ardship activities of a coral reef stewardship part-
nership. 
‘‘(g) NONAPPLICABILITY
OF FEDERAL ADVISORY 
COMMITTEE ACT.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to coral reef stewardship 
partnerships. 
‘‘SEC. 211. CORAL REEF STEWARDSHIP PLANS. 
‘‘(a) REEF STEWARDSHIP PLANS.—A coral reef 
stewardship partnership certified under section 210(e) 
may develop plans for the stewardship of the coral reef 
or ecologically significant unit of a coral reef that is the 
subject of the stewardship activities of the partnership (in 
this title referred to as ‘coral reef stewardship plans’). 
‘‘(b) PLAN REQUIREMENTS.—A coral reef steward-
ship plan shall include the following elements: 
‘‘(1) Tools and strategies to address pollution 
and water quality impacts to the identified coral reef 
ecosystems. 
‘‘(2) An updated adaptive management frame-
work to inform research, monitoring, and assessment 
needs. 
‘‘(3) Short- and mid-term coral reef steward-
ship objectives. 
‘‘(4) Coral reef-related public outreach and edu-
cation efforts. 
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‘‘(5) Establishment of roles and responsibilities 
for implementing the plan. 
‘‘(6) Evidence of engagement with interested 
stakeholder groups in the development of the plan. 
‘‘(7) Any other information the Administrator 
considers to be necessary for evaluating the plan. 
‘‘(c) BEST STEWARDSHIP PRACTICES.—The Admin-
istrator shall convene representatives of coral reef stew-
ardship partnerships not less than once a year to share 
experiences and identify best practices for developing and 
implementing coral reef stewardship plans. 
‘‘SEC. 212. STEWARDSHIP PLAN CERTIFICATIONS. 
‘‘(a) SUBMISSION TO ADMINISTRATOR FOR CERTIFI-
CATION.—A coral reef stewardship partnership certified 
under section 210(e) may submit a coral reef stewardship 
plan developed under section 211 to the Administrator for 
certification. 
‘‘(b) EVALUATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall— 
‘‘(A) evaluate a plan submitted under sub-
section (a) to determine whether the plan com-
plies with the requirements of section 211(b); 
and 
‘‘(B) grant or deny the petition for certifi-
cation not later than 120 days (except as pro-
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vided by paragraph (2)) after receiving the peti-
tion. 
‘‘(2) EXTENSION.—The Administrator may ex-
tend the date provided for under paragraph (1)(B) 
by not more than 60 days. 
‘‘(c) APPEAL.—If the Administrator denies a petition 
for certification submitted under subsection (a) by a coral 
reef stewardship partnership, the partnership may, not 
later than 30 days after receiving notice of the denial, ap-
peal the denial to the Secretary. Not later than 60 days 
after receiving an appeal under this subsection, the Sec-
retary shall grant or deny the appeal. 
‘‘(d) RECERTIFICATION.—The certification of a coral 
reef stewardship plan under this section shall expire on 
the date that is 5 years after the certification was granted. 
A coral reef stewardship partnership may submit an up-
dated version of such a plan for recertification prior to 
the expiration of the certification of the plan under this 
section. 
‘‘SEC. 213. CORAL REEF STEWARDSHIP FUND. 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS.— 
The Administrator may enter into an agreement with the 
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘Foundation’), authorizing the Foundation 
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to receive, hold, and administer funds received pursuant 
to this section. 
‘‘(b) FUND.—The Foundation shall invest, reinvest, 
and otherwise administer the funds received pursuant to 
this section and maintain such funds and any interest or 
revenues earned in a separate interest bearing account, 
to be known as the ‘Coral Reef Stewardship Fund’ (in this 
section referred to as the ‘Fund’), established by the 
Foundation solely to support coral reef stewardship part-
nership activities that— 
‘‘(1) further the purposes of this title; and 
‘‘(2) are consistent with— 
‘‘(A) the national coral reef resilience 
strategy in effect as developed under section 
203; 
‘‘(B) the State coral reef management and 
restoration strategy in effect, if any, as devel-
oped under section 206 by the covered State in 
which such activities will be carried out; 
‘‘(C) the State coral reef action plan in ef-
fect, if any, as developed under section 207 by 
the covered State in which such activities will 
be carried out; 
‘‘(D) Federal coral reef action plans in ef-
fect, if any, as developed under section 204 by 
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a Federal agency with management jurisdiction 
of a coral reef ecosystem to be impacted by 
such activities, if applicable; and 
‘‘(E) the coral reef stewardship plan in ef-
fect as certified under section 212 governing 
such stewardship activities. 
‘‘(c) AUTHORIZATION TO SOLICIT DONATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Pursuant to an agreement 
entered into under subsection (a), the Foundation 
may accept, receive, solicit, hold, administer, and use 
any gift (including, notwithstanding section 1342 of 
title 31, United States Code, donations of services) 
to further the purposes of this title. 
‘‘(2) DEPOSITS
IN
FUND.—Notwithstanding 
section 3302 of title 31, United States Code, any 
funds received as a gift shall be deposited and main-
tained in the Fund. 
