U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

1 

99–010 

" ! SENATE 

111TH CONGRESS

2d Session 

REPORT

2010

111–349 

Calendar No. 643 

CORAL REEF CONSERVATION AMENDMENTS 

ACT OF 2009 

R E P O R T 

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND 

TRANSPORTATION 

ON

S. 2859 

NOVEMBER 17, 2010.—Ordered to be printed 


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(II) 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION 

ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS

SECOND SESSION

JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, West Virginia, Chairman 

DANIEL K. INOUYE, Hawaii 

JOHN F. KERRY, Massachusetts 

BYRON L. DORGAN, North Dakota 

BARBARA BOXER, California 

BILL NELSON, Florida 

MARIA CANTWELL, Washington 

FRANK R. LAUTENBERG, New Jersey 

MARK PRYOR, Arkansas 

CLAIRE MCCASKILL, Missouri 

AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota 

TOM UDALL, New Mexico 

MARK WARNER, Virginia 

MARK BEGICH, Alaska 

KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, Texas 

OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, Maine 

JOHN ENSIGN, Nevada 

JIM DEMINT, South Carolina 

JOHN THUNE, South Dakota 

ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi 

GEORGE S. LEMIEUX, Florida 

JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia 

DAVID VITTER, Louisiana 

SAM BROWNBACK, Kansas 

MIKE JOHANNS, Nebraska 

ELLEN DONESKI, Staff Director 

JAMES REID, Deputy Staff Director 

BRUCE ANDREWS, General Counsel 

ANN BEGEMAN, Republican Staff Director 

BRIAN HENDRICKS, Republican General Counsel 

TODD BERTOSON, Republican Senior Counsel 


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Calendar No. 643 

111TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! SENATE 2d Session 111–349 

CORAL REEF CONSERVATION AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2009 

NOVEMBER 17, 2010.—Ordered to be printed 

Mr. ROCKEFELLER, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 

Transportation, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany S. 2859] 

The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to 

which was referred the bill (S. 2859) to reauthorize the Coral Reef 

Conservation Amendments Act of 2000, and for other purposes, 

having considered the same, reports favorably thereon without 

amendment and recommends that the bill do pass. 

PURPOSE OF THE BILL

The purpose of S. 2859, the Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2009, is to reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation 

Act of 2000. 

BACKGROUND AND NEEDS

Coral reefs are among the oldest and most diverse ecosystems on 

the planet. Covering less than one percent of the Earth’s surface, 

these fragile coral reefs provide resources and services worth billions of dollars each year to the U.S. economy and economies worldwide. Coral reef resources provide economic and environmental 

benefits in the form of food, jobs, natural products, pharmaceuticals, and shoreline protection. One estimate placed the total 

net benefit of the world’s coral reef ecosystems at $29.8 billion per 

year. 

In the United States, coral reefs are found in the waters of the 

Western Atlantic and Caribbean (Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. 

Virgin Islands) and the Pacific Islands (Hawaii, Guam, American 

Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). 

Hawaii’s coral reef ecosystems are home to over 5,000 known species of marine plants and animals, of which about 25 percent are 


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endemic. The economic value of Hawaii’s coral reefs was estimated 

to have a direct economic benefit of $360 million per year. The waters off the peninsula of Florida are home to thousands of miles of 

coral reef ecosystems. The most extensive living coral reef in the 

United States is adjacent to the 126-mile island chain of the Florida Keys. The presence of these unique ecosystems helps generate 

$3.9 billion in economic activity in South Florida and 71,000 jobs. 

While coral reef ecosystems have survived for millions of years 

despite an abundance of natural disturbances, human activities 

could have significant negative impact on the health of coral reef 

ecosystems. A 2008 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association 

(NOAA) report on the status of coral reefs found that 19 percent 

of the world’s coral reefs have been effectively destroyed, another 

15 percent of the world’s reefs are under threat of loss within 20 

to 40 years, and a further 20 percent are under a longer term 

threat of collapse. 

In 2000, Congress recognized the need to preserve, sustain, and 

restore the condition of coral reef ecosystems by enacting the Coral 

Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2000 (CRCA), which called 

for the creation of a national strategy and program to address the 

threats to coral reef communities. The CRCA directed NOAA to 

carry out a number of activities to promote the wise management 

and sustainable use of coral reef ecosystems, to develop sound scientific information on the condition of coral reef ecosystems, and to 

assist in the preservation of coral reefs by supporting external conservation programs. The Act created a Coral Reef Conservation 

grant program within NOAA, as well as a Coral Reef Conservation 

Fund to support public-private matching funds and other partnerships to further the purposes of the CRCA. 

Authorizations for the CRCA expired at the end of fiscal year 

(FY) 2004. While the program has been very successful, changes 

and expansions have been suggested. The U.S. Commission on 

Ocean Policy recognized the need for more comprehensive coral reef 

protection and management legislation to address research, protection, and restoration of coral ecosystems. It also recommended a 

strengthened Federal-State coordination mechanism to help lead 

Federal efforts, as well as increased attention to coral issues at the 

international level. In 2005, witnesses at a hearing before the Committee urged increased funding, mechanisms for addressing vessel 

impacts, and implementation of local strategies. 

In 2007, the Bush Administration proposed a bill that would 

have prohibited damages to coral reefs in U.S. waters. The proposed provisions would have addressed the inconsistencies between 

coral reefs that are located within sanctuaries established by the 

National Marine Sanctuaries Act and those outside such boundaries. The proposed bill also included liability and enforcement provisions and a mechanism for funding restoration activities. 

The CRCA authorized appropriations of $16 million annually for 

the program through FY 2004, of which $8 million was for the 

grant program, and the lesser of $1 million or 10 percent for administrative costs. Since enactment of the CRCA, NOAA appropriations for CRCA activities have exceeded authorized amounts rising 

to $29 million for FY 2010. 


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SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS

The Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2009 would reauthorize the CRCA, and strengthen the authorities of the Secretary of Commerce to address threats to coral reefs and coral reef 

ecosystems in U.S. waters. For example, it would allow the Secretary to address the threat of marine debris to coral reef ecosystems in a more comprehensive manner by removing abandoned 

fishing gear, other discarded objects, and abandoned vessels from 

coral reefs. The bill would also provide the Secretary the authority 

to respond to vessel groundings on coral reefs, maintain a vessel 

grounding inventory, identify at-risk reefs, and recommend preventative measures, such as navigational aids and fixed anchors. 

The bill would expand the authority under the current grants 

program to address emerging threats to coral reefs, such as coral 

bleaching and disease. The bill would also establish consistent 

practices for maintaining data, products, and information, and promote widespread availability and dissemination of environmental 

data and information. 

The bill includes provisions that would prohibit damage to coral 

reefs. These provisions would be similar to current authorities included in the National Marine Sanctuaries Act for coral reefs and 

other resources located within national marine sanctuaries. The 

provisions would include specific exemptions to allow activities 

such as research, the use of fishing gear permitted under Federal 

or State laws, and other activities authorized by Federal or State 

laws. Certain safety and emergency exemptions would also be permitted. 

The bill would also establish liability and civil and criminal penalties for damage to coral reefs resulting from prohibited activities 

and would specifically prohibit interference with enforcement activities. The bill would also include forfeiture provisions for vessels 

and other property connected to a violation of the Act. 

The bill would provide a mechanism for both the Secretary of 

Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior to recoup response 

costs and damages from responsible parties and apply such funds 

to restoration of coral reefs in areas under their jurisdiction. Other 

new provisions would establish a permitting program for necessary 

or advantageous activities in coral reef areas, such as research, and 

improve coordination among states and territories to address 

threats to coral reefs. Finally, the bill would encourage Federal, 

State, and local coordination and would streamline the 3-year reporting requirement to Congress on the status of coral reefs and 

achievements under the Act. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

The Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2009 was introduced by Senator Inouye on December 9, 2009, and was referred 

to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Senators Snowe, Rockefeller, Bill Nelson, Kerry, and LeMieux are cosponsors of the bill. On December 17, 2009, the Committee met in 

open executive session and, by a voice vote, ordered the bill reported without amendment. The Committee favorably reported bills 

in both the 109th Congress and 110th Congress to reauthorize the 

CRCA. 


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ESTIMATED COSTS

In accordance with paragraph 11(a) of rule XXVI of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate and section 403 of the Congressional Budget 

Act of 1974, the Committee provides the following cost estimate, 

prepared by the Congressional Budget Office: 

JANUARY 28, 2010. 

Hon. JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, 

Chairman, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 

U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 2859, the Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2009. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Jeff LaFave. 

Sincerely, 

DOUGLAS W. ELMENDORF. 

Enclosure. 

S. 2859—Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2009 

Summary: S. 2859 would reauthorize a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) program to protect coral reefs. 

Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO estimates 

that implementing the bill would increase discretionary spending 

by $194 million over the 2010–2015 period and $14 million after 

2015. Enacting S. 2859 could increase revenues and associated direct spending, but we estimate that such changes would have no 

significant net impact in any year. 

By establishing new protections for coral reefs, S. 2859 would impose intergovernmental and private-sector mandates as defined in 

the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). CBO estimates that 

the costs of complying with those mandates would fall below the 

annual thresholds established in UMRA ($70 million for intergovernmental mandates and $141 million for private-sector mandates 

in 2010, adjusted annually for inflation). 

Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated budgetary impact of S. 2859 is shown in the following table. The costs 

of this legislation fall within budget function 300 (natural resources 

and environment). 

By fiscal year, in millions of dollars— 

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2010– 

2015 

CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program: 

Authorization Level a ......................................................... 4 36 38 40 40 0 158 

Estimated Outlays ............................................................ 2 17 28 36 39 24 146 

International Coral Reef Conservation Program: 

Authorization Level ........................................................... 8 8 8 8 8 0 40 

Estimated Outlays ............................................................ 4 6 8 8 8 4 38 

Community Planning Grants: 

Estimated Authorization Level .......................................... 2 2 2 2 2 0 10 

Estimated Outlays ............................................................ 1 2 2 2 2 1 10 

Study of U.S. Market for Coral Products: 

Authorization Level ........................................................... * 0 0 0 0 0 * 

Estimated Outlays ............................................................ * * * 0 0 0 * 


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By fiscal year, in millions of dollars— 

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2010– 

2015 

Total Changes: 

Estimated Authorization Level .......................................... 14 46 48 50 50 0 208 

Estimated Outlays ............................................................ 7 25 38 46 49 29 194 

Note: NOAA = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; * = less than $500,000. 

a NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation program has already received an appropriation of $30 million for 2010. 

Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that S. 2859 

will be enacted in 2010 and that the authorized amounts will be 

appropriated for each fiscal year (including supplemental appropriations for 2010). Estimated Outlays are based on historical 

spending patterns for similar programs. 

Spending subject to appropriation 

CBO estimates that S. 2859 would authorize appropriations to- taling $208 million over the 2010–2014 period for federal activities 

and grants to protect coral reefs. The authorization includes up to 

$40 million annually for NOAA’s current domestic program and $8 

million annually for new international programs. By comparison, 

NOAA received an appropriation of $30 million in 2010 for the 

coral reef conservation program. The bill also would authorize the appropriation of $10 million 

over the 2010–2014 period for NOAA’s community planning grants 

to states. CBO expects that the $10 million would be appropriated 

and spent roughly evenly over the five-year period. In addition, the 

bill would authorize the appropriation of $100,000 to study the U.S. 

market for coral products. CBO expects that those funds would be 

appropriated in fiscal year 2010 and would be spent over the 2010– 

2012 period. 

Finally, S. 2859 would authorize NOAA to impose fees for permits to collect coral and to spend those fees for expenses related 

to administering the permit program, but only to the extent that 

such funding would be provided in future appropriation acts. Based 

on information from NOAA regarding the number of permits the 

agency would expect to issue, CBO estimates that new offsetting 

collections from permit fees and associated spending would be negligible. 

Revenues and direct spending 

Enacting S. 2859 could increase both revenues and direct spending. CBO estimates that those changes would be small in any one 

year and would largely offset each other over the 2010–2020 period. 

