HR 3650 PCS 
‘‘(4) research and methods to address human 
health dimensions of harmful algal blooms and hy-
poxia; 
‘‘(5) mechanisms, including the potential costs 
and benefits of those mechanisms, to protect vulner-
able ecosystems that could be or have been affected 
by harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events; 
‘‘(6) mechanisms by which data, information, 
and products are transferred between the Program 
and State, tribal, and local governments and rel-
evant research entities; 
‘‘(7) communication, outreach, and information 
dissemination methods that State, tribal, and local 
governments and stakeholder organizations can un-
dertake to educate and inform the public concerning 
harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; and 
‘‘(8) the roles that Federal agencies can play to 
assist in the implementation of the Plan. 
‘‘(c) BUILDING ON AVAILABLE STUDIES AND INFOR-
MATION.—In developing the Plans under this section, the 
Under Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) utilize and build on existing research, as-
sessments, and reports, including those carried out 
pursuant to existing law and other relevant sources; 
and 
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HR 3650 PCS 
‘‘(2) consider the impacts, research, and exist-
ing program activities of all United States coastlines 
and fresh and inland waters, including the Great 
Lakes, the Chesapeake Bay, and estuaries and tribu-
taries. 
‘‘(d) DEVELOPMENT OF PLANS.—The Under Sec-
retary shall develop Plans under this section with assist-
ance from the individuals and entities described in sub-
section (f). 
‘‘(e) PLAN TIMELINE AND UPDATES.—The Under 
Secretary, through the Task Force established under sec-
tion 603(a), shall ensure that the Plans developed under 
this section are completed not later than 24 months after 
the date of enactment of the Harmful Algal Blooms and 
Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2010, 
and updated once every 5 years thereafter. 
‘‘(f) COORDINATION AND CONSULTATION.—In devel-
oping the Plans under this section, as appropriate, the 
Under Secretary— 
‘‘(1) shall coordinate with State coastal man-
agement and planning officials; 
‘‘(2) shall coordinate with tribal resource man-
agement officials; 
‘‘(3) shall coordinate with water management 
and watershed officials from both coastal States and 
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noncoastal States with water sources that drain into 
water bodies affected by harmful algal blooms and 
hypoxia; and 
‘‘(4) shall consult with— 
‘‘(A) public health officials; 
‘‘(B) emergency management officials; 
‘‘(C) science and technology development 
institutions; 
‘‘(D) economists; 
‘‘(E) industries and businesses affected by 
marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms 
and hypoxia; 
‘‘(F) scientists, with expertise concerning 
harmful algal blooms or hypoxia, from academic 
or research institutions; and 
‘‘(G) other stakeholders.’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS AMENDMENT.—The table 
of contents in section 2 of the Coast Guard Authorization 
Act of 1998 is amended by adding after the item relating 
to section 603A, as added by section 4(b) of this Act, the 
following new item: 
‘‘Sec. 603B. Regional research and action plans.’’. 
SEC. 6. NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO HYPOXIA. 
Section 604 is amended to read as follows: 
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‘‘SEC. 604. NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO HYPOXIA. 
‘‘(a) TASK FORCE INITIAL PROGRESS REPORTS.— 
Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of 
the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and 
Control Amendments Act of 2010, the Administrator, 
through the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed 
Nutrient Task Force, shall complete and transmit to the 
Congress and the President a report on the progress made 
by Task Force-directed activities toward attainment of the 
goals of the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan 2008. 
‘‘(b) TASK FORCE 2-YEAR PROGRESS REPORTS.— 
After the initial report required under subsection (a), the 
Administrator, through the Task Force, shall complete 
and transmit to Congress and the President a report every 
2 years thereafter on the progress made by Task Force- 
directed activities toward attainment of the coastal goal 
of the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan 2008. 
‘‘(c) CONTENTS.—The reports required by this sec-
tion shall assess progress made toward nutrient load re-
ductions, the response of the hypoxic zone and water qual-
ity throughout the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin, 
and the economic and social effects. The reports shall— 
‘‘(1) include an evaluation of how current poli-
cies and programs affect management decisions, in-
cluding those made by municipalities and industrial 
and agricultural producers; 
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‘‘(2) evaluate lessons learned; and 
‘‘(3) recommend appropriate actions to continue 
to implement or, if necessary, revise the strategy set 
forth in the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan 2008.’’. 
SEC. 7. PACIFIC NORTHWEST, ESTUARIES, AND PUGET 
SOUND HYPOXIA. 
(a) AMENDMENT.—The Act is amended by inserting 
after section 604 the following: 
‘‘SEC. 604A. PACIFIC NORTHWEST, ESTUARIES, AND PUGET 
SOUND HYPOXIA. 
‘‘(a) ASSESSMENT REPORT.—Not later than 12 
months after the date of enactment of the Harmful Algal 
Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments 
Act of 2010, the Task Force established under section 603 
shall complete and submit to Congress and the President 
an integrated assessment of hypoxia in the coastal and 
estuarine waters of the Pacific Northwest that examines 
the status of current research, monitoring, prevention, re-
sponse, and control efforts. 
‘‘(b) PLAN.—The Task Force shall include in the re-
gionally appropriate Regional Research and Action Plan 
developed under section 603B a plan, based on the inte-
grated assessment submitted under subsection (a), for re-
ducing, mitigating, and controlling hypoxia in the coastal 
and estuarine waters of the Pacific Northwest. In devel-
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