Union Calendar No. 140
104TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1815
[Report No. 104–237, Parts I and II]
A BILL
To authorize appropriations for the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration for fiscal
year 1996, and for other purposes.
SEPTEMBER 29, 1995
Reported from the Committee on Resources with an
amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be
printed
IB
Union Calendar No. 140
104TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1815
[Report No. 104–237, Parts I and II]
To authorize appropriations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration for fiscal year 1996, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JUNE 13, 1995
Mr. ROHRABACHER (for himself and Mr. HAYES) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the
Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall with-
in the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
AUGUST 4, 1995
Reported from the Committee on Science with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic]
AUGUST 4, 1995
Referral to the Committee on Resources extended for a period ending not later
than September 22, 1995
SEPTEMBER 29, 1995
Referral to the Committee on Resources extended for a period ending not later
than September 29, 1995
SEPTEMBER 29, 1995
From the Committee on Resources reported with an amendment, committed
to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and
ordered to be printed
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on June 13, 1995]
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in bold face roman]
A BILL
To authorize appropriations for the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration for fiscal year 1996, 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 ‘‘National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1995’’.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this Act, the term—
(1) ‘‘Act of 1890’’ means the Act entitled ‘‘An
Act to increase the efficiency and reduce the expenses
of the Signal Corps of the Army, and to transfer the
Weather Bureau to the Department of Agriculture’’,
approved October 1, 1890 (26 Stat. 653);
(2) ‘‘Act of 1947’’ means the Act entitled ‘‘An
Act to define the functions and duties of the Coast
and Geodetic Survey, and for other purposes’’, ap-
proved August 6, 1947 (33 U.S.C. 883a et seq.);
(3) ‘‘Act of 1970’’ means the Act entitled ‘‘An
Act to clarify the status and benefits of commissioned
officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration, and for other purposes’’, approved De-
cember 31, 1970 (33 U.S.C. 857–1 et seq.);
(4) ‘‘Administrator’’ means the Administrator of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion; and
(5) ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of Com-
merce.
TITLE I—ATMOSPHERIC, WEATH-
ER, 
AND 
SATELLITE 
PRO-
GRAMS
SEC. 101. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
(a) OPERATIONS AND RESEARCH.—There are author-
ized to be appropriated to the Secretary to enable the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry
out the operations and research duties of the National
Weather Service, $472,338,000 for fiscal year 1996. Such
duties include meteorological, hydrological, and oceano-
graphic public warnings and forecasts, as well as applied
research in support of such warnings and forecasts.
(b) SYSTEMS ACQUISITION.—There are authorized to
be appropriated to the Secretary to enable the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out the pub-
lic warning and forecast systems duties of the National
Weather Service, $79,034,000 for fiscal year 1996. Such du-
ties include the development, acquisition, and implementa-
tion of major public warning and forecast systems. None
of the funds authorized under this subsection shall be used
for the purposes for which funds are authorized under sec-
tion 102(b) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration Authorization Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–
567). None of the funds authorized by such section 102(b)
shall be expended for a particular NEXRAD installation
unless—
(1) it is identified as a National Weather Service
NEXRAD installation in the National Implementa-
tion Plan for modernization of the National Weather
Service, required under section 703 of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authoriza-
tion Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–567); or
(2) it is to be used only for spare parts, not as
an installation at a particular site.
(c) NEW NEXRAD INSTALLATIONS.—No funds may be
obligated for NEXRAD installations not identified in the
National Implementation Plan for 1996, unless the Sec-
retary certifies that such NEXRAD installations can be ac-
quired within the authorization for NEXRAD contained in
section 102(b) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration Authorization Act of 1992.
(d) ASOS PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION.—Of the sums
authorized in subsection (b), $16,952,000 for fiscal year
1996 are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary,
for the acquisition and deployment of—
include planning, design, and land acquisition related to
such offices.
(g) STREAMLINING WEATHER SERVICE MODERNIZA-
TION.—
(1) REPEALS.—Sections 706 and 707 of the
Weather Service Modernization Act (15 U.S.C. 313
note) are repealed.
(2) CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS.—The Weather
Service Modernization Act (15 U.S.C. 313 note) is
amended—
(A) in section 702, by striking paragraph
(3) and redesignating paragraphs (4) through
(10) as paragraphs (3) through (9), respectively;
and
(B) in section 703—
(i) by striking ‘‘(a) NATIONAL IMPLE-
MENTATION PLAN.—’’;
(ii) by striking paragraph (3) and re-
designating paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) as
paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), respectively;
and
(iii) by striking subsections (b) and
(c).
SEC. 102. ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH.
(a) CLIMATE
AND AIR QUALITY RESEARCH.—(1)
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration to carry out its climate and air quality research
duties, $86,757,000 for fiscal year 1996. Such duties include
interannual and seasonal climate research and long-term
climate and air quality research.
(2) The Administrator shall ensure that at least the
same percentage of the climate and air quality research
funds that were provided to institutions of higher education
for fiscal year 1995 is provided to institutions of higher
education from funds authorized by this subsection.
(b) ATMOSPHERIC PROGRAMS.—There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to enable the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out its
atmospheric research duties, $39,894,000 for fiscal year
1996. Such duties include research for developing improved
prediction capabilities for atmospheric processes, as well as
solar-terrestrial research and services.