S. 2859 would prohibit certain actions that damage or destroy 

coral reefs. The bill would extend legal protection to reefs in all 

U.S. waters (under current law, only reefs in national marine sanctuaries or national parks are protected), establish enforcement 

mechanisms such as penalties and asset forfeitures, and make violators liable for damages and the costs of federal responses to accidents that harm coral. Based on information provided by NOAA on 

recent accidents that damaged coral reefs in national marine sanctuaries, CBO estimates that collecting penalties, damages, and cost 

reimbursements from those who damage reefs in other U.S. waters 

would increase revenues by $1 million to $2 million over the 2010– 

2020 period. 


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Amounts collected under S. 2859 from civil penalties and other 

monetary collections would be deposited into the Damage Assessment Restoration Revolving Fund. The Secretary of the Treasury 

would be required to invest amounts in the fund in interest-bearing 

obligations of the United States. Amounts in the fund would be 

available without further appropriation to NOAA for activities such 

as repairing and restoring damaged reefs. Any criminal penalties 

would be deposited in and spent from the Crime Victims Fund. 

Based on information from NOAA, CBO estimates that the collection and expenditure of fines, penalties, and interest earned on 

those amounts under the bill would have no significant net impact 

on the budget in any year. 

Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: S. 2859 contains 

intergovernmental and private-sector mandates as defined in 

UMRA, but CBO estimates that the costs of those mandates would 

fall below the annual thresholds established in UMRA ($70 million 

for intergovernmental mandates and $141 million for private-sector 

mandates in 2010, adjusted annually for inflation). 

The bill would impose a private-sector mandate by making it unlawful for any person to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure any 

coral reef that is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. 

In addition, persons that damage coral reefs would be liable for the 

restoration and response costs. Currently, only those coral reefs 

protected under separate legal authorities, such as coral reefs located within national marine sanctuaries, receive such protection. 

Based on information from NOAA, CBO estimates that the cost of 

the mandate would not be significant. 

S. 2859 also would authorize the Secretary of Commerce to issue 

permits for activities that could affect coral reefs. If the Secretary 

establishes a permit program that requires entities, such as researchers at universities and other institutions (public and private), to obtain a permit to conduct research or other activities, 

that requirement would be an intergovernmental and private-sector 

mandate. CBO expects that few activities would likely be subject 

to the new permitting requirements and that the costs associated 

with obtaining a permit would be low. 

Previous CBO estimate: On May 11, 2009, CBO transmitted a 

cost estimate for H.R. 860, the Coral Reef Conservation Act Reauthorization and Enhancement Amendments of 2009, as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on April 22, 

2009. Both H.R. 860 and S. 2859 would amend and reauthorize the 

Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, but H.R. 860 would authorize 

appropriations totaling $214 million over the 2010–2014 period, including $40 million for Department of the Interior programs related to coral reef preservation. The CBO cost estimates reflect that 

difference. 

Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Jeff LaFave; Impact on 

State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Ryan Miller; Impact on the 

Private Sector: Amy Petz. 

Estimate approved by: Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant Director 

for Budget Analysis. 


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REGULATORY IMPACT STATEMENT

In accordance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides the following evaluation of the regulatory impact of the legislation, as reported: 

NUMBER OF PERSONS COVERED

S. 2859 would make it unlawful for any person to destroy, cause 

the loss of, or injure any coral reef that is subject to the jurisdiction 

of the United States, except as allowed in section 212(b)(2). Currently, only those coral reefs protected under separate legal authorities receive such protection. Also, the bill would authorize the 

Secretary of Commerce to issue permits for activities that could affect coral reefs. 

ECONOMIC IMPACT

The bill would authorize $34 million in FY 2010, $36 million in 

FY 2011, $38 million in FY 2012, and $40 million for each of FY 

2013 and FY 2014 for Federal activites and grants to protect coral 

reefs. The bill would authorize a total of $10 million for FY 2010 

through FY 2014, to remain available until expended, for community-based planning grants to focus on implementation of community-based protection plans. Finally, the bill would authorize $8 

million for each fiscal year from 2010 through 2014 for international coral reef conservation. 

PRIVACY

The reported bill would not have any adverse impact on the personal privacy of individuals. 

PAPERWORK

The Committee does not anticipate a major increase in paperwork burdens resulting form the passage of this legislation. S. 2859 

would authorize the Secretary of Commerce to issue permits for research and other activities that could affect coral reefs. This provision would require additional paperwork; however, the Committee 

expects that few activities would likely be subject to the permitting 

requirements. The provision is necessary for the management of 

U.S. coral reefs. 

CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING

In compliance with paragraph 4(b) of rule XLIV of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides that no provisions in 

the bill, as reported, meet the definition of congressionally directed 

spending under the rule. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1. Short title 

This section provides that the legislation may be cited as the 

Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2009. 


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Section 2. Amendment of Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 

This section states that an amendment or repeal of a section or 

other provision shall be considered to be made to the Coral Reef 

Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.). 

Section 3. Purposes 

The section states the purposes of the Act, including preservation, protection, management, research, and restoration of coral 

reef ecosystems. A new purpose is added to clarify the focus of the 

program on preventing and minimizing damage to coral reefs. 

Section 4. National Coral Reef Action Strategy 

This section would require the Secretary of Commerce, within 

180 days of enactment of the Act, to submit to Congress a new national coral reef action strategy with a statement of goals and objectives as well as an implementation plan. 

Section 5. Coral Reef Conservation Program 

This section would amend the existing grants program to include 

additional criteria for the Secretary of Commerce in approving 

grants to include projects that prevent or respond to damage to 

coral reef ecosystems, as well as projects that improve scientific information on threats such as coral disease and bleaching. The section would make technical amendments to refer consistently to the 

defined term ‘‘coral reef ecosystems.’’ Projects would be required to 

be consistent with the national coral reef action strategy. 

Section 6. Coral Reef Conservation Fund 

This section would amend section 205(a), which establishes the 

Coral Reef Conservation Fund, to clarify that the Secretary of Commerce may enter into agreements with one or more nonprofit organizations to receive, hold, and administer funds, including use of 

interest-bearing accounts for activities consistent with the national 

coral reef action strategy. This authority would increase the Secretary’s flexibility in working with external partners and strengthen those partnerships for the purposes of promoting coral reef ecosystem conservation. 

Section 7. Agreements; redesignations 

This section would authorize the Secretary of Commerce to execute and perform contracts, leases, grants, or cooperative agreements necessary to carry out the provisions of the Act. It would 

also allow the Secretary of Commerce to enter into agreements 

with universities and research centers to conduct activities including research and public outreach. The section would allow the Secretary of Commerce to use grant funding and the resources of other 

departments, agencies, State governments, tribes, and international organizations to carry out the provisions of the Act, with 

the consent of such other party. This section would also allow the 

Secretary to transfer funds to, and accept transfer of funds from, 

Federal agencies, State and local governments, and others to carry 

out the provisions of the Act. 


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Section 8. Emergency assistance 

This section would amend section 207 of the CRCA, as redesignated, to allow the Secretary of Commerce, in cooperation with the 

Federal Emergency Management Agency, as appropriate, to provide emergency disaster-related assistance to State, territorial, and 

local agencies with jurisdiction over coral reef ecosystems. This provision is important because grants are not an efficient funding 

mechanism for emergency response due to the time required for the 

processing and awarding of grants. 

Section 9. National program 

This section would amend section 208 of the CRCA, as redesignated, to clarify the scope and geographic focus of NOAA’s coral 

reef program and to provide a mechanism for funding emergency 

response, stabilization, and restoration activities. Subsection 208(a) 

would allow the Secretary of Commerce to conduct coral reef conservation activities with appropriate local, regional, and international programs. Subsection 208(b) would authorize additional 

coral reef conservation actions including removal, either directly or 

through assistance to States, of abandoned vessels, marine debris, 

and abandoned fishing gear, and responding to incidents and 

events that threaten and damage coral reef ecosystems. Subsection 

208(c) would include specific guidelines to the Secretary of Commerce for long-term stewardship of environmental data, reports, 

and other information. Subsection 208(d) would require the Secretary of Commerce to develop, within the existing Damage Assessment Restoration Revolving Fund, an Emergency Response, Stabilization, and Restoration Account for implementation of emergency actions. 

Section 10. Study of trade in corals 

This section would require the Administrator of NOAA, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, to conduct a study on 

the economic, social, and environmental values and impacts of the 

U.S. market in corals and coral products. 

Section 11. International coral reef conservation activities 

This section would authorize the Secretary of Commerce to undertake international coral reef conservation activities and provide 

a strategic plan to Congress to address coral reefs important to 

U.S. interests, consistent with the national strategy. It would also 

provide grant-making authority to support partnerships in implementing the strategy. This is important because of the worldwide 

decline in coral reefs, the importance of those reefs for ecosystem 

health, and the importance of coral reefs and fisheries for U.S. marine resources and interests. 

Section 12. Community-based planning grants 

This section would authorize the Secretary of Commerce to 

award grants to entities that have already received general Coral 

Reef Conservation grants to allow them to develop and implement 

community-based coral reef protection plans, in coordination with 

appropriate Federal and State authorities. These plans, which 

would be based on watershed approaches and incorporating local 

approaches or models, should encourage comprehensive planning 


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programs and provide for more effective conservation of coral reefs. 

The section would also provide that the non-Federal matching requirement for such grants would be 25 percent, rather than the 50 

percent match required for the grants provided under section 5, in 

recognition of the limited resources available to many local communities. 

Section 13. Vessel grounding inventory 

This section would authorize the Secretary of Commerce to create and maintain an inventory of all vessel grounding incidents involving coral reef resources. For each incident, the inventory would 

contain information related to: (1) grounding impacts; (2) vessel 

identity; (3) estimated costs of removal, mitigation, or restoration; 

(4) summary of any incident response; (5) status of response action; 

and (6) recommendations for preventing similar incidents. The section would also direct the Secretary of Commerce to identify coral 

reef areas that have a high incidence of vessel impacts, including 

groundings and anchor damage, and to identify and develop measures and strategies to prevent or mitigate these impacts. The section would also direct the Secretary of Commerce to develop a timetable and strategy for implementation of prevention and mitigation 

measures, including cooperative actions with other government 

agencies and non-governmental partners. 

Section 14. Prohibited activities 

This section would establish prohibited activities pertaining to 

coral reefs, similar to authorities that pertain to coral reefs and 

other natural resources located within a national marine sanctuary. This section would define the scope of prohibited actions including making it illegal to destroy, take, cause the loss of, or injure any coral reef or any component thereof. The section would 

provide exceptions in the case of fishing allowed under Federal or 

State laws, other activities authorized under Federal or State laws, 

bona fide marine scientific research, and injuries caused by Federal 

agencies that occurred during law enforcement, search and rescue, 

a threat to national security, or other emergency events. The section would also provide an exception for actions taken by the master of a vessel to ensure the safety of the vessel or to save a life 

at sea. The section would make it unlawful to interfere with enforcement of title 16, United States Code, violate permits or regulations promulgated pursuant to that title, or to possess, transport, 

or distribute coral taken in violation of that title. The prohibitions 

in this section, as well as the remedies in sections 14 and 15 of the 

Act, would extend to coral reefs managed by the Secretary of Commerce or the Secretary of the Interior, and Secretary is defined for 

these sections as either the Secretary of Commerce or the Secretary 

of the Interior, corresponding to the areas managed by each. 

Section 15. Destruction of coral reefs 

This section would establish liability for damage to coral reefs 

from prohibited activities. This section would provide a mechanism 

to recover response costs from parties responsible for damages to 

coral reef ecosystems in order to assess these damages and undertake restoration activities. Subsection 213(a) would describe the 

elements of liability for the destruction, loss, taking of, or injury to 


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coral reefs. Persons and vessels in violation of the CRCA would be 

liable for response costs, natural resource damages, cost of seizure 

and forfeiture actions, and interest, storage, and disposal costs. The 

subsection would provide specific defenses from liability, including 

injuries that are solely the result of an act of God, an act of war, 

or an act or omission of a third party. Subsection 213(b) would provide authority for response actions and damage assessment, including actions to prevent or minimize the destruction, loss of, or injury 

to coral reefs or the risk of these impacts. This subsection would 

require consultation with States regarding damage assessment 

within State waters and stipulates that there will be no double recovery for the same incident. Subsection 213(c) would allow for civil 

judicial actions to recover response costs and damages and specifies 

venue. Subsection 213(d) would specify the management and use of 

recovered amounts. Amounts recovered would be held in the existing Department of Commerce Damage Assessment and Restoration 

Revolving Fund, or the existing Department of the Interior Natural 

Resources Damage Assessment and Restoration Fund, consistent 

with existing areas managed by each Department, and used for response costs and damages. These amounts would be used to reimburse the relevant Secretary, or any State or Federal agency that 

conducted response actions, seizure, forfeiture, storage, or disposal, 

and secondly for restoration and monitoring of coral reefs or to 

minimize or prevent threats of equivalent injury. Subsection 213(e) 

would set the statute of limitations for claims as three years from 

the completion of the damage assessment and restoration plan. 

