Chesapeake Bay Research Coordination Act of 1980
PL 96-460 (H.R.4417), enacted 10/15/1980

94 STAT. 2044 
PUBLIC LAW 96-460—OCT. 15, 1980 
Public Law 96-460 
96th Congress 
An Act 
Oct. 15, 1980 
rpp provide for the coordination of federally supported and conducted research 
[H.R. 4417] 
efforts regarding the Chesapeake Bay, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Chesapeake Bay United States of 
America in Congress assembled, 
Coordination Act SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
1
6 use 3001 
This Act may be cited as the "Chesapeake Bay Research Coordina-
note. 
tionActofl980". 
1
6 use 3001. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS A
N
D S
T
A
T
E
M
E
N
T OF PURPOSE. 
(a) The Congress finds that— 
(1) the Chesapeake Bay area is one of the greatest national 
resources in the United States of America, serving as an abun-
dant source of seafood, recreation, beauty, and enjoyment, as 
well as providing habitat for a wide variety of fish, waterfowl, 
flora, and fauna; 
(2) the Chesapeake Bay area serves as one of the world's major 
waterways, each year canying millions of tons of waterborne 
shipping to and from all parts of the globe; 
(3) the productivity and beauty of the Chesapeake Bay area in 
recent years has been diminished and threatened by water 
pollution, shoreline erosion, excessive sedimentation, and other 
injuries; 
(4) numerous Federal agencies have initiated and supported 
research to study, manage, enhemce, protect, preserve, or restore 
the resources of 
the Chesapeake Bay area; and 
(5) the various research relating to the Chesapeake Bay area 
could be more effectively coordinated in order to obtain maxi-
mum benefits. 
(b) The purposes of 
this Act are— 
(1) to provide for the rational and effective coordination of 
federally conducted and supported research aimed at increasing 
fundamental knowledge in support of wise management of the 
Chesapeake Bay area; 
(2) to identify key management information needs and specify 
a coherent program of research that will respond to those needs; 
(3) to identify the needs and priorities for such additional 
research as are required for the improvement of fundamental 
knowledge about the Chesapeake Bay area; 
(4) to assure a comprehensive and balanced approach to feder-
ally conducted and supported research on the Chesapeake Bay 
area; 
(5) to encourage the utilization of the results and findings of 
research, and of other relevant information, in the management 
decisionmaking processes which have an impact on the Chesa-
peake Bay area; and 
PUBLIC LAW 96-460—OCT. 15, 1980 
94 STAT. 2045 
(6) to foster public understanding of 
the role of 
the Chesapeake 
Bay area as a unique national resource, the greatest natural 
ecological entity of 
its kind in the United States. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
16 USC 3002. 
For purposes of 
this Act— 
(1) The term "Chesapeake Bay area" means the waters of the 
Chesapeake Bay (including the tributaries to the extent of 
Chesapeake Bay tidal action), the lands within and under such 
waters, and the wetlands adjacent to such waters. 
(2) The term "research" means the endeavor to discover, 
develop, and verify knowledge and a careful and critical inquiry 
or examination in seeking facts or principles. 
(3) The term "research project" means any research related to 
the Chesapeake Bay area for the purpose of promoting the 
understanding, the improved management, and the protection of 
the marine or coastal related resources (including those relating 
to water quality, coastal zone management, navigation, shoreline 
erosion, wetlands, fisheries, shellfish, and wildlife) which is 
funded in whole or in part by any department, agency, or 
independent establishment of 
the Federal Government. 
(4) The term "research program" means any aggregate of 
related individual research projects. 
(5) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Commerce. 
SEC. 4. OFFICE FOR CHESAPEAKE BAY RESEARCH COORDINATION. 
16 USC 3003. 
(a)(1) The Secretary shall establish in the Department of Commerce Establishment. 
a separate office known as the CWfice for Chesapeake Bay Research 
Coordination (hereafter referred to in this Act as the "Office"). The 
Office shall serve as the staff of the Chesapeake Bay Research Board 
established under section 5 of 
this Act. 
(2)(A) The Office shall be headed by a Director who by reason of his Director. 
knowledge and experience in research efforts on the Chesapeake Bay 
area, is qualified to serve as an adviser with respect to research, and 
who shall be appointed by the Secretary in consultation with the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secre-
tary of the Army, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of 
the Smithsonian Institution. 
(B) Before making any appointment under subparagraph (A), the 
Secretary shall seek the recommendations of the Governor of Mary-
land and the Governor of Virginia with respect to individuals who are 
qualified to serve as the Director. 
(3) The Director may appoint such personnel for the Office as he 
deems desirable, and as is provided for under this Act. 
(b) The Office, when directed to do so by the Chesapeake Bay Functions. 
Research Board, shall— 
(1) identify Federal and State research programs relating to 
the Chesapeake Bay area and annually update that inventory; 
(2) establish a Chesapeake Bay Research Exchange for the 
purpose of facilitating the rapid identification, acquisition, 
retrieval, dissemination, and use of information concerning all 
research projects which are ongoing, completed, or for which 
funds have been requested, and which are conducted in or affect 
the Chesapeake Bay area; 
(3) make recommendations to the Chesapeake Bay Research 
Board on the relationship of 
Federal programs to the Chesapeake 
Bay Research Plan; and 
Recommenda-
tions. 
94 STAT. 2046 
PUBLIC LAW 96-460—OCT. 15, 1980 
Additional 
functions. 
Administrative 
services. 
Federal 
information and 
assistance. 
Establishment. 
16 u s e 3004. 
Membership. 
(4) make recommendations to the Chesapeake Bay Research 
Board on possible revisions to such Research Plan. 