(c) GLOBE AUTHORIZATION.—There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to enable the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out the
Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environ-
ment program, $7,000,000 for fiscal year 1996.
SEC. 103. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE, DATA,
AND INFORMATION SERVICE.
(a) SATELLITE OBSERVING SYSTEMS.—There are au-
thorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to enable the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry
out its satellite observing systems duties, $319,448,000 for
fiscal year 1996, to remain available until expended. Such
duties include spacecraft procurement, launch, and associ-
ated ground station systems involving polar orbiting and
geostationary environmental satellites, as well as the oper-
ation of such satellites. None of the funds authorized under
this subsection shall be used for the purposes for which funds
are authorized under section 105(d) of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1992
(Public Law 102–567).
(b) POES PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION.—Of the sums
authorized in subsection (a), there are authorized to be ap-
propriated to the Secretary $184,425,000 for fiscal year
1996, to remain available until expended, for the procure-
ment of Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites K, L, M,
N, and N1, and the procurement of the launching and sup-
porting ground systems of such satellites.
(c) GEOSTATIONARY OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL
SATELLITES.—Of the sums authorized in subsection (a),
there are authorized to be appropriated to the Adminis-
trator $46,300,000 for fiscal year 1996, to remain available
until expended—
(1) to procure up to three additional Geo-
stationary Operational Environmental NEXT Sat-
ellites (GOES I–M clones) and instruments; and
(2) for contracts, and amendments or modifica-
tions of contracts, with the developer of previous
GOES-NEXT satellites for the acquisition of the addi-
tional satellites and instruments described in para-
graph (1).
(d) ENVIRONMENTAL DATA AND INFORMATION SERV-
ICES.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration to carry out its environmental data and infor-
mation services duties, $35,665,000 for fiscal year 1996.
Such duties include climate data services, geophysical data
services, and environmental assessment and information
services.
(e) NATIONAL POLAR-ORBITING OPERATIONAL ENVI-
RONMENTAL SATELLITE SYSTEM PROGRAM AUTHORIZA-
TION.—Of the sums authorized in subsection (a), there are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, for fiscal
year 1996, $39,500,000, to remain available until expended,
for the procurement of the National Polar-Orbiting Oper-
ational Environmental Satellite System, and the procure-
ment of the launching and supporting ground systems of
such satellites.
TITLE II—MARINE RESEARCH
SEC. 201. NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE.
(a) MAPPING AND CHARTING.—There are authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary, to enable the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out
mapping and charting activities under the Act of 1947 and
any other law involving those activities, $29,149,000.
(b) GEODESY.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary, to enable the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration to carry out geodesy activities
under the Act of 1947 and any other law involving those
activities, $19,927,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(c) OBSERVATION AND PREDICTION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be ap-
propriated to the Secretary, to enable the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry
out observation and prediction activities under the
Act of 1947 and any other law involving those activi-
ties, $11,279,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(2) CIRCULATORY SURVEY PROGRAM.—In addi-
tion to amounts authorized under paragraph (1),
there are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary, to enable the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration to carry out the Circulatory
Survey Program, $695,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(3) OCEAN AND EARTH SCIENCES.—In addition
to amounts authorized under paragraph (1), there are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, to en-
able the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration to carry out ocean and earth science activi-
ties, $4,231,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(d) ESTUARINE AND COASTAL ASSESSMENT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be ap-
propriated to the Secretary, to enable the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to support
estuarine and coastal assessment activities under the
Act of 1947 and any other law involving those activi-
ties, $1,171,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(2) 
OCEAN
ASSESSMENT.—In 
addition 
to
amounts authorized under paragraph (1), there are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, to en-
able the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration to carry out the National Status and Trends
Program, the Strategic Environmental Assessment
Program, and the Hazardous Materials Response Pro-
gram, $8,401,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(3) DAMAGE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM.—In addi-
tion to amounts authorized under paragraph (1),
there are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary, to enable the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration to carry out the Damage As-
sessment Program, $585,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(4) COASTAL OCEAN PROGRAM.—In addition to
amounts authorized under paragraph (1), there are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, to en-
able the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration to carry out the Coastal Ocean Program,
$9,158,000 for fiscal year 1996.
SEC. 202. OCEAN AND GREAT LAKES RESEARCH.
(a) MARINE PREDICTION RESEARCH.—There are au-
thorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, to enable the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry
out marine prediction research activities under the Act of
1947, the Act of 1890, and any other law involving those
activities, $13,763,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(b) NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM.—(1)
Section 212(a) of the National Sea Grant College Program
Act (33 U.S.C. 1131(a)) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(a) GRANTS AND CONTRACTS; FELLOWSHIPS.—There
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out sections 205
and 208, $34,500,000 for fiscal year 1996.’’.
(2) Section 212(b)(1) of the National Sea Grant Col-
lege Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1131(b)(1)) is amended by
striking ‘‘an amount’’ and all that follows through ‘‘not to
exceed 
$2,900,000’’ 
and 
inserting 
in 
lieu 
thereof
‘‘$1,500,000 for fiscal year 1996’’.
