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TITLE XI—UNITED STATES GEO-
LOGICAL 
SURVEY 
AUTHOR-
IZATIONS 
SEC. 11001. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE NATIONAL GEO-
LOGIC MAPPING ACT OF 1992. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Section 2(a) of the National Geologic 
Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31a(a)) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(1) although significant progress has been made 
in the production of geologic maps since the establish-
ment of the national cooperative geologic mapping 
program in 1992, no modern, digital, geologic map 
exists for approximately 75 percent of the United 
States;’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (C), by inserting 
‘‘homeland and’’ after ‘‘planning for’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘‘pre-
dicting’’ and inserting ‘‘identifying’’; 
(C) in subparagraph (I), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
after the semicolon at the end; 
(D) by redesignating subparagraph (J) as 
subparagraph (K); and
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(E) by inserting after subparagraph (I) the 
following: 
‘‘(J) recreation and public awareness; and’’; 
and 
(3) in paragraph (9), by striking ‘‘important’’ 
and inserting ‘‘available’’. 
(b) PURPOSE.—Section 2(b) of the National Geologic 
Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31a(b)) is amended by 
inserting ‘‘and management’’ before the period at the end. 
(c) DEADLINES FOR ACTIONS BY THE UNITED STATES 
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.—Section 4(b)(1) of the National 
Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31c(b)(1)) is 
amended in the second sentence— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘not later 
than’’ and all that follows through the semicolon and 
inserting ‘‘not later than 1 year after the date of en-
actment of the Omnibus Public Land Management 
Act of 2009;’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘not later 
than’’ and all that follows through ‘‘in accordance’’ 
and inserting ‘‘not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Omnibus Public Land Management 
Act of 2009 in accordance’’; and 
(3) in the matter preceding clause (i) of subpara-
graph (C), by striking ‘‘not later than’’ and all that
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follows through ‘‘submit’’ and inserting ‘‘submit bien-
nially’’. 
(d) GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM OBJECTIVES.—Sec-
tion 4(c)(2) of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 
(43 U.S.C. 31c(c)(2)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘geophysical-map data base, geo-
chemical-map data base, and a’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘provide’’ and inserting ‘‘pro-
vides’’. 
(e) GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM COMPONENTS.— 
Section 4(d)(1)(B)(ii) of the National Geologic Mapping 
Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31c(d)(1)(B)(ii)) is amended— 
(1) in subclause (I), by striking ‘‘and’’ after the 
semicolon at the end; 
(2) in subclause (II), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(III) the needs of land manage-
ment agencies of the Department of the 
Interior.’’. 
(f) GEOLOGIC MAPPING ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 
(1) MEMBERSHIP.—Section 5(a) of the National 
Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31d(a)) is 
amended— 
(A) in paragraph (2)—
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(i) by inserting ‘‘the Secretary of the 
Interior or a designee from a land manage-
ment agency of the Department of the Inte-
rior,’’ after ‘‘Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency or a designee,’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘and’’ after ‘‘Energy 
or a designee,’’; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘, and the Assistant to 
the President for Science and Technology or 
a designee’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘Not later than’’ and 
all that follows through ‘‘consultation’’ and 
inserting ‘‘In consultation’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘Chief Geologist, as 
Chairman’’ and inserting ‘‘Associate Direc-
tor for Geology, as Chair’’; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘one representative 
from the private sector’’ and inserting ‘‘2 
representatives from the private sector’’. 
(2) DUTIES.—Section 5(b) of the National Geo-
logic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31d(b)) is 
amended— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘and’’ at 
the end;
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(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as 
paragraph (4); and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(3) provide a scientific overview of geologic 
maps (including maps of geologic-based hazards) used 
or disseminated by Federal agencies for regulation or 
land-use planning; and’’. 
(3) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 5(a)(1) 
of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 
U.S.C. 31d(a)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘10-mem-
ber’’ and inserting ‘‘11-member’’. 
(g) FUNCTIONS OF NATIONAL GEOLOGIC-MAP DATA-
BASE.—Section 7(a) of the National Geologic Mapping Act 
of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31f(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘geologic map’’ 
and inserting ‘‘geologic-map’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph 
(A) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) all maps developed with funding pro-
vided by the National Cooperative Geologic Map-
ping Program, including under the Federal, 
State, and education components;’’. 
(h) BIENNIAL REPORT.—Section 8 of the National 
Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31g) is amended
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by striking ‘‘Not later’’ and all that follows through ‘‘bien-
nially’’ and inserting ‘‘Not later than 3 years after the date 
of enactment of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act 
of 2009 and biennially’’. 
