§ 1447c. — Regional research plans.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC1447c]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 32A--REGIONAL MARINE RESEARCH PROGRAMS
Sec. 1447c. Regional research plans
(a) Development and amendment of regional plans
(1) In general
Each Board shall develop a comprehensive 4-year marine research
plan for the region for which the Board is responsible, and shall
amend the plan at such times as the Board considers necessary to
reflect changing conditions, but no less frequently than once every
4 years.
(2) Review and consideration of national plan
In the development and amendment of its research plan, the Board
shall consider findings and recommendations of the national plan
developed pursuant to the National Ocean Pollution Planning Act of
1978 (33 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).\1\
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\1\ See References in Text note below.
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(b) Contents of plan
Such marine research plan shall include--
(1) an overview of the environmental quality conditions in the
coastal and marine waters of the region and expected trends in these
conditions;
(2) a comprehensive inventory and description of all marine
research related to water quality and ecosystem health expected to
be conducted in the region during the 4-year term of the research
plan;
(3) a statement and explanation of the marine research needs and
priorities applicable to the marine and coastal waters of the region
over the upcoming 10-year period with emphasis on the upcoming 3-to-
5 year period;
(4) an assessment of how the plan will incorporate existing
marine, coastal, and estuarine research and management in the
region, including activities pursuant to section 1330 of title 33
and section 1461 of this title; and
(5) a general description of marine research and monitoring
objectives and timetables for achievement through the funding of
projects under this chapter during the 4-year period covered by the
plan so as to meet the priorities specified in the plan in
accordance with paragraph (3).
(c) Plan review and approval
(1) In general
When a Board has developed a marine research plan, including
amendments thereto, the Board shall submit the plan to the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
and the Administration of the Environmental Protection Agency, who
shall jointly determine whether the plan meets the requirements of
subsection (b) of this section.
(2) Time for approval or disapproval
The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency, shall jointly approve or disapprove such research plan
within 120 days after receiving the plan.
(3) Action after disapproval
In the case of disapproval of such research plan, the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall
jointly notify the appropriate Board in writing, stating in detail
the revisions necessary to obtain approval of the plan. Such
Administrators shall approve or disapprove the revised plan within
90 days after receiving the revised plan from the Board.
(Pub. L. 92-532, title IV, Sec. 404, as added Pub. L. 101-593, title
III, Sec. 301, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2966.)
References in Text
The National Ocean Pollution Planning Act of 1978, referred to in
subsec. (a)(2), is Pub. L. 95-273, May 8, 1978, 92 Stat. 228, as
amended, which was classified generally to chapter 31 (Sec. 1701 et
seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, and was repealed by
Pub. L. 102-567, title II, Sec. 204, Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4282.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in sections 1447b, 1447d of this title.
