Marine Debris Emergency Act of 2013

To amend the Marine Debris Act to better address severe marine debris events, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Marine Debris Emergency Act of 2013 2. Marine debris Section 3 of the Marine Debris Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1952 (d) Severe marine debris events (1) Priority consideration and disbursement Not later than 60 days after receiving an application for a grant under subsection (c) with respect to a severe marine debris event, the Administrator shall, to the extent feasible— (A) approve or disapprove the application; and (B) if approving the application, provide the approved grant funds to the grant recipient. (2) Preference In evaluating applications for grants under subsection (c), the Administrator shall give preference to projects that address severe marine debris events, including projects that address a severe marine debris event that has introduced or is likely to introduce marine invasive species to the United States. (3) Request for a declaration (A) In general The Governor of a State may request that the Administrator declare a severe marine debris event, in such State or a region that includes such State, for purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2). (B) Response to requests Not later than 30 days after receiving a request under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall either— (i) declare a severe marine debris event with respect to the request; or (ii) provide a response to the Governor who submitted the request, explaining why the Administrator has not declared a severe marine debris event with respect to the request. (e) Guidance The Administrator shall take appropriate steps to encourage recipients of grants under this section to— (1) educate staff and volunteers engaged in marine debris response efforts on the potential threats that marine debris and marine invasive species may pose to the United States with respect to living marine resources, the marine environment, navigation, and public health; and (2) coordinate marine debris response efforts with appropriate Federal, State, and local government and nongovernmental entities. (f) Marine invasive species defined In this section, the term marine invasive species (1) cause economic or environmental harm; (2) threaten the diversity or abundance of native species or the ecological stability of infested waters; or (3) disrupt commercial, agricultural, aquacultural, or recreational activities dependent on infested waters. .

Summary: Marine Debris Emergency Act of 2013 - Amends the Marine Debris Act to: (1) require the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to approve or disapprove a grant application with respect to a severe marine debris event and provide grant funds to an approved applicant within 60 days after receipt of the grant application, and (2) authorize the Administrator to give preference under the Marine Debris Program to projects that address such an event. Authorizes state governors to request that the Administrator declare a severe marine debris event for purposes of grant consideration and disbursement. Requires the Administrator, within 30 days after receiving such request, to either declare such an event or provide a response explaining why the declaration was not made. Allows the Administrator to: (1) require a grant recipient to provide training to persons engaged in grant-funded marine debris response efforts on the potential impacts of marine debris, including nonindigenous species related to the debris, on the economy, the marine environment, and navigation safety; and (2) enter into agreements to use the personnel, services, equipment, or facilities of federal agencies, state and local governments, regional agencies, interstate agencies, and other entities on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis. Defines "nonindigenous species" to mean any species or other viable biological material that enters an ecosystem beyond its historic range, including any such organism transferred from one country into another.