Bill Summary
The Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 was reauthorized to address ocean and coastal acidification, establish an interagency working group and advisory board, and require participation in the Ocean and Coastal Acidification Information Exchange. The legislation also amends and updates the act to include coastal acidification and address socioeconomic impacts, adaptation and mitigation strategies, and multiple stressors. It designates NOAA as the lead agency for coordinating the federal response and establishes a data archive system. Additionally, the legislation provides for ocean acidification collaborative research grants and requires a study to be conducted on the impact of ocean acidification on estuarine environments.
Possible Impacts
1. The establishment of an Ocean and Coastal Acidification Advisory Board will allow for diverse representation and expertise to review and provide analysis on reports and plans related to ocean and coastal acidification, ultimately benefitting the public through the dissemination of information on a publicly accessible website.
2. The changes made to the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009, including addressing socioeconomic impacts, adaptation and mitigation strategies, and multiple stressors on ocean and coastal acidification, will have a significant impact on the seafood industry and academic community through the establishment of a grant program for collaborative research projects.
3. The study required by the Secretary of Commerce, in collaboration with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, will provide valuable recommendations for future research and ways to incorporate scientific findings into management and mitigation decisions, potentially benefiting both the environment and socio-economic factors.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2699 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2699
To reauthorize the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring
Act of 2009, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
October 24, 2019
Mr. Markey (for himself and Mr. Sullivan) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reauthorize the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring
Act of 2009, 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.
This Act may be cited as the ``Ocean, Coastal, and Estuarine
Acidification Necessitates Research Act of 2019'' or the ``OCEAN
Research Act''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSES.
Section 12402 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3701) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(a) Purposes.--'';
(2) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking ``development and coordination'' and inserting
``coordination and implementation'';
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``acidification on marine organisms'' and inserting
``acidification and coastal acidification on marine
organisms''; and
(C) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``establish''
and all that follows and inserting ``maintain an
interagency research, monitoring, and public outreach
program on ocean acidification and coastal
acidification;'';
(3) in paragraph (2), by striking ``establishment of an
ocean acidification program'' and inserting ``maintenance of an
ocean acidification and coastal acidification program'';
(4) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``and coastal
acidification'' after ``ocean acidification''; and
(5) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``and coastal
acidification that take into account other environmental and
anthropogenic stressors'' after ``ocean acidification''.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
Section 12403 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3702) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``of the Earth's oceans''
and all that follows and inserting ``and changes in the water
chemistry of the Earth's oceans, coastal estuaries, and
waterways caused by carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and the
breakdown of organic matter.'';
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking ``Joint Subcommittee on
Ocean Science and Technology'' and inserting ``Subcommittee on
Ocean Science and Technology of the Committee on Environment'';
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as
paragraphs (2), (4), and (5), respectively;
(4) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so redesignated,
the following:
``(1) Coastal acidification.--The term `coastal
acidification' means the combined decrease in pH and changes in
the water chemistry of coastal oceans, estuaries, and other
bodies of water from chemical inputs (including carbon dioxide
from the atmosphere), freshwater inputs, and excess nutrient
run-off from land and coastal atmospheric pollution that result
in processes that release carbon dioxide, acidic nitrogen, and
sulfur compounds as byproducts which end up in coastal
waters.'';
(5) by inserting after paragraph (2), as so redesignated,
the following:
``(3) Institution of higher education.--The term
`institution of higher education' has the meaning given the
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) State.--The term `State' means each State of the
United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands of the United
States, and any other territory or possession of the United
States.
``(7) Tribal organization.--The term `Tribal organization'
has the meaning given the term `tribal organization' in section
4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
(25 U.S.C. 5304).''.
SEC. 4. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.
