(C) each offshore area of the United States 
that is under consideration for maritime trans-
portation. 
(2) EXPANDED COVERAGE.—Not later than 270 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, to the 
greatest extent practicable, shall create an environ-
mental sensitivity index product for each area de-
scribed in paragraph (1) for which the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration did not have 
an environmental sensitivity index product on the 
day before the date of enactment of this Act. 
(3) 
ENVIRONMENTAL
SENSITIVITY
INDEX 
PRODUCT DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term 
‘‘environmental sensitivity index product’’ means a 
map or similar tool that is utilized to identify sen-
sitive shoreline, coastal or offshore, resources prior 
to an oil spill event in order to set baseline priorities 
for protection and plan cleanup strategies, typically 
including information relating to shoreline type, bio-
logical resources, and human use resources. 
(d) SUBSEA HYDROCARBON REVIEW.—Not later 
than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere shall 
conduct a comprehensive review of the current state of the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:05 May 05, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00039
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2261.IH
H2261
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to 
monitor, map, and track subsea hydrocarbons, including 
a review of the effect of subsea hydrocarbons and 
dispersants at varying concentrations on living marine re-
sources. 
(e) INITIATIVE ON OIL SPILLS FROM AGING AND 
ABANDONED OIL INFRASTRUCTURE.—Not later than 270 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under 
Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere shall establish an 
initiative— 
(1) to determine the significance, response, fre-
quency, size, potential fate, and potential effects, in-
cluding those on sensitive habitats, of oil spills re-
sulting from aging and abandoned oil infrastructure; 
and 
(2) to formulate recommendations on how best 
to address the spills described in paragraph (1). 
(f) INVENTORY
OF
OFFSHORE
ABANDONED
OR 
SUNKEN VESSELS.—Not later than 270 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for 
Oceans and Atmosphere shall— 
(1) develop an inventory of offshore abandoned 
or sunken vessels in the exclusive economic zone (as 
established by Presidential Proclamation Numbered 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:05 May 05, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2261.IH
H2261
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
5030 of March 10, 1983 (16 U.S.C. 1453 note)); 
and 
(2) identify priorities (based on amount of oil, 
feasibility of oil recovery, fate and effects of oil if re-
leased, and cost-benefit of preemptive action) for po-
tential preemptive removal of oil or other actions 
that may be effective to mitigate the risk of oil spills 
from offshore abandoned or sunken vessels. 
SEC. 202. COAST GUARD RESPONSE PLAN REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating shall require all 
response plans approved by the Coast Guard under section 
311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
U.S.C. 1321(j)) to be updated not less than once every 
5 years. 
(b) BEST AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY.—Each response 
plan update under subsection (a) shall utilize the best 
commercially available technology and methods to contain 
and remove to the maximum extent practicable a worst 
case discharge (including a discharge resulting from fire 
or explosion), and to mitigate or prevent a substantial 
threat of such a discharge. 
(c) TECHNOLOGY STANDARDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating may es-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:05 May 05, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00041
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2261.IH
H2261
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
tablish requirements and guidance for utilizing the 
best commercially available technology and methods 
under subsection (b). 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The best commercially 
available technology and methods shall be based on 
measurable standards and capabilities whenever 
practicable. 
(d) RESUBMISSION.—Each update under subsection 
(a) shall be considered a significant change requiring it 
to be resubmitted for approval by the Coast Guard. 
SEC. 203. OIL SPILL TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of the department 
in which the Coast Guard is operating shall establish a 
program for the formal evaluation and validation of oil 
pollution containment and removal methods and tech-
nologies. 
(b) APPROVALS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The program under sub-
section (a) shall include the establishment of a proc-
ess for new methods and technologies— 
(A) to be submitted to and evaluated by 
the Secretary of the department in which the 
Coast Guard is operating; and 
(B) to gain validation for use in spill re-
sponses and inclusion in response plans under 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:05 May 05, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00042
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2261.IH
H2261
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
section 311(j) of the Federal Water Pollution 
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)). 
(2) PERFORMANCE
CAPABILITIES.—Following 
each validation under paragraph (1)(B), the Sec-
retary of the department in which the Coast Guard 
is operating shall consider whether the method or 
technology meets a performance capability war-
ranting designation of a new standard for best avail-
able technology or methods. 
(c) TECHNOLOGY
CLEARINGHOUSE.—Each tech-
nology and method validated under subsection (b)(1)(B) 
shall be included in the comprehensive list of spill removal 
resources maintained by the Coast Guard through the Na-
tional Response Unit. 
(d) CONSULTATION.—The Secretary of the depart-
ment in which the Coast Guard is operating shall consult 
with the Secretary of the Interior, the Under Secretary 
for Oceans and Atmosphere, the Administrator of the En-
vironmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of Trans-
portation, and the Secretary of Energy in carrying out this 
section. 
SEC. 204. SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 
FOR MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS. 
