I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8632 
To direct the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to provide for 
ocean-based climate solutions to reduce carbon emissions and global 
warming; to make coastal communities more resilient; and to provide 
for the conservation and restoration of ocean and coastal habitats, bio-
diversity, and marine mammal and fish populations; and for other pur-
poses. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 20, 2020 
Mr. GRIJALVA (for himself, Mr. HUFFMAN, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Mr. LEVIN of 
California, Mr. NEGUSE, Ms. HAALAND, Mr. SABLAN, Mr. MCEACHIN, 
Mr. CASE, Mrs. DINGELL, Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Ms. BONAMICI, Ms. 
BROWNLEY of California, and Ms. JOHNSON of Texas) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, 
and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, 
House Administration, Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture, and Foreign Affairs, 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 Secretary of Commerce, acting through the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, to provide for ocean-based climate solu-
tions to reduce carbon emissions and global warming; 
to make coastal communities more resilient; and to pro-
vide for the conservation and restoration of ocean and 
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coastal habitats, biodiversity, and marine mammal and 
fish populations; and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act of 2020’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is the following: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
TITLE I—MARINE AND COASTAL BLUE CARBON 
Sec. 101. Blue Carbon Program. 
Sec. 102. National map of coastal and marine blue carbon ecosystems. 
Sec. 103. Report on blue carbon in the United States. 
Sec. 104. Blue Carbon Partnership Grant Program. 
Sec. 105. Integrated pilot programs to protect and restore degraded coastal 
blue carbon ecosystems. 
Sec. 106. Interagency working group. 
Sec. 107. Coastal carbon areas of significance. 
Sec. 108. Authorization of Smithsonian Institution blue carbon activities. 
Sec. 109. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 110. Definitions. 
TITLE II—MARINE PROTECTED AREAS 
Sec. 201. Policy. 
Sec. 202. Interagency Task Force. 
Sec. 203. Initiate designation process for successful sanctuary nominations and 
technical corrections to the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. 
Sec. 204. Increased protection for deep sea corals. 
Sec. 205. Marine biodiversity gap analysis. 
TITLE III—OFFSHORE ENERGY 
Subtitle A—Oil and Gas Leasing in the Outer Continental Shelf 
Sec. 301. Prohibition of oil and gas leasing in all areas of the Outer Conti-
nental Shelf. 
Subtitle B—Offshore Renewable Energy 
Sec. 311. Sense of Congress on the importance of offshore wind energy. 
Sec. 312. National offshore wind goals. 
Sec. 313. Removing roadblocks for data sharing. 
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Sec. 314. Increasing funding for scientific research. 
Sec. 315. Extending collaboration with industry. 
Sec. 316. Developing strategies to protect wildlife. 
Sec. 317. Offshore wind for the Territories. 
Sec. 318. Marine energy research. 
Sec. 319. Increasing funding for coastal conservation and resilience. 
TITLE IV—CLIMATE-READY FISHERIES, EFFICIENT FISHERY 
VESSELS, AND BUY AMERICAN SEAFOOD 
Sec. 401. Sense of Congress. 
Sec. 402. Caught in the USA. 
Sec. 403. Eliminate fish subsidies in trade agreements. 
Sec. 404. Fuel efficient fishing vessels. 
Sec. 405. Climate and fisheries research and management program. 
Sec. 406. Climate-ready fisheries innovation program. 
Sec. 407. Shifting Stocks Task Force. 
Sec. 408. Essential fish habitat consultation. 
Sec. 409. Ocean Aquaculture Research and Policy Program. 
TITLE V—COASTAL BARRIER RESOURCE ACT AMENDMENTS 
Sec. 501. Undeveloped coastal barrier. 
Sec. 502. Coastal hazard pilot project. 
Sec. 503. Report on expanding Coastal Barrier Resources Act to the Pacific 
Coast, including Pacific Territories and Freely Associated 
States. 
Sec. 504. Require disclosure to prospective buyers that property is in the Coast-
al Barrier Resources System. 
Sec. 505. Improve Federal agency compliance with Coastal Barrier Resources 
Act. 
Sec. 506. Excess Federal property. 
Sec. 507. Authorization of appropriations. 
TITLE VI—COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT AMENDMENTS 
Sec. 601. Grants to further achievement of Tribal coastal zone objectives. 
Sec. 602. Eligibility of District of Columbia for Federal funding under the 
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. 
Sec. 603. Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program. 
Sec. 604. Coastal Zone Management Fund. 
Sec. 605. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 606. Amendments to National Estuarine Research Reserve System pro-
gram. 
TITLE VII—INSULAR AFFAIRS 
Sec. 701. Definitions. 
Sec. 702. Coastal management technical assistance and report. 
Sec. 703. Climate Change Insular Research Grant Program. 