Section 12404 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3703) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``subcommittee''
and inserting ``working group'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) In general.--The Subcommittee shall establish an
interagency working group on ocean acidification and coastal
acidification.'';
(B) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) Membership.--The interagency working group on ocean
acidification shall be comprised of senior representatives
from--
``(A) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration;
``(B) the National Science Foundation;
``(C) the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration;
``(D) the United States Geological Survey;
``(E) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
``(F) the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management;
``(G) the Environmental Protection Agency;
``(H) the Department of Agriculture;
``(I) the Department of State;
``(J) the Department of Energy;
``(K) the Department of the Navy;
``(L) the National Park Service;
``(M) the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
``(N) the National Institute of Standards and
Technology;
``(O) the Smithsonian Institution; and
``(P) such other Federal agencies as the
Subcommittee considers appropriate.''; and
(C) in paragraph (3), in the paragraph heading, by
striking ``Chairman'' and inserting ``Chair'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by inserting ``and coastal
acidification'' after ``acidification''; and
(ii) by inserting ``, including the efforts
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to facilitate such
implementation'' after ``of the plan'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``and
coastal acidification'' after ``ocean
acidification''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``or
coastal acidification'' after ``ocean
acidification'';
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(D) in paragraph (5)--
(i) by inserting ``and Coastal'' after
``Ocean'';
(ii) by striking ``developed'' and
inserting ``and coastal acidification
developed''; and
(iii) by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``and coastal acidification; and'';
and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) ensure that each of the Federal agencies represented
on the interagency working group--
``(A) participates in the Ocean and Coastal
Acidification Information Exchange established under
paragraph (5); and
``(B) delivers data and information to support the
data archive system established under section
12406(d).''; and
(4) in subsection (c), in paragraph (2)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
inserting ``, and to the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget,'' after ``House of
Representatives''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``the
interagency research'' and inserting ``interagency
strategic research''.
SEC. 5. OCEAN AND COASTAL ACIDIFICATION ADVISORY BOARD.
The Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009
(33 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 12404
the following:
``SEC. 12404A. OCEAN AND COASTAL ACIDIFICATION ADVISORY BOARD.
``(a) Establishment.--The Chair of the Subcommittee shall establish
an Ocean and Coastal Acidification Advisory Board (in this section
referred to as the `Advisory Board').
``(b) Duties.--The Advisory Board shall--
``(1) not later than 180 days before the Subcommittee
submits a report under section 12404(c)(2)--
``(A) review a draft of the report;
``(B) submit to the Subcommittee an analysis of the
draft for consideration before submitting the report
under section 12404(c)(2); and
``(C) concurrently with the submission by the
Subcommittee of the report under that section, submit a
copy of the analysis provided to the Subcommittee under
subparagraph (B) to--
``(i) the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate; and
``(ii) the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology and the Committee on Natural
Resources of the House of Representatives;
``(2) not later than 180 days before the Subcommittee
submits a strategic research plan under section 12404(c)(3)--
``(A) review a draft of the plan;
``(B) submit to the Subcommittee an analysis of the
plan, and recommendations for the implementation of the
plan, for consideration before submitting the plan
under section 12404(c)(3); and
``(C) concurrently with the submission of the
Subcommittee of the plan under that section, submit a
copy of the analysis provided to the Subcommittee under
subparagraph (B) to the committees specified in clauses
(i) and (ii) of paragraph (1)(C);
``(3) provide ongoing advice to the Subcommittee and the
interagency working group established under section 12404 on
matters related to Federal activities on ocean acidification
and coastal acidification;
``(4) advise the Subcommittee and the interagency working
group on--
``(A) efforts to coordinate research and monitoring
activities related to ocean acidification and coastal
acidification; and
``(B) the best practices for the standards
developed for data archiving under section 12406(e);
``(5) publish in the Federal Register a charter;
``(6) provide to the Library of Congress--
``(A) the charter required by paragraph (5);
``(B) any schedules and minutes for meetings of the
Advisory Board;
``(C) any documents that are approved by the
Advisory Board; and
``(D) any reports and analysis prepared by the
Advisory Board; and
``(7) establish a publicly accessible page on the website
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that
contains the information described in subparagraphs (A) through
(D) of paragraph (6).
