National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation Act of 2008

Floor Speech

Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2342) to direct the President to establish a National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 2342

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

SECTION 1. ENHANCING CLIMATE CHANGE PREDICTIONS.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation Act of 2008''.

(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are the following:

(1) Establish a National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System comprised of Federal and non-Federal components, coordinated at the national level by the National Ocean Research Leadership Council and at the regional level by a network of Regional Information Coordination Entities, that includes in situ, remote, and other coastal and ocean observations, technologies, and data management and communication systems, to gather specific coastal and ocean data variables and to ensure the timely dissemination and availability of usable observation data--

(A) to support national defense, marine commerce, energy production, scientific research, ecosystem-based marine and coastal resource management, weather and marine forecasting, public safety and public outreach training and education; and

(B) to promote greater public awareness and stewardship of the Nation's ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and the general public welfare.

(2) Improve the Nation's capability to measure, track, explain, and predict events related directly and indirectly to weather and climate change, natural climate variability, and interactions between the oceanic and atmospheric environments, including the Great Lakes.

(3) Authorize activities to promote basic and applied research to develop, test, and deploy innovations and improvements in coastal and ocean observation technologies, modeling systems, and other scientific and technological capabilities to improve our conceptual understanding of weather and climate, ocean atmosphere dynamics, global climate change, and physical, chemical, and biological dynamics of the ocean and coastal and Great Lakes environments.

(c) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) COUNCIL.--The term ``Council'' means the National Ocean Research Leadership Council referred to in section 7902 of title 10, United States Code.

(2) ADMINISTRATOR.--The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

(3) FEDERAL ASSETS.--The term ``Federal assets'' means all relevant nonclassified civilian coastal and ocean observations, technologies, and related modeling, research, data management, basic and applied technology research and development, and public education and outreach programs, that are managed by member agencies of the Council.

(4) INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.--The term ``Interagency Working Group'' means the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Observations as established by the U.S. Ocean Policy Committee Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology pursuant to Executive Order 13366 signed December 17, 2004.

(5) NON-FEDERAL ASSETS.--The term ``non-Federal assets'' means all relevant coastal and ocean observations, technologies, related basic and applied technology research and development, and public education and outreach programs that are integrated into the System and are managed through States, regional organizations, universities, nongovernmental organizations, or the private sector.

(6) REGIONAL INFORMATION COORDINATION ENTITIES.--

(A) IN GENERAL.--The term ``Regional Information Coordination Entity'', subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), means an organizational body that is certified or established by the lead Federal agency designated in subsection (d)(3)(C)(iii) and coordinating State, Federal, local, and private interests at a regional level with the responsibility of engaging the private and public sectors in designing, operating, and improving regional coastal and ocean observing systems in order to ensure the provision of data and information that meet the needs of user groups from the respective regions.

(B) INCLUDED ASSOCIATIONS.--Such term includes Regional Associations as described by the System Plan.

(C) LIMITATION.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to invalidate existing certifications, contracts, or agreements between Regional Associations and other elements of the System.

(7) SYSTEM.--The term ``System'' means the National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System established under subsection (d).

(8) SYSTEM PLAN.--The term ``System Plan'' means the plan contained in the document entitled ``Ocean.US Publication No. 9, The First Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Development Plan''.

(d) National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observing System.--

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.--The President, acting through the Council, shall establish a National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System to fulfill the purposes set forth in subsection (b) and the System plan and to fulfill the Nation's international obligations to contribute to the global earth observation system of systems and the global ocean observing system.

(2) SUPPORT OF PURPOSES.--The head of each agency that is a member of the Interagency Working Group shall support the purposes of this section.

(3) AVAILABILITY OF DATA.--The head of each Federal agency that has administrative jurisdiction over a Federal asset shall make available data that are produced by that asset and that are not otherwise restricted for integration, management, and dissemination by the System.

(4) ENHANCING ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT.--The head of each Federal agency that has administrative jurisdiction over a Federal asset may take appropriate actions to enhance internal agency administration and management to better support, integrate, finance, and utilize observation data, products, and services developed under this section to further its own agency mission and responsibilities.

(5) PARTICIPATION IN REGIONAL INFORMATION COORDINATION ENTITY.--The head of each Federal agency that has administrative jurisdiction over a Federal asset may participate in regional information coordination entity activities.