Sec. 704. Extreme weather and climate outreach to insular areas. 
Sec. 705. Coral reefs. 
Sec. 706. Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act. 
Sec. 707. Office of Insular Affairs Technical Assistance Program. 
Sec. 708. Disaster relief Federal cost-share waiver. 
TITLE VIII—STRENGTHENING MARINE MAMMAL CONSERVATION 
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Sec. 801. Conservation of marine mammals adversely affected by climate 
change. 
Sec. 802. Vessel speed restrictions in marine mammal habitat. 
Sec. 803. Monitoring ocean noise for marine mammal health. 
Sec. 804. Grants for seaports to establish programs to reduce the impacts of 
vessel traffic and port operations on marine mammals. 
TITLE IX—INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS, EFFORTS IN THE 
ARCTIC, AND BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS TRIBAL RESIL-
IENCE PROGRAM 
Subtitle A—International Agreements 
Sec. 901. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. 
Subtitle B—Efforts in the Arctic 
Sec. 911. Reinstatement of Executive Order 13754; Northern Bering Sea Cli-
mate Resilience Area. 
Sec. 912. Plan for the United States to cut black carbon emissions to 33 per-
cent below 2013 levels by 2025. 
Subtitle C—Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Resilience Program 
Sec. 921. Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Resilience Program. 
TITLE X—COASTAL RESILIENCY AND ADAPTATION 
Sec. 1001. Living Shoreline Grant Program. 
Sec. 1002. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Research Pro-
grams. 
Sec. 1003. Grants for recovering oysters. 
Sec. 1004. Improvements to the National Oceans and Coastal Security Act. 
Sec. 1005. Shovel-ready restoration grants for coastlines and fisheries. 
Sec. 1006. Strategic Climate Change Relocation Initiative and Program. 
TITLE XI—OCEAN HEALTH: OCEAN ACIDIFICATION AND 
HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS 
Subtitle A—Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act 
Sec. 1101. State and United States defined. 
Sec. 1102. Coastal community vulnerability assessment. 
Subtitle B—Ocean Acidification Act 
Sec. 1111. Prize competitions. 
Subtitle C—COAST Research Act 
Sec. 1121. Purposes. 
Sec. 1122. Definitions. 
Sec. 1123. Interagency working group. 
Sec. 1124. Strategic research plan. 
Sec. 1125. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ocean acidifica-
tion activities. 
Sec. 1126. National Science Foundation ocean acidification activities. 
Sec. 1127. National Aeronautics and Space Administration ocean acidification 
activities. 
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Sec. 1128. Authorization of appropriations. 
Subtitle D—South Florida Clean Coastal Waters 
Sec. 1131. South Florida harmful algal blooms and hypoxia assessment and ac-
tion plan. 
Subtitle E—Protecting Local Communities From Harmful Algal Blooms 
Sec. 1141. Algal blooms. 
Subtitle F—Harmful Algal Bloom Essential Forecasting 
Sec. 1151. Designating certain harmful algal bloom services as excepted serv-
ices under the Anti-Deficiency Act. 
Sec. 1152.
Centers of Excellence in Harmful Algal Bloom Research, Preven-
tion, Response, and Mitigation. 
TITLE XII—NATIONAL OCEAN POLICY, DATA, AND COORDINATED 
WEBSITE FOR GRANT PROGRAMS 
Subtitle A—Regional Ocean Partnerships 
Sec. 1201. Findings; sense of Congress; purposes. 
Sec. 1202. Regional Ocean Partnerships. 
Subtitle B—Data and Scientific Coordination 
Sec. 1211. Increased coordination among agencies with respect to data and 
monitoring. 
Sec. 1212. Interagency Ocean Exploration Committee. 
Sec. 1213. Committee on Ocean Policy. 
Sec. 1214. Building data sources. 
Sec. 1215. National sea level rise risk analysis. 
Subtitle C—Digital Coast 
Sec. 1221. Definitions. 
Sec. 1222. Establishment of the Digital Coast. 
Subtitle D—Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System 
Sec. 1241. Staggered terms for National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Obser-
vation System Advisory Committee. 
Sec. 1242. Integrated coastal and ocean observation system cooperative agree-
ments. 
Sec. 1243. Reauthorization of Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation Sys-
tem Act of 2009. 
Sec. 1244. Advanced Research Projects Agency–Oceans. 
Subtitle E—Centralized Website for Resiliency Grants 
Sec. 1251. Centralized website for resiliency grants. 
TITLE XIII—WETLANDS 
Subtitle A—Coastal Wetlands 
Sec. 1301. Definitions. 
Sec. 1302. Coastal and Estuary Resilience Grant Program. 
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Sec. 1303. Data collection. 
Sec. 1304. Outreach and technical assistance. 
