16 U.S.C. § 6411 — Coral reef research

Page 2589 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 6411 reef ecosystems or to create geographically appropriate coral reef ecosystems in suitable waters, including by improving habitat or promoting success of keystone species, with an emphasis on novel restoration strategies and techniques to advance coral reef recov- ery and growth near population centers threatened by rising sea levels and storm surge; (J) translating and applying coral genetics research to coral reef ecosystem restoration, including research related to traits that pro- mote resilience to increasing ocean tempera- tures, changing ocean chemistry, coral bleaching, coral diseases, and invasive spe- cies; (K) developing and maintaining in situ na- tive coral propagation sites; or (L) developing and maintaining ex situ coral propagation nurseries and land-based coral gene banks to— (i) conserve or augment genetic diversity of native coral populations; (ii) support captive breeding of rare coral species; or (iii) enhance resilience of native coral populations to increasing ocean tempera- tures, changing ocean chemistry, coral bleaching, and coral diseases through se- lective breeding, conditioning, or other ap- proaches that target genes, gene expres- sion, phenotypic traits, or phenotypic plas- ticity. (g) Funding requirements To the extent practicable based upon pro- posals for coral reef projects submitted to the Administrator, the Administrator shall ensure that funding for grants awarded under this sec- tion during a fiscal year is distributed as fol- lows: (1) Not less than 40 percent of funds avail- able shall be awarded for projects in areas of the Pacific Ocean subject to the jurisdiction or control of the United States. (2) Not less than 40 percent of the funds available shall be awarded for projects in areas of the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, or the Caribbean Sea subject to the jurisdiction or control of the United States. (3) To the extent there are viable applica- tions made by eligible coral reef stewardship partners, not more than 67 percent of funds distributed in each region in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2) may be made exclusively available to projects that are— (A) submitted by a coral reef stewardship partnership; and (B) consistent with the coral reef action plan in effect under section 6404 of this title by such a partnership. (4) Of the funds distributed to support projects in accordance with paragraph (3), not less than 20 percent and not more than 33 per- cent shall be awarded for projects submitted by a Federal coral reef stewardship partner- ship, to the extent there are viable applica- tions made by eligible Federal coral reef stew- ardship partnerships. (h) Task Force The Administrator may consult with the Sec- retary of the Interior and the Task Force to ob- tain guidance in establishing priorities and eval- uating proposals for coral reef projects under this section. (Pub. L. 106–562, title II, § 211, as added Pub. L. 117–263, div. J, title C, § 10001(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3941.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, referred to in subsecs. (c)(2)(B) and (e)(3)(A), is Pub. L. 94–265, Apr. 13, 1976, 90 Stat. 331, which is classified principally to chapter 38 (§ 1801 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under sec- tion 1801 of this title and Tables. The Endangered Species Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (f)(2)(H), is Pub. L. 93–205, Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 884, which is classified principally to chapter 35 (§ 1531 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under sec- tion 1531 of this title and Tables. § 6411. Coral reef research (a) Reef research coordination institutes (1) Establishment The Administrator shall designate 2 reef re- search coordination institutes for the purpose of advancing and sustaining essential capabili- ties in coral reef research, one each in the At- lantic and Pacific basins, to be known as the ‘‘Atlantic Reef Research Coordination Insti- tute’’ and the ‘‘Pacific Reef Research Coordi- nation Institute’’, respectively. (2) Membership Each institute designated under paragraph (1) shall be housed within a single coral reef research center designated by the Adminis- trator under subsection (b). (3) Functions The institutes designated under paragraph (1) shall— (A) conduct federally directed research to fill national and regional coral reef eco- system research gaps and improve under- standing of, and responses to, continuing and emerging threats to the resilience of United States coral reef ecosystems con- sistent with the National Coral Reef Resil- ience Strategy; (B) support ecological research and moni- toring to study the effects of conservation and restoration activities funded by this chapter on promoting more effective coral reef management and restoration; and (C) through agreements— (i) collaborate directly with States, cov- ered Native entities, covered coral reef managers, nonprofit organizations, and other coral reef research centers des- ignated under subsection (b); (ii) assist in the