‘‘(3) NOTIFICATION REQUIRED.—Not later than 
30 days after funds are deposited in the Fund under 
paragraph (2), the Foundation shall notify the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of the Senate and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives of the source and amount of such funds. 
‘‘(d) REVIEW
OF PERFORMANCE.—The Adminis-
trator shall conduct a continuing review of the grant pro-
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gram administered by the Foundation under this section. 
Each review shall include a written assessment concerning 
the extent to which the Foundation has implemented the 
goals and requirements of— 
‘‘(1) this section; and 
‘‘(2) the national coral reef resilience strategy 
in effect as developed under section 203. 
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATION.—Under an agreement en-
tered into pursuant to subsection (a), the Administrator 
may transfer funds appropriated to carry out this title to 
the Foundation. Amounts received by the Foundation 
under this subsection may be used for matching, in whole 
or in part, contributions (whether in money, services, or 
property) made to the Foundation by private persons, 
State or local government agencies, or Tribal organiza-
tions. 
‘‘SEC. 214. CORAL REEFS AS MAINTAINED OR ENGINEERED 
INFRASTRUCTURE. 
‘‘(a) CORAL REEFS THAT ARE THE SUBJECT OF 
CERTIFIED CORAL REEF PLANS.—Any coral reef or eco-
logically significant unit of a coral reef that is the subject 
of stewardship activities of a coral reef stewardship part-
nership plan in effect as certified under section 212 or 
a coral reef emergency plan in effect as certified under 
section 216 shall be eligible for public assistance under 
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the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency As-
sistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). 
‘‘(b) OTHER CORAL REEFS.—Any coral reef or eco-
logically significant unit of a coral reef not described in 
subsection (a) may be considered eligible for public assist-
ance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act. 
‘‘SEC. 215. CORAL REEF EMERGENCY PLANS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Individual management units of 
Federal agencies specified in section 205(c) with jurisdic-
tion over coral reef ecosystems, covered States, and coral 
reef stewardship partnerships certified under section 
210(e) may develop plans (in this title referred to as ‘coral 
reef emergency plans’) for the rapid and effective response 
to circumstances that pose an urgent and immediate 
threat to the coral reef ecosystems subject to the steward-
ship activities of such management unit, covered State, or 
coral reef stewardship partnership. 
‘‘(b) CORAL REEF EMERGENCIES.—The Adminis-
trator shall develop a list and criteria for circumstances 
that pose an urgent and immediate threat to coral reefs 
(in this title referred to as ‘coral reef emergencies’), in-
cluding— 
‘‘(1) new and ongoing outbreaks of disease; 
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‘‘(2) new and ongoing outbreaks of invasive spe-
cies; 
‘‘(3) new and ongoing coral bleaching events; 
‘‘(4) natural disasters; 
‘‘(5) man-made disasters, including vessel 
groundings, chemical spills, or coastal construction 
accidents; and 
‘‘(6) other exigent circumstances. 
‘‘(c) BEST RESPONSE PRACTICES.—The Adminis-
trator shall develop guidance on best practices to respond 
to coral reef emergencies. Such best practices shall be— 
‘‘(1) based on the best available science and in-
tegrated with evolving innovative technologies; and 
‘‘(2) updated not less frequently than once 
every 5 years. 
‘‘(d) PLAN REQUIREMENTS.—A coral reef emergency 
plan shall include the following elements: 
‘‘(1) A description of particular threats, and the 
proposed responses, consistent with the best prac-
tices developed under subsection (c). 
‘‘(2) A delineation of roles and responsibilities 
for executing such plan. 
‘‘(3) Evidence of engagement with interested 
stakeholder groups, as applicable, in the develop-
ment of such plan. 
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‘‘(4) Any other information the Administrator 
considers to be necessary for evaluating such plan. 
‘‘SEC. 216. EMERGENCY PLAN CERTIFICATIONS. 
‘‘(a) SUBMISSION TO ADMINISTRATOR FOR CERTIFI-
CATION.—Federal agencies specified in subsection 205(c), 
covered States, and coral reef stewardship partnerships 
certified under section 210(e) may submit coral reef emer-
gency plans developed under section 215 to the Adminis-
trator for certification. 
‘‘(b) EVALUATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall— 
‘‘(A) evaluate a plan submitted under sub-
section (a) to determine whether the plan com-
plies with the requirements of section 215(d); 
and 
‘‘(B) grant or deny the petition for certifi-
cation not later than 120 days (except as pro-
vided by paragraph (2)) after receiving the peti-
tion. 
‘‘(2) EXTENSION.—The Administrator may ex-
tend the date provided for under paragraph (1)(B) 
by not more than 60 days. 
‘‘(c) APPEAL.—If the Administrator denies a petition 
for certification submitted under subsection (a), the peti-
tioning entity may, not later than 30 days after receiving 
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notice of the denial, appeal the denial to the Secretary. 
Not later than 60 days after receiving an appeal under 
this subsection, the Secretary shall grant or deny the ap-
peal. 
‘‘(d) RECERTIFICATION.—The certification of a coral 
reef emergency plan under this section shall expire on the 
date that is 5 years after the certification was granted. 