Sec. 1305. Annual restoration and funding. 
Sec. 1306. Prevailing wage requirement. 
Sec. 1307. Department of the Interior coastal wetland restoration; funding. 
TITLE XIV—MEASURES TO ADDRESS GREENHOUSE GAS 
POLLUTION FROM SHIPPING VESSELS 
Sec. 1401. Greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. 
Sec. 1402. Quiet Seas and Clear Skies Vessel Speed Reduction Award Pro-
gram. 
TITLE XV—STUDIES AND REPORTS 
Sec. 1501. Deep sea mining. 
Sec. 1502. National Academies assessment of oceanic blue carbon. 
Sec. 1503. Ocean climate impacts and action report. 
Sec. 1504. Report on the ecological and economic effects of high seas fishing 
in the ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction (‘‘ABNJ’’). 
Sec. 1505. National Academies assessment of public access to the coasts. 
Sec. 1506. Study examining the impact of ocean acidification and other envi-
ronmental stressors on estuarine environments. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Secretary of Commerce acting 
through the Administrator of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration. 
(2) EXCLUSIVE
ECONOMIC
ZONE.—The term 
‘‘exclusive economic zone’’ means the zone estab-
lished by Proclamation Numbered 5030, dated 
March 10, 1983. 
(3) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ 
has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
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(4) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 101(a) of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). 
(5) NATIONAL
ACADEMIES.—The term ‘‘Na-
tional Academies’’ means the National Academies of 
Science, Engineering, and Medicine. 
(6) RESTORATIVE OCEAN AQUACULTURE.—The 
term ‘‘restorative ocean aquaculture’’ means ocean 
and coastal propagation of seaweed or shellfish 
farming that generates positive ecological and social 
impact. 
(7) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means each of 
the several States, the District of Columbia, and the 
United States Territories of American Samoa, the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 
Guam, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin 
Islands. 
(8) 
UNITED
STATES.—The 
term 
‘‘United 
States’’ means the several States, the District of Co-
lumbia, and the United States Territories of Amer-
ican Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the 
United States Virgin Islands. 
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TITLE I—MARINE AND COASTAL 
BLUE CARBON 
SEC. 101. BLUE CARBON PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall es-
tablish and maintain a Blue Carbon Program within the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the 
purposes of furthering conservation objectives for fish and 
wildlife habitat conservation and restoration and coastal 
resilience including the development of ways to incorporate 
ecosystem services from carbon storage into existing do-
mestic and international policies, programs, and activities. 
(b) ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY.—In conducting the 
Program, the Administrator may enter into and perform 
such contracts, leases, grants, or cooperative agreements 
as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this sub-
title on such terms as Administrator considers appro-
priate. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—The Administrator shall coordi-
nate activities carried out under this section with the As-
sistant Administrator of the National Marine Fisheries 
Service and the Assistant Administrator of the National 
Ocean Service. 
(d) ACTIVITIES.—The Administrator shall lead the 
development and coordination of the strategic plan de-
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scribed in section 106(e) and conduct the following activi-
ties: 
(1) Collaborate with Federal agencies, the inter-
agency working group, State agencies, Tribes, and 
non-governmental organizations on research, restora-
tion, and protection efforts relating to blue carbon 
ecosystems. 
(2) Develop a database of blue carbon stocks 
and fluxes in the United States. 
(3) Assist in exploration of the potential for a 
market for carbon credits for restoration initiatives, 
including research and development of protocols. 
(4) Raise awareness of blue carbon ecosystems 
as a tool to further conservation objectives through 
education and extension activities. 
(5) Use existing models or develop new models 
to assess blue carbon storage potential that include 
quantification, verifiability, additionality as com-
pared to a historical baseline, and permanence of 
those benefits. 
(6) Quantify current total and net ecosystem 
carbon storage in coastal and marine areas. 
(7) Project future total and net ecosystem car-
bon storage under different scenarios influenced by 
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human population growth, sea level rise, and other 
system-wide changes. 
(8) Develop and use protocols for inclusion of 
blue carbon projects in carbon markets. 
(9) Protect and restore habitats, waters, and 
organisms that are long-term carbon sinks or will be 
subject to habitat change as a result of climate 
change and development. 
(10) Provide staff and technical expertise to the 
interagency working group. 
(11) Quantify co-benefits, including flood risk 
reduction, habitat restoration for endangered and 
threatened species, maintenance of biodiversity, 
water quality improvements, habitat maintenance 
and creation, cycling of nutrients other than carbon, 
commercial and recreational fishing and boating 
benefits. 
(12) Assess regional and national ecosystem 
and socioeconomic impacts of carbon sequestration 
and storage. 
