§1447c — Title 16 Conservation | U.S. Code

Summary

Each regional board must write a 4-year marine research plan for its area and update it as needed, but at least once every 4 years. The board must use the national plan under the National Ocean Pollution Planning Act of 1978 when making or changing its plan. The plan must give a plain picture of water and ecosystem conditions and trends; list the marine research expected during the 4-year term; state research needs and priorities for the next 10 years with a focus on the next 3–5 years; explain how it fits with existing regional research and management (including activities under 33 U.S.C. 1330 and section 1461); and give general research goals, schedules, and funding plans for the 4-year period. When the board finishes or changes the plan, it must send it to NOAA and EPA. Those two agencies must together decide if the plan meets the rules and must approve or reject it within 120 days. If they reject it, they must write to the board with detailed revisions needed. After the board sends a revised plan, NOAA and EPA must approve or reject it within 90 days.

Title 16, §1447c

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)(1)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)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.).11 See References in Text note below.

(b)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)(1)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)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)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