Subsection 213(f) would require that Federal agencies responsible 

for injuries to coral reefs take appropriate actions to respond and 

restore the affected reef, in coordination with the relevant Secretary, and reimburse the Secretary for all assessment costs. Subsection 213(g) would provide an exception for an officer or employee 

of a uniformed service for any violation of section 212 under the 

CRCA that occurs during the performance of their official governmental duties. Subsection 213(h) would provide an exception for 

any contract employee of a uniformed service for any violation of 

section 212 under this Act that is operating a vessel or engaged in 

actions under the direction of the uniformed service controlling the 

contract. 

Section 16. Enforcement 

This section would provide for the enforcement of Title II of the 

CRCA and would give the relevant Secretary specific enforcement 

authorities, including the ability to board and inspect vessels suspected of being in violation of the CRCA, the ability to seize evidence, and the ability to execute warrants, issue subpoenas, make 

arrests, and exercise other lawful enforcement activities. This section would exclude government-owned vessels and certain chartered vessels used exclusively for national defense purposes from 

boarding, search, inspection, and seizure. The section would provide for injunctive relief in the event of an imminent threat to coral 

reefs. The section would outline both civil and criminal enforcement provisions, including administrative and judicial penalties, 

and would permit sanctions and claims against vessels. The section 

would specify procedures for collection of penalties and the appropriate venues for bringing actions. The section would authorize 


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criminal and civil forfeiture of property obtained or used in violation of the Act and would allow the relevant Secretary to recover 

reasonable costs in the storage and maintenance of any seized 

property. The section would specify that civil penalties and costs 

imposed under this section would be placed into an account to be 

available until expended, and would specify the uses of such funds. 

Section 17. Permits 

This section would authorize the Secretary of Commerce and the 

Secretary of the Interior to issue permits for legitimate research 

and allow other necessary actions that may result in coral reef injury. This section would require that the activity to be conducted 

is compatible with the purposes in section 202(b) of the Act, the activity conforms to the provisions of all other laws and regulations, 

and that the injury to coral reefs cannot be practicably avoided. 

Each Secretary would be authorized to assess and collect appropriate fees, including the cost of processing and administering the 

permit and the cost of monitoring the permitted activity. The section would allow each Secretary the discretion in waiving the fee 

and specifically would exempt lawful fishing activities from requiring permits. 

Section 18. Regional, State, and territorial coordination 

This section would require the Secretary of Commerce and the 

Secretary of the Interior to coordinate and collaborate with other 

Federal, State, and territorial governments in implementing the 

national coral reef action strategy. The Secretaries would be required to work with appropriate States in conducting response and 

restoration activities within State waters and to develop cooperative enforcement agreements. 

Section 19. Regulations 

This section would authorize the Secretary of Commerce and the 

Secretary of the Interior to issue necessary and appropriate regulations to carry out the purposes of the Act. 

Section 20. Effectiveness report 

This section would amend section 218 of the CRCA, as redesignated, to require the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress, 

starting in 2010 and every three years thereafter, an effectiveness 

report to summarize activities undertaken to implement the national coral reef action strategy, including use of funds, cooperative 

efforts, and a description of efforts to protect and manage coral 

reefs, including projects undertaken by other Federal agencies. The 

report also would include a summary of the vessel grounding inventory and a description of Federal disaster response actions. The 

section also would require an assessment report every five years 

describing the condition of U.S. coral reefs, accomplishments under 

the Act, and effectiveness of management actions to address 

threats to coral reefs. 

Section 21. Authorization of appropriations 

This section would amend section 219 of the CRCA, as redesignated, to authorize appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce to 

implement the Act. The bill would authorize $34 million in FY 


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2010, $36 million in FY 2011, $38 million in FY 2012, and $40 million for each of FY 2013 and FY 2014. This level of authorized appropriations would allow NOAA to undertake the increased level of 

coordination required by this bill and allow for funding of local action strategies. The new section 219 would direct at least 24 percent of the authorized funds to the general grants program, and 

would require at least six percent of the grant funds to go to Fishery Management Councils. This subsection also would set aside up 

to 10 percent of appropriations for the Coral Reef Conservation 

Fund. The section would authorize a total of $10 million for FY 

2010 through FY 2014, to remain available until expended, for the 

Community Based Planning Grants to provide long-term funding 

for implementation of community-based plans. The section would 

also authorize $8 million for each of FY 2010 through FY 2014 for 

international coral reef conservation activities. It is the Committee’s intention that the Secretary of Commerce award grant funding through a competitive, merit-based process. 

Section 22. Judicial review 

This section would allow standard provisions for judicial review 

of actions taken by either Secretary except for actions taken pursuant to section 214(c)(1) and 214(c)(2) regarding interference with 

enforcement, which may only be had by filing a complaint in the 

U.S. District Court within 30 days of final agency action. The section would allow courts to award costs of litigation to any prevailing party when appropriate. 

Section 23. Definitions 

This section would amend section 221 of the CRCA, as redesignated, to define biodiversity, bona fide research, coral, coral reef, 

coral reef component, coral reef ecosystem, coral products, damages, emergency actions, and other key terms in the Act. For purposes of sections 212 through 217 and section 220 of the CRCA, as 

redesignated, it would define Secretary as either the Secretary of 

Commerce or the Secretary of the Interior, corresponding to areas 

managed by each Department. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by the bill, as 

reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted 

is enclosed in black brackets, new material is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman): 

CORAL REEF CONSERVATION ACT OF 2000 

øSEC. 202. PURPOSES. 

[16 U.S.C. 6401] 

øThe purposes of this title are— 

ø(1) to preserve, sustain, and restore the condition of coral 

reef ecosystems; 

ø(2) to promote the wise management and sustainable use of 

coral reef ecosystems to benefit local communities and the Nation; 


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ø(3) to develop sound scientific information on the condition 

of coral reef ecosystems and the threats to such ecosystems; 

ø(4) to assist in the preservation of coral reefs by supporting 

conservation programs, including projects that involve affected 

local communities and nongovernmental organizations; 

ø(5) to provide financial resources for those programs and 

projects; and 

ø(6) to establish a formal mechanism for collecting and allocating monetary donations from the private sector to be used 

for coral reef conservation projects.¿ 

SEC. 202. PURPOSES. 

The purposes of this Act are— 

(1) to preserve, sustain, and restore the condition of coral reef 

ecosystems; 

(2) to promote the wise management and sustainable use of 

coral reef ecosystems to benefit local communities, the Nation, 

and the world; 

(3) to develop sound scientific information on the condition of 

coral reef ecosystems and the threats to such ecosystems; 

(4) to assist in the preservation of coral reef ecosystems by 

supporting conservation programs, including projects that involve affected local communities and nongovernmental organizations; 

(5) to provide financial resources for those programs and 

projects; 

(6) to establish a formal mechanism for collecting and allocating monetary donations from the private sector to be used for 

coral reef conservation projects; and 

(7) to provide mechanisms to prevent and minimize damage 

to coral reefs. 

SEC. 203. NATIONAL CORAL REEF ACTION STRATEGY. 

[16 U.S.C. 6402] 

ø(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the 

enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 

and to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and publish in the Federal Register a national coral reef action strategy, consistent with the purposes of this title. The Administrator shall periodically review and revise the strategy as necessary. In developing this national strategy, the Secretary may consult with the Coral Reef Task Force established under Executive 

Order 13089 (June 11, 1998). 

ø(b) GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.—The action strategy shall include a 

statement of goals and objectives as well as an implementation 

plan, including a description of the funds obligated each fiscal year 

to advance coral reef conservation. The action strategy and implementation plan shall include discussion of— 

ø(1) coastal uses and management; 

ø(2) water and air quality; 

ø(3) mapping and information management; 

ø(4) research, monitoring, and assessment; 

ø(5) international and regional issues; 

ø(6) outreach and education; 


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ø(7) local strategies developed by the States or Federal agencies, including regional fishery management councils; and 

ø(8) conservation, including how the use of marine protected 

areas to serve as replenishment zones will be developed consistent with local practices and traditions.¿ 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the 

enactment of the Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2009, 

the Secretary shall submit to the Senate Committee on Commerce, 

Science, and Transportation and to the House of Representatives 

Committee on Natural Resources and publish in the Federal Register a national coral reef ecosystem action strategy, consistent with 

the purposes of this title. The Secretary shall periodically review 

and revise the strategy as necessary. In developing this national 

strategy, the Secretary may consult the Coral Reef Task Force established under Executive Order 13089 (June 11, 1998). 

(b) GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.—The action strategy shall include a 

statement of goals and objectives as well as an implementation 

plan, including a description of the funds obligated each fiscal year 

to advance coral reef conservation. The action strategy and implementation plan shall include discussion of— 

(1) coastal uses and management, including land-based 

sources of pollution; 

(2) climate change; 

(3) water and air quality; 

(4) mapping and information management; 

(5) research, monitoring, and assessment; 

(6) international and regional issues; 

(7) outreach and education; 

(8) local strategies developed by the States or Federal agencies, including regional fishery management councils; and 

(9) conservation. 

SEC. 204. CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM. 

[16 U.S.C. 6403] 

(a) GRANTS.—The øSecretary, through the Administrator and¿ 

Secretary, subject to the availability of funds, shall provide grants 

of financial assistance for projects for the conservation of coral 

reefs (hereafter in this title referred to as ‘‘coral conservation 

projects’’), for proposals approved by the Administrator in accordance with this section. 

(b) MATCHING REQUIREMENTS.— (1) FIFTY PERCENT.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), 

Federal funds for any coral conservation project under this section may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of such project. 

For purposes of this paragraph, the non-Federal share of 

project costs may be provided by in-kind contributions and 

other noncash support. 

(2) WAIVER.—The øAdministrator¿ Secretary may waive all 

or part of the matching requirement under paragraph (1) if the 

øAdministrator¿ Secretary determines that no reasonable 

means are available through which applicants can meet the 

matching requirement and the probable benefit of such project 

outweighs the public interest in such matching requirement. 

ø(c) ELIGIBILITY.—Any natural resource management authority of 

a State or other government authority with jurisdiction over coral 

reefs or whose activities directly or indirectly affect coral reefs, or 


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coral reef ecosystems, or educational or nongovernmental institutions with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of coral 

reefs, may submit to the Administrator a coral conservation proposal under subsection (e).¿ 

(c) ELIGIBILITY.—Any natural resource management authority of 

a State or other government authority with jurisdiction over coral 

reef ecosystems, or whose activities directly or indirectly affect coral 

reef ecosystems, or educational or nongovernmental institutions with 

demonstrated expertise in the conservation of coral reef ecosystems, 

may submit a coral conservation proposal to the Secretary under 

subsection (e). 

(d) øGEOGRAPHIC AND BIOLOGICAL¿ PROJECT DIVERSITY.—The 

øAdministrator¿ Secretary shall ensure that funding for grants 

awarded under subsection (b) during a fiscal year are distributed 

in the following manner: 

(1) No less than 40 percent of funds available shall be 

awarded for coral conservation projects in the Pacific Ocean 

within the maritime areas and zones subject to the jurisdiction 

or control of the United States. 

(2) No less than 40 percent of the funds available shall be 

awarded for coral conservation projects in the Atlantic Ocean, 

the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea within the maritime 

areas and zones subject to the jurisdiction or control of the 

United States. 