The petitioning entity may submit an updated version of 
such a plan for recertification prior to the expiration of 
the certification of the plan under this section. 
‘‘SEC. 217. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW. 
‘‘(a) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this Act 
may be construed to supersede or modify the requirements 
of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
‘‘(b) ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS.—To the ex-
tent permissible under the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969, the Administrator may conduct an environ-
mental assessment or environmental impact statement 
under that Act with respect to coral reef emergency plans 
developed under section 215 or certified under section 
216. 
‘‘(c) GUIDANCE
AND OUTREACH.—The Adminis-
trator shall issue guidance and conduct outreach with re-
spect to the implementation of this section. 
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‘‘SEC. 218. CORAL REEF EMERGENCY FUND. 
‘‘(a) AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS.— 
The Administrator may enter into an agreement with the 
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘Foundation’), authorizing the Foundation 
to receive, hold, and administer funds received pursuant 
to this section. 
‘‘(b) FUND.—The Foundation shall invest, reinvest, 
and otherwise administer funds received pursuant to this 
section and maintain such funds and any interest or reve-
nues earned in a separate interest-bearing account, to be 
known as the ‘Coral Reef Emergency Fund’ (in this sec-
tion referred as the ‘Fund’), established by the Founda-
tion solely to support rapid and effective responses to coral 
reef emergencies by Federal agencies specified in sub-
section 205(c), covered States, and coral reef stewardship 
partnerships certified under section 210(e), and as other-
wise consistent with this title. 
‘‘(c) AUTHORIZATION TO SOLICIT DONATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Pursuant to an agreement 
entered into under subsection (a), the Foundation 
may accept, receive, solicit, hold, administer, and use 
any gift (including, notwithstanding section 1342 of 
title 31, United States Code, donations of services) 
to further the purposes of this title. 
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‘‘(2) DEPOSITS
IN
FUND.—Notwithstanding 
section 3302 of title 31, United States Code, any 
funds received as a gift shall be deposited and main-
tained in the Fund. 
‘‘(3) NOTIFICATION REQUIRED.—Not later than 
30 days after funds are deposited in the Fund under 
paragraph (2), the Foundation shall notify the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of the Senate and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives of the source and amount of such funds. 
‘‘(d) REVIEW
OF PERFORMANCE.—The Adminis-
trator shall conduct a continuing review of the grant pro-
gram administered by the Foundation under this section. 
Each review shall include a written assessment concerning 
the extent to which the Foundation has implemented the 
goals and requirements of this section. 
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATION.—Under an agreement en-
tered into pursuant to subsection (a), the Administrator 
may transfer funds appropriated to carry out this title to 
the Foundation. Amounts received by an organization 
under this subsection may be used for matching, in whole 
or in part, contributions (whether in money, services, or 
property) made to the organization by private persons, 
State or local government agencies, or Tribal organiza-
tions. 
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‘‘SEC. 219. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE. 
‘‘(a) CORAL REEF EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) SUA
SPONTE
DECLARATION.—The Sec-
retary may determine and declare a coral reef emer-
gency. 
‘‘(2) PETITIONS.—If a State or a coral reef 
stewardship partnership certified under section 
210(e) believes that a coral reef emergency has oc-
curred, and is impacting coral reefs or ecologically 
significant units of coral reefs subject to the coral 
reef stewardship activities of the State or partner-
ship, the State or partnership may petition the Sec-
retary for a declaration of a coral reef emergency. 
‘‘(3) EVALUATION AND ACTION.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 30 
days after receiving a petition under paragraph 
(2) (except as provided in subparagraph (B)), 
the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(i) evaluate the petition to determine 
whether a coral reef emergency has oc-
curred; and 
‘‘(ii) declare a coral reef emergency or 
deny the petition. 
‘‘(B) 
EXTENSION.—The 
Administrator 
may extend the deadline provided for under 
subparagraph (A) by not more than 15 days. 
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‘‘(4) APPEAL.—If the Secretary denies a peti-
tion for an emergency declaration submitted under 
paragraph (2) by a State or coral reef stewardship 
partnership, the State or partnership may, not later 
than 15 days after receiving notice of the denial, ap-
peal the denial to the Secretary. Not later than 15 
days after receiving an appeal under this paragraph, 
the Secretary shall grant or deny the appeal. 
‘‘(5) REVOCATION.—The Secretary may revoke 
any declaration of a coral reef emergency in whole 
or in part after determining that circumstances no 
longer require an emergency response. 
‘‘(6) RECOVERY
OF
EMERGENCY
FUNDING.— 
The Administrator may seek compensation from 
negligent parties to recover emergency funds ex-
pended in excess of $500,000 under this section as 
a result of an emergency declaration arising from di-
rect impacts to coral reefs from man-made disasters 
or accidents. 
