59–006 

110TH CONGRESS REPT. 110–253 " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session Part 1 

OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING INTEGRATION ACT 

JULY 23, 2007.—Ordered to be printed 

Mr. RAHALL, from the Committee on Natural Resources, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 2400] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred the 

bill (H.R. 2400) to direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration to establish an integrated Federal 

ocean and coastal mapping plan for the Great Lakes and coastal 

state waters, the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, and 

the Continental Shelf of the United States, and for other purposes, 

having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an 

amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass. 

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act’’. 

SEC. 2. INTEGRATED OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING PROGRAM. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration shall establish a program to develop, in coordination with the Interagency Committee on Ocean and Coastal Mapping and affected coastal states, a coordinated and comprehensive Federal ocean and coastal mapping plan for the Great 

Lakes and coastal state waters, the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, and 

the Continental Shelf of the United States that enhances ecosystem approaches in 

decisionmaking for conservation and management of marine resources and habitats, 

establishes priorities for research and mapping, supports the siting of research and 

other platforms, enhances safety of navigation, and advances ocean and coastal 

science. 

(b) PROGRAM PARAMETERS.—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; 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMRPT
2 

(2) facilitate cost-effective, cooperative mapping efforts that incorporate policies for contracting with non-governmental 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-governmental entities; 

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

(5) provide for the archiving, management, and distribution of data sets 

through a national registry as well as provide mapping products and services 

to the general public in service of statutory requirements; 

(6) develop data standards and protocols consistent with standards developed 

by the Federal Geographic Data Committee for use by Federal, coastal 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 coastal state and local 

government programs; 

(8) facilitate, to the extent practicable, the collection of real-time tide data and 

the development of hydrodynamic models for coastal areas to allow for the application of V-datum tools that will facilitate the seamless integration of onshore and offshore maps and charts; 

(9) establish a plan for the acquisition and collection of ocean and coastal 

mapping data; and 

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

SEC. 3. INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE ON OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, within 30 days after the date of enactment 

of this Act, shall convene or utilize an existing interagency committee on ocean and 

coastal mapping to implement section 2. 

(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The committee shall be comprised of senior representatives 

from Federal agencies with ocean and coastal mapping and surveying responsibilities. The representatives shall be high-ranking officials of their respective agencies 

or departments and, whenever possible, the head of the portion of the agency or department that is most relevant to the purposes of this Act. Membership shall include senior representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Chief of Naval Operations, the United States Geological Survey, the 

Minerals Management Service, the National Science Foundation, the National 

Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the 

Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other appropriate Federal agencies involved in ocean and coastal mapping. 

(c) CHAIRMAN.—The committee shall have as its chairman the representative from 

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The chairman may create 

subcommittees chaired by any member agency of the committee. The full committee 

may form working groups to address issues of short duration. 

(d) MEETINGS.—The committee shall meet on a quarterly basis, but each subcommittee and each working group shall meet on an as-needed basis. 

(e) COORDINATION.—The committee shall coordinate activities, when appropriate, 

with—

(1) other Federal efforts, including the Digital Coast, Geospatial One-Stop, 

and the Federal Geographic Data Committee; 

(2) international mapping activities; 

(3) coastal states; 

(4) user groups through workshops and other appropriate mechanisms; and 

(5) representatives of non-governmental entities. 

(f) ADVISORY PANEL.—The Administrator may convene an ocean and coastal mapping advisory panel consisting of representatives from non-governmental entities to 

provide input regarding activities of the committee. 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMRPT
3 

SEC. 4. NOAA INTEGRATED MAPPING INITIATIVE. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 

the Administrator, in consultation with the Committee, shall develop and submit to 

the Congress a plan for an integrated ocean and coastal mapping initiative within 

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

(b) PLAN REQUIREMENTS.—The plan shall—

(1) identify and describe all ocean and coastal mapping programs within the 

agency, including those that conduct mapping or related activities in the course 

of existing missions, such as hydrographic surveys, ocean exploration projects, 

living marine resource conservation and management programs, coastal zone 

management projects, and ocean and coastal observations and science projects; 

(2) establish priority mapping programs and establish and periodically update 

priorities for geographic areas in surveying and mapping across all missions of 

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as minimum 

data acquisition and metadata standards for those programs; 

(3) encourage the development of innovative ocean and coastal mapping technologies and applications, such as Digital Coast, through research and development through cooperative or other agreements with joint or cooperative research institutes or centers and with other non-governmental entities; 

