§4003 Comprehensive Research Plan and Action Strategy

Summary

Not later than 1 year after June 30, 2014, the Under Secretary must work with the Task Force to make and send to Congress a detailed research plan and action strategy to deal with marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. The plan must list what the Program will do and when, say what each federal agency’s role will be, and point out which regions and subregions need focused research and action. The regional parts must cover research priorities (ecological, economic, and social), work to develop and test technology and methods for detecting, predicting, monitoring, controlling, mitigating, responding to, and cleaning up blooms and hypoxia, ways to shorten and weaken events (including timely use of response tools), human health studies, options to protect affected ecosystems (with possible costs and benefits), ways to share data with state, tribal, and local governments and researchers, how to inform the public, and federal roles in carrying out the plan (including support for local and regional scientific assessments under section 4001(e)). The Under Secretary must use existing research and peer-reviewed sources, coordinate with state, tribal, and watershed managers, consult public health, emergency management, science and technology groups, economists, affected industries, scientists, and other stakeholders, publish the plan in the Federal Register, and review and update it as needed.