IB 
Union Calendar No. 271 
112TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 2484 
[Report No. 112–333, Part I] 
To reauthorize the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control 
Act of 1998 to include a comprehensive and integrated strategy to 
address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, to provide for the development 
and implementation of a comprehensive research plan and action strategy 
to reduce harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 11, 2011 
Mr. HARRIS (for himself, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. MICHAUD, Mr. GRIJALVA, 
Ms. PINGREE of Maine, and Mr. MACK) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, 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 consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
DECEMBER 16, 2011 
Reported from the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology with an 
amendment 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
DECEMBER 16, 2011 
Referral to the Committee on Natural Resources extended for a period ending 
not later than February 9, 2012 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:00 Feb 09, 2012
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6652
E:\BILLS\H2484.RH
H2484
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
FEBRUARY 9, 2012 
Additional sponsors: Mr. BARTLETT, Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Mr. DEFAZIO, 
and Mr. YOUNG of Florida 
FEBRUARY 9, 2012 
The Committee on Natural Resources discharged; committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be 
printed 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on July 11, 2011] 
A BILL 
To reauthorize the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Re-
search and Control Act of 1998 to include a comprehen-
sive and integrated strategy to address harmful algal 
blooms and hypoxia, to provide for the development and 
implementation of a comprehensive research plan and 
action strategy to reduce harmful algal blooms and hy-
poxia, and for other purposes. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:00 Feb 09, 2012
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6652
E:\BILLS\H2484.RH
H2484
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Harmful Algal Bloom 
and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 
2011’’. 
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT OF HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HY-
POXIA RESEARCH AND CONTROL ACT OF 1998. 
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in 
this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of 
an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, 
the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or 
other provision of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia 
Research and Control Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 1451 note). 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
Section 602 is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 602. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘In this title: 
‘‘(1) 
ADMINISTRATOR.—The 
term 
‘Adminis-
trator’ means the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency. 
‘‘(2) NOAA.—The term ‘NOAA’ means the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:00 Feb 09, 2012
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2484.RH
H2484
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(3) PLAN.—The term ‘Plan’ means the com-
prehensive research plan and action strategy under 
section 605. 
‘‘(4) PROGRAM.—The term ‘Program’ means the 
National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Pro-
gram under section 604(a). 
‘‘(5) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means each of the 
several States of the United States, the District of Co-
lumbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the 
United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American 
Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands, any other territory or possession of the 
United States, and any Indian tribe. 
‘‘(6) TASK
FORCE.—The term ‘Task Force’ 
means the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal 
Blooms and Hypoxia under section 603(a)(1). 
‘‘(7) UNDER SECRETARY.—The term ‘Under Sec-
retary’ means the Under Secretary of Commerce for 
Oceans and Atmosphere.’’. 
SEC. 4. INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE. 
Section 603(a) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The President, through 
the Committee on Environment and Natural Re-
sources of the National Science and Technology Coun-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:00 Feb 09, 2012
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2484.RH
H2484
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Task Force shall 
meet, or otherwise communicate, to coordinate 
activities within each agency represented on the 
Task Force in order to fulfill the program re-
quirements in section 604(b). 
‘‘(B) FREQUENCY.—The Task Force shall 
meet at least once per year. 
‘‘(5) BUDGET COORDINATION.—The Task Force 
shall— 
‘‘(A) coordinate in the development of indi-
vidual agency budgets for the activities described 
in section 604 that will ensure an appropriate 
balance among the research and action prior-
ities; and 
‘‘(B) submit such budgets to the Director of 
the Office of Management and Budget at the 
time designated by the Director for agencies to 
submit annual budgets.’’. 
SEC. 5. NATIONAL HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HYPOXIA 
PROGRAM. 
The Act is amended— 
(1) by redesignating sections 605 and 606 as sec-
tions 608 and 609, respectively; 
(2) by redesignating section 604 as section 606; 
and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:00 Feb 09, 2012
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2484.RH
H2484
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(3) by inserting after section 603 the following: 
‘‘SEC. 604. NATIONAL HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HY-
POXIA PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(d), the Under Secretary, through the Task Force, shall 
maintain a National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia 
Program in accordance with authorities under section 603 
pursuant to this section. 