(4) document available and developing technologies, best practices in data 

processing and distribution, and leveraging opportunities with other Federal 

agencies, coastal states, and non-governmental entities; 

(5) identify training, technology, and other resource requirements for enabling 

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s programs, vessels, and 

aircraft to support a coordinated ocean and coastal mapping program; 

(6) identify a centralized mechanism or office for coordinating data collection, 

processing, archiving, and dissemination activities of all such mapping programs within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that meets 

Federal mandates for data accuracy and accessibility and designate a repository 

that is responsible for archiving and managing the distribution of all ocean and 

coastal mapping data to simplify the provision of services to benefit Federal and 

coastal state programs; and 

(7) set forth a timetable for implementation and completion of the plan, including a schedule for submission to the Congress of periodic progress reports 

and recommendations for integrating approaches developed under the initiative 

into the interagency program. 

(c) NOAA JOINT OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING CENTERS.—The Administrator 

may maintain and operate up to 3 joint ocean and coastal mapping centers, including a joint hydrographic center, which shall each be co-located with an institution 

of higher education. The centers shall serve as hydrographic centers of excellence 

and may conduct activities necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act, including—

(1) research and development of innovative ocean and coastal mapping technologies, equipment, and data products; 

(2) mapping of the United States Outer Continental Shelf and other regions; 

(3) data processing for nontraditional data and uses; 

(4) advancing the use of remote sensing technologies, for related issues, including mapping and assessment of essential fish habitat and of coral resources, 

ocean observations, and ocean exploration; and 

(5) providing graduate education and training in ocean and coastal mapping 

sciences for members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

Commissioned Officer Corps, personnel of other agencies with ocean and coastal 

mapping programs, and civilian personnel. 

(d) ENHANCED OPPORTUNITIES FOR NON-GOVERNMENTAL CONTRACTING.—The Administrator shall continue developing a strategy for expanding contracting with nongovernmental entities to minimize duplication and take maximum advantage of nongovernmental capabilities in fulfilling the Administration’s mapping and charting 

responsibilities. Within 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report describing the strategy developed under this subsection to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 

and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives. 

SEC. 5. INTERAGENCY PROGRAM REPORTING. 

No later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and biannually 

thereafter, the Chairman of the Committee shall transmit to the Committee on 

Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report detailing progress made in 

implementing this Act, including—


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMRPT
4 

(1) an inventory of ocean and coastal mapping data within the territorial sea 

and the exclusive economic zone and throughout the Continental Shelf of the 

United States, noting the age and source of the survey and the spatial resolution (metadata) of the data; 

(2) an inventory and description of any new Federal or federally funded programs conducting shoreline delineation and ocean or coastal mapping since the 

previous reporting cycle; 

(3) identification of priority areas in need of survey coverage using present 

technologies; 

(4) a resource plan that identifies when priority areas in need of modern 

ocean and coastal mapping surveys can be accomplished; 

(5) the status of efforts to produce integrated digital maps of ocean and coastal areas; 

(6) a description of any products resulting from coordinated mapping efforts 

under this Act that improve public understanding of the coasts and oceans, or 

regulatory decisionmaking; 

(7) documentation of minimum and desired standards for data acquisition and 

integrated metadata; 

(8) a statement of the status of Federal efforts to leverage mapping technologies, coordinate mapping activities, share expertise, and exchange data; 

(9) a statement of resource requirements for organizations to meet the goals 

of the program, including technology needs for data acquisition, processing, and 

distribution systems; 

(10) a statement of the status of efforts to declassify data gathered by the 

Navy, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and other agencies to the 

extent possible without jeopardizing national security, and make it available to 

partner agencies and the public; 

(11) the status of efforts to coordinate Federal programs with coastal state 

and local government programs and leverage those programs; and 

(12) a description of efforts of Federal agencies to increase contracting with 

non-governmental entities. 

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the amounts authorized by section 306 of the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 892d), there are authorized 

to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this Act— (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. 

(b) JOINT OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING CENTERS.—Of the amounts appropriated 

under subsection (a), the following amounts shall be used to carry out section 4(c): 

(1) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2008. 

(2) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2009. 

(3) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2010. 

(4) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2011. 

(5) $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015. 

(c) INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, from 

amounts authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2008 through 2015 to the departments of the agencies, and the independent agencies, specified in section 3(b), 

the head of each such department or agency may make available not more than 

$10,000,000 per fiscal year to carry out interagency activities under section 3. 

SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS. 

In this Act: 

(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Administrator’’ means the Administrator of 

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

(2) COASTAL STATE.—The term ‘‘coastal state’’ has the meaning given that 

term by section 304(4) of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 

1453(4). 

(3) COMMITTEE.—The term ‘‘Committee’’ means the Interagency Committee on 

Ocean and Coastal Mapping established by section 3. 

(4) EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE.—The term ‘‘exclusive economic zone’’ means 

the exclusive economic zone of the United States established by Presidential 

Proclamation No. 5030, of March 10, 1983. 

(5) NON-GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES.—The term ‘‘non-governmental entities’’ includes non-governmental organizations, members of the academic community, 

and private sector organizations that provide products and services associated 

with measuring, locating, and preparing maps, charts, surveys, aerial photoVerDate Aug 31 2005 04:43 Jul 25, 2007 Jkt 059006 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6621 E:\HR\OC\HR253P1.XXX HR253P1

hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMRPT
5 

graphs, satellite imagines, or other graphical or digital presentations depicting 

natural or manmade physical features, phenomena, and legal boundaries of the 

Earth. 

(6) OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING.—The term ‘‘ocean and coastal mapping’’

means the acquisition, processing, and management of physical, biological, geological, chemical, and archaeological characteristics and boundaries of ocean and 

coastal areas, resources, and sea beds through the use of acoustics, satellites, 

aerial photogrammetry, light and imaging, direct sampling, and other mapping 

technologies. 

(7) OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF.—The term ‘‘Outer Continental Shelf’’ means 

all submerged lands lying seaward and outside of lands beneath navigable waters (as that term is defined in section 2 of the Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 

1301)), and of which the subsoil and seabed appertain to the United States and 

are subject to its jurisdiction and control. 

(8) TERRITORIAL SEA.—The term ‘‘territorial sea’’ means the belt of sea measured from the baseline of the United States determined in accordance with 

international law, as set forth in Presidential Proclamation Number 5928, dated 

December 27, 1988. 

PURPOSE OF THE BILL

The purpose of H.R. 2400, Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act, is to direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration to establish an integrated federal 

ocean and coastal mapping plan for the Great Lakes and coastal 

state waters, the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, and 

the Continental Shelf of the United States, and for other purposes. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

Coastal mapping and surveys for nautical charting are two of the 

oldest functions of the federal government. The root of these activities dates back to 1807, when President Thomas Jefferson signed 

into law an Act requiring the President ‘‘to cause a survey to be 

taken of the coast of the United States * * * together with such 

other matters as he may deem proper for completing an accurate 

chart of every part of the coast.’’ Two hundred years later, the mapping and charting of our coasts and submerged lands off the continental shelf and in the Exclusive Economic Zone continues to be an 

issue of great national importance. 

Availability of quality, up-to-date, comprehensive maps and 

charts for all U.S. waters is important for myriad reasons. Accurate 

maps and charts are imperative to ensure safe navigation for marine shipping and to facilitate effective coastal planning for hazard 

mitigation, such as a storm surge. Maps and charts are required 

to develop and implement science-based, ecosystem management 

approaches, to monitor competing and often conflicting uses of the 

marine environment, and to track environmental changes. Maps 

and charts are also, perhaps most obviously, important tools for 

identifying boundaries, including the extent of our continental shelf 

beyond the 200 nautical mile limit of the U.S. Exclusive Economic 

Zone. 

At least 15 federal agencies, most coastal states, and numerous 

local agencies, academic institutions, and private companies conduct mapping and charting activities in U.S. waters. Today, no central repository or coordinating body exists under law to oversee and 

track these mapping efforts. The lack of coordination leads to redundancy of efforts in certain areas, which can be extremely expensive and inefficient. While some areas are ‘‘over mapped,’’ there is 

a severe lack of data in other regions. The National Oceanic and 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMRPT
6 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) currently designates 35,000 

square nautical miles of waters important to navigation that require updated information. Of the data that do exist, differences in 

scale, projection, resolution, reference frames, and the source and 

vintage of the data inhibit integration efforts. The lack of communication among agencies also masks opportunities for technology 

transfer and development. 

Additionally, should the U.S. accede to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, documentation and verification of 

the extent of the continental shelf will be required to claim an extended Exclusive Economic Zone where potentially $3.1 trillion in 

marine resources may be located. 