(6) NON-FEDERAL ASSETS.--Non-Federal assets shall be coordinated by the Interagency Working Group or by Regional Information Coordination Entities.

(e) Policy Oversight, Administration, and Regional Coordination.--

(1) NATIONAL OCEAN RESEARCH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL.--The National Ocean Research Leadership Council shall be responsible for establishing broad coordination and long-term operations plans, policies, protocols, and standards for the System consistent with the policies, goals, and objectives contained in the System Plan, and coordination of the System with other earth observing activities.

(2) INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.--The Interagency Working Group shall, with respect to the System, be responsible for--

(A) implementation of operations plans and policies developed by the Council;

(B) development of and transmittal to Congress at the time of submission of the President's annual budget request an annual coordinated, comprehensive System budget;

(C) identification of gaps in observation coverage or needs for capital improvements of both Federal assets and non-Federal assets;

(D) establishment of data management and communication protocols and standards;

(E) establishment of required observation data variables;

(F) development of certification standards for all non-Federal assets or Regional Information Coordination Entities to be eligible for integration into the System;

(G) subject to the availability of appropriations, establish through one or more participating Federal agencies, in consultation with the System Advisory Committee established under paragraph (5), a competitive matching grant or other program to promote research and development of innovative observation technologies including testing and field trials; and

(H) periodically review and recommend to the Council revisions to the System Plan.

(3) LEAD FEDERAL AGENCY.--The Administrator shall function as the lead Federal agency for the System. The Administrator may establish an Interagency Program Coordinating Office to facilitate the Administrator's responsibilities as the lead Federal agency for System oversight and management. The Administrator shall--

(A) implement policies, protocols, and standards established by the Council and delegated by the Interagency Working Group;

(B) promulgate regulations to integrate the participation of non-Federal assets into the System and enter into and oversee contracts and agreements with Regional Information Coordination Entities to effect this purpose;

(C) implement a competitive funding process for the purpose of assigning contracts and agreements to Regional Information Coordination Entities;

(D) certify or establish Regional Information Coordination Entities to coordinate State, Federal, local, and private interests at a regional level with the responsibility of engaging private and public sectors in designing, operating, and improving regional coastal and ocean observing systems in order to ensure the provision of data and information that meet the needs of user groups from the respective regions;

(E) formulate a process by which gaps in observation coverage or needs for capital improvements of Federal assets and non-Federal assets of the System can be identified by the Regional Information Coordination Entities, the Administrator, or other members of the System and transmitted to the Interagency Working Group;

(F) be responsible for the coordination, storage, management, and dissemination of observation data gathered through the System to all end-user communities;

(G) implement a program of public education and outreach to improve public awareness of global climate change and effects on the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes environment; and

(H) report annually to the Council through the Interagency Working Group on the accomplishments, operational needs, and performance of the System to achieve the purposes of this title and the System Plan.

(4) REGIONAL INFORMATION COORDINATION ENTITY.--To be certified or established under paragraph (3)(D), a Regional Information Coordination Entity must be certified or established by contract or agreement by the Administrator, and must agree to--

(A) gather required System observation data and other requirements specified under this section and the System plan;

(B) identify gaps in observation coverage or needs for capital improvements of Federal assets and non-Federal assets of the System, and transmit such information to the Interagency Working Group via the Administrator;

(C) demonstrate an organizational structure and strategic operational plan to ensure the efficient and effective administration of programs and assets to support daily data observations for integration into the System;

(D) comply with all financial oversight requirements established by the Administrator, including requirements relating to audits; and

(E) demonstrate a capability to work with other governmental and nongovernmental entities at all levels to identify and provide information products of the System for multiple users within the service area of the Regional Information Coordination Entities and otherwise.

(5) SYSTEM ADVISORY COMMITTEE.--

(A) IN GENERAL.--The Administrator shall establish a System Advisory Committee, which shall provide advice as may be requested by the Administrator or the Interagency Working Group.

(B) PURPOSE.--The purpose of the System Advisory Committee is to advise the Administrator and the Interagency Working Group on--

(i) administration, operation, management, and maintenance of the System, including integration of Federal and non-Federal assets and data management and communication aspects of the System, and fulfillment of the purposes specified under subsection (b);

(ii) expansion and periodic modernization and upgrade of technology components of the System;

(iii) identification of end-user communities, their needs for information provided by the System, and the System's effectiveness in disseminating information to end-user communities and the general public; and

(iv) any other purpose identified by the Administrator or the Interagency Working Group.