(i) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS; ALLOCA-
TION.—Section 9 of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 
1992 (43 U.S.C. 31h) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out this Act $64,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2009 through 2018.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘2000’’ and inserting ‘‘2005’’; 
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘48’’ and 
inserting ‘‘50’’; and 
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking 2 and in-
serting ‘‘4’’. 
SEC. 11002. NEW MEXICO WATER RESOURCES STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Interior, act-
ing through the Director of the United States Geological 
Survey (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’), in 
coordination with the State of New Mexico (referred to in 
this section as the ‘‘State’’) and any other entities that the
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Secretary determines to be appropriate (including other 
Federal agencies and institutions of higher education), 
shall, in accordance with this section and any other appli-
cable law, conduct a study of water resources in the State, 
including— 
(1) a survey of groundwater resources, including 
an analysis of— 
(A) aquifers in the State, including the 
quantity of water in the aquifers; 
(B) the availability of groundwater re-
sources for human use; 
(C) the salinity of groundwater resources; 
(D) the potential of the groundwater re-
sources to recharge; 
(E) the interaction between groundwater 
and surface water; 
(F) the susceptibility of the aquifers to con-
tamination; and 
(G) any other relevant criteria; and 
(2) a characterization of surface and bedrock ge-
ology, including the effect of the geology on ground-
water yield and quality. 
(b) STUDY AREAS.—The study carried out under sub-
section (a) shall include the Estancia Basin, Salt Basin,
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Tularosa Basin, Hueco Basin, and middle Rio Grande 
Basin in the State. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate 
and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representa-
tives a report that describes the results of the study. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are 
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this section. 
TITLE XII—OCEANS 
Subtitle A—Ocean Exploration 
PART I—EXPLORATION 
SEC. 12001. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of this part is to establish the national 
ocean exploration program and the national undersea re-
search program within the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration. 
SEC. 12002. PROGRAM ESTABLISHED. 
The Administrator of the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration shall, in consultation with the 
National Science Foundation and other appropriate Fed-
eral agencies, establish a coordinated national ocean explo-
ration program within the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration that promotes collaboration with
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other Federal ocean and undersea research and exploration 
programs. To the extent appropriate, the Administrator 
shall seek to facilitate coordination of data and information 
management systems, outreach and education programs to 
improve public understanding of ocean and coastal re-
sources, and development and transfer of technologies to fa-
cilitate ocean and undersea research and exploration. 
SEC. 12003. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATOR. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the program au-
thorized by section 12002, the Administrator of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall— 
(1) conduct interdisciplinary voyages or other 
scientific activities in conjunction with other Federal 
agencies or academic or educational institutions, to 
explore and survey little known areas of the marine 
environment, inventory, observe, and assess living 
and nonliving marine resources, and report such 
findings; 
(2) give priority attention to deep ocean regions, 
with a focus on deep water marine systems that hold 
potential for important scientific discoveries, such as 
hydrothermal vent communities and seamounts; 
(3) conduct scientific voyages to locate, define, 
and document historic shipwrecks, submerged sites,
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and other ocean exploration activities that combine 
archaeology and oceanographic sciences; 
(4) develop and implement, in consultation with 
the National Science Foundation, a transparent, com-
petitive process for merit-based peer-review and ap-
proval of proposals for activities to be conducted 
under this program, taking into consideration advice 
of the Board established under section 12005; 
(5) enhance the technical capability of the 
United States marine science community by pro-
moting the development of improved oceanographic 
research, communication, navigation, and data collec-
tion systems, as well as underwater platforms and 
sensor and autonomous vehicles; and 
(6) establish an ocean exploration forum to en-
courage partnerships and promote communication 
among experts and other stakeholders in order to en-
hance the scientific and technical expertise and rel-
evance of the national program. 
(b) DONATIONS.—The Administrator may accept do-
nations of property, data, and equipment to be applied for 
the purpose of exploring the oceans or increasing knowledge 
of the oceans.
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SEC. 12004. OCEAN EXPLORATION AND UNDERSEA RE-
SEARCH 
TECHNOLOGY 
AND 
INFRASTRUC-
TURE TASK FORCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in coordination 
with the National Science Foundation, the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration, the United States Geo-
logical Survey, the Department of the Navy, the Mineral 
Management Service, and relevant governmental, non-gov-
ernmental, academic, industry, and other experts, shall con-
vene an ocean exploration and undersea research technology 
and infrastructure task force to develop and implement a 
strategy— 
(1) to facilitate transfer of new exploration and 
undersea research technology to the programs author-
ized under this part and part II of this subtitle; 
(2) to improve availability of communications 
infrastructure, including satellite capabilities, to such 
programs; 
(3) to develop an integrated, workable, and com-
prehensive data management information processing 
system that will make information on unique and sig-
nificant features obtained by such programs available 
for research and management purposes; 
(4) to conduct public outreach activities that im-
prove the public understanding of ocean science, re-
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sources, and processes, in conjunction with relevant 
programs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, the National Science Foundation, 
and other agencies; and 
(5) to encourage cost-sharing partnerships with 
governmental and nongovernmental entities that will 
assist in transferring exploration and undersea re-
search technology and technical expertise to the pro-
grams. 