(3) Section 203(4) of the National Sea Grant College
Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1122(4)) is amended by striking
‘‘discipline or field’’ and all that follows through ‘‘public
administration)’’ and inserting in lieu thereof ‘‘field or dis-
cipline involving scientific research’’.
SEC. 203. USE OF OCEAN RESEARCH RESOURCES OF OTHER
FEDERAL AGENCIES.
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds the following:
(1) Observing, monitoring, and predicting the
ocean environment has been a high priority for the
defense community to support ocean operations.
(2) Many advances in ocean research have been
made by the defense community which could be
shared with civilian researchers.
(3) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration’s missions to describe and predict the
ocean environment, manage the Nation’s ocean and
coastal resources, and promote stewardship of the
world’s oceans would benefit from increased coopera-
tion with defense agencies.
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of the Con-
gress that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration should expand its efforts to develop interagency
agreements to further the use of defense-related technologies,
data, and other resources to support its oceanic missions.
(c) REPORT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of
Commerce shall submit to the Committee on Science
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
a report on the feasibility of expanding the use of de-
fense-related technologies, data, and other resources to
support and enhance the oceanic missions of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(2) CONTENTS.—The report required under
paragraph (1) shall include—
(A) a detailed listing of defense-related re-
sources currently available to the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration and the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion missions which utilize those resources;
(B) detailed findings and recommendations,
including funding requirements, on the potential
for expanding the use of available defense-related
resources;
(C) a detailed listing and funding history of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration resources, including data and technology,
which could be supplemented by defense-related
resources;
(D) a listing of currently unavailable de-
fense-related resources, including data and tech-
nology, which if made available would enhance
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration mission performance;
(E) recommendations on the regulatory and
legislative structures needed to maximize the use
of defense-related resources;
(F) an assessment of the respective roles in
the use of defense-related resources of the Army
Corps of Engineers, data centers, operational
centers, and research facilities of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and
(G) recommendations on how to provide ac-
cess to relevant defense-related data for non-Fed-
eral scientific users.
TITLE III—PROGRAM SUPPORT
SEC. 301. PROGRAM SUPPORT.
(a) EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND ADMINISTRATIVE AC-
TIVITIES.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary, to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to carry out executive direction and admin-
istrative activities under the Act of 1970 and any other law
involving those activities, $20,632,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(b) CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.—There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, to enable
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to
carry out central administrative support activities under
the Act of 1970 and any other law involving those activities,
$30,000,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(c) RETIRED PAY.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary, for retired pay for retired commis-
sioned officers of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration under the Act of 1970, $7,706,000 for fiscal
year 1996.
(d) MARINE SERVICES.—
(1) CONTRACTING AUTHORITY.—Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, the Secretary is author-
ized to enter into contracts for data or days-at-sea to
fulfill the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-
istration missions of marine research, climate re-
search, fisheries research, and mapping and charting
services.
(2) UNOLS VESSEL AGREEMENTS.—In fulfilling
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion mission requirements described in paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall use excess capacity of University-
National Oceanographic Laboratory System vessels
where appropriate, and may enter into memoranda of
agreement with operators of those vessels to carry out
those mission requirements.
(3) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary, to enable the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration to carry out marine services
activities, including activities described in para-
graphs (1) and (2), $60,689,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(e) AIRCRAFT SERVICES.—There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary, to enable the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out aircraft
services activities (including aircraft operations, mainte-
nance, and support) under the Act of 1970 and any other
law involving those activities, $9,548,000 for fiscal year
1996.
(f) FACILITIES REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS.—There
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, to enable
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to
carry out facilities repairs and renovations, $7,374,000 for
fiscal year 1996.
TITLE IV—STREAMLINING OF
OPERATIONS
SEC. 401. PROGRAM TERMINATIONS.
(a) TERMINATIONS.—No funds may be appropriated
for the following programs and accounts:
(1) The National Undersea Research Program.
(2) The Fleet Modernization, Shipbuilding, and
Construction Account.
(3) The Charleston, South Carolina, Special
Management Plan.
(4) Chesapeake Bay Observation Buoys.
(5) Federal/State Weather Modification Grants.
(6) The Southeast Storm Research Account.
(7) The Southeast United States Caribbean Fish-
eries Oceanographic Coordinated Investigations Pro-
gram.
(8) National Institute for Environmental Re-
newal.
(9) The Lake Champlain Study.
(10) The Maine Marine Research Center.
(11) The South Carolina Cooperative Geodetic
Survey Account.
(12) Pacific Island Technical Assistance.
(13) Sea Grant/Oyster Disease Account.
(14) National Coastal Research and Development
Institute Account.
(15) VENTS program.
(16) National Weather Service Non-Federal,
Non-Wildfire Fire Weather Service.
(17) National Weather Service Regional Climate
Centers.
(18) National Weather Service Samoa Weather
Forecast Office Repair and Upgrade Account.
(19) Dissemination of Weather Charts (Marine
Facsimile Service).
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to
the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report certifying that all the pro-
grams listed in subsection (a) will be terminated no later
than September 30, 1995.
(c) REPEAL OF SEA GRANT PROGRAMS.—
(1) REPEALS.—(A) Section 208(b) of the Na-
tional Sea Grant College Program Act (33 U.S.C.
1127(b)) is repealed.
