The Official Website of Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo

Coral Reef Conservation Act Reauthorization Heard in Subcommittee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—March 6, 2007– Washington, D.C. –

In the first legislative hearing of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans of the Committee on Natural Resources in the U.S. House of Representatives today, Bush Administration representatives signaled support for the reauthorization of the Coral Reef Conservation Act (CRCA) of 2000.

H.R. 1205, legislation that would reauthorize the CRCA, was introduced by Congressman Eni Faleomavaega of American Samoa, Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen of the Virgin Islands, and Congressman Neil Abercrombie of Hawaii, on February 27, 2007.

During the hearing today, Tim Keeney, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within the U.S. Department of Commerce, explained that the CRCA led to the implementation of NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP). Since its inception six years ago, the CRCP has fostered research, restoration, and assessment of the conditions of coral reefs, and contributed to an improved understanding of the threats to healthy coral ecosystems. In addition, NOAA has undertaken efforts under the authority provided by the CRCA to promote public awareness of the value of and the threats to coral reefs.

Guam Coastal Management Program Administrator Evangeline “Vangie” Lujan appeared before the Subcommittee on a panel of four at the invitation of Congresswoman Bordallo, the Chairwoman of the Subcommittee. Ms. Lujan testified in favor of the bill on behalf of the All-Islands Group of the United States Coral Reef Task Force. Ms. Lujan, who works in the Bureau of Statistics and Plans for GovGuam, also serves as the Point of Contact for Guam on the United States Coral Reef Task Force. David B. Cohen, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior, and Chris Bergh, Director of the Florida Keys Program for The Nature Conservancy also testified at the hearing today.

The hearing on H.R. 1205 follows closely on the heels of the United States Coral Reef Task Force meeting in Washington, D.C. last week and incorporates several changes recommended by members of the task force.

Congresswoman Bordallo, Chairwoman of the Subcommittee, emphasized that the CRCA has allowed scientists to better understand and evaluate coral reef ecosystems.

“Since its enactment in the year 2000, the Coral Reef Conservation Act has stimulated a greater commitment to protect, conserve and restore coral reef resources within jurisdictional waters of the United States. As a result we now have a much better grasp of the condition of our coral reefs, and a more focused management capability than at any time in our history,” Congresswoman Bordallo said during the hearing. “Nevertheless, our work is far from over….Clearly, if we wish to have coral reefs in the future, we cannot retreat from our efforts to protect them in the present,” Bordallo added.

Ms. Lujan emphasized the importance and value of coral reef conservation for local communities across the United States and especially for the people of Guam. “Often called rainforests of the sea, coral reefs provide economic and environmental services to millions of people as valuable areas of natural beauty, sources of food, jobs and revenues, recreation and tourism, cultural activities and shoreline protection,” Lujan stated as she urged support for the bill and offered recommendations for additional improvements in current law.

More information about today’s hearing, including the full testimony of witnesses, is available on-line at: http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/hearings/hearingdetail.aspx?NewsID=27

Photo 1/ Photo 2/ Photo 3 : Tim Keeney, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; David B. Cohen, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior for Insular Affairs; Evangeline “Vangie” Lujan, Administrator, Guam Coastal Management Program; and Chris Bergh, The Nature Conservancy, testify on the Coral Reef Conservation Amendments Act of 2007 before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, chaired by Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo. March 6, 2007. Washington, D.C.

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Contact: Joseph E. Duenas in Washington, D.C. at 202-225-1188 or Cathy Gault at 671-477-4272/4

joseph.duenas@mail.house.gov or cathy.gault@mail.house.gov

www.house.gov/bordallo

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