TheWeekInCongress.com
Week Ending July 15, 2005
S.39 A bill to establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
BRIEF
The bill would direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish in NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) a national ocean exploration program. The program would include exploration voyages to “survey, inventory, observe and assess little-known areas of the marine environment”, promote ocean research and educate the public to improve understanding of ocean science, resources and processes.
NOAA would put together an ocean technology and infrastructure task force to strategize on how to improve the availability of communications in the program, develop data mangement systems and encourage cost-sharing partnerships
Sponsor: Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK)
Vote: Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent (July 11, 2005)
Cost to the taxpayers: “CBO estimates that implementing S. 39 would cost about $15 million in fiscal year 2006 and $180 million over the 2006-2010 period. We estimate that $420 million would be spent after 2010, including $375 million authorized to be appropriated between 2011 and 2017. Enacting S. 39 would have no impact on revenues or direct spending.”
## All Rights Reserved. © 2005 TheWeekInCongress.com No reproduction or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.
MORE INFORMATION
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS (From the committee report)
Ocean exploration has encompassed charting ocean depth and bathymetry, and identifying and studying marine organisms. Although ocean exploration has occurred since the 1800s, and advances in deep-sea technologies have made it easier to identify structures at ocean depths, only 5 percent of the ocean floor has been explored to date and scientific understanding of undersea environments remains cursory. Current ocean exploration excursions continue to probe uncharted territory and locate and identify new species and resources, ranging from hydrothermal vents and deep sea corals to shipwrecks and other cultural artifacts. The potential for identifying new and profitable energy sources and biomedical resources in the oceans is significant, but it remains largely untapped. Progress has generally been limited due to the narrow focus and limited financial and other support for oceans exploration in the Federal government.
For decades, the ocean science, research, and education communities have called for strengthening Federal ocean exploration programs and priorities in order to fill critical scientific knowledge gaps, develop potential economic resources, and inspire greater ocean literacy in the general public. The final report to Congress by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy (the Ocean Commission), released on September 20, 2004, reiterated these needs. The Ocean Commission report highlighted the need for a strong, comprehensive ocean exploration program, citing the persistent call for a national program from various commissions since the 1970s.
For example, the Ocean Commission notes that in the 1980s and 1990s, NOAA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted a long-term exploration of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone in response to recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere. This effort produced basic reconnaissance survey data, although NOAA and the USGS did not conduct more detailed explorations due to divergent agency missions and limited funding.
In June 2000, President Clinton charged the Secretary of Commerce with recommending a national strategy for launching a new era of ocean exploration. To develop this strategy, the Secretary, through NOAA, established the President's Panel on Ocean Exploration, which consisted of leading ocean explorers, scientists, and educators. This panel recommended a multidisciplinary, integrated national ocean exploration office with an annual budget of $75 million. In response, NOAA established the Office of Ocean Exploration. Funding for this office started at $4 million in FY2001. In FY2004 it increased to $12 million, and in FY2005 Congress further increased its funding to $22 million, based on the Commission's recommendations.
Overall, the Ocean Commission considers the Federal government's past efforts on ocean exploration as inadequately funded and not comprehensive enough in scope. Under Recommendation 25-4, the Ocean Commission calls for `significant funding' for `an expanded national ocean exploration program,' with NOAA and the National Science Foundation serving as the lead agencies, and the USGS and the U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Research serving supporting roles. The recommendation also states outreach and education should be an integral component of the program. The report recommends an additional $30 million in the first year of implementation, rising to $110 million in annual ongoing costs, including infrastructure costs. Chapter 27 of the Commission's report sets forth detailed recommendations for infrastructure needs of the program, including dedicated ocean exploration platforms, including ships and submersibles.
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 cites this Act as the `National Ocean Exploration Program Act.'
Section 2. Establishment
Section 2 would establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within NOAA, which would work in consultation with the National Science Foundation.
Section 3. Purposes
Section 3 states that the main purpose of the program would be to benefit, inform, and inspire the American people about the oceans. The program would improve the nation's understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of oceans and submerged archaeology. The program's endeavors would be interdisciplinary and designed to facilitate the discovery of new marine natural products that may have social or health benefits.
Section 4. Authorities
Section 4 would authorize NOAA, with interested parties, to conduct interdisciplinary activities to explore and document little known marine resources, with an emphasis on deep ocean regions (e.g., seamounts) and submerged archaeological sites. The program would engage and educate the public by utilizing a transparent review process for proposed activities, promoting improved technology, and establishing a forum for communication to enhance the scientific and technical expertise of the program. It also authorizes the program to accept donations that could be used for exploration.
Section 5. Exploration technology and infrastructure task force
Section 5 would establish a task force consisting of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Navy, and other interested agencies and partners. The task force would enhance the program's use of new technology and improve its communications, data management, and technical expertise capacity through partnerships between government and other entities.
Section 6. Interagency financing
Section 6 authorizes the transfer of funds between Federal agencies, provided those funds are specifically appropriated for this program.
Section 7. Authorization of appropriations
Section 7 would authorize appropriations to NOAA for this program of $45,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011, and $55,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2017.
## All Rights Reserved. © 2005 TheWeekInCongress.com.
No reproduction or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.