(b) BUDGET COORDINATION.—The task force shall co-
ordinate the development of agency budgets and identify the 
items in their annual budget that support the activities 
identified in the strategy developed under subsection (a). 
SEC. 12005. OCEAN EXPLORATION ADVISORY BOARD. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall ap-
point an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board composed of 
experts in relevant fields— 
(1) to advise the Administrator on priority areas 
for survey and discovery; 
(2) to assist the program in the development of 
a 5-year strategic plan for the fields of ocean, marine, 
and Great Lakes science, exploration, and discovery;
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(3) to annually review the quality and effective-
ness of the proposal review process established under 
section 12003(a)(4); and 
(4) to provide other assistance and advice as re-
quested by the Administrator. 
(b) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—Section 14 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) 
shall not apply to the Board appointed under subsection 
(a). 
(c) APPLICATION WITH OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF 
LANDS ACT.—Nothing in part supersedes, or limits the au-
thority of the Secretary of the Interior under the Outer Con-
tinental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.). 
SEC. 12006. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry 
out this part— 
(1) $33,550,000 for fiscal year 2009; 
(2) $36,905,000 for fiscal year 2010; 
(3) $40,596,000 for fiscal year 2011; 
(4) $44,655,000 for fiscal year 2012; 
(5) $49,121,000 for fiscal year 2013; 
(6) $54,033,000 for fiscal year 2014; and 
(7) $59,436,000 for fiscal year 2015.
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PART II—NOAA UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM 
ACT OF 2009 
SEC. 12101. SHORT TITLE. 
This part may be cited as the ‘‘NOAA Undersea Re-
search Program Act of 2009’’. 
SEC. 12102. PROGRAM ESTABLISHED. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall establish 
and maintain an undersea research program and shall des-
ignate a Director of that program. 
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the program is to in-
crease scientific knowledge essential for the informed man-
agement, use, and preservation of oceanic, marine, and 
coastal areas and the Great Lakes. 
SEC. 12103. POWERS OF PROGRAM DIRECTOR. 
The Director of the program, in carrying out the pro-
gram, shall— 
(1) cooperate with institutions of higher edu-
cation and other educational marine and ocean 
science organizations, and shall make available un-
dersea research facilities, equipment, technologies, in-
formation, and expertise to support undersea research 
efforts by these organizations; 
(2) enter into partnerships, as appropriate and 
using existing authorities, with the private sector to
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achieve the goals of the program and to promote tech-
nological advancement of the marine industry; and 
(3) coordinate the development of agency budgets 
and identify the items in their annual budget that 
support the activities described in paragraphs (1) and 
(2). 
SEC. 12104. ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The program shall be conducted 
through a national headquarters, a network of extramural 
regional undersea research centers that represent all rel-
evant National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
regions, and the National Institute for Undersea Science 
and Technology. 
(b) DIRECTION.—The Director shall develop the overall 
direction of the program in coordination with a Council 
of Center Directors comprised of the directors of the extra-
mural regional centers and the National Institute for Un-
dersea Science and Technology. The Director shall publish 
a draft program direction document not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act in the Federal Reg-
ister for a public comment period of not less than 120 days. 
The Director shall publish a final program direction, in-
cluding responses to the comments received during the pub-
lic comment period, in the Federal Register within 90 days 
after the close of the comment period. The program director
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shall update the program direction, with opportunity for 
public comment, at least every 5 years. 
SEC. 12105. RESEARCH, EXPLORATION, EDUCATION, AND 
TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The following research, exploration, 
education, and technology programs shall be conducted 
through the network of regional centers and the National 
Institute for Undersea Science and Technology: 
(1) Core research and exploration based on na-
tional and regional undersea research priorities. 
(2) Advanced undersea technology development to 
support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration’s research mission and programs. 
(3) Undersea science-based education and out-
reach programs to enrich ocean science education and 
public awareness of the oceans and Great Lakes. 
(4) Development, testing, and transition of ad-
vanced undersea technology associated with ocean ob-
servatories, 
submersibles, 
advanced 
diving 
tech-
nologies, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous un-
derwater vehicles, and new sampling and sensing 
technologies. 
(5) Discovery, study, and development of natural 
resources and products from ocean, coastal, and 
aquatic systems.
