures that are necessary to preserve or sustain coral reefs and associated species as resilient diverse, viable, and self-perpetuating coral reef ecosystems, including--

‘(A) all activities associated with resource management, such as assessment, conservation, protection, restoration, sustainable use, and management of habitat;

‘(B) mapping;

‘(C) monitoring of coral reef ecosystems;

‘(D) assistance in the development of management strategies for marine protected area or networks thereof and marine resources consistent with the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.);

‘(E) law enforcement;

‘(F) conflict resolution initiatives;

‘(G) community outreach and education; and

‘(H) activities that promote safe and ecologically sound navigation.’;

(2) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:

‘(3) CORAL- The term ‘coral’ means species of the phylum Cnidaria, including--

‘(A) all species of the orders Antipatharia (black corals), Scleractinia (stony corals), Gorgonacea (horny corals), Stolonifera (organpipe corals and others), Alcyonacea (soft corals), and Helioporacea (blue coral), of the class Anthozoa; and

‘(B) all species of the families Milleporidae (fire corals) and Stylasteridae (stylasterid hydrocorals), of the class Hydrozoa.’;

(3) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:

‘(4) CORAL REEF- The term ‘coral reef’ means a limestone structure composed in whole or in part of living zooxanthellate stony corals (Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia), their skeletal remains, or both.’;

(4) by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows:

‘(5) CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM- The term ‘coral reef ecosystem’ means a system of coral reefs and geographically associated species, habitats, and environment, including mangroves and seagrass habitats, and the processes that control its dynamics.’;

(5) by redesignating paragraphs (7) and (8) in order as paragraphs (8) and (9), respectively, and by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:

‘(7) CORAL REEF COMPONENT- The term ‘coral reef component’ means any part of a coral reef, including individual living or dead corals, associated sessile invertebrates and plants, and any adjacent or associated seagrasses.’.

SEC. 108. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Section 217, as redesignated by section 106(a) of this Act (relating to authorization of appropriations; 16 U.S.C. 6408), is further amended--

(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

‘(a) In General- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out this title $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, $32,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, $34,000,000 for fiscal year 2012, and $35,000,000 for fiscal years 2013 and 2014.’;

(2) in subsection (b) by striking ‘$1,000,000’ and inserting ‘$2,000,000’;

(3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:

‘(c) Community-Based Planning Grants- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out section 209, $8,000,000 for fiscal years 2010 through 2014, to remain available until expended.’; and

(4) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:

‘(d) Department of the Interior- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior to carry out this title $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013.’.

TITLE II--UNITED STATES CORAL REEF TASK FORCE

SEC. 201. UNITED STATES CORAL REEF TASK FORCE.

(a) Establishment- There is hereby established the United States Coral Reef Task Force.

(b) Goal- The goal of the Task Force shall be to lead, coordinate, and strengthen Federal Government actions to better preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems.

(c) Duties- The duties of the Task Force shall be--

(1) to coordinate, in cooperation with State and local government partners, academic, and nongovernmental partners if appropriate, activities regarding the mapping, monitoring, research, conservation, mitigation, restoration of coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems;

(2) to monitor and advise regarding implementation of the policy and Federal agency responsibilities set forth in Executive Order 13089 and the national coral reef action strategy developed under section 203 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by this Act; and

(3) to work with the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the Agency for International Development, and in coordination with the other members of the Task Force, to--

(A) assess the United States role in international trade and protection of coral species; and

(B) encourage implementation of appropriate strategies and actions to promote conservation and sustainable use of coral reef resources worldwide.

(d) Membership, Generally- The Task Force shall be comprised of--

(1) the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Secretary of the Interior, who shall be co-chairs of the Task Force;

(2) the Administrator of the Agency of International Development;

(3) the Secretary of Agriculture;

(4) the Secretary of Defense;

(5) the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps of Engineers;

(6) the Secretary of Homeland Security;

(7) the Attorney General;

(8) the Secretary of State;

(9) the Secretary of Transportation;

(10) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency;

(11) the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;

(12) the Director of the National Science Foundation;

(13) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor, of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands;

(14) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor, of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;

(15) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor, of the State of Florida;

(16) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor, of the State of Hawaii;

(17) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor, of the Territory of Guam;

(18) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor, of the Territory of American Samoa; and

(19) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor, of the Virgin Islands.

(e) Nonvoting Members- The President, or a representative of the President, of each of the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau may appoint a nonvoting member of the Task Force.

(f) Responsibilities of Federal Agency Members-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Federal agency members of the Task Force shall--

(A) identify the actions of their agencies that may affect coral reef ecosystems;

(B) utilize the programs and authorities of their agencies to protect and enhance the conditions of such ecosystems; and

(C) assist in the implementation of the National Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs, the national coral reef action strategy developed under section 203 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by this Act, the local action strategies, and any other coordinated efforts approved by the Task Force.

(2) CO-CHAIRS- In addition to their responsibilities under paragraph (1), the co-chairs of the Task Force shall administer performance of the functions of the Task Force and facilitate the coordination of the Federal agency members of the Task Force.

(g) Working Groups-

(1) IN GENERAL- The co-chairs of the Task Force may establish working groups as necessary to meet the goals and duties of this title. The Task Force may request the co-chairs to establish such a working group.

(2) PARTICIPATION BY NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS- The co-chairs may allow a nongovernmental organization or academic institution to participate in such a working group.

(h) FACA- The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Task Force.

(i) Definitions- The definitions in section 218 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by this Act , shall apply to this section.

TITLE III--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR CORAL REEF AUTHORITIES

SEC. 301. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PROGRAM.

(a) Amendments and Clarifications to Definitions-

(1) FISH AND WILDLIFE COORDINATION ACT- Section 8 of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 666b) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following: ‘, including coral reef ecosystems (as such term is defined in section 218 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000)’.

(2) FISH AND WILDLIFE ACT OF 1956 AND FISH AND WILDLIFE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1978- With respect to the authorities under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a et seq.) and the authorities under the Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 742l), references in such Acts to ‘wildlife’ and ‘fish and wildlife’ shall be construed to include coral reef ecosystems (as such term is defined in section 218 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by this Act).

(b) Coral Reef Conservation Assistance- The Secretary of the Interior may provide technical assistance and, subject to the availability of appropriations, financial assistance to coastal States (as that term is defined in the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by this Act).

SEC. 302. CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITIONS.

Section 218, as redesignated by section 106(a) of this Act (relating to definitions; 16 U.S.C. 6409), is further amended--

(1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:

‘(1) ADMINISTRATOR- The term ‘Administrator’--

‘(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), means the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and

‘(B) in sections 206, 209, 212, 214, and 215, means the Secretary of the Interior for purposes of application of those sections to national parks and national wildlife refuges.’; and

(2) by amending paragraph (7) to read as follows:

‘(7) SECRETARY- The term ‘Secretary’--

‘(A) except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), means the Secretary of Commerce;

‘(B) in section 206(e), means--

‘(i) the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to any coral reef or component thereof that is located in--

‘(I) the National Wildlife Refuge System; or

‘(II) the National Park System; or

‘(ii) the Secretary of Commerce, with respect to any other coral reef or component thereof; and

‘(C) in sections 203 and 217, means the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior.’.

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