(B) Section 3 of the Sea Grant Program Im-
provement Act of 1976 (33 U.S.C. 1124a) is repealed.
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 209 of
the National Sea Grant College Program Act (33
U.S.C. 1128(b)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘and sec-
tion 3 of the Sea Grant Program Improvement Act of
1976’’.
(d) ADDITIONAL REPEAL.—The NOAA Fleet Mod-
ernization Act (33 U.S.C. 851 note) is repealed.
SEC. 402. LIMITATION ON APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS.—Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, no funds are authorized to be
appropriated for any fiscal year after fiscal year 1996 for
carrying out the programs, projects, and activities for
which funds are authorized by this Act.
(b) FISCAL YEAR 1996.—No more than $1,692,470,000
is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for fiscal
year 1996, by this Act or any other Act, to enable the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry
out all activities associated with Operations, Research, and
Facilities.
(c) REDUCTION IN TRAVEL BUDGET.—Of the sums ap-
propriated under this Act for Operations, Research, and
Facilities, no more than $20,000,000 may be used for reim-
bursement of travel and related expenses for National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration personnel.
SEC. 403. REDUCTION IN THE COMMISSIONED OFFICER
CORPS.
(a) MAXIMUM NUMBER.—The total number of commis-
sioned officers on the active list of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration shall not exceed—
(1) 369 for fiscal year 1996;
(2) 100 for fiscal year 1997; and
(3) 50 for fiscal year 1998.
No such commissioned officers are authorized for any fiscal
year after fiscal year 1998.
(b) SEPARATION PAY.—The Secretary may separate
commissioned officers from the active list of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and may do so
without providing separation pay.
TITLE V—MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 501. WEATHER DATA BUOYS.
(a) PROHIBITION.—It shall be unlawful for any unau-
thorized person to remove, change the location of, obstruct,
willfully damage, make fast to, or interfere with any weath-
er data buoy established, installed, operated, or maintained
by the National Data Buoy Center.
(b) CIVIL PENALTIES.—The Administrator is author-
ized to assess a civil penalty against any person who vio-
lates any provision of this section in an amount of not more
than $10,000 for each violation. Each day during which
such violation continues shall be considered a new offense.
Such penalties shall be assessed after notice and oppor-
tunity for a hearing.
(c) REWARDS.—The Administrator may offer and pay
rewards for the apprehension and conviction, or for infor-
mation helpful therein, of persons found interfering, in vio-
lation of law, with data buoys maintained by the National
Data Buoy Center; or for information leading to the discov-
ery of missing National Weather Service property or the
recovery thereof.
SEC. 502. DUTIES OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—To protect life and property and
enhance the national economy, the Secretary, through the
National Weather Service, except as outlined in subsection
(b), shall be responsible for—
(1) forecasts and shall serve as the sole official
source of weather warnings;
(2) the issue of storm warnings;
(3) the collection, exchange, and distribution of
meteorological, hydrological, climatic, and oceano-
graphic data and information; and
(4) the preparation of hydrometeorological guid-
ance and core forecast information.
(b) COMPETITION WITH PRIVATE SECTOR.—The Na-
tional Weather Service shall not compete, or assist other en-
tities to compete, with the private sector when a service is
currently provided or can be provided by commercial enter-
prise, unless—
(1) the Secretary finds that the private sector is
unwilling or unable to provide the services; and
(2) the service provides vital weather warnings
and forecasts for the protection of lives and property
of the general public.
(c) AMENDMENTS.—The Act of 1890 is amended—
(1) by striking section 3 (15 U.S.C. 313); and
(2) in section 9 (15 U.S.C. 317), by striking all
after ‘‘Department of Agriculture’’ and inserting in
lieu thereof a period.
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 60 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to
the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report detailing all National Weather
Service activities which do not conform to the requirements
of this section and outlining a timetable for their termi-
nation.
SEC. 503. REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding section 3302 (b)
and (c) of title 31, United States Code, and subject to sub-
section (b) of this section, all amounts received by the Unit-
ed States in settlement of, or judgment for, damage claims
arising from the October 9, 1992, allision of the vessel
ZACHERY into the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration research vessel DISCOVERER—
(1) shall be retained as an offsetting collection in
the Marine Services account of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration;
(2) shall be deposited in that account upon re-
ceipt by the United States Government; and
(3) shall be available only for obligation for Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ves-
sel repairs.
(b) LIMITATION.—Not more than $518,757.09 of the
amounts referred to in subsection (a) may be deposited into
the Marine Services account pursuant to subsection (a).
SEC. 504. ELIGIBILITY FOR AWARDS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall exclude
from consideration for awards of financial assistance made
by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
after fiscal year 1995 any person who received funds, other
than those described in subsection (b), appropriated for a
fiscal year after fiscal year 1995, from any Federal funding
source for a project that was not subjected to a competitive,
merit-based award process. Any exclusion from consider-
ation pursuant to this section shall be effective for a period
of 5 years after the person receives such Federal funds.
(b) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (a) shall not apply to
awards to persons who are members of a class specified by
law for which assistance is awarded to members of the class
according to a formula provided by law.
SEC. 505. PROHIBITION OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES.