(13) Research variability, long-term storage, 
and innovative techniques for effective, long-term, 
natural ocean or coastal ecosystem-based carbon se-
questration. 
(14) Identify blue carbon hot spots. 
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(15) Assess legal issues of landownership in 
blue carbon markets, and develop guidelines to help 
landowners navigate the requirements of such mar-
kets. 
SEC. 102. NATIONAL MAP OF COASTAL AND MARINE BLUE 
CARBON ECOSYSTEMS. 
(a) NATIONAL MAP.—The Administrator, in con-
sultation with the interagency working group established 
under section 106, shall— 
(1) produce, update every 3 years, and main-
tain a national map and inventory of coastal blue 
carbon ecosystems including— 
(A) with respect to each such ecosystem— 
(i) the species and types of habitat in 
the ecosystem; 
(ii) the condition of such habitats in-
cluding whether a habitat is degraded, 
drained, eutrophic, or tidally restricted; 
(iii) type of public or private owner-
ship and any protected status; 
(iv) the size of the ecosystem; 
(v) the salinity boundaries of the eco-
system; 
(vi) the tidal boundaries of the eco-
system; 
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(vii) an assessment of carbon seques-
tration potential, methane production, and 
net greenhouse gas effects of the eco-
system, including consideration of— 
(I) quantification; 
(II) verifiability; 
(III) additionality, as compared 
to a historical baseline; and 
(IV) permanence of those bene-
fits; 
(viii) an assessment of the ecosystem 
co-benefits, such as fish habitat for com-
mercial, recreational, and Tribal fisheries, 
flood risk reduction, wave stress, storm 
protection, shoreline stabilization, public 
access, water and air pollution filtration, 
contributions to traditional and cultural 
practices, and recreational use and benefits 
of the ecosystem; 
(ix) the potential for landward migra-
tion of each ecosystem as a result of sea 
level rise; 
(x) any upstream restrictions detri-
mental to the watershed process and condi-
tions, including dams, dikes, and levees; 
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(xi) any upstream pollution sources 
that threaten the health of each ecosystem; 
(xii) proximity to aquaculture uses or 
lease areas; and 
(xiii) a depiction of the effects of 
human stressors, including the conversion 
of coastal blue carbon ecosystems to other 
land uses and the cause of such conver-
sion; and 
(B) a depiction of the effects of climate 
change, including sea level rise, ocean acidifica-
tion, ocean warming, and other environmental 
stressors on the sequestration rate, carbon stor-
age, and potential of coastal blue carbon eco-
systems; and 
(2) in carrying out paragraph (1)— 
(A) incorporate, to the extent possible, ex-
isting and future data collected through feder-
ally and State funded research, including data 
collected from the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration Coastal Change Analysis 
Program, United States Fish and Wildlife Serv-
ice National Wetlands Inventory, United States 
Geological Survey Land Carbon program, 
United States Geological Survey and Federal 
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Emergency Management Agency LiDAR infor-
mation coordination and knowledge program, 
Department of Energy Biological and Environ-
mental Research program, and Department of 
Agriculture National Coastal Blue Carbon As-
sessment; and 
(B) engage regional experts for additional 
peer-reviewed data to ensure best available sci-
entific information is incorporated. 
(b) USE.—The interagency working group shall use 
the national map and inventory created pursuant to sub-
section (a)— 
(1) to assess the existing and potential carbon 
sequestration of different coastal blue carbon eco-
systems, and account for any regional differences; 
(2) to assess and quantify emissions from de-
graded and destroyed coastal blue carbon eco-
systems; 
(3) to develop regional assessments and to pro-
vide technical assistance to regional, State, Tribal, 
and local government agencies, regional information 
coordination entities (as such term is defined in sec-
tion 12303(6) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
Observation System Act (33 U.S.C. 3602)), and 
agencies, organizations, and other entities that sup-
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port communities that may not have adequate re-
sources, including low-income communities, commu-
nities of color, Tribal communities, and rural com-
munities; 
(4) to assess degraded coastal blue carbon eco-
systems and their potential for restoration, including 
developing scenario modeling to identify vulnerable 
land areas where management, protection, and res-
toration efforts should be focused, including the po-
tential for an ecosystem to migrate inland to adapt 
to sea level rise; and 
(5) produce predictions of coastal blue carbon 
ecosystems and carbon sequestration rates in the 
context of climate change, environmental stressors, 
and human stressors. 
SEC. 103. REPORT ON BLUE CARBON IN THE UNITED 
STATES. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act and every 2 years thereafter, the Adminis-
trator, in consultation with the interagency working 
group, shall submit to the Committee on Natural Re-
sources of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report containing the following: 
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(1) A summary of federally funded coastal and 
marine blue carbon ecosystem research, monitoring, 
preservation, and restoration activities, including the 
budget for each of these activities and describe the 
progress in advancing the national priorities estab-
lished by the interagency working group. 
