WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today introduced several oceans bills that would strengthen hydrographic surveys, improve management of invasive species in ballast water, and protect coral reefs. Today marks the last day of the 2007 Capitol Hill Ocean Week.

 

 

Senators Inouye and Stevens, along with other members of the Senate Commerce Committee, introduced the following oceans bills today:

 

Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2007 – This bill would strengthen the work of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in generating and utilizing hydrographic data. The measure also would enhance NOAA’s ability to provide data in response to natural or man-made disasters such as a hurricane. This is especially important when it is necessary to reopen shipping lanes or ports.

 

Ballast Water Management Act of 2007 – This measure would provide a national management program for addressing invasive species in ballast water.  The bill would establish requirements for ballast water treatment, as well as procedures for ballast water exchange in the interim.  The bill also would seek to prevent the introduction of invasive species from ship equipment or hulls.

 

Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007 – Introduced by Senators Inouye, Stevens and Cantwell, this bill would reauthorize the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. The bill would provide new authorities for preserving, restoring and managing, in a sustainable manner, our coral reef ecosystems. It also would prohibit damage to corals, while providing specific exemptions for activities such as research, fishing, and other activities authorized by federal or state law. It also would establish liability and civil and criminal penalties for damage to coral reefs resulting from prohibited activities. Additionally, it also would reauthorize the award of grants under the coral reef conservation program to research emerging priorities or threats to coral reefs. 

 

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