SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Coral Reef Conservation Act Reauthorization and En-
hancement Amendments of 2009’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title. 
Sec. 2. Amendment of Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. 
TITLE I—AMENDMENTS TO THE CORAL REEF CONSERVATION 
ACT 
Sec. 101. Expansion of Coral Reef Conservation Program. 
Sec. 102. Emergency response. 
Sec. 103. National program. 
Sec. 104. Report to Congress. 
Sec. 105. Fund; grants; grounding inventory; coordination. 
Sec. 106. Clarification of definitions. 
Sec. 107. Authorization of appropriations. 
TITLE II—UNITED STATES CORAL REEF TASK FORCE 
Sec. 201. United States Coral Reef Task Force. 
TITLE III—DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR CORAL REEF 
AUTHORITIES 
Sec. 301. Amendments relating to Department of the Interior program. 
Sec. 302. Clarification of definitions. 
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT OF CORAL REEF CONSERVATION ACT 
OF 2000. 
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in 
this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms 
of an amendment to or repeal of a section or other provi-
sion, the reference shall be considered to be made to a 
section or other provision of the Coral Reef Conservation 
Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.).
TITLE I—AMENDMENTS TO THE 
CORAL REEF CONSERVATION 
ACT 
SEC. 101. EXPANSION OF CORAL REEF CONSERVATION 
PROGRAM. 
(a) PROJECT
DIVERSITY.—Section 204(d) (16 
U.S.C. 6403(d)) is amended— 
(1) in the heading by striking ‘‘GEOGRAPHIC 
AND BIOLOGICAL’’and inserting ‘‘PROJECT’’; and 
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(3) Remaining funds shall be awarded for— 
‘‘(A) projects (with priority given to com-
munity-based local action strategies) that ad-
dress emerging priorities or threats, including 
international 
and 
territorial 
priorities, 
or 
threats identified by the Administrator in con-
sultation with the United States Coral Reef 
Task Force; and 
‘‘(B) other appropriate projects, as deter-
mined by the Administrator, including moni-
toring and assessment, research, pollution re-
duction, education, and technical support.’’. 
(b) APPROVAL
CRITERIA.—Section 204(g) (16 
U.S.C. 6403(g)) is amended—
(1) by striking ‘‘or’’ after the semicolon in 
paragraph (9); 
(2) by striking paragraph (10); and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (9) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(10) promoting activities designed to minimize 
the likelihood of vessel impacts on coral reefs, par-
ticularly those areas identified under section 210(b), 
including the promotion of ecologically sound naviga-
tion and anchorages near coral reefs; or 
‘‘(11) promoting and assisting entities to work 
with local communities, and all appropriate govern-
mental and nongovernmental organizations, to sup-
port community-based planning and management 
initiatives for the protection of coral reef eco-
systems.’’. 
SEC. 102. EMERGENCY RESPONSE. 
Section 206 (16 U.S.C. 6405) is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘SEC. 206. EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTIONS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may under-
take or authorize action necessary— 
‘‘(1) to minimize the destruction of or injury to 
a coral reef, or loss of an ecosystem function of a 
coral reef, from—
‘‘(A) vessel impacts, derelict fishing gear, 
vessel anchors, and anchor chains; and 
‘‘(B) from unforeseen or disaster-related 
circumstances as a result of human activities; 
and 
‘‘(2) to stabilize, repair, recover, or restore a 
coral reef that is destroyed or injured, or that has 
incurred the loss of an ecosystem function, as de-
scribed in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(b) VESSEL REMOVAL; STABILIZATION.—Action au-
thorized by subsection (a) includes vessel removal and 
emergency stabilization of the vessel or any impacted coral 
reef. 
‘‘(c) PARTNERING WITH OTHER FEDERAL
AND 
STATE AGENCIES.—When possible, action by the Admin-
istrator under this section should— 
‘‘(1) be conducted in partnership with other 
government agencies as appropriate, including— 
‘‘(A) the Coast Guard, the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency, the Army Corps of 
Engineers, the Environmental Protection Agen-
cy, and the Department of the Interior; and 
‘‘(B) agencies of States; and 
‘‘(2) leverage resources of other agencies.
‘‘(d) EMERGENCY RESPONSE ASSISTANCE BY OTHER 
FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The head of any other Fed-
eral or State agency may assist the Administrator in 
emergency response actions under this section, using 
funds available for operations of the agency con-
cerned. 
‘‘(2) REIMBURSEMENT.—The Administrator, 
subject to the availability of appropriations, may re-
imburse a Federal or State agency for assistance 
provided under paragraph (1). 