(a) APPLICATION.—Section 3202 of title 46, United 
States Code, is amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:05 May 05, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00043
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2261.IH
H2261
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(1) in subsection (a)(1)(B) by striking ‘‘vessel, 
or self-propelled mobile offshore drilling unit; and’’ 
and inserting ‘‘vessel; and’’; and 
(2) by amending subsection (b) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(b) OTHER VESSELS.—This chapter applies to a 
vessel that— 
‘‘(1) is a passenger vessel or small passenger 
vessel and is transporting more passengers than a 
number prescribed by the Secretary based on the 
number of individuals on the vessel that could be 
killed or injured in a marine casualty; or 
‘‘(2) is a mobile offshore drilling unit.’’. 
(b) SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.—Section 3203 
of title 46, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (b) as sub-
section (c); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) MOBILE OFFSHORE DRILLING UNITS.—The 
safety management system described in subsection (a) for 
a mobile offshore drilling unit operating in waters subject 
to the jurisdiction of the United States, including the ex-
clusive economic zone (as established by Presidential Proc-
lamation Numbered 5030 of March 10, 1983 (16 U.S.C. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:05 May 05, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2261.IH
H2261
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
1453 note)), shall include processes, procedures, and poli-
cies related to the safe, environmentally sound operation 
and maintenance of all machinery and systems of the unit 
that are used for the commercial industrial functions and 
purposes of the unit.’’. 
SEC. 205. GULF OF MEXICO LONG-TERM MARINE ENVIRON-
MENTAL MONITORING AND RESEARCH PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND RESEARCH 
PROGRAM REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable after 
the date of enactment of this Act, and subject to the 
availability of appropriations or other sources of 
funding, the Secretary, acting through the Under 
Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, shall estab-
lish and carry out a long-term marine environmental 
monitoring and research program for the marine 
and coastal environment of the Gulf of Mexico to en-
sure that the Federal Government has independent, 
peer-reviewed scientific data and information to as-
sess long-term direct and indirect impacts on trust 
resources located in the Gulf of Mexico and South-
east region resulting from the oil spill caused by the 
mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:05 May 05, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2261.IH
H2261
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(2) PERIOD OF PROGRAM.—The Secretary, act-
ing through the Under Secretary for Oceans and At-
mosphere, shall carry out the program under para-
graph (1) during the 10-year period beginning on 
the date of commencement of the program. The Sec-
retary may extend the period if the Secretary deter-
mines that additional monitoring and research is 
warranted. 
(b) SCOPE OF PROGRAM.—The program under sub-
section (a) shall include the following: 
(1) Monitoring and research of the physical, 
chemical, and biological characteristics of the af-
fected marine, coastal, and estuarine regions of the 
Gulf of Mexico and other regions of the exclusive 
economic zone (as established by Presidential Proc-
lamation Numbered 5030 of March 10, 1983 (16 
U.S.C. 1453 note)) and adjacent regions affected by 
the oil spill caused by the mobile offshore drilling 
unit Deepwater Horizon. 
(2) The fate, transport, and persistence of oil 
released during the spill and spatial distribution 
throughout the water column, including in-situ burn 
residues. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:05 May 05, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2261.IH
H2261
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(3) The fate, transport, and persistence of 
chemical dispersants applied in-situ or on surface 
waters. 
(4) Identification of lethal and sub-lethal im-
pacts to shellfish, fish, and wildlife resources that 
utilize habitats located within the affected region. 
(5) Impacts to regional, State, and local econo-
mies that depend on the natural resources of the af-
fected region, including commercial and recreational 
fisheries, tourism, and other wildlife-dependent 
recreation. 
(6) Such other elements that the Secretary con-
siders necessary to ensure a comprehensive marine 
research and monitoring program to comprehend the 
implications to trust resources caused by the oil spill 
from the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Ho-
rizon. 
(c) COOPERATION AND CONSULTATION.—In devel-
oping the research and monitoring program under sub-
section (a), the Secretary, acting through the Under Sec-
retary for Oceans and Atmosphere, shall— 
(1) coordinate with the United States Geologi-
cal Survey; and 
(2) consult with— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:05 May 05, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00047
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2261.IH
H2261
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(A) the National Ocean Research Leader-
ship Council established under section 7902 of 
title 10, United States Code; 
(B) such representatives from the Gulf 
coast States and affected countries as the Sec-
retary considers appropriate; 
(C) such academic institutions and other 
research organizations as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate; and 
(D) such other experts with expertise in 
long-term environmental monitoring and re-
search of the marine environment as the Sec-
retary considers appropriate. 
(d) AVAILABILITY OF DATA.—Upon the review by 
and approval of the Attorney General regarding impacts 
on legal claims or litigation involving the United States, 
data and information generated through the program es-
tablished under subsection (a) shall be managed and 
archived to ensure that it is accessible and available to 
the general public for their use and information. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the commencement of the program under subsection 
(a), and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a comprehensive report— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
05:05 May 05, 2017
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2261.IH
H2261
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS