I 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2400 
To direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-
istration to establish an integrated Federal ocean and coastal mapping 
plan for the Great Lakes and coastal state waters, the territorial sea, 
the exclusive economic zone, and the Continental Shelf of the United 
States, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 21, 2007 
Ms. BORDALLO (for herself, Mr. BROWN of South Carolina, Mr. SAXTON, and 
Mr. PALLONE) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on 
Science and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by 
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall with-
in the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration to establish an integrated 
Federal ocean and coastal mapping plan for the Great 
Lakes and coastal state waters, the territorial sea, the 
exclusive economic zone, and the Continental Shelf of 
the United States, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Ocean and Coastal 
Mapping Integration Act’’. 
SEC. 2. INTEGRATED OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall es-
tablish a program to develop, in coordination with the 
Interagency Committee on Ocean and Coastal Mapping, 
a coordinated and comprehensive Federal ocean and coast-
al mapping plan for the Great Lakes and coastal state 
waters, the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, 
and the Continental Shelf of the United States that en-
hances ecosystem approaches in decisionmaking for con-
servation and management of marine resources and habi-
tats, establishes research priorities, supports the siting of 
research and other platforms, enhances safety of naviga-
tion, and advances ocean and coastal science. 
(b) PROGRAM PARAMETERS.—In developing such a 
program, the Administrator shall work with the Com-
mittee to— 
(1) identify all Federal and federally funded 
programs conducting shoreline delineation and ocean 
or coastal mapping, noting geographic coverage, fre-
quency, spatial coverage, resolution, and subject 
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matter focus of the data and location of data ar-
chives; 
(2) facilitate cost-effective, cooperative mapping 
efforts that incorporate policies for contracting with 
non-Federal entities among all Federal agencies con-
ducting ocean and coastal mapping, by increasing 
data sharing, developing appropriate data acquisi-
tion and metadata standards, and facilitating the 
interoperability of in situ data collection systems, 
data processing, archiving, and distribution of data 
products; 
(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-Fed-
eral entities; 
(4) develop standards and protocols for testing 
innovative experimental mapping technologies and 
transferring new technologies between the Federal 
Government and non-Federal entities; 
(5) provide for the archiving, management, and 
distribution of data sets as well as provide mapping 
products and services to the general public in service 
of statutory requirements; 
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(6) develop data standards and protocols for 
use by Federal, State, and other entities in mapping 
and otherwise documenting locations of federally 
permitted activities, living and nonliving coastal and 
marine resources, marine ecosystems, sensitive habi-
tats, submerged cultural resources, undersea cables, 
offshore 
aquaculture 
projects, 
offshore 
energy 
projects, and any areas designated for purposes of 
environmental protection or conservation and man-
agement of living and nonliving coastal and marine 
resources; 
(7) identify the procedures to be used for co-
ordinating the collection and integration of Federal 
ocean and coastal mapping data with State and local 
government programs; and 
(8) set forth a timetable for completion and im-
plementation of the plan referred to in subsection 
(a). 
SEC. 3. INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE ON OCEAN AND COAST-
AL MAPPING. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is hereby established 
an Interagency Committee on Ocean and Coastal Map-
ping. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Committee shall be com-
prised of senior representatives from Federal agencies 
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with ocean and coastal mapping and surveying responsibil-
ities. The representatives shall be high-ranking officials of 
their respective agencies or departments and, whenever 
possible, the head of the portion of the agency or depart-
ment that is most relevant to the purposes of this Act. 
Membership shall include senior representatives from the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 
Chief of Naval Operations, 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 Environmental Protection Agency, the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other appro-
priate Federal agencies involved in ocean and coastal map-
ping. 
(c) CHAIRMAN.—The Committee shall have as its 
chairman the representative from the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration. The chairman may cre-
ate subcommittees chaired by any member agency of the 
committee. The full Committee may form working groups 
to address issues of short duration. 
(d) MEETINGS.—The Committee shall meet on a 
quarterly basis, but each subcommittee and each working 
group shall meet on an as-needed basis. 
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(e) 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) States and user groups through workshops 
and other appropriate mechanisms; and 
(4) representatives of non-Federal entities. 
SEC. 4. NOAA INTEGRATED MAPPING INITIATIVE. 