development and imple- mentation of— (I) the National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy; and (II) coral reef action plans under sec- tion 6404 of this title; (iii) build capacity within non-Federal governmental resource management agen- Page 2590 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 6412 cies to establish research priorities and translate and apply research findings to management and restoration practices; and (iv) conduct public education and aware- ness programs for policymakers, resource managers, and the general public on— (I) coral reefs and coral reef eco- systems; (II) best practices for coral reef eco- system management and restoration; (III) the value of coral reefs; and (IV) the threats to the sustainability of coral reef ecosystems. (b) Coral reef research centers (1) In general The Administrator shall— (A) periodically solicit applications for designation of qualifying institutions in cov- ered States as coral reef research centers; and (B) designate all qualifying institutions in covered States as coral reef research cen- ters. (2) Qualifying institutions For purposes of paragraph (1), an institution is a qualifying institution if the Adminis- trator determines that the institution— (A) is operated by an institution of higher education or nonprofit marine research or- ganization; (B) has established management-driven na- tional or regional coral reef research or res- toration programs; (C) has demonstrated abilities to coordi- nate closely with appropriate Federal and State agencies, and other academic and non- profit organizations; and (D) maintains significant local community engagement and outreach programs related to coral reef ecosystems. (Pub. L. 106–562, title II, § 212, as added Pub. L. 117–263, div. J, title C, § 10001(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3945.) § 6412. Coral reef prize competitions (a) In general Subject to the availability of appropriations, the head of any Federal agency with a rep- resentative serving on the United States Coral Reef Task Force established by section 6451 of this title, may, individually or in cooperation with one or more agencies, carry out a program to award prizes competitively under section 3719 of title 15. (b) Purposes Any program carried out under this section shall be for the purpose of stimulating innova- tion to advance the ability of the United States to understand, research, or monitor coral reef ecosystems, or to develop management or adap- tation options to preserve, sustain, and restore coral reef ecosystems. (c) Priority programs Priority shall be given to establishing pro- grams under this section that address commu- nities, environments, or industries that are in distress as a result of the decline or degradation of coral reef ecosystems, including— (1) scientific research and monitoring that furthers the understanding of causes behind coral reef decline and degradation and the gen- erally slow recovery following disturbances, including changing ocean chemistry, tempera- ture-related bleaching, disease, and their asso- ciated impacts on coral physiology; (2) the development of monitoring or man- agement options for communities or indus- tries that are experiencing significant finan- cial hardship; (3) the development of adaptation options to alleviate economic harm and job loss caused by damage to coral reef ecosystems; (4) the development of measures to help vul- nerable communities or industries, with an emphasis on rural communities and busi- nesses; and (5) the development of adaptation and man- agement options for impacted tourism indus- tries. (Pub. L. 106–562, title II, § 213, as added Pub. L. 117–263, div. J, title C, § 10001(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3946.) § 6413. Reports on administration (a) In general Not later than 2 years after December 23, 2022, and every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the committees specified in sub- section (b) a report on the administration of this chapter during the 2-year period preceding sub- mission of the report, including— (1) a description of all activities undertaken to implement the National Coral Reef Resil- ience Strategy; (2) a statement of all funds obligated under the authorities of this chapter; and (3) a summary, disaggregated by State, of Federal and non-Federal contributions toward the costs of each project or activity funded, in full or in part, under this chapter. (b) Committees specified The committees specified in this subsection are— (1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Committee on Environ- ment and Public Works, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (Pub. L. 106–562, title II, § 214, as added Pub. L. 117–263, div. J, title C, § 10001(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3947.) § 6414. Authorization of appropriations (a) In general There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $45,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027 to carry out this chapter which shall remain available until expended. Of such amounts, there is authorized to be appropriated for each such fiscal year— (1) $12,000,000 to carry out section 6406 of this title;