Overview

The Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. § 3701 et seq.) is being amended to enhance ocean acidification research and monitoring.

Key Provisions

• Development, Coordination, and Implementation: Section 12402(1)(A) is amended to change “development coordination and implementation” to “development, coordination, and implementation.”
• Research on Adaptation Strategies and Mitigation of Impacts: Section 12404(1)(B)(D)(i) is amended to change “research adaptation strategies and mitigating the impacts” to “research on adaptation strategies and mitigation of the impacts.”
• Interagency Coordination: Section 12404(1)(B)(D)(ii) is amended to change “interagency” to “the.”
• Reporting Requirements: Section 12406(d)(2)(A) is amended to change “The Secretary shall, within five years thereafter from the date of enactment of this Act, submit a report” to “The Secretary, to,” and section 12404(1)(B)(C) is amended to change “this section” to “this subsection.”

Priorities

Section 4 of the bill establishes priorities for the program under section 3(a), including supporting collaborative interagency relationships and information sharing at the state, local, and tribal levels, and assisting state and local governments and Indian Tribes in improving existing systems and programs to better address ocean acidification and coastal acidification.

Native Hawaiian Organizations, Tribal Organizations, and Tribal Consortia

Section 4 of the bill also emphasizes collaboration with Native Hawaiian organizations, tribal organizations, and tribal consortia in carrying out the program under section 3(a), including building upon existing activities and conducting vulnerability assessments, research planning, climate action plans, or other similar activities related to ocean acidification and coastal acidification on coastal communities.