I'm Just A Bill, Yes I'm Only A Bill...

But it still represents a promising start for ocean conservation for the 111th Congress!

On January 6, Representative Brian Baird (D-WA) introduced the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 (H.R. 14). The bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Vernon Ehlers (R-MI).

The bill would: develop and coordinate a comprehensive interagency plan to monitor and conduct research on the processes and consequences of ocean acidification on marine organisms and ecosystems; establish an interagency research and monitoring program on ocean acidification; establish an ocean acidification program with NOAA; assess and consider a regional and national ecosystem and socioeconomic impacts of increased ocean acidification; and research adaptation strategies and techniques for effectively conserving marine ecosystems in coping with increased ocean acidification. The bill was read twice and referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology.

Another important ocean conservation bill was also introduced this week. Representative Sam Farr (D-CA) reintroduced the Ocean Conservation, Education and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 21), also known as OCEANS-21. The bill would promote the protection, maintenance, and restoration of marine ecosystem health in order to fulfill the ecological, economic, educational, social, cultural, nutritional, recreational, and other requirements of current and future Americans. The bill was read twice and referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and House Committee on Science and Technology.

Finally, Representative Donna Christensen (D-V.I.) introduced a continued resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should incorporate consideration of global warming and sea-level rise into comprehensive conservation plans for coastal national wildlife refuges (H. Con. Res. 2). The continued resolution is co-sponsored by Representatives Madeleine Boradallo (D-GU) and Eni F.H. Faleomavaega (D-AS). The continued resolution was read twice and referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Source: The CSO Weekly Report