‘‘(b) GRANT AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Upon the declaration of a 
coral reef emergency under subsection (a), the Sec-
retary shall provide grants to carry out proposals 
that meet the requirements of paragraph (2) to im-
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plement coral reef emergency plans certified under 
section 216. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—A proposal for a grant 
under this subsection to implement a coral reef 
emergency plan shall include— 
‘‘(A) the name of the individual or entity 
submitting the proposal; 
‘‘(B) a copy of the coral reef emergency 
plan; 
‘‘(C) a description of the qualifications of 
the individuals and entities who will implement 
the plan; 
‘‘(D) an estimate of the funds and time re-
quired to complete the implementation of the 
plan; and 
‘‘(E) any other information the Secretary 
considers to be necessary for evaluating the eli-
gibility of the proposal for a grant under this 
subsection. 
‘‘(3) REVIEW.—Not later than 30 days after re-
ceiving a proposal for a grant under this subsection, 
the Secretary shall review the proposal and deter-
mine if the proposal meets the criteria requirements 
of paragraph (2). 
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‘‘(4) CONCURRENT REVIEW.—An individual or 
entity seek a grant under this subsection may sub-
mit a project proposal under paragraph (2) to the 
Secretary at any time following the submission of a 
petition for an emergency declaration under sub-
section (a)(2) that is applicable to coral reefs or eco-
logically significant units of coral reefs subject to the 
coral reef stewardship activities of the individual or 
entity. 
‘‘SEC. 220. VESSEL GROUNDING INVENTORY. 
‘‘The Administrator, in coordination with the heads 
of other Federal agencies, may maintain an inventory of 
all vessel grounding incidents involving United States 
coral reefs, including a description of— 
‘‘(1) the impacts of each such incident; 
‘‘(2) vessel and ownership information relating 
to each such incident, if available; 
‘‘(3) the estimated cost of removal, mitigation, 
or restoration relating to each such incident; 
‘‘(4) the response actions taken by the owner of 
the vessel, the Administrator, the Commandant of 
the Coast Guard, or other Federal or State agency 
representatives; 
‘‘(5) the status of the response actions, includ-
ing the dates of— 
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‘‘(A) vessel removal; 
‘‘(B) mitigation or restoration activities, 
including whether an applicable coral reef emer-
gency plan as certified under section 216 was 
implemented; and 
‘‘(C) any actions taken to prevent future 
grounding incidents; and 
‘‘(6) recommendations for additional naviga-
tional aids or other mechanisms for preventing fu-
ture grounding incidents. 
‘‘SEC. 221. CORAL REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) GRANTS.—The Administrator shall provide 
grants of financial assistance for projects for the conserva-
tion and restoration of coral reef ecosystems (in this sec-
tion referred to as ‘coral reef projects’) for proposals ap-
proved by the Administrator in accordance with this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBILITY.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—An entity described in 
paragraph (2) may submit to the Administrator a 
proposal for a coral reef project. 
‘‘(2) ENTITIES
DESCRIBED.—An entity de-
scribed in this paragraph is— 
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‘‘(A) a natural resource management au-
thority of a State or local government or Tribal 
organization— 
‘‘(i) with responsibility for coral reef 
management; or 
‘‘(ii) the activities of which directly or 
indirectly affect coral reefs or coral reef 
ecosystems; 
‘‘(B) a coral reef stewardship partnership 
certified under section 210(e) seeking to imple-
ment a coral reef stewardship plan certified 
under section 212; 
‘‘(C) a coral reef research center des-
ignated under section 223(c)(2); or 
‘‘(D) another educational or nongovern-
mental research institution with demonstrated 
expertise in the conservation or restoration of 
coral reefs in practice or through significant 
contributions to the body of existing scientific 
research on coral reefs. 
‘‘(c) PROJECT PROPOSALS.—Each proposal for a 
grant under this section for a coral reef project shall in-
clude the following: 
‘‘(1) The name of the individual or entity re-
sponsible for conducting the project. 
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‘‘(2) A description of the qualifications of the 
individual or entity. 
‘‘(3) A succinct statement of the purposes of 
the project. 
‘‘(4) An estimate of the funds and time re-
quired to complete the project. 
‘‘(5) Evidence of support for the project by ap-
propriate representatives of States or other govern-
ment jurisdictions in which the project will be con-
ducted. 
‘‘(6) Information regarding the source and 
amount of matching funding available to the appli-
cant. 
‘‘(7) A description of how the project meets one 
or more of the criteria under subsection (e)(2). 
‘‘(8) In the case of a proposal submitted by a 
coral reef stewardship partnership certified under 
section 210(e), a description of how the project 
aligns with the coral reef stewardship plan in effect 
as certified under section 212. 
‘‘(9) Any other information the Administrator 
considers to be necessary for evaluating the eligi-
bility of the project for a grant under this sub-
section. 
‘‘(d) PROJECT REVIEW AND APPROVAL.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall re-
view each coral reef project proposal submitted 
under this section to determine if the project meets 
the criteria set forth in subsection (e). 