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(b) OPERATIONS.—The Director of the program, 
through operation of the extramural regional centers and 
the National Institute for Undersea Science and Tech-
nology, shall leverage partnerships and cooperative research 
with academia and private industry. 
SEC. 12106. COMPETITIVENESS. 
(a) DISCRETIONARY FUND.—The Program shall allo-
cate no more than 10 percent of its annual budget to a dis-
cretionary fund that may be used only for program admin-
istration and priority undersea research projects identified 
by the Director but not covered by funding available from 
centers. 
(b) COMPETITIVE SELECTION.—The Administrator 
shall conduct an initial competition to select the regional 
centers that will participate in the program 90 days after 
the publication of the final program direction under section 
12104 and every 5 years thereafter. Funding for projects 
conducted through the regional centers shall be awarded 
through a competitive, merit-reviewed process on the basis 
of their relevance to the goals of the program and their tech-
nical feasibility. 
SEC. 12107. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration— 
(1) for fiscal year 2009—
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(A) $13,750,000 for the regional centers, of 
which 50 percent shall be for West Coast regional 
centers and 50 percent shall be for East Coast re-
gional centers; and 
(B) $5,500,000 for the National Technology 
Institute; 
(2) for fiscal year 2010— 
(A) $15,125,000 for the regional centers, of 
which 50 percent shall be for West Coast regional 
centers and 50 percent shall be for East Coast re-
gional centers; and 
(B) $6,050,000 for the National Technology 
Institute; 
(3) for fiscal year 2011— 
(A) $16,638,000 for the regional centers, of 
which 50 percent shall be for West Coast regional 
centers and 50 percent shall be for East Coast re-
gional centers; and 
(B) $6,655,000 for the National Technology 
Institute; 
(4) for fiscal year 2012— 
(A) $18,301,000 for the regional centers, of 
which 50 percent shall be for West Coast regional 
centers and 50 percent shall be for East Coast re-
gional centers; and
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(B) $7,321,000 for the National Technology 
Institute; 
(5) for fiscal year 2013— 
(A) $20,131,000 for the regional centers, of 
which 50 percent shall be for West Coast regional 
centers and 50 percent shall be for East Coast re-
gional centers; and 
(B) $8,053,000 for the National Technology 
Institute; 
(6) for fiscal year 2014— 
(A) $22,145,000 for the regional centers, of 
which 50 percent shall be for West Coast regional 
centers and 50 percent shall be for East Coast re-
gional centers; and 
(B) $8,859,000 for the National Technology 
Institute; and 
(7) for fiscal year 2015— 
(A) $24,359,000 for the regional centers, of 
which 50 percent shall be for West Coast regional 
centers and 50 percent shall be for East Coast re-
gional centers; and 
(B) $9,744,000 for the National Technology 
Institute.
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Subtitle B—Ocean and Coastal 
Mapping Integration Act 
SEC. 12201. SHORT TITLE. 
This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘Ocean and Coastal 
Mapping Integration Act’’. 
SEC. 12202. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The President, in coordination 
with the Interagency Committee on Ocean and Coastal 
Mapping and affected coastal states, shall establish a pro-
gram to develop a coordinated and comprehensive Federal 
ocean and coastal mapping plan for the Great Lakes and 
coastal state waters, the territorial sea, the exclusive eco-
nomic zone, and the continental shelf of the United States 
that enhances ecosystem approaches in decision-making for 
conservation and management of marine resources and 
habitats, establishes research and mapping priorities, sup-
ports the siting of research and other platforms, and ad-
vances ocean and coastal science. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Committee shall be comprised 
of high-level representatives of the Department of Com-
merce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration, the Department of the Interior, the National 
Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency, the Department of Homeland 
Security, the National Aeronautics and Space Administra-
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tion, and other appropriate Federal agencies involved in 
ocean and coastal mapping. 