ø(3) Remaining funds shall be awarded for projects that address emerging priorities or threats, including international 

priorities or threats, identified by the Administrator. When 

identifying emerging threats or priorities, the Administrator 

may consult with the Coral Reef Task Force.¿ 

(3) Remaining funds shall be awarded for— 

(A) projects (with priority given to community-based local 

action strategies) that address emerging priorities or 

threats, including international and territorial priorities, or 

threats identified by the Secretary; and 

(B) other appropriate projects, as determined by the Secretary, including monitoring and assessment, research, pollution reduction, education, and technical support. 

(e) PROJECT PROPOSALS.—Each proposal for a grant under this 

section shall include the following: 

(1) The name of the individual or entity responsible for conducting the project. 

(2) A description of the qualifications of the individuals who 

will conduct the project. 

(3) A succinct statement of the purposes of the project. 

(4) An estimate of the funds and time required to complete 

the project. 

(5) Evidence of support for the project by appropriate representatives of States or other government jurisdictions in 

which the project will be conducted. 

(6) Information regarding the source and amount of matching funding available to the applicant. 

(7) A description of how the project meets one or more of the 

criteria in subsection (g). 


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(8) Any other information the øAdministrator¿ Secretary considers to be necessary for evaluating the eligibility of the 

project for funding under this title. 

(f) PROJECT REVIEW AND APPROVAL.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The øAdministrator¿ Secretary shall review 

each coral conservation project proposal to determine if it 

meets the criteria set forth in subsection (g). 

(2) REVIEW; APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL.—Not later than 6 

months after receiving a project proposal under this section, 

the øAdministrator¿ Secretary shall— 

(A) request and consider written comments on the proposal from each Federal agency, State government, or 

other government jurisdiction, including the relevant regional fishery management councils established under the 

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 

Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), or any National Marine Sanctuary, with jurisdiction or management authority over 

coral reef ecosystems in the area where the project is to be 

conducted, including the extent to which the project is consistent with locally-established priorities; 

(B) provide for the merit-based peer review of the proposal and require standardized documentation of that peer 

review; 

(C) after considering any written comments and recommendations based on the reviews under subparagraphs 

(A) and (B), approve or disapprove the proposal; and 

(D) provide written notification of that approval or disapproval to the person who submitted the proposal, and 

each of those States and other government jurisdictions 

that provided comments under subparagraph (A). 

ø(g) CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL.—The Administrator may not approve a project proposal under this section unless the project is 

consistent with the coral reef action strategy under section 203 and 

will enhance the conservation of coral reefs by— 

ø(1) implementing coral conservation programs which promote sustainable development and ensure effective, long-term 

conservation of coral reefs; 

ø(2) addressing the conflicts arising from the use of environments near coral reefs or from the use of corals, species associated with coral reefs, and coral products; 

ø(3) enhancing compliance with laws that prohibit or regulate the taking of coral products or species associated with 

coral reefs or regulate the use and management of coral reef 

ecosystems; 

ø(4) developing sound scientific information on the condition 

of coral reef ecosystems or the threats to such ecosystems, including factors that cause coral disease; 

ø(5) promoting and assisting to implement cooperative coral 

reef conservation projects that involve affected local communities, nongovernmental organizations, or others in the private 

sector; 

ø(6) increasing public knowledge and awareness of coral reef 

ecosystems and issues regarding their long term conservation; 

ø(7) mapping the location and distribution of coral reefs; 


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ø(8) developing and implementing techniques to monitor and 

assess the status and condition of coral reefs; 

ø(9) developing and implementing cost-effective methods to 

restore degraded coral reef ecosystems; or 

ø(10) promoting ecologically sound navigation and anchorages near coral reefs.¿ 

(g) CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL.—The Secretary may not approve a 

project proposal under this section unless the project is consistent 

with the coral reef action strategy under section 203 and will enhance the conservation of coral reef ecosystems nationally or internationally by— 

(1) implementing coral conservation programs which promote 

sustainable development and ensure effective, long-term conservation of coral reef ecosystems and biodiversity; 

(2) addressing the conflicts arising from the use of environments near coral reef ecosystems or from the use of corals, species associated with coral reef ecosystems, and coral products; 

(3) enhancing compliance with laws that prohibit or regulate 

the taking of coral products or species associated with coral reef 

ecosystems or regulate the use and management of coral reef 

ecosystems; 

(4) developing sound scientific information on the condition of 

coral reef ecosystems or the threats to such ecosystems and their 

biodiversity, including factors that cause coral disease, ocean 

acidification, and bleaching; 

(5) promoting and assisting the implementation of cooperative 

coral reef ecosystem conservation projects that involve affected 

local communities, nongovernmental organizations, or others in 

the private sector; 

(6) increasing public knowledge and awareness of coral reef 

ecosystems and issues regarding their long-term conservation, 

including how they function to protect coastal communities; 

(7) mapping the location, distribution, and biodiversity of 

coral reef ecosystems; 

(8) developing and implementing techniques to monitor and 

assess the status and condition of coral reef ecosystems and biodiversity; 

(9) developing and implementing cost-effective methods to restore degraded coral reef ecosystems and biodiversity; 

(10) responding to, or taking action to help mitigate the effects of, coral disease, ocean acidification, and bleaching events; 

(11) promoting activities designed to prevent or minimize 

damage to coral reef ecosystems, including the promotion of ecologically sound navigation and anchorages; or 

(12) promoting and assisting entities to work with local communities, and all appropriate governmental and nongovernmental organizations, to support community-based planning 

and management initiatives for the protection of coral reef systems. 

(h) PROJECT REPORTING.—Each grantee under this section shall 

provide periodic reports as required by the øAdministrator¿ Secretary. Each report shall include all information required by the 

øAdministrator¿ Secretary for evaluating the progress and success 

of the project. 


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(i) CORAL REEF TASK FORCE.—The øAdministrator¿ Secretary 

may consult with the Coral Reef Task Force to obtain guidance in 

establishing coral conservation project priorities under this section. 

(j) IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES.—Within 180 days after the 

date of the enactment of this Act, the øAdministrator¿ Secretary 

shall promulgate necessary guidelines for implementing this section. In developing those guidelines, the øAdministrator¿ Secretary 

shall consult with State, regional, and local entities involved in setting priorities for conservation of øcoral reefs¿ coral reef ecosystems 

and provide for appropriate public notice and opportunity for comment. 

SEC. 205. CORAL REEF CONSERVATION FUND. 

[16 U.S.C. 6404] 

ø(a) FUND.—The Administrator may enter into an agreement 

with a nonprofit organization that promotes coral reef conservation 

authorizing such organization to receive, hold, and administer 

funds received pursuant to this section. The organization shall invest, reinvest, and otherwise administer the funds and maintain 

such funds and any interest or revenues earned in a separate interest bearing account, hereafter referred to as the Fund, established 

by such organization solely to support partnerships between the 

public and private sectors that further the purposes of this Act and 

are consistent with the national coral reef action strategy under 

section 203.¿ 

(a) FUND.—The Secretary may enter into agreements with nonprofit organizations promoting coral reef ecosystem conservation by 

authorizing such organizations to receive, hold, and administer 

funds received pursuant to this section. Such organizations shall invest, reinvest, and otherwise administer the funds and maintain 

such funds and any interest or revenues earned in a separate interest-bearing account (referred to in section 219(a) as the Fund) established by such organizations solely to support partnerships between 

the public and private sectors that further the purposes of this title 

and are consistent with the national coral reef action strategy under 

section 203. 

(b) AUTHORIZATION TO SOLICIT DONATIONS.—Pursuant to an 

agreement entered into under subsection (a) of this section, an organization may accept, receive, solicit, hold, administer, and use 

any gift to further the purposes of this title. Any moneys received 

as a gift shall be deposited and maintained in the Fund established 

by the organization under subsection (a). 

(c) REVIEW OF PERFORMANCE.—The øAdministrator¿ Secretary 

shall conduct a continuing review of øthe grant program¿ any 

grant program administered by an organization under this section. 

Each review shall include a written assessment concerning the extent to which that organization has implemented the goals and requirements of this section and the national coral reef action strategy under section 203. 

(d) ADMINISTRATION.—Under an agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (a), the øAdministrator¿ Secretary may transfer 

funds appropriated to carry out this title to an organization. 

Amounts received by an organization under this subsection may be 

used for matching, in whole or in part, contributions (whether in 

money, services, or property) made to the organization by private 

persons and State and local government agencies. 


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SEC. 206. AGREEMENTS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may execute and perform such 

contracts, leases, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this title. 

(b) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—In addition to the general authority provided by subsection (a), the Secretary may enter into, extend, or renegotiate agreements with universities and research centers with national or regional coral reef research institutes to conduct ecological research and monitoring explicitly aimed at building 

capacity for more effective resource management. Pursuant to any 

such agreements these institutes shall— 

(1) collaborate directly with governmental resource management agencies, non-profit organizations, and other research organizations; 

(2) build capacity within resource management agencies to establish research priorities, plan interdisciplinary research 

projects and make effective use of research results; and 

(3) conduct public education and awareness programs for policy makers, resource managers, and the general public on coral 

reef ecosystems, best practices for coral reef and ecosystem management and conservation, their value, and threats to their sustainability. 

(c) USE OF OTHER AGENCIES’ RESOURCES.—For purposes related 

to the conservation, preservation, protection, restoration, or replacement of coral reefs or coral reef ecosystems and the enforcement of 

this title, the Secretary is authorized to use, with their consent and 

with or without reimbursement, the land, services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of any Department, agency, or instrumentality 

of the United States, or of any State, local government, tribal government, Territory or possession, or of any political subdivision 

thereof, or of any foreign government or international organization. 

(d) AUTHORITY TO UTILIZE GRANT FUNDS.— 

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may 

apply for, accept, and obligate research grant funding from any 

Federal source operating competitive grant programs where 

such funding furthers the purpose of this title. 

(2) The Secretary may not apply for, accept, or obligate any 

grant funding under paragraph (1) for which the granting 

agency lacks authority to grant funds to Federal agencies, or for 

any purpose or subject to conditions that are prohibited by law 

or regulation. 

(3) Appropriated funds may be used to satisfy a requirement 

to match grant funds with recipient agency funds, except that 

no grant may be accepted that requires a commitment in advance of appropriations. 

(4) Funds received from grants shall be deposited in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration account for the 

purpose for which the grant was awarded. 

(e) TRANSFER OF FUNDS.—Under an agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (a), and subject to the availability of funds, the 

Secretary may transfer funds to, and may accept transfers of funds 

from, Federal agencies, instrumentalities and laboratories, State 

and local governments, Indian tribes (as defined in section 4 of the 

Indian Self-Determination and Educational Assistance Act (25 

U.S.C. 450(b)), organizations and associations representing Native 


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21 

Americans, native Hawaiians, and Native Pacific Islanders, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, commercial organizations, and other public and private persons or entities, except that 

no more than 5 percent of funds appropriated to carry out this section may be transferred. The 5 percent limitation shall not apply to 

section 204 or section 210. 

øSEC. 206. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. 

[16 U.S.C. 6405] 

øThe Administrator may make grants to any State, local, or territorial government agency with jurisdiction over coral reefs for 

emergencies to address unforeseen or disaster-related circumstance 

pertaining to coral reefs or coral reef ecosystems.¿ 

SEC. 207. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. 

The Secretary, in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as appropriate, may provide assistance to any 

State, local, or territorial government agency with jurisdiction over 

coral reef ecosystems to address any unforeseen or disaster-related 

circumstance pertaining to coral reef ecosystems. 

øSEC. 207. NATIONAL PROGRAM.¿ 

[16 U.S.C. 6406] 

ø(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability of appropriations, 

the Secretary may conduct activities to conserve coral reefs and 

coral reef ecosystems, that are consistent with this title, the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act 

of 1972, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Marine 

Mammal Protection Act of 1972. 

ø(b) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—Activities authorized under subsection (a) include— 

ø(1) mapping, monitoring, assessment, restoration, and scientific research that benefit the understanding, sustainable 

use, and long-term conservation of coral reefs and coral reef 

ecosystems; 

ø(2) enhancing public awareness, education, understanding, 

and appreciation of coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems; 

ø(3) providing assistance to States in removing abandoned 

fishing gear, marine debris, and abandoned vessels from coral 

reefs to conserve living marine resources; and 

ø(4) cooperative conservation and management of coral reefs 

and coral reef ecosystems with local, regional, or international 

programs and partners.¿ 

SEC. 208. NATIONAL PROGRAM. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the availability of appropriations, the 

Secretary may conduct activities, including with local, State, regional, or international programs and partners, as appropriate, to 

conserve coral reef ecosystems, that are consistent with this title, the 

National Marine Sanctuaries Act, the Coastal Zone Management 

Act of 1972, the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Marine 

Mammal Protection Act of 1972. 

