sessions of the United States with a representa-
tive on the Council under subsection (a) as is 
necessary to comply with paragraph (2). 
(c) PROCEDURES.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), each Council shall operate in accordance 
with procedures established by the Council and ap-
proved by the Administrator. 
(2) INTERIM PROCEDURES.—Each Council shall 
operate in accordance with interim procedures pre-
scribed by the Administrator until such time as the 
Administrator approves procedures established by 
the Council under paragraph (1). 
(3) REQUIRED
PROCEDURES.—The Adminis-
trator shall prescribe requirements for approval of 
procedures under paragraph (1), and interim proce-
dures for purposes of paragraph (2), including such 
requirements and interim procedures that address—
(A) issues of transparency in decision mak-
ing; and 
(B) opportunities for public comment. 
(d) STAFF.—
(1) HIRING
AUTHORITY.—Each Council may 
hire such staff as is necessary to perform the func-
tions of the Council.
(2) TREATMENT.—Staff hired by a Council 
shall be treated as employees of the Administration. 
(e) CONSIDERATION
OF
OTHER
REGIONAL
EF-
FORTS.—In performing functions under this title, each 
Council shall—
(1) to the extent practicable and consistent with 
other provisions of this Act, consider and build on 
other efforts within the region relating to the eco-
logically sustainable management of United States 
ocean waters, including regional ocean observing 
programs and restoration projects; and 
(2) in cases in which marine ecosystem health 
may be better ensured by activities at a scale larger 
or smaller than the ocean region of the Council, 
make every effort to consider and support such ac-
tivities. 
(f) INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION.—Each Council is 
encouraged to foster non-binding relationships with for-
eign governments, agencies, States, provinces, and other 
entities as appropriate, at scales appropriate to the region 
under the authority of the Council, including by providing 
opportunities for non-voting participation by foreign rep-
resentatives at meetings of the Council, its advisory com-
mittees, and other working groups.
SEC. 704. REGIONAL OCEAN ECOSYSTEM PLANS. 
(a) REQUIREMENT.—Each Regional Ocean Council 
shall, within 5 years after the establishment of the Coun-
cil, prepare and submit to the Administrator a Regional 
Ocean Ecosystem Plan for the ocean region under the au-
thority of the Council. 
(b) CONTENTS.—Each Regional Ocean Ecosystem 
Plan prepared under this section shall include, at a min-
imum, provisions that accomplish the following with re-
spect to the ocean region for which it is prepared: 
(1) Provide guidance for implementing eco-
system-based management of all United States 
ocean waters. 
(2) Assess the history and state of the ocean re-
gion, including the health of marine ecosystems 
within the ocean region. 
(3) Identify the key threats to marine eco-
system health and describe ways to address those 
threats. 
(4) Identify gaps in knowledge and information 
that would inform ecosystem-based management. 
(5) Prioritize research and conservation efforts 
needed, including research and conservation carried 
out by the Administration.
(6) Provide for the development and monitoring 
of criteria and indicators, as described in section 
202, of the health of marine ecosystems. 
(7) Establish clear and measurable manage-
ment and restoration goals for marine ecosystem 
health. 
(8) Provide for the development and implemen-
tation of enforceable policies to protect, maintain, 
and restore marine ecosystem health. 
(9) Comply with the national standards and 
policy under section 201. 
(10) Assign clear roles and responsibilities re-
garding efforts to protect, maintain, and restore ma-
rine ecosystem health. 
(11) Coordinate with existing ecosystem-based 
management efforts within the ocean region. 
(c) REVIEW OF PLANS.—
(1) REVIEW BY ADMINISTRATOR.—Upon sub-
mission by a Council to the Administrator of a Re-
gional Ocean Ecosystem Plan or amendment to such 
a plan, the Administrator shall—
(A) immediately commence a review of the 
plan or amendment to determine whether it is 
consistent with the national standards, the