protect the interests of the United States, including
the following:
‘‘(A) 
RECORDS.—The 
recipient 
of 
the
grant—
‘‘(i) must keep such records as the Sec-
retary shall require as being necessary and
appropriate for disclosing the use made of
grant funds; and
‘‘(ii) shall allow the Secretary and the
Comptroller General of the United States, or
any of their authorized representatives, ac-
cess to such records for purposes of audit
and examination.
‘‘(B) AMOUNT OF GRANT.—The amount of a
grant may not be less than 50 percent of the esti-
mated cost of the project.
‘‘(C) PERIOD OF GRANT.—A grant may not
provide funding for more than 2 years from the
date of the release of the funds to the grantee.
‘‘(D) STATUS REPORT.—The recipient of a
grant shall submit annually to the Secretary a
project status report. The Secretary may not re-
lease funds to the recipient for any subsequent
period of funding for that grant or for any other
grant to that recipient made by the Secretary
under this subsection until the Secretary receives
that report.’’.
(b) APPLICATION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), the amendments made by this section
apply to fiscal years beginning after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(2) LIST
OF
REGIONAL
PRIORITIES.—Notwith-
standing section 2(c)(2)(C) of the Act of August 11,
1939, as amended by subsection (a)(2) of this section,
the list of priorities referred to in that section for the
first fiscal year beginning after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act is not required to be based on prior-
ities recommended under paragraph (3)(F) of that
section.
TITLE III—ADMINISTRATION
AND OTHER ACCOUNTS
SEC. 301. PROGRAM SUPPORT.
(a) EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND ADMINISTRATIVE AC-
TIVITIES.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of Commerce, to enable the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration to carry out executive direc-
tion and administrative activities under the Act of 1970
and any other law involving those activities, $25,000,000
for fiscal year 1995 and $25,900,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(b) SYSTEMS ACQUISITION OFFICE.—There are au-
thorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce,
to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration to operate and maintain the Systems Acquisition
Office under the Act of 1970, $1,100,000 for fiscal year 1995
and $1,140,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(c) CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.—There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce,
to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration to carry out central administrative support activi-
ties under the Act of 1970 and any other law involving those
activities, $38,000,000 for fiscal year 1995 and $39,368,000
for fiscal year 1996.
(d) RETIRED PAY.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary of Commerce, for retired pay for
retired commissioned officers of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration under the Act of 1970,
$7,706,000 for fiscal year 1995 and $7,983,000 for fiscal
year 1996.
(e) MARINE SERVICES.—There are authorized to be ap-
propriated to the Secretary of Commerce, to enable the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry
out marine services activities (including ship operations,
maintenance, and support) under the Act of 1947 and any
other law involving those activities, $63,508,000 for fiscal
year 1995 and $65,794,000 for fiscal year 1996.
TITLE IV—MISCELLANEOUS
NOAA PROGRAMS
SEC. 401. NAUTICAL PRODUCTS.
(a) DEPOSIT AND USE OF RECEIPTS FROM NAUTICAL
PRODUCTS.—Notwithstanding section 1307(b) of title 44,
United States Code, one-sixth of the fees collected each fiscal
year from the sale of nautical products by the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration and from any licens-
ing of those products by the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration which is authorized by law—
(1) shall be deposited into the Operations, Re-
search, and Facilities account of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration; and
(2) shall be available to the Secretary of Com-
merce, in the manner provided for under section
312(d) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, only
for the acquisition and installation of Physical Ocean
Real-Time Systems, the acquisition and maintenance
of upgraded hydrographic survey equipment, and
other National Ocean Service activities directly relat-
ed to the modernization and improvement of mari-
time safety.
(b) BUDGETARY TREATMENT OF RECEIPTS FROM NAU-
TICAL PRODUCTS.—Amounts deposited and available to the
Secretary of Commerce under subsection (a)(1) and (2)—
(1) shall not be considered to be offsetting re-
ceipts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration or the Department of Commerce; and
(2) shall not be available for administrative costs
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion or the Department of Commerce.
(c) DEPLOYMENT OF PHYSICAL OCEAN REAL TIME
SYSTEM.—No later than 270 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall deploy,
in Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel a Phys-
ical Ocean Real Time System consisting, at a minimum,
of current, wind, tide, salinity, and water level measuring
devices and necessary computer links.
SEC. 402. USE OF OCEAN RESEARCH RESOURCES OF OTHER
FEDERAL AGENCIES.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds the following:
(1) Changes in the defense needs of the United
States have redefined the status of many defense-relat-
ed assets.
(2) Observing, monitoring, and predicting the
ocean environment has been a high priority for the
defense community to support ocean operations.
(3) Many advances in ocean research have been
made by the defense community which could be
shared with civilian researchers.
(4) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration’s missions to describe and predict the
ocean environment, manage the Nation’s ocean and
coastal resources, and promote stewardship of the
world’s oceans would benefit from increased coopera-
tion with defense agencies.
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of the Con-
gress that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration should expand its efforts to develop interagency
agreements to further the use of defense-related technologies,
data, and other resources to support its oceanic missions.
(c) REPORT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Commerce shall submit to the Committee on Merchant
Marine and Fisheries of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Trans-
portation of the Senate a report on the feasibility of
expanding the use of defense-related technologies,
data, and other resources to support and enhance the
oceanic missions of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration.