(b) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—Activities authorized under subsection (a) include— 


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(1) mapping, monitoring, assessment, restoration, socioeconomic and scientific research that benefit the understanding, 

sustainable use, biodiversity, and long-term conservation of 

coral reef ecosystems; 

(2) enhancing public awareness, education, understanding, 

and appreciation of coral reef ecosystems; 

(3) removing, and providing assistance to States in removing, 

abandoned fishing gear, marine debris, and abandoned vessels 

from coral reef ecosystems to conserve living marine resources; 

(4) responding to incidents and events that threaten and 

damage coral reef ecosystems; 

(5) conservation and management of coral reef ecosystems; 

(6) centrally archiving, managing, and distributing data sets 

and providing coral reef ecosystem assessments and services to 

the general public with local, regional, or international programs and partners; and 

(7) activities designed to prevent or minimize damage to coral 

reef ecosystems, including those activities described in section 

212 of this title. 

(c) DATA ARCHIVE, ACCESS, AND AVAILABILITY.—The Secretary, in 

coordination with similar efforts at other Departments and agencies 

shall provide for the long-term stewardship of environmental data, 

products, and information via data processing, storage, and archive 

facilities pursuant to this title. The Secretary may— 

(1) archive environmental data collected by Federal, State, 

local agencies, and tribal organizations and federally funded 

research; 

(2) promote widespread availability and dissemination of environmental data and information through full and open access 

and exchange to the greatest extent possible, including in electronic format on the Internet; 

(3) develop standards, protocols, and procedures for sharing 

Federal data with State and local government programs and 

the private sector or academia; and 

(4) develop metadata standards for coral reef ecosystems in 

accordance with Federal Geographic Data Committee guidelines. 

(d) EMERGENCY RESPONSE, STABILIZATION, AND RESTORATION.— (1) ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCOUNT.—The Secretary shall establish an account (to be called the Emergency Response, Stabilization, and Restoration Account) in the Damage Assessment Restoration Revolving Fund established by the Department of Commerce Appropriations Act, 1991 (33 U.S.C. 2706 note), for implementation of this subsection for emergency actions. Amounts 

appropriated for the Account under section 219, and funds authorized by sections 213(d)(1)(C)(ii) and 214(f)(3)(B), shall be 

deposited into the Account and made available for use by the 

Secretary as specified in sections 213 and 214. 

(2) DEPOSIT AND INVESTMENT OF CERTAIN FUNDS.— Any 

amounts received by the United States pursuant to sections 

213(d)(1)(C)(ii) and 212(f)(3)(B) shall be deposited into the 

Emergency Response, Stabilization and Restoration Account established under paragraph (1). The Secretary of Commerce may 

request the Secretary of the Treasury to invest such portion of 

the Damage Assessment Restoration Revolving Fund as is not, 


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in the judgment of the Secretary of Commerce, required to meet 

the current needs of the fund. Such investments shall be made 

by the Secretary of the Treasury in public debt securities, with 

maturities suitable to the needs of the fund, as determined by 

the Secretary of Commerce and bearing interest at rates determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into consideration current market yields on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States of comparable maturity. Interest 

earned by such investments shall be available for use by the 

Secretary without further appropriation and remain available 

until expended. 

SEC. 209. INTERNATIONAL CORAL REEF CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES. 

(a) INTERNATIONAL CORAL REEF CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry out international 

coral reef conservation activities consistent with the purposes of 

this Act with respect to coral reef ecosystems in waters outside 

the United States jurisdiction. The Secretary shall develop and 

implement an international coral reef ecosystem strategy pursuant to subsection (b). 

(2) COORDINATION.—In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of State, the Administrator of the Agency for International Development, the Secretary of the Interior, and other relevant Federal agencies, and 

relevant United States stakeholders, and shall take into account 

coral reef ecosystem conservation initiatives of other nations, 

international agreements, and intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations so as to provide effective cooperation and efficiencies in international coral reef conservation. 

The Secretary may consult with the Coral Reef Task Force in 

carrying out this subsection. 

(b) INTERNATIONAL CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM STRATEGY.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 

2009, the Secretary shall submit to the Senate Committee on 

Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, and publish in 

the Federal Register, an international coral reef ecosystem strategy, consistent with the purposes of this Act and the national 

strategy required pursuant to section 203(a). The Secretary 

shall periodically review and revise this strategy as necessary. 

(2) CONTENTS.—The strategy developed by the Secretary 

under paragraph (1) shall— 

(A) identify coral reef ecosystems throughout the world 

that are of high value for United States marine resources, 

that support high-seas resources of importance to the 

United States such as fisheries, or that support other interests of the United States; 

(B) summarize existing activities by Federal agencies and 

entities described in subsection (a)(2) to address the conservation of coral reef ecosystems identified pursuant to 

subparagraph (A); 

(C) establish goals, objectives, and specific targets for 

conservation of priority international coral reef ecosystems; 

(D) describe appropriate activities to achieve the goals 

and targets for international coral reef conservation, in 


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particular those that leverage activities already conducted 

under this Act; 

(E) develop a plan to coordinate implementation of the 

strategy with entities described in subsection (a)(2) in order 

to leverage current activities under this Act and other conservation efforts globally; 

(F) identify appropriate partnerships, grants, or other 

funding and technical assistance mechanisms to carry out 

the strategy; and 

(G) develop criteria for prioritizing partnerships under 

subsection (c). 

(c) INTERNATIONAL CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM PARTNERSHIPS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish an international coral reef ecosystem partnership program to provide 

support, including funding and technical assistance, for activities that implement the strategy developed pursuant to subsection (b). 

(2) MECHANISMS.—The Secretary shall provide such support 

through existing authorities, working in collaboration with the 

entities described in subsection (a)(2). 

(3) AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary may execute and perform 

such contracts, leases, grants, cooperative agreements, or other 

transactions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of 

this section. 

(4) TRANSFER OF FUNDS.—To implement this section and subject to the availability of funds, the Secretary may transfer 

funds to a foreign government or international organization, 

and may accept transfers of funds from such entities, except 

that no more than 5 percent of funds appropriated to carry out 

this section may be transferred. 

(5) CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL.—The Secretary may not approve 

a partnership proposal under this section unless the partnership is consistent with the international coral reef conservation 

strategy developed pursuant to subsection (b), and meets the criteria specified in that strategy. 

SEC. 210. COMMUNITY-BASED PLANNING GRANTS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make grants to entities that 

have received grants under section 204 to provide additional funds 

to such entities to work with local communities and through appropriate Federal and State entities to prepare and implement plans 

for the increased protection of coral reef areas identified by the community and scientific experts as high priorities for focused attention. 

The plans shall— 

(1) support attainment of 1 or more of the criteria described 

in section 204(g); 

(2) be developed at the community level; 

(3) utilize watershed-based approaches; 

(4) provide for coordination with Federal and State experts 

and managers; and 

(5) build upon local approaches, strategies, or models, including traditional or island-based resource management concepts. 

(b) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The provisions of subsections (b), 

(d), (f), and (h) of section 204 apply to grants under subsection (a), 

except that, for the purpose of applying section 204(b)(1) to grants 

under this section, ‘‘75 percent’’ shall be substituted for ‘‘50 percent’’. 


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SEC. 211. VESSEL GROUNDING INVENTORY. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may maintain an inventory of all 

vessel grounding incidents involving coral reefs, including a description of— 

(1) the impacts to affected coral reef ecosystems; 

(2) vessel and ownership information, if available; 

(3) the estimated cost of removal, mitigation, or restoration; 

(4) the response action taken by the owner, the Secretary, the 

Commandant of the Coast Guard, or other Federal or State 

agency representatives; 

(5) the status of the response action, including the dates of 

vessel removal and mitigation or restoration and any actions 

taken to prevent future grounding incidents; and 

(6) recommendations for additional navigational aids or 

other mechanisms for preventing future grounding incidents. 

(b) IDENTIFICATION OF AT-RISK REEFS.—The Secretary may— 

(1) use information from any inventory maintained under 

subsection (a) or any other available information source to identify coral reef ecosystems that have a high incidence of vessel 

impacts, including groundings and anchor damage; 

(2) identify appropriate measures, including the acquisition 

and placement of aids to navigation, moorings, designated anchorage areas, fixed anchors and other devices, to reduce the 

likelihood of such impacts; and 

(3) develop a strategy and timetable to implement such measures, including cooperative actions with other government agencies and non-governmental partners. 

SEC. 212. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AND SCOPE OF PROHIBITIONS. 

(a) PROVISIONS AS COMPLEMENTARY.—The provisions of this section are in addition to, and shall not affect the operation of, other 

Federal, State, or local laws or regulations providing protection to 

coral reef ecosystems. 

(b) DESTRUCTION, LOSS, TAKING, OR INJURY.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), it is 

unlawful for any person to destroy, take, cause the loss of, or 

injure any coral reef or any component thereof. 

(2) EXCEPTIONS.—The destruction, loss, taking, or injury of a 

coral reef or any component thereof is not unlawful if it— 

(A) was caused by the use of fishing gear used in a manner permitted under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) or 

other Federal or State law; 

(B) was caused by an activity that is authorized or allowed by Federal or State law (including lawful discharges 

from vessels, such as graywater, cooling water, engine exhaust, ballast water, or sewage from marine sanitation devices), unless the destruction, loss, or injury resulted from 

actions such as vessel groundings, vessel scrapings, anchor 

damage, excavation not authorized by Federal or State permit, or other similar activities; 

(C) was the necessary result of bona fide marine scientific 

research (including marine scientific research activities approved by Federal, State, or local permits), other than excessive sampling or collecting, or actions such as vessel 


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groundings, vessel scrapings, anchor damage, excavation, 

or other similar activities; 

(D) was caused by a Federal Government agency— 

(i) during— 

(I) an emergency that posed an unacceptable 

threat to human health or safety or to the marine 

environment; 

(II) an emergency that posed a threat to national 

security; or 

(III) an activity necessary for law enforcement or 

search and rescue; and 

could not reasonably be avoided; or 

(E) was caused by an action taken by the master of the 

vessel in an emergency situation to ensure the safety of the 

vessel or to save a life at sea. 

(c) INTERFERENCE WITH ENFORCEMENT.—It is unlawful for any 

person to interfere with the enforcement of this title by— 

(1) refusing to permit any officer authorized to enforce this 

title to board a vessel (other than a vessel operated by the Department of Defense or United States Coast Guard) subject to 

such person’s control for the purposes of conducting any search 

or inspection in connection with the enforcement of this title; 

(2) resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, harassing, 

bribing, interfering with, or forcibly assaulting any person authorized by the Secretary to implement this title or any such authorized officer in the conduct of any search or inspection performed under this title; or 

(3) submitting false information to the Secretary or any officer authorized to enforce this title in connection with any search 

or inspection conducted under this title. 

(d) VIOLATIONS OF TITLE, PERMIT, OR REGULATION.—It is unlawful for any person to violate any provision of this title, any permit 

issued pursuant to this title, or any regulation promulgated pursuant to this title. 

(e) POSSESSION AND DISTRIBUTION.—It is unlawful for any person 

to possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, or ship by any means any 

coral taken in violation of this title. 

SEC. 213. DESTRUCTION, LOSS, OR TAKING OF, OR INJURY TO, CORAL 

REEFS. 

(a) LIABILITY.— 

(1) LIABILITY TO THE UNITED STATES.—Except as provided in 

subsection (f), all persons who engage in an activity that is prohibited under subsections (b) or (d) of section 212, or create an 

imminent risk thereof, are liable, jointly and severally, to the 

United States for an amount equal to the sum of— 

(A) response costs and damages resulting from the destruction, loss, taking, or injury, or imminent risk thereof, 

including damages resulting from the response actions; 

(B) costs of seizure, forfeiture, storage, and disposal arising from liability under this section; and 

(C) interest on that amount calculated in the manner described in section 1005 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 

U.S.C. 2705). 

