Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act

Bill: 118-hr-897
Sponsor: Rep. Carl, Jerry L. [R-AL-1]
Introduced: 2023-02-09 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Alabama
Aquatic ecology
Department of Commerce
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental education
Environmental regulatory procedures
Forests, forestry, trees
Government information and archives
Gulf of Mexico
Historic sites and heritage areas
Hunting and fishing
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-09
text: 

Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act

 
This bill designates an ancient cypress forest in the Gulf of Mexico as the Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972.
 
In the sanctuary, the following activities are prohibited:
 
 
cutting, removing, or any kind of subsurface salvage of the cypress trees;
 
lowering certain devices (e.g., dredging) below the surface of the water; 
 
detonating explosives below the surface of the water; 
 
drilling or coring the seabed; and 
 
lowering, laying, positioning, or raising any type of seabed cable or cable-laying device.
 
 
However, the prohibitions do not apply to 
 
 
fishing, diving, mooring, or similar recreational or commercial activities;
 
necessary operations of public vessels;
 
construction or placement of artificial reef structures for the purpose of enhancing fishery resources, fishing opportunities, or recreational diving opportunities;
 
exploration, development, or production of oil or gas projects authorized before this bill's enactment; and 
 
certain other activities authorized by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
 
 
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must develop a comprehensive management plan for the sanctuary. NOAA must also establish an advisory council for the sanctuary.

action_date: 2024-06-27
text: 

Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act

 
This bill designates an ancient cypress forest in the Gulf of Mexico as the Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972.
 
In the sanctuary, the following activities are prohibited:
 
 
cutting, removing, or any kind of subsurface salvage of the cypress trees;
 
lowering certain devices (e.g., dredging) below the surface of the water; 
 
detonating explosives below the surface of the water; 
 
drilling or coring the seabed; and 
 
lowering, laying, positioning, or raising any type of seabed cable or cable-laying device.
 
 
However, the prohibitions do not apply to 
 
 
fishing, diving, mooring, or similar recreational or commercial activities;
 
necessary operations of public vessels;
 
construction or placement of artificial reef structures for the purpose of enhancing fishery resources, fishing opportunities, or recreational diving opportunities;
 
exploration, development, or production of oil or gas projects authorized before this bill's enactment; and 
 
certain other activities authorized by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
 
 
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must develop a comprehensive management plan for the sanctuary. NOAA must also establish an advisory council for the sanctuary.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-07-09
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2024-07-08
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-07-08
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 349 - 19 (Roll no. 336). (text: CR H4463)
action_date: 2024-07-08
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 349 - 19 (Roll no. 336). (text: CR H4463)
action_date: 2024-07-08
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4470-4471)
action_date: 2024-07-08
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2024-07-08
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 897.
action_date: 2024-07-08
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4463-4464)
action_date: 2024-07-08
text: Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2024-06-27
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 462.
action_date: 2024-06-27
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-560.
action_date: 2024-06-27
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 118-560.
action_date: 2024-05-07
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2024-05-07
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2024-05-07
text: Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Discharged
action_date: 2024-01-18
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held
action_date: 2023-02-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries.
action_date: 2023-02-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2023-02-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-02-09
text: Introduced in House