``(c) Membership.--The Advisory Board shall consist of 24 members
as follows:
``(1) Two representatives of the shellfish and crab
industry.
``(2) One representative of the finfish industry.
``(3) One representative of seafood processors.
``(4) Three representatives from institutions of higher
education, including both natural and social sciences.
``(5) One representative of recreational fishing.
``(6) One representative of relevant nongovernmental
organizations.
``(7) Six representatives from relevant State and local
governments and Tribal organizations.
``(8) One representative from the Alaska Ocean
Acidification Network.
``(9) One representative from the California Current
Acidification Network.
``(10) One representative from the Northeast Coastal
Acidification Network.
``(11) One representative from the Southeast Ocean and
Coastal Acidification Network.
``(12) One representative from the Gulf of Mexico Ocean
Acidification Network.
``(13) One representative from the Mid-Atlantic Coastal
Acidification Network.
``(14) One representative from the Pacific Islands Ocean
Observing System or a similar entity representing--
``(A) the island territories and possessions of the
United States in the Pacific Ocean; and
``(B) the State of Hawaii.
``(15) One representative from the Caribbean Regional
Association for Coastal Ocean Observing or a similar entity
representing Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.
``(16) One representative from the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, who shall serve as an ex officio
member of the Advisory Board without a vote.
``(d) Appointment of Members.--The Chair of the Subcommittee
shall--
``(1) appoint members to the Advisory Board (taking into
account the geographical interests of each individual to be
appointed as a member to ensure that an appropriate balance of
geographical interests are represented by the members of the
Advisory Board) who--
``(A) represent the interest group for which each
seat is designated;
``(B) demonstrate expertise on ocean acidification
or coastal acidification and its scientific, economic,
industry, cultural, and community impacts; and
``(C) have a record of distinguished service with
respect to ocean acidification or coastal
acidification, and such impacts;
``(2) give consideration to nominations and recommendations
from the members of the interagency working group and the
public for such appointments; and
``(3) ensure that an appropriate balance of scientific,
industry, and geographical interests are represented by the
members of the Advisory Board.
``(e) Term of Membership.--Each member of the Advisory Board--
``(1) shall be appointed for a 5-year term; and
``(2) may be appointed to more than one term.
``(f) Chair.--The Chair of the Subcommittee shall appoint one
member of the Advisory Board to serve as the Chair of the Advisory
Board.
``(g) Meetings.--Not less than once each calendar year, the
Advisory Board shall meet at such times and places as may be designated
by the Chair of the Advisory Board, in consultation with the Chair of
the Subcommittee and the Chair of the interagency working group.
``(h) Briefing.--The Chair of the Advisory Board shall brief the
Subcommittee and the interagency working group on the progress of the
Advisory Board as necessary.
``(i) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Section 14 of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Advisory
Board.''.
SEC. 6. STRATEGIC RESEARCH PLAN.
