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For Immediate Release
12/16/05
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Senate Approves Bill to Enhance Coral Reef Conservation
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WASHINGTON, DC – Late last night, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the "Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2005" (S. 1390), introduced by Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and co-sponsored by Senators John Sununu (R-N.H.) and Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii).
The legislation, which reauthorizes and amends the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (CRCA), enhances the resources and damage prevention measures needed to ensure the long-term health of the nation’s coral reefs.
"With the passage of this legislation, we are taking great strides to improve the condition of coral reefs in Hawaii and elsewhere in the country," said Sen. Inouye, co-chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. "Not only are coral reefs among the oldest and most diverse ecosystems on the planet, they are critical to the economies of coastal states. Our bill puts in place the necessary resources, measures, and authorities to improve our coral conservation efforts over the next five years."
Sen. Sununu, chairman of the National Ocean Policy Study Subcommittee, commented, "Senate approval of the ‘Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2005’ underscores a commitment to the preservation of some of the most fragile ecosystems on earth. The provisions in this bill will provide the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with the tools it needs to help stem damage to coral reefs from ocean vessels and prevent collisions from occurring in the future."
The bill includes the following key provisions:
Funding: The bill increases annual program authorizations from $16 million to $30 million in FY2006, up to $35 million by FY2009-2012. It also requires the use of at least 30 percent of funds for the Coral Reef Conservation Grants Program, which the bill expands and refocuses.
Emergency Response Actions: The bill authorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to undertake emergency response actions to prevent or mitigate imminent coral reef destruction from vessel damage such as grounding and anchoring impacts. It also allows public-private funding for emergency response and prevention actions through the Coral Reef Conservation Fund, for which up to 10 percent of authorized funds would be made available.
Community-Based Solutions: The legislation creates a one-time $8 million Community-Based Planning Grants program to implement locally-designed coral management and protection plans.
Abandoned and Grounded Vessels: The bill authorizes NOAA to maintain a vessel grounding inventory and develop a list of recommendations for preventative measures.
Coordination: The legislation directs coordination among federal, state and territorial governments to implement the U.S. Coral Reef Action Strategy. It also streamlines and focuses reporting requirements.
The bill was originally approved by the Senate Commerce Committee on July 21, 2005.
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22nd - |
Senate Approves Resolution Honoring Flight Deck Officer Program Participants
- Washington, D.C. – The Senate last night unanimously approved H.Con.Res. 196, honoring the pilots of United States commercial air carriers who volunteer to participate in the Federal flight deck officer program. This resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.-7) on June 30, 2005 and passed the House by a vote of 413-2 on December 7, 2005.
The resolut...
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21st - |
Senate Approves the Securing Cockpits Against Lasers Act
- WASHINGTON, DC – Today the U.S. Senate unanimously approved an amended version of H.R 1400, the Securing Aircraft Cockpits Against Lasers Act. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), offered an amendment to the bill, which was originally introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Ric Keller (R-Fla.). The legislation unanimously passed the House on December 7...
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21st - |
Senate Approves NASA Authorization Conference Report
- Washington D.C. - The Senate tonight unanimously approved the conference report to accompany S. 1281, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2005, clearing the measure for the President. The conference report authorizes NASA’s programs for fiscal years 2007 and 2008.
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Scien...
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21st - |
Senate Approves FCC Nominees
- WASHINGTON, DC – Tonight the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the nominations of Deborah Taylor Tate and Michael Copps to be Commissioners on the Federal Communications Commission. On December 13, 2005, by unanimous consent, the Senate discharged the Senate Commerce Committee from further consideration of the Tate and Copps nominations. A hearing had been held on the nominees earlier that da...
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21st - |
Senate Approves Maritime Administration Enhancement Act
- WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate today passed H.R. 1815, the National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report for Fiscal Year 2006 by voice vote. The conference report incorporates provisions originally included in the Maritime Administration Enhancement Act, S. 2029, reported by the Commerce Committee. The conference report establishes within the Maritime Administration (MARAD) a grant,...
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17th - |
Senate Approves NTSB and FTC Nominees
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Washington, D.C. - The Senate today confirmed by unanimous consent the following nominees, previously reported by the Senate Commerce Committee:
Mark Rosenker to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board
Kathryn Higgins to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board
William Kovacic to be a Commissioner for the Federal Trade Commission
J. Thomas Rosch to be a...
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17th - |
Senate Approves The Coast Guard Hurricane Relief Act
- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate last night unanimously approved H.R. 4508, the Coast Guard Hurricane Relief Act, which provides Congress’s commendation, recognition and gratitude to Coast Guard personnel for their efforts in response to Hurricane Katrina. In addition, the bill authorizes the preservation of leave for those Guardsmen detailed to operations in response to Hurricane Ka...
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16th - |
current Press Release |
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15th - |
Commerce Committee Approves the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 2005
- Washington, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2005 by voice vote. The bill was introduced by Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), with Senators Trent Lott (R-Miss.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Bar...
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15th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves U.S. SAFE WEB Act
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Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation today reported S. 1608, the “Undertaking Spam, Spyware, And Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers Beyond Borders Act of 2005” (U.S. SAFE WEB Act of 2005) by unanimous consent. Senator Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) introduced the bill, which is co-sponsored by Co-Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), and Commit...
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13th - |
FCC Nominees Michael Copps and Deborah Taylor Tate Await Action by the Full Senate
- Prior to adjournment today, by unanimous consent the Senate discharged the Senate Commerce Committee from futher consideration of the nominations of Deborah Taylor Tate and Michael Copps to be Commissioners at the Federal Communications Commission. Their nominations are currently on the Senate Calendar and await action by the full Senate.
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Audio Clip | Video Clip
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