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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1205 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
                                H. R. 1205

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 23, 2007

    Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
                      Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

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

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Coral Reef Conservation Amendments 
Act of 2007''.

SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM.

    (a) Project Diversity.--Section 204(d) of the Coral Reef 
Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6403(d)) is amended--
            (1) in the heading by striking ``Geographic and 
        Biological'' and inserting ``Project''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
            ``(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 
                Administrator in consultation with the Coral Reef Task 
                Force; and
                    ``(B) other appropriate projects, as determined by 
                the Administrator, including monitoring and assessment, 
                research, pollution reduction, education, and technical 
                support.''.
    (b) Approval Criteria.--Section 204(g) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 
6403(g)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``or'' after the semicolon in paragraph 
        (9);
            (2) by striking paragraph (10); and
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
            ``(10) promoting activities designed to minimize the 
        likelihood of vessel impacts on coral reefs, particularly those 
        areas identified under section 210(b), including the promotion 
        of ecologically sound navigation and anchorages near coral 
        reefs; or
            ``(11) 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 ecosystems.''.

SEC. 3. EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

    Section 206 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 
6405) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 206. EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTIONS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator may undertake or authorize 
action necessary--
            ``(1) to minimize the destruction or loss of, or injury to, 
        a coral reef from--
                    ``(A) vessel impacts, derelict fishing gear, vessel 
                anchors, and anchor chains; and
                    ``(B) from unforeseen or disaster-related 
                circumstances; and
            ``(2) to stabilize, repair, recover, or restore such coral 
        reef.
    ``(b) Vessel Removal; Restabilization.--Action authorized by 
subsection (a) includes vessel removal and emergency restabilization of 
the vessel or any impacted coral reef.
    ``(c) Partnering With Other Federal Agencies.--When possible, 
action by the Administrator under this section should--
            ``(1) be conducted in partnership with other government 
        agencies as appropriate, including--
                    ``(A) the Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency 
                Management Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the 
                Department of the Interior; and
                    ``(B) agencies of States and territories of the 
                United States; and
            ``(2) leverage resources of other agencies.
    ``(d) Emergency Response Assistance by Other Federal Agencies.--
            ``(1) In general.--The head of any other Federal agency may 
        assist the Administrator in emergency response actions under 
        this section, using funds available for operations of the 
        agency concerned.
            ``(2) Reimbursement.--The Administrator, subject to the 
        availability of appropriations, may reimburse a Federal agency 
        for assistance provided under paragraph (1).
    ``(e) Liability for Costs and Damages to Coral Reefs.--
            ``(1) Treatment of coral reefs under national marine 
        sanctuaries act.--For purposes of the provisions set forth in 
        paragraph (2), and subject to paragraph (3), each of the terms 
        `sanctuary resources', `resource', `sanctuary resource managed 
        under law or regulations for that sanctuary,' `national marine 
        sanctuary', `sanctuary resources of the national marine 
        sanctuary', and `sanctuary resources of other national marine 
        sanctuaries' is deemed to include any coral reef that is 
        subject to the jurisdiction of the United States or any State, 
        without regard to whether such coral reef is located in a 
        national marine sanctuary.
            ``(2) Applicable provisions of national marine sanctuaries 
        act.--The provisions referred to in paragraph (1) are the 
        following provisions of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act:
                    ``(A) Paragraphs (6) and (7) of section 302 (16 
                U.S.C. 1432).
                    ``(B) Paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of section 
                306 (16 U.S.C. 1436).
                    ``(C) Section 307 (16 U.S.C. 1437).
                    ``(D) Section 312 (16 U.S.C. 1443).
            ``(3) State consent required.--
                    ``(A) In general.--This subsection shall not apply 
                to any coral reef that is subject to the jurisdiction 
                of a State unless the Governor of that State notifies 
                the Secretary that the State consents to that 
                application.
                    ``(B) Revocation of consent.--The governor of a 
                State may revoke consent under subparagraph (A) by 
                notifying the Secretary of such revocation.
            ``(4) Consistency with international law and treaties.--Any 
        action taken under the authority of this subsection must be 
        consistent with otherwise applicable international law and 
        treaties.
            ``(5) Actions authorized with respect to vessels.--Actions 
        authorized under this subsection include vessel removal, and 
        emergency re-stabilization of a vessel and any coral reef that 
        is impacted by a vessel.
            ``(6) Regulations.--The Secretary may issue regulations 
        necessary to implement this subsection.''.

