Coral Reef Conservation Act: Movement In The House

Last Wednesday on Earth Day, the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources marked-up the reauthorization of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. This bill (H.R. 860) increases the status of protection for all U.S. corals, supports community-based approaches to coral reef stewardship, strengthens U.S. international coral reef conservation efforts, and authorizes increased funding to protect these threatened habitats.

Next steps for the legislation include a floor vote by the House and introduction of the Senate version of the Bill. Movement on the Senate side is crucial for timely passage of this legislation.