None of the funds authorized by this Act shall be avail-
able for any activity whose purpose is to influence legisla-
tion pending before the Congress, provided that this shall
not prevent officers or employees of the United States or
of its departments or agencies from communicating to Mem-
bers of Congress on the request of any Member or to Con-
gress, through the proper channels, requests for legislation
or appropriations which they deem necessary for the effi-
cient conduct of the public business.
SEC. 506. REPORT ON LABORATORIES.
(a) IN GENERAL.—No later than 120 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall con-
duct a review of the laboratories operated by the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and submit a re-
port to the Committee on Science of the House of Represent-
atives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The report required by sub-
section (a) shall—
riculture’’, approved October 1, 1890 (26
Stat. 653);
(2) ‘‘Act of 1947’’ means the Act enti-
tled ‘‘An Act to define the functions and
duties of the Coast and Geodetic Survey,
and for other purposes’’, approved Au-
gust 6, 1947 (33 U.S.C. 883a et seq.); and
(3) ‘‘Administrator’’ means the Admin-
istrator of the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration.
TITLE I—NATIONAL OCEAN
SERVICE
SEC. 101. NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE.
(a) MAPPING, CHARTING, AND GEODESY.—
(1) 
AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIA-
TIONS.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary of Commerce, to
enable the National Ocean and Atmos-
pheric Administration to carry out map-
ping, charting, and geodesy activities (in-
cluding geodetic data collection and anal-
ysis) under the Act of 1947 and any other
law involving those activities, $58,500,000
for fiscal year 1996 and $63,000,000 for
fiscal year 1997.
(2) 
ENGINEERING
SERVICES
CON-
TRACTS.—The Secretary, subject to the
availability of appropriations, may award
contracts for hydrographic, geodetic, and
photogrammetric surveying and mapping
services in accordance with title IX of the
Federal 
Property 
and 
Administrative
Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 541 et
seq.).
(b) OBSERVATION
AND
ASSESSMENT.—(1)
There are authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary of Commerce, to enable the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion to carry out observation and assessment
activities, $50,500,000 for each of fiscal years
1996 and 1997.
(2) Of the sums authorized under para-
graph (1), $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years
1996 and 1997 are authorized to be appro-
priated for the purposes of conducting a
Coastal Ocean Program. Such program shall
augment and integrate existing programs of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration, and shall include efforts to im-
prove predictions of fish stocks to better con-
serve and manage living marine resources, to
improve predictions of coastal ocean pollu-
tion to help correct and prevent degradation,
and to improve predictions of coastal hazards
to protect human life and personal property.
SEC. 102. OCEAN AND GREAT LAKES RESEARCH.
There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Secretary of Commerce, to enable the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration to carry out ocean and Great Lakes re-
search activities under the Act of 1947, the
Act of 1890, and any other law involving those
activities, $13,000,000 for each of fiscal years
1996 and 1997.
SEC. 103. NATIONAL UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM.
(a) 
ESTABLISHMENT.—The 
Secretary 
of
Commerce shall—
(1) establish and maintain within the
Administration a program to be known as
the National Undersea Research Program
(in this section referred to as the ‘‘Pro-
gram’’); and
(2) under the Program, establish and
maintain regional National Undersea Re-
search Centers.
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Pro-
gram shall be to increase knowledge essential
for the wise use and preservation of oceanic,
coastal, and large lake resources through ad-
vanced undersea exploration, sampling obser-
vation, and experimentation addressing is-
sues of regional, national, and global impor-
tance.
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary of Commerce—
(1) 
to 
administer 
the 
Program,
$1,800,000 for each of fiscal years 1996
and 1997; and
(2) for grants and contracts to re-
gional National Undersea Research Cen-
ters, $16,200,000 for each of fiscal years
1996 and 1997.
TITLE II—NOAA MARINE
FISHERY PROGRAMS
SEC. 201. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Marine Fisheries Program Au-
thorization Act (Public Law 98–210; 97 Stat.
1409) is amended—
(1) in section 2(a)—
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ after ‘‘1992’’
and inserting a comma; and
(B) by inserting before the period
at the end the following: ‘‘, $45,000,000
for each of fiscal years 1996 and
1997’’;
(2) in section 3(a)—
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ after ‘‘1992’’
and inserting a comma; and
(B) by inserting before the period
at the end the following: ‘‘, $27,000,000
for each of fiscal years 1996 and
1997’’;
(3) in section 4(a)—
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ after ‘‘1992’’
and inserting a comma; and
(B) by inserting before the period
at the end the following: ‘‘, $18,000,000
for each of fiscal years 1996 and
1997’’; and
(4) in section 2(e)—
(A) by striking ‘‘1992 and 1993’’
and inserting ‘‘1996 and 1997’’;
(B) by striking ‘‘establish’’ and in-
serting ‘‘operate’’;
(C) by striking ‘‘306’’ and inserting
‘‘307’’; and
(D) by striking ‘‘1991’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘1992’’.
TITLE III—MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
SEC. 301. PROGRAM SUPPORT.
(a) EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND ADMINISTRA-
TIVE ACTIVITIES.—There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce,
to enable the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration to carry out executive
direction and administrative activities (in-
cluding management, administrative support,
provision of retired pay of National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration commis-
sioned officers, and policy development)
under the Act entitled ‘‘An Act to clarify the
status and benefits of commissioned officers
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration, and for other purposes’’, ap-
proved December 31, 1970 (33 U.S.C. 857–1 et
seq.), and any other law involving those ac-
tivities, $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years
1996 and 1997.