‘‘(b) DUTIES.—The Under Secretary, through the Pro-
gram, shall coordinate the efforts of the Task Force to— 
‘‘(1) develop and promote a national strategy to 
understand, detect, monitor, predict, control, mitigate, 
and respond to marine and freshwater harmful algal 
bloom and hypoxia events; 
‘‘(2) integrate the research of all Federal pro-
grams, including ocean and Great Lakes science and 
management programs and centers, that address the 
chemical, biological, and physical components of ma-
rine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hy-
poxia; 
‘‘(3) assist and coordinate, where appropriate, 
with State, tribal, and local government agencies, 
programs, and regional efforts that address marine 
and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, in-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:00 Feb 09, 2012
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2484.RH
H2484
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
cluding the development and implementation of ap-
propriate response plans, strategies, and tools; 
‘‘(4) identify additional research, development, 
and demonstration needs and priorities relating to 
understanding, detection, monitoring, prediction, pre-
vention, control, mitigation, and response to marine 
and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; 
‘‘(5) ensure the development and use of methods 
and technologies to protect the ecosystems affected by 
marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hy-
poxia; 
‘‘(6) encourage the appropriate exchange of re-
search information with other countries in order to 
better mitigate, control, and respond to marine and 
freshwater harmful algal blooms; 
‘‘(7) coordinate existing education programs to 
improve public understanding and awareness of the 
causes, impacts, and mitigation efforts for marine 
and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; 
‘‘(8) provide resources to assist in the training of 
State, tribal, and local water and coastal resource 
managers in the methods and technologies for detect-
ing, monitoring, controlling, mitigating, and respond-
ing to the effects of marine and freshwater harmful 
algal bloom and hypoxia events; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:00 Feb 09, 2012
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2484.RH
H2484
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(9) oversee the development, review, and peri-
odic updating of the Plan; 
‘‘(10) administer peer-reviewed, merit-based, 
competitive grant funding to support— 
‘‘(A) the projects maintained and estab-
lished by the Program; and 
‘‘(B) the research and management needs 
and priorities identified in the Plan; and 
‘‘(11) encourage the development of innovative 
concepts for the beneficial utilization of— 
‘‘(A) biomass from harmful algal blooms 
that have been removed from the natural system; 
and 
‘‘(B) the growth of certain biofuel crops that 
reduce runoff that causes harmful algal blooms. 
‘‘(c) COOPERATIVE EFFORTS.—The Under Secretary 
shall work cooperatively and avoid duplication of efforts 
with other offices, centers, and programs within NOAA and 
other agencies represented on the Task Force, States, tribes, 
and nongovernmental organizations concerned with marine 
and freshwater aquatic issues related to harmful algal 
blooms and hypoxia. 
‘‘(d) FRESHWATER PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—With respect to the fresh-
water aspects of the Program, the Administrator and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:00 Feb 09, 2012
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2484.RH
H2484
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
the Under Secretary, through the Task Force, shall 
carry out the duties otherwise assigned to the Under 
Secretary under this section, excluding the activities 
described in subsection (e). 
‘‘(2) PARTICIPATION.—The Administrator’s par-
ticipation under this subsection shall include— 
‘‘(A) research on the ecology of freshwater 
harmful algal blooms; 
‘‘(B) monitoring of and event response to 
freshwater harmful algal blooms in lakes, rivers, 
estuaries (including their tributaries), and res-
ervoirs; and 
‘‘(C) mitigation and control of freshwater 
harmful algal blooms. 
‘‘(3) 
NONDUPLICATION.—The 
Administrator 
shall ensure that activities carried out under this Act 
shall focus on new approaches to addressing fresh-
water harmful algal blooms and are not duplicative 
of existing research and development programs au-
thorized by this or any other Act. 
‘‘(4) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of the Harmful Algal Bloom and 
Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 
2011, the Administrator shall prepare and transmit 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
22:00 Feb 09, 2012
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H2484.RH
H2484
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with BILLS