SEC. 4. NATIONAL PROGRAM.

    (a) Purpose of Act.--Section 202 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act 
of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6401) is amended--
            (1) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
            ``(3) to develop sound scientific information on the 
        condition of coral reef ecosystems and the threats to such 
        ecosystems including large-scale threats related to climate 
        change, to benefit local communities and the Nation, and to the 
        extent practicable support and enhance coral reef research 
        capabilities at local academic institutions;''; and
            (2) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of 
        paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end of paragraph 
        (6) and inserting ``; and'', and by adding at the end the 
        following:
            ``(7) to recognize the benefits of healthy coral reefs to 
        island and coastal communities and to encourage Federal action 
        to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, the continued 
        availability of those benefits.''.
    (b) Goals and Objectives of National Coral Reef Action Strategy.--
Section 203(b)(8) of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 
6402(b)(8)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(8) conservation, including resilience and the 
        consideration of island and local traditions and practices.''.
    (c) Amendments Relating to Activities to Conserve Coral Reefs and 
Coral Reef Ecosystems.--Section 207(b) of the Coral Reef Conservation 
Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6406) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3) by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) by striking ``cooperative conservation'' and 
                inserting ``cooperative research, conservation,''; and
                    (B) by striking ``partners.'' and inserting 
                ``partners, including academic institutions located in 
                those States, territories, and freely associated States 
                referred to in section 212; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) activities designed to minimize the likelihood of 
        vessel impacts or other physical damage to coral reefs, 
        including those areas identified in section 210(b).''.

SEC. 5. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

    Section 208 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 
6407) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 208. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

    ``Not later than March 1, 2010, and every 3 years thereafter, the 
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of 
the House of Representatives 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, United States territories, freely 
        associated States, and non-governmental partner organizations 
        to prevent or address overharvesting, coastal runoff, or other 
        anthropogenic impacts on coral reef ecosystems, including 
        projects undertaken with the Department of the Interior, the 
        Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, 
        and the 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;
            ``(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; and
            ``(5) an assessment of the condition of United States coral 
        reefs, accomplishments under this Act, and the effectiveness of 
        management actions to address threats to coral reefs, including 
        actions taken to address large-scale threats to coral reef 
        ecosystems related to climate change.''.

SEC. 6. FUND; GRANTS; GROUNDING INVENTORY; COORDINATION.

    (a) Fund; Grants; Grounding Inventory; Coordination.--The Coral 
Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 205(a) (16 U.S.C. 6404(a)), by striking 
        ``organization solely'' and all that follows and inserting 
        ``organization--
            ``(1) to support partnerships between the public and 
        private sectors that further the purposes of this Act and are 
        consistent with the national coral reef strategy under section 
        203; and
            ``(2) to address emergency response actions under section 
        206.'';
            (2) by adding at the end of section 205(b) (16 U.S.C. 
        6404(b)) ``The organization is encouraged to solicit funding 
        and in-kind services from the private sector, including 
        nongovernmental organizations, for emergency response actions 
        under section 206 and for activities to prevent damage to coral 
        reefs, including areas identified in section 210(b)(2).'';
            (3) in section 205(c) (16 U.S.C. 6404(c)), by striking 
        ``the grant program'' and inserting ``any grant program or 
        emergency response action'';
            (4) by redesignating sections 209 and 210 as sections 213 
        and 214, respectively; and
            (5) by inserting after section 208 the following:

``SEC. 209. COMMUNITY-BASED PLANNING GRANTS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator may make grants to entities 
that are eligible to receive grants under section 204(c) 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 where applicable watershed-based or 
        ecosystem-based approaches;
            ``(4) provide for coordination with Federal and State 
        experts and managers;
            ``(5) build upon local approaches or models, including 
        traditional or island-based resource management concepts; and
            ``(6) complement local action strategies or regional plans 
        for coral reef conservation.
    ``(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'.

