H.R. 8783

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8783 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8783

To reauthorize the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act 
to promote the protection of the resources of the Northwest Straits, 
and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 18, 2024

Mr. Larsen of Washington (for himself, Ms. DelBene, Mr. Kilmer, Ms. 
Strickland, Mr. Smith of Washington, and Ms. Jayapal) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural 
Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To reauthorize the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act 
to promote the protection of the resources of the Northwest Straits, 
and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Northwest Straits Marine 
Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2024''.

SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF NORTHWEST STRAITS MARINE CONSERVATION 
INITIATIVE ACT.

The Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act (title IV 
of Public Law 105-384; 112 Stat. 3458) is amended--
(1) in section 402, by striking ``Commission (in this title 
referred to as the `Commission').'' and inserting 
``Commission.''; and
(2) by striking sections 403, 404, and 405 and inserting 
the following:

``SEC. 403. FINDINGS.

``Congress makes the following findings:
``(1) The marine waters and ecosystem of the Northwest 
Straits in Puget Sound in the State of Washington represent a 
unique resource of enormous environmental and economic value to 
the people of the United States.
``(2) During the 20th century, the environmental health of 
the Northwest Straits declined dramatically as indicated by 
impaired water quality, declines in marine wildlife, collapse 
of harvestable marine species, loss of critical marine 
habitats, ocean acidification, and sea level rise.
``(3) Increasingly, the Northwest Straits have been 
threatened by sea level rise, ocean acidification, and other 
effects of climate change.
``(4) This title was enacted to tap the unprecedented level 
of citizen stewardship demonstrated in the Northwest Straits 
and create a mechanism to mobilize public support and raise 
capacity for local efforts to protect and restore the ecosystem 
of the Northwest Straits.
``(5) The Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative 
helps the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and 
other Federal agencies with their marine missions by fostering 
local interest in marine issues and involving diverse 
communities.
``(6) The Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative 
shares many of the same goals with the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, including fostering citizen 
stewardship of marine resources, general ecosystem management, 
and protecting federally managed marine species.
``(7) Ocean literacy, kelp habitat conservation and 
monitoring, Veterans Conservation Corps internships, and 
removal of marine debris projects are examples of previous and 
ongoing partnerships between the Northwest Straits Marine 
Conservation Initiative and the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration. Areas of partnership may evolve 
with emerging opportunities.

``SEC. 404. DEFINITIONS.

``In this title:
``(1) Commission.--The term `Commission' means the 
Northwest Straits Advisory Commission established by section 
402.
``(2) Marine resources committee.--The term `marine 
resources committee' means a county government committee that 
assists in assessing marine resource and conservation needs.
``(3) Northwest straits region.--The term `Northwest 
Straits region' means the marine waters of the Strait of Juan 
de Fuca and of Puget Sound from the Canadian border to the 
south end of Snohomish County.
``(4) Tribal government.--The term `Tribal government' 
means the recognized governing body of any Indian or Alaska 
Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, 
component band, or component reservation individually 
identified (including parenthetically) in the list published 
most recently as of the date of enactment of the Northwest 
Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 
2024 pursuant to section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian 
Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131).
``(5) Under secretary.--The term `Under Secretary' means 
the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.

``SEC. 405. MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION.

``(a) Composition.--
``(1) In general.--The Commission shall be composed of 14 
members, except as provided in paragraph (2), who shall be 
appointed as follows:
``(A) One member appointed by a consensus of the 
members of a marine resources committee for San Juan 
County, Washington.
``(B) One member appointed by a consensus of the 
members of a marine resources committee for Island 
County, Washington.
``(C) One member appointed by a consensus of the 
members of a marine resources committee for Skagit 
County, Washington.
``(D) One member appointed by a consensus of the 
members of a marine resources committee for Whatcom 
County, Washington.
``(E) One member appointed by a consensus of the 
members of a marine resources committee for Snohomish 
County, Washington.
``(F) One member appointed by a consensus of the 
members of a marine resources committee for Clallam 
County, Washington.
``(G) One member appointed by a consensus of the 
members of a marine resources committee for Jefferson 
County, Washington.
``(H) Two members appointed by the Secretary of the 
Interior, in coordination with the Northwest Indian 
Fisheries Commission and in consultation with the 
Tribal governments affected by this title, to represent 
the interests of such Tribal governments.
``(I) One member appointed by the Governor of the 
State of Washington to represent the interests of the 
Puget Sound Partnership.
``(J) Four members appointed by the Governor of the 
State of Washington who--
``(i) are residents of the State of 
Washington; and
``(ii) are not employed by a Federal, 
State, or local government, excluding an 
institution of higher education.
``(2) Additional members.--The Commission may, as 
determined necessary to improve the ability of the Commission 
to perform the duties of the Commission under section 406(b), 
appoint members in addition to those appointed under paragraph 
(1). Any such additional member shall be appointed by a 
consensus of the members of a marine resources committee that 
is not described in such paragraph.
``(b) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in 
the manner in which the original appointment was made.
``(c) Chairperson.--The Commission shall select a Chairperson from 
among its members.
``(d) Meeting.--The Commission shall meet at the call of the 
Chairperson, but not less frequently than quarterly.
``(e) Liaison.--
``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary, in consultation 
with the Commission, shall appoint an employee of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration--
``(A) to serve as a liaison between the Commission 
and the Department of Commerce;
``(B) to coordinate programs of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with activities 
related to the goal of the Commission described in 
section 406(a); and
``(C) to perform additional liaison functions 
benefitting the Commission and the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, which may include, as 
agreed to by the Commission and the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, attending meetings and 
other events of the Commission as a nonvoting 
participant.
``(2) Limitation.--Service as a member of the Commission by 
the employee appointed under paragraph (1)--
``(A) is limited to the employee's service as a 
liaison; and
``(B) does not obligate the employee to perform any 
duty of the Commission under section 406(b).
``(f) Administration.--The Commission may enter into cooperative 
agreements with the State of Washington for staffing and administrative 
services for the purposes of supporting the duties of the Commission 
under section 406(b).

