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‘‘(3) CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL.—The Secretary 
may not approve a partnership proposal under this 
section unless the partnership is consistent with the 
international coral reef conservation strategy devel-
oped pursuant to subsection (a), and meets the cri-
teria specified in that strategy. 
‘‘(d) PRIORITY FOR CERTAIN PROJECTS CONDUCTED 
BY STATES.—In implementing this section, the Secretary 
shall give priority consideration to regional initiatives and 
projects that States are participating in with other na-
tions. 
‘‘SEC. 214. PERMITS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may, in ac-
cordance with this section and regulations issued under 
this title, issue a permit authorizing the conduct of bona 
fide research. 
‘‘(b) EXEMPT ACTIVITIES.—No permit under this 
section is required for an activity that is exempt from li-
ability under section 206(e). 
‘‘(c) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The Administrator 
may place any terms and conditions on a permit issued 
under this section that the Administrator deems reason-
able. 
‘‘(d) FEES.— 
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‘‘(1) ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION.—Subject 
to regulations issued under this title, the Adminis-
trator may assess and collect fees as specified in this 
subsection. 
‘‘(2) AMOUNT.—Any fee assessed shall be equal 
to the sum of— 
‘‘(A) all costs incurred, or expected to be 
incurred, by the Administrator in processing 
the permit application, including indirect costs; 
and 
‘‘(B) if the permit is approved, all costs in-
curred, or expected to be incurred, by the Ad-
ministrator as a direct result of the conduct of 
the activity for which the permit is issued. 
‘‘(3) USE OF FEES.—Amounts collected by the 
Administrator in the form of fees under this section 
shall be collected and available for use only to the 
extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts 
and may be used by the Administrator for issuing 
and administering permits under this section. 
‘‘(4) WAIVER OR REDUCTION OF FEES.—For 
any fee assessed under paragraph (2) of this sub-
section, the Administrator may— 
‘‘(A) accept in-kind contributions in lieu of 
a fee; or 
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‘‘(B) waive or reduce the fee. 
‘‘(e) FISHING.—Nothing in this section shall be con-
sidered to require a person to obtain a permit under this 
section for the conduct of any fishing activity that is not 
prohibited by this title or regulations issued under this 
title. 
‘‘SEC. 215. REGULATIONS; APPLICATION IN ACCORDANCE 
WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW. 
‘‘(a) REGULATIONS.—The Administrator may issue 
such regulations as are necessary and appropriate to carry 
out the purposes of sections 206 and 214. 
‘‘(b) RELATIONSHIP TO INTERNATIONAL LAW.—This 
title and any regulations promulgated under this title shall 
be applied in accordance with international law. No re-
strictions shall apply to or be enforced against a person 
who is not a citizen, national, or resident alien of the 
United States (including foreign flag vessels) unless in ac-
cordance with international law.’’. 
SEC. 106. CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITIONS. 
Section 218, as redesignated by section 105 of this 
Act (relating to definitions; 16 U.S.C. 6409), is further 
amended— 
(1) by amending paragraph (2) to read as fol-
lows: 
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‘‘(2) CONSERVATION.—The term ‘conservation’ 
means the use of methods and procedures that are 
necessary to preserve or sustain coral reefs and asso-
ciated species as resilient diverse, viable, and self- 
perpetuating coral reef ecosystems, including— 
‘‘(A) all activities associated with resource 
management, such as assessment, conservation, 
protection, restoration, sustainable use, and 
management of habitat; 
‘‘(B) mapping; 
‘‘(C) monitoring of coral reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(D) development and implementation of 
management strategies for marine protected 
area or networks thereof and marine resources 
consistent with the National Marine Sanc-
tuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) and the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.); 
‘‘(E) law enforcement; 
‘‘(F) conflict resolution initiatives; 
‘‘(G) community outreach and education; 
and 
‘‘(H) activities that promote safe and eco-
logically sound navigation.’’; 
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(2) by amending paragraph (3) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(3) CORAL.—The term ‘coral’ means species 
of the phylum Cnidaria, including— 
‘‘(A) all species of the orders Antipatharia 
(black corals), Scleractinia (stony corals), 
Gorgonacea (horny corals), Stolonifera (organ- 
pipe corals and others), Alcyonacea (soft cor-
als), and Helioporacea (blue coral), of the class 
Anthozoa; and 
‘‘(B) all species of the families Milleporidae 
(fire corals) and Stylasteridae (stylasterid 
hydrocorals), of the class Hydrozoa.’’; 
(3) by amending paragraph (4) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(4) CORAL
REEF.—The term ‘coral reef’ 
means a limestone structure, in the form of a reef 
or shoal, comprised in whole or in part by living 
coral, skeletal remains of coral, and other associated 
sessile marine plants and animals.’’; 
(4) by amending paragraph (5) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(5) CORAL
REEF
ECOSYSTEM.—The term 
‘coral reef ecosystem’ means a system of coral reefs 
and geographically associated species, habitats, and 
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environment, including mangroves and seagrass 
habitats, and the processes that control its dynam-
ics.’’; and 
(5) by redesignating paragraphs (7) and (8) in 
order as paragraphs (8) and (9), respectively, and by 
inserting after paragraph (6) the following: 
‘‘(7) CORAL
REEF
COMPONENT.—The term 
‘coral reef component’ means any part of a coral 
reef, including individual living coral, skeletal re-
mains of coral, and other associated sessile marine 
plants and animals, and any adjacent or associated 
seagrasses.’’. 
