[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1465 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1465
To strengthen programs relating to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes
science training by providing coordination of efforts, greater
interagency cooperation, and the strengthening and expansion of related
programs administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, and to diversify the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes
science community by attracting underrepresented groups.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 22, 2005
Mr. Lautenberg (for himself, Mr. Inouye, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Levin, and
Mr. Sarbanes) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To strengthen programs relating to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes
science training by providing coordination of efforts, greater
interagency cooperation, and the strengthening and expansion of related
programs administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, and to diversify the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes
science community by attracting underrepresented groups.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Ocean and Coastal
Literacy in Urban and other Environments''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Title I--Ocean and Coastal Science Education Coordination
Sec. 101. National Science and Technology Council Technical Amendments.
Sec. 102. National Ocean and Coastal Science Education Task Force.
Sec. 103. Ocean and coastal science education advisory panel.
Title II--Interagency Programs to Advance Ocean and Coastal Knowledge
Sec. 201. National strategy for ocean and coastal science education.
Sec. 202. Ocean and coastal science education program.
Title III--NOAA Ocean and Coastal Science Education Programs
Sec. 301. NOAA ocean and coastal science education programs.
Sec. 302. Amendment to the National Sea Grant College Program Act.
Sec. 303. Amendment to the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972.
Title IV--Authorizations
Sec. 401. Authorization of appropriations.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The coastal regions and ocean waters of the United
States are vital to the Nation's public safety, homeland
security, transportation, trade, energy production, recreation
and tourism, food production, scientific research and
education, environmental and human health, and historical and
cultural heritage.
(2) Development, resource extraction, and other human
activities throughout watersheds, coupled with an expanding
coastal population, are contributing to processes of
environmental change that may significantly threaten the long-
term health and sustainability of ocean, coastal, and Great
Lakes ecosystems.
(3) The United States Commission on Ocean Policy reports
that United States high school graduates' scientific literacy
is below the international average and finds that exciting
ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes sciences and education has the
potential to stem the tide of science illiteracy in the Nation.
(4) Development and implementation of ocean, coastal, and
Great Lakes literacy programs are essential to ensure a public
that is fully knowledgeable about, fully informed about, and
fully capable of decisions contributing to ocean, coastal, and
Great Lakes issues.
(5) Development and implementation of education and
training programs are essential to build a national scientific,
technological, and engineering workforce fully representative
of the Nation's citizens that meets the needs of growing ocean,
coastal, and Great Lakes economies and better prepares the
Nation for competition in the global economy.
(6) Those involved in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes
policy and sciences are not fully representative of the
Nation's citizens, with only 10 percent of United States
graduate students in marine sciences from underrepresented
groups.
(7) A coordinated program of ocean and coastal science
education would assist the Nation and the world in furthering
knowledge of the ocean and the global climate system, ensuring
homeland and national security, developing innovative marine
products, improving weather and climate forecasts, improving
human health, strengthening management and sustainable use of
ocean and coastal resources, increasing the safety and
efficiency of maritime operations, and protecting the
environment and mitigate man-made and natural hazards.
(8) Seven of the 10 most populated urban centers in the
United States are located along our marine, estuarine, and
Great Lakes coasts, and a coordinated program of education
specifically focused on urban coastal issues, including urban
stakeholders, would focus national attention on the unique
challenges faced by urban coastal communities.
(9) Increased Federal cooperation and investment are
essential to build on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes research
and education activities that are taking place within numerous
federal, state, and local agencies, academic institutions and
industries and to establish new partnerships for sharing ocean,
coastal, and Great Lakes science resources, intellectual
talent, and facilities.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administrator; Administration.--The terms
``Administrator'' and ``Administration'' mean the Administrator
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and that
Administration, respectively.
(2) Advisory panel.--The term ``Advisory Panel'' means the
Ocean Research and Education Advisory Panel established under
section 103.
(3) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the National
Science and Technology Council.
(4) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
serving institution'' means an institution that is--
(A) a historically Black college or university that
is a part B institution, as defined in section 322(2)
of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1061(2));
(B) a Hispanic-serving institution, as defined in
section 502(a)(5) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(5));
(C) a tribally controlled college or university, as
defined in section 316(b)(3) of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)(3));
(D) an Alaska Native-serving institution under
section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1059d(b));
(E) a Native Hawaiian-serving institution under
section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1059d(b)); or
(F) an institution determined by the Secretary of
Education to have enrolled a substantial number of
minority, low-income students during the previous
academic year who received assistance under subpart I
of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a et seq.) for that year.