(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 
surveys, ocean exploration projects, living marine re-
source conservation and management programs, 
coastal zone management projects, and ocean and 
coastal science projects; 
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(2) establish priority mapping programs and es-
tablish and periodically update priorities for geo-
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 and with other non-Federal 
entities; 
(4) document available and developing tech-
nologies, best practices in data processing and dis-
tribution, and leveraging opportunities with other 
Federal agencies, and non-Federal entities; 
(5) identify training, technology, and other re-
source requirements for enabling the National Oce-
anic 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 
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mapping programs within the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, including— 
(A) designating primary data processing 
centers to maximize efficiency in information 
technology investment, develop consistency in 
data processing, and meet Federal mandates 
for data accessibility; and 
(B) designating a repository that is re-
sponsible for archiving and managing the dis-
tribution of all ocean and coastal mapping data 
to simplify the provision of services to benefit 
Federal and State programs; and 
(7) set forth a timetable for implementation 
and completion of the plan, including a schedule for 
submission to the Congress of periodic progress re-
ports and recommendations for integrating ap-
proaches developed under the initiative into the 
interagency program. 
(c) NOAA JOINT OCEAN AND COASTAL MAPPING 
CENTERS.—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 con-
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duct activities necessary to carry out the purposes of this 
Act, 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; 
(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 Adminis-
tration Commissioned Officer Corps, personnel of 
other agencies with ocean and coastal mapping pro-
grams, and civilian personnel. 
(d) ENHANCED OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRIVATE SEC-
TOR CONTRACTING.—The Administrator shall continue 
developing a strategy for expanding contracting with non- 
Federal entities to minimize duplication and take max-
imum advantage of non-Federal capabilities in fulfilling 
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the Administration’s mapping and charting responsibil-
ities. Within 120 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator shall transmit a report describing 
the strategy developed under this subsection to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
House of Representatives. 
SEC. 5. INTERAGENCY PROGRAM REPORTING. 
No later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, and biannually thereafter, the Chairman of 
the Committee shall transmit to the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Rep-
resentatives a report detailing progress made in imple-
menting this Act, 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) 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; 
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(3) identification of priority areas in need of 
survey coverage using present technologies; 
(4) a resource plan that identifies when priority 
areas in need of modern ocean and coastal mapping 
surveys can be accomplished; 
(5) the status of efforts to produce integrated 
digital maps of ocean and coastal areas; 
(6) a description of any products resulting from 
coordinated mapping efforts under this Act that im-
prove public understanding of the coasts and oceans, 
or regulatory decisionmaking; 
(7) documentation of minimum and desired 
standards for data acquisition and integrated 
metadata; 
(8) a statement of the status of Federal efforts 
to leverage mapping technologies, coordinate map-
ping activities, share expertise, and exchange data; 
(9) a statement of resource requirements for or-
ganizations to meet the goals of the program, includ-
ing technology needs for data acquisition, proc-
essing, and distribution systems; 
(10) a statement of the status of efforts to de-
classify data gathered by the Navy, the National 
Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and other agencies 
to the extent possible without jeopardizing national 
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security, and make it available to partner agencies 
and the public; 
(11) the status of efforts to coordinate Federal 
programs with State and local government programs 
and leverage those programs; and 
(12) a description of efforts of Federal agencies 
to increase contracting with non-Federal entities. 
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the amounts au-
thorized by section 306 of the Hydrographic Services Im-
provement Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 892d), there are au-
thorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry 
out this Act— 
(1) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; 
(2) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; 
(3) $32,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; 
(4) $38,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and 
(5) $45,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 
through 2015. 
(b) JOINT OCEAN
AND COASTAL MAPPING CEN-
TERS.—Of the amounts appropriated under subsection 
(a), the following amounts shall be used to carry out sec-
tion 4(c): 
(1) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2008. 
(2) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2009. 
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(3) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2010. 
(4) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2011. 
(5) $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 
through 2015. 
(c) INTERAGENCY
COMMITTEE.—Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, from amounts authorized to 
be appropriated for fiscal years 2008 through 2015 to the 
departments of the agencies, and the independent agen-
cies, specified in section 3(b), the head of each such de-
partment or agency may make available not more than 
$10,000,000 per fiscal year to carry out interagency ac-
tivities under section 3. 
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(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 Committee on Ocean and 
Coastal Mapping established by section 3. 
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(4) EXCLUSIVE
ECONOMIC
ZONE.—The term 
‘‘exclusive economic zone’’ means the exclusive eco-
nomic zone of the United States established by Pres-
idential Proclamation No. 5030, of March 10, 1983. 
(5) NON-FEDERAL ENTITIES.—The term ‘‘non- 
Federal entities’’ includes State governmental orga-
nizations, non-governmental organizations, members 
of the academic community, and private sector orga-
nizations. 
(6) 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-
sources, and sea beds through the use of acoustics, 
satellites, aerial photogrammetry, light and imaging, 
direct sampling, and other mapping technologies. 
(7) 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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(8) TERRITORIAL SEA.—The term ‘‘territorial 
sea’’ means the belt of sea measured from the base-
line of the United States determined in accordance 
with international law, as set forth in Presidential 
Proclamation Number 5928, dated December 27, 
1988. 
Æ 
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