(C) MEMBERS.--

(i) IN GENERAL.--The System Advisory Committee shall be composed of members appointed by the Administrator. Members shall be qualified by education, training, and experience to evaluate scientific and technical information related to the design, operation, maintenance, or use of the System, or use of data products provided through the System.

(ii) TERMS OF SERVICE.--Members shall be appointed for 3-year terms, renewable once. A vacancy appointment 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.

(iii) CHAIRPERSON.--The Administrator shall designate a chairperson from among the members of the System Advisory Committee.

(iv) APPOINTMENT.--Members of the System Advisory Committee shall be appointed as special Government employees for purposes of section 202(a) of title 18, United States Code.

(D) ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.--

(i) REPORTING.--The System Advisory Committee shall report to the Administrator and the Interagency Working Group, as appropriate.

(ii) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.--The Administrator shall provide administrative support to the System Advisory Committee.

(iii) MEETINGS.--The System Advisory Committee shall meet at least once each year, and at other times at the call of the Administrator, the Interagency Working Group, or the chairperson.

(iv) COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES.--Members of the System Advisory Committee shall not be compensated for service on that Committee, but may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.

(v) EXPIRATION.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the System Advisory Committee.

(6) CIVIL LIABILITY.--For purposes of determining liability arising from the dissemination and use of observation data gathered pursuant to this section, any non-Federal asset or Regional Information Coordination Entity that is certified under paragraph (3)(D) and that is participating in the System shall be considered to be part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Any employee of such a non-Federal asset or Regional Information Coordination Entity, while operating within the scope of his or her employment in carrying out the purposes of this section, with respect to tort liability, is deemed to be an employee of the Federal Government.

(f) Interagency Financing, Grants, Contracts, and Agreements.--

(1) IN GENERAL.--The member departments and agencies of the Council, subject to the availability of appropriations, may participate in interagency financing and share, transfer, receive, obligate, and expend funds appropriated to any member agency for the purposes of carrying out any administrative or programmatic project or activity to further the purposes of this section, including support for the Interagency Working Group, the Interagency Coordinating Program Office, a common infrastructure, and integration to expand or otherwise enhance the System.

(2) JOINT CENTERS AND AGREEMENTS.--Member Departments and agencies of the Council shall have the authority to create, support, and maintain joint centers, and to enter into and perform such contracts, leases, grants, and cooperative agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this section and fulfillment of the System Plan.

(g) Application With Other Laws.--Nothing in this section supersedes or limits the authority of any agency to carry out its responsibilities and missions under other laws.

(h) Report to Congress.--

(1) IN GENERAL.--Not later than two years after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator through the Council shall submit to Congress a report that describes the status of the System and progress made to achieve the purposes of this section and the goals identified under the System Plan.

(2) CONTENTS.--The report shall include discussion of the following:

(A) Identification of Federal and non-Federal assets as determined by the Council that have been integrated into the System, including assets essential to the gathering of required observation data variables necessary to meet the respective missions of Council agencies.

(B) A review of procurements, planned or initiated, by each Council agency to enhance, expand, or modernize the observation capabilities and data products provided by the System, including data management and communication subsystems.

(C) An assessment regarding activities to integrate Federal and non-Federal assets, nationally and on the regional level, and discussion of the performance and effectiveness of Regional Information Coordination Entities to coordinate regional observation operations.

(D) An evaluation of progress made by the Council to achieve the purposes of this section and the goals identified under the System Plan.

(E) Recommendations for operational improvements to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and overall capability of the System.

(3) BIENNIAL UPDATE.--Two years after the transmittal of the initial report prepared pursuant to this subsection and biennially thereafter, the Administrator, through the Council, shall submit to Congress an update of the initial report.

(i) Public-Private Use Policy.--The Council shall develop a policy within 6 months after the date of the enactment of this section that defines processes for making decisions about the roles of the Federal Government, the States, Regional Information Coordination Entities, the academic community, and the private sector in providing to end-user communities environmental information, products, technologies, and services related to the System. The Council shall publish the policy in the Federal Register for public comment for a period not less than 60 days. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require changes in policy in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.