(c) The Office shall work with the Chesapeake Bay Research Board 
to— 
(1) identify the need for, and the priority of, research programs 
which could benefit the management of the resources of the 
Chesapeake Bay area; 
(2) promote optimum utilization of available funds and 
resources to benefit the Chesapeake Bay area; 
(3) remain cognizant of ongoing research programs and assist 
in the dissemination of the results and findings of research 
programs; 
(4) conduct periodic meetings with representatives of the 
departments, agencies, and independent establishments of the 
Federal Government having responsibility for the administra-
tion of research programs in the Chesapeake Bay area, repre-
sentatives of appropriate State, regioned, and local agencies, and 
representatives of the scientific community, in order to obtain 
and exchange information relating to such programs; 
(5) review proposed Federal legislation which may affect the 
Chesapeake Bay area and comment to the appropriate entities on 
the relation of the proposed legislation to the Chesapeake Bay 
Research Plan; 
(6) determine existing Federal and State programs relating to 
the Chesapeake Bay area and annually update this inventory; 
(7) plan and conduct a conference on Chesapeake Bay area 
affairs at least once every two years; 
(8) prepare for the Board an annual report on research pro-
grams, current and planned, pertaining to the Chesapeake Bay 
area; and 
(9) perform such other activities as are consistent with the 
purposes of 
this Act. 
(d)(1) The Secretary shall make available to the Office such admin-
istrative services and temporary staff as may be reasonably recjuired 
by the Office to enable it to carry out its functions under this Act. 
(2) The Office may request from any department, agency, or 
independent establishment of the Federal Government (A) informa-
tion concerning grants made by such department, agency, or estab-
lishment for research in the Chesapeake Bay area, and (B) other 
assistance or information which the Office deems necessary to enable 
it to carry out its functions under this Act. Each such department, 
agency, or independent establishment shall furnish, with or without 
reimbursement, to the Office such assistance or information so 
requested consistent with other Federal law. 
SEC. 
5
. 
CHESAPEAKE 
BAY 
RESEARCH 
BOARD. 
(a) There is established a Chesapeake Bay Research Board (hereaf-
ter referred to in this section as the "Board ). 
(b)(1) The Board shall consist o
f
— 
(A) four members selected by the Governor of Virginia; 
(B) four membei s selected by the Governor of Maryland; and 
(C) seven members selected by the Secretary, in consultation 
with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Interior, 
and the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 
(2) The Secretary, the Governor of Maryland, and the Governor of 
Virginia shall ensure that the Board is comprised of individuals who 
are qualified to perform the functions of the Board and who represent 
PUBLIC LAW 96-460—OCT. 15, 1980 
94 STAT. 2047 
the interests of Federal, State, and local government, industry, the 
public, and the scientific and environmental communities. 
(c) The Chairman of the Board shall be elected annually by the 
membership of 
such Board. 
(d) The Board shall— 
(1) develop a Chesapeake Bay Research Plan consistent with 
the missions £ind interests of appropriate sigencies £ind States, 
and update this plan biennially to reflect changing priorities in 
Federal and State management needs as well as the need for 
fundamental research; 
(2) review and evaluate, on a periodic basis. Federal research 
programs pertaining to the Chesapeake Bay area, and ascertain 
the extent to which the research programs are consistent with 
the Chesapeake Bay Research Plan; and 
(3) submit an annual report to the Congress and the Governors 
of Maryland and Virginia on research programs, current and 
planned, pertaining to the Chesapeake Bay area and their 
relationship to the Chesapeake Bay Research Plan, together with 
any recommendations for improving the coordination of such 
research. 
(e) Members of the Board (other than those who are employees of 
the Federal or State governments) may, while engaged in business for 
the Board, receive compensation for travel expenses and per diem in 
lieu of 
subsistence, in the same manner as the expenses authorized by 
section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for persons employed 
intermittently in Government service. 
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Office to carry out 
the purposes of this Act the sum of $500,000 for each of the three 
fiscal years ending on September 30,1982, September 30,1983, and 
September 30,1984. 
SEC. 7. RELATIONSHIP OF ACT TO EXISTING FEDERAL, STATE, AND 
LOCAL POWERS. 
(a) Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to afTect the 
jurisdiction, powers, or prerogatives of any existing department, 
agency, or ofKcer of the Feder^ Government or of any State or local 
government. 
(b) For purposes of administering this Act (including the prepara-
tion of an annual report pursuant to section 4(cX8)) the Board shsdl 
solicit from the appropriate Federal departments and agencies and 
the Governors, recommendations that may be appropriate with 
respect to any existing law which may anect or be involved in 
research programs. 
Chairman. 
Functions. 
Report to 
Congress and to 
Md. and Va. 
Governors. 
Travel and per 
diem expenses. 
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Recommenda-
tions, 
solicitation. 
79-194 O—81—pt. 2 
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94 STAT. 2048 
PUBLIC LAW 96-460—OCT. 15, 1980 
SEC. 8. TERMINATION. 
This Act and the authority conferred by this Act shall terminate on 
G
A
O evaluation, September 30,1984. At such time the General Accounting Office shall 
Sngress *° 
Submit to the Congress an evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
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Board, Office, and of this Act. In the preparation of such report. 
Comments, 
Comments shall be solicited from Federal agencies, the Governors of 
solicitation. 
Maryland and Virginia, and the research institutions, industries, and 
environmental and citizen's groups concerned with the Chesapeake 
Bay area. 
Approved October 15, 1980. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 96-993 (Comm. on Merchant Marine and Fisheries). 
SENATE REPORT No. 96-950 (Comm. on Governmental Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 126 (1980): 
May 19, considered and passed House. 
Sept. 24, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Sept. 30, House concurred in Senate amendment.