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rial needs for the implementation of this subtitle; 
and 
(2) any interagency agreements between or 
among Federal departments and agencies to address 
those needs. 
SEC. 209. ACCOUNTABILITY AND REPORTING. 
(a) REPORTING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 5 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, and every 5 years 
thereafter, the Board shall submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees a report describing the 
progress of this subtitle. 
(2) CONTENTS.—Each report submitted under 
paragraph (1) shall include— 
(A) an estimate of the number of acres, 
stream miles, or acre-feet, or other suitable 
measures of fish habitat, that was maintained 
or improved by Partnerships under this subtitle 
during the 5-year period ending on the date of 
submission of the report; 
(B) a description of the public access to 
fish habitats established or improved under this 
subtitle during that 5-year period; 
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(C) a description of the improved opportu-
nities for public recreational fishing achieved 
under this subtitle; and 
(D) an assessment of the status of fish 
habitat conservation projects carried out with 
funds provided under this subtitle during that 
period, disaggregated by year, including— 
(i) a description of the fish habitat 
conservation projects recommended by the 
Board under section 205(b); 
(ii) a description of each fish habitat 
conservation project approved by the Sec-
retary under section 205(f), in order of 
priority for funding; 
(iii) a justification for— 
(I) the approval of each fish 
habitat conservation project; and 
(II) the order of priority for 
funding of each fish habitat conserva-
tion project; 
(iv) a justification for any rejection of 
a fish habitat conservation project rec-
ommended by the Board under section 
205(b) that was based on a factor other 
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than the criteria described in section 
205(c); and 
(v) an accounting of expenditures by 
Federal, State, or local governments, In-
dian Tribes, or other entities to carry out 
fish habitat conservation projects under 
this subtitle. 
(b) STATUS AND TRENDS REPORT.—Not later than 
December 31, 2020, and every 5 years thereafter, the 
Board shall submit to the appropriate congressional com-
mittees a report that includes— 
(1) a status of all Partnerships designated 
under this subtitle; 
(2) a description of the status of fish habitats 
in the United States as identified by designated 
Partnerships; and 
(3) enhancements or reductions in public access 
as a result of— 
(A) the activities of the Partnerships; or 
(B) any other activities carried out pursu-
ant to this subtitle. 
SEC. 210. EFFECT OF THIS SUBTITLE. 
(a) WATER RIGHTS.—Nothing in this subtitle— 
(1) establishes any express or implied reserved 
water right in the United States for any purpose; 
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(2) affects any water right in existence on the 
date of enactment of this Act; 
(3) preempts or affects any State water law or 
interstate compact governing water; or 
(4) affects any Federal or State law in exist-
ence on the date of enactment of the Act regarding 
water quality or water quantity. 
(b) AUTHORITY TO ACQUIRE WATER RIGHTS OR 
RIGHTS TO PROPERTY.—Only a State, local government, 
or other non-Federal entity may acquire, under State law, 
water rights or rights to property with funds made avail-
able through section 212. 
(c) STATE AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this subtitle— 
(1) affects the authority, jurisdiction, or respon-
sibility of a State to manage, control, or regulate 
fish and wildlife under the laws and regulations of 
the State; or 
(2) authorizes the Secretary to control or regu-
late within a State the fishing or hunting of fish and 
wildlife. 
(d) EFFECT ON INDIAN TRIBES.—Nothing in this 
subtitle abrogates, abridges, affects, modifies, supersedes, 
or alters any right of an Indian Tribe recognized by treaty 
or any other means, including— 
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(1) an agreement between the Indian Tribe and 
the United States; 
(2) Federal law (including regulations); 
(3) an Executive order; or 
(4) a judicial decree. 
(e) ADJUDICATION OF WATER RIGHTS.—Nothing in 
this subtitle diminishes or affects the ability of the Sec-
retary to join an adjudication of rights to the use of water 
pursuant to subsection (a), (b), or (c) of section 208 of 
the Departments of State, Justice, Commerce, and The 
Judiciary Appropriation Act, 1953 (43 U.S.C. 666). 
(f) DEPARTMENT
OF
COMMERCE
AUTHORITY.— 
Nothing in this subtitle affects the authority, jurisdiction, 
or responsibility of the Department of Commerce to man-
age, control, or regulate fish or fish habitats under the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Manage-
ment Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). 
(g) EFFECT ON OTHER AUTHORITIES.— 
(1) PRIVATE PROPERTY PROTECTION.—Nothing 
in this subtitle permits the use of funds made avail-
able to carry out this subtitle to acquire real prop-
erty or a real property interest without the written 
consent of each owner of the real property or real 
property interest, respectively. 
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(2) MITIGATION.—Nothing in this subtitle au-
thorizes the use of funds made available to carry out 
this subtitle for fish and wildlife mitigation purposes 
under— 
(A) the Federal Water Pollution Control 
Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.); 
(B) the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act 
(16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.); 
(C) the Water Resources Development Act 
of 1986 (Public Law 99–662; 100 Stat. 4082); 
or 
(D) any other Federal law or court settle-
ment. 
