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Managing America: Environment and Resources

TheWeekInCongress.com (TM)

Week Ending October 26, 2007

H.R.1205 To reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, and for other purposes.

The bill amends existing law to award grant funds for threats, monitoring, assessment, research, pollution reduction, education and technical support regarding coral reefs.

The bill also requires actions to prevent or minimize damage to reefs and reef ecosystems from vessels, fishing gear, anchors and other circumstances. To those ends the grants will be directed to implementing plans for protection of high-priority reefs, to maintain and inventory of vessel groundings on reefs, identify measures to reduce impacts on reefs.

A Coral Reef Task Force is established to coordinate Federal action to preserve and protect reefs and $1 million is appropriated for a marine science facility at the American Samoa Community College and $1 million for the University of Guan for coral reef research and protection.

Sponsor:  Rep. Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote October 22, 2007

Cost to the taxpayers: “There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out this title $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $32,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $34,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and $35,000,000 for fiscal years 2011 and 2012”

Earmark Certification:   Not applicable to this bill.

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