I 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 1091 

To reauthorize the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control 

Act of 1998, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 15, 2007 

Mr. MACK (for himself, Mr. BUCHANAN, and Ms. CASTOR) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

A BILL 

To reauthorize the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia 

Research and Control Act of 1998, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Save Our Shores Act’’. 

5 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 

6 The Congress finds the following: 

7 (1) A harmful algal bloom is a condition that 

8 occurs in ocean waters when a significantly large 


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1 and highly concentrated growth of phytoplankton or 

2 algae produces biotoxins or otherwise causes nega3 tive effects. 

4 (2) A common harmful algal bloom event 

5 known as Red Tide occurs when appropriate condi6 tions allow for massive overgrowth of micro algae, 

7 causing phytoplankton blooms that discolor the 

8 water. 

9 (3) Harmful algal blooms commonly occur in 

10 waters off the East and West coasts of the United 

11 States, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico, the Great 

12 Lakes, and the waters surrounding the offshore ter13 ritories of the United States. 

14 (4) Harmful algal blooms cause dangerous res15 piratory distress, burning eyes, and other ailments 

16 to individuals in affected areas, as well as the na17 tionwide potential of severe food poisoning from the 

18 consumption of contaminated shellfish. 

19 (5) Harmful algal blooms cause severe impacts 

20 to natural resources by way of illness and death to 

21 marine mammals, fish, sea turtles, and sea birds as 

22 well as coral reef and sea grass communities. As 

23 massive algal blooms die, their decomposition de24 pletes oxygen from the water resulting in hypoxic 


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1 and anoxic conditions leaving vast dead zones in our 

2 coastal oceans and lakes. 

3 (6) Harmful algal blooms cause significant eco4 nomic harm to businesses and individuals engaged in 

5 fishing and shellfishing, as well as to communities 

6 and businesses that depend on their coastal location 

7 for tourism. 

8 (7) Because harmful algal blooms are affected 

9 by many variables, including weather and currents, 

10 it is impossible to predict the location, timing, or du11 ration of harmful algal blooms, and further study is 

12 needed to understand how these variables, as well as 

13 other environmental factors, may cause or contribute 

14 to the formation or maintenance of harmful algal 

15 blooms. 

16 (8) The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia 

17 Amendments Act of 2004 provided a research frame18 work for addressing harmful algal blooms and for 

19 consolidating research efforts. 

20 SEC. 3. REAUTHORIZATION OF HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM 

21 AND HYPOXIA RESEARCH AND CONTROL ACT 

22 OF 1998. 

23 (a) REAUTHORIZATION.—Section 605 of the Harmful 

24 Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 

25 1998 (16 U.S.C. 1451 note) is amended— 


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1 (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by 

2 striking ‘‘$25,500,000 for fiscal year 2008’’ and in3 serting ‘‘$30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 

4 through 2010’’; 

5 (2) in each of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), and 

6 (6) by striking ‘‘2008’’ and inserting ‘‘2010’’; and 

7 (3) in paragraph (5) by striking ‘‘fiscal year 

8 2008’’ and inserting ‘‘each of fiscal years 2008 

9 through 2010’’. 

10 (b) ANNUAL REPORT REQUIREMENT.—Section 603 

11 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and 

12 Control Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 1451 note) is amended 

13 by adding at the end the following: 

14 ‘‘(j) ANNUAL REPORT.—At the time the President 

15 submits the President’s annual budget request to the Con16 gress each year, the Task Force shall submit to the Con17 gress a report on the status and accomplishments of ac18 tivities under this Act during the preceding year.’’. 

19 (c) AWARD OF FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

20 FOR HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM RESEARCH.—All Federal 

21 financial assistance for harmful algal bloom research shall 

22 be awarded on a competitive, peer-reviewed basis. 

Æ 


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