(2) With respect to each blue carbon eco-
system— 
(A) the type; 
(B) location; and 
(C) type of ownership, delineated by pri-
vate lands, State lands, Tribal lands, or Fed-
eral. 
(3) An assessment of the vulnerability of coast-
al and marine blue carbon ecosystems to climate im-
pacts such as sea-level rise, acidification, and salt-
water intrusion, and other environmental and human 
stressors, such as development, water pollution, and 
aquaculture. 
(4) An assessment of the greatest anthropo-
genic threats to blue carbon ecosystems, including 
the Federal agency actions that have historically 
caused and presently cause great adverse effects on 
such ecosystems. 
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(5) An assessment of the carbon sequestration 
potential of blue carbon ecosystems and the probable 
changes to sequestration under climate change sce-
narios. 
(6) An assessment of biophysical, social, and 
economic impediments including water storage and 
flood control structures to coastal blue carbon eco-
system protection and restoration and opportunities 
to restore and enhance the resilience of and seques-
tration potential of blue carbon ecosystems. 
(7) An assessment of aging or outdated artifi-
cial structures, including dikes, levees, dams, cul-
verts, water storage structures, shoreline hardening 
projects, impediments to fish passage, and other in-
frastructure that impede the ecological or sequestra-
tion functions of blue carbon areas and the feasi-
bility of repairing, retrofitting, or removing such 
structures. 
(8) The economic, social, and environmental co- 
benefits that these blue carbon ecosystems provide 
including— 
(A) coastal protection from storms and 
flooding; 
(B) tourism and recreational use; 
(C) benefits to fisheries; 
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(D) nutrient removal; 
(E) number of jobs that are directly or in-
directly attributable to blue carbon ecosystems; 
and 
(F) total economic activity that is attrib-
utable to such blue carbon ecosystems. 
(9) An assessment of the social and economic 
makeup of the communities served by blue carbon 
ecosystems. 
SEC. 104. BLUE CARBON PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator shall es-
tablish a competitive grant program entitled the ‘‘Blue 
Carbon Partnership Grant Program’’ to, beginning not 
later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, 
provide funds to eligible entities for projects that— 
(1) protect and restore blue carbon stocks, oce-
anic blue carbon, and coastal blue carbon ecosystems 
and increase the long-term carbon storage; and 
(2) contribute to priorities identified in the 
most recent strategic plan developed by the inter-
agency working group. 
(b) ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS.—A person or entity is eli-
gible to receive a grant under the grant program if such 
person is— 
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(1) a voluntary private landowner or group of 
landowners; 
(2) a State agency responsible for managing 
natural resources or wildlife; 
(3) an Indian Tribe; 
(4) a unit of local government; 
(5) a nonprofit organization or land trust; 
(6) an institution of higher education and re-
search; or 
(7) any group of entities described in para-
graphs (1) through (6). 
(c) REQUIREMENTS.—In administering the grant 
program under this section, the Secretary shall use the 
criteria, guidelines, contracts, reporting requirements, and 
evaluation metrics developed by the interagency working 
group. 
(d) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In evaluating applica-
tions for the program from eligible entities, the Adminis-
trator shall give priority to proposed eligible restoration 
activities that— 
(1) would result in long-term protection and se-
questration of carbon stored in coastal and marine 
environments; and 
(2)(A) would protect key habitats for fish, wild-
life, and the maintenance of biodiversity; 
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(B) would provide coastal protection from devel-
opment, storms, flooding, and land-based pollution; 
(C) would protect coastal resources of national, 
historical, and cultural significance; 
(D) would benefit communities of color, low-in-
come communities, Tribal or Indigenous commu-
nities, or rural communities; or 
(E) would capitalize on existing established 
public/private partnerships. 
(e) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) REPORT
REQUIRED.—The Administrator 
shall submit annually to Congress a report con-
taining a State-by-State analysis of— 
(A) the total number of acres of land or 
water protected or restored through fee title ac-
quisition, easement, restoration or other activi-
ties under the program; 
(B) the status of restoration projects 
under this program; and 
(C) the amount of blue carbon captured or 
protected over a 100-year time period as a re-
sult of this program. 
(2) PUBLICATION OF REPORT.—The Adminis-
trator shall make available to the public each report 
required by paragraph (1). 
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(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator 
$200,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 to 2025 
to carry out this section. 
SEC. 105. INTEGRATED PILOT PROGRAMS TO PROTECT AND 
RESTORE DEGRADED COASTAL BLUE CAR-
BON ECOSYSTEMS. 