``SEC. 210. VESSEL GROUNDING INVENTORY.

    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator, in coordination with other 
Federal agencies, may maintain an inventory of all vessel grounding 
incidents involving coral reefs, including a description of--
            ``(1) the impacts to such resources;
            ``(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 
        Administrator, 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 Administrator may--
            ``(1) use information from any inventory maintained under 
        subsection (a) or any other available information source to 
        identify all coral reef areas that have a high incidence of 
        vessel impacts, including groundings and anchor damage; and
            ``(2) identify appropriate measures, including action by 
        other agencies, to reduce the likelihood of such impacts.

``SEC. 211. REGIONAL COORDINATION.

    ``The Administrator shall work in coordination and collaboration 
with other Federal agencies, States, and United States territorial 
governments to implement the national coral reef action strategy 
developed under section 203, including regional and local strategies, 
to address multiple threats to coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems 
such as coastal runoff, vessel impacts, overharvesting, and factors 
attributed to climate change.

``SEC. 212. UNITED STATES CORAL REEF TASK FORCE.

    ``(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established the United States 
Coral Reef Task Force.
    ``(b) Goal.--The goal of the Task Force shall be to lead, 
coordinate, and strengthen Federal Government actions to better 
preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems.
    ``(c) Duties.--The duties of the Task Force shall be--
            ``(1) to coordinate, in cooperation with State, territory, 
        freely associated State, commonwealth, and local government 
        partners, academic, and nongovernmental partners if 
        appropriate, activities regarding the mapping, monitoring, 
        research, conservation, mitigation, restoration of coral reefs 
        and coral reef ecosystems;
            ``(2) to monitor and advise regarding implementation of the 
        policy and Federal agency responsibilities set forth in 
        Executive Order 13089 and the national coral reef action 
        strategy developed under section 203; and
            ``(3) to work with the Secretary of State and the 
        Administrator of the Agency for International Development, and 
        in coordination with the other members of the Task Force, to--
                    ``(A) assess the United States role in 
                international trade and protection of coral species; 
                and
                    ``(B) encourage implementation of appropriate 
                strategies and actions to promote conservation and 
                sustainable use of coral reef resources worldwide.
    ``(d) Membership, Generally.--The Task Force shall be comprised 
of--
            ``(1) the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the 
        Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration, and the Secretary of the Interior, who shall be 
        co-chairs of the Task Force;
            ``(2) the Administrator of the Agency of International 
        Development;
            ``(3) the Secretary of Agriculture;
            ``(4) the Secretary of Defense;
            ``(5) the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Corps 
        of Engineers;
            ``(6) the Secretary of Homeland Security;
            ``(7) the Attorney General;
            ``(8) the Secretary of State;
            ``(9) the Secretary of Transportation;
            ``(10) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
        Agency;
            ``(11) the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and 
        Space Administration;
            ``(12) the Director of the National Science Foundation;
            ``(13) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor, 
        of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands;
            ``(14) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor, 
        of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
            ``(15) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor, 
        of the State of Florida;
            ``(16) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor, 
        of the State of Hawaii;
            ``(17) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor, 
        of the Territory of Guam;
            ``(18) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor, 
        of the Territory of American Samoa; and
            ``(19) the Governor, or a representative of the Governor, 
        of the Virgin Islands.
    ``(e) Nonvoting Members.--The President, or a representative of the 
President, of each of the Freely Associated States of the Federated 
States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the 
Republic of Palau may appoint a nonvoting member of the Task Force.
    ``(f) Responsibilities of Federal Agency Members.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Federal agency members of the Task 
        Force shall--
                    ``(A) identify the actions of their agencies that 
                may affect coral reef ecosystems;
                    ``(B) utilize the programs and authorities of their 
                agencies to protect and enhance the conditions of such 
                ecosystems; and
                    ``(C) assist in the implementation of the National 
                Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs, the national coral 
                reef action strategy developed under section 203, the 
                local action strategies, and any other coordinated 
                efforts approved by the Task Force.
            ``(2) Co-chairs.--In addition to their responsibilities 
        under paragraph (1), the co-chairs of the Task Force shall 
        administer performance of the functions of the Task Force and 
        facilitate the coordination of the Federal agency members of 
        the Task Force.
    ``(g) Working Groups.--
            ``(1) In general.--The co-chairs of the Task Force may 
        establish working groups as necessary to meet the goals and 
        duties of this Act. The Task Force may request the co-chairs to 
        establish such a working group.
            ``(2) Participation by nongovernmental organizations.--The 
        co-chairs may allow a nongovernmental organization or academic 
        institution to participate in such a working group.
    ``(h) FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) 
shall not apply to the Task Force.''.
    (b) Cooperative Agreements.--Section 204 of the Coral Reef 
Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6403) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:
    ``(k) Multiyear Cooperative Agreements.--The Administrator may 
enter into multiyear cooperative agreements with the heads of other 
Federal agencies, States, territories, other freely associated States, 
local governments, academic institutions, and non-governmental 
organizations to carry out the activities of the national coral reef 
action strategy developed under section 203 and to implement regional 
strategies developed pursuant to section 211.''.