‘‘(e) LIABILITY FOR COSTS AND DAMAGES TO CORAL 
REEFS.— 
‘‘(1) TREATMENT OF CORAL REEFS UNDER NA-
TIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES ACT.—For purposes 
of the provisions set forth in paragraph (2), and 
subject to paragraph (5), each of the terms ‘sanc-
tuary resources’, ‘resource’, ‘sanctuary resource 
managed under law or regulations for that sanc-
tuary’, ‘national marine sanctuary’, ‘sanctuary re-
sources of the national marine sanctuary’, and ‘sanc-
tuary resources of other national marine sanctuaries’ 
is deemed to include any coral reef that is subject 
to the jurisdiction of the United States or any State,
without regard to whether such coral reef is located 
in a national marine sanctuary. 
‘‘(2) APPLICABLE
PROVISIONS
OF
NATIONAL 
MARINE SANCTUARIES ACT.—The provisions referred 
to in paragraph (1) are the following provisions of 
the National Marine Sanctuaries Act: 
‘‘(A) Paragraphs (6) and (7) of section 
302 (16 U.S.C. 1432). 
‘‘(B) Paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of 
section 306 (16 U.S.C. 1436). 
‘‘(C) Section 307 (16 U.S.C. 1437). 
‘‘(D) Section 312 (16 U.S.C. 1443). 
‘‘(3) EXEMPTIONS.—The destruction, loss, or 
injury of a coral reef or any component thereof is 
not unlawful if it was— 
‘‘(A) caused by the use of fishing gear in 
a manner that is not prohibited under the Mag-
nuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Man-
agement Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) or other 
Federal or State law; or 
‘‘(B) caused by an activity that is author-
ized by Federal or State law, including any law-
ful discharge from a vessel of graywater, cool-
ing water, engine exhaust, ballast water, or 
sewage from a marine sanitation device, unless
the destruction, loss, or injury is a result of a 
vessel grounding, a vessel scraping, anchor 
damage, or excavation that is not authorized by 
a Federal or State permit; 
‘‘(C) the necessary result of bona fide ma-
rine scientific research (including marine sci-
entific research activities approved by Federal, 
State, or local permits), other than— 
‘‘(i) sampling or collecting; and 
‘‘(ii) destruction, loss, or injury that is 
a result of a vessel grounding, a vessel 
scraping, anchor damage, or excavation 
that is not authorized by a Federal or 
State permit; or 
‘‘(D)(i) caused by a Federal Government 
agency inl 
‘‘(I) an emergency that posed an 
unacceptable threat to human health 
or safety or to the marine environ-
ment; 
‘‘(II) an emergency that posed a 
threat to national security; or 
‘‘(III) an activity necessary for 
law enforcement purposes or search 
and rescue; and
‘‘(ii) could not be avoided. 
‘‘(4) CLARIFICATION OF LIABILITY.—A person 
is not liable under this subsection if that person es-
tablishes that— 
‘‘(A) the destruction or loss of, or injury 
to, the coral reef or coral reef ecosystem was 
caused solely by an act of God, an act of war, 
or an act of omission of a third party, and the 
person acted with due care; 
‘‘(B) the destruction, loss, or injury was 
caused by an activity authorized by Federal or 
State law; or 
‘‘(C) the destruction, loss, or injury was 
negligible. 
‘‘(5) STATE CONSENT REQUIRED.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—This subsection shall 
not apply to any coral reef that is subject to the 
jurisdiction of a State unless the Governor of 
that State notifies the Secretary that the State 
consents to that application. 
‘‘(B) REVOCATION
OF
CONSENT.—The 
governor of a State may revoke consent under 
subparagraph (A) by notifying the Secretary of 
such revocation.
‘‘(6) CONSISTENCY WITH INTERNATIONAL LAWS 
AND TREATIES.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—Any action taken 
under the authority of this subsection must be 
consistent with otherwise applicable inter-
national laws and treaties. 
‘‘(B) ACTIONS
AUTHORIZED
WITH
RE-
SPECT TO VESSELS.—For purposes of subpara-
graph (A), actions authorized under this sub-
section include vessel removal, and emergency 
re-stabilization of a vessel and any coral reef 
that is impacted by a vessel. 
‘‘(7) LIABILITY UNDER OTHER PROVISIONS.— 
Nothing in this title shall alter the liability of any 
person under any other provision of law.’’. 
SEC. 103. NATIONAL PROGRAM. 
(a) PURPOSE
OF ACT.—Section 202 (16 U.S.C. 
6401) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through 
(6) as paragraphs (3) through (7), respectively, and 
by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: 
‘‘(2) to promote the resilience of coral reef eco-
systems;’’. 
