(11) funding for the research and related pro-
grams of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration will aid in improving the Nation’s un-
derstanding and capabilities for addressing the
human and environmental costs associated with
harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; and
(12) other Federal agencies such as the Environ-
mental Protection Agency, the Department of Agri-
culture, and the National Science Foundation, along
with the States, Indian tribes, and local governments,
conduct important work related to the prevention, re-
duction, and control of harmful algal blooms and hy-
poxia.
SEC. 603. ASSESSMENTS.
(a) 
ESTABLISHMENT
OF
INTER-AGENCY
TASK
FORCE.—The President, through the Committee on Envi-
ronment and Natural Resources of the National Science and
Technology Council, shall establish an Inter-Agency Task
Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia (hereinafter
referred to as the ‘‘Task Force’’). The Task Force shall con-
sist of the following representatives from—
(1) the Department of Commerce (who shall serve
as Chairman of the Task Force);
(2) the Environmental Protection Agency;
(3) the Department of Agriculture;
(4) the Department of the Interior;
(5) the Department of the Navy;
(6) the Department of Health and Human Serv-
ices;
(7) the National Science Foundation;
(8) the National Aeronautics and Space Admin-
istration;
(9) the Food and Drug Administration;
(10) the Office of Science and Technology Policy;
(11) the Council on Environmental Quality; and
(12) such other Federal agencies as the President
considers appropriate.
(b) ASSESSMENT OF HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS.—
(1) Not later than 12 months after the date of
enactment of this title, the Task Force, in cooperation
with the coastal States, Indian tribes, and local gov-
ernments, industry (including agricultural organiza-
tions), academic institutions, and non-governmental
organizations with expertise in coastal zone manage-
ment, shall complete and submit to the Congress an
assessment which examines the ecological and eco-
nomic consequences of harmful algal blooms, alter-
natives for reducing, mitigating, and controlling
harmful algal blooms, and the social and economic
costs and benefits of such alternatives.
(2) The assessment shall—
(A) identify alternatives for preventing un-
necessary duplication of effort among Federal
agencies and departments with respect to harm-
ful algal blooms; and
(B) provide for Federal cooperation and co-
ordination with and assistance to the coastal
States, Indian tribes, and local governments in
the prevention, reduction, management, mitiga-
tion, and control of harmful algal blooms and
their environmental and public health impacts.
(c) ASSESSMENT OF HYPOXIA.—
(1) Not later than 12 months after the date of
enactment of this title, the Task Force, in cooperation
with the States, Indian tribes, local governments, in-
dustry, agricultural, academic institutions, and non-
governmental organizations with expertise in water-
shed and coastal zone management, shall complete
and submit to the Congress an assessment which ex-
amines the ecological and economic consequences of
hypoxia in United States coastal waters, alternatives
for reducing, mitigating, and controlling hypoxia,
and the social and economic costs and benefits of such
alternatives.
(2) The assessment shall—
(A) establish needs, priorities, and guide-
lines for a peer-reviewed, inter-agency research
program on the causes, characteristics, and im-
pacts of hypoxia;
(B) identify alternatives for preventing un-
necessary duplication of effort among Federal
agencies and departments with respect to hy-
poxia; and
(C) provide for Federal cooperation and co-
ordination with and assistance to the States, In-
dian tribes, and local governments in the preven-
tion, reduction, management, mitigation, and
control of hypoxia and its environmental im-
pacts.
(e) DISESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE.—The Presi-
dent may disestablish the Task Force after submission of
the plan in section 604(d).
SEC. 604. NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO HYPOXIA.
(a) ASSESSMENT REPORT.—Not later than May 30,
1999, the Task Force shall complete and submit to Congress
and the President an integrated assessment of hypoxia in
the northern Gulf of Mexico that examines: the distribution,
dynamics, and causes; ecological and economic con-
sequences; sources and loads of nutrients transported by the
Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico; effects of reducing
nutrient loads; methods for reducing nutrient loads; and the
social and economic costs and benefits of such methods.
(b) SUBMISSION OF A PLAN.—No later than March 30,
2000, the President, in conjunction with the chief executive
officers of the States, shall develop and submit to Congress
a plan, based on the integrated assessment submitted under
subsection (a), for reducing, mitigating, and controlling hy-
poxia in the northern Gulf of Mexico. In developing such
plan, the President shall consult with State, Indian tribe,
and local governments, academic, agricultural, industry,
and environmental groups and representatives. Such plan
shall include incentive-based partnership approaches. The
plan shall also include the social and economic costs and
benefits of the measures for reducing, mitigating, and con-
trolling hypoxia. At least 90 days before the President sub-
mits such plan to the Congress, a summary of the proposed
plan shall be published in the Federal Register for a public
comment period of not less than 60 days.
SEC. 605. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary of Commerce for research, education, and monitoring
activities related to the prevention, reduction, and control
of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, $15,000,000 for fiscal
year 1999, $18,250,000 for fiscal year 2000, and
$19,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, to remain available until
expended. The Secretary shall consult with the States on
a regular basis regarding the development and implementa-
tion of the activities authorized under this section. Of such
amounts for each fiscal year—
(1) $1,500,000 for fiscal year 1999, $1,500,000
for fiscal year 2000, and $2,000,000 for fiscal year
2001 may be used to enable the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration to carry out research
and assessment activities, including procurement of
necessary research equipment, at research laboratories
of the National Ocean Service and the National Ma-
rine Fisheries Service;
(2) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, $5,500,000
for fiscal year 2000, and $5,500,000 for fiscal year
2001 may be used to carry out the Ecology and
Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms (ECOHAB)
project under the Coastal Ocean Program established
under section 201(c) of Public Law 102–567;
(3) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, $2,000,000
for fiscal year 2000, and $2,000,000 for fiscal year
2001 may be used by the National Ocean Service of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion to carry out a peer-reviewed research project on
management measures that can be taken to prevent,
reduce, control, and mitigate harmful algal blooms;
(4) $5,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 1999,
2000, and 2001 may be used to carry out Federal and
State annual monitoring and analysis activities for
harmful algal blooms administered by the National
Ocean Service of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration; and
(5) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, $3,750,000
for fiscal year 2000, and $4,000,000 for fiscal year
2001 may be used for activities related to research
and monitoring on hypoxia by the National Ocean
Service and the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric
Research of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
SEC. 606. PROTECTION OF STATES’ RIGHTS.
(a) Nothing in this title shall be interpreted to ad-
versely affect existing State regulatory or enforcement
power which has been granted to any State through the
Clean Water Act or Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972.
(b) Nothing in this title shall be interpreted to expand
the regulatory or enforcement power of the Federal Govern-
100
ment which has been delegated to any State through the
Clean Water Act or Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972.
Attest:
Clerk.