(3) CLEAN WATER ACT.—Nothing in this sub-
title affects any provision of the Federal Water Pol-
lution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), includ-
ing any definition in that Act. 
SEC. 211. NONAPPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE ACT. 
The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) 
shall not apply to— 
(1) the Board; or 
(2) any Partnership. 
SEC. 212. FUNDING. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
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(1) FISH HABITAT CONSERVATION PROJECTS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary $7,200,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 
through 2023 to provide funds for fish habitat con-
servation projects approved under section 205(f), of 
which 5 percent is authorized only for projects car-
ried out by Indian Tribes. 
(2) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
AND
PLANNING
EX-
PENSES.—There is authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary for each of fiscal years 2019 through 
2023 an amount equal to 5 percent of the amount 
appropriated for the applicable fiscal year pursuant 
to paragraph (1)— 
(A) for administrative and planning ex-
penses under this subtitle; and 
(B) to carry out section 209. 
(3) TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC ASSISTANCE.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated for each of 
fiscal years 2020 through 2024 to carry out, and 
provide technical and scientific assistance under, sec-
tion 206— 
(A) $400,000 to the Secretary for use by 
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; 
(B) $400,000 to the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration Assistant Adminis-
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trator for use by the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration; 
(C) $400,000 to the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency Assistant Administrator for use 
by the Environmental Protection Agency; 
(D) $400,000 to the Secretary for use by 
the United States Geological Survey; and 
(E) $400,000 to the Chief of the Forest 
Service for use by the United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture Forest Service. 
(b) AGREEMENTS
AND
GRANTS.—The Secretary 
may— 
(1) on the recommendation of the Board, and 
notwithstanding sections 6304 and 6305 of title 31, 
United States Code, and the Federal Financial As-
sistance Management Improvement Act of 1999 (31 
U.S.C. 6101 note; Public Law 106–107), enter into 
a grant agreement, cooperative agreement, or con-
tract with a Partnership or other entity to provide 
funds authorized by this subtitle for a fish habitat 
conservation project or restoration or enhancement 
project; 
(2) apply for, accept, and, subject to the avail-
ability of appropriations, use a grant from any indi-
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vidual or entity to carry out the purposes of this 
subtitle; and 
(3) subject to the availability of appropriations, 
make funds authorized by this Act available to any 
Federal department or agency for use by that de-
partment or agency to provide grants for any fish 
habitat protection project, restoration project, or en-
hancement project that the Secretary determines to 
be consistent with this subtitle. 
(c) DONATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may— 
(A) enter into an agreement with any orga-
nization described in section 501(c)(3) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that is exempt 
from taxation under section 501(a) of that 
Code to solicit private donations to carry out 
the purposes of this subtitle; and 
(B) accept donations of funds, property, 
and services to carry out the purposes of this 
subtitle. 
(2) TREATMENT.—A donation accepted under 
this subtitle— 
(A) shall be considered to be a gift or be-
quest to, or otherwise for the use of, the United 
States; and 
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(B) may be— 
(i) used directly by the Secretary; or 
(ii) provided to another Federal de-
partment or agency through an inter-
agency agreement. 
SEC. 213. PROHIBITION AGAINST IMPLEMENTATION OF 
REGULATORY 
AUTHORITY 
BY 
FEDERAL 
AGENCIES THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS. 
Any Partnership designated under this subtitle— 
(1) shall be for the sole purpose of promoting 
fish conservation; and 
(2) shall not be used to implement any regu-
latory authority of any Federal agency. 
Subtitle B—Great Lakes Fishery 
Research Authorization 
SEC. 221. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
(1) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means 
the Director of the United States Geological Survey. 
(2) GREAT
LAKES
BASIN.—The term ‘‘Great 
Lakes Basin’’ means the air, land, water, and living 
organisms in the United States within the drainage 
basin of the Saint Lawrence River at and upstream 
from the point at which such river and the Great 
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Lakes become the international boundary between 
Canada and the United States. 
SEC. 222. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The Great Lakes support a diverse eco-
system, on which the vibrant and economically valu-
able Great Lakes fisheries depend. 
(2) To continue successful fisheries manage-
ment and coordination, as has occurred since signing 
of the Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries between 
the United States and Canada on September 10, 
1954, management of the ecosystem and its fisheries 
require sound, reliable science, and the use of mod-
ern scientific technologies. 
(3) Fisheries research is necessary to support 
multi-jurisdictional fishery management decisions 
and actions regarding recreational and sport fishing, 
commercial fisheries, tribal harvest, allocation deci-
sions, and fish stocking activities. 
(4) President Richard Nixon submitted, and the 
Congress approved, Reorganization Plan No. 4 (84 
Stat. 2090), conferring science activities and man-
agement of marine fisheries to the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration. 
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(5) Reorganization Plan No. 4 expressly ex-
cluded fishery research activities within the Great 
Lakes from the transfer, retaining management and 
scientific research duties within the already estab-
lished jurisdictions under the 1954 Convention on 
Great Lakes Fisheries, including those of the Great 
Lakes Fishery Commission and the Department of 
the Interior. 