‘‘(2) 
PRIORITIZATION
OF
RESTORATION 
PROJECTS.—The Administrator shall prioritize the 
awarding of grants for applicable projects that meet 
the criteria for approval under subparagraphs (F), 
(G), (H), (I), (J), and (K) of subsection (e)(2) that 
are proposed to be conducted within the administra-
tive boundaries of— 
‘‘(A) an individual management unit of a 
Federal agency specified in section 205(c); or 
‘‘(B) a covered State that— 
‘‘(i) has experienced more than a 10 
percent loss of living coral cover during the 
10-year period preceding the date of the 
plan as determined by the applicable Fed-
eral coral reef action plan in effect as de-
veloped under section 204; or 
‘‘(ii) retains less than 50 percent of 
its historical living coral cover as of that 
date, as determined by the State coral reef 
action plan in effect as developed under 
section 208. 
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‘‘(3) REVIEW; APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL.— 
Not later than 180 days after receiving a proposal 
for a coral reef project under this section, the Ad-
ministrator shall— 
‘‘(A) request and consider written com-
ments on the proposal from each Federal agen-
cy, State government, Tribal organization, or 
other government jurisdiction, including the rel-
evant regional fishery management councils es-
tablished under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
1801 et seq.), or any National Marine Sanc-
tuary, with jurisdiction or management author-
ity over coral reef ecosystems in the area where 
the project is to be conducted, including the ex-
tent to which the project is consistent with lo-
cally established priorities, unless such entities 
were directly involved in the development of the 
project proposal; 
‘‘(B) provide for the merit-based peer re-
view of the proposal and require standardized 
documentation of that peer review; 
‘‘(C) after considering any written com-
ments and recommendations based on the re-
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views under subparagraphs (A) and (B), ap-
prove or disapprove the proposal; and 
‘‘(D) provide written notification of that 
approval or disapproval, with summaries of all 
written comments, recommendations, and peer- 
reviews, to the entity that submitted the pro-
posal, and each of those States, Tribal organi-
zations, and other government jurisdictions that 
provided comments under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(e) CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL.—The Administrator 
may not approve a proposal for a coral reef project under 
this section unless the project— 
‘‘(1) is consistent with— 
‘‘(A) the national coral reef resilience 
strategy in effect as developed under section 
203; 
‘‘(B) the State coral reef management and 
restoration strategy in effect, if any, as devel-
oped under section 206 by the covered State in 
which the project will be carried out; 
‘‘(C) the State coral reef action plan in ef-
fect, if any, as developed under section 207 by 
such State; 
‘‘(D) Federal coral reef action plans in ef-
fect, if any, as developed under section 204 by 
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a Federal agency with management jurisdiction 
of a coral reef ecosystem to be impacted by 
such project, if applicable; and 
‘‘(E) coral reef stewardship plans in effect, 
if any, as certified under section 212 governing 
the stewardship activities at a coral reef or eco-
logically significant unit of a coral reef to be 
impacted by such project, if applicable; and 
‘‘(2) will enhance the conservation and restora-
tion of coral reefs by— 
‘‘(A) addressing conflicts arising from the 
use of environments near coral reefs or from 
the use of corals, species associated with coral 
reefs, and coral products, including supporting 
consensus-driven, 
community-based 
planning 
and management initiatives for the protection 
of coral reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(B) improving compliance with laws that 
prohibit or regulate the taking of coral products 
or species associated with coral reefs or regulate 
the use and management of coral reef eco-
systems; 
‘‘(C) designing and implementing networks 
of real-time water quality monitoring along 
coral reefs, including data collection related to 
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turbidity, nutrient availability, harmful algal 
blooms, and plankton assemblages, with an em-
phasis on coral reefs impacted by agriculture 
and urban development; 
‘‘(D) promoting ecologically sound naviga-
tion and anchorages, including mooring buoy 
systems to promote enhanced recreational ac-
cess, near coral reefs; 
‘‘(E) furthering the goals and objectives of 
coral reef stewardship plans certified under sec-
tion 212 and coral reef emergency plans cer-
tified under section 216; 
‘‘(F) mapping the location and distribution 
of coral reefs and potential coral reef habitat; 
‘‘(G) implementing research to ensure the 
population viability of listed coral species in 
United States waters as detailed in the popu-
lation-based recovery criteria included in spe-
cies-specific recovery plans consistent with the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.); 
‘‘(H) developing and implementing cost-ef-
fective methods to restore degraded coral reef 
ecosystems or to create native coral reef eco-
systems in suitable waters, including by improv-
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ing habitat or promoting success of keystone 
species, with an emphasis on novel restoration 
strategies and techniques to advance coral reef 
recovery and growth near population centers 
threatened by rising sea levels and storm surge; 
‘‘(I) translating and applying coral genet-
ics research to coral reef ecosystem restoration, 
including research related to traits that pro-
mote resilience to increasing ocean tempera-
tures, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, coral 
diseases, and invasive species; 
‘‘(J) developing and maintaining in situ 
native coral propagation sites; or 
‘‘(K) developing and maintaining ex situ 
coral propagation nurseries and land-based 
coral gene banks to— 
‘‘(i) conserve or augment genetic di-
versity of native coral populations; 
‘‘(ii) support captive breeding of rare 
coral species; or 
‘‘(iii) enhance resilience of native coral 
populations to increasing ocean tempera-
tures, ocean acidification, coral bleaching, 
and coral diseases through selective breed-
ing, conditioning, or other approaches that 
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target genes, gene expression, phenotypic 
traits, or phenotypic plasticity. 