(2) LIABILITY IN REM.— 


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(A) Any vessel used in an activity that is prohibited 

under subsection (b) or (d) of section 212, or creates an imminent risk thereof, shall be liable in rem to the United 

States for an amount equal to the sum of— 

(i) response costs and damages resulting from such 

destruction, loss, or injury, or imminent risk thereof, 

including damages resulting from the response actions; 

(ii) costs of seizure, forfeiture, storage, and disposal 

arising from liability under this section; and 

(iii) interest on that amount calculated in the manner described in section 1005 of the Oil Pollution Act 

of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2705). 

(B) The amount of liability shall constitute a maritime 

lien on the vessel and may be recovered in an action in rem 

in any district court of the United States that has jurisdiction over the vessel. 

(3) DEFENSES.—A person or vessel is not liable under this 

subsection if that person or vessel establishes that the destruction, loss, taking, or injury was caused solely by an act of God, 

an act of war, or an act or omission of a third party (other than 

an employee or agent of the defendant or one whose act or omission occurs in connection with a contractual relationship, existing directly or indirectly with the defendant), and the person or 

master of the vessel acted with due care. 

(4) NO LIMIT TO LIABILITY.—Nothing in sections 30501 

through 30512 or section 30706 of title 46, United States Code, 

shall limit liability to any person under this title. 

(b) RESPONSE ACTIONS AND DAMAGE ASSESSMENT.— 

(1) RESPONSE ACTIONS.—The Secretary may undertake or authorize all necessary actions to prevent or minimize the destruction, loss, or taking of, or injury to, coral reefs, or components 

thereof, or to minimize the risk or imminent risk of such destruction, loss, or injury. 

(2) DAMAGE ASSESSMENT.— 

(A) The Secretary shall assess damages (as defined in 

section 221(8)) to coral reefs and shall consult with State 

officials regarding response and damage assessment actions undertaken for coral reefs within State waters. 

(B) There shall be no double recovery under this chapter 

for coral reef damages, including the cost of damage assessment, for the same incident. 

(c) COMMENCEMENT OF CIVIL ACTION FOR RESPONSE COSTS AND

DAMAGES.— 

(1) COMMENCEMENT.—The Attorney General, upon the request 

of the Secretary, may commence a civil action against any person or vessel that may be liable under subsection (a) of this section for response costs, seizure, forfeiture, storage, or disposal 

costs, and damages, and interest on that amount calculated in 

the manner described in section 1005 of the Oil Pollution Act 

of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2705). The Secretary, acting as trustee for 

coral reefs for the United States, shall submit a request for such 

an action to the Attorney General whenever a person or vessel 

may be liable for such costs or damages. 


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(2) VENUE IN CIVIL ACTIONS.—A civil action under this title 

may be brought in the United States district court for any district in which— 

(A) the defendant is located, resides, or is doing business, 

in the case of an action against a person; 

(B) the vessel is located, in the case of an action against 

a vessel; 

(C) the destruction, loss, or taking of, or injury to a coral 

reef, or component thereof, occurred or in which there is an 

imminent risk of such destruction, loss, or injury; or 

(D) where some or all of the coral reef or component 

thereof that is the subject of the action is not within the territory covered by any United States district court, such action may be brought either in the United States district 

court for the district closest to the location where the destruction, loss, injury, or risk of injury occurred, or in the 

United States District Court for the District of Columbia. 

(d) USE OF RECOVERED AMOUNTS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Any costs, including response costs and 

damages recovered by the Secretary under this section shall— 

(A) be deposited into an account or accounts in the Damage Assessment Restoration Revolving Fund established by 

the Department of Commerce Appropriations Act, 1991 (33 

U.S.C. 2706 note), or the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Fund established by the Department 

of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 

1992 (43 U.S.C. 1474b), as appropriate given the location 

of the violation; 

(B) be available for use by the Secretary without further 

appropriation and remain available until expended; and 

(C) be for use, as the Secretary considers appropriate— 

(i) to reimburse the Secretary or any other Federal or 

State agency that conducted activities under subsection 

(a) or (b) of this section for costs incurred in conducting the activity; 

(ii) to be transferred to the Emergency Response, Stabilization and Restoration Account established under 

section 208(d) to reimburse that account for amounts 

used for authorized emergency actions; and 

(iii) after reimbursement of such costs, to restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of any coral reefs, or 

components thereof, including the reasonable costs of 

monitoring, or to minimize or prevent threats of equivalent injury to, or destruction of coral reefs, or components thereof. 

(2) RESTORATION CONSIDERATIONS.—In development of restoration alternatives under paragraph (1)(C), the Secretary 

shall consider State and territorial preferences and, if appropriate, shall prioritize restoration projects with geographic and 

ecological linkages to the injured resources. 

(e) STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.—An action for response costs or 

damages under subsection (c) shall be barred unless the complaint 

is filed within 3 years after the date on which the Secretary completes a damage assessment and restoration plan for the coral reefs, 

or components thereof, to which the action relates. 


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(f) FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES.—In the event of threatened 

or actual destruction of, loss of, or injury to a coral reef or component thereof resulting from an incident caused by a component of 

any Department or agency of the United States Government, the 

cognizant Department or agency shall satisfy its obligations under 

this section by promptly, in coordination with the Secretary, taking 

appropriate actions to respond to and mitigate the harm and restoring or replacing the coral reef or components thereof and reimbursing the Secretary for all assessment costs. 

(g) UNIFORMED SERVICE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.—No officer 

or employee of a uniformed service (as defined in section 101 of title 

10, United States Code) shall be held liable under this section, either in such officer’s or employee’s personal or official capacity, for 

any violation of section 212 occurring during the performance of the 

officer’s or employee’s official governmental duties. 

(h) CONTRACT EMPLOYEES.—No contract employee of a uniformed 

service (as so defined), serving as vessel master or crew member, 

shall be liable under this section for any violation of section 212 if 

that contract employee— 

(1) is acting as a contract employee of a uniformed service 

under the terms of an operating contract for a vessel owned by 

a uniformed service, or a time charter for pre-positioned vessels, 

special mission vessels, or vessels exclusively transporting military supplies and materials; and 

(2) is engaged in an action or actions over which such employee has been given no discretion (e.g., anchoring or mooring 

at one or more designated anchorages or buoys, or executing 

specific operational elements of a special mission activity), as 

determined by the uniformed service controlling the contract. 

SEC. 214. ENFORCEMENT. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct enforcement activities to carry out this title. 

(b) POWERS OF AUTHORIZED OFFICERS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Any person who is authorized to enforce 

this title may— 

(A) board, search, inspect, and seize any vessel or other 

conveyance suspected of being used to violate this title, any 

regulation promulgated under this title, or any permit 

issued under this title, and any equipment, stores, and 

cargo of such vessel, except that such authority shall not 

exist with respect to vessels owned or time chartered by a 

uniformed service (as defined in section 101 of title 10, 

United States Code) as warships or naval auxiliaries; 

(B) seize wherever found any component of coral reef 

taken or retained in violation of this title, any regulation 

promulgated under this title, or any permit issued under 

this title; 

(C) seize any evidence of a violation of this title, any regulation promulgated under this title, or any permit issued 

under this title; 

(D) execute any warrant or other process issued by any 

court of competent jurisdiction; 

(E) exercise any other lawful authority; and 


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(F) arrest any person, if there is reasonable cause to believe that such person has committed an act prohibited by 

section 212. 

(2) NAVAL AUXILIARY DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term 

‘‘naval auxiliary’’ means a vessel, other than a warship, that is 

owned by or under the exclusive control of a uniformed service 

and used at the time of the destruction, take, loss or injury for 

government, non-commercial service, including combat logistics 

force vessels, pre-positioned vessels, special mission vessels, or 

vessels exclusively used to transport military supplies and materials. 

(c) CIVIL ENFORCEMENT AND PERMIT SANCTIONS.— 

(1) CIVIL ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY.—Any person subject to 

the jurisdiction of the United States who violates this title or 

any regulation promulgated or permit issued hereunder, shall 

be liable to the United States for a civil administrative penalty 

of not more than $200,000 for each such violation, to be assessed by the Secretary. Each day of a continuing violation 

shall constitute a separate violation. In determining the amount 

of civil administrative penalty, the Secretary shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the prohibited acts committed and, with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, and any history of prior violations, and such 

other matters as justice may require. In assessing such penalty, 

the Secretary may also consider information related to the ability of the violator to pay. 

(2) PERMIT SANCTIONS.—For any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States who has been issued or has applied 

for a permit under this title, and who violates this title or any 

regulation or permit issued under this title, the Secretary may 

deny, suspend, amend, or revoke in whole or in part any such 

permit. For any person who has failed to pay or defaulted on 

a payment agreement of any civil penalty or criminal fine or liability assessed pursuant to any natural resource law administered by the Secretary, the Secretary may deny, suspend, amend 

or revoke in whole or in part any permit issued or applied for 

under this title. 

(3) IMPOSITION OF CIVIL JUDICIAL PENALTIES.—Any person 

who violates any provision of this title, any regulation promulgated or permit issued thereunder, shall be subject to a civil judicial penalty not to exceed $250,000 for each such violation. 

Each day of a continuing violation shall constitute a separate 

violation. The Attorney General, upon the request of the Secretary, may commence a civil action in an appropriate district 

court of the United States, and such court shall have jurisdiction to award civil penalties and such other relief as justice 

may require. In determining the amount of a civil penalty, the 

court shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent, 

and gravity of the prohibited acts committed and, with respect 

to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior violations, and such other matters as justice may require. In imposing such penalty, the district court may also consider information related to the ability of the violator to pay. 


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(4) NOTICE.—No penalty or permit sanction shall be assessed 

under this subsection until after the person charged has been 

given notice and an opportunity for a hearing. 

(5) IN REM JURISDICTION.—A vessel used in violating this 

title, any regulation promulgated under this title, or any permit 

issued under this title, shall be liable in rem for any civil penalty assessed for such violation. Such penalty shall constitute a 

maritime lien on the vessel and may be recovered in an action 

in rem in the district court of the United States having jurisdiction over the vessel. 

(6) COLLECTION OF PENALTIES.—If any person fails to pay an 

assessment of a civil penalty under this section after it has become a final and unappealable order, or after the appropriate 

court has entered final judgment in favor of the Secretary, the 

Secretary shall refer the matter to the Attorney General, who 

shall recover the amount assessed in any appropriate district 

court of the United States (plus interest at current prevailing 

rates from the date of the final order). In such action, the validity and appropriateness of the final order imposing the civil 

penalty shall not be subject to review. Any person who fails to 

pay, on a timely basis, the amount of an assessment of a civil 

penalty shall be required to pay, in addition to such amount 

and interest, attorney’s fees and costs for collection proceedings 

and a quarterly nonpayment penalty for each quarter during 

which such failure to pay persists. Such nonpayment penalty 

shall be in an amount equal to 20 percent of the aggregate 

amount of such person’s penalties and nonpayment penalties 

that are unpaid as of the beginning of such quarter. 

(7) COMPROMISE OR OTHER ACTION BY SECRETARY.—The Secretary may compromise, modify, or remit, with or without conditions, any civil administrative penalty or permit sanction 

which is or may be imposed under this section and that has not 

been referred to the Attorney General for further enforcement 

action. 

(8) JURISIDICTION.—The several district courts of the United 

States shall have jurisdiction over any actions brought by the 

United States arising under this section. For the purpose of this 

section, American Samoa shall be included within the judicial 

district of the District Court of the United States for the District 

of Hawaii. Each violation shall be a separate offense and the 

offense shall be deemed to have been committed not only in the 

district where the violation first occurred, but also in any other 

district as authorized by law. 

(d) FORFEITURE.— 

(1) CRIMINAL FORFEITURE.—A person who is convicted of an 

offense in violation of this title shall forfeit to the United 

States— 

(A) any property, real or personal, constituting or traceable to the gross proceeds taken, obtained, or retained, in 

connection with or as a result of the offense, including, 

without limitation, any coral reef or coral reef component 

(or the fair market value thereof); and 

(B) any property, real or personal, used or intended to be 

used, in any manner, to commit or facilitate the commission of the offense, including, without limitation, any vessel 


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(including the vessel’s equipment, stores, catch and cargo), 

vehicle, aircraft, or other means of transportation. 