In 2004, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy (USCOP) released 

a report at the request of the President and the Congress recommending actions needed to improve ocean policy in the United 

States. Among the suggestions made by the USCOP was a recommendation to consolidate and coordinate federal mapping activities, and that NOAA lead this effort. At the same time, the National Research Council completed a study to identify the most 

pressing national needs for coastal mapping and charting. This 

study, requested by three of the primary agencies involved in ocean 

and coastal surveys, identified the same need for coordination. 

Their findings included a need for a consistent spatial framework, 

increased access to geospatial data and mapping products, and increased inter- and intra-agency communication, cooperation, and 

coordination. 

Enactment of H.R. 2400 will provide a framework for an integrated ocean and coastal mapping program. This will improve the 

conservation and management of marine resources, and increase 

marine transportation safety. In addition, passage of H.R. 2400 will 

advance coastal and ocean science research and technology development and increase our understanding of the submerged land areas 

under U.S. jurisdiction, an area larger than the contiguous United 

States. 

COMMITTEE ACTION

H.R. 2400 was introduced on May 21, 2007, by the Chairwoman 

of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D–GU). The bill was referred to the 

Committee on Natural Resources, and within the Committee to the 

Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans. The bill was also 

referred to the Committee on Science and Technology. The Subcommittee met on June 5, 2007, to receive testimony related to the 

bill. The legislation received positive endorsements from the witnesses, including the Administration. 

On June 19, 2007, the Subcommittee met to mark up the bill. 

Chairwoman Bordallo offered an amendment in the nature of a 

substitute to direct the NOAA Administrator to facilitate the creation of a national registry for federally-funded ocean and coastal 

mapping data. The substitute amendment also included provisions 

to allow the NOAA Administrator to use an existing entity to fulfill 

the requirement for an Interagency Committee on Ocean and 

Coastal Mapping, such as the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean 

Science and Technology established under the Bush administration 

Ocean Action Plan, and authorized the Administrator to establish 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMRPT
7 

a non-federal advisory panel to provide input to the Interagency 

Committee. The substitute amendment also directed the NOAA Administrator to facilitate the integration of onshore and offshore 

maps and charts. The Bordallo substitute amendment was adopted 

by voice vote. The bill, as amended, was then forwarded to the Full 

Committee by voice vote. 

On June 28, 2007, the Committee on Natural Resources considered the bill. Chairwoman Bordallo offered a non-controversial 

amendment in the nature of a substitute to clarify the role of states 

in the coordination process; strengthen the directive to implement 

mapping activities in addition to research and planning; clarify the 

role of private contractors in the gathering of mapping data; and, 

to encourage the development of ocean and coastal mapping technologies and applications, including the Digital Coast. The substitute amendment was adopted by unanimous consent. The bill, as 

amended, was then ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1. Short title 

Section 1 cites this Act as the ‘‘Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act.’’

Section 2. Integrated ocean and coastal mapping program 

Section 2 would direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in coordination with the 

Interagency Committee on Ocean and Coastal Mapping and affected coastal states, to establish a comprehensive Federal ocean 

and coastal mapping program for U.S. coastal, ocean, and Great 

Lakes Waters. The program would increase cooperation and communication among Federal agencies, coastal States, and nongovernmental entities in an effort to establish more efficient methods of 

collecting data, testing and implementing new technologies, and 

managing and disseminating data. 

Section 3. Interagency Committee on Ocean and Coastal Mapping 

Section 3 would establish an Interagency Committee on Ocean 

and Coastal Mapping, or allow the Administrator of NOAA to utilize an existing entity, comprising senior representatives of relevant Federal agencies and chaired by a representative from 

NOAA. The Committee would meet quarterly and coordinate as appropriate with other Federal, international, state, and private entity activities. In addition, Section 3 would authorize the Administrator to convene an Advisory Panel consisting of representatives 

from nongovernmental entities to provide input regarding activities 

of the Interagency Committee. 

Section 4. NOAA integrated mapping initiative 

Section 4 would require the Administrator of NOAA, in consultation with the Interagency Committee, to submit to Congress within 

six months after the date of enactment a plan for an integrated 

ocean and coastal mapping initiative within NOAA. Section 4 

would direct the Administrator of NOAA to develop a strategy to 

use nongovernmental entity capabilities through expanded conVerDate Aug 31 2005 04:43 Jul 25, 2007 Jkt 059006 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR253P1.XXX HR253P1

hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMRPT
8 

tracting. Finally, Section 4 would authorize the Administrator of 

NOAA to operate three Joint Ocean and Coastal Mapping Centers 

to serve as hydrographic centers of excellence. The centers could 

conduct a variety of activities, including mapping, advancing the 

use of remote sensing technologies, training NOAA and other employees, and providing research and development of mapping technologies. 