‘‘(f) FUNDING REQUIREMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) FIFTY PERCENT MATCH.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided by 
subparagraph (C), Federal funds for any coral 
reef project under this section may not exceed 
50 percent of the total cost of the project. For 
purposes of this paragraph, the non-Federal 
share of project costs may be provided by in- 
kind contributions and other noncash support. 
‘‘(B) WAIVER.—The Administrator may 
waive all or part of the matching requirement 
under subparagraph (A) with respect to a coral 
reef project if the Administrator determines 
that— 
‘‘(i) no reasonable means are available 
through which the entity that submitted 
the proposal for the project can meet the 
matching requirement; and 
‘‘(ii) the probable benefit of the 
project outweighs the public interest in the 
matching requirement. 
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‘‘(C) EXCLUSION.—Funds provided under 
section 209 may not be used to satisfy the 
matching requirement under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(2) DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.—To the extent 
practicable based upon proposals for coral reef 
projects submitted to the Administrator, the Admin-
istrator shall ensure that funding for grants award-
ed under this section during a fiscal year is distrib-
uted as follows: 
‘‘(A) Not less than 40 percent of funds 
available shall be awarded for projects in the 
Pacific Ocean within the maritime areas and 
zones subject to the jurisdiction or control of 
the United States. 
‘‘(B) Not less than 40 percent of the funds 
available shall be awarded for projects in the 
Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, or the Car-
ibbean Sea within the maritime areas and zones 
subject to the jurisdiction or control of the 
United States. 
‘‘(C) Not more than 67 percent of funds 
distributed in each region in accordance with 
subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be made ex-
clusively available to projects that are— 
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‘‘(i) submitted by a coral reef steward-
ship partnership certified under section 
210(e); and 
‘‘(ii) consistent with the coral reef 
stewardship plan developed by such part-
nership as certified under section 212. 
‘‘(D) Of the funds distributed to support 
projects in accordance with subparagraph (C), 
not less than 20 percent and not more than 33 
percent shall be awarded for projects impacting 
coral reef ecosystems within the administrative 
boundaries of individual management units of 
the Federal agencies specified in section 205(c). 
‘‘(g) PROJECT REPORTING.—Each entity receiving a 
grant under this section shall submit to the Administrator 
such reports at such times and containing such informa-
tion for evaluating project performance as the Adminis-
trator may require. 
‘‘(h) TASK FORCE.—The Administrator may consult 
with the Secretary of the Interior and the Task Force to 
obtain guidance in establishing priorities for coral reef 
projects under this section. 
‘‘SEC. 222. ANNUAL REPORTS ON ADMINISTRATION. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not less frequently than annu-
ally, the Administrator shall submit to the committees 
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specified in subsection (b) a report on the administration 
of this title, including— 
‘‘(1) a description of all activities undertaken in 
the previous fiscal year to implement the most re-
cent national coral reef resilience strategy under sec-
tion 203(a); 
‘‘(2) a statement of all funds obligated under 
the authorities of this title; and 
‘‘(3) a summary, disaggregated by State, of 
Federal and non-Federal contributions toward the 
costs of each project or activity funded under section 
205, 209, 213, 218, 219, 221, or 223. 
‘‘(b) COMMITTEES
SPECIFIED.—The committees 
specified in this subsection are— 
‘‘(1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the Committee on Appropria-
tions of the Senate; and 
‘‘(2) the Committee on Natural Resources and 
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
Representatives. 
‘‘SEC. 223. AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may enter 
into and perform such contracts, leases, grants, or cooper-
ative agreements as may be necessary to carry out the 
purposes of this title. 
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‘‘(b) FUNDING.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Under an agreement en-
tered into under subsection (a), the Secretary may 
reimburse or provide funds authorized to be appro-
priated by section 224 to, and may receive funds or 
reimbursements from, individuals and entities de-
scribed in paragraph (2) to carry out activities au-
thorized by this title. 
‘‘(2) 
INDIVIDUALS
AND
ENTITIES
DE-
SCRIBED.—Individuals and entities described in this 
paragraph are the following: 
‘‘(A) Federal agencies, instrumentalities, 
and laboratories. 
‘‘(B) State and local governments. 
‘‘(C) Indian Tribes and Tribal organiza-
tions. 
‘‘(D) International organizations. 
‘‘(E) Foreign governments not subject to 
economic sanctions imposed by the United 
States. 
‘‘(F) Institutions of higher education, re-
search centers, and other educational institu-
tions. 
‘‘(G) Nonprofit organizations. 
‘‘(H) Commercial organizations. 
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‘‘(I) Other public or private individuals or 
entities. 