The Administrator shall— 
(1) establish integrated pilot programs that de-
velop best management practices, including design 
criteria and performance functions, for coastal and 
marine blue carbon ecosystem restoration, nature- 
based adaptation strategies, living shoreline projects, 
landward progression or migration of coastal blue 
carbon ecosystems, and identify potential barriers to 
restoration efforts; 
(2) ensure that the pilot programs cover geo-
graphically, ecologically, culturally, and economically 
representative locations with significant ecological, 
economic, and social benefits and maximize potential 
for long-term carbon storage; 
(3) establish a procedure for reviewing applica-
tions for the pilot program, taking into account— 
(A) quantification; 
(B) verifiability; 
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(C) additionality, as compared to a histor-
ical baseline; and 
(D) permanence of those benefits; 
(4) ensure, through consultation with the inter-
agency working group, that the goals, metrics, moni-
toring, and outcomes of the pilot programs are com-
municated to the appropriate State, Tribal, and local 
governments, and to the general public; and 
(5) coordinate with relevant Federal agencies 
on the interagency working group to prevent unnec-
essary duplication of effort among Federal agencies 
and departments with respect to protection and res-
toration programs. 
SEC. 106. INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The National Science and 
Technology Council Subcommittee on Ocean Science and 
Technology shall establish the Interagency Working Group 
on Coastal and Marine Blue Carbon. 
(b) PURPOSES.—The interagency working group 
shall— 
(1) oversee the development of and updates to 
a national map, including United States Territories, 
of coastal and marine blue carbon ecosystems, in-
cluding habitat types with a regional focus in anal-
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ysis that is usable for local level protection planning 
and restoration; 
(2) use such map to inform the Administrator 
of the Environmental Protection Agency’s creation 
of the annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas 
Emissions and Sinks; 
(3) establish national coastal and marine blue 
carbon ecosystem restoration priorities, including an 
assessment of current Federal funding being used 
for restoration and conservation efforts; 
(4) assess the biophysical, social, statutory, reg-
ulatory, and economic impediments to coastal and 
marine blue carbon ecosystem protection and res-
toration; 
(5) study the effects of climate change and en-
vironmental and human stressors on carbon seques-
tration rates; 
(6) identify priority blue carbon ecosystems for 
protection; 
(7) develop a national strategy for foundational 
science necessary to study, synthesize, and evaluate 
the effects of climate change, environmental, and 
human stressors on sequestration rates and capabili-
ties of marine blue carbon and coastal blue carbon 
ecosystems protection; 
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(8) develop an assessment of current legal au-
thorities to protect and restore blue carbon eco-
systems and make recommendations for additional 
authorities if current authorities are determined to 
be insufficient; and 
(9) ensure the continuity, use, and interoper-
ability of data assets through Coastal Carbon Data 
Clearinghouse of the Smithsonian Institution. 
(c) MEMBERSHIP.—The interagency working group 
shall be comprised of representatives of the following: 
(1) The Administrator. 
(2) The Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency. 
(3) The Director of the National Science Foun-
dation. 
(4) The Administrator of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration. 
(5) The Director of the United States Geologi-
cal Survey. 
(6) The Director of the United States Fish and 
Wildlife Service. 
(7) The Director of the National Park Service. 
(8) The Director of the Bureau of Indian Af-
fairs. 
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(9) The Secretary of the Smithsonian Institu-
tion. 
(10) The Chief of Engineers of the Army Corps 
of Engineers. 
(11) The Secretary of Agriculture. 
(12) The Secretary of Defense. 
(13) The Secretary of Transportation. 
(14) The Secretary of State. 
(15) The Secretary of Energy. 
(16) The Administrator of the United States 
Agency for International Development. 
(17) The Administrator of the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency. 
(18) The Chair of the Council on Environ-
mental Quality. 
(d) CHAIR.—The interagency working group shall be 
chaired by the Administrator. 
(e) STRATEGIC PLAN.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Interagency Working 
group shall create a strategic plan for Federal in-
vestments in basic research, development, dem-
onstration, long-term monitoring and stewardship, 
and deployment of coastal blue carbon ecosystem 
and marine blue carbon projects for the 5-year pe-
riod beginning on the date that is 1 year after the 
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date of enactment of this Act. The plan shall in-
clude— 
(A) an assessment of the use of existing 
Federal programs to protect, restore, enhance, 
and preserve coastal blue carbon ecosystems; 
(B) an analysis of potential sea level rise 
migration corridors for blue carbon ecosystems; 
(C) an analysis of anticipated fish and 
wildlife uses of blue carbon ecosystems; and 
(D) identification of priority strategies and 
investments for preserving, restoring, and en-
hancing the resilience and carbon sequestration 
potential of such blue carbon ecosystems. 