(2) by amending paragraph (4), as so redesig-
nated, to read as follows:
‘‘(4) to develop sound scientific information on 
the condition of coral reef ecosystems and the 
threats to such ecosystems including large-scale 
threats related to climate change, such as ocean 
acidification, to benefit local communities and the 
Nation, and to the extent practicable to support and 
enhance management and research capabilities at 
local management agencies and local research and 
academic institutions;’’; and 
(3) by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semicolon at the 
end of paragraph (6), as so redesignated, by striking 
the period at the end of paragraph (7), as so redes-
ignated, and inserting ‘‘; and’’, and by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(8) to recognize the benefits of healthy coral 
reefs to island and coastal communities and to en-
courage Federal action to ensure, to the maximum 
extent practicable, the continued availability of those 
benefits.’’. 
(b) GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF NATIONAL CORAL 
REEF ACTION STRATEGY.—Section 203(b)(8) (16 U.S.C. 
6402(b)(8)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(8) conservation, including resilience and the 
consideration of island and local traditions and prac-
tices.’’.
(c) AMENDMENTS RELATING
TO ACTIVITIES TO 
CONSERVE
CORAL
REEFS
AND
CORAL
REEF
ECO-
SYSTEMS.—Section 207(b) (16 U.S.C. 6406(b)) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘and’’ after 
the semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (4)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘cooperative conservation’’ 
and inserting ‘‘cooperative research, conserva-
tion,’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘partners.’’ and inserting 
‘‘partners, including academic institutions lo-
cated in States;’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) improving and promoting the resilience of 
coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems; and 
‘‘(6) activities designed to minimize the likeli-
hood of vessel impacts or other physical damage to 
coral reefs, including those areas identified in sec-
tion 210(b).’’. 
(d) CRITERIA
FOR APPROVAL
OF PROJECT PRO-
POSALS.—Section 204(g) (16 U.S.C. 6403(g)) is further 
amended by striking ‘‘or’’ after the semicolon at the end 
of paragraph (10), by redesignating paragraph (11) as
paragraph (12), and by inserting after paragraph (10) the 
following: 
‘‘(11) improving and promoting the resilience of 
coral reefs and coral reef ecosystems; or’’. 
(e) DATA ARCHIVE, ACCESS, AND AVAILABILITY.— 
Section 207 (16 U.S.C. 6406) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b) (as amended by subsection 
(b) of this section) by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semi-
colon at the end of paragraph (5), by striking the 
period at the end of paragraph (6) and inserting ‘‘; 
and’’, and by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(7) centrally archiving, managing, and distrib-
uting data sets and providing coral reef ecosystem 
assessments and services to the general public with 
local, regional, or international programs and part-
ners.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) DATA ARCHIVE, ACCESS, AND AVAILABILITY.— 
The Secretary, in coordination with similar efforts at other 
Departments and agencies shall provide for the long-term 
stewardship of environmental data, products, and informa-
tion via data processing, storage, and archive facilities 
pursuant to this title. The Secretary may—
‘‘(1) archive environmental data collected by 
Federal, State, local agencies and tribal organiza-
tions and federally funded research; 
‘‘(2) promote widespread availability and dis-
semination of environmental data and information 
through full and open access and exchange to the 
greatest extent possible, including in electronic for-
mat on the Internet; 
‘‘(3) develop standards, protocols and proce-
dures for sharing Federal data with State and local 
government programs and the private sector or aca-
demia; and 
‘‘(4) develop metadata standards for coral reef 
ecosystems in accordance with Federal Geographic 
Data Committee guidelines.’’. 
SEC. 104. REPORT TO CONGRESS. 
Section 208 (16 U.S.C. 6407) is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘SEC. 208. REPORT TO CONGRESS. 
‘‘Not later than March 1, 2010, and every 5 years 
thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
House of Representatives a report describing all activities 
undertaken to implement the strategy, including—
‘‘(1) a description of the funds obligated by 
each participating Federal agency to advance coral 
reef conservation during each fiscal year of the 5-fis-
cal-year period preceding the fiscal year in which the 
report is submitted; 
‘‘(2) a description of Federal interagency and 
cooperative efforts with States and non-govern-
mental partner organizations to prevent or address 
overharvesting, coastal runoff, or other anthropo-
genic impacts on coral reef ecosystems, including 
projects undertaken with the Department of the In-
terior, the Department of Agriculture, the Environ-
mental Protection Agency, and the Army Corps of 
Engineers; 
‘‘(3) a summary of the information contained in 
the vessel grounding inventory established under sec-
tion 210, including additional authorization or fund-
ing, needed for response and removal of such vessels; 
‘‘(4) a description of Federal disaster response 
actions taken pursuant to the National Response 
Plan to address damage to coral reefs and coral reef 
ecosystems; and 
‘‘(5) an assessment of the condition of United 
States coral reefs, accomplishments under this Act, 
and the effectiveness of management actions to ad-
dress threats to coral reefs, including actions taken 
to address large-scale threats to coral reef eco-
systems related to climate change.’’. 
