102 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this section are the 
following: 
(1) Establish a National Integrated Coastal and 
Ocean Observation System comprised of Federal and 
non-Federal components, coordinated at the regional 
level by a network of Regional Information Coordi-
nation Entities, that includes in situ, remote, and 
other coastal and ocean observations, technologies, 
and data management and communication systems, 
to gather daily specific coastal and ocean data vari-
ables and to ensure the timely dissemination and 
availability of usable observation data to support na-
tional defense, marine commerce, energy production, 
scientific research, ecosystem-based marine and 
coastal resource management, and public safety and 
to promote the general public welfare. 
(2) Improve the Nation’s capability to measure, 
track, explain, and predict events related directly 
and indirectly to climate change, natural climate 
variability, and interactions between the oceanic and 
atmospheric environments, including the Great 
Lakes. 
(3) Authorize activities to promote basic and 
applied research to develop, test, and deploy innova-
tions and improvements in coastal and ocean obser-
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103 
vation technologies, modeling systems, and other sci-
entific and technological capabilities to improve our 
conceptual understanding of global climate change 
and physical, chemical, and biological dynamics of 
the ocean and coastal and Great Lakes environ-
ments. 
(4) Institutionalize coordinated programs of 
public outreach, education, and training— 
(A) to enhance public understanding of the 
ocean, coastal and Great Lakes environment, 
the influence and effects of global climate 
change on the coastal and ocean environment; 
and 
(B) to promote greater public awareness 
and stewardship of the Nation’s ocean, coastal, 
and Great Lakes resources. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COUNCIL.—The term ‘‘Council’’ means the 
National Ocean Research Leadership Council re-
ferred to in section 7902 of title 10, United States 
Code. 
(2) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
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104 
(3) FEDERAL ASSETS.—The term ‘‘Federal as-
sets’’ means all relevant non-classified civilian coast-
al and ocean observations, technologies, and related 
modeling, research, data management, basic and ap-
plied technology research and development, and pub-
lic education and outreach programs, that are man-
aged by member agencies of the Council. 
(4) NON-FEDERAL
ASSETS.—The term ‘‘non- 
Federal assets’’ means all relevant coastal and ocean 
observations, technologies, related basic and applied 
technology research and development, and public 
education and outreach programs managed through 
States, regional organizations, universities, non-
governmental organizations, or the private sector. 
(5) REGIONAL
INFORMATION
COORDINATION 
ENTITIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘Regional In-
formation Coordination Entity’’, subject to sub-
paragraphs (B) and (C), means an organiza-
tional body that is certified or established by 
the lead Federal agency designated in sub-
section (d)(3)(C)(iii) and coordinating State, 
Federal, local, and private interests at a re-
gional level with the responsibility of engaging 
the private and public sectors in designing, op-
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105 
erating, and improving regional coastal and 
ocean observing systems in order to ensure the 
provision of data and information that meet the 
needs of user groups from the respective re-
gions. 
(B) INCLUDED ASSOCIATIONS.—Such term 
includes Regional Associations as described by 
the System Plan. 
(C) LIMITATION.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed to invalidate existing certifi-
cations, contracts, or agreements between Re-
gional Associations and other elements of the 
System. 
(6) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Commerce. 
(7) SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘System’’ means the 
National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation 
System established under subsection (d). 
(8) SYSTEM PLAN.—The term ‘‘System Plan’’ 
means the plan contained in the document entitled 
‘‘Ocean.US publication #9, The First Integrated 
Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Development 
Plan’’. 
(9) INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.—The term 
‘‘Interagency Working Group’’ means the Inter-
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agency Working Group on Ocean Observations as es-
tablished by the U.S. Ocean Policy Committee Sub-
committee on Ocean Science and Technology pursu-
ant to Executive Order 13366 signed December 17, 
2004. 
(d) NATIONAL INTEGRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN 
OBSERVING SYSTEM.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The President, acting 
through the Council, shall establish a National Inte-
grated Coastal and Ocean Observation System to 
fulfill the purposes set forth in subsection (b) and 
the System plan and to fulfill the Nation’s inter-
national obligations to contribute to the global earth 
observation system of systems and the global ocean 
observing system. 
(2) SUPPORT OF PURPOSES.—The head of each 
agency that is a member of the Interagency Working 
Group shall support the purposes of this section. 
(3) AVAILABILITY OF DATA.—The head of each 
Federal agency that has administrative jurisdiction 
over a Federal asset shall make available data that 
are produced by that asset and that are not other-
wise restricted for integration, management, and dis-
semination by the System. 
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