(2) CONTENTS.—The report required under
paragraph (1) shall include—
(A) a detailed listing of defense-related re-
sources currently available to the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration and the
National Ocean and Atmospheric Administra-
tion missions which utilize those resources;
(B) detailed findings and recommendations,
including funding requirements, on the potential
for expanding the use of available defense-related
resources;
(C) a detailed listing and funding history of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration resources, including data and technology,
which could be supplemented by defense-related
resources;
(D) a listing of currently unavailable de-
fense-related resources, including data and tech-
nology, which if made available would enhance
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration mission performance;
(E) recommendations on the regulatory and
legislative structures needed to maximize the use
of defense-related resources;
(F) an assessment of the respective roles in
the use of defense-related resources of the Corps,
data centers, operational centers, and research
facilities of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration; and
(G) recommendations on how to provide ac-
cess to relevant defense-related data for non-Fed-
eral scientific users.
SEC. 403. NAUTICAL CHARTING MODERNIZATION AND IM-
PROVEMENT.
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 270 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce
shall submit to the Committee on Merchant Marine and
Fisheries of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
a report on the status of National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration programs related to marine navigation
safety.
(b) CONTENTS.—The study under subsection (a) shall
include the funding history of navigation-related programs
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
adjusted for inflation, over at least the last 10 fiscal years,
and detailed findings and recommendations on the follow-
ing:
(1) The missions and objectives of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s naviga-
tion-related programs, including the statutory or
other authorities that enable or require the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to conduct
those programs.
(2) The technological, financial, or other factors
that limit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration’s ability to modernize its navigation-re-
lated programs.
(3) Near-term actions, without regard to finan-
cial constraints, that are required to enable the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to
address critical deficiencies in its navigation-related
programs.
(4) Actions that need to be taken to allow the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to
fulfill its navigation-related responsibilities into the
21st century.
(5) A comparison of the resources and activities
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion’s navigation-related programs with those of other
Federal agencies supporting the United States mari-
time infrastructure.
(6) Past organizational changes within the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and
foreseeable future organizational changes that have af-
fected, or would affect, the ability of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration to provide
navigation-related services.
SEC. 404. WEST COAST GROUNDFISH LABORATORY.
In selecting a site for placement of a replacement for
the National Marine Fisheries Service Lab at Tiburon,
California, the Secretary of Commerce shall take into ac-
count the following factors:
(1) The proximity of sites considered to—
(A) groundfish fisheries, salmon fisheries,
and other unique marine study areas;
(B) academic and private research institu-
tions which conduct relevant marine habitat and
environmental research;
(C) other National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration research and management
elements; and
(D) other Federal, State, and private ma-
rine related research facilities.
(2) The ability of the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration to retain current staff.
(3) The relative construction and operation costs,
including the potential for colocation with other Fed-
eral facilities.
SEC. 405. MARINE SANCTUARIES FACILITIES.
Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall report to the
Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate on needs of the
Department of Commerce for facilities (including real prop-
erty for facilities) for the National Marine Sanctuary Pro-
gram established under the National Marine Sanctuaries
Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.).
SEC. 406. SAN FRANCISCO BAY PORT SYSTEM.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Commerce (here-
inafter in this section referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall
establish for San Francisco Bay in accordance with this
section the safe navigation system known as the Physical
Ocean Real Time System (known, and hereinafter in this
section referred to, as the ‘‘PORT System’’), after comple-
tion of implementation of section 401(c).
(b) STUDY.—After completion of implementation of
section 401(c), and not later than 1 year after the date of
that 
completion, 
the 
Secretary 
shall 
conduct 
a
hydrodynamics modeling study of San Francisco Bay to
determine the appropriate technology and equipment and
the effective placement of instruments for the establishment
of the PORT System for San Francisco Bay.
(c) IMPLEMENTATION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after
the completion of the study under subsection (b), the
Secretary, in consultation with the State of Califor-
nia Office of Oil Spill Prevention and Response and
subject to paragraph (2), shall acquire, install, and
activate appropriate equipment to establish an oper-
ational PORT System for San Francisco Bay.
(2) CONDITION.—The Secretary may not take
any action under paragraph (1) unless the State of
California Office has provided to the Secretary ade-
quate assurances that the State will fund the oper-
ation and maintenance of the PORT System for San
Francisco Bay after its installation.
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out
this section a total of $4,200,000 for fiscal years 1995 and
1996.
SEC. 407. CONVEYANCE OF NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES
SERVICE LABORATORY AT GLOUCESTER, MAS-
SACHUSETTS.
(a) CONVEYANCE REQUIRED.—
(A) the term of the memorandum of under-
standing is for a period of not longer than 5
years beginning on the date of enactment of this
Act; and
(B) the square footage of the space to be oc-
cupied by the National Marine Fisheries Service
does not conflict with the needs of, and is agree-
able to, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(c) REVERSIONARY INTEREST.—All right, title, and
interest in and to all property conveyed under this section
shall revert to the United States on the date on which the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts uses any of the property
for any purpose other than the Commonwealth of Massachu-
setts Division of Marine Fisheries resource management
program.
