(a) EstablishmentNot later than 1 year after June 30, 2014, the Under Secretary, acting through the Task Force, shall maintain and enhance a national harmful algal bloom and hypoxia program, including—
(1)
a statement of objectives, including understanding, detecting, predicting, controlling, mitigating, and responding to marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events; and
(b) Periodic revision
The Task Force shall periodically review and revise the Program, as necessary.
(c) Task Force functionsThe Task Force shall—
(2)
expedite the interagency review process by ensuring timely review and dispersal of required reports and assessments under this chapter;
(3)
support the implementation of the Action Strategy, including the coordination and integration of the research of all Federal programs, including ocean and Great Lakes science and management programs and centers, that address the chemical, biological, and physical components of marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
(4)
support the development of institutional mechanisms and financial instruments to further the objectives and activities of the Program;
(6)
promote the development of new technologies for predicting, monitoring, and mitigating harmful algal bloom and hypoxia conditions; and
(d) Lead Federal agency
Except as provided in subsection (h), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall have primary responsibility for administering the Program.
(e) Program dutiesIn administering the Program, the Under Secretary shall—
(2)
prepare work and spending plans for implementing the research and activities identified under the Action Strategy;
(3) administer peer-reviewed, merit-based, competitive grant funding—
(C)
to address the research and management needs and priorities identified in the Action Strategy; and
(D)
to accelerate the utilization of effective methods of intervention and mitigation to reduce the frequency, severity, and impacts of harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events;
(4)
coordinate with, and work cooperatively to provide technical assistance to, regional, State, tribal, and local government agencies and programs that address marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
(5)
coordinate with the Secretary of State to support international efforts on marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia information sharing, research, prediction, mitigation, control, and response activities;
(6)
identify additional research, development, and demonstration needs and priorities relating to monitoring, prevention, control, mitigation, and response to marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, including methods and technologies to protect the ecosystems affected by marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
(7)
integrate, coordinate, and augment existing education and extension programs to improve public understanding and awareness of the causes, impacts, intervention, and mitigation efforts for marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
(8)
facilitate and provide resources to train State and local coastal and water resource managers in the methods and technologies for monitoring, preventing, controlling, and mitigating marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
(9) support regional efforts to control and mitigate outbreaks through—
(A)
communication of the contents of the Action Strategy and maintenance of online data portals for other information about harmful algal blooms and hypoxia to State, tribal, and local stakeholders; and
(f) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration activitiesThe Under Secretary shall—
(1)
maintain and enhance the existing competitive programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration relating to harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
(3)
develop and enhance, including with respect to infrastructure, which shall include unmanned systems, as necessary, critical observations, monitoring, modeling, data management, information dissemination, and operational forecasts relevant to harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events;
(4)
enhance communication and coordination among Federal agencies carrying out marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia activities and research;
(5)
to the greatest extent practicable, leverage existing resources and expertise available from local research universities and institutions;
(g) Cooperative efforts
The Under Secretary shall work cooperatively and avoid duplication of effort with other offices, centers, and programs within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, other agencies on the Task Force, and States, tribes, and nongovernmental organizations concerned with marine and freshwater issues to coordinate harmful algal bloom and hypoxia (and related) activities and research.
(h) FreshwaterWith respect to the freshwater aspects of the Program, the Administrator, through the Task Force, shall carry out the duties otherwise assigned to the Under Secretary under this section, except the activities described in subsection (f).
(1) ParticipationThe Administrator’s participation under this section shall include—
(B)
forecasting and monitoring of and event response to freshwater harmful algal blooms in lakes, rivers, estuaries (including their tributaries), and reservoirs.
(2) Nonduplication
The Administrator shall ensure that activities carried out under this chapter focus on new approaches to addressing freshwater harmful algal blooms and are not duplicative of existing research and development programs authorized by this chapter or any other law.
(i) Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System
The collection of monitoring and observation data under this chapter shall comply with all data standards and protocols developed pursuant to the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.). Such data shall be made available through the system established under that Act.
(Pub. L. 105–383, title VI, § 603A, as added Pub. L. 113–124, § 4, June 30, 2014, 128 Stat. 1379; amended Pub. L. 115–423, § 9(e), Jan. 7, 2019, 132 Stat. 5462.)