SEC. 105. FUND; GRANTS; GROUNDING INVENTORY; CO-
ORDINATION. 
The Act (16 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.) is amended— 
(1) in section 205(a) (16 U.S.C. 6404(a)), by 
striking ‘‘organization solely’’ and all that follows 
and inserting ‘‘organization— 
‘‘(1) to support partnerships between the public 
and private sectors that further the purposes of this 
Act and are consistent with the national coral reef 
strategy under section 203; and 
‘‘(2) to address emergency response actions 
under section 206.’’; 
(2) by adding at the end of section 205(b) (16 
U.S.C. 6404(b)) the following: ‘‘The organization is 
encouraged to solicit funding and in-kind services 
from the private sector, including nongovernmental 
organizations, for emergency response actions under 
section 206 and for activities to prevent damage to 
coral reefs, including areas identified in section 
210(b)(2).’’;
(3) in section 205(c) (16 U.S.C. 6404(c)), by 
striking ‘‘the grant program’’ and inserting ‘‘any 
grant program or emergency response action’’; 
(4) by redesignating sections 209 and 210 as 
sections 217 and 218, respectively; and 
(5) by inserting after section 208 the following: 
‘‘SEC. 209. COMMUNITY-BASED PLANNING GRANTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may make 
grants to entities that are eligible to receive grants under 
section 204(c) to provide additional funds to such entities 
to work with local communities and through appropriate 
Federal and State entities to prepare and implement plans 
for the increased protection of coral reef areas identified 
by the community and scientific experts as high priorities 
for focused attention. The plans shall— 
‘‘(1) support attainment of one or more of the 
criteria described in section 204(g); 
‘‘(2) be developed at the community level; 
‘‘(3) utilize where applicable watershed-based or 
ecosystem-based approaches; 
‘‘(4) provide for coordination with Federal and 
State experts and managers; 
‘‘(5) build upon local approaches or models, in-
cluding traditional or island-based resource manage-
ment concepts; and
‘‘(6) complement local action strategies or re-
gional plans for coral reef conservation. 
‘‘(b) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The provisions of 
subsections (b), (d), (f), and (h) of section 204 apply to 
grants under subsection (a), except that, for the purpose 
of applying section 204(b)(1) to grants under this section, 
‘75 percent’ shall be substituted for ‘50 percent’. 
‘‘SEC. 210. VESSEL GROUNDING INVENTORY. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in coordina-
tion with other Federal agencies, may maintain an inven-
tory of all vessel grounding incidents involving coral reefs, 
including a description of— 
‘‘(1) the impacts to such resources; 
‘‘(2) vessel and ownership information, if avail-
able; 
‘‘(3) the estimated cost of removal, mitigation, 
or restoration; 
‘‘(4) the response action taken by the owner, 
the Administrator, the Commandant of the Coast 
Guard, or other Federal or State agency representa-
tives; 
‘‘(5) the status of the response action, including 
the dates of vessel removal and mitigation or res-
toration and 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. 
‘‘(b) IDENTIFICATION OF AT-RISK REEFS.—The Ad-
ministrator may— 
‘‘(1) use information from any inventory main-
tained under subsection (a) or any other available 
information source to identify all coral reef areas 
that have a high incidence of vessel impacts, includ-
ing groundings and anchor damage; 
‘‘(2) identify appropriate measures, including 
action by other agencies, to reduce the likelihood of 
such impacts; and 
‘‘(3) develop a strategy and timetable to imple-
ment such measures, including cooperative actions 
with other Government agencies and non-govern-
mental partners. 
‘‘SEC. 211. REGIONAL, STATE, AND TERRITORIAL COORDI-
NATION. 
‘‘(a) REGIONAL COORDINATION.—The Secretary and 
other Federal members of the United States Coral Reef 
Task Force shall work in coordination and collaboration 
with other Federal agencies and States to implement the 
strategies developed under section 203, including regional 
and local strategies, to address multiple threats to coral
reefs and coral reef ecosystems such as coastal runoff, ves-
sel impacts, and overharvesting. 
‘‘(b) RESPONSE AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES.— 
The Secretary shall enter into written agreements with 
any States in which coral reefs are located regarding the 
manner in which response and restoration activities will 
be conducted within the affected State’s waters. Nothing 
in this subsection shall be construed to limit Federal re-
sponse and restoration activity authority before any such 
agreement is final. 
