16 U.S.C. § 1447c : US Code - Section 1447C: Regional research plans

Search 16 U.S.C. § 1447c : US Code - Section 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)
(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.