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August 30, 2004 -- Congress is poised to resume consideration of key legislation that could lead to the most profound changes in U.S. ocean policy in 35 years.
The recent introduction of several U.S. ocean policy reform bills in the House and Senate (Table 1) was spurred by a draft report issued by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy entitled, "An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century," that expresses an urgent need for major changes in the management of U.S. coastal and marine resources. Embraced by Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) as "a bold new vision for exploring, managing and protecting our oceans," the congressionally mandated report is widely viewed as the first comprehensive analysis of U.S. ocean policy in over three decades.
Responding to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy's call to action, Senator Fritz Hollings (D-SC) introduced one of several "Big Oceans Bills" (BOBs) -- the National Ocean Policy and Leadership Act (S. 2647) -- which would adopt an ecosystem-based approach to ocean and coastal management, codify the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's mission and authority in an "organic act," streamline NOAA's management structure, and improve interagency coordination. On July 22, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy issued a revised draft report that reflects comments from 37 governors and 5 tribal leaders. Sen. Hollings reflected these comments in his bill by emphasizing the need for greater involvement of regional and local authorities in ocean and coastal resource management.
Table 1. Summary of oceans legislation recently put forward in the House and Senate
Bill No.
| Bill Title
| Status
| Main Sponsor
| HR 4546
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act
| Debated at July 15 hearing of House Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards
| Rep. Ehlers (R-MI)
| HR 4607
| National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Organic Act of 2004
| Debated at July 15 hearing of House Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards
| Rep. Ehlers (R-MI), at the Administration's request
| H.R. 4900
| Oceans Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act (Oceans-21)
| Introduced July 22, 2004
| Rep. Greenwood (R-PA)
| H.R. 5001
| Ocean and Coastal Observation Systems Act of 2004
| Introduced July 22, 2004
| Rep. Weldon (R-PA)
| S. 2280
| National Ocean Exploration Program Act
| Approved by Senate Commerce Committee July 22, 2004
| Sen. Stevens (R-AK)
| S. 2488
|
Marine Debris Research and Reduction Act
| Approved by Senate Commerce Committee July 22, 2004
| Sen. Inouye's (D-HI)
| S. 2647
| National Ocean Policy and Leadership Act
| Introduced July 13, 2004
| Sen. Hollings (D-SC)
| S. 2648
|
Ocean Research Coordination and Advancement Act
| Introduced July 13, 2004
| Sen. Hollings (D-SC)
|
A controversial provision of Sen. Hollings' National Ocean Policy and Leadership Act would remove NOAA from the Department of Commerce, making NOAA an independent agency over a transition period of two years. The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy considers this major structural change premature, as it may overshadow the 196 other recommendations that will be proposed to the President and Congress in the release of the final report in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the bipartisan leadership of the House Oceans Caucus introduced a companion Big Oceans Bill called the Ocean Conservation, Education, and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act (Oceans-21; H.R. 4900). "Through national governance reform initiatives, the establishment of regional ocean councils, improved access to ocean education, and focused attention on ocean science research and exploration initiatives, Oceans-21 will improve the way our country manages and researches our largest public resource - the oceans," said sponsor Representative Jim Greenwood (R-PA).
In addition to the comprehensive BOBs, several members of Congress have introduced narrower bills, or "Little Ocean Bills" (LOBs), that may have a better chance of enactment. Examples of more digestible LOBs include Senator Stevens' (R-AK) National Ocean Exploration Program Act (S. 2280), which would authorize the establishment of a coordinated national ocean exploration program within NOAA. A second LOB, Senator Daniel K. Inouye's (D-HI) Marine Debris Research and Reduction Act (S. 2488), would establish a NOAA and Coast Guard program to help reduce and prevent marine debris. Both bills were approved by the Senate Commerce Committee.
During a public meeting announcing the release of the US Commission on Ocean Policy's draft final report, Commission chairman Admiral James Watkins applauded the recent initiatives in Congress but emphasized that there needs to be a permanent decision-making authority to implement the recommendations.
In a related development, NOAA's Science Advisory Board tasked an internal Research Review Team with recommending ways to improve the efficiency and coordination of NOAA operations. The consequent report recommends lab consolidation and better integration of science activities across line offices; the creation of a comprehensive Science Plan for NOAA research over the near, medium and long term; and better efficiency in the transition of NOAA efforts from research to operations.
Mary Shockley
Science Policy Assistant
National Council for Science and the Environment
1707 H Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202-530-5810 x209
Email: MShockley (at) NCSEonline.org
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