(5) Ocean and coastal.--When used as an adjective, the term
``ocean and coastal'' means ocean, coastal (including
estuarine), and Great Lakes.
(6) Ocean and coastal sciences.--The term ``ocean and
coastal sciences'' includes the exploration of ocean, coastal
(including estuarine), and Great Lakes environments, the
development of methods and instruments to study and monitor
such environments, and the conduct of basic and applied
research to advance understanding of--
(A) the physics, chemistry, biology, and geology of
the ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes;
(B) ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes processes and
interactions with other components of the total Earth
system; and
(C) the impacts of the ocean, coastal regions, and
Great Lakes on society and manner in which such
environments are influenced by human activity.
(7) Ocean and coastal science education.--The term ``ocean
and coastal science education'' includes literacy, outreach,
formal education, and informal education focused on the oceans,
coasts, and Great Lakes at all levels, including elementary,
secondary, undergraduate, graduate, and the general public.
(8) Strategy.--The term ``strategy'' means the National
Strategy for Ocean and Coastal Science, Education, and Literary
developed under section 201.
(9) Task Force.--The term ``task force'' means the National
Ocean and Coastal Science Education Task Force established
under section 102.
(10) Underrepresented group.--The term ``underrepresented
group'' means, with respect to ocean and coastal sciences,
policy, and education programs and activities, members of a
minority group, women, individuals with disabilities, and any
other class of individuals who are underrepresented.
TITLE I--OCEAN AND COASTAL SCIENCE EDUCATION COORDINATION
SEC. 101. NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
(a) Director of Office of Science and Technology Policy To Chair
Council.--Section 207(a) of the National Science and Technology Policy,
Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6616(a)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``Chairman of Federal Coordinating Council
for Science, Engineering, and Technology'' in the subsection
heading and inserting ``Chair of the National Science and
Technology Council''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) serve as Chair of the National Science and Technology
Council; and''.
(b) Functions.--Section 401 of the National Science and Technology
Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6651) is
amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 401. FUNCTIONS OF COUNCIL.
``(a) In General.--The National Science and Technology Council
shall consider problems and developments in the fields of science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics and related activities
affecting more than one Federal agency, and shall recommend policies
and other measures designed to--
``(1) provide more effective planning and administration of
Federal scientific, engineering, and technology programs;
``(2) identify research and education needs, including
areas requiring additional emphasis;
``(3) achieve more effective use of the scientific,
engineering, and technological resources and facilities of
Federal agencies, including elimination of unwarranted
duplication; and
``(4) further international cooperation in science,
engineering and technology.
``(b) Coordination.--The Council may be assigned responsibility for
developing long-range and coordinated plans for scientific and
technical research and education activities which involve the
participation of more than 2 agencies. The plans shall--
``(1) identify research approaches and priorities which
most effectively advance scientific understanding and provide a
basis for policy decisions;
``(2) provide for effective cooperation and coordination of
research among Federal agencies; and
``(3) encourage domestic and, as appropriate, international
cooperation among government, industry and university
scientists.
``(c) Other Duties.--The Council shall perform such other related
advisory duties as shall be assigned by the President or by the Chair
of the Council.
``(d) Assistance of Other Agencies.--For the purpose of carrying
out the provisions of this section, each Federal agency represented on
the Council shall furnish necessary assistance to the Council,
including--
``(1) detailing employees to the Council to perform such
functions, consistent with the purposes of this section, as the
Chairman of the Council may assign to them; and
``(2) undertaking upon the request of the Chair, such
special studies for the Council as come within the scope of
authority of the Council.
``(e) Standing Committees; Task Forces; Working Groups.--For the
purpose of developing interagency plans, conducting studies, and making
reports as directed by the Chairman, standing committees, task forces,
and working groups of the Council may be established.''.
SEC. 102. NATIONAL OCEAN AND COASTAL SCIENCE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
(a) Task Force.--The President shall establish a National Ocean and
Coastal Science Education Task Force.
(b) Membership.--The task force shall be composed senior
representatives with responