Sec. 201. Aquaculture management plans
445 words·~2 min read·
/bill/117/s/3100/is/section-201A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
In order to implement this Act, the Secretary shall develop and adopt for aquaculture opportunity areas established under section 102, or locations where multiple aquaculture opportunity areas may be suitable for establishment— an aquaculture management plan; and amendments to each such plan that are necessary from time to time. The Secretary may use a single aquaculture management plan for multiple aquaculture opportunity areas where such areas are within reasonable proximity to each other and sufficiently similar.
Prior to developing, adopting, or amending an aquaculture management plan under this section, the Secretary, acting through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall meet with aquaculture stakeholders and the public to solicit their comments, and consult with interested Federal agencies. Such comments shall be duly reported in an addendum to the aquaculture management plan, along with a disposition of each. At a minimum, meetings under this subsection shall include— at least one public meeting for aquaculture stakeholders; and meetings with State, local, and Tribal government representatives.
An aquaculture management plan that is prepared by the Secretary under this title shall— include information and analysis that the Secretary determines is appropriate to establish common reference points for conducting aquaculture in the aquaculture opportunity area; specify parameters and guidance for conducting aquaculture in the aquaculture opportunity area, based on the information and analysis under paragraph (1), including— the geographic boundaries of the aquaculture opportunity area; the number of sites that each aquaculture opportunity area will support; the species allowed for aquaculture in the aquaculture opportunity area; standards for the structural integrity of aquaculture facilities to prevent the escape of cultured species; and contingency plans that will be required, along with standards for such plans, for events including— severe weather; escape of cultured species; situations affecting, or compromising, the health of cultured species; and other contingencies the Secretary identifies; describe how the Secretary will monitor aspects of aquaculture in the aquaculture opportunity area in order to support compliance with this Act, including— escape of cultured species; situations affecting, or compromising, the health of cultured species; the economic and commercial productivity of the aquaculture opportunity area; and other matters the Secretary identifies; and prescribe such other measures, requirements, or conditions and restrictions as are determined to be necessary and appropriate for implementation of this Act.
The Secretary shall develop and adopt regulations determined to be necessary and appropriate to implement an aquaculture management plan or plan amendment developed under this section. The Secretary shall periodically review plans developed under subsection
(a)as needed, but not less often than once every 5 years, to determine whether changed circumstances, advances in science, or improved management practices warrant an amendment or update to the plan.