‘‘(c) COOPERATIVE ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENTS.— 
All cooperative enforcement agreements in place between 
the Secretary and States affected by this title shall be up-
dated to include enforcement of this title where appro-
priate. 
‘‘SEC. 212. AGREEMENTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may execute 
and perform such contracts, leases, grants, or cooperative 
agreements as may be necessary to carry out the purposes 
of this title. 
‘‘(b) FUNDING.—Under an agreement entered into 
under subsection (a), the Secretary may fulfill the terms 
of the agreement by reimbursing or providing appro-
priated funds to, and may receive funds or reimburse-
ments from, Federal agencies, instrumentalities and lab-
oratories; State and local governments; Native American 
tribes and organizations; international organizations; for-
eign governments; universities and research centers; edu-
cational institutions; nonprofit organizations; commercial 
organizations; and other public and private persons or en-
tities, as necessary for purposes identified in section 202 
and actions taken under subsections (a) through (d) of 
section 206. 
‘‘(c) MULTIYEAR COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—The 
Administrator may enter into multiyear cooperative agree-
ments with the heads of other Federal agencies, States, 
local governments, academic institutions, including marine 
laboratories and coral reef institutes, and nongovern-
mental organizations to carry out the activities of the na-
tional coral reef action strategy developed under section 
203 and to implement regional strategies developed pursu-
ant to section 211. 
‘‘(d) USE OF OTHER AGENCIES’ RESOURCES.—For 
purposes related to the conservation, preservation, protec-
tion, restoration, or replacement of coral reefs or coral reef 
ecosystems and the enforcement of this title, the Adminis-
trator is authorized to use, with their consent and with 
or without reimbursement, the land, services, equipment, 
personnel, and facilities of any Department, agency, or in-
strumentality of the United States, or of any State, local
government, or Indian tribal government, or of any polit-
ical subdivision thereof, or of any foreign government or 
international organization. 
‘‘SEC. 213. INTERNATIONAL CORAL REEF CONSERVATION 
STRATEGY. 
‘‘(a) INTERNATIONAL
CORAL
REEF
ECOSYSTEM 
STRATEGY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of the Coral Reef Conserva-
tion Act Reauthorization and Enhancement Amend-
ments of 2009, the Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate and the Committee on Natural 
Resources and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of 
the House of Representatives, and publish in the 
Federal Register, an international coral reef eco-
system strategy, consistent with the purposes of this 
title and the national strategy required pursuant to 
section 203(a). The Secretary shall periodically re-
view and revise this strategy as necessary. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—The strategy developed by 
the Secretary under paragraph (1) shall— 
‘‘(A) 
identify 
coral 
reef 
ecosystems 
throughout the world that are of high value for 
United States marine resources, that support
high-seas resources of importance to the United 
States such as fisheries, or that support other 
interests of the United States; 
‘‘(B) summarize existing activities by Fed-
eral agencies and entities described in sub-
section (b) to address the conservation of coral 
reef ecosystems identified pursuant to subpara-
graph (A); 
‘‘(C) establish goals, objectives, and spe-
cific targets for conservation of priority inter-
national coral reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(D) describe appropriate activities to 
achieve the goals and targets for international 
coral reef conservation, in particular those that 
leverage activities already conducted under this 
title; 
‘‘(E) develop a plan to coordinate imple-
mentation of the strategy with entities de-
scribed in subsection (b) in order to leverage 
current activities under this title and other con-
servation efforts globally; 
‘‘(F) identify appropriate partnerships, 
grants, or other funding and technical assist-
ance mechanisms to carry out the strategy; and
‘‘(G) develop criteria for prioritizing part-
nerships under subsection (c). 
‘‘(b) COORDINATION.—In carrying out this section, 
the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of State, 
the Administrator of the Agency for International Devel-
opment, the Secretary of the Interior, and other relevant 
Federal agencies, and relevant United States stakeholders, 
and shall take into account coral reef ecosystem conserva-
tion initiatives of other nations, international agreements, 
and intergovernmental and nongovernmental organiza-
tions so as to provide effective cooperation and efficiencies 
in international coral reef conservation. The Secretary 
may consult with the United States Coral Reef Task Force 
in carrying out this subsection. 
‘‘(c) INTERNATIONAL
CORAL
REEF
ECOSYSTEM 
PARTNERSHIPS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may estab-
lish an international coral reef ecosystem partner-
ship program to provide support, including funding 
and technical assistance, for activities that imple-
ment the strategy developed pursuant to subsection 
(a). 