SEC. 
223. 
GREAT 
LAKES 
MONITORING, 
ASSESSMENT, 
SCIENCE, AND RESEARCH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director may conduct moni-
toring, assessment, science, and research, in support of 
the binational fisheries within the Great Lakes Basin. 
(b) SPECIFIC AUTHORITIES.—The Director shall, 
under subsection (a)— 
(1) execute a comprehensive, multi-lake, fresh-
water fisheries science program; 
(2) coordinate with and work cooperatively with 
regional, State, tribal, and local governments; and 
(3) consult with other interested entities 
groups, including academia and relevant Canadian 
agencies. 
(c) INCLUDED RESEARCH.—To properly serve the 
needs of fisheries managers, monitoring, assessment, 
science, and research under this section may include— 
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(1) deepwater ecosystem sciences; 
(2) biological and food-web components; 
(3) fish movement and behavior investigations; 
(4) fish population structures; 
(5) fish habitat investigations; 
(6) invasive species science; 
(7) harmful algal bloom development research; 
(8) research on the impacts of harmful algal 
blooms, nutrient pollution, and dead zones on Great 
Lakes fisheries; 
(9) research into the effects of per- and 
polyfluoroalkyl substances, mercury, and other con-
taminants on fisheries and fishery ecosystems; 
(10) use of existing, new, and experimental bio-
logical assessment tools, equipment, vessels, other 
scientific instrumentation and laboratory capabilities 
necessary to support fishery management decisions; 
and 
(11) studies to assess impacts on Great Lakes 
fishery resources. 
(d) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this subtitle is in-
tended or shall be construed to impede, supersede, or alter 
the authority of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, 
States, and Indian tribes under the Convention on Great 
Lakes Fisheries between the United States of America and 
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Canada on September 10, 1954, and the Great Lakes 
Fishery Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 931 et seq.). 
SEC. 224. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
For each of fiscal years 2020 through 2029, there 
is authorized to be appropriated $17,500,000 to carry out 
this subtitle. 
Subtitle C—Chesapeake Bay Oyster 
Research 
SEC. 231. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that the Chesapeake Bay 
Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration shall be the primary representative of the Adminis-
tration in the Chesapeake Bay. 
SEC. 232. GRANTS FOR RESEARCHING OYSTERS IN THE 
CHESAPEAKE BAY. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of the Com-
merce, acting through the Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall establish 
a grant program (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Pro-
gram’’) under which the Secretary shall award grants to 
eligible entities for the purpose of conducting research on 
the conservation, restoration, or management of oysters 
in the Chesapeake Bay. 
(b) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive a grant 
under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the 
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Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, 
and containing such information as the Secretary may re-
quire. 
(c) ALLOCATION OF GRANT FUNDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award a 
grant under the Program to eligible entities that 
submit an application under subsection (b). 
(2) MATCHING REQUIREMENT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraph (B), the total amount of Federal 
funding received under the Program by an eligi-
ble entity may not exceed 85 percent of the 
total cost of the research project for which the 
funding was awarded. For the purposes of this 
subparagraph, the non-Federal share of project 
costs may be provided by in-kind contributions 
and other noncash support. 
(B) WAIVER.—The Secretary may waive 
all or part of the requirement in subparagraph 
(A) if the Secretary determines that no reason-
able means are available through which an eligi-
ble entity applying for a grant under this sec-
tion can meet such requirement and the prob-
able benefit of such research project outweighs 
the public interest in such requirement. 
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(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following defi-
nitions apply: 
(1) ACADEMIC
COMMUNITY.—The term ‘‘aca-
demic community’’ means faculty, researchers, pro-
fessors, and representatives of State-accredited col-
leges and universities. 
(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means a member of the academic community, 
the seafood industry, a relevant nonprofit organiza-
tion, or a relevant State agency, that is proposing or 
conducting a research project on the conservation, 
restoration, or management of oysters in the Chesa-
peake Bay developed through consultation with a 
member of the academic community, a member of 
the seafood industry, a relevant nonprofit organiza-
tion, or a relevant State agency. 
(3) NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION.—The term 
‘‘nonprofit organization’’ means an organization de-
scribed in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue 
Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 
501(a) of such Code. 
(4) SEAFOOD INDUSTRY.—The term ‘‘seafood 
industry’’ means shellfish growers, shellfish har-
vesters, commercial fishermen, and recreational fish-
ermen. 
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(5) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Commerce, acting through the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $2,000,000 
for each of the fiscal years 2020 through 2025 to carry 
out this section. 
TITLE III—MEETING 21ST CEN-
TURY OCEAN AND COASTAL 
DATA NEEDS 
Subtitle A—Digital Coast 
SEC. 301. FINDINGS. 
Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) The Digital Coast is a model approach for 
effective Federal partnerships with State and local 
government, nongovernmental organizations, and the 
private sector. 
(2) Access to current, accurate, uniform, and 
standards-based geospatial information, tools, and 
training to characterize the United States coastal re-
gion is critical for public safety and for the environ-
ment, infrastructure, and economy of the United 
States. 
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