SEC. 408. REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding section 3302 (b)
and (c) of title 31, United States Code, and subject to sub-
section (b) of this section, all amounts received by the Unit-
ed States in settlement of, or judgment for, damage claims
arising from the October 9, 1992, allision of the vessel
ZACHERY into the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration research vessel DISCOVERER—
(1) shall be retained as an offsetting collection in
the Fleet Modernization, Shipbuilding, and Conver-
sion account of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration;
(2) shall be deposited in that account upon re-
ceipt by the United States Government; and
(3) shall be available only for obligation for Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ves-
sel repairs.
(b) LIMITATION.—Not more than $518,757.09 of the
amounts referred to in subsection (a) may be deposited into
the Fleet Modernization, Shipbuilding, and Conversion ac-
count pursuant to subsection (a).
SEC. 409. NOAA FLEET MODERNIZATION.
(a) AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may enter into
only the following contracts in fiscal years 1995 and
1996 to implement the Plan:
(A) Repairs to extend the service life of the
R/V DISCOVERER.
(B) Construction of a medium endurance
oceanographic research vessel.
(C) A service life extension of the R/V
DELAWARE II.
(D) Conversion of a T–AGOS vessel for
oceanographic research.
(E) Construction of a coastal/low endurance
vessel for living marine research.
(F) Leasing to fulfill any NOAA mission re-
quirements.
(G) Necessary repairs to and maintenance
of any vessel in the NOAA fleet, subject to sub-
section (b).
(H) Necessary requirements, designs, and
specifications for future vessel repair, conversion,
construction, or lease.
(2) CONTRACT
DEFINED.—Section 602 of the
NOAA Fleet Modernization Act (33 U.S.C. 891) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(6) ‘contract’ means any contract or other
agreement for the construction, conversion, lease,
chartering, service life extension, or repair or mainte-
nance of any vessel of the NOAA fleet, and provision
of related equipment, including the development of
any necessary requirement, design, or specification.
The term includes contracts entered into on behalf of
the Secretary by another Federal department, agency,
or instrumentality, if the vessel which is the subject
of the contract will be operated by or for the benefit
of the Department of Commerce.’’.
(b) LIMITATION ON EXPENDITURES FOR REPAIRS AND
MAINTENANCE.—Notwithstanding any other law, of the
total amount appropriated for fiscal years 1991 through
1996 to the Fleet Modernization, Shipbuilding, and Conver-
sion account of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration, not more than 20 percent may be expended
by the Secretary for repairs and maintenance of vessels in
the NOAA fleet.
(c) LEASING AND CONTRACTS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall for each
of fiscal years 1995 and 1996, enter into contracts,
including service contracts, under the NOAA Fleet
Modernization Act (33 U.S.C. 891 et seq.) to use Uni-
versity-National Oceanographic Laboratory System
or non-Federal vessels.
(2) 
AMOUNT
SUBJECT
TO
OBLIGATION.—
Amounts subject to obligation under paragraph (1)
shall be, for each fiscal year, the greater of $6,000,000
or 10 percent of the amounts appropriated to the
Fleet Modernization, Shipbuilding, and Conversion
account for fiscal years 1995 and 1996.
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section each of the terms
‘‘contract’’, ‘‘NOAA’’, ‘‘NOAA fleet’’, ‘‘Plan’’, and ‘‘Sec-
retary’’ has the meaning given to that term in section 602
of the NOAA Fleet Modernization Act (33 U.S.C. 891), as
amended by this section.
SEC. 410. STUDY OF NOAA CORPS.
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Commerce shall, subject
to the availability of appropriations, contract with the Ma-
rine Board of the National Research Council to examine
and report to the Secretary on the appropriate role of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps
in supporting NOAA missions. In particular, the Marine
Board shall—
(1) examine whether there is a continued need
for a uniformed service to operate the NOAA fleet, fly
weather observations, conduct hydrographic surveys,
manage national marine sanctuaries, conduct NOAA
research, and participate in other NOAA activities;
(2) examine the role of the NOAA Corps in mod-
ernizing the NOAA fleet and the involvement of the
NOAA Corps in obtaining efficient, effective, low-cost
ship support of NOAA missions;
(3) compare the full costs of utilizing the services
of the NOAA Corps compared to civilian employees in
similar positions; and
(4) determine whether adequately trained civil-
ian employees are available to fill NOAA Corps posi-
tions.
(b) DEADLINE.—No later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall
submit the report of the Marine Board under subsection (a)
to the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the definitions in
section 409(d) apply.
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce
to carry out this section a total of $100,000 for fiscal years
1995 and 1996, to remain available until expended.
SEC. 411. UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration a program
to be known as the National Undersea Research Program.
(b) PROGRAM PURPOSE.—The National Undersea Re-
search Program shall develop, maintain, and conduct un-
dersea research programs to enhance the understanding of
processes in the oceans, coastal areas, and large lakes of the
world through the use and development of undersea tech-
nologies.
(c) CENTER FOR GULF OF MEXICO REGION.—
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Commerce shall establish and maintain, at
a qualified public institution, a National Undersea
Research Program center for the Gulf of Mexico to
carry out the National Undersea Research Program
for the Gulf of Mexico region.