Section 12405 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3704) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``and coastal acidification'' after
``acidification'' each place it appears;
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the first sentence--
(i) by inserting ``, and not later than
every 5 years thereafter'' after ``the date of
enactment of this Act'';
(ii) by inserting ``address the
socioeconomic impacts of ocean acidification
and coastal acidification and to'' after
``mitigation strategies to''; and
(iii) by striking ``marine ecosystems''
each place it appears and inserting
``ecosystems''; and
(B) in the second sentence--
(i) by striking ``its potential impacts''
and inserting ``their potential impacts''; and
(ii) by inserting ``and recommendations
made by the Advisory Board in the review of the
plan required under section 12404A(b)(2)(A)''
after ``subsection (d)'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and social
sciences'' after ``among the ocean sciences'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``its
physical, chemical, and biological impacts''
and inserting ``their physical, chemical, and
biological impacts, including trends of changes
in ocean chemistry,'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by striking ``improve the
ability to assess the'' and inserting
``assess the short-term and long-
term''; and
(II) by striking ``; and'' at the
end and inserting a semicolon;
(iii) by amending subparagraph (C) to read
as follows:
``(C) provide information for the--
``(i) development of adaptation and
mitigation strategies to address the
socioeconomic impacts of ocean acidification
and coastal acidification;
``(ii) conservation of marine organisms and
ecosystems; and
``(iii) assessment of the effectiveness of
such adaptation and mitigation strategies;
and''; and
(iv) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) improve research on--
``(i) ocean acidification and coastal
acidification;
``(ii) the interactions between and effects
of multiple combined stressors including
changes in water chemistry, changes in sediment
delivery, hypoxia, and harmful algal blooms, on
ocean acidification and coastal acidification;
and
``(iii) the effect of environmental
stressors on marine resources and
ecosystems;'';
(C) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (F), by striking
``database development'' and inserting ``data
management'';
(ii) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``;
and'' and inserting a semicolon; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(J) assessment of adaptation and mitigation
strategies; and
``(K) education and outreach activities;'';
(D) in paragraph (4), by striking ``set forth'' and
inserting ``ensure an appropriate balance of
contribution in establishing'';
(E) in paragraph (5), by striking ``reports'' and
inserting ``the best available peer-reviewed scientific
reports'';
(F) in paragraph (6), by striking ``of the United
States'' and inserting ``within the United States'';
(G) in paragraph (7), by striking ``outline budget
requirements'' and inserting ``estimate costs
associated for full implementation of each element of
the plan by fiscal year'';
(H) in paragraph (8)--
(i) by striking ``its'' and inserting
``their''; and
(ii) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(I) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(J) by adding at the end the following:
``(10) describe monitoring needs necessary to support
potentially affected industry members, coastal stakeholders,
fishery management councils and commissions, non-Federal
resource managers, and scientific experts on decisionmaking and
adaptation related to ocean acidification and coastal
acidification.'';
(4) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(C), by striking ``surface'';
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``input, and'' and
inserting ``inputs,'';
(ii) by inserting ``, marine food webs,''
after ``marine ecosystems''; and
(iii) by inserting ``, and modeling that
supports fisheries management'' after ``marine
organisms''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) Research to understand related and cumulative
stressors and other biogeochemical processes occurring in
conjunction with ocean acidification and coastal
acidification.''; and
(5) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
``(e) Advisory Board Evaluation.--Not later than 180 days before
the strategic research plan is submitted to Congress under section
12404(c)(3), the Subcommittee shall provide the Advisory Board
established under section 12404A a copy of the plan for purposes of
review under subsection (b)(2)(A) of such section.
``(f) Publication and Public Comment.--Not later than 90 days
before the strategic research plan is submitted to Congress under
section 12404(c)(3), the Subcommittee shall--
``(1) publish a draft of the plan in the Federal Register;
and
``(2) provide an opportunity for submission of public
comments for a period of not less than 60 days.''.
SEC. 7. NOAA OCEAN AND COASTAL ACIDIFICATION ACTIVITIES.
