Sec. 322. Study on Bering Strait vessel traffic projections and emergency response posture at ports of the United States
544 words·~2 min read·
/bill/119/hr/4275/ih/section-322·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, under which the Marine Board of the Transportation Research Board (in this section referred to as the Board ) shall conduct a study to— analyze commercial vessel traffic that transits through the Bering Strait and projections for the growth of such traffic during the 10-year period beginning after such date of enactment; and assess the adequacy of emergency response capabilities and infrastructure at the Port of Point Spencer, Alaska, to address navigation safety risks and geographic challenges necessary to conduct emergency maritime response operations in the Arctic environment.
The study required under subsection
(a)shall include the following: An analysis of the volume and types of domestic and international commercial vessel traffic through the Bering Strait and the projected growth of such traffic, including a summary of— the sizes, ages, and flag states of vessels; and the oil and product tankers that are— in transit to or from Russia or China; or owned or operated by a Russian or Chinese entity. An assessment of the state and adequacy of vessel traffic services and oil spill and emergency response capabilities in the vicinity of the Bering Strait, including its approaches. A risk assessment of the projected growth in commercial vessel traffic in the Bering Strait and higher probability of increased frequency in the number of maritime accidents, including spill events, and the potential impacts to the Arctic maritime environment and Native Alaskan village communities in the vicinity of the Bering Strait. An evaluation of the ability of the Port of Point Spencer, Alaska, to serve as a port of refuge and as a staging, logistics, and operations center to conduct and support maritime emergency and spill response activities. Recommendations for practical actions that can be taken by the Congress, Federal agencies, the State of Alaska, vessel carriers and operators, the marine salvage and emergency response industry, and other relevant stakeholders to mitigate risks, upgrade infrastructure, and improve the posture of the Port of Point Spencer, Alaska, to function as a strategic staging and logistics center for maritime emergency and spill response operations in the Bering Strait region. In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Board shall consult with— the Department of Transportation; the Corps of Engineers; the National Transportation Safety Board; relevant ministries of the government of Canada; the Port Coordination Council for the Port of Point Spencer; and non-government entities with relevant expertise in monitoring and characterizing vessel traffic in the Arctic. Not later than 1 year after initiating the study under subsection (a), the Board shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report containing the findings and recommendations of the study. In this section: The term Arctic has the meaning given such term in section 112 of the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 ( 15 U.S.C. 4111 ). The term Port Coordination Council for the Port of Point Spencer means the Council established under section 541 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015 ( Public Law 114–120 ).
Connectionstraces to 2
Traces to 2 documents
U.S. Code
public-private-law
Citation graph
cites case law
Sec. 322
Study on Bering Strait vessel traffic projections and emergency response posture at ports of the United States
Cites 2Cited by 0 across 0 sources