(2) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this sub-
section, ‘‘qualified public institution’’ means a public
institution or consortium of public institutions of
higher education—
(A) located directly on the coastline of, or
having direct access to, the Gulf of Mexico, and
proximate to the Flower Garden Banks National
Marine Sanctuary;
(B) with strong undergraduate and grad-
uate programs in engineering, science, and tech-
nology as they may apply to undersea research;
(C) with nationally-recognized programs in
marine science and maritime studies, including
the presence of a degree-granting maritime acad-
emy;
(D) with facilities for maintaining and op-
erating research and other vessels appropriate for
deployment of equipment necessary to conduct
undersea research;
(E) with faculty and other personnel with
expertise in undersea research;
(F) which maintains cooperative institu-
tional relationships with Federal agencies re-
sponsible for research work in the Gulf of Mexico
and along the Gulf of Mexico coast;
(G) which participates in cooperative un-
dersea research programs with Mexico; and
(H) has received funding for undersea re-
search from the Secretary in the past.
(3) LIMITATION.—In carrying out this sub-
section, the Secretary of Commerce shall not reduce
amounts available for carrying out the Memorandum
of Agreement Concerning Support of a National Aca-
demic Deep Submergence Facility of Scientific Use.
SEC. 412. REPORT ON RESEARCH AND EFFECTS OF CLI-
MATE AND GLOBAL CHANGE ON FRESHWATER
SYSTEMS.
Within 60 days after the date of submission of the
President’s budget request for each of fiscal years 1996 and
1997, the Secretary of Commerce shall submit a report to
the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, on—
(1) the amount of funds allocated and the activi-
ties supported for research on the effects of climate
and global change on the Nation’s major freshwater
systems, including international commitments;
(2) the criteria used in determining those alloca-
tions and in selecting those activities; and
(3) specific proposed agency plans for imple-
menting research programs and activities to evaluate
the effects of climate and global change on the Na-
tion’s major freshwater systems.
SEC. 413. PROMOTION AND COORDINATION OF NATIONAL
ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVES.
The Secretary of Commerce shall take such action as
is necessary and reasonable to promote and coordinate the
use of National Estuarine Research Reserves for research,
monitoring, and education purposes. Such action may in-
clude consulting with Federal agencies, States, local govern-
ments, regional agencies, interstate agencies, or other per-
sons to promote use of one or more such reserves for re-
search, monitoring, and education, including coordination
with the National Marine Sanctuaries Program.
SEC. 414. STUDY ON EFFECTS OF DOLPHIN FEEDING.
(a) STUDY.—The Secretary of Commerce shall conduct
a study on the effects of feeding noncaptive dolphins in the
Gulf of Mexico and Southern Atlantic Ocean. The study
shall consider the potential impacts on the behavior or gen-
eral health of wild populations of dolphins resulting from
this feeding.
(b) USE OF THE STUDY.—The Secretary of Commerce
shall use the results of the study required under subsection
(a) in determining whether and under what conditions feed-
ing noncaptive dolphins may be authorized.
(c) REPORT.—Within 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Commit-
tee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate a report on the results of the
study.
SEC. 415. FLOWER GARDEN BANKS BOUNDARY MODIFICA-
TION.
(a) MODIFICATION.—Notwithstanding section 304 of
the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1434), the
boundaries of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine
Sanctuary, as designated by Public Law 102–251, are
amended to include the area described in subsection (d),
popularly known as Stetson Bank. This area shall be part
of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
and shall be managed and regulated as though it had been
designated by the Secretary of Commerce under the Na-
tional Marine Sanctuaries Act.
(b) DEPICTION
OF SANCTUARY BOUNDARIES.—The
Secretary of Commerce shall—
(1) prepare a chart depicting the boundaries of
the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanc-
tuary, as modified by this section; and
(2) submit copies of this chart to the Committee
on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
(c) APPLICATION OF REGULATIONS.—Regulations is-
sued by the Secretary of Commerce to implement the des-
ignation of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine
Sanctuary shall apply to the area described in subsection
(d), unless modified by the Secretary. This subsection shall
take effect 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
(d) AREA DESCRIBED.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), the area referred to in subsections (a), (b),
and (c) is the area that is—
(A) generally depicted on the Department of
the Interior, Minerals Management Service map
titled ‘‘Western Gulf of Mexico, Lease Sale 143,
September 1993, Biologically Sensitive Areas,
Map 3 of 3, Final’’;
(B) labeled ‘‘Stetson’’ on the High Island
Area South Addition diagram on that map; and
(C) within the 52 meter isobath.
(2) MINOR BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS.—The Sec-
retary of Commerce may make minor adjustments to
the boundaries of the area described in paragraph (1)
as necessary to protect the living coral resources of
Stetson Bank or to simplify administration of the
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.
(e) PUBLICATION OF NOTICE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Commerce
shall, as soon as practicable after the date of the en-
actment of this Act, publish in the Federal Register
a notice describing—
(A) the boundaries of the Flower Garden
Banks National Marine Sanctuary, as modified
by this section, and
(B) any modification of regulations appli-
cable to that Sanctuary that are necessary to im-
plement that modification of the boundaries of
the Sanctuary.
