Sec. 233. Southern resident orca conservation and enforcement
202 words·~1 min read·
/bill/116/s/2297/rs/section-233·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Commandant, in consultation with the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, shall submit to Congress a report on Coast Guard efforts to enforce southern resident orca vessel buffer zones and other vessel related regulations in Puget Sound in coordination with existing Coast Guard fisheries enforcement, maritime domain awareness, operation Be Whale Wise, and other related missions. Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to Congress a briefing on steps the Coast Guard is taking to meet fisheries enforcement boarding and vessel traffic, including orca buffer zone and other related activities, enforcement targets in District 13, as well as recommendations on what resources, appropriations, and assets are needed to meet those targets within 1 year from enactment of this Act.
The Commandant, in consultation with the Maritime Administrator, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and State and Tribal governments, shall establish a pilot program to assess the feasibility and benefit of implementing a program similar to the Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation program, or ECHO program , in United States waters to reduce acoustic disturbance of southern resident orcas in Puget Sound and the surrounding waters.