Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment Implementation Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-1561
Sponsor: Sen. Begich, Mark [D-AK]
Introduced: 2009-08-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Alaska
Arctic Ocean
Arctic and polar regions
Atmospheric science and weather
Bering Sea
Canada
Coast guard
Congressional oversight
Denmark
Department of Commerce
Department of Homeland Security
Europe
Executive agency funding and structure
Government studies and investigations
Hydrology and hydrography
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation
Marine pollution
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Norway
Oil and gas
Russia
Transportation safety and security
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2009-08-03
text: 
Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment Implementation Act of 2009 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should work to establish agreements to promote coordinated action among the United States, Russia, Canada, Iceland, Norway, and Denmark and other seafaring and Arctic nations with respect to navigation, monitoring of conditions, and marine pollution in waters of the Arctic.
 
 Requires the Commandant of the Coast Guard to: (1) submit the High Latitude Polar Ice-Breaking Mission Analysis Report to Congress, along with any recommendations related to it; (2) contract with an independent entity to analyze future mission requirements of the Coast Guard in the Arctic and Antarctic; and (3) prepare vessel traffic risk assessments for the Bering Strait, Alaska, and for the Arctic Ocean waters adjacent to Alaska's North Slope.
 
 Directs the Commandant to consult with the Secretary of the Army to determine the viability of making the harbor at St. George Island, Alaska, a fully functional harbor of refuge throughout the year to enhance safety of life at sea and protection from oil pollution in the Central Bering Sea. Directs the Secretary of the Army to complete the harbor at St. George Island, including such improvements and any engineering design needed for safe navigation.
 
Requires a study on the feasibility and potential of establishing a deep water sea port in the Arctic to protect and advance U.S. strategic interests within the Arctic region.
 
Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to transfer all amounts provided pursuant to any Act for procurement of polar icebreaking services to the United States Coast Guard Appropriation Accounts, to remain available until expended for operating expenses, renovation, and improvement.
 
Authorizes appropriations to: (1) the Department of Homeland Security for icebreaking operations, Arctic seasonal operations, vessel traffic risk assessments, and construction of bases in Barrow, Nome, and Saint Paul Island, Alaska; and (2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for hydrographic data acquisition and services and coastal change analysis in the Arctic.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2009-08-03
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8685-8687)
action_date: 2009-08-03
text: Introduced in Senate