(2) TREATMENT AS NOTICE REQUIRED UNDER
NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES ACT.—A notice pub-
lished under paragraph (1) shall be considered to be
the notice required to be published under section
304(b)(1) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16
U.S.C. 1434).
SEC. 416. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO NATIONAL COASTAL
RESOURCES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
INSTITUTE.
(a) ADMINISTRATION OF INSTITUTE.—Section 201(a)
of the Act entitled ‘‘An Act to authorize appropriations to
carry out the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 for
fiscal years 1985 through 1988, and for other purposes’’ (16
U.S.C. 1463b(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘by the Oregon
State Marine Science Center’’ and inserting ‘‘by the Oregon
State System of Higher Education’’.
(b) FUNCTIONS OF INSTITUTE.—Section 201(b) of such
Act (16 U.S.C. 1463b(b)) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(b) The Institute shall promote the economic growth
and prosperity of the United States by transferring research
and technology into applications to improve the economic,
environmental, and social well-being of the Nation’s coastal
communities and the competitiveness of coastal businesses.’’.
(c) MEMBERSHIP OF BOARD OF GOVERNORS.—Section
201(c)(1) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 1463b(c)(1)) is amended
to read as follows:
‘‘(c)(1) The policies of the Institute shall be determined
by a Board of Governors composed of—
‘‘(A) 1 representative appointed by the Chan-
cellor of the Oregon State System of Higher Edu-
cation; and
‘‘(B) 1 representative of each of the following re-
gions, appointed jointly by Governors of the States
comprising that region:
‘‘(i) The Alaska region, consisting of Alaska.
‘‘(ii) The Northwest Pacific Coast region,
consisting of Oregon and Washington.
‘‘(iii) The Southwest Pacific Coast region,
consisting of California.
‘‘(iv) The Pacific Islands region, consisting
of Hawaii, American Samoa, and Guam.
‘‘(v) The Great Lakes region, consisting of
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois,
Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
‘‘(vi) The Gulf Coast region, consisting of
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.
‘‘(vii) The South Atlantic and Caribbean
region, consisting of South Carolina, Georgia,
Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Is-
lands.
‘‘(viii) The Mid-Atlantic region, consisting
of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North
Carolina.
‘‘(ix) The North Atlantic region, consisting
of New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Is-
land, 
Massachusetts, 
New 
Hampshire, 
and
Maine.’’.
(d) ADVISORY COUNCIL.—Section 201(d)(1) of such
Act (16 U.S.C. 1463b(d)(1)) is amended by inserting ‘‘and
leaders in coastal communities and businesses’’ after ‘‘com-
munity’’.
(e) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 201(e) of such
Act (16 U.S.C. 1463b(e)) is amended by striking ‘‘Oregon
Board of Higher Education’’ and inserting ‘‘Oregon State
System of Higher Education’’.
(f) REPORTS.—Section 201(g) of such Act (16 U.S.C.
1463b(g)) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(g) The Institute shall report to the Congress on its
activities annually, and shall report to the Secretary of
Commerce in a like manner biennially.’’.
SEC. 417. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING PROMOTION OF
MINORITIES AND WOMEN IN COASTAL AND
OCEAN PROGRAMS.
It is the sense of the Congress that the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration should develop and
promote programs that reach out to and recruit minorities
and women for education in the sciences and take actions
to increase the direct involvement of underrepresented mi-
norities in coastal and ocean resource stewardship pro-
grams carried out directly by the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration and in partnership with State
and local governments, universities, and other entities. To
this end, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration should create minority internship programs to de-
velop a pool of professionals in coastal and ocean science
and management, and to make these programs an eligible
use of grant and program funds distributed by the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to States, univer-
sities, and other entities.
SEC. 418. CHESAPEAKE BAY.
(a) REPEAL.—If by December 1, 1994, the Secretary
of Commerce fails to obligate all funds appropriated to the
Secretary of Commerce by Public Law 103–121 for oyster
disease research, section 307 of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Act of 1992 (15 U.S.C.
1511d), requiring the establishment of a National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration Chesapeake Bay Estua-
rine Resources Office, is repealed.
(b) ASSIGNMENT OF FUNCTIONS.—If section 307 of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act of
1992 (15 U.S.C. 1511d) is repealed by subsection (a), the
Secretary of Commerce shall immediately—
(1) enter into a cooperative agreement with the
directors of the Maryland and Virginia Sea Grant
colleges to administer all funds appropriated to the
Secretary of Commerce under any law for oyster dis-
ease research and Chesapeake Bay studies; and
(2) transfer the functions of the former National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Chesapeake
Bay Estuarine Resources Office to the Director of the
Coastal Ocean Program.
The Director may delegate any of the functions transferred
under paragraph (2) to the directors of the Maryland and
Virginia Sea Grant colleges under the cooperative agree-
ment required under paragraph (1).
(c) REPEAL
AND AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIA-
TIONS.—
(1) REPEAL.—Section 2(e) of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Fish-
eries Program Authorization Act (Public Law 98–
210, 97 Stat. 1409) is repealed.
(2) AUTHORIZATION.—There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce to imple-
ment section 307 of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration Act of 1992 (15 U.S.C. 1511d)
and this section, $2,500,000 for each of fiscal years
1995 and 1996, to remain available until expended.
SEC. 419. WEATHER REPORTING STATIONS FOR PRINCE
WILLIAM SOUND.