‘‘(c) COOPERATIVE INSTITUTES.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish 2 cooperative institutes for the purpose of 
advancing and sustaining essential capabilities in 
coral reef research, to be known as the ‘Atlantic 
Coral Reef Cooperative Institute’ and the ‘Pacific 
Coral Reef Cooperative Institute’. 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The institutes established 
under paragraph (1) shall each include at least one 
coral reef research center designated by the Admin-
istrator that— 
‘‘(A) is operated by an institution of higher 
education or nonprofit marine research organi-
zation; 
‘‘(B) has established management-driven 
national or regional coral reef research or res-
toration programs; 
‘‘(C) is located in a covered State that con-
tains a coral reef ecosystem; 
‘‘(D) has demonstrated abilities to coordi-
nate closely with appropriate Federal and State 
agencies, as well as other academic and non-
profit organizations; and 
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‘‘(E) maintains significant local community 
engagement and outreach programs related to 
coral reef ecosystems. 
‘‘(3) FUNCTIONS.—The institutes established 
under paragraph (1) shall— 
‘‘(A) support ecological research and moni-
toring to study the effects of conservation and 
restoration activities funded by this title on pro-
moting more effective coral reef management 
and restoration; and 
‘‘(B) through agreements with centers re-
ferred to in paragraph (2)— 
‘‘(i) collaborate directly with govern-
mental resource management agencies, 
coral reef stewardship partnerships cer-
tified under section 210(e), nonprofit orga-
nizations, institutions of higher education, 
and other research organizations; 
‘‘(ii) assist in the development and im-
plementation of State coral reef manage-
ment and restoration strategies developed 
under section 206, State coral reef action 
plans developed under section 207, State 
coral reef action plan assessments devel-
oped under section 208, coral reef steward-
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ship plans developed under section 211 or 
certified under section 212, and coral reef 
emergency plans developed under section 
215 or certified under section 216; 
‘‘(iii) build capacity within govern-
mental resource management agencies to 
establish research priorities and translate 
and apply research findings to manage-
ment and restoration practices; and 
‘‘(iv) conduct public education and 
awareness programs for policymakers, re-
source managers, and the general public 
on— 
‘‘(I) coral reefs and coral reef 
ecosystems; 
‘‘(II) best practices for coral reef 
ecosystem management and restora-
tion; 
‘‘(III) the value of coral reefs; 
and 
‘‘(IV) the threats to the sustain-
ability of coral reef ecosystems. 
‘‘(d) MULTIYEAR COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—The 
Administrator may enter into multiyear cooperative agree-
ments with the heads of other Federal agencies, States, 
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Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations, local governments, 
the coral reef cooperative institutes established under sub-
section (c), and other institutions of higher education, 
nonprofit research organizations, and nongovernmental 
organizations to carry out activities authorized under sec-
tions 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 213, 218, 219, 220, 
and 221. 
‘‘(e) USE OF RESOURCES OF OTHER AGENCIES.— 
The Administrator may use, with consent and with or 
without reimbursement, the land, services, equipment, per-
sonnel, and facilities of any agency or instrumentality of— 
‘‘(1) the United States; 
‘‘(2) any State or local government; 
‘‘(3) any Indian Tribe; or 
‘‘(4) any foreign government not subject to eco-
nomic sanctions imposed by the United States. 
‘‘SEC. 224. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be ap-
propriated to the Secretary to carry out this title the fol-
lowing amounts, which shall remain available until ex-
pended: 
‘‘(1) $29,000,000 for fiscal year 2020. 
‘‘(2) $30,500,000 for fiscal year 2021. 
‘‘(3) $32,000,000 for fiscal year 2022. 
‘‘(4) $33,500,000 for fiscal year 2023. 
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‘‘(5) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2024. 
‘‘(b) ADMINISTRATION.—Of the amounts appro-
priated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations 
under subsection (a), not more than the lesser of 
$1,500,000 or 10 percent may be used for program ad-
ministration or for overhead costs incurred by the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or the De-
partment of Commerce and assessed as an administrative 
charge. 
‘‘(c) CORAL REEF MANAGEMENT AND RESTORATION 
ACTIVITIES.—From the amounts authorized to be appro-
priated under subsection (a), there shall be made available 
to the Secretary not less than the following amounts for 
authorized activities under sections 205 and 209: 
‘‘(1) $21,000,000 for fiscal year 2020, of which 
not less than $6,000,000 shall be made available to 
the Secretary for the provision State block grants 
under section 209. 
‘‘(2) $22,500,000 for fiscal year 2021, of which 
not less than $6,750,000 shall be made available to 
the Secretary for the provision State block grants 
under section 209. 
‘‘(3) $24,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, of which 
not less than $7,500,000 shall be made available to 
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the Secretary for the provision State block grants 
under section 209. 
‘‘(4) $25,500,000 for fiscal year 2023, of which 
not less than $8,250,000 shall be made available to 
the Secretary for the provision State block grants 
under section 209. 
‘‘(5) $27,000,000 for fiscal year 2024, of which 
not less than $9,000,000 shall be made available to 
the Secretary for the provision State block grants 
under section 209. 