(c) PROGRAM PARAMETERS.—In developing such a 
program, the President, through the Committee, shall— 
(1) identify all Federal and federally-funded pro-
grams conducting shoreline delineation and ocean or 
coastal mapping, noting geographic coverage, fre-
quency, spatial coverage, resolution, and subject mat-
ter focus of the data and location of data archives; 
(2) facilitate cost-effective, cooperative mapping 
efforts that incorporate policies for contracting with 
non-governmental entities among all Federal agencies 
conducting ocean and coastal mapping, by increasing 
data sharing, developing appropriate data acquisition 
and metadata standards, and facilitating the inter-
operability of in situ data collection systems, data 
processing, archiving, and distribution of data prod-
ucts; 
(3) facilitate the adaptation of existing tech-
nologies as well as foster expertise in new ocean and 
coastal mapping technologies, including through re-
search, development, and training conducted among 
Federal agencies and in cooperation with non-govern-
mental entities;
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(4) develop standards and protocols for testing 
innovative experimental mapping technologies and 
transferring new technologies between the Federal 
Government, coastal state, and non-governmental en-
tities; 
(5) provide for the archiving, management, and 
distribution of data sets through a national registry 
as well as provide mapping products and services to 
the general public in service of statutory require-
ments; 
(6) develop data standards and protocols con-
sistent with standards developed by the Federal Geo-
graphic Data Committee for use by Federal, coastal 
state, and other entities in mapping and otherwise 
documenting locations of federally permitted activi-
ties, living and nonliving coastal and marine re-
sources, marine ecosystems, sensitive habitats, sub-
merged cultural resources, undersea cables, offshore 
aquaculture projects, offshore energy projects, and any 
areas designated for purposes of environmental pro-
tection or conservation and management of living and 
nonliving coastal and marine resources; 
(7) identify the procedures to be used for coordi-
nating the collection and integration of Federal ocean
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and coastal mapping data with coastal state and 
local government programs; 
(8) facilitate, to the extent practicable, the collec-
tion of real-time tide data and the development of hy-
drodynamic models for coastal areas to allow for the 
application of V-datum tools that will facilitate the 
seamless integration of onshore and offshore maps and 
charts; 
(9) establish a plan for the acquisition and col-
lection of ocean and coastal mapping data; and 
(10) set forth a timetable for completion and im-
plementation of the plan. 
SEC. 12203. INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE ON OCEAN AND 
COASTAL MAPPING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, within 30 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, shall convene or uti-
lize an existing interagency committee on ocean and coastal 
mapping to implement section 12202. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The committee shall be comprised 
of senior representatives from Federal agencies with ocean 
and coastal mapping and surveying responsibilities. The 
representatives shall be high-ranking officials of their re-
spective agencies or departments and, whenever possible, the 
head of the portion of the agency or department that is most
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relevant to the purposes of this subtitle. Membership shall 
include senior representatives from the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, the Chief of Naval Oper-
ations, the United States Geological Survey, the Minerals 
Management Service, the National Science Foundation, the 
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the United States 
Army Corps of Engineers, the Coast Guard, the Environ-
mental Protection Agency, the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Admin-
istration, and other appropriate Federal agencies involved 
in ocean and coastal mapping. 
(c) CO-CHAIRMEN.—The Committee shall be co-chaired 
by the representative of the Department of Commerce and 
a representative of the Department of the Interior. 
(d) SUBCOMMITTEE.—The co-chairmen shall establish 
a subcommittee to carry out the day-to-day work of the 
Committee, comprised of senior representatives of any mem-
ber agency of the committee. Working groups may be formed 
by the full Committee to address issues of short duration. 
The subcommittee shall be chaired by the representative 
from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion. The chairmen of the Committee may create such addi-
tional subcommittees and working groups as may be needed 
to carry out the work of Committee.
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(e) MEETINGS.—The committee shall meet on a quar-
terly basis, but each subcommittee and each working group 
shall meet on an as-needed basis. 
(f) COORDINATION.—The committee shall coordinate 
activities when appropriate, with— 
(1) other Federal efforts, including the Digital 
Coast, Geospatial One-Stop, and the Federal Geo-
graphic Data Committee; 
(2) international mapping activities; 
(3) coastal states; 
(4) user groups through workshops and other ap-
propriate mechanisms; and 
(5) representatives of nongovernmental entities. 
(g) ADVISORY PANEL.—The Administrator may con-
vene an ocean and coastal mapping advisory panel con-
sisting of representatives from non-governmental entities to 
provide input regarding activities of the committee in con-
sultation with the interagency committee. 
SEC. 12204. BIENNIAL REPORTS. 