SEC. 107. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 217, as redesignated by section 105 of this 
Act (relating to authorization of appropriations; 16 U.S.C. 
6408), is further amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be ap-
propriated to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out this 
title $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, $32,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2011, $34,000,000 for fiscal year 2012, and 
$35,000,000 for fiscal years 2013 and 2014.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b) by striking ‘‘$1,000,000’’ 
and inserting ‘‘$2,000,000’’; 
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(3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(c) COMMUNITY-BASED
PLANNING
GRANTS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Adminis-
trator to carry out section 209, $8,000,000 for fiscal years 
2010 through 2014, to remain available until expended.’’; 
and 
(4) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(d) DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.—There is au-
thorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior 
to carry out this title $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2010 through 2014.’’. 
TITLE II—UNITED STATES 
CORAL REEF TASK FORCE 
SEC. 201. UNITED STATES CORAL REEF TASK FORCE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is hereby established 
the United States Coral Reef Task Force. 
(b) GOAL.—The goal of the Task Force shall be to 
lead, coordinate, and strengthen Federal Government ac-
tions to better preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. 
(c) DUTIES.—The duties of the Task Force shall 
be— 
(1) to coordinate, in cooperation with State and 
local government partners, academic partners, and 
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nongovernmental partners if appropriate, activities 
regarding the mapping, monitoring, research, con-
servation, mitigation, restoration of coral reefs and 
coral reef ecosystems; 
(2) to monitor and advise regarding implemen-
tation of the policy and Federal agency responsibil-
ities set forth in Executive Order 13089 and the na-
tional coral reef action strategy developed under sec-
tion 203 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 
2000, as amended by this Act; and 
(3) to work with the Secretary of State and the 
Administrator of the Agency for International Devel-
opment, and in coordination with the other members 
of the Task Force, to— 
(A) assess the United States role in inter-
national trade and protection of coral species; 
and 
(B) encourage implementation of appro-
priate strategies and actions to promote con-
servation and sustainable use of coral reef re-
sources worldwide. 
(d) MEMBERSHIP, GENERALLY.—The Task Force 
shall be comprised of— 
(1) the Secretary of Commerce, acting through 
the Administrator of the National Oceanic and At-
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mospheric Administration, and the Secretary of the 
Interior, who shall be co-chairs of the Task Force; 
(2) the Administrator of the Agency of Inter-
national Development; 
(3) the Secretary of Agriculture; 
(4) the Secretary of Defense; 
(5) the Secretary of the Army, acting through 
the Corps of Engineers; 
(6) the Secretary of Homeland Security; 
(7) the Attorney General; 
(8) the Secretary of State; 
(9) the Secretary of Transportation; 
(10) the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency; 
(11) the Administrator of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration; 
(12) the Director of the National Science Foun-
dation; 
(13) the Governor, or a representative of the 
Governor, of the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands; 
(14) the Governor, or a representative of the 
Governor, of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; 
(15) the Governor, or a representative of the 
Governor, of the State of Florida; 
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(16) the Governor, or a representative of the 
Governor, of the State of Hawaii; 
(17) the Governor, or a representative of the 
Governor, of the Territory of Guam; 
(18) the Governor, or a representative of the 
Governor, of the Territory of American Samoa; and 
(19) the Governor, or a representative of the 
Governor, of the Virgin Islands. 
(e) NONVOTING MEMBERS.—The President, or a rep-
resentative of the President, of each of the Freely Associ-
ated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Re-
public of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau 
may appoint a nonvoting member of the Task Force. 
