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June 24th, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today unanimously approved a bill to reauthorize the National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant), which provides education, training, and technical assistance programs that promote the understanding and utilization of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. The National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008 (S. 3160), reauthorizes Sea Grant for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 through FY 2014.
Senators Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), and John Kerry (D-Mass.) co-sponsored the bill. Modeled after the Land Grant College System, the National Sea Grant College Program Act of 1966 created Sea Grant. The Program is a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), university based programs, coastal and Great Lakes states, industry, and 300 partner institutions that addresses national, regional, and local coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes issues.
This bill would reauthorize Sea Grant for the tenth time since its inception.
“I am pleased that the Commerce Committee has moved so quickly to reauthorize this important program,” said Senator Inouye, Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. “Sea Grant fellows have provided expertise and leadership on any number of issues relating to our ocean and coastal resources. The Sea Grant program has been invaluable to the cause of ensuring that these resources and ecosystems will be protected for future generations.”
“The National Sea Grant College Program has been valuable in providing research and outreach to Alaska’s fishing community and has helped Alaska maintain its status as a leader in sustainable fisheries,” said Senator Stevens, Vice Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. “I am glad that the Commerce Committee has approved this bill which is vital to keeping America’s oceans and coasts healthy.”
The Act would authorize $675 million for FY 2009 through FY 2014. The bill also would invest in services that integrate scientific research and extension services, and encourage increased collaboration among state Sea Grant programs.
The major provisions of the National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008 would:
- Authorize appropriations of $100 million for FY 2009, $105 million for FY 2010, $110 million for FY 2011, $115 million for FY 2012, $120 million for FY 2013, and $125 million for FY 2014, which will be used to implement regional coordination and allow for the program as a whole to sustain ongoing research, education, and outreach efforts;
- Direct Sea Grant to provide integrated research and extension services;
- Place an increased emphasis on collaboration among state Sea Grant programs, specifically at the regional level;
- Replace the current cumbersome rating system that required ranking individual programs with one that is based on metrics related to their strategic plans that incorporate local, regional, and national priorities;
- Exempt five percent of grants, rather than one percent, from requiring a 33 and 1/3 percent match from external funds, which would allow for the funding of special grants, increased cooperative efforts with other federal agencies and organizations, and exempt Knauss Fellowships from this requirement;
- Redesignate the National Sea Grant Review Panel as the National Sea Grant Advisory Board to better reflect its current role, including advising the Sea Grant Director regarding national priorities and designating Sea Grant Colleges and Institutes, and increase the terms of office of Advisory Board members from three to four years;
- Require the National Sea Grant Advisory Board to provide a biennial report to the Congress evaluating the National Sea Grant College Program;
- Allow for the formation of National Sea Grant Advisory Board subcommittees, which could include individuals who are not Board members; and repeal the requirement for a joint report by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and the Director of the National Science Foundation.
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