(2) TIMING.—The interagency working group 
shall— 
(A) submit the strategic plan under para-
graph (1) to the Committee on Natural Re-
sources and the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate on a date 
that is not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act; and 
(B) submit a revised version of such plan 
to such committees every 5 years thereafter. 
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(3) FEDERAL
REGISTER.—Not less than 90 
days before the strategic plan, or any revision there-
of, is submitted under paragraph (2), the inter-
agency working group shall publish such plan in the 
Federal Register and solicit public comments on 
such plan for a period of not less than 60 days. 
SEC. 107. COASTAL CARBON AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—The Administrator, consistent 
with this section, shall designate as a coastal carbon area 
of significance any area that is— 
(1) in the coastal zone (as such term is defined 
in section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act 
of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1453)), in territorial waters of 
the United States, or in the exclusive economic zone; 
and 
(2) the location of water, a substrate, or an eco-
system that— 
(A) provides for long-term storage and se-
questration of significant amounts of ecosystem 
carbon; and 
(B)(i) limits erosion and future landward 
migration; 
(ii) provides a buffer against storm surge, 
especially for communities of color, low-income 
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communities, and Tribal and Indigenous com-
munities; 
(iii) provides a spawning, breeding, feed-
ing, or nesting habitat for wildlife; or 
(iv) is estuarine habitat designated as es-
sential fish habitat under the Magnuson-Ste-
vens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.). 
(b) GUIDELINES.—The Administrator, in consulta-
tion with the interagency working group, shall, not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, estab-
lish by regulation guidelines based on the best available 
science to describe and identify coastal carbon areas of 
significance and measures to ensure the protection of 
coastal carbon areas of significance. 
(c) REVIEW AND UPDATE.—The Administrator, in 
consultation with the interagency working group, shall re-
view and update guidelines established under subsection 
(b) not less frequently than once every 5 years or when 
new information warrants such an update. 
(d) SCHEDULE.—The Administrator, in consultation 
with the interagency working group, shall establish a 
schedule for the identification of coastal carbon areas of 
significance under subsection (b) and for reviews and up-
dates under subsection (c), and shall make initial designa-
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tions of a coastal carbon area of significance in each coast-
al State not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act. 
(e) RECOMMENDATIONS
AND INFORMATION.—The 
Administrator, in consultation with the interagency work-
ing group, shall, with respect to each coastal carbon area 
of significance, provide recommendations and information 
regarding the adverse impacts and threats to the carbon 
storage, ecosystem services, and habitat capacity of the 
area, and the actions that should be considered to avoid 
adverse impacts and ensure the conservation and enhance-
ment of that area. 
(f) PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY 
OF COMMERCE.—The Administrator, in consultation with 
the interagency working group, shall use programs admin-
istered by the Secretary of Commerce to carry out this 
section and ensure the conservation and enhancement of 
each coastal carbon area of significance. 
(g) REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL ACTIONS.—With 
respect to any proposed agency action that has the poten-
tial to cause an adverse impact on the carbon storage, eco-
system services, or habitat capacity of any coastal carbon 
area of significance, each Federal agency shall comply 
with the following requirements: 
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(1) NOTIFICATION.—Such Federal agency shall 
notify the Administrator of such proposed agency ac-
tion. 
(2) DETERMINATION
OF
ADVERSE
IMPACT.— 
The Administrator, in consultation with the pro-
posing agency and subject to public comment, shall 
determine whether the proposed agency action will 
cause an adverse impact on the carbon storage, eco-
system, or habitat of a coastal carbon area of signifi-
cance. 
(3) ALTERNATIVE.—With respect to any pro-
posed action the Administrator determines will have 
an adverse impact under paragraph (2), the pro-
posing agency, in consultation with the Adminis-
trator, shall determine whether there is an alter-
native action that would prevent such adverse im-
pact and fulfill the purpose of the proposed action. 
The proposing agency shall not take an action that 
would cause an adverse impact if an alternative that 
would not cause such adverse impact is available and 
would fulfill the purpose of such action. 
(4) CARBON STORAGE OFFSETS.—With respect 
to a proposed action for which the agency deter-
mines no alternative is available under paragraph 
(3), the proposing agency shall— 
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(A) in consultation with the Administrator, 
take measures to minimize and mitigate such 
adverse impact; 
(B) take such action as the Administrator 
determines necessary to create a coastal or ma-
rine blue carbon ecosystem storage offset that, 
taken in conjunction with the proposed action, 
results in a long term net increase in carbon 
storage, lasting an equivalent time period as the 
carbon storage lost by the adverse impact; 
(C) demonstrate quantitatively, using the 
best available science, that the carbon storage 
offset will result in a net increase in ecological 
carbon storage and is located in close proximity 
to the original site to keep the affected commu-
nities whole; 
(D) maintain such carbon storage offset 
for a period of time to be determined by the 
Administrator but not less than 100 years; and 
(E) publish the agency’s proposed course 
of mitigation in the Federal Register for public 
notice and comment. 
