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Managing America: Environment and Resources

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Week Ending July 27, 2006

 H.R.2400 Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act

An integrated ocean and coastal mapping program is ordered for the Great Lakes and coastal state waters, the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, and the US Continental Shelf. The program will enhance ecosystem and other approaches in decision-making for conservation and management of marine resources, enhanced safety of navigation and other related decisions and needs.

NOAA is required to submit a plan to identify all of its’ ocean and coastal mapping programs with the ultimate goal of integrating them, establish priority mapping programs to include mapping already done and mapping done by non-public groups, encourage the development of innovative ocean and coastal mapping technologies, document available and developing technologies, best practices, identify training, technology requirements and a centralize mechanism for  coordinating data collection and dissemination.

The joint coast mapping centers may be established and opportunities for private sector participation will be explored

Sponsor:  Rep. Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote July 23, 2007

Cost to the taxpayers: (1) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; (2) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; (3) $32,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; (4) $38,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and

(5) $45,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015.

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MORE INFORMATION

In developing such a program, the Administrator shall work with the Committee to--

(1) identify all Federal and federally funded programs conducting shoreline delineation and ocean or coastal mapping, noting geographic coverage, frequency, spatial coverage, resolution, and subject matter focus of the data and location of data archives;

(2) facilitate cost-effective, cooperative mapping efforts that incorporate policies for contracting with non-Federal entities among all Federal agencies conducting ocean and coastal mapping, by increasing data sharing, developing appropriate data acquisition and metadata standards, and facilitating the interoperability of in situ data collection systems, data processing, archiving, and distribution of data products;

(3) facilitate the adaptation of existing technologies as well as foster expertise in new ocean and coastal mapping technologies, including through research, development, and training conducted among Federal agencies and in cooperation with non-Federal entities;

(4) develop standards and protocols for testing innovative experimental mapping technologies and transferring new technologies between the Federal Government and non-Federal entities;

(5) provide for the archiving, management, and distribution of data sets as well as provide mapping products and services to the general public in service of statutory requirements;

(6) develop data standards and protocols for use by Federal, State, and other entities in mapping and otherwise documenting locations of federally permitted activities, living and nonliving coastal and marine resources, marine ecosystems, sensitive habitats, submerged cultural resources, undersea cables, offshore aquaculture projects, offshore energy projects, and any areas designated for purposes of environmental protection or conservation and management of living and nonliving coastal and marine resources;

(7) identify the procedures to be used for coordinating the collection and integration of Federal ocean and coastal mapping data with State and local government programs; and

(8) set forth a timetable for completion and implementation of the plan referred to in subsection (a).

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