No later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the co-chairmen of 
the Committee shall transmit to the Committees on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation and Energy and Nat-
ural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural
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Resources of the House of Representatives a report detailing 
progress made in implementing this subtitle, including— 
(1) an inventory of ocean and coastal mapping 
data within the territorial sea and the exclusive eco-
nomic zone and throughout the Continental Shelf of 
the United States, noting the age and source of the 
survey and the spatial resolution (metadata) of the 
data; 
(2) identification of priority areas in need of 
survey coverage using present technologies; 
(3) a resource plan that identifies when priority 
areas in need of modern ocean and coastal mapping 
surveys can be accomplished; 
(4) the status of efforts to produce integrated dig-
ital maps of ocean and coastal areas; 
(5) a description of any products resulting from 
coordinated mapping efforts under this subtitle that 
improve public understanding of the coasts and 
oceans, or regulatory decisionmaking; 
(6) documentation of minimum and desired 
standards for data acquisition and integrated 
metadata; 
(7) a statement of the status of Federal efforts to 
leverage mapping technologies, coordinate mapping 
activities, share expertise, and exchange data;
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(8) a statement of resource requirements for or-
ganizations to meet the goals of the program, includ-
ing technology needs for data acquisition, processing, 
and distribution systems; 
(9) a statement of the status of efforts to declas-
sify data gathered by the Navy, the National 
Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and other agencies to 
the extent possible without jeopardizing national secu-
rity, and make it available to partner agencies and 
the public; 
(10) a resource plan for a digital coast inte-
grated mapping pilot project for the northern Gulf of 
Mexico that will— 
(A) cover the area from the authorized 
coastal counties through the territorial sea; 
(B) identify how such a pilot project will le-
verage public and private mapping data and re-
sources, such as the United States Geological 
Survey National Map, to result in an oper-
ational coastal change assessment program for 
the subregion; 
(11) the status of efforts to coordinate Federal 
programs with coastal state and local government 
programs and leverage those programs;
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(12) a description of efforts of Federal agencies 
to increase contracting with nongovernmental entities; 
and 
(13) an inventory and description of any new 
Federal or federally funded programs conducting 
shoreline delineation and ocean or coastal mapping 
since the previous reporting cycle. 
SEC. 12205. PLAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in con-
sultation with the Committee, shall develop and submit to 
the Congress a plan for an integrated ocean and coastal 
mapping initiative within the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration. 
(b) PLAN REQUIREMENTS.—The plan shall— 
(1) identify and describe all ocean and coastal 
mapping programs within the agency, including those 
that conduct mapping or related activities in the 
course of existing missions, such as hydrographic sur-
veys, ocean exploration projects, living marine re-
source conservation and management programs, 
coastal zone management projects, and ocean and 
coastal observations and science projects; 
(2) establish priority mapping programs and es-
tablish and periodically update priorities for geo-
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graphic areas in surveying and mapping across all 
missions of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, as well as minimum data acquisition 
and metadata standards for those programs; 
(3) encourage the development of innovative 
ocean and coastal mapping technologies and applica-
tions, through research and development through co-
operative or other agreements with joint or coopera-
tive research institutes or centers and with other non- 
governmental entities; 
(4) document available and developing tech-
nologies, best practices in data processing and dis-
tribution, and leveraging opportunities with other 
Federal agencies, coastal states, and non-govern-
mental entities; 
(5) identify training, technology, and other re-
source requirements for enabling the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration’s programs, vessels, 
and aircraft to support a coordinated ocean and 
coastal mapping program; 
(6) identify a centralized mechanism or office for 
coordinating data collection, processing, archiving, 
and dissemination activities of all such mapping pro-
grams within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration that meets Federal mandates for data
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accuracy and accessibility and designate a repository 
that is responsible for archiving and managing the 
distribution of all ocean and coastal mapping data to 
simplify the provision of services to benefit Federal 
and coastal state programs; and 
(7) set forth a timetable for implementation and 
completion of the plan, including a schedule for sub-
mission to the Congress of periodic progress reports 
and recommendations for integrating approaches de-
veloped under the initiative into the interagency pro-
gram. 
(c) NOAA JOINT OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING CEN-
TERS.—The Administrator may maintain and operate up 
to 3 joint ocean and coastal mapping centers, including a 
joint hydrographic center, which shall each be co-located 
with an institution of higher education. The centers shall 
serve as hydrographic centers of excellence and may conduct 
activities necessary to carry out the purposes of this subtitle, 
including— 
(1) research and development of innovative ocean 
and coastal mapping technologies, equipment, and 
data products; 
(2) mapping of the United States Outer Conti-
nental Shelf and other regions;
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(3) data processing for nontraditional data and 
uses; 
(4) advancing the use of remote sensing tech-
nologies, for related issues, including mapping and 
assessment of essential fish habitat and of coral re-
sources, ocean observations, and ocean exploration; 
and 
(5) providing graduate education and training 
in ocean and coastal mapping sciences for members 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion Commissioned Officer Corps, personnel of other 
agencies with ocean and coastal mapping programs, 
and civilian personnel. 
(d) NOAA REPORT.—The Administrator shall con-
tinue developing a strategy for expanding contracting with 
non-governmental entities to minimize duplication and 
take maximum advantage of nongovernmental capabilities 
in fulfilling the Administration’s mapping and charting re-
sponsibilities. Within 120 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report de-
scribing the strategy developed under this subsection to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
House of Representatives.
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SEC. 12206. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS. 
Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to supersede 
or alter the existing authorities of any Federal agency with 
respect to ocean and coastal mapping. 