Pursuant to section 2461(c) of title 28, United States Code, the 

provisions of section 413 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 

U.S.C. 853) other than subsection (d) thereof shall apply to 

criminal forfeitures under this section. 

(2) CIVIL FORFEITURE.—The property set forth below shall be 

subject to forfeiture to the United States in accordance with the 

provisions of chapter 46 of title 18, United States Code, and no 

property right shall exist in it: 

(A) Any property, real or personal, constituting or traceable to the gross proceeds taken, obtained, or retained, in 

connection with or as a result of a violation of this title, including, without limitation, any coral reef or coral reef 

component (or the fair market value thereof). 

(B) Any property, real or personal, used or intended to be 

used, in any manner, to commit or facilitate the commission of a violation of this title, including, without limitation, any vessel (including the vessel’s equipment, stores, 

catch and cargo), vehicle, aircraft, or other means of transportation. 

(3) APPLICATION OF THE CUSTOMS LAWS.—All provisions of 

law relating to seizure, summary judgment, and judicial forfeiture and condemnation for violation of the customs laws, the 

disposition of the property forfeited or condemned or the proceeds from the sale thereof, the remission or mitigation of such 

forfeitures, and the compromise of claims shall apply to seizures 

and forfeitures incurred, or alleged to have been incurred, 

under the provisions of this title, insofar as applicable and not 

inconsistent with the provisions hereof. For seizures and forfeitures of property under this section by the Secretary, such duties 

as are imposed upon the customs officer or any other person 

with respect to the seizure and forfeiture of property under the 

customs law may be performed by such officers as are designated by the Secretary or, upon request of the Secretary, by 

any other agency that has authority to manage and dispose of 

seized property. 

(4) PRESUMPTION.—For the purposes of this section there is a 

rebuttable presumption that all coral reefs, or components 

thereof, found on board a vessel that is used or seized in connection with a violation of this title or of any regulation promulgated under this title were taken, obtained, or retained in 

violation of this title or of a regulation promulgated under this 

title. 

(e) PAYMENT OF STORAGE, CARE, AND OTHER COSTS.—Any person 

assessed a civil penalty for a violation of this title or of any regulation promulgated under this title and any claimant in a forfeiture 

action brought for such a violation, shall be liable for the reasonable costs incurred by the Secretary in storage, care, and maintenance of any property seized in connection with the violation. 

(f) EXPENDITURES.— 

(1) Notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31, United States 

Code, or section 311 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1861), amounts received by the United States as civil penalties under subsection 


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(c) of this section, forfeitures of property under subsection (d) of 

this section, and costs imposed under subsection (e) of this section, shall— 

(A) be placed into an account; 

(B) be available for use by the Secretary without further 

appropriation; and 

(C) remain available until expended. 

(2) Amounts received under this section for forfeitures under 

subsection (d) and costs imposed under subsection (e) shall be 

used to pay the reasonable and necessary costs incurred by the 

Secretary to provide temporary storage, care, maintenance, and 

disposal of any property seized in connection with a violation 

of this title or any regulation promulgated under this title. 

(3) Amounts received under this section as civil penalties 

under subsection (c) of this section and any amounts remaining 

after the operation of paragraph (2) of this subsection shall— 

(A) be used to stabilize, restore, or otherwise manage the 

coral reef with respect to which the violation occurred that 

resulted in the penalty or forfeiture; 

(B) be transferred to the Emergency Response, Stabilization, and Restoration Account established under section 

208(d) or an account described in section 213(d)(1) of this 

title, to reimburse such account for amounts used for authorized emergency actions; 

(C) be used to conduct monitoring and enforcement activities; 

(D) be used to conduct research on techniques to stabilize 

and restore coral reefs; 

(E) be used to conduct activities that prevent or reduce 

the likelihood of future damage to coral reefs; 

(F) be used to stabilize, restore or otherwise manage any 

other coral reef; or 

(G) be used to pay a reward to any person who furnishes 

information leading to an assessment of a civil penalty, or 

to a forfeiture of property, for a violation of this title or any 

regulation promulgated under this title. 

(g) CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT.— (1) Any person (other than a foreign government or any entity 

of such government) who knowingly commits any act prohibited 

by section 212(c) of this title shall be imprisoned for not more 

than 5 years and shall be fined not more than $500,000 for individuals or $1,000,000 for an organization; except that if in 

the commission of any such offense the individual uses a dangerous weapon, engages in conduct that causes bodily injury to 

any officer authorized to enforce the provisions of this title, or 

places any such officer in fear of imminent bodily injury, the 

maximum term of imprisonment is not more than 10 years. 

(2) Any person (other than a foreign government or any entity 

of such government) who knowingly violates subsection (b), (d), 

or (e) of section 212 shall be fined under title 18, United States 

Code, or imprisoned not more than 5 years or both. 

(3) Any person (other than a foreign government or any entity 

of such government) who violates subsection (b), (d), or (e) of 

section 212, and who, in the exercise of due care should know 

that such person’s conduct violates subsection (b), (d), or (e) of 


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section 212, shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, 

or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both. 

(4) The several district courts of the United States shall have 

jurisdiction over any actions brought by the United States arising under this subsection. For the purpose of this subsection, 

American Samoa shall be included within the judicial district 

of the District Court of the United States for the District of Hawaii. Each violation shall be a separate offense and the offense 

shall be deemed to have been committed not only in the district 

where the violation first occurred, but also in any other district 

as authorized by law. Any offenses not committed in any district are subject to the venue provisions of section 3238 of title 

18, United States Code. 

(h) SUBPOENAS.—In the case of any investigation or hearing 

under this section or any other natural resource statute administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

which is determined on the record in accordance with the procedures provided for under section 554 of title 5, United States Code, 

the Secretary may issue subpoenas for the attendance and testimony 

of witnesses and the production of relevant papers, books, electronic 

files, and documents, and may administer oaths. 

(i) COAST GUARD AUTHORITY NOT LIMITED.—Nothing in this section shall be considered to limit the authority of the Coast Guard 

to enforce this or any other Federal law under section 89 of title 14, 

United States Code. 

(j) INJUNCTIVE RELIEF.— 

(1) If the Secretary determines that there is an imminent risk 

of destruction or loss of or injury to a coral reef, or that there 

has been actual destruction or loss of, or injury to, a coral reef 

which may give rise to liability under section 213 of this title, 

the Attorney General, upon request of the Secretary, shall seek 

to obtain such relief as may be necessary to abate such risk or 

actual destruction, loss, or injury, or to restore or replace the 

coral reef, or both. The district courts of the Unites States shall 

have jurisdiction in such a case to order such relief as the public interest and the equities of the case may require. 

(2) Upon the request of the Secretary, the Attorney General 

may seek to enjoin any person who is alleged to be in violation 

of any provision of this title, or any regulation or permit issued 

under this title, and the district courts shall have jurisdiction 

to grant such relief. 

(k) AREA OF APPLICATION AND ENFORCEABILITY.—The area of application and enforceability of this title includes the internal waters 

of the United States, the territorial sea of the United States, as described in Presidential Proclamation 5928 of December 27, 1988, the 

Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States as described in Presidential Proclamation 5030 of March 10, 1983, and the continental 

shelf, consistent with international law. 

(l) NATIONWIDE SERVICE OF PROCESS.—In any action by the 

United States under this title, process may be served in any district 

where the defendant is found, resides, transacts business, or has appointed an agent for the service of process, and for civil cases may 

also be served in a place not within the United States in accordance 

with rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. 


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(m) VENUE IN CIVIL ACTIONS.—A civil action under this title may 

be brought in the United States district court for any district in 

which— 

(1) the defendant is located, resides, or is doing business, in 

the case of an action against a person; 

(2) the vessel is located, in the case of an action against a vessel; 

(3) the destruction of, loss of, or injury to a coral reef, or component thereof, occurred or in which there is an imminent risk 

of such destruction, loss, or injury; or 

(4) where some or all of the coral reef or component thereof 

that is the subject of the action is not within the territory covered by any United States district court, such action may be 

brought either in the United States district court for the district 

closest to the location where the destruction, loss, injury, or risk 

of injury occurred, or in the United States District Court for the 

District of Columbia. 

(n) UNIFORMED SERVICE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.—No officer 

or employee of a uniformed service (as defined in section 101 of title 

10, United States Code) shall be held liable under this section, either in such officer’s or employee’s personal or official capacity, for 

any violation of section 212 occurring during the performance of the 

officer’s or employee’s official governmental duties. 

(o) CONTRACT EMPLOYEES.—No contract employee of a uniformed 

service (as so defined), serving as vessel master or crew member, 

shall be liable under this section for any violation of section 212 if 

that contract employee— 

(1) is acting as a contract employee of a uniformed service 

under the terms of an operating contract for a vessel owned by 

a uniformed service, or a time charter for pre-positioned vessels, 

special mission vessels, or vessels exclusively transporting military supplies and materials; and 

(2) is engaged in an action or actions over which such employee has been given no discretion (e.g., anchoring or mooring 

at one or more designated anchorages or buoys, or executing 

specific operational elements of a special mission activity), as 

determined by the uniformed service controlling the contract. 

SEC. 215. PERMITS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may allow for the conduct of— 

(1) bona fide research, and 

(2) activities that would otherwise be prohibited by this title 

or regulations issued thereunder, 

through issuance of coral reef conservation permits in accordance 

with regulations issued under this title. 

(b) LIMITATION OF NON-RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary 

may not issue a permit for activities other than for bona fide research unless the Secretary finds— 

(1) the activity proposed to be conducted is compatible with 

one or more of the purposes in section 202(b) of this title; 

(2) the activity conforms to the provisions of all other laws 

and regulations applicable to the area for which such permit is 

to be issued; and 

(3) there is no practicable alternative to conducting the activity in a manner that destroys, causes the loss of, or injures any 

coral reef or any component thereof. 


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(c) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The Secretary may place any terms 

and conditions on a permit issued under this section that the Secretary deems reasonable. 

(d) FEES.— 

(1) ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION.—Subject to regulations 

issued under this title, the Secretary may assess and collect fees 

as specified in this subsection. 

(2) AMOUNT.—Any fee assessed shall be equal to the sum of— 

(A) all costs incurred, or expected to be incurred, by the 

Secretary in processing the permit application, including 

indirect costs; and 

(B) if the permit is approved, all costs incurred, or expected to be incurred, by the Secretary as a direct result of 

the conduct of the activity for which the permit is issued, 

including costs of monitoring the conduct of the activity 

and educating the public about the activity and coral reef 

resources related to the activity. 

(3) USE OF FEES.—Amounts collected by the Secretary in the 

form of fees under this section shall be collected and available 

for use only to the extent provided in advance in appropriations 

Acts and may be used by the Secretary for issuing and administering permits under this section. 

(4) WAIVER OR REDUCTION OF FEES.—For any fee assessed 

under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Secretary may— 

(A) accept in-kind contributions in lieu of a fee; or 

(B) waive or reduce the fee. 

(e) FISHING.—Nothing in this section shall be considered to require a person to obtain a permit under this section for the conduct 

of any fishing activities not prohibited by this title or regulations 

issued thereunder. 

SEC. 216. REGIONAL, STATE, AND TERRITORIAL COORDINATION. 

(a) REGIONAL COORDINATION.—The Secretary and other Federal 

members of the Coral Reef Task Force shall work in coordination 

and collaboration with other Federal agencies, States, and United 

States territorial governments to implement the strategies developed 

under section 203, including regional and local strategies, to address multiple threats to coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems. 

(b) RESPONSE AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary shall 

enter into written agreements with any States in which coral reefs 

are located regarding the manner in which response and restoration 

activities will be conducted within the affected State’s waters. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit Federal response 

and restoration activity authority before any such agreement is 

final. 

(c) COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENTS.—All cooperative 

enforcement agreements in place between the Secretary and States 

affected by this title shall be updated to include enforcement of this 

title where appropriate. 

SEC. 217. REGULATIONS. 

The Secretary may issue such regulations as are necessary and 

appropriate to carry out the purposes of this title. This title and any 

regulations promulgated under this title shall be applied in accordance with international law. No restrictions shall apply to or be enforced against a person who is not a citizen, national, or resident 


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37 

alien of the United States (including foreign flag vessels) unless in 

accordance with international law. 