‘‘(2) MECHANISMS.—The Secretary shall pro-
vide such support working in collaboration with the 
entities described in subsection (b).
‘‘(3) CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL.—The Secretary 
may not approve a partnership proposal under this 
section unless the partnership is consistent with the 
international coral reef conservation strategy devel-
oped pursuant to subsection (a), and meets the cri-
teria specified in that strategy. 
‘‘(d) PRIORITY FOR CERTAIN PROJECTS CONDUCTED 
BY STATES.—In implementing this section, the Secretary 
shall give priority consideration to regional initiatives and 
projects that States are participating in with other na-
tions. 
‘‘SEC. 214. PERMITS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may, in ac-
cordance with this section and regulations issued under 
this title, issue a permit authorizing the conduct of bona 
fide research. 
‘‘(b) EXEMPT ACTIVITIES.—No permit under this 
section is required for an activity that is exempt from li-
ability under section 206(e). 
‘‘(c) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—The Administrator 
may place any terms and conditions on a permit issued 
under this section that the Administrator deems reason-
able. 
‘‘(d) FEES.—
‘‘(1) ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION.—Subject 
to regulations issued under this title, the Adminis-
trator may assess and collect fees as specified in this 
subsection. 
‘‘(2) AMOUNT.—Any fee assessed shall be equal 
to the sum of— 
‘‘(A) all costs incurred, or expected to be 
incurred, by the Administrator in processing 
the permit application, including indirect costs; 
and 
‘‘(B) if the permit is approved, all costs in-
curred, or expected to be incurred, by the Ad-
ministrator as a direct result of the conduct of 
the activity for which the permit is issued. 
‘‘(3) USE OF FEES.—Amounts collected by the 
Administrator in the form of fees under this section 
shall be collected and available for use only to the 
extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts 
and may be used by the Administrator for issuing 
and administering permits under this section. 
‘‘(4) WAIVER OR REDUCTION OF FEES.—For 
any fee assessed under paragraph (2) of this sub-
section, the Administrator may— 
‘‘(A) accept in-kind contributions in lieu of 
a fee; or
‘‘(B) waive or reduce the fee. 
‘‘(e) FISHING.—Nothing in this section shall be con-
sidered to require a person to obtain a permit under this 
section for the conduct of any fishing activity that is not 
prohibited by this title or regulations issued under this 
title. 
‘‘SEC. 215. REGULATIONS; APPLICATION IN ACCORDANCE 
WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW. 
‘‘(a) REGULATIONS.—The Administrator may issue 
such regulations as are necessary and appropriate to carry 
out the purposes of sections 206 and 214. 
‘‘(b) RELATIONSHIP
TO INTERNATIONAL LAW.— 
This title and any regulations promulgated under this title 
shall be applied in accordance with international law. No 
restrictions shall apply to or be enforced against a person 
who is not a citizen, national, or resident alien of the 
United States (including foreign flag vessels) unless in ac-
cordance with international law.’’. 
SEC. 106. CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITIONS. 
Section 218, as redesignated by section 105 of this 
Act (relating to definitions; 16 U.S.C. 6409), is further 
amended— 
(1) by amending paragraph (2) to read as fol-
lows:
‘‘(2) CONSERVATION.—The term ‘conservation’ 
means the use of methods and procedures that are 
necessary to preserve or sustain coral reefs and asso-
ciated species as resilient diverse, viable, and self- 
perpetuating coral reef ecosystems, including— 
‘‘(A) all activities associated with resource 
management, such as assessment, conservation, 
protection, restoration, sustainable use, and 
management of habitat; 
‘‘(B) mapping; 
‘‘(C) monitoring of coral reef ecosystems; 
‘‘(D) development and implementation of 
management strategies for marine protected 
area or networks thereof and marine resources 
consistent with the National Marine Sanc-
tuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) and the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.); 
‘‘(E) law enforcement; 
‘‘(F) conflict resolution initiatives; 
‘‘(G) community outreach and education; 
and 
‘‘(H) activities that promote safe and eco-
logically sound navigation.’’;
(2) by amending paragraph (3) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(3) 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 (organ- 
pipe corals and others), Alcyonacea (soft cor-
als), and Helioporacea (blue coral), of the class 
Anthozoa; and 
‘‘(B) all species of the families Milleporidae 
(fire corals) and Stylasteridae (stylasterid 
hydrocorals), of the class Hydrozoa.’’; 
(3) by amending paragraph (4) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(4) CORAL
REEF.—The term ‘coral reef’ 
means a limestone structure, in the form of a reef 
or shoal, comprised in whole or in part by living 
coral, skeletal remains of coral, and other associated 
sessile marine plants and animals.’’; 
(4) by amending paragraph (5) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(5) CORAL
REEF
ECOSYSTEM.—The term 
‘coral reef ecosystem’ means a system of coral reefs 
and geographically associated species, habitats, and
environment, including mangroves and seagrass 
habitats, and the processes that control its dynam-
ics.’’; and 
(5) by redesignating paragraphs (7) and (8) in 
order as paragraphs (8) and (9), respectively, and by 
inserting after paragraph (6) the following: 
‘‘(7) CORAL
REEF
COMPONENT.—The term 
‘coral reef component’ means any part of a coral 
reef, including individual living coral, skeletal re-
mains of coral, and other associated sessile marine 
plants and animals, and any adjacent or associated 
seagrasses.’’. 