Section 12406 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3705) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ``and coastal''
after ``ocean'';
(2) by inserting ``and coastal acidification'' after
``acidification'' each place it appears;
(3) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
(i) by inserting ``coordination,'' after
``research, monitoring,''; and
(ii) by striking ``and implementation'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by inserting ``including the
Integrated Ocean Observing System and
the ocean observing assets of other
Federal and State agencies,'' after
``ocean observing assets,''; and
(II) by inserting ``and agency and
department missions, prioritizing the
location of monitoring instruments,
assets, and projects to maximize the
efficiency of resources and to optimize
understanding of socioeconomic impacts
and ecosystem health'' after ``research
program'';
(ii) in subparagraph (C)--
(I) by striking ``adaptation'' and
inserting ``adaptation and
mitigation''; and
(II) by inserting ``and supporting
socioeconomically vulnerable
communities and industries'' after
``marine ecosystems'';
(iii) in subparagraph (E)--
(I) by striking ``its impacts'' and
inserting ``their impacts''; and
(II) by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(iv) in subparagraph (F)--
(I) by striking ``monitoring and
impacts research'' and inserting
``research, monitoring, and adaptation
and mitigation strategies''; and
(II) by striking the semicolon and
inserting ``; and''; and
(v) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) research to improve understanding of the
effect of--
``(i) other environmental stressors on
ocean acidification and coastal acidification;
``(ii) multiple environmental stressors on
living marine resources and coastal ecosystems;
and
``(iii) adaptation and mitigation
strategies to address the socioeconomic impacts
of ocean acidification and coastal
acidification.'';
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``critical
research projects that explore'' and inserting
``critical research and education projects that explore
and communicate''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Relationship to Interagency Working Group.--The National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall serve as the lead Federal
agency responsible for coordinating the Federal response to ocean
acidification and coastal acidification, by--
``(1) leading the interagency working group established
under section 12404 in implementing the strategic research plan
under section 12405;
``(2) coordinating monitoring and research efforts among
Federal agencies in cooperation with State and local
governments, Tribal organizations, and international partners;
``(3) maintaining the Ocean and Coastal Acidification
Information Exchange required by section 12404(b)(5) to allow
for information to be electronically accessible, including
information--
``(A) on ocean acidification and coastal
acidification developed through or used by the ocean
acidification and coastal acidification program
described in subsection (a); or
``(B) that would be useful to State or local
governments, Tribal organizations, resource managers,
policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders in
mitigating or adapting to the impacts of ocean
acidification and coastal acidification; and
``(4) establishing and maintaining the data archive system
under subsection (d).
``(d) Data Archive System.--
``(1) Management.--The Secretary, in coordination with
members of the interagency working group established under
section 12404, shall provide for the long-term stewardship of,
and access to, data relating to ocean acidification and coastal
acidification by establishing and maintaining a data archive
system that the National Centers for Environmental Information
uses to process, store, archive, provide access to, and
incorporate to the extent possible, such data collected--
``(A) through relevant federally funded research;
and
``(B) by a Federal, State, or local agency, Tribal
organization, scientist at an institution of higher
education, citizen scientist, or industry organization.
``(2) Existing global or national data assets.--In
establishing and maintaining the data archive system under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that existing global
or national data assets (including the data assets maintained
by the National Centers for Environmental Information, the
Integrated Ocean Observing System, and other existing data
systems within Federal agencies) are incorporated to the
greatest extent possible.
``(e) Standards, Protocols, and Procedures.--The Secretary, in
coordination with members of the interagency working group established
under section 12404, shall establish and revise as necessary the
standards, protocols, or procedures for--
``(1) processing, storing, archiving, and providing access
to data described in subsection (d);
``(2) the interoperability and intercalibration of such
data;
``(3) the collection of any metadata underlying such data;
and
``(4) sharing such data with State and local governments,
Tribal organizations, potentially affected industry members,
coastal stakeholders, fishery management councils and
commissions, non-Federal resource managers, and institutions of
higher education.
``(f) Dissemination of Ocean Acidification Data and Coastal
Acidification Data.--The Secretary, in coordination with members of the
interagency working group established under section 12404, shall
disseminate the data described in subsection (d) to the greatest extent
practicable by sharing such data on full and open access exchanges,
including the Ocean and Coastal Acidification Information Exchange
required by section 12404(b)(5).
``(g) Requirement.--Recipients of grants from the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration under this subtitle that collect data
described in subsection (d) shall--
``(1) collect such data in accordance with the standards,
protocols, or procedures established pursuant to subsection
(e); and
``(2) submit such data to the data archive system under
subsection (d), in accordance with any rules promulgated by the
Secretary.''.
SEC. 8. OCEAN ACIDIFICATION COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH GRANTS.
The Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009
(33 U.S.C. 3701 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 12406
the following:
``SEC. 12406A. OCEAN ACIDIFICATION COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH GRANTS.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Academic community.--The term `academic community'
includes faculty and other representatives of institutions of
higher education and other schools, researchers, scientists,
and natural resource managers.