SEC. 12207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the amounts author-
ized by section 306 of the Hydrographic Services Improve-
ment Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 892d), there are authorized 
to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this 
subtitle— 
(1) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; 
(2) $32,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; 
(3) $38,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and 
(4) $45,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 
through 2015. 
(b) JOINT OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING CENTERS.— 
Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection (a), 
the following amounts shall be used to carry out section 
12205(c) of this subtitle: 
(1) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2009. 
(2) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2010. 
(3) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2011. 
(4) $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 
through 2015. 
(c) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—To carry out inter-
agency activities under section 12203 of this subtitle, the
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head of any department or agency may execute a coopera-
tive agreement with the Administrator, including those au-
thorized by section 5 of the Act of August 6, 1947 (33 U.S.C. 
883e). 
SEC. 12208. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
(1) 
ADMINISTRATOR.—The 
term 
‘‘Adminis-
trator’ ’’ means the Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
(2) COASTAL STATE.—The term ‘‘coastal state’’ 
has the meaning given that term by section 304(4) of 
the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 
1453(4). 
(3) COMMITTEE.—The term ‘‘Committee’’ means 
the Interagency Ocean and Coastal Mapping Com-
mittee established by section 12203. 
(4) EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE.—The term ‘‘ex-
clusive economic zone’’ means the exclusive economic 
zone of the United States established by Presidential 
Proclamation No. 5030, of March 10, 1983. 
(5) OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING.—The term 
‘‘ocean and coastal mapping’’ means the acquisition, 
processing, and management of physical, biological, 
geological, chemical, and archaeological characteris-
tics and boundaries of ocean and coastal areas, re-
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sources, and sea beds through the use of acoustics, sat-
ellites, aerial photogrammetry, light and imaging, di-
rect sampling, and other mapping technologies. 
(6) TERRITORIAL
SEA.—The term ‘‘territorial 
sea’’ means the belt of sea measured from the baseline 
of the United States determined in accordance with 
international law, as set forth in Presidential Procla-
mation Number 5928, dated December 27, 1988. 
(7) NONGOVERNMENTAL
ENTITIES.—The term 
‘‘nongovernmental entities’’ includes nongovernmental 
organizations, members of the academic community, 
and private sector organizations that provide prod-
ucts and services associated with measuring, locating, 
and preparing maps, charts, surveys, aerial photo-
graphs, satellite imagines, or other graphical or dig-
ital presentations depicting natural or manmade 
physical features, phenomena, and legal boundaries of 
the Earth. 
(8) OUTER
CONTINENTAL
SHELF.—The term 
‘‘Outer Continental Shelf’’ means all submerged lands 
lying seaward and outside of lands beneath navigable 
waters (as that term is defined in section 2 of the 
Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1301)), and of 
which the subsoil and seabed appertain to the United 
States and are subject to its jurisdiction and control.
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Subtitle C—Integrated Coastal and 
Ocean Observation System Act of 
2009 
SEC. 12301. SHORT TITLE. 
This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘Integrated Coastal 
and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009’’. 
SEC. 12302. PURPOSES. 
The purposes of this subtitle are to— 
(1) establish a national integrated System of 
ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observing systems, 
comprised of Federal and non-Federal components co-
ordinated at the national level by the National Ocean 
Research Leadership Council and at the regional level 
by a network of regional information coordination en-
tities, and that includes in situ, remote, and other 
coastal and ocean observation, technologies, and data 
management and communication systems, and is de-
signed to address regional and national needs for 
ocean information, to gather specific data on key 
coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes variables, and to en-
sure timely and sustained dissemination and avail-
ability of these data to— 
(A) support national defense, marine com-
merce, navigation safety, weather, climate, and 
marine forecasting, energy siting and produc-
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mosphere dynamics, global climate change, physical, 
chemical, and biological dynamics of the ocean, coast-
al and Great Lakes environments, and to conserve 
healthy and restore degraded coastal ecosystems. 
SEC. 12303. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
(1) 
ADMINISTRATOR.—The 
term 
‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Under Secretary of Commerce for 
Oceans and Atmosphere in the Under Secretary’s ca-
pacity as Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration. 
(2) COUNCIL.—The term ‘‘Council’’ means the 
National Ocean Research Leadership Council estab-
lished by section 7902 of title 10, United States Code. 
(3) FEDERAL ASSETS.—The term ‘‘Federal as-
sets’’ means all relevant non-classified civilian coastal 
and ocean observations, technologies, and related mod-
eling, research, data management, basic and applied 
technology research and development, and public edu-
cation and outreach programs, that are managed by 
member agencies of the Council. 
(4) INTERAGENCY
OCEAN
OBSERVATION
COM-
MITTEE.—The term ‘‘Interagency Ocean Observation 
Committee’’ means the committee established under 
section 12304(c)(2).
