[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3835 Introduced in House (IH)]
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3835
To establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 20, 2005
Mr. Saxton (for himself, Mr. McIntyre, Mr. Farr, Mr. Abercrombie, Mr.
Simmons, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Young of Alaska, and Mr. Foley) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, and in
addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
TITLE I--NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``National Ocean Exploration Program
Act''.
SEC. 102. ESTABLISHMENT.
The Secretary of Commerce, through the Administrator of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall, in consultation
with the National Science Foundation and other appropriate Federal
agencies, establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program
within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that
promotes collaboration with existing programs of the Administration,
including those authorized in title II.
SEC. 103. AUTHORITIES.
In carrying out the program established under section 102, the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
shall--
(1) conduct interdisciplinary exploration voyages or other
scientific activities in conjunction with other Federal
agencies or academic or educational institutions, to survey
little known areas of the marine environment, inventory,
observe, and assess living and nonliving marine resources, and
report such findings;
(2) give priority attention to deep ocean regions, with a
focus on surveying deep water marine systems that hold
potential for important scientific discoveries, such as
hydrothermal vent communities and seamounts;
(3) conduct scientific voyages to locate, define, and
document historic shipwrecks, submerged sites, and other ocean
exploration activities that combine archaeology and
oceanographic sciences;
(4) develop, in consultation with the National Science
Foundation, a transparent process for reviewing and approving
proposals for activities to be conducted under this program;
(5) enhance the technical capability of the United States
marine science community by promoting the development of
improved oceanographic research, communication, navigation, and
data collection systems, as well as underwater platforms and
sensors;
(6) accept donations of property, data, and equipment to be
applied for the purpose of exploring the oceans or increasing
knowledge of the oceans; and
(7) establish an ocean exploration forum to encourage
partnerships and promote communication among experts and other
stakeholders in order to enhance the scientific and technical
expertise and relevance of the national program.
SEC. 104. OCEAN EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in
coordination with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
the United States Geological Survey, Office of Naval Research, and
relevant governmental, non-governmental, academic, and other experts,
shall convene an ocean exploration technology and infrastructure task
force to develop and implement a strategy--
(1) to facilitate transfer of new exploration technology to
the program established under section 102;
(2) to improve availability of communications
infrastructure, including satellite capabilities, to the
program;
(3) to develop an integrated, workable, and comprehensive
data management information processing system that will make
information on unique and significant features obtained by the
program available for research and management purposes;
(4) to conduct public outreach activities that improve the
public understanding of ocean science, resources, and
processes, in conjunction with relevant programs of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National
Science Foundation, and other agencies; and
(5) to encourage cost-sharing partnerships with
governmental and non-governmental entities that will assist in
transferring exploration technology and technical expertise to
the program.
SEC. 105. INTERAGENCY FINANCING.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National
Science Foundation, and other Federal agencies involved in the program
established under section 102, are authorized to participate in
interagency financing and share, transfer, receive, and spend funds
appropriated to any Federal participant in the program for the purposes
of carrying out any administrative or programmatic project or activity
under the program. Funds may be transferred among such departments and
agencies through an appropriate instrument that specifies the goods,
services, or space being acquired from another Federal participant and
the costs of the same.
SEC. 106. APPLICATION WITH OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF LANDS ACT.
Nothing in this title or title II supersedes, or limits the
authority of the Secretary of the Interior under, the Outer Continental
Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.).
SEC. 107. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration to carry out this title--
(1) $30,500,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(2) $33,550,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(3) $36,905,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(4) $40,596,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(5) $44,655,000 for fiscal year 2010;
(6) $49,121,000 for fiscal year 2011;
(7) $54,033,000 for fiscal year 2012;
(8) $59,436,000 for fiscal year 2013;
(9) $65,379,000 for fiscal year 2014; and
(10) $71,917,000 for fiscal year 2015.
TITLE II--UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``NOAA Undersea Research Program Act
of 2005''.
SEC. 202. ESTABLISHMENT.
The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration shall establish and maintain an undersea research
program and shall designate a Director of that program.
SEC. 203. PURPOSE.
The purpose of the program established under section 202 is to
increase scientific knowledge essential for the informed management,
use and preservation of oceanic, coastal, and large lake resources
through undersea research, exploration, education, and technology
development. The program shall be part of National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration's undersea research, education, and
technology development efforts, and shall make available the
infrastructure and expertise to service the undersea science needs of
the academic community.
SEC. 204. PROGRAM.
The program established under section 202 shall be conducted
through a national headquarters, a network of regional undersea
research centers, and a national technology institute. Overall
direction of the program will be provided by the program director with
advice from a Council of Center Directors comprised of the directors of
the regional centers and the national technology institute.
SEC. 205. REGIONAL CENTERS AND TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE.
The following research, exploration, education, and technology
programs shall be conducted through the network of regional centers and
the national technology institute:
(1) Core research and exploration based on national and
regional undersea research priorities.
(2) Advanced undersea technology development to support the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's research
mission and programs, including advanced undersea technology
associated with seafloor observatories such as LEO-15 and the
Aquarius habitat, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous
underwater vehicles, and new sampling and sensing technologies.
(3) Undersea science-based education and outreach programs
to enrich ocean science education and public awareness of the
oceans and Great Lakes.
(4) Discovery, study, and development of natural products
from ocean and aquatic systems.
SEC. 206. COMPETITIVENESS.
Except for a small discretionary fund for rapid response
activities, for which no more than 10 percent of the program budget
shall be set aside, and for National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration-related service projects, the external projects
supported by the regional centers shall be managed using an open and
competitive process to evaluate scientific merit, relevance to the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, regional and national
research goals, and technical feasibility.
SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration--
(1) for fiscal year 2006--
(A) $12,500,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $5,000,000 for the National Technology
Institute;
(2) for fiscal year 2007--
(A) $13,750,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $5,500,000 for the National Technology
Institute;
(3) for fiscal year 2008--
(A) $15,125,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $6,050,000 for the National Technology
Institute;
(4) for fiscal year 2009--
(A) $16,638,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $6,655,000 for the National Technology
Institute;
(5) for fiscal year 2010--
(A) $18,301,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $7,321,000 for the National Technology
Institute;
(6) for fiscal year 2011--
(A) $20,131,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $8,053,000 for the National Technology
Institute;
(7) for fiscal year 2012--
(A) $22,145,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $8,859,000 for the National Technology
Institute;
(8) for fiscal year 2013--
(A) $24,359,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $9,744,000 for the National Technology
Institute;
(9) for fiscal year 2014--
(A) $26,795,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $10,718,000 for the National Technology
Institute; and
(10) for fiscal year 2015--
(A) $29,474,000 for the regional centers, of which
50 percent shall be for West Coast Regional Centers and
50 percent shall be for East Coast Regional Centers;
and
(B) $11,790,000 for the National Technology
Institute.
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