SEC. 7. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PROGRAM.

    (a) Amendments and Clarifications to Definitions.--
            (1) Fish and wildlife coordination act.--Section 8 of the 
        Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 666b) is amended 
        by inserting before the period at the end the following: ``, 
        including coral reef ecosystems (as such term is defined in 
        section 214 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000)''.
            (2) Fish and wildlife act of 1956 and fish and wildlife 
        improvement act of 1978.--With respect to the authorities under 
        the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a et seq.) and 
        the authorities under the Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 
        1978 (16 U.S.C. 742l), references in such Acts to ``wildlife'' 
        and ``fish and wildlife'' shall be construed to include coral 
        reef ecosystems (as such term is defined in section 214 of the 
        Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by this Act).
    (b) Coral Reef Conservation Assistance.--The Secretary of the 
Interior may provide technical assistance and, subject to the 
availability of appropriations, financial assistance to coastal States 
(as that term is defined in the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as 
amended by this Act).

SEC. 8. CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITIONS.

    Section 214 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as 
redesignated by section 6(a) of this Act (relating to definitions; 16 
U.S.C. 6409), is further amended--
            (1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
            ``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator'--
                    ``(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), means 
                the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration; and
                    ``(B) in sections 206 and 209, means the Secretary 
                of the Interior for purposes of application of those 
                sections to national parks, national wildlife refuges, 
                and Wake Island.'';
            (2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
            ``(2) Conservation.--The term `conservation' means the use 
        of methods and procedures that are necessary to preserve or 
        sustain coral reefs and associated species as diverse, viable, 
        and self-perpetuating coral reef ecosystems, including--
                    ``(A) all activities associated with resource 
                management, such as assessment, conservation, 
                protection, restoration, sustainable use, and 
                management of habitat;
                    ``(B) mapping;
                    ``(C) monitoring of coral reef ecosystems;
                    ``(D) assistance in the development of management 
                strategies for marine protected area or networks 
                thereof 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.);
                    ``(E) law enforcement;
                    ``(F) conflict resolution initiatives;
                    ``(G) community outreach and education; and
                    ``(H) activities that promote safe and ecologically 
                sound navigation.'';
            (3) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
            ``(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 Milleporidae 
                (fire corals) and Stylasteridae (stylasterid 
                hydrocorals), of the class Hydrozoa.'';
            (4) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows:
            ``(4) Coral reef.--The term `coral reef' means a limestone 
        structure composed in whole or in part of living zooxanthellate 
        stony corals (Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia), their 
        skeletal remains, or both.'';
            (5) by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows:
            ``(5) Coral reef ecosystem.--The term `coral reef 
        ecosystem' means a system of coral reefs and geographically 
        associated species, habitats, and environment, including 
        mangroves and seagrass habitats, and the processes that control 
        its dynamics.''; and
            (6) by amending paragraph (7) to read as follows:
            ``(7) Secretary.--The term `Secretary'--
                    ``(A) except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and 
                (C), means the Secretary of Commerce;
                    ``(B) in section 206(e), means--
                            ``(i) the Secretary of the Interior, with 
                        respect to any coral reef or component thereof 
                        that is located in--
                                    ``(I) the National Wildlife Refuge 
                                System;
                                    ``(II) the National Park System; or
                                    ``(III) the waters surrounding Wake 
                                Island under the jurisdiction of the 
                                Secretary of the Interior, as set forth 
                                in Executive Order No. 11048 (27 Fed. 
                                Reg. 8851), dated September 4, 1962; or
                            ``(ii) the Secretary of Commerce, with 
                        respect to any other coral reef or component 
                        thereof; and
                    ``(C) in sections 203 and 209, means the Secretary 
                of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior.''.