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(5) NON-FEDERAL ASSETS.—The term ‘‘non-Fed-
eral assets’’ means all relevant coastal and ocean ob-
servation technologies, related basic and applied tech-
nology research and development, and public edu-
cation and outreach programs that are integrated 
into the System and are managed through States, re-
gional organizations, universities, nongovernmental 
organizations, or the private sector. 
(6) REGIONAL INFORMATION COORDINATION EN-
TITIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘regional in-
formation coordination entity’’ means an orga-
nizational body that is certified or established by 
contract or memorandum by the lead Federal 
agency designated in section 12304(c)(3) of this 
subtitle and coordinates State, Federal, local, 
and private interests at a regional level with the 
responsibility of engaging the private and public 
sectors in designing, operating, and improving 
regional coastal and ocean observing systems in 
order to ensure the provision of data and infor-
mation that meet the needs of user groups from 
the respective regions. 
(B) CERTAIN
INCLUDED
ASSOCIATIONS.— 
The term ‘‘regional information coordination en-
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tity’’ includes regional associations described in 
the System Plan. 
(7) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
(8) SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘System’’ means the Na-
tional Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation Sys-
tem established under section 12304. 
(9) SYSTEM
PLAN.—The term ‘‘System Plan’’ 
means the plan contained in the document entitled 
‘‘Ocean. US Publication No. 9, The First Integrated 
Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Development Plan’’, 
as updated by the Council under this subtitle. 
SEC. 12304. INTEGRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN OBSERVING 
SYSTEM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The President, acting through 
the Council, shall establish a National Integrated Coastal 
and Ocean Observation System to fulfill the purposes set 
forth in section 12302 of this subtitle and the System Plan 
and to fulfill the Nation’s international obligations to con-
tribute to the Global Earth Observation System of Systems 
and the Global Ocean Observing System. 
(b) SYSTEM ELEMENTS.—
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(1) IN GENERAL.—In order to fulfill the purposes 
of this subtitle, the System shall be national in scope 
and consist of— 
(A) Federal assets to fulfill national and 
international observation missions and prior-
ities; 
(B) non-Federal assets, including a network 
of regional information coordination entities 
identified under subsection (c)(4), to fulfill re-
gional observation missions and priorities; 
(C) data management, communication, and 
modeling systems for the timely integration and 
dissemination of data and information products 
from the System; 
(D) a research and development program 
conducted under the guidance of the Council, 
consisting of— 
(i) basic and applied research and 
technology development to improve under-
standing of coastal and ocean systems and 
their relationships to human activities and 
to ensure improvement of operational assets 
and products, including related infrastruc-
ture, observing technologies, and informa-
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tion and data processing and management 
technologies; and 
(ii) large scale computing resources 
and research to advance modeling of coastal 
and ocean processes. 
(2) ENHANCING ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGE-
MENT.—The head of each Federal agency that has ad-
ministrative jurisdiction over a Federal asset shall 
support the purposes of this subtitle and may take ap-
propriate actions to enhance internal agency admin-
istration and management to better support, inte-
grate, finance, and utilize observation data, products, 
and services developed under this section to further its 
own agency mission and responsibilities. 
(3) AVAILABILITY OF DATA.—The head of each 
Federal agency that has administrative jurisdiction 
over a Federal asset shall make available data that 
are produced by that asset and that are not otherwise 
restricted for integration, management, and dissemi-
nation by the System. 
(4) NON-FEDERAL ASSETS.—Non-Federal assets 
shall be coordinated, as appropriate, by the Inter-
agency Ocean Observing Committee or by regional in-
formation coordination entities.
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(c) POLICY OVERSIGHT, ADMINISTRATION, AND RE-
GIONAL COORDINATION.— 
(1) COUNCIL
FUNCTIONS.—The Council shall 
serve as the policy and coordination oversight body 
for all aspects of the System. In carrying out its re-
sponsibilities under this subtitle, the Council shall— 
(A) approve and adopt comprehensive Sys-
tem budgets developed and maintained by the 
Interagency Ocean Observation Committee to 
support System operations, including operations 
of both Federal and non-Federal assets; 
(B) ensure coordination of the System with 
other domestic and international earth observing 
activities including the Global Ocean Observing 
System and the Global Earth Observing System 
of Systems, and provide, as appropriate, support 
for and representation on United States delega-
tions to international meetings on coastal and 
ocean observing programs; and 
(C) encourage coordinated intramural and 
extramural research and technology development, 
and a process to transition developing technology 
and methods into operations of the System. 
(2) INTERAGENCY
OCEAN
OBSERVATION
COM-
MITTEE.—The Council shall establish or designate an