``(2) Seafood industry.--The term `seafood industry'
includes shellfish growers, shellfish harvesters, commercial
fishermen, recreational fishermen, other members of the seafood
harvesting or supply chain, and organizations representing any
of such groups.
``(b) Grants.--The Secretary shall provide grants for collaborative
research projects on ocean acidification developed and conducted
through partnerships between the seafood industry and the academic
community.
``(c) Criteria for Approval.--The Secretary may not provide a grant
for a project under this section unless the project is--
``(1) consistent with the themes identified under the
strategic research plan developed by the Subcommittee under
section 12405; and
``(2) designed to--
``(A) develop and support partnerships,
communications, and shared understanding between the
seafood industry and the academic community;
``(B) include the seafood industry in research on
ocean acidification;
``(C) deliver research, monitoring, or adaptation
results which will benefit both the seafood industry
and the academic community;
``(D) incorporate into the research agenda the
expertise of both the seafood industry, including their
unique understanding of the natural environment, and
the academic community;
``(E) promote better understanding of seafood
industry research questions and priorities within the
academic community;
``(F) promote wider understanding of ocean
acidification among the academic community, the seafood
industry, and other stakeholders as appropriate; and
``(G) include appropriately balanced support from
both the seafood industry and the academic community.
``(d) Priority.--The Secretary shall prioritize funding under this
section to projects which--
``(1) address ecosystems and communities vulnerable to the
impacts of ocean acidification;
``(2) demonstrate support from local stakeholders, such as
representatives of States or other governmental jurisdictions,
community organizations, tribes, or educational institutions,
as appropriate, located within the region in which the project
will be undertaken; or
``(3) utilize seafood industry assets as research and
monitoring platforms.
``(e) Implementation Guidelines.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary, in collaboration with
the Subcommittee, shall issue implementation guidelines under this
section, including criteria and priorities for grants. Those guidelines
shall be developed in consultation, as appropriate, with--
``(1) State, regional, and local decisionmakers with ocean
acidification experience;
``(2) the seafood industry and other marine-dependent
industries;
``(3) formal and informal educators, including both those
within academia and those who are not;
``(4) tribes;
``(5) nongovernmental organizations involved in ocean
acidification research, prevention, or adaptation; and
``(6) any other appropriate community stakeholders.
``(f) Contents of Proposals.--Each proposal for a grant under this
section shall include--
``(1) a description of the qualifications of the
individuals or entities who will conduct the project;
``(2) a plan for ensuring full participation and engagement
of both industry and academic community participants, including
a description of how each partner will contribute expertise to
the project in terms of design, execution, and interpretation
of results;
``(3) a plan for the dissemination of the results of the
research project, which may include--
``(A) educational programs;
``(B) presentations to members of the seafood
industry, the academic community, and community
stakeholders;
``(C) scientific publication; and
``(D) delivery to appropriate representatives of
States or other government jurisdictions who would use
the information;
``(4) a description of how the project is consistent with
the program elements described in section 12405(c); and
``(5) any other information the Secretary considers
necessary for evaluating the eligibility of the project for
funding under this section.
``(g) Alternative Participants.--The Secretary may make a grant
under this section to a partnership in which a marine-dependent
industry is substituted for the seafood industry if the proposed
project serves the purposes of this section. In such a case, the
participation and interests of that marine-dependent industry shall be
substituted for those of the seafood industry in applying the
requirements of this section.
``(h) Project Reporting.--Each grantee under this section shall
provide periodic reports as required by the Secretary. Each such report
shall include all information required by the Secretary for evaluating
the progress and success of the project.
``(i) Matching Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
total amount of Federal funding for a collaborative research
project supported under this section may not exceed 85 percent
of the total cost of such project. For purposes of this
paragraph, the non-Federal share of project costs may be
provided by in-kind contributions and other noncash support.
``(2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive all or part of the
matching requirement under paragraph (1) if the Secretary
determines that no reasonable means are available through which
applicants can meet the matching requirement and the probable
benefit of such project outweighs the public interest in such
matching requirement.