(b) ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, MAINTE-
NANCE, AND OPERATION OF FACILITIES.—There
are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary of Commerce, for acquisition, construc-
tion, maintenance, and operation of facilities
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration under any law involving those
activities, $43,000,000 for fiscal year 1996, and
such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year
1997.
(c) MARINE SERVICES.—There are author-
ized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Commerce, to enable the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration to carry out
marine services activities (including ship op-
erations, maintenance, and support) under
the Act of 1947 and any other law involving
those activities, $60,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 1996 and 1997.
SEC. 302. CONVEYANCE OF NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES
SERVICE 
LABORATORY 
AT 
GLOUCESTER,
MASSACHUSETTS.
(a) CONVEYANCE REQUIRED.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary of
Commerce shall convey to the Common-
wealth of Massachusetts all right, title,
and interest of the United States in and
to the property comprising the National
Marine Fisheries Service laboratory lo-
cated on Emerson Avenue in Gloucester,
Massachusetts.
(2) TERMS.—A conveyance of property
under paragraph (1) shall be made—
(A) without payment of consider-
ation; and
(B) subject to the terms and con-
ditions specified under subsections
(b) and (c).
(b) CONDITIONS FOR TRANSFER.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—As a condition of any
conveyance of property under this sec-
tion, the Commonwealth of Massachu-
setts shall assume full responsibility for
maintenance of the property for as long
as the Commonwealth retains the right
and title to that property.
(2) CONTINUED
USE
OF
PROPERTY
BY
NMFS.—The Secretary may enter into a
memorandum of understanding with the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts under
which the National Marine Fisheries
Service is authorized to occupy existing
laboratory space on the property con-
veyed under this section, if—
(A) the term of the memorandum
of understanding is for a period of
not longer than 5 years beginning on
the date of enactment of this Act; and
(B) the square footage of the
space to be occupied by the National
Marine Fisheries Service does not
conflict with the needs of, and is
agreeable to, the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
(c) REVERSIONARY
INTEREST.—All right,
title, and interest in and to all property con-
veyed under this section shall revert to the
United States on the date on which the Com-
monwealth of Massachusetts uses any of the
property for any purpose other than the Com-
monwealth of Massachusetts Division of Ma-
rine Fisheries resource management pro-
gram.
SEC. 303. CLEANUP OF NOAA FACILITIES.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Com-
merce shall cleanup landfills, wastes, dumps,
debris, storage tanks, property, hazardous or
unsafe conditions, and contaminants (includ-
ing, without limitation, petroleum products
and their derivatives), on lands which the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion and its predecessor agencies abandoned,
quitclaimed, or otherwise transferred, or is
obligated to transfer, to local entities or land-
owners on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, pursu-
ant to the Fur Seal Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 1161
et seq.).
(b) SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS.—To carry out
subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
(1) by December 31, 1995, executive
agreements with the State of Alaska, af-
fected local entities and landowners, and
in the case of new landfills, the Indian
Health Service;
(2) manage the cleanup required in
subsection (a) with the minimum possible
Federal overhead, delay, and duplication
of State and local planning and design
work;
(3) receive approval of the State of
Alaska for the cleanup plans prepared as
a result of the agreements described in
subsection (b)(1) where said cleanup is
required by State law;
(4) receive approval of affected local
entities and landowners before conduct-
ing cleanup work on their property, if
such approval is not obtained by agree-
ment in accordance with paragraph (5);
(5) to the maximum extent possible,
and notwithstanding any other law, carry
out duties under this Act and under
other Federal laws on the Pribilof Islands
through contracts, grants, or cooperative
agreements, including agreements on a
reimbursable basis, with the local entities
and landowners and with residents of the
Pribilof Islands; and
(6) not require financial contribu-
tions by or from local entities or land-
owners.
(c) CONTENTS OF AGREEMENTS.—The agree-
ments described in subsection (b)(1) shall—
(1) require the Secretary to clean up
all sites referred to in subsection (a), as
soon as possible;
(2) specify the Secretary’s responsibil-
ity to—
(A) contribute to the planning
and construction of new or redevel-
oped landfills;
(B) provide technical and finan-
cial assistance and training to the
local entities and landowners and
residents of the Pribilof Islands; and
(C) to the greatest extent possible,
secure their participation in carrying
out this section.
(d) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this sec-
tion—
(1) the term ‘‘cleanup’’ means, without
limitation, planning and execution of re-
mediation actions for lands described in
subsection (a) and redevelopment of land-
fills to meet regulatory requirements; and
(2) the term ‘‘local entities and land-
owners’’ means those local political sub-
divisions and entities that have received
or are eligible to receive lands under the
Fur Seal Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 1161 et
seq.)
SEC. 304. NOAA FLEET MODERNIZATION.