(h) REQUIREMENT FOR AUTHORIZATION OR APPRO-
PRIATION.—Any requests for a new authorization or ap-
propriation from a Federal agency transmitted to the Of-
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fice of Management and Budget shall include, if such au-
thorization or appropriation may affect a coastal carbon 
area of significance, a certification that such agency will 
use such authorization or appropriation in compliance 
with this section. 
(i) REQUIRED RESTRICTIONS.—A Federal agency 
may not enter into a lease, easement, right-of-way, or sale 
of any land designated as a coastal carbon area of signifi-
cance unless such agency attaches appropriate restrictions 
to the use of the property to protect the coastal carbon 
area of significance. 
(j) EXCEPTION.—Preparation, revision, implementa-
tion, or enforcement of a fishery management plan under 
the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Manage-
ment Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) that applies to area 
that is subject to a prohibition on all bottom-tending fish-
ing gear shall not be treated as an action that is subject 
to subsection (g). 
SEC. 108. AUTHORIZATION OF SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 
BLUE CARBON ACTIVITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Smithsonian 
Institution, in coordination with the Administrator and 
the interagency working group, shall provide for the long- 
term stewardship, continuity, use, and interoperability of, 
and access to, data relating to coastal blue carbon eco-
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systems and national mapping, including United States 
Territories and Tribal lands, by supporting the mainte-
nance of the Coastal Carbon Data Clearinghouse. 
(b) COASTAL CARBON DATA CLEARINGHOUSE DU-
TIES.—Acting through the Coastal Carbon Data Clearing-
house, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in co-
ordination with the Administrator and interagency work-
ing group shall process, store, archive, provide access to, 
and incorporate to the extent possible, all coastal and ma-
rine blue carbon data collected through federally funded 
research by a Federal agency, State, local agency, Tribe, 
academic scientist, or other relevant entity. 
(c) GLOBAL
AND NATIONAL DATA ASSETS.—The 
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, in coordination 
with the Administrator and the interagency working 
group, shall ensure that existing global and national data 
assets are incorporated into the Coastal Carbon Data 
Clearinghouse to the greatest extent possible. 
(d) ESTABLISHMENT OF STANDARDS, PROTOCOLS, 
AND PROCEDURES.—The Secretary of the Smithsonian 
Institution, in coordination with the Administrator and 
members of the interagency working group, shall establish 
standards, protocols, and procedures for the processing, 
storing, archiving, and providing access to data in the 
Coastal Carbon Data Clearinghouse and best practices for 
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sharing such data with State, local, and Tribal govern-
ments, coastal stakeholders, non-Federal resource man-
agers, and academia. The Administrator shall publish, up-
date, and keep current such data on a publicly available 
website. 
(e) DIGITAL TOOLS
AND RESOURCES.—The Sec-
retary of the Smithsonian Institution, in coordination with 
the Administrator and members of the interagency work-
ing group, shall develop digital tools and resources to sup-
port the public use of the Coastal Carbon Data Clearing-
house. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the 
Smithsonian Institution $5,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2021 through 2025 to carry out this section. 
SEC. 109. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Admin-
istrator $50,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2021 to 
2025 to carry out this title. 
SEC. 110. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) BLUE CARBON STOCKS.—The term ‘‘blue 
carbon stocks’’ means terrestrial and marine vegeta-
tion and underlying sediment that has the capacity 
to sequester and store atmospheric carbon. 
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(2) COASTAL BLUE CARBON ECOSYSTEM.—The 
term ‘‘coastal blue carbon ecosystem’’ means vege-
tated coastal habitats including mangroves, tidal 
marshes, seagrasses, kelp forests, and other tidal or 
salt-water wetlands that have the capacity to seques-
ter carbon from the atmosphere for a period of not 
less than 100 years. 
(3) COASTAL
CARBON
AREAS
OF
SIGNIFI-
CANCE.—The term ‘‘coastal carbon area of signifi-
cance’’ means any area designated by the Adminis-
trator under section 107 as a coastal carbon area of 
significance. 
(4) GRANT PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘grant pro-
gram’’ means the Blue Carbon Partnership Grant 
Program established pursuant to section 104. 
(5) INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.—The term 
‘‘interagency working group’’ means the Interagency 
Working Group on Coastal Blue Carbon established 
under section 106. 
(6) MARINE BLUE CARBON.—The term ‘‘ Ma-
rine Blue Carbon’’ means the sequestration of car-
bon in pelagic and deep sea ecosystems, including in 
sediments and through the ecosystem impacts of in-
creased biomass of large marine wildlife. 
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