``(j) Funding.--Of the amount authorized to be appropriated by
section 12409(a) for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024, $5,000,000
shall be available to provide grants under this section.''.
SEC. 9. NSF OCEAN AND COASTAL ACIDIFICATION ACTIVITIES.
Section 12407 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3706) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ``and coastal''
after ``ocean'';
(2) by inserting ``and coastal acidification'' after
``acidification'' each place it appears;
(3) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``continue'' and all that
follows through ``which shall'';
(ii) by striking ``proposals for research''
and inserting ``proposals for the
researching''; and
(iii) by striking ``its impacts'' and
inserting ``their impacts'';
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``marine
ecosystems'' and inserting ``ecosystems'';
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``; and'' at the
end and inserting a semicolon;
(D) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``and its impacts'' and
inserting ``and their impacts''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) adaptation and mitigation strategies to address
socioeconomic effects of ocean acidification and coastal
acidification.''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Requirement.--Recipients of grants from the National Science
Foundation under this section that collect data described under section
12406(d) shall--
``(1) collect data in accordance with the standards,
protocols, or procedures established pursuant to section
12406(e); and
``(2) submit such data to the Director and the Secretary,
in accordance with any rules promulgated by the Director or the
Secretary.''.
SEC. 10. NASA OCEAN AND COASTAL ACIDIFICATION ACTIVITIES.
Section 12408 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3707) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ``and coastal''
after ``ocean'';
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``and
Coastal'' after ``Ocean''; and
(B) in the text, by striking ``acidification and
its impacts'' and inserting ``acidification and coastal
acidification and their impacts'';
(3) in subsections (b) and (c), by inserting ``and coastal
acidification'' after ``acidification'' each place it appears;
and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Requirement.--Researchers from the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration that collect data described under section 12406(d)
shall--
``(1) collect such data in accordance with the standards,
protocols, or procedures established pursuant to section
12406(e); and
``(2) submit such data to the Administrator and the
Secretary, in accordance with any rules promulgated by the
Administrator or the Secretary.''.
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 12409 of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and
Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3708) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``subtitle--'' and all
that follows and inserting the following: ``subtitle
$35,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.''; and
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``subtitle--'' and all
that follows and inserting the following: ``subtitle
$20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.''.
SEC. 12. STUDY EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION AND OTHER
ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS ON ESTUARINE ENVIRONMENTS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall make appropriate
arrangements with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine (referred to in this Act as the ``National Academies'') under
which the National Academies shall conduct a study that--
(1) examines the existing science of ocean acidification in
estuarine environments;
(2) examines the challenges to studying ocean acidification
and ocean acidification's interactions with other environmental
stressors in estuarine environments, including harmful algal
blooms, nutrient loading, and hypoxia;
(3) provides recommendations for improving future research
with respect to ocean acidification in estuarine environments;
and
(4) identifies pathways for applying science in management
and mitigation decisions relating to ocean acidification in
estuarine environments.
(b) Contents of Study.--The study described under subsection (a)
shall include--
(1) the behavior of the carbonate system within estuarine
environments;
(2) the interactions of the carbonate system with other
biotic and abiotic characteristics of estuarine ecosystems;
(3) how environmental and anthropogenic changes or
disturbances could affect abiotic and biotic processes within
estuaries;
(4) how estuarine biotic and abiotic processes will be
affected under predicted environmental changes;
(5) the current state of data collection, interpretation,
storage, and retrieval and observational infrastructure of
abiotic and biotic parameters in estuarine ecosystems;
(6) the gaps that exist in understanding the socio-economic
and health impacts of ocean acidification in estuaries;
(7) future directions for scientific research; and
(8) pathways for applying science in management and
mitigation decisions.
(c) Report.--In entering into an arrangement under subsection (a),
the Secretary shall request that the National Academies transmit to
Congress a report on the results of the study not later than 24 months
after the date of enactment of this Act.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000.
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