WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today approved by unanimous consent the “Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act” (S. 364), introduced by Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and co-sponsored by Senators Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Trent Lott (R-Miss.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Paul Sarbanes (D-Maryland), and Judd Gregg (R-N.H.).

The legislation approved today:

• Directs NOAA to work with other federal agencies to develop a coordinated and comprehensive Federal ocean and coastal mapping plan that will serve a number of purposes, including enhancing ecosystem-based approaches to marine resource management and advancing ocean and coastal science.
• Establishes an Interagency Committee on Ocean and Coastal Mapping to work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) program.
• Authorizes the establishment of Hydrographic Centers of Excellence at academic institutions to carry out basic research, develop new technologies, and conduct mapping.
• Requires the Administrator of NOAA and the Interagency Committee to submit implementation plans and progress reports to Congress.
• Establishes funding levels of $20, $26, $32, and $38 million for fiscal years 2006-2009, respectively, and $45 million for fiscal years 2010-2013.

The Committee unanimously accepted an amendment by Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), co-sponsored by Senators Stevens and Inouye, to ensure that federal mapping efforts incorporate policies for private sector contracting. The amendment requires the Interagency Committee on Coastal and Ocean Mapping to consult with the private sector and report on the status of such efforts in its annual report. The amendment also includes language from last year’s appropriations bill report, which directs NOAA to continue to develop a strategy to expand contracting with the private sector on federal mapping work. The report, already under development, would be due within 120 days of enactment.

The legislation now proceeds to the full Senate for its consideration.