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 213 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (formerly 16 
U.S.C. 6408), as redesignated by section 4, is amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
    ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary of Commerce to carry out this title $30,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2008, $32,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $34,000,000 for fiscal 
year 2010 and $35,000,000 for fiscal years 2011 and 2012.'';
            (2) in subsection (b) by striking ``$1,000,000'' and 
        inserting ``$2,000,000'';
            (3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) Community-Based Planning Grants.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Administrator to carry out section 209, $8,000,000 
for fiscal years 2008 through 2012, to remain available until 
expended.''; and
            (4) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
    ``(d) Department of the Interior.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior to carry out this title 
$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.''.

SEC. 10. ENSURING RESILIENCE.

    (a) Purposes.--Section 202 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 
2000 (16 U.S.C. 6401) is further amended by redesignating paragraphs 
(2) through (7) as paragraphs (3) through (8), respectively, and by 
inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
            ``(2) to promote the resilience of coral reef 
        ecosystems;''.
    (b) Criteria for Approval of Project Proposals.--Section 204(g) of 
the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6403(g)) is further 
amended by striking ``or'' after the semicolon at the end of paragraph 
(10), by redesignating paragraph (11) as paragraph (12), and by 
inserting after paragraph (10) the following:
            ``(11) improving and promoting the resilience of coral 
        reefs and coral reef ecosystems; or''.
    (c) Activities Authorized Under National Program.--Section 207(b) 
of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6406(b)) is 
further amended by striking ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of 
paragraph (4), by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6), and by 
inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
            ``(5) improving and promoting the resilience of coral reefs 
        and coral reef ecosystems; and''.

SEC. 11. FUNDING FOR MARINE FACILITIES, CORAL REEF RESEARCH, AND CORAL 
              REEF INSTITUTES.

    (a) American Samoa Community College.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated $1,000,000 to the Secretary of Commerce, acting through 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to provide funds 
to a research facility for coral reef research and protection, and 
coastal ecology and development, at the American Samoa Community 
College.
    (b) University of Guam.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
$1,000,000 to the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to provide funds to the 
University of Guam for coral reef research and protection.
    (c) Support for Coral Reef Institutes.--The Administrator, subject 
to the availability of appropriations specifically to carry out this 
subsection, may enter into, renegotiate, or extend a cooperative 
agreement with any university or local academic institution or other 
research center with established programs that support coral reef 
conservation to accomplish the following:
            (1) Provide technical and other assistance to build 
        capacity for effective resource management on a regional level 
        and within local communities.
            (2) Facilitate interdisciplinary research regarding coral 
        reef ecosystems to improve resource management and improve 
        understanding of potential impacts to such ecosystems 
        attributed to climate change.
            (3) Conduct public education programs regarding coral reefs 
        and coral reef ecosystems to improve public awareness of the 
        need to protect and conserve such resources.
            (4) To advance the purposes and policies set forth in the 
        Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000.
    (d) Definitions.--For purposes of this section the definitions in 
section 214 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as redesignated 
by section 6(a) of this Act and amended by section 8 of this Act, 
apply.

            Passed the House of Representatives October 22, 2007.

            Attest:

                                            LORRAINE C. MILLER,

                                                                 Clerk.
```