(a) INSTALLATION.—To provide more comprehensive
weather information to ensure the safety of fishermen and
tank vessels and to protect the resources of Prince William
Sound from potential oil spills, the Secretary of Commerce
may expend $340,000 to acquire, construct, and install
weather reporting stations in Prince William Sound, Alas-
ka, as follows:
(1) In the vicinity of Seal Rocks, to acquire and
install a weather buoy capable of measuring and re-
porting wind speed and direction, barometric pres-
sure, wave height and period, and air temperature.
(2) On the existing tower at Bligh Reef, to ac-
quire and install a weather instrument capable of
measuring and reporting wind speed and direction.
(3) At Potato Point, to relocate the existing ane-
mometer to a more exposed location in order to pro-
vide more accurate information.
(4) At the Hinchinbrook Lighthouse site, to ac-
quire and install an anemometer.
(b) MAINTENANCE.—The Secretary of Commerce may
expend $160,000 in each of fiscal years 1995 and 1996 to
maintain the equipment identified in subsection (a).
TITLE V—GREAT LAKES
IMPROVEMENTS
SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ‘‘National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Great Lakes Improvements
Act’’.
SEC. 502. GREAT LAKES OFFICE.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Under Secretary may es-
tablish and maintain within the Administration a Great
Lakes Office in the Washington, District of Columbia area.
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Great Lakes Office
shall be to promote and coordinate Administration research,
monitoring, and assessment work in the Great Lakes region
consistent with the goals of the Great Lakes Water Quality
Agreement.
(c) DIRECTOR.—The Director of the Great Lakes Office
shall be an individual with extensive knowledge and exper-
tise in the Great Lakes ecosystem, and with appropriate
administrative experience.
SEC. 503. GREAT LAKES REPORT.
(a) CONTENTS.—Subject to the availability of appro-
priations under section 505, the Under Secretary, in con-
sultation with the Director of the Great Lakes Office if es-
tablished, shall prepare and submit to Congress an annual
Great Lakes Report in accordance with this section. The
Report shall provide information relating to Great Lakes
ecosystem research, monitoring, and assessment, includ-
ing—
(1) the individual activities, projects, or propos-
als conducted by the Administration in the previous
fiscal year, including a summary of funds expended
in support of these activities, projects, or proposals;
(2) the amount of funds received from the Ad-
ministration by each State or local government unit
bordering the Great Lakes;
(3) the amount of funds received by individuals
or institutions residing or located within a State bor-
dering the Great Lakes;
(4) an inventory of Administration facilities and
personnel located in a State bordering the Great
Lakes or in the Great Lakes used to conduct or sup-
port Administration-funded activities, projects, or
proposals in the Great Lakes, including vessels;
(5) the proposed Administration activities,
projects, and proposals to benefit the Great Lakes eco-
system for the current fiscal year, including requested
funds; and
(6) a proposal for increasing the presence of the
Administration in the Great Lakes, and improving
the coordination of research within the Administra-
tion and with other entities, including the Govern-
ment of Canada.
(b) DEADLINE.—Subject to the availability of appro-
priations under section 505, the Under Secretary shall sub-
mit the Great Lakes Report to the Congress by October 1
of 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998.
SEC. 504. DEFINITIONS.
In this title—
(1) the term ‘‘Administration’’ means the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
(2) the term ‘‘Great Lakes’’ means—
(A) Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michi-
gan, Lake Ontario, and Lake Superior;
(B) their connecting waters, including the
St. Marys River, the St. Clair River, Lake St.
Clair, the Detroit River, and the Niagara River;
and
(C) the St. Lawrence River;
(3) the term ‘‘Great Lakes Water Quality Agree-
ment’’ means the bilateral agreement between the
United States and Canada which was signed in 1978
and amended by the Protocol of 1987; and
(4) the term ‘‘Under Secretary’’ means the
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmos-
phere.
SEC. 505. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Under
Secretary to carry out this title $100,000 for each of fiscal
years 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998.
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Au-
thorization Act of 1994’’.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this Act, the term—
(1) ‘‘Act of 1890’’ means the Act enti-
tled ‘‘An Act to increase the efficiency
and reduce the expenses of the Signal
Corps of the Army, and to transfer the
Weather Bureau to the Department of Ag-
riculture’’, approved October 1, 1890 (26
Stat. 653);
(2) ‘‘Act of 1947’’ means the Act enti-
tled ‘‘An Act to define the functions and
duties of the Coast and Geodetic Survey,
and for other purposes’’, approved Au-
gust 6, 1947 (33 U.S.C. 883a et seq.); and
(3) ‘‘Act of 1970’’ means the Act enti-
tled ‘‘An Act to clarify the status and ben-
efits of commissioned officers of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration, and for other purposes’’, ap-
proved December 31, 1970 (33 U.S.C. 857–
1 et seq.).
TITLE I—NOAA OCEAN AND
COASTAL PROGRAMS
SEC. 101. NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE.
(a) MAPPING AND CHARTING.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Commerce, to enable the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration to
carry out mapping and charting activities
under the Act of 1947 and any other law
involving those activities, $29,005,000 for
fiscal year 1995 and $30,049,000 for fiscal
year 1996.