SEC. 107. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 217, as redesignated by section 105 of this 
Act (relating to authorization of appropriations; 16 U.S.C. 
6408), is further amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be ap-
propriated to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out this 
title $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, $32,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2011, $34,000,000 for fiscal year 2012, and 
$35,000,000 for fiscal years 2013 and 2014.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b) by striking ‘‘$1,000,000’’ 
and inserting ‘‘$2,000,000’’;
(3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(c) COMMUNITY-BASED
PLANNING
GRANTS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Adminis-
trator to carry out section 209, $8,000,000 for fiscal years 
2010 through 2014, to remain available until expended.’’; 
and 
(4) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(d) DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.—There is au-
thorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior 
to carry out this title $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2010 through 2014.’’. 
TITLE II—UNITED STATES 
CORAL REEF TASK FORCE 
SEC. 201. UNITED STATES CORAL REEF TASK FORCE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is hereby established 
the United States Coral Reef Task Force. 
(b) GOAL.—The goal of the Task Force shall be to 
lead, coordinate, and strengthen Federal Government ac-
tions to better preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. 
(c) DUTIES.—The duties of the Task Force shall 
be— 
(1) to coordinate, in cooperation with State and 
local government partners, academic partners, and
nongovernmental partners if appropriate, activities 
regarding the mapping, monitoring, research, con-
servation, mitigation, restoration of coral reefs and 
coral reef ecosystems; 
(2) to monitor and advise regarding implemen-
tation of the policy and Federal agency responsibil-
ities set forth in Executive Order 13089 and the na-
tional coral reef action strategy developed under sec-
tion 203 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 
2000, as amended by this Act; and 
(3) to work with the Secretary of State and the 
Administrator of the Agency for International Devel-
opment, and in coordination with the other members 
of the Task Force, to— 
(A) assess the United States role in inter-
national trade and protection of coral species; 
and 
(B) encourage implementation of appro-
priate strategies and actions to promote con-
servation and sustainable use of coral reef re-
sources worldwide. 
(d) MEMBERSHIP, GENERALLY.—The Task Force 
shall be comprised of— 
(1) the Secretary of Commerce, acting through 
the Administrator of the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration, and the Secretary of the 
Interior, who shall be co-chairs of the Task Force; 
(2) the Administrator of the Agency of Inter-
national Development; 
(3) the Secretary of Agriculture; 
(4) the Secretary of Defense; 
(5) the Secretary of the Army, acting through 
the Corps of Engineers; 
(6) the Secretary of Homeland Security; 
(7) the Attorney General; 
(8) the Secretary of State; 
(9) the Secretary of Transportation; 
(10) the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency; 
(11) the Administrator of the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration; 
(12) the Director of the National Science Foun-
dation; 
(13) the Governor, or a representative of the 
Governor, of the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands; 
(14) the Governor, or a representative of the 
Governor, of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; 
(15) the Governor, or a representative of the 
Governor, of the State of Florida;
(16) the Governor, or a representative of the 
Governor, of the State of Hawaii; 
(17) the Governor, or a representative of the 
Governor, of the Territory of Guam; 
(18) the Governor, or a representative of the 
Governor, of the Territory of American Samoa; and 
(19) the Governor, or a representative of the 
Governor, of the Virgin Islands. 
(e) NONVOTING MEMBERS.—The President, or a rep-
resentative of the President, of each of the Freely Associ-
ated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Re-
public of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau 
may appoint a nonvoting member of the Task Force. 
(f) RESPONSIBILITIES OF FEDERAL AGENCY MEM-
BERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Federal agency mem-
bers of the Task Force shall— 
(A) identify the actions of their agencies 
that may affect coral reef ecosystems; 
(B) utilize the programs and authorities of 
their agencies to protect and enhance the condi-
tions of such ecosystems; and 
(C) assist in the implementation of the Na-
tional Action Plan to Conserve Coral Reefs, the 
national coral reef action strategy developed
under section 203 of the Coral Reef Conserva-
tion Act of 2000, as amended by this Act, the 
local action strategies, and any other coordi-
nated efforts approved by the Task Force. 
