Coastal Zone Management Act Amendments of 1976 (P.L. 94-370) Sec. 9. Research and Technical Assistance.-The Coastal Management Act of 1972 is further amended by adding immediately after section 309 (as added by section 8 of this Act) the following: "Research and Technical assistance for Coastal Zone Management "Sec. 310.(a) The Secretary may conduct a program of research, study, and trainng to support the development and implementation of management programs "(b) The Secretary may make grants to coastal states to assist such states in carrying out research, studies "(c 1) The Secretary shall provide for the coordination of research, studies, and training activities under this section with any other such activities that are conducted by, or subject to the authority of the Secretary. "(2) The Secretary shall make the results of research conducted pursuant to this section available to any interested person." Sec. 12. Acquisition of access to public beaches and other public coastal areas. Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as redesignated by section 7 of this Act (16 U.S.C. 1461), is amended to read as follows: "Estuarine Sanctuaries and Beach Access "Sec. 315. The Secretary may, in accordance with this section and in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Secretary shall promulgate, make grants to any coastal state for the purpose of— "(1) acquiring, developing, or operating estuarine sanctuaries; to serve as natural field laboratories in which to study and gather data on the natural and human processes occurring within the estuaries of the coastal zone; and Sec. 16. Shellfish sanitation regulations. (a) The Secretary of Commerce shall (1) undertake a comprehensive review of all aspects of the molluscan shellfish industry, including, but not limited to, the harvesting, processing, and transportation of such shellfish; and (2) evaluate the impact of Federal law concerning water quality on the molluscan shellfish industry. Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 7420-742K) The Congress further declares that the fishing industry, in its several branches, can prosper and thus fulfill its proper function in national life only if certain fundamental needs are satisfied. Among these needs are: (3) Assistance (b) research services for economic and technologic development and resource conservation and (c) resource management to assure the maximum sustainable production for the fisheries. Sec. 742d. Investigations; preparation and dissemination of information; reports. The Secretary shall conduct continuing investigations, prepare and disseminate information, and make periodical reports to the public, to the President, and to Congress, with respect to the following matters: (1) The production and flow to market of fish and fishery products domestically produced, and also those produced by foreign producers which affect the domestic fisheries; (2) The availability and abundance and the biological requirements of the fish and wildlife resources; Sec. 742f. Policies, procedures and recommendations. (1) develop and recommend measures which are appropriate to assure the maximum sustainable production of fish and fishery products and to prevent unnecessary and excessive fluctuations in such production; (4) take such steps as may be required for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of the fisheries resources; and Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661–666C) Sec. 662. Impounding, directing or controlling of waters. (b) Reports and recommendations; consideration. In furtherance of such purposes, the reports and recommendations of the Secretary ・・・ based on surveys and investigations conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and such State agency for the purpose of determining the possible damage to wildlife re sources (Prior to Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970) Title 33, Sec. 883a, 883d. Sec. 883a. Surveys and other activities. To provide charts and related information for the safe navigation of marine and air commerce, and to provide basic data for engineering and scientific purposes and for other commercial and industrial needs, the Director of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, hereinafter referred to as the Director, under direction of the Secretary of Commerce, is authorized to conduct the following activities: (1) Hydrographic and topograhic surveys; (2) Tide and current observations; (3) Geodetic-control surveys; (4) Field surveys for aeronautical charts; and (5) Geomagnetic, seismological, gravity, and related geophysical measurements and investigations, and observations for the determination of variation in latitude and longitude. (Aug. 6, 1947, ch. 504. Sec. 1. 61 Stat. 787; Apr. 5, 1960. Pub. L. 86-409, 74 Stat. 16.) Sec. 883d. Improvement of methods, instruments, and equipments; investigations and research. To improve the efficiency of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and to increase engineering and scienfitic knowledge, the Director is authorized to conduct developmental work for the improvements of surveying and cartographic methods, instruments, and equipments; and to conduct investigations and research in geophysical sciences (including geodesy, oceanography, seismology, and geomagnetism). Sea Grant Program Improvement Act 1976 (33 U.S.C. 1121, et seq.) Sec. 206.(a) In General.-The Secretary shall identify specific national needs and problems with respect to ocean and coastal resources. The Secretary may make grants or enter into contracts under this section with respect to such needs or problems. Sec. 3.(a) In General.-The Secretary of Commerce (hereafter in this section referred to as the "Secretary") may enter into contracts and make grants under this section to (1) enhance the research and development capability of developing foreign nations with respect to ocean and coastal resources, as such term is defined in section 203 of the National Sea Grant Program Act; and Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Section 1. Transfers to Secretary of Commerce. The following are hereby transferred to the Secretary of Commerce: (a) All functions vested by law in the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries of the Department of the Interior or in its head, together with all functions vested by law in the Secretary of the Interior of the Department of the Interior which are administered through that Bureau or are primarily related to the Bureau. . . (e) Those functions vested in the Secretary of Defense or in any officer, employee, or organizational entity of the Department of Defense by the provision of Public Law 91-144, 83 Stat. 326, under the heading "Operation and maintenance, general” with respect to "surveys and charting of northern and northwestern lakes and connecting waters," or by other law, which come under the mission assigned as of July 1, 1969, to the United States Army Engineer District, Lake Survey, Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army and relate to (1) the conduct of hydrographic surveys of the Great Lakes and their outflow rivers. Lake Champlain, New York State Barge Canals, and the Minnesota-Ontario border lakes, and the compilation and publication of navigation charts, including recreational aspects, and the Great Lakes Pilot for the benefit and use of the public. (2) the conception, planning and conduct of basic research and development in the fields of water motion, water characteristics, water quantity, and ice and snow, and (3) the publication of data and the results of research projects in forms useful to the Corps of Engineers and the public, and the operation of a Regional Data Center for the collection, coordination, analysis, and the furnishing to interested agencies of data relating to water resources of the Great Lakes. Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543) Sec. 1532 (2) The terms "conserve", "conserving", and "conservation" mean to use and the use of all methods and procedures... to. Such methods and procedures include, but are not limited to, all activities associated with scientific resources management such as research,. law enforcement. Sec. 1533 (a)(2) with respect to any species over which program responsibilities have been vested in the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to Reorganization Plan Numbered 4 of 1970 (A) in any case in which the Secretary of Commerce determines that such species should-(i) be listed as an endangered species or a threatened species, or (ii) be changed in status from a threatened species to an endangered species, he shall so inform the Secretary of the Interior who shall list such species in accordance with this section; ** utilize Sec. 1536.* All other Federal departments and agencies shall their authorities by carrying out programs for the conservation of endangered and threatened species Special Energy Research and Development Appropriation Act, 1975 (P.L. 93-322) Title I, Chapter V-Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and For necessary expenses of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to reactivate, equip, and operate certain oceanographic research vessels for the purpose of conducting assessments of energy-related offshore environmental problems associated with energy activities, $6,630,000 to remain available until expended. Migratory Game Fish Study Act (16 U.S.C. 760e-760g) Directs the Secretary to undertake a comprehensive continuing study of the migratory marine fish of interest to recreational fishermen, including species inhabiting offshore waters and species which migrate through inshore waters. Included in such study shall be research on migration, identity of stocks, growth rates, mortality rates, variations in survival, environmental influences including pollution, to develop wise conservation policies and constructive management. The Secretary is authorized to acquire lands and construct facilities, purchase boats, equipment, and apparatus, and to employ state and other institutions and make public the results of the research conducted pursuant to the Act. Commercial Fisheries Research and Development Act of 1964 (16 U.S.C. 779-779f) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior (prior to Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970) to cooperate with the States through their respective State agencies which regulate commercial fisheries in carrying out projects designed for research on the development of the commercial fisheries resources of the Nation. Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands are treated as States. Anadromous Fish Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 755a-757f) Authorizes the Secretary, on the basis of studies carried out under the Act, to make recommendations to HEW Secretary concerning elimination or reduction of pollutants detrimental to fish and wildlife in interstate or navigable waters. The Act of August 4, 1947 (The Farrington Act) (16 U.S.C. 758-758d) Sec. 758 a. The Secretary of the Interior, through the Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior, (prior to Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970), is authorized and directed to conduct such fishing explorations and such necessary related work as oceanographical, biological, technological, statistical, and economic studies to insure maximum development and utilization of the high seas fishery resources Sec. 758 c. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated ⚫ such amounts as may be necessary for the construction, including architectural services, and for furnishings and equipment of a fishery research laboratory and experiment station in the State of Hawaii and necessary substations at suitable locations, together with suitable dock and storehouse facilities to be used in conjunction with the operation of research and experimental fishing vessels and for the procurement and for the modification, refitting, and equipment of two experimental high-seas fishing and oceanographical research vessel, together with all necessary gear and appurtenances, including necessary naval architectural and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission Act (63 Stat. 70) Designates the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (prior to the Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970) as the primary research agency. North Pacific Fisheries Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1021-1032) Makes certain funds available to the Secretary for research and related activities to carry out the program. Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Act (16 U.S.C. 667a) Designated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (prior to the Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970) as the primary research agency to promote better utilization of the Atlantic Coast fish and shellfish resources. Mr. BREAUX. All right, we appreciate your appearance, and look forward to having you before the committee in the future. With that, the Subcommittee on Oceanography will stand adjourned until further notice. [Whereupon, at 10:20 a.m., the subcommittee adjourned, subject to the call of the Chair.] NUCLEAR WASTE DISPOSAL MONDAY, MAY 15, 1978 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES, SUBCOMMITTEE ON OCEANOGRAPHY, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:30 a.m., in room 1334, Longworth House Office Building, Hon. John Breaux (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. Present: Representatives Breaux, Hughes, and Pritchard. Mr. BREAUX. The Subcommittee on Oceanography will please come to order. The 1970's mark the beginning of an era in which the world is becoming increasingly concerned about the limits of the Earth's energy resources. Since the major increase in the world price of oil in 1973, the United States and other countries have begun critical evaluations of their energy consumption patterns and trends. A widespread apprehension about our growing dependence on one energy resource, petroleum, is compelling many nations to look at alternative energy resources, especially coal and nuclear fuel, to meet their future energy demands. The need to develop acceptable methods to dispose of the extremely hazardous wastes generated from the nuclear fuel cycle will become more and more critical as domestic and global use of nuclear energy increases. Today, the Subcommittee on Oceanography convenes oversight hearings on the disposal of nuclear wastes in the ocean. I feel that these hearings are important and timely for a number of reasons. First, several European countries are currently dumping lowlevel radioactive wastes into the ocean. This activity is going on under the supervision of the Nuclear Energy Agency. Our country for many years dumped containerized low-level radioactive wastes in several dumpsites off our coasts. We terminated this practice in 1970 and now use shallow-land burial for these wastes. The Environmental Protection Agency, which we will hear from today, is now studying the disposition of these canisters. The information obtained from this research will help in our country's efforts to negotiate acceptable international environmental guidelines for such dumping. Second, many countries are becoming aware of very serious impending problems with respect to their growing stockpiles of highlevel radioactive wastes. These countries, some of which are not endowed with suitable geological formations, are looking with great |