16 U.S.C. § 1447c: Regional research plans

Summary

Regional boards must create a detailed 4-year marine research plan for their area and update it at least every 4 years. While doing this, the boards must take into account findings and recommendations from the national plan made under the National Ocean Pollution Planning Act of 1978. The plan must: give an overview of environmental conditions and expected trends; list all water-quality and ecosystem health research expected during the 4-year term; state research needs and priorities for the next 10 years, with special focus on the next 3–5 years; explain how it ties into existing regional research and management; and set goals, monitoring objectives, and a timetable for funding projects during the 4-year period. After the board sends the plan to the heads of NOAA and EPA, those two must jointly decide if it meets the rules and approve or reject it within 120 days. If they reject it, they must write what changes are needed, and then approve or reject the revised plan within 90 days.

Title 16, §1447c

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Development and amendment of regional plans

(1)In general

Each Board shall develop a comprehensive 4-year marine research plan for the region for which the Board is responsible, and shall amend the plan at such times as the Board considers necessary to reflect changing conditions, but no less frequently than once every 4 years.

(2)Review and consideration of national plan

In the development and amendment of its research plan, the Board shall consider findings and recommendations of the national plan developed pursuant to the National Ocean Pollution Planning Act of 1978 (33 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).

(b)Contents of plan

Such marine research plan shall include—

(1)an overview of the environmental quality conditions in the coastal and marine waters of the region and expected trends in these conditions;

(2)a comprehensive inventory and description of all marine research related to water quality and ecosystem health expected to be conducted in the region during the 4-year term of the research plan;

(3)a statement and explanation of the marine research needs and priorities applicable to the marine and coastal waters of the region over the upcoming 10-year period with emphasis on the upcoming 3-to-5 year period;

(4)an assessment of how the plan will incorporate existing marine, coastal, and estuarine research and management in the region, including activities pursuant to section 1330 of title 33 and section 1461 of this title; and

(5)a general description of marine research and monitoring objectives and timetables for achievement through the funding of projects under this chapter during the 4-year period covered by the plan so as to meet the priorities specified in the plan in accordance with paragraph (3).

(c)Plan review and approval

(1)In general

When a Board has developed a marine research plan, including amendments thereto, the Board shall submit the plan to the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Administration of the Environmental Protection Agency, who shall jointly determine whether the plan meets the requirements of subsection (b).

(2)Time for approval or disapproval

The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall jointly approve or disapprove such research plan within 120 days after receiving the plan.

(3)Action after disapproval

In the case of disapproval of such research plan, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall jointly notify the appropriate Board in writing, stating in detail the revisions necessary to obtain approval of the plan. Such Administrators shall approve or disapprove the revised plan within 90 days after receiving the revised plan from the Board.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Ocean Pollution Planning Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is Pub. L. 95–273, May 8, 1978, 92 Stat. 228, which was classified generally to chapter 31 (§ 1701 et seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, and was repealed by Pub. L. 102–567, title II, § 204, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4282.

§1447c Regional Research Plans

Summary

Title 16, §1447c

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Citations & Metadata