(2) CO-CHAIRS.—In addition to their respon-
sibilities under paragraph (1), the co-chairs of the 
Task Force shall administer performance of the 
functions of the Task Force and facilitate the co-
ordination of the Federal agency members of the 
Task Force. 
(g) WORKING GROUPS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The co-chairs of the Task 
Force may establish working groups as necessary to 
meet the goals and duties of this title. The Task 
Force may request the co-chairs to establish such a 
working group. 
(2) PARTICIPATION BY NONGOVERNMENTAL OR-
GANIZATIONS.—The co-chairs may allow a non-
governmental organization or academic institution to 
participate in such a working group. 
(h) FACA.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Task Force. 
(i) DEFINITIONS.—The definitions in section 218 of 
the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by 
this Act, shall apply to this section.
TITLE III—DEPARTMENT OF THE 
INTERIOR CORAL REEF AU-
THORITIES 
SEC. 301. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF 
THE INTERIOR PROGRAM. 
(a) AMENDMENTS AND CLARIFICATIONS TO DEFINI-
TIONS.— 
(1) FISH AND WILDLIFE COORDINATION ACT.— 
Section 8 of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act 
(16 U.S.C. 666b) is amended by inserting before the 
period at the end the following: ‘‘, including coral 
reef ecosystems (as such term is defined in section 
218 of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000) lo-
cated in any unit of the National Park System, any 
unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, or any 
Marine National Monument designated under the 
Act of June 8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225; 16 U.S.C. 431) 
(popularly known as the ‘Antiquities Act’)’’. 
(2) FISH AND WILDLIFE ACT OF 1956 AND FISH 
AND WILDLIFE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1978.—With 
respect to the authorities under the Fish and Wild-
life Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742a et seq.) and the 
authorities under the Fish and Wildlife Improvement 
Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 742l), references in such 
Acts to ‘‘wildlife’’ and ‘‘fish and wildlife’’ shall be
construed to include coral reef ecosystems (as such 
term is defined in section 218 of the Coral Reef 
Conservation Act of 2000, as amended by this Act) 
located in any unit of the National Park System, 
any unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, or 
any Marine National Monument designated under 
the Act of June 8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225; 16 U.S.C. 
431) (popularly known as the ‘‘Antiquities Act’’). 
(b) CORAL REEF CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the Inte-
rior may provide technical assistance and, subject to 
the availability of appropriations, financial assist-
ance for the conservation of coral reefs. 
(2) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection each of 
the terms ‘‘conservation’’ and ‘‘coral reef’’ has the 
meaning that term has under section 218 of the 
Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 
6409), amended by this Act. 
SEC. 302. CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITIONS. 
Section 218, as redesignated by section 105 of this 
Act (relating to definitions; 16 U.S.C. 6409), is further 
amended— 
(1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as fol-
lows:
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘Adminis-
trator’— 
‘‘(A) except as provided in subparagraph 
(B), means the Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and 
‘‘(B) in sections 206, 209, 212, 214, and 
215, means the Secretary of the Interior for 
purposes of application of those sections to na-
tional park units and national wildlife refuges.’’; 
and 
(2) by amending paragraph (7) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(7) SECRETARY.—The term ‘Secretary’— 
‘‘(A) except as provided in subparagraphs 
(B) and (C), means the Secretary of Commerce; 
‘‘(B) in section 206(e), means— 
‘‘(i) the Secretary of the Interior, with 
respect to any coral reef or component 
thereof that is located in— 
‘‘(I) any unit of the National 
Park System; 
‘‘(II) any unit of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System; or 
‘‘(III) 
any 
Marine 
National 
Monument designated under any of
the Fish and Wildlife Coordination 
Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), the Fish 
and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 
742a et seq.), the Fish and Wildlife 
Improvement Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 
695j–1 et seq) and the provisions of 
law enacted by that Act, and the Act 
of June 8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225; 16 
U.S.C. 431) (popularly known as the 
‘Antiquities Act’) and that is under 
the administrative jurisdiction of the 
Secretary of the Interior; and 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary of Commerce, with 
respect to any other coral reef or compo-
nent thereof that is located in any Marine 
National Monument designated under a 
law referred to in clause (i)(III); and 
‘‘(C) in sections 203, means the Secretary 
of Commerce and the Secretary of the Inte-
rior.’’. 
Passed the House of Representatives September 22, 
2009. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 860 
AN ACT 
To reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 
2000, and for other purposes.