``SEC. 406. GOAL AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.

``(a) Goal.--The goal of the Commission is to protect and restore 
the marine waters, habitats, and species of the Northwest Straits 
region to achieve ecosystem health and sustainable resource use by--
``(1) designing and recommending projects that are driven 
by the best available science, local priorities, community-
based decisions, and the ability to measure results;
``(2) building awareness and stewardship and making 
recommendations to improve the health of the marine resources 
of the Northwest Straits region;
``(3) maintaining and expanding diverse membership and 
collaboration with partner organizations, such as the Puget 
Sound Partnership;
``(4) expanding partnerships with Tribal governments and 
continuing to support Tribal treaties, cultures, and 
subsistence and Tribal treaty rights; and
``(5) recognizing the importance of economic and social 
benefits that are dependent on marine environments and 
sustainable marine resources.
``(b) Duties.--The duties of the Commission are the following:
``(1) To provide resources and technical support for marine 
resources committees.
``(2) To work with such marine resources committees and 
appropriate entities of Federal, State, and local governments 
and Tribal governments to provide advice in developing regional 
programs to monitor the overall health of the marine ecosystem 
of the Northwest Straits region.
``(3) To collect marine resources data and identify factors 
adversely affecting or preventing the restoration of the health 
of the marine ecosystem and coastal economies of the Northwest 
Straits region to inform decision makers.
``(4) To develop scientifically sound restoration and 
protection recommendations, informed by local priorities, that 
address such factors.
``(5) To serve as a public forum for the informal 
discussion of policies and actions, with respect to the marine 
ecosystem of the Northwest Straits region, of Federal, State, 
or local governments, Tribal governments, or the Government of 
Canada.
``(6) To inform appropriate authorities and local 
communities about the marine ecosystem of the Northwest Straits 
region and about issues relating to the marine ecosystem of the 
Northwest Straits region.
``(7) To consult with all affected Tribal governments in 
the Northwest Straits region to ensure that the work of the 
Commission does not violate Tribal treaty rights.
``(c) Coordination and Collaboration.--The Commission--
``(1) shall carry out the duties described in subsection 
(b) in coordination and collaboration, as appropriate, with 
Federal, State, and local governments and Tribal governments, 
including by--
``(A) providing technical support and assistance to 
any Tribal government seeking representation and 
participation on the Commission; and
``(B) supporting the work and duties of the liaison 
to the Commission under section 405(e); and
``(2) may enter into cooperative agreements with nonprofit 
entities, such as the Northwest Straits Foundation, to provide 
assistance, including financial assistance, in carrying out the 
duties described in subsection (b).
``(d) Limitations.--Nothing in this title provides the Commission 
with authority to issue regulations or implement any Federal law or 
regulation.
``(e) Acceptance of Donations.--For purposes of carrying out this 
section, the Commission may solicit, accept, receive, hold, administer, 
and use gifts, devises, and bequests without any further approval or 
administrative action.
``(f) Annual Report.--
``(1) In general.--Each year, the Commission shall prepare, 
submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate, the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on 
Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and the Under 
Secretary, and make available to the public a report 
describing--
``(A) the activities carried out by the Commission 
during the preceding year; and
``(B) the progress in achieving the benchmarks 
described in paragraph (2).
``(2) Benchmarks.--The benchmarks described in this 
paragraph are the following:
``(A) Protection and restoration of marine, 
coastal, and nearshore habitats within the Northwest 
Straits region.
``(B) Protection and restoration of marine 
resources populations to healthy, sustainable levels.
``(C) Improvement of the water quality of the 
Northwest Straits region.
``(D) Collection of high-quality data and promotion 
of the use and dissemination of such data for the 
purposes of ecosystem monitoring.
``(E) Promotion of stewardship and understanding of 
marine resources of the Northwest Straits region 
through education and outreach, including by targeted 
outreach to underresourced communities.

``SEC. 407. FUNDING.

``(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Under Secretary to carry out this title such sums 
as are necessary, including to be made available to the Commission to 
carry out the duties of the Commission under this title.
``(b) Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary may, from amounts 
made available to the Under Secretary to carry out this title, 
provide assistance to the Commission in carrying out the duties 
of the Commission under this title.
``(2) Provision.--The Under Secretary may provide the 
assistance described in paragraph (1), and make available 
amounts to the Commission to carry out the duties of the 
Commission, through a contract with the Director of the Padilla 
Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, unless the Governor of 
the State of Washington objects. If such Governor so objects, 
the Under Secretary may provide such assistance and make 
available such amounts to the Commission.''.
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