(f) RESPONSIBILITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCY MEM-
BERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Federal agency mem-
bers of the Task Force shall— 
(A) identify the actions of their agencies 
that may affect coral reef ecosystems; 
(B) utilize the programs and authorities of 
their agencies to protect and enhance the condi-
tions of such ecosystems; and 
(C) assist in the implementation of the Na-
tional Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs, the 
national coral reef action strategy developed 
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under section 203 of the Coral Reef Conserva-
tion Act of 2000, as amended by this Act, the 
local action strategies, and any other coordi-
nated efforts approved by the Task Force. 
(2) CO-CHAIRS.—In addition to their respon-
sibilities under paragraph (1), the co-chairs of the 
Task Force shall administer performance of the 
functions of the Task Force and facilitate the co-
ordination of the Federal agency members of the 
Task Force. 
(g) WORKING GROUPS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The co-chairs of the Task 
Force may establish working groups as necessary to 
meet the goals and duties of this title. The Task 
Force may request the co-chairs to establish such a 
working group. 
(2) PARTICIPATION BY NONGOVERNMENTAL OR-
GANIZATIONS.—The co-chairs may allow a non-
governmental organization or academic institution to 
participate in such a working group. 
(h) FACA.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Task Force. 
(i) DEFINITIONS.—The definitions in section 218 of 
the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by 
this Act, shall apply to this section. 
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TITLE III—DEPARTMENT OF THE 
INTERIOR CORAL REEF AU-
THORITIES 
SEC. 301. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF 
THE INTERIOR PROGRAM. 
(a) AMENDMENTS AND CLARIFICATIONS TO DEFINI-
TIONS.— 
(1) FISH AND WILDLIFE COORDINATION ACT.— 
Section 8 of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act 
(16 U.S.C. 666b) is amended by inserting before the 
period at the end the following: ‘‘, including coral 
reef ecosystems (as such term is defined in section 
218 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000) lo-
cated in any unit of the National Park System, any 
unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, or any 
Marine National Monument designated under the 
Act of June 8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225; 16 U.S.C. 431) 
(popularly known as the ‘Antiquities Act’)’’. 
(2) FISH AND WILDLIFE ACT OF 1956 AND FISH 
AND WILDLIFE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1978.—With 
respect to the authorities under the Fish and Wild-
life Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a et seq.) and the 
authorities under the Fish and Wildlife Improvement 
Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 742l), references in such 
Acts to ‘‘wildlife’’ and ‘‘fish and wildlife’’ shall be 
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construed to include coral reef ecosystems (as such 
term is defined in section 218 of the Coral Reef 
Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by this Act) 
located in any unit of the National Park System, 
any unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, or 
any Marine National Monument designated under 
the Act of June 8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225; 16 U.S.C. 
431) (popularly known as the ‘‘Antiquities Act’’). 
(b) CORAL REEF CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Inte-
rior may provide technical assistance and, subject to 
the availability of appropriations, financial assist-
ance for the conservation of coral reefs. 
(2) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection each of 
the terms ‘‘conservation’’ and ‘‘coral reef’’ has the 
meaning that term has under section 218 of the 
Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 
6409), amended by this Act. 
SEC. 302. CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITIONS. 
Section 218, as redesignated by section 105 of this 
Act (relating to definitions; 16 U.S.C. 6409), is further 
amended— 
(1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as fol-
lows: 
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‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘Adminis-
trator’— 
‘‘(A) except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), means the Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and 
‘‘(B) in sections 206, 209, 212, 214, and 
215, means the Secretary of the Interior for 
purposes of application of those sections to na-
tional park units and national wildlife refuges.’’; 
and 
(2) by amending paragraph (7) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(7) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’— 
‘‘(A) except as provided in subparagraphs 
(B) and (C), means the Secretary of Commerce; 
‘‘(B) in section 206(e), means— 
‘‘(i) the Secretary of the Interior, with 
respect to any coral reef or component 
thereof that is located in— 
‘‘(I) any unit of the National 
Park System; 
‘‘(II) any unit of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System; or 
‘‘(III) 
any 
Marine 
National 
Monument designated under any of 
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the Fish and Wildlife Coordination 
Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), the Fish 
and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 
742a et seq.), the Fish and Wildlife 
Improvement Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 
695j–1 et seq) and the provisions of 
law enacted by that Act, and the Act 
of June 8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225; 16 
U.S.C. 431) (popularly known as the 
‘Antiquities Act’) and that is under 
the administrative jurisdiction of the 
Secretary of the Interior; and 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary of Commerce, with 
respect to any other coral reef or compo-
nent thereof that is located in any Marine 
National Monument designated under a 
law referred to in clause (i)(III); and 
‘‘(C) in sections 203, means the Secretary 
of Commerce and the Secretary of the Inte-
rior.’’. 
Passed the House of Representatives September 22, 
2009. 
Attest: 
LORRAINE C. MILLER, 
Clerk. 
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