WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation today reported the Ocean and Coastal Exploration and NOAA Act (S. 39) sponsored by Senators Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii). The legislation would establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This measure would require NOAA to conduct interdisciplinary ocean voyages to survey little known areas of the marine environment and encourage the development of new undersea technologies. The bill now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

“Healthy oceans are vital to our environment and our economy, and this bill will help provide more knowledge and insight into one of the most significant areas of our planet,” said Senator Stevens. “The legislation would also establish a task force to work with research institutes to develop the technology that will allow us to better understand and manage our deep sea resources and focus our energy on areas that need it most.”

The bill also authorizes NOAA, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and other agencies involved in the program to participate in interagency financing and share, transfer, receive, and spend funds appropriated to any federal participant in the program. Title II of the measure would implement the NOAA Undersea Research Program Act of 2007 which would establish a national undersea research program with regional research centers and a national technology institute.

Title III of the bill contains the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act, which would direct NOAA to develop a plan to oversee all of the federal government's ocean and coastal mapping activities, and coordinate the various projects through one unit.  It would also authorize three Joint Hydrographic Centers for the purpose of advancing the nation's mapping efforts. 

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