Section 5. Interagency program reporting 

Section 5 would require the Chairman of the Interagency Committee to report to Congress no later than 18 months after the date 

of enactment, and biannually thereafter, the progress made in implementing this Act. 

Section 6. Authorization of appropriations 

Section 6 authorizes appropriations to NOAA for this program on 

an incrementally increasing basis as follows: $20 million for fiscal 

year 2008, $26 million for fiscal year 2009, $32 million for fiscal 

year 2010, $38 million for fiscal year 2011, and $45 million for each 

of fiscal years 2012 through 2015. The Joint Ocean and Coastal 

Mapping Centers would be authorized to receive some of this funding. 

Section 7. Definitions 

Section 7 defines key terms. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee on 

Natural Resources’ oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the body of this report. 

FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

The functions of the proposed advisory committee authorized in 

the bill are not currently being nor could they be performed by one 

or more agencies, an advisory committee already in existence or by 

enlarging the mandate of an existing advisory committee. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United States 

grants Congress the authority to enact this bill. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of 

the House of Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be incurred in carrying out this bill. However, clause 3(d)(3)(B) of that rule provides 

that this requirement does not apply when the Committee has included in its report a timely submitted cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 

2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2) of rule 

XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 

308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this bill does not 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMRPT
9 

contain any new budget authority, spending authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures. 

3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by 

clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or objective 

of this bill, as ordered reported, is to direct the Administrator of 

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish 

an integrated federal ocean and coastal mapping plan for the Great 

Lakes and coastal state waters, the territorial sea, the exclusive 

economic zone, and the Continental Shelf of the United States, and 

for other purposes. 

4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate. Under clause 

3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and 

section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate for this bill from the 

Director of the Congressional Budget Office: 

H.R. 2400—Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act 

Summary: H.R. 2400 would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish an integrated mapping program encompassing the Great Lakes, coastal state waters, 

the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, and the continental 

shelf of the United States. The bill also would establish an interagency committee to coordinate federal mapping of ocean and 

coastal areas, require an integrated mapping plan to identify and 

describe all mapping programs, and authorize up to three joint centers for ocean and coastal mapping to be located at colleges or universities. For those purposes, the bill would authorize the appropriation of $296 million over the 2008–2015 period. 

Assuming appropriation of the amounts authorized by the bill, 

CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $7 million in 

fiscal year 2008 and $116 million over the 2008–2012 period. CBO 

estimates that $180 million would be spent after 2012, including 

$135 million authorized to be appropriated between 2013 and 2015. 

Enacting H.R. 2400 would not affect revenues or direct spending. 

This legislation contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 

mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

(UMRA) and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. 

Estimated cost to the Federal Government: H.R. 2400 would authorize the appropriation of between $20 million and $45 million 

a year for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2015 for a new ocean 

and coastal mapping initiative. Of those amounts, between $10 million and $15 million a year would be available for research and 

other mapping programs to be carried out at newly authorized 

ocean and coastal mapping centers. 

The estimated budgetary impact of H.R. 2400 is shown in the following table. The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 300 (natural resources and environment). For this estimate, 

CBO assumes that the full amounts authorized by the bill will be 

appropriated for each year and that outlays will follow historical 

spending patterns for similar NOAA programs. 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMRPT
10 

By fiscal year, in millions of dollars— 

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 

CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Authorization Level 1 ...................................................................................... 20 26 32 38 45 

Estimated Outlays ......................................................................................... 7 15 25 32 37 

1 In addition to the levels shown for 2008 through 2012, the bill would also authorize the appropriation of $135 million over the 2013–

2015 period. 

Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 2400 contains 

no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in 

UMRA and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. 

Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Deborah Reis and David 

Reynolds; Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Leo 

Lex; Impact on the Private Sector: Jacob Kuipers. 

Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. 

COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104–4

This bill contains no unfunded mandates. 

EARMARK STATEMENT

H.R. 2400 does not contain any congressional earmarks, limited 

tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e) 

or 9(f) of rule XXI. 

PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL LAW

This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or tribal law. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

If enacted, this bill would make no changes in existing law. 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMRPT
11 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMRPTInsert graphic folio 14 HR253.001
12 


hmoore on PRODPC68 with HMRPTInsert graphic folio 15 HR253.002