§4010 Hypoxia or Harmful Algal Bloom of National Significance

Summary

Federal officials can give money to a State or local government after they decide a hypoxia or harmful algal bloom is a national-level event. The money must be used to check and reduce harm to the environment, the economy, people who rely on local food or water, and public health. The federal government will pay no more than 50 percent of any activity’s cost. Federal officials may also accept donations of money, help, equipment, or supplies. Donated money can be spent right away and is not limited by fiscal year rules. An appropriate federal official can make the national-event decision on their own or must do it if the State governor asks. In deciding, the official will look at toxicity, how bad the hypoxia is, whether it might spread, economic effects, size compared with the past 5 similar events, and whether it could affect many towns, more than one State, or cross an international border. Definitions (one line each): Appropriate Federal Official — NOAA’s Under Secretary for marine/coastal events and the EPA Administrator for freshwater events. Event of National Significance — a hypoxia or harmful algal bloom likely to cause major environmental, economic, subsistence, or public health harm to a State. Hypoxia or Harmful Algal Bloom Event — an occurrence of hypoxia or a harmful algal bloom from natural, human, or unknown causes.