‘‘(d) FEDERALLY DIRECTED RESEARCH AND CORAL 
REEF CONSERVATION PROGRAM GRANTS.—From the 
amounts authorized to be appropriated under subsection 
(a), there shall be made available to the Secretary not less 
than $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 
2024 to support purposes consistent with this title, of 
which— 
‘‘(1) not less than $3,500,000 shall be made 
available for each such fiscal year for authorized ac-
tivities under section 221; and 
‘‘(2) not less than $4,500,000 shall be made 
available for each such fiscal year through coopera-
tive agreements with the cooperative institutes estab-
lished under section 223(c). 
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‘‘SEC. 225. DEFINITIONS. 
‘‘In this title: 
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘Adminis-
trator’ means the Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
‘‘(2) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’ means the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
Representatives. 
‘‘(3) CONSERVATION.—The term ‘conservation’ 
means the use of methods and procedures necessary 
to preserve or sustain native corals and associated 
species as diverse, viable, and self-perpetuating coral 
reef ecosystems with minimal impacts from invasive 
species, including— 
‘‘(A) all activities associated with resource 
management, such as monitoring, assessment, 
protection, restoration, sustainable use, man-
agement of habitat, and maintenance or aug-
mentation of genetic diversity; 
‘‘(B) mapping; 
‘‘(C) scientific expertise and technical as-
sistance in the development and implementation 
of management strategies for marine protected 
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areas and marine resources consistent with the 
National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 
1431 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fish-
ery Conservation and Management Act (16 
U.S.C. 1801 et seq.); 
‘‘(D) law enforcement; 
‘‘(E) conflict resolution initiatives; 
‘‘(F) community outreach and education; 
and 
‘‘(G) promotion of safe and ecologically 
sound navigation and anchoring. 
‘‘(4) 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 
(organpipe corals and others), Alcyanacea (soft 
corals), and Coenothecalia (blue coral), of the 
class Anthozoa; and 
‘‘(B) 
all 
species 
of 
the 
order 
Hydrocorallina (fire corals and hydrocorals) of 
the class Hydrozoa. 
‘‘(5) CORAL
REEF.—The term ‘coral reef’ 
means a limestone relief feature, in the form of a 
reef or shoal, composed in whole or in part by living 
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coral, skeletal remains of coral, crustose coralline 
algae, and other associated sessile marine plants and 
animals. 
‘‘(6) CORAL
REEF
ECOSYSTEM.—The term 
‘coral reef ecosystem’ means— 
‘‘(A) corals and the associated community 
of other species of reef organisms (including 
reef plants and animals) associated with coral 
reef habitat; and 
‘‘(B) the biotic and abiotic factors and 
processes that control coral growth, reproduc-
tion, and abundance and diversity in such habi-
tat. 
‘‘(7) CORAL PRODUCTS.—The term ‘coral prod-
ucts’ means any living or dead specimens, parts, or 
derivatives, or any product containing specimens, 
parts, or derivatives, of any species referred to in 
paragraph (4). 
‘‘(8) COVERED
STATE.—The term ‘covered 
State’ means Florida, Hawaii, the Northern Mariana 
Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, or 
the United States Virgin Islands. 
‘‘(9) INDIAN TRIBE; TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.— 
The terms ‘Indian Tribe’ and ‘Tribal organization’ 
have the meanings given the terms ‘Indian tribe’ and 
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‘tribal organization’, respectively, in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
‘‘(10) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.— 
The term ‘institution of higher education’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 101 of the High-
er Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
‘‘(11) INTERESTED STAKEHOLDER GROUPS.— 
The term ‘interested stakeholder groups’ includes 
community members such as businesses, commercial 
and recreational fishermen, other recreationalists, 
Federal, State, Tribal, and local government units 
with related jurisdiction, institutions of higher edu-
cation, and nongovernmental organizations. 
‘‘(12) NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION.—The term 
‘nonprofit organization’ means an organization that 
is described in section 501(c) of the Internal Rev-
enue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under sec-
tion 501(a) of such Code. 
‘‘(13) RESTORATION.—The term ‘restoration’ 
means the use of methods and procedures necessary 
to enhance, rehabilitate, recreate, or create a func-
tioning coral reef or coral reef ecosystem, in whole 
or in part, within suitable waters of the historical 
geographic range of such ecosystems, to provide eco-
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logical, economic, cultural, or coastal resiliency serv-
ices associated with healthy coral reefs and benefit 
native populations of coral reef organisms. 
‘‘(14) 
RESILIENCE.—The 
term 
‘resilience’ 
means the capacity for native corals, coral reefs, or 
coral reef ecosystems to recover from natural and 
human disturbance as determined by clearly identifi-
able, measurable, and science-based standards. 
‘‘(15) 
SECRETARY.—The 
term 
‘Secretary’ 
means the Secretary of Commerce. 
‘‘(16) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means— 
‘‘(A) any State of the United States that 
contains a coral reef ecosystem within its sea-
ward boundaries; 
‘‘(B) American Samoa, Guam, the North-
ern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin 
Islands; or 
‘‘(C) any other territory or possession of 
the United States or separate sovereign in free 
association with the United States that contains 
a coral reef ecosystem within its seaward 
boundaries. 
‘‘(17) STEWARDSHIP.—The term ‘stewardship’, 
with respect to a coral reef, includes conservation 
and restoration. 
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