(2) AUTOMATED
NAUTICAL
CHARTING.—
In addition to amounts authorized under
paragraph (1), there are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Com-
merce, to enable the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration to de-
velop and implement an automated nau-
tical charting system, $1,300,000 for fiscal
year 1995 and $1,347,000 for fiscal year
1996.
(b) GEODESY.—There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce,
to enable the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration to carry out geodesy
activities under the Act of 1947 and any other
law involving those activities, $19,332,000 for
fiscal year 1995 and $20,028,000 for fiscal year
1996.
(c) OBSERVATION AND PREDICTION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Commerce, to enable the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration to
carry out observation and prediction ac-
tivities under the Act of 1947 and any
other 
law 
involving 
those 
activities,
$12,429,000 for fiscal year 1995 and
$12,876,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(2) CIRCULATORY SURVEY PROGRAM.—In
addition to amounts authorized under
paragraph (1), there are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Com-
merce, to enable the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration to carry
out the Circulatory Survey Program,
$700,000 for fiscal year 1995 and $725,000
for fiscal year 1996.
(3) OCEAN AND EARTH SCIENCES.—In ad-
dition to amounts authorized under para-
graph (1), there are authorized to be ap-
propriated to the Secretary of Commerce,
to enable the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration to carry out
ocean 
and 
earth 
science 
activities,
$4,442,000 
for 
fiscal 
year 
1995 
and
$4,602,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(4) CENTER
FOR
OCEAN
ANALYSIS
AND
PREDICTION.—In addition to amounts au-
thorized under paragraph (1), there are
authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary of Commerce, to enable the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration to continue the activities of the
Center for Ocean Analysis and Pre-
diction, $400,000 for fiscal year 1995 and
$414,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(5) OBSERVATION
BUOYS.—In addition
to amounts authorized under paragraph
(1), there are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary of Commerce, to
enable the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration to operate and
maintain observation buoys in the Chesa-
peake Bay, $400,000 for fiscal year 1995
and $414,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(d) ESTUARINE AND COASTAL ASSESSMENT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Commerce, to enable the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration to
support estuarine and coastal assessment
activities under the Act of 1947 and any
other 
law 
involving 
those 
activities,
$2,420,000 
for 
fiscal 
year 
1995 
and
$2,507,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(2) OCEAN ASSESSMENT.—In addition to
amounts authorized under paragraph (1),
there are authorized to be appropriated
to the Secretary of Commerce, to enable
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to carry out the National
Status and Trends Program, the Strategic
Environmental Assessment Program, and
the Hazardous Materials Response Pro-
gram, $18,945,000 for fiscal year 1995 and
$19,627,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(3) DAMAGE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM.—In
addition to amounts authorized under
paragraph (1), there are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Com-
merce, to enable the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration to carry
out the Damage Assessment Program,
$1,500,000 
for 
fiscal 
year 
1995 
and
$1,554,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(4) COASTAL OCEAN PROGRAM.—In addi-
tion to amounts authorized under para-
graph (1), there are authorized to be ap-
propriated to the Secretary of Commerce,
to enable the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration to carry out
the Coastal Ocean Program, $11,433,000
for fiscal year 1995 and $11,845,000 for
fiscal year 1996. Of the amounts author-
ized under this paragraph for fiscal years
1995 and 1996, a total of $120,000 is avail-
able until expended to study the use of
oceanographic data obtained from sat-
ellite imagery and other sources to deter-
mine and predict the presence of endan-
gered sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico.
(e) OCEAN MANAGEMENT.—There are au-
thorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
of Commerce, to enable the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration to carry out
deep ocean mineral and ocean energy activi-
ties, $500,000 for each of fiscal years 1995 and
1996.
SEC. 102. OCEAN AND GREAT LAKES RESEARCH.
(a) MARINE PREDICTION RESEARCH.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Commerce, to enable the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration to
carry out marine prediction research ac-
tivities under the Act of 1947, the Act of
1890, and any other law involving those
activities, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1995
and $10,360,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(2) GREAT
LAKES
ENVIRONMENTAL
RE-
SEARCH LABORATORY.—
(A) IN
GENERAL.—There are au-
thorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of Commerce, for the oper-
ation and maintenance of the Great
Lakes Environmental Research Lab-
oratory, $4,558,000 for fiscal year 1995
and $4,722,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(B) GREAT
LAKES
NEARSHORE
RE-
SEARCH.—There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of
Commerce, to enable the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion to carry out nearshore research
activities of the Great Lakes Environ-
mental Research Laboratory, $500,000
for each of fiscal years 1995 and 1996.
(C) ZEBRA
MUSSEL
RESEARCH.—In
addition 
to 
amounts 
authorized
under subparagraph (A), there are
authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of Commerce, to enable the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to carry out zebra
mussel 
research 
activities 
of 
the
Great Lakes Environmental Research
Laboratory under the Nonindigenous
Aquatic 
Nuisance 
Prevention 
and
Control Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4701 et
seq.), $911,000 for fiscal year 1995 and
$1,125,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(3) SOUTHEAST FLORIDA AND CARIBBEAN
RECRUITMENT
PROGRAM.—In addition to
amounts authorized under paragraph (1),
there are authorized to be appropriated
to the Secretary of Commerce a total of
$2,000,000 for fiscal years 1995 and 1996
to enable the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration to carry out,
through the Cooperative Institute for Ma-
rine and Atmospheric Studies, collabo-
rative 
investigations 
to 
examine 
the
physical and biological processes which—
(A) occur in tropical marine envi-
ronments in coastal waters of the
United States, Florida, and the Carib-
bean; and
(B) impact variability and devel-
opment of fisheries resources.
