16 U.S.C. § 1434
In proposing to designate a national marine sanctuary, the Secretary shall-
The Secretary shall prepare and make available to the public sanctuary designation documents on the proposal that include the following:
Public disclosure by the Secretary of such information shall be consistent with national security regulations.
No sooner than thirty days after issuing a notice under this subsection, the Secretary shall hold at least one public hearing in the coastal area or areas that will be most affected by the proposed designation of the area as a national marine sanctuary for the purpose of receiving the views of interested parties.
The terms of designation of a sanctuary shall include the geographic area proposed to be included within the sanctuary, the characteristics of the area that give it conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, research, educational, or esthetic value, and the types of activities that will be subject to regulation by the Secretary to protect those characteristics. The terms of designation may be modified only by the same procedures by which the original designation is made.
The Secretary shall provide the appropriate Regional Fishery Management Council with the opportunity to prepare draft regulations for fishing within the Exclusive Economic Zone as the Council may deem necessary to implement the proposed designation. Draft regulations prepared by the Council, or a Council determination that regulations are not necessary pursuant to this paragraph, shall be accepted and issued as proposed regulations by the Secretary unless the Secretary finds that the Council's action fails to fulfill the purposes and policies of this chapter and the goals and objectives of the proposed designation. In preparing the draft regulations, a Regional Fishery Management Council shall use as guidance the national standards of section 301(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1851) to the extent that the standards are consistent and compatible with the goals and objectives of the proposed designation. The Secretary shall prepare the fishing regulations, if the Council declines to make a determination with respect to the need for regulations, makes a determination which is rejected by the Secretary, or fails to prepare the draft regulations in a timely manner. Any amendments to the fishing regulations shall be drafted, approved, and issued in the same manner as the original regulations. The Secretary shall also cooperate with other appropriate fishery management authorities with rights or responsibilities within a proposed sanctuary at the earliest practicable stage in drafting any sanctuary fishing regulations.
After receiving the documents under subsection (a)(1)(C), the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate may each hold hearings on the proposed designation and on the matters set forth in the documents. If within the forty-five day period of continuous session of Congress beginning on the date of submission of the documents, either Committee issues a report concerning matters addressed in the documents, the Secretary shall consider this report before publishing a notice to designate the national marine sanctuary.
In designating a national marine sanctuary, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register notice of the designation together with final regulations to implement the designation and any other matters required by law, and submit such notice to the Congress. The Secretary shall advise the public of the availability of the final management plan and the final environmental impact statement with respect to such sanctuary. The Secretary shall issue a notice of designation with respect to a proposed national marine sanctuary site not later than 30 months after the date a notice declaring the site to be an active candidate for sanctuary designation is published in the Federal Register under regulations issued under this Act, or shall publish not later than such date in the Federal Register findings regarding why such notice has not been published. No notice of designation may occur until the expiration of the period for Committee action under subsection (a)(6). The designation (and any of its terms not disapproved under this subsection) and regulations shall take effect and become final after the close of a review period of forty-five days of continuous session of Congress beginning on the day on which such notice is published unless, in the case of a national marine sanctuary that is located partially or entirely within the seaward boundary of any State, the Governor affected certifies to the Secretary that the designation or any of its terms is unacceptable, in which case the designation or the unacceptable term shall not take effect in the area of the sanctuary lying within the seaward boundary of the State.
If the Secretary considers that actions taken under paragraph (1) will affect the designation of a national marine sanctuary in a manner that the goals and objectives of the sanctuary or System cannot be fulfilled, the Secretary may withdraw the entire designation. If the Secretary does not withdraw the designation, only those terms of the designation not certified under paragraph (1) shall take effect.
In computing the forty-five-day periods of continuous session of Congress pursuant to subsection (a)(6) and paragraph (1) of this subsection-
Federal agency actions internal or external to a national marine sanctuary, including private activities authorized by licenses, leases, or permits, that are likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure any sanctuary resource are subject to consultation with the Secretary.
Subject to any regulations the Secretary may establish each Federal agency proposing an action described in subparagraph (A) shall provide the Secretary with a written statement describing the action and its potential effects on sanctuary resources at the earliest practicable time, but in no case later than 45 days before the final approval of the action unless such Federal agency and the Secretary agree to a different schedule.
If the Secretary finds that a Federal agency action is likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure a sanctuary resource, the Secretary shall (within 45 days of receipt of complete information on the proposed agency action) recommend reasonable and prudent alternatives, which may include conduct of the action elsewhere, which can be taken by the Federal agency in implementing the agency action that will protect sanctuary resources.
