I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8783 
To reauthorize the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act to 
promote the protection of the resources of the Northwest Straits, and 
for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 18, 2024 
Mr. LARSEN of Washington (for himself, Ms. DELBENE, Mr. KILMER, Ms. 
STRICKLAND, Mr. SMITH of Washington, and Ms. JAYAPAL) introduced 
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Re-
sources 
A BILL 
To reauthorize the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation 
Initiative Act to promote the protection of the resources 
of the Northwest Straits, 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. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Northwest Straits Ma-
rine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2024’’. 
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SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF NORTHWEST STRAITS MA-
RINE CONSERVATION INITIATIVE ACT. 
The Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative 
Act (title IV of Public Law 105–384; 112 Stat. 3458) is 
amended— 
(1) in section 402, by striking ‘‘Commission (in 
this title referred to as the ‘Commission’).’’ and in-
serting ‘‘Commission.’’; and 
(2) by striking sections 403, 404, and 405 and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘SEC. 403. FINDINGS. 
‘‘Congress makes the following findings: 
‘‘(1) The marine waters and ecosystem of the 
Northwest Straits in Puget Sound in the State of 
Washington represent a unique resource of enor-
mous environmental and economic value to the peo-
ple of the United States. 
‘‘(2) During the 20th century, the environ-
mental health of the Northwest Straits declined dra-
matically as indicated by impaired water quality, de-
clines in marine wildlife, collapse of harvestable ma-
rine species, loss of critical marine habitats, ocean 
acidification, and sea level rise. 
‘‘(3) Increasingly, the Northwest Straits have 
been threatened by sea level rise, ocean acidification, 
and other effects of climate change. 
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‘‘(4) This title was enacted to tap the unprece-
dented level of citizen stewardship demonstrated in 
the Northwest Straits and create a mechanism to 
mobilize public support and raise capacity for local 
efforts to protect and restore the ecosystem of the 
Northwest Straits. 
‘‘(5) The Northwest Straits Marine Conserva-
tion Initiative helps the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration and other Federal agen-
cies with their marine missions by fostering local in-
terest in marine issues and involving diverse commu-
nities. 
‘‘(6) The Northwest Straits Marine Conserva-
tion Initiative shares many of the same goals with 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion, including fostering citizen stewardship of ma-
rine resources, general ecosystem management, and 
protecting federally managed marine species. 
‘‘(7) Ocean literacy, kelp habitat conservation 
and monitoring, Veterans Conservation Corps in-
ternships, and removal of marine debris projects are 
examples of previous and ongoing partnerships be-
tween the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation 
Initiative and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
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Administration. Areas of partnership may evolve 
with emerging opportunities. 
‘‘SEC. 404. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘In this title: 
‘‘(1) COMMISSION.—The term ‘Commission’ 
means the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission 
established by section 402. 
‘‘(2) MARINE
RESOURCES
COMMITTEE.—The 
term ‘marine resources committee’ means a county 
government committee that assists in assessing ma-
rine resource and conservation needs. 
‘‘(3) NORTHWEST STRAITS REGION.—The term 
‘Northwest Straits region’ means the marine waters 
of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and of Puget Sound 
from the Canadian border to the south end of Sno-
homish County. 
‘‘(4) TRIBAL GOVERNMENT.—The term ‘Tribal 
government’ means the recognized governing body of 
any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, 
pueblo, village, community, component band, or com-
ponent reservation individually identified (including 
parenthetically) in the list published most recently as 
of the date of enactment of the Northwest Straits 
Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act 
of 2024 pursuant to section 104 of the Federally 
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Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 
U.S.C. 5131). 
‘‘(5) UNDER
SECRETARY.—The term ‘Under 
Secretary’ means the Under Secretary of Commerce 
for Oceans and Atmosphere. 
‘‘SEC. 405. MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION. 
‘‘(a) COMPOSITION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall be 
composed of 14 members, except as provided in 
paragraph (2), who shall be appointed as follows: 
‘‘(A) One member appointed by a con-
sensus of the members of a marine resources 
committee for San Juan County, Washington. 
‘‘(B) One member appointed by a con-
sensus of the members of a marine resources 
committee for Island County, Washington. 
‘‘(C) One member appointed by a con-
sensus of the members of a marine resources 
committee for Skagit County, Washington. 
‘‘(D) One member appointed by a con-
sensus of the members of a marine resources 
committee for Whatcom County, Washington. 
‘‘(E) One member appointed by a con-
sensus of the members of a marine resources 
committee for Snohomish County, Washington. 
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Commission under section 406(b), appoint members 
in addition to those appointed under paragraph (1). 
Any such additional member shall be appointed by 
a consensus of the members of a marine resources 
committee that is not described in such paragraph. 
‘‘(b) VACANCIES.—A vacancy in the Commission 
shall be filled in the manner in which the original appoint-
ment was made. 
‘‘(c) CHAIRPERSON.—The Commission shall select a 
Chairperson from among its members. 
‘‘(d) MEETING.—The Commission shall meet at the 
call of the Chairperson, but not less frequently than quar-
terly. 
‘‘(e) LIAISON.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary, in 
consultation with the Commission, shall appoint an 
employee of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration— 
‘‘(A) to serve as a liaison between the 
Commission and the Department of Commerce; 
‘‘(B) to coordinate programs of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
with activities related to the goal of the Com-
mission described in section 406(a); and 
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‘‘(C) to perform additional liaison func-
tions benefitting the Commission and the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
which may include, as agreed to by the Com-
mission and the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration, attending meetings and 
other events of the Commission as a nonvoting 
participant. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—Service as a member of the 
Commission by the employee appointed under para-
graph (1)— 
‘‘(A) is limited to the employee’s service as 
a liaison; and 
‘‘(B) does not obligate the employee to per-
form any duty of the Commission under section 
406(b). 