(a) SERVICE CONTRACTS.—Notwithstanding
any other provision of law and subject to the
availability of appropriations, the Adminis-
trator shall enter into contracts, including
multiyear contracts, subject to subsection (d),
for the use of vessels to conduct oceano-
graphic research and fisheries research, mon-
itoring, enforcement, and management, and
for the use of vessels to acquire mapping and
charting data necessary to carry out the mis-
sions of the Administration. The Adminis-
trator shall enter into these contracts un-
less—
(1) the cost of the contract is more
than the cost (including the cost of vessel
operation, maintenance, and all person-
nel) to the Administration of obtaining
those services on vessels of the Adminis-
tration;
(2) the contract is for more than 7
years;
(3) the Administrator finds that it is
not in the public interest to do so; or
(4) the data is acquired through a
vessel agreement pursuant to subsection
(e).
(b) REPORT.—The Administrator shall re-
port to Congress by February 1, 1996, on the
need to own, lease, or charter vessels to ac-
quire data.
(c) VESSELS.—After the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Administrator may not
enter into any contract for the construction,
lease-purchase, or service life extension of
any vessel unless specifically authorized by
Congress.
(d) MULTIYEAR CONTRACTS.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to para-
graphs (2) and (3), and notwithstanding
section 1341 of title 31 and section 11 of
title 41, the Administrator may acquire
data under multiyear contracts.
(2) REQUIRED FINDINGS.—The Adminis-
trator may not enter into a contract pur-
suant to this subsection unless the Ad-
ministrator finds with respect to that
contract that there is a reasonable expec-
tation that throughout the contemplated
contract period the Administrator will re-
quest from Congress funding for the con-
tract at the level required to avoid con-
tract termination.
(3) REQUIRED
PROVISIONS.—The Ad-
ministrator may not enter into a contract
pursuant to this subsection unless the
contract includes—
(A) a provision under which the
obligation of the United States to
make payments under the contract
for any fiscal year is subject to the
availability of appropriations pro-
vided in advance for those payments;
(B) a provision that specifies the
term of effectiveness of the contract;
and
(C) appropriate provisions under
which, in case of any termination of
the contract before the end of the
term specified pursuant to subpara-
graph (B), the United States shall
only be liable for the lesser of—
(i) an amount specified in the
contract for such a termination;
or
(ii) amounts that—
(I) were appropriated be-
fore the date of the termi-
nation for the performance of
the contract or for procure-
ment of the type of acquisi-
tion covered by the contract;
and
(II) are unobligated on the
date of the termination.
(e) VESSEL
AGREEMENTS.—The Adminis-
trator shall use excess capacity of University
National Oceanographic Laboratory System
vessels where appropriate and may enter into
memoranda of agreement with the operators
of these vessels to carry out this requirement.
(f) TRANSFER OF EXCESS VESSELS.—The Ad-
ministrator shall transfer any vessels found
excess to the needs of the Administration to
the National Defense Reserve Fleet. Notwith-
standing any other provision of law, these
vessels may be scrapped in accordance with
section 1160(i) of title 46 App. United States
Code.
(g) VESSEL RETIREMENT FUND.—There shall
be established in the Treasury a National Ma-
rine Resources Administration Vessel Retire-
ment Fund. Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, 95 percent of amounts received by
the United States—
(1) from the scrapping of Administra-
tion vessels transferred to the National
Defense Reserve Fleet; and
(2) in settlement of, or judgment for,
damage claims arising from the October
9, 1992, collision of the vessel ZACHARY
into the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration research vessel
DISCOVERER,
shall be deposited in such Fund. Expenditures
from such Fund shall cover the Maritime Ad-
ministration’s costs of laying up and selling
the vessels. Any additional moneys in such
Fund shall be used by the Administration to
make separation payments to commissioned
officers of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration.
SEC. 305. TERMINATION OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION CORPS OF
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
(a) NUMBER OF OFFICERS.—Notwithstand-
ing section 8 of the Act of June 3, 1948 (33
U.S.C. 853g), the total number of commis-
sioned officers on the active list of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion shall not exceed 358 for fiscal year 1996
and 50 for fiscal year 1997. No commissioned
officers are authorized for any fiscal year
after fiscal year 1997.
(b) SEPARATION
PAY.—The Secretary of
Commerce may separate commissioned offi-
cers from the active list of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration, and
may do so without providing separation pay.
(c) TRANSFER.—
(1) TRANSFER
TO
ARMED
SERVICES.—
Subject to the approval of the Secretary
of Defense and under terms and condi-
tions specified by the Secretary, commis-
sioned officers subject to subsection (a)
may transfer to the armed services under
section 716 of title 10, United States Code.
(2) TRANSFER
TO
COAST
GUARD.—Sub-
ject to the approval of the Secretary of
Transportation and under terms and con-
ditions specified by the Secretary, com-
missioned officers subject to subsection
(a) may transfer to the Coast Guard
under section 716 of title 10, United
States Code.
(3) TRANSFER
TO
ADMINISTRATION
AS
MEMBER OF CIVIL SERVICE.—Subject to the
approval of the Administrator and under
terms and conditions specified by the Ad-
ministrator, commissioned officers sub-
ject to subsection (a) who on the date of
enactment of this Act have been assigned
for a period of one year or more to the
programs transferred to the Administra-
tion by this Act (other than those associ-
ated with the modernization of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration fleet or the operations of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration Corps of Commissioned Officers)
may transfer to the Administration as
members of the civil service.