(b) NATIONAL UNDERSEA RESEARCH PRO-
GRAM.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary of Commerce, to en-
able the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to carry out undersea re-
search activities under the National Undersea
Research Program established by section 411,
$22,100,000 for fiscal year 1995 and $24,200,000
for fiscal year 1996, of which $1,250,000 shall
be available each fiscal year for implementing
section 411(c).
(c) CLIMATE
AND
GLOBAL
CHANGE
RE-
SEARCH.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Commerce, to enable the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration to
carry out climate and global change re-
search activities, $66,000,000 for fiscal
year 1995 and $84,012,000 for fiscal year
1996. Of sums appropriated under this
subsection, sufficient funds should be
made available by the Secretary of Com-
merce to initiate and support research on
the effects of climate and global change
on the Nation’s major freshwater systems,
including the Great Lakes and the Mis-
sissippi River.
(2) ENVIRONMENTAL OBSERVATIONS.—In
addition to the amounts authorized to be
appropriated under paragraph (1), there
is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of Commerce $7,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 1995 and 1996 for a
program to increase scientific under-
standing of the earth by using a network
of schools to collect environmental obser-
vations. Beginning in fiscal year 1996,
amounts appropriated for such program
may be obligated only to the extent that
an equal or greater amount of non-Fed-
eral funding is provided for such pro-
gram.
(3) 
IMPLEMENTATION
OF
LANDSAT
AGREEMENT.—Section 103 of the Land Re-
mote Sensing Policy Act of 1992 is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
‘‘(c) IMPLEMENTATION
OF AGREEMENT.—If
negotiations under subsection (a) result in an
agreement that the Landsat Program Manage-
ment determines generally achieves the goals
stated in subsection (a)(1) through (8), the
Landsat Program Management shall award an
extension, until the practical demise of
Landsat 4 or Landsat 5, whichever occurs
later, of the existing contract with the
Landsat 6 contractor incorporating the terms
of such agreement.’’.
TITLE II—NOAA MARINE
FISHERY PROGRAMS
SEC. 201. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Marine Fisheries Program Au-
thorization Act (Public Law 98–210; 97 Stat.
1409) is amended—
(1) in section 2(a) by—
(A) striking ‘‘1992 and’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘1992,’’; and
(B) inserting after ‘‘1993’’ the fol-
lowing: ‘‘, $51,092,000 for fiscal year
1995, and $52,931,000 for fiscal year
1996’’;
(2) in section 3(a) by—
(A) striking ‘‘1992 and’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘1992,’’; and
(B) inserting after ‘‘1993’’ the fol-
lowing: ‘‘, $14,198,000 for fiscal year
1995, and $14,709,000 for fiscal year
1996’’; and
(3) in section 4(a) by—
(A) striking ‘‘1992 and’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘1992,’’; and
(B) inserting after ‘‘1993’’ the fol-
lowing: ‘‘, $17,089,000 for fiscal year
1995, and $17,704,000 for fiscal year
1996’’.
SEC. 202. AMENDMENTS TO THE MERCHANT MARINE ACT,
1936.
Section 1104A(b)(2) of the Merchant Ma-
rine Act, 1936 (46 App. U.S.C. 1274(b)(2)), is
amended in the third proviso by striking ‘‘, ex-
cept that no debt may be placed under this
proviso through the Federal Financing Bank’’.
SEC. 203. SCALLOP RESTORATION PROGRAM.
There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Secretary of Commerce $200,000 for
each of fiscal years 1995 and 1996, for the es-
tablishment and maintenance of a scallop res-
toration program for Long Island Sound.
(3) Near-term actions, without regard
to financial constraints, that are required
to enable National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration to address critical
deficiencies in its navigation-related pro-
grams.
(4) Actions that need to be taken to
allow the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration to fulfill its navi-
gation-related responsibilities into the
21st century.
(5) A comparison of the resources and
activities of National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration’s navigation-relat-
ed programs with those of other Federal
agencies supporting the United States
maritime infrastructure.
(6) Past organizational changes with-
in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and foreseeable future or-
ganizational changes that have affected,
or would affect, the ability of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration 
to 
provide 
navigation-related
services.
SEC. 404. WEST COAST GROUNDFISH LABORATORY.
In selecting a site for placement of a re-
placement for the National Marine Fisheries
Service Lab at Tiburon, California, the Sec-
retary of Commerce shall take into account
the following factors:
(1) The proximity of sites considered
to—
(A) groundfish fisheries, salmon
fisheries, and other unique marine
study areas;
(B) 
academic 
and 
private 
re-
search institutions which conduct rel-
evant marine habitat and environ-
mental research;
(C) other National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration research
and management elements; and
(D) other Federal, State, and pri-
vate marine related research facili-
ties.
(2) The ability of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration to
retain current staff.