‘‘(f) ADMINISTRATION.—The Commission may enter 
into cooperative agreements with the State of Washington 
for staffing and administrative services for the purposes 
of supporting the duties of the Commission under section 
406(b). 
‘‘SEC. 406. GOAL AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION. 
‘‘(a) GOAL.—The goal of the Commission is to pro-
tect and restore the marine waters, habitats, and species 
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of the Northwest Straits region to achieve ecosystem 
health and sustainable resource use by— 
‘‘(1) designing and recommending projects that 
are driven by the best available science, local prior-
ities, community-based decisions, and the ability to 
measure results; 
‘‘(2) building awareness and stewardship and 
making recommendations to improve the health of 
the marine resources of the Northwest Straits re-
gion; 
‘‘(3) maintaining and expanding diverse mem-
bership and collaboration with partner organizations, 
such as the Puget Sound Partnership; 
‘‘(4) expanding partnerships with Tribal gov-
ernments and continuing to support Tribal treaties, 
cultures, and subsistence and Tribal treaty rights; 
and 
‘‘(5) recognizing the importance of economic 
and social benefits that are dependent on marine en-
vironments and sustainable marine resources. 
‘‘(b) DUTIES.—The duties of the Commission are the 
following: 
‘‘(1) To provide resources and technical support 
for marine resources committees. 
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‘‘(2) To work with such marine resources com-
mittees and appropriate entities of Federal, State, 
and local governments and Tribal governments to 
provide advice in developing regional programs to 
monitor the overall health of the marine ecosystem 
of the Northwest Straits region. 
‘‘(3) To collect marine resources data and iden-
tify factors adversely affecting or preventing the res-
toration of the health of the marine ecosystem and 
coastal economies of the Northwest Straits region to 
inform decision makers. 
‘‘(4) To develop scientifically sound restoration 
and protection recommendations, informed by local 
priorities, that address such factors. 
‘‘(5) To serve as a public forum for the infor-
mal discussion of policies and actions, with respect 
to the marine ecosystem of the Northwest Straits re-
gion, of Federal, State, or local governments, Tribal 
governments, or the Government of Canada. 
‘‘(6) To inform appropriate authorities and 
local communities about the marine ecosystem of the 
Northwest Straits region and about issues relating 
to the marine ecosystem of the Northwest Straits re-
gion. 
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‘‘(7) To consult with all affected Tribal govern-
ments in the Northwest Straits region to ensure that 
the work of the Commission does not violate Tribal 
treaty rights. 
‘‘(c) COORDINATION
AND
COLLABORATION.—The 
Commission— 
‘‘(1) shall carry out the duties described in sub-
section (b) in coordination and collaboration, as ap-
propriate, with Federal, State, and local govern-
ments and Tribal governments, including by— 
‘‘(A) providing technical support and as-
sistance to any Tribal government seeking rep-
resentation and participation on the Commis-
sion; and 
‘‘(B) supporting the work and duties of the 
liaison to the Commission under section 405(e); 
and 
‘‘(2) may enter into cooperative agreements 
with nonprofit entities, such as the Northwest 
Straits Foundation, to provide assistance, including 
financial assistance, in carrying out the duties de-
scribed in subsection (b). 
‘‘(d) LIMITATIONS.—Nothing in this title provides 
the Commission with authority to issue regulations or im-
plement any Federal law or regulation. 
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‘‘(e) ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS.—For purposes of 
carrying out this section, the Commission may solicit, ac-
cept, receive, hold, administer, and use gifts, devises, and 
bequests without any further approval or administrative 
action. 
‘‘(f) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Each year, the Commission 
shall prepare, submit to the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation and the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Com-
mittee on Natural Resources and the Committee on 
Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and 
the Under Secretary, and make available to the pub-
lic a report describing— 
‘‘(A) the activities carried out by the Com-
mission during the preceding year; and 
‘‘(B) the progress in achieving the bench-
marks described in paragraph (2). 
‘‘(2) 
BENCHMARKS.—The 
benchmarks 
de-
scribed in this paragraph are the following: 
‘‘(A) Protection and restoration of marine, 
coastal, and nearshore habitats within the 
Northwest Straits region. 
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‘‘(B) Protection and restoration of marine 
resources populations to healthy, sustainable 
levels. 
‘‘(C) Improvement of the water quality of 
the Northwest Straits region. 
‘‘(D) Collection of high-quality data and 
promotion of the use and dissemination of such 
data for the purposes of ecosystem monitoring. 
‘‘(E) Promotion of stewardship and under-
standing of marine resources of the Northwest 
Straits region through education and outreach, 
including 
by 
targeted 
outreach 
to 
underresourced communities. 
‘‘SEC. 407. FUNDING. 
‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary 
to carry out this title such sums as are necessary, includ-
ing to be made available to the Commission to carry out 
the duties of the Commission under this title. 
‘‘(b) ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary may, 
from amounts made available to the Under Sec-
retary to carry out this title, provide assistance to 
the Commission in carrying out the duties of the 
Commission under this title. 
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‘‘(2) PROVISION.—The Under Secretary may 
provide the assistance described in paragraph (1), 
and make available amounts to the Commission to 
carry out the duties of the Commission, through a 
contract with the Director of the Padilla Bay Na-
tional Estuarine Research Reserve, unless the Gov-
ernor of the State of Washington objects. If such 
Governor so objects, the Under Secretary may pro-
vide such assistance and make available such 
amounts to the Commission.’’. 
Æ 
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