The agency head who receives the Secretary's recommended alternatives under paragraph (2) shall promptly consult with the Secretary on the alternatives. If the agency head decides not to follow the alternatives, the agency head shall provide the Secretary with a written statement explaining the reasons for that decision.
If the head of a Federal agency takes an action other than an alternative recommended by the Secretary and such action results in the destruction of, loss of, or injury to a sanctuary resource, the head of the agency shall promptly prevent and mitigate further damage and restore or replace the sanctuary resource in a manner approved by the Secretary.
Not more than five years after the date of designation of any national marine sanctuary, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding five years, the Secretary shall evaluate the substantive progress toward implementing the management plan and goals for the sanctuary, especially the effectiveness of site-specific management techniques and strategies, and shall revise the management plan and regulations as necessary to fulfill the purposes and policies of this chapter. This review shall include a prioritization of management objectives.
The Secretary may not publish in the Federal Register any sanctuary designation notice or regulations proposing to designate a new sanctuary, unless the Secretary has published a finding that-
If the Secretary does not submit the findings required by paragraph (1) before February 1, 2004, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress before October 1, 2004, a finding with respect to whether the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) have been met by all existing sanctuaries.
Paragraph (1) does not apply to any sanctuary designation documents for-
16 U.S.C. § 1434
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTThe National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A), is Pub. L. 91-190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.The Submerged Lands Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(C)(iv), is act May 22, 1953, ch. 65, 67 Stat. 29, which is classified generally to subchapters I and II (§§1301 et seq., 1311 et seq.) of chapter 29 of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1301 of Title 43, and Tables.This Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), means Pub. L. 92-532 which enacted this chapter, chapter 32A (§1447 et seq.) of this title, and chapters 27 (§1401 et seq.) and 41 (§2801 et seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.
AMENDMENTS2000-Subsec. (a)(1)(C). Pub. L. 106-555, §205(b)(1), struck out "the Secretary shall" before "submit a copy". Pub. L. 106-513, §6(a), amended subpar. (C) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (C) required the Secretary to submit certain documents to committees of the House and Senate. Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 106-513, §6(b), amended heading and text of par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary shall-"(A) prepare a draft environmental impact statement, as provided by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), on the proposal that includes the resource assessment report required under section 1433(b)(3) of this title, maps depicting the boundaries of the proposed designated area, and the existing and potential uses and resources of the area; and"(B) make copies of the draft environmental impact statement available to the public."Subsec. (a)(2)(E). Pub. L. 106-555, §205(b)(2), substituted "determinations" for "findings".Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 106-513, §19(b)(4), substituted "Magnuson-Stevens Act" for "Magnuson Act". Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 106-513, §19(a)(2), substituted "Resources" for "Merchant Marine and Fisheries".Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 106-513, §6(c), inserted "or System" after "of the sanctuary".Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 106-513, §6(d), added par. (4).Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 106-513, §6(e), substituted "management techniques and strategies," for "management techniques," and inserted at end "This review shall include a prioritization of management objectives."Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 106-513, §6(f), added subsec. (f).Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 106-562 substituted "subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1)" for "paragraph (2)". 1996-Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 104-283 struck out "(A)" before "In computing the forty-five-day", redesignated cls. (i) and (ii) as subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, adjusted margins, and struck out former subpars. (B) and (C) which read as follows: "(B) When the committee to which a joint resolution has been referred has reported such a resolution, it shall at any time thereafter be in order to move to proceed to the consideration of the resolution. The motion shall be privileged and shall not be debatable. An amendment to the motion shall not be in order, and it shall not be in order to move to reconsider the vote by which the motion was agreed to or disagreed to."(C) This subsection is enacted by Congress as an exercise of the rulemaking power of each House of Congress, respectively, and as such is deemed a part of the rules of each House, respectively, but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in the case of resolutions described in this subsection. This subsection supersedes other rules only to the extent that they are inconsistent therewith, and is enacted with full recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change the rules (so far as those relate to the procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of such House." 1992-Subsec. (a)(1)(C). Pub. L. 102-587, §2104(a)(2), substituted "documents, including an executive summary, consisting of-" for "a prospectus on the proposal which shall contain-".Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 102-587, §2104(a)(3), substituted "Exclusive Economic Zone" for "United States Fishery Conservation Zone" and inserted at end "The Secretary shall also cooperate with other appropriate fishery management authorities with rights or responsibilities within a proposed sanctuary at the earliest practicable stage in drafting any sanctuary fishing regulations."Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 102-587, §2104(a)(1), substituted "documents" for "prospectus" wherever appearing.Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 102-587, §2104(b)(1), substituted at end ",in the case of a national marine sanctuary that is located partially or entirely within the seaward boundary of any State, the Governor affected certifies to the Secretary that the designation or any of its terms is unacceptable, in which case the designation or the unacceptable term shall not take effect in the area of the sanctuary lying within the seaward boundary of the State." for the dash after "unless" and subpars. (A) and (B) which read as follows:"(A) the designation or any of its terms is disapproved by enactment of a joint resolution of disapproval described in paragraph (3); or"(B) in the case of a natural marine sanctuary that is located partially or entirely within the seaward boundary of any State, the Governor affected certifies to the Secretary that the designation or any of its terms is unacceptable, in which case the designation or the unacceptable term shall not take effect in the area of the sanctuary lying within the seaward boundary of the State." Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 102-587, §2104(b)(2), substituted "actions taken under paragraph (1)" for "actions taken under paragraph (1)(A) or (B)" and "terms of the designation not certified under paragraph (1)" for "terms of the designation not disapproved under paragraph (1)(A) or not certified under paragraph (1)(B)".Subsec. (b)(3), (4). Pub. L. 102-587, §2104(b)(3), redesignated par. (4) as (3) and struck out former par. (3) which defined a Congressional resolution of disapproval for purposes of this subsection.Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 102-587, §2104(c), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: "Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as terminating or granting to the Secretary the right to terminate any valid lease, permit, license, or right of subsistence use or of access if the lease, permit, license, or right- "(A) was in existence on October 19, 1984, with respect to any national marine sanctuary designated before that date; or "(B) is in existence on the date of designation of any national marine sanctuary, with respect to any national marine sanctuary designated after October 19, 1984."Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 102-587, §2104(d), added subsecs. (d) and (e). 1988-Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 100-627 inserted requirement that notice be published in the Federal Register of proposed marine sanctuary site designation within 30 months after notice of active candidacy of site for sanctuary designation or that within such period findings be published why notice has not been published.1984- Pub. L. 98-498 amended section generally, substituting provisions relating to procedures for designation and implementation of a marine sanctuary for provisions relating to authorization of appropriations. See section 1438 of this title.1981- Pub. L. 97-109 inserted provisions authorizing appropriations of not to exceed $2,235,000 for fiscal year 1982, and not to exceed $2,235,000 for fiscal year 1983. 1980- Pub. L. 96-332 inserted provisions authorizing appropriations of not to exceed $2,250,000 for fiscal year 1981. 1977- Pub. L. 95-153 inserted provision authorizing appropriations not to exceed $500,000 for fiscal year 1978. 1976- Pub. L. 94-326 inserted provision authorizing to be appropriated not to exceed $500,000 for fiscal year 1977. 1975- Pub. L. 94-62 substituted provisions authorizing to be appropriated not to exceed $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1973, 1974, and 1975, for provisions authorizing to be appropriated for fiscal year in which this Act was enacted and for next two fiscal years thereafter not to exceed $10,000,000 for each such fiscal year, and inserted provisions authorizing to be appropriated not to exceed $6,200,000 for fiscal year 1976, and not to exceed $1,550,000 for the transition period (July 1, through Sept. 30, 1976).
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
CHANGE OF NAMECommittee on Resources of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Natural Resources of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2000 AMENDMENTS Pub. L. 106-562, title III, §307(c), Dec. 23, 2000, 114 Stat. 2807, provided that: "Subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect January 1, 2001."Amendment by Pub. L. 106-555 effective immediately after the National Marine Sanctuaries Amendments Act of 2000, Pub. L. 106-513 takes effect, see section 205(c) of Pub. L. 106-555 set out as a note under section 1433 of this title.
- Magnuson-Stevens Act
- "Magnuson-Stevens Act" means the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.);
- Secretary
- "Secretary" means the Secretary of Commerce;
- State
- "State" means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and any other commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States;
- System
- "System" means the National Marine Sanctuary System established by section 1431 of this title.1See References in Text note below.
- draft management plan
- "draft management plan" means the plan described in section 1434(a)(1)(C)(v)1 of this title;
- exclusive economic zone
- "exclusive economic zone" means the exclusive economic zone as defined in the Magnuson-Stevens Act; and
- sanctuary resource
- "sanctuary resource" means any living or nonliving resource of a national marine sanctuary that contributes to the conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, educational, cultural, archeological, scientific, or aesthetic value of the sanctuary; and