(I) Section 11 of the Act of May 18,
1920 (Chapter 190; 41 Stat. 603; 33
U.S.C. 864).
(J) The Act of July 22, 1947 (Chap-
ter 286; 61 Stat. 400; 33 U.S.C. 873,
874).
(K) The Act of August 3, 1956
(Chapter 932; 70 Stat. 988; 33 U.S.C.
875, 876).
(L) All other Acts inconsistent
with this subsection.
(2) EFFECTIVE
DATE.—The effective
date of the repeals under paragraph (1)
shall be September 30, 1997.
(e) UNEXPENDED BALANCES.—Unexpended
balances of appropriations, allocations, and
other funds available or made available in
connection with the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration Corps of Commis-
sioned officers may be used by the Adminis-
trator for payments under section 8 of the Act
of June 3, 1948 (33 U.S.C. 853g).
(f) ABOLITION.—The Office of the National
Oceanic 
and 
Atmospheric 
Administration
Corps of Operations and the Commissioned
Personnel Center are abolished effective Sep-
tember 30, 1997.
SEC. 306. OTHER TERMINATIONS.
The following programs of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are
terminated:
(1) The National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration Fleet Moderniza-
tion Program.
(2) The Global Learning and Observa-
tions to Benefit the Environment Pro-
gram.
(3) The Sea Grant oyster disease ac-
count.
(4) The Sea Grant zebra mussel ac-
count.
(5) VENTS.
(6) The Charleston, South Carolina
Special Management Plan.
(7) The Lake Champlain study.
(8) The South Carolina cooperative
geodetic survey.
(9) The Chesapeake Bay data buoys
(as of September 30, 1996).
(10) Great Lakes nearshore research.
(11) Mussel watch.
Any unobligated balances appropriated to
carry out any program referred to in this sub-
section shall be transferred to the general
fund of the Treasury.
SEC. 307. REPEALS.
The following are repealed:
(1) The National Advisory Committee
on Oceans and Atmosphere Act of 1977,
Public Law 95–63, 91 Stat. 265 (33 U.S.C.
857–13 through 857–18).
(2) The Ocean Thermal Conversion
Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9101 et seq.).
(3) Title IV of the Marine Protection,
Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (16
U.S.C. 1447 et seq.).
(4) Title V of the Marine Protection,
Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (33
U.S.C. 2801 et seq.).
(5) The Great Lakes Shoreline Map-
ping Act of 1987 (33 U.S.C. 883a note).
(6) The Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife
Tissue Bank Act (16 U.S.C. 943 et seq.).
(7) The Nonindigenous Aquatic Nui-
sance Prevention and Control Act of 1990
(16 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.).
(8) Section 3 of the Sea Grant Pro-
gram Improvement Act of 1976 (33 U.S.C.
1124a).
(9) Section 305 of the Coastal Zone
Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1454)
is repealed effective October 1, 1998.
(10) The NOAA Fleet Modernization
Act (33 U.S.C. 891 et seq.).
(11) Public Law 85–342 (72 Stat. 35; 16
U.S.C. 778 et seq.), relating to fish re-
search and experimentation.
(12) The first section of the Act of Au-
gust 8, 1956 (70 Stat. 1126; 16 U.S.C. 760d),
relating to grants for commercial fishing
education.
(13) Public Law 86–359 (16 U.S.C. 760e
et seq.), relating to the study of migratory
marine gamefish.
(14) The Act of August 15, 1914 (Chap-
ter 253; 38 Stat. 692; 16 U.S.C. 781 et seq.),
prohibiting the taking of sponges in the
Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida.
SEC. 308. BUDGET PRESENTATION.
The Administrator shall develop a revised
budget structure that displays the amounts
requested under a true program office and ac-
tivity structure. This budget structure shall
identify and segregate amounts requested for
headquarters and field office components of
various activities as well as indicate the
amounts intended for external grants or con-
tracts. The Administrator shall develop this
budget structure in consultation with the
Committee on Appropriations and the Com-
mittee on Resources of the House of Rep-
resentatives, and shall use this revised budget
structure in the submission of the fiscal year
1997 budget request of the Administrator.
SEC. 309. SOUTH FLORIDA COASTAL OCEAN STUDIES.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may
implement an integrated program to study
the role of ocean circulation in coastal ocean
processes affecting the health of South Flor-
ida’s coastal ecosystems and fisheries, includ-
ing the effects of pollutants on living marine
resources.
(b) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
There are authorized to be appropriated to
the Administrator to carry out this section
$1,350,000 for each of fiscal years 1996 and
1997.
SEC. 310. OCEAN APPLICATIONS BRANCH.
(a) 
ESTABLISHMENT.—The 
Secretary 
of
Commerce shall establish and maintain with-
in the Administration a program to be known
as the Ocean Application Branch (in this sec-
tion referred to as the ‘‘Branch’’).
(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Branch
shall be to make meteorological and other
weather information developed by the De-
partment of Defense Fleet Numerical Meteor-
ology and Oceanography Center available for
private, educational, and government use
pursuant to agreement between the Secretary
of Defense and the Secretary of Commerce. It
shall be the goal of the Secretary of Com-
merce to support the activities of the Ocean
Applications Branch through user fees.
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
There are authorized to be appropriated up to
$450,000 to support the operation of the
Branch not supported by user fees.