(j) Independent Cost Estimate.--The Interagency Working Group, through the Administrator and the Director of the National Science Foundation, shall obtain within one year after the date of the enactment of this section an independent cost estimate for operations and maintenance of existing Federal assets of the System, and planned or anticipated acquisition, operation, and maintenance of new Federal assets for the System, including operation facilities, observation equipment, modeling and software, data management and communication, and other essential components. The independent cost estimate shall be transmitted unabridged and without revision by the Administrator to Congress.

(k) Intent of Congress.--It is the intent of Congress that funding provided to agencies of the Council to implement this section shall supplement, and not replace, existing sources of funding for other programs. It is the further intent of Congress that agencies of the Council shall not enter into contracts or agreements for the development or procurement of new Federal assets for the System that are estimated to be in excess of $250,000,000 in life-cycle costs without first providing adequate notice to Congress and opportunity for review and comment.

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Mr. ALLEN. I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise to express my support for H.R. 2342, the National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation Act. I commend Chairman Rahall and Chairwoman Bordallo of the Natural Resources Committee for their leadership and foresight in supporting this legislation to give us the tools we need to manage and protect our marine resources and coastal communities. I also want to thank Mr. Brown and Mr. Young for their work on this bill.

My legislation establishes a nationwide integrated ocean and coastal observing system, based on the internationally acclaimed Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System, GoMOOS. That is the acronym, GoMOOS. GoMOOS was developed by Maine oceanographers, and has improved safety for fishermen and boaters, increased understanding of ocean weather and helped forecast the effects of global climate change.

My legislation builds on the success of regional programs like GoMOOS and will greatly enhance our knowledge about our oceans and their resources and vastly improve our ability to manage them properly.
The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy, Pew Oceans Commission, and the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative have all established creation of a comprehensive ocean observing system as a top priority. In fact, Admiral James Watkins, Chair of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and Cochair of the Joint Oceans Commission Initiative, has testified that an oceans observing system, and I quote, ``is probably the most important single program. I think if it were to be implemented properly and funded to the extent we have recommended in our report, it will be one of the most important things we can do for future decision making.''

Implementation of the Integrated Ocean Observing System will have a myriad of positive impacts. Implementation will, one, improve predictions of climate change and weather and their effects on coastal communities, including impacts on water and energy management; two, improve the safety and efficiency of marine operations; three, improve national and homeland security, particularly within ports and the Nation's heavily populated coastal regions; and, fourth, enable the sustained use of ocean and coastal resources and better manage fisheries.

In addition to monitoring and forecasting climate change, the Ocean Observing System would protect coastal communities and economic interests of oceangoing industries like shipping and commercial fishing by improving warnings of tsunamis, hurricanes, coastal storms and other natural hazards.

The Integrated Ocean Observing System is not just another combination of data satellites and buoys. It has real-time and real life practical applications. In the past, regional ocean systems have provided early warnings of harmful algal blooms that can severely impact the shellfish industry. Scientists use the regional system to target testing areas, and managers use it to issue timely and necessary warnings to protect public health. The Coast Guard is another frequent user. They look to the system for critical information to aid in search and rescue operations.

Fishermen have used Maine's Ocean Observing System for years for real time information on sea conditions and weather. More observations provide more data and allow fishermen to make informed and safe decisions. I would just say in that context that I have had fishermen in Maine tell me that whereas they used to be gambling on what the weather might be 7 to 10 miles offshore, now they can look at their computer, they can get real-time data from a buoy 7 miles offshore and know whether or not it is safe to go out that distance.

Many elements of a national ocean observing system are already in place, but currently they operate independently. Legislation is needed to formally define the fiduciary, legal and oversight structure to enable the integration of the disparate components of the ocean, coastal and Great Lakes observing activities. Legislation authorizing an integrated system will ensure the coordination and integration among all the elements of a national system, both Federal and regional, and would provide legal authority for sharing funds across Federal agencies for implementing IOOS.

A national Integrated Ocean Observing system would enable managers at all levels, local, regional and National, to make informed and timely decisions to manage our ocean resources and protect our coastal communities.

To summarize, what we are talking about is being able to get information about our oceans in the same way and on the same scale that today we get information about the atmosphere, and because of the interconnection of what is happening in the atmosphere and what is happening in the oceans, this will dramatically increase and expand our understanding of both the atmosphere and the oceans. It is an important piece of legislation.

I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

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