øSEC. 208. EFFECTIVENESS REPORTS.¿ 

[16 U.S.C. 6407] 

ø(a) GRANT PROGRAM.—Not later than 3 years after the date of 

the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the 

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives a report that documents the effectiveness of the grant program under section 204 in meeting the purposes of this title. The 

report shall include a State-by-State summary of Federal and nonFederal contributions toward the costs of each project. 

ø(b) NATIONAL PROGRAM.—Not later than 2 years after the date 

on which the Administrator publishes the national coral reef strategy under section 203 and every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 

Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of 

the House of Representatives a report describing all activities undertaken to implement that strategy, under section 203, including 

a description of the funds obligated each fiscal year to advance 

coral reef conservation.¿ 

SEC. 218. EFFECTIVENESS AND ASSESSMENT REPORT. 

(a) EFFECTIVENESS REPORT.—Not later than March 1, 2010, and 

every 3 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Senate 

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 

House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources a report 

describing all activities undertaken to implement the strategy, including— 

(1) a description of the funds obligated by each participating 

Federal agency to advance coral reef conservation during each 

of the 3 fiscal years next preceding the fiscal year in which the 

report is submitted; 

(2) a description of Federal interagency and cooperative efforts with States and United States territories to prevent or address overharvesting, coastal runoff, or other anthropogenic impacts on coral reefs, including projects undertaken with the Department of Interior, Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the United States Army Corps of 

Engineers; 

(3) a summary of the information contained in the vessel 

grounding inventory established under section 210, including 

additional authorization or funding, needed for response and 

removal of such vessels; and 

(4) a description of Federal disaster response actions taken 

pursuant to the National Response Plan to address damage to 

coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems. 

(b) ASSESSMENT REPORT.—Not later than March 1, 2013, and 

every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary will submit to the Senate 

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the 

House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources an assessment of the conditions of U.S. coral reefs, accomplishments 

under this Act, and the effectiveness of management actions to address threats to coral reefs. 


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øSEC. 209. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.¿ 

[16 U.S.C. 6408] 

SEC. 219. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the 

Secretary to carry out this title ø$16,000,000 for each of fiscal 

years 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004,¿ $34,000,000 for fiscal year 

2010, $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, $38,000,000 for fiscal year 

2012, and $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2014, 

of which no less than 24 percent per year (for each of fiscal years 

2010 through 2014) shall be used for the grant program under section 204, no less than 6 percent shall be used for Fishery Management Councils, and up to 10 percent per year shall be used for the 

Fund established under section 205(a), which may remain available 

until expended. 

(b) ADMINISTRATION.—Of the amounts appropriated under subsection (a), not more than the lesser of ø$1,000,000¿ $2,000,000 or 

10 percent of the amounts appropriated, may be used for program 

administration or for overhead costs incurred by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the Department of Commerce and assessed as an administrative charge. 

ø(c) CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM.—From the amounts 

appropriated under subsection (a), there shall be made available to 

the Secretary $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001, 2002, 2003, 

and 2004 for coral reef conservation activities under section 204. 

ø(d) NATIONAL CORAL REEF ACTIVITIES.—From the amounts appropriated under subsection (a), there shall be made available to 

the Secretary $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001, 2002, 2003, 

and 2004 for activities under section 207.¿ 

(c) COMMUNITY-BASED PLANNING GRANTS.—There are authorized 

to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out section 210 

$10,000,000 for fiscal years 2010 through 2014, to remain available 

until expended. 

(d) INTERNATIONAL CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM.— 

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 

out section 209 $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 

2014, to remain available until expended. 

SEC. 220. JUDICIAL REVIEW. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code, is not 

applicable to any action taken by the Secretary under this title, except that— 

(1) review of any final agency action of the Secretary taken 

pursuant to sections 214(c)(1) and 214(c)(2) may be had only by 

the filing of a complaint by an interested person in the United 

States District Court for the appropriate district; any such complaint must be filed within 30 days of the date such final agency action is taken; and 

(2) review of any final agency action of the Secretary taken 

pursuant to section 215 may be had by the filing of a petition 

for review by an interested person in the Circuit Court of Appeals of the United States for the federal judicial district in 

which such person resides or transact business which is directly 

affected by the action taken; such petition shall be filed within 

120 days from the date such final agency action is taken. 


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(b) NO REVIEW IN ENFORCEMENT PROCEEDINGS.—Final agency 

action with respect to which review could have been obtained under 

subsection (a)(2) shall not be subject to judicial review in any civil 

or criminal proceeding for enforcement. 

(c) COST OF LITIGATION.—In any judicial proceeding under subsection (a), the court may award costs of litigation (including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees) to any prevailing party 

whenever it determines that such award is appropriate. 

øSEC. 210. DEFINITIONS. 

[16 U.S.C. 6409] 

øIn this title: 

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

Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

ø(2) CONSERVATION.—The term ‘‘conservation’’ means the use 

of methods and procedures necessary to preserve or sustain 

corals and associated species as diverse, viable, and self-perpetuating coral reef ecosystems, including all activities associated with resource management, such as assessment, conservation, protection, restoration, sustainable use, and management 

of habitat; mapping; habitat monitoring; assistance in the development of management strategies for marine protected 

areas and marine resources consistent with the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 

U.S.C. 1801 et seq.); law enforcement; conflict resolution initiatives; community outreach and education; and that promote 

safe and ecologically sound navigation. 

ø(3) CORAL.—The term ‘‘coral’’ means species of the phylum 

Cnidaria, including— 

ø(A) all species of the orders Antipatharia (black corals), 

Scleractinia (stony corals), Gorgonacea (horny corals), 

Stolonifera (organpipe corals and others), Alcyanacea (soft 

corals), and Coenothecalia (blue coral), of the class 

Anthozoa; and 

ø(B) all species of the order Hydrocorallina (fire corals 

and hydrocorals) of the class Hydrozoa. 

ø(4) CORAL REEF.—The term ‘‘coral reef’’ means any reefs or 

shoals composed primarily of corals. 

ø(5) CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM.—The term ′′coral reef 

ecosystem′′ means coral and other species of reef organisms (including reef plants) associated with coral reefs, and the nonliving environmental factors that directly affect coral reefs, 

that together function as an ecological unit in nature. 

ø(6) CORAL PRODUCTS.—The term ‘‘coral products’’ means 

any living or dead specimens, parts, or derivatives, or any 

product containing specimens, parts, or derivatives, of any species referred to in paragraph (3). 

ø(7) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 

of Commerce. 

ø(8) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means any State of the 

United States that contains a coral reef ecosystem within its 

seaward boundaries, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern 

Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and any 

other territory or possession of the United States, or separate 


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sovereign in free association with the United States, that contains a coral reef ecosystem within its seaward boundaries.¿ 

SEC. 221. DEFINITIONS. 

In this title: 

(1) BIODIVERSITY.—The term ‘‘biodiversity’’ means the variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter 

alia, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the 

ecological complexes of which they are part, including diversity 

within species, between species, and of ecosystems. 

(2) BONA FIDE RESEARCH.—The term ‘‘bona fide research’’ 

means scientific research on corals, the results of which are 

likely— 

(A) to be eligible for publication in a referred scientific 

journal; 

(B) to contribute to the basic knowledge of coral biology 

or ecology; or 

(C) to identify, evaluate, or resolve conservation problems. 

(3) CORAL.—The term ‘‘coral’’ means species of the phylum 

Cnidaria, including— 

(A) all species of the orders Antipatharia (black corals), 

Scleractinia (stony corals), Gorgonacea (horny corals), 

Stolonifera (organpipe corals and others), Alcyonacea (soft 

corals), and Helioporacea (blue coral) of the class Anthozoa; 

and 

(B) all species of the families Milleporidea (fire corals) 

and Stylasteridae (stylasterid hydrocorals) of the class 

Hydrozoa. 

(4) CORAL REEF.—The term ‘‘coral reef’’ means limestone 

structures composed in whole or in part of living corals, as described in paragraph (3), their skeletal remains, or both, and 

including other corals, associated sessile invertebrates and 

plants, and associated seagrasses. 

(5) CORAL REEF COMPONENT.—The term ‘‘coral reef component’’ means any part of a coral reef, including individual living or dead corals, associated sessile invertebrates and plants, 

and any adjacent or associated seagrasses. 

(6) CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEM.—The term ‘‘coral reef ecosystem’’ 

means the system of coral reefs and geographically associated 

species, habitats, and environment, including any adjacent or 

associated mangroves and seagrass habitats, and the processes 

that control its dynamics. 

(7) CORAL PRODUCTS.—The term ‘‘coral products’’ means any 

living or dead specimens, parts, or derivatives, or any product 

containing specimens, parts, or derivatives, of any species referred to in paragraph (3). 

(8) DAMAGES.—The term ‘‘damages’’ includes— 

(A) compensation for— 

(i) the cost of replacing, restoring, or acquiring the 

equivalent of the coral reef, or component thereof; and 

(ii) the lost services of, or the value of the lost use of, 

the coral reef or component thereof, or the cost of activities to minimize or prevent threats of, equivalent injury 

to, or destruction of coral reefs or components thereof, 

pending restoration or replacement or the acquisition of 

an equivalent coral reef or component thereof; 


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(B) the reasonable cost of damage assessments under section 213; 

(C) the reasonable costs incurred by the Secretary in implementing section 208(d); 

(D) the reasonable cost of monitoring appropriate to the 

injured, restored, or replaced resources; 

(E) the reasonable cost of curation, conservation and loss 

of contextual information of any coral encrusted archaeological, historical, and cultural resource; 

(F) the cost of legal actions under section 213, undertaken by the United States, associated with the destruction 

or loss of, or injury to, a coral reef or component thereof, 

including the costs of attorney time and expert witness fees; 

and 

(G) the indirect costs associated with the costs listed in 

subparagraphs (A) through (F) of this paragraph. 

(9) EMERGENCY ACTIONS.—The term ‘‘emergency actions’’ 

means all necessary actions to prevent or minimize the additional destruction or loss of, or injury to, coral reefs or components thereof, or to minimize the risk of such additional destruction, loss, or injury. 

(10) EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE.—The term ‘‘Exclusive Economic Zone’’ means the waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone 

of the United States under Presidential Proclamation 5030, 

dated March 10, 1983. 

(11) PERSON.—The term ‘‘person’’ means any individual, private or public corporation, partnership, trust, institution, association, or any other public or private entity, whether foreign or 

domestic, private person or entity, or any officer, employee, 

agent, Department, agency, or instrumentality of the Federal 

Government, of any State or local unit of government, or of any 

foreign government. 

(12) RESPONSE COSTS.—The term ‘‘response costs’’ means the 

costs of actions taken or authorized by the Secretary to minimize destruction or loss of, or injury to, a coral reef, or component thereof, or to minimize the imminent risks of such destruction, loss, or injury, including costs related to seizure, forfeiture, 

storage, or disposal arising from liability under section 213. 

(13) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means— 

(A) for purposes of sections 201 through 211, sections 218 

through 220 (except as otherwise provided in subparagraph 

(B)), and the other paragraphs of this section, the Secretary 

of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and 

(B) for purposes of sections 212 through 220— 

(i) the Secretary of the Interior for any coral reef or 

component thereof located in (I) the National Wildlife 

Refuge System, (II) the National Park System, and (III) 

the waters surrounding Wake Island under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior, as set forth in 

Executive Order 11048 (27 Fed. Reg. 8851 (September 

4, 1962)); or 

(ii) the Secretary of Commerce for any coral reef or 

component thereof located in any area not described in 

clause (i). 


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42 

(14) SERVICE.—The term ‘‘service’’ means functions, ecological 

or otherwise, performed by a coral reef or component thereof. 

(15) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means any State of the United 

States that contains a coral reef ecosystem within its seaward 

boundaries, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States, or separate sovereign in 

free association with the United States, that contains a coral 

reef ecosystem within its seaward boundaries. 

(16) TERRITORIAL SEA.—The term ‘‘Territorial Sea’’ means the 

waters of the Territorial Sea of the United States under Presidential Proclamation 5928, dated December 27, 1988. 

Æ 


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