Sec. 3. Interagency Working Group on Coastal Blue Carbon
711 words·~3 min read·
/bill/118/hr/9912/ih/section-3A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Subcommittee shall establish an Interagency Working Group on Coastal Blue Carbon to coordinate Federal efforts to research, monitor, identify, map, protect, and restore coastal blue carbon ecosystems, including by— facilitating interagency coordination; developing a national strategy; supporting research and data collection; identifying resource and policy needs; and engaging relevant stakeholders. The Interagency Working Group shall be composed of senior representatives from— the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; the Environmental Protection Agency; the National Science Foundation; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; the United States Geological Survey; the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; the National Park Service; the Bureau of Indian Affairs; the Smithsonian Institution; the Army Corps of Engineers; the Department of Agriculture; the Department of Energy; the Department of Defense; the Department of Transportation; the Department of State; the Federal Emergency Management Agency; the Office of Science and Technology Policy; and the Council on Environmental Quality.
The Interagency Working Group shall be chaired by the Undersecretary. The Interagency Working Group shall carry out the following activities: In accordance with section 4, produce, oversee, update, and maintain a national map and inventory of coastal blue carbon ecosystems, including information required under that section. Develop a strategic assessment of the biophysical, chemical, economic, regulatory, social, and statutory impediments, including regionally specific opportunities to reduce such impediments and facilitating factors of such impediments, to restoration of coastal blue carbon ecosystems.
Develop a national strategy for foundational science necessary to study, synthesize, and evaluate the effects of climate change and environmental and human stressors on carbon sequestration rates, including lateral carbon fluxes, and greenhouse gas emissions in coastal blue carbon ecosystems. Establish national protection and restoration priorities for coastal blue carbon ecosystems, including an assessment of Federal funding being used for restoration efforts with respect to coastal blue carbon ecosystems.
With other Federal agencies and users, ensure the continuity, use, and interoperability of relevant data assets through the Coastal Carbon Data Clearinghouse established under section 6(a). Coordinate with research, monitoring, standards development, project design, and other work related to marine carbon dioxide removal being conducted by relevant laboratories and offices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Subcommittee. Assess the legal authorities that exist to protect and restore coastal blue carbon ecosystems.
Implement the strategic plan required under subsection (e)(2). Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Interagency Working Group shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report regarding the activities carried out by the Interagency Working Group under subsection (d), including the following: Information regarding activities, challenges, analyses, and additional work and research needed with respect to such activities. A summary of each federally funded coastal blue carbon ecosystem research, monitoring, protection, and restoration activity, including— the budget for each such activity; and a description of the progress made by each such activity in advancing the national protection and restoration priorities established under subsection (d)(4).
The strategic assessment developed under subsection (d)(2), including information regarding the vulnerability of coastal blue carbon ecosystems to climate impacts, such as sea-level rise, ocean and coastal acidification, and other environmental and human stressors. Not later than 6 months after the date on which the Interagency Working Group submits the report required under paragraph (1), and not less than once every 5 years thereafter, the Interagency Working Group shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategic plan for Federal investments in basic research, development, demonstration, long-term monitoring and stewardship, and deployment of coastal blue carbon ecosystem projects for the 5-year period beginning on the date on which the first full fiscal year after the date on which the Interagency Working Group submits to Congress the report required under paragraph
(1)begins. The strategic plan required under subparagraph
(A)shall include an assessment of the use of existing Federal authorities and programs to protect and restore coastal blue carbon ecosystems and identify whether any additional such authorities or programs are needed. Not later than 90 days before the Interagency Working Group submits to the appropriate congressional committees each strategic plan under subparagraph (A), the Interagency Working Group shall publish each such strategic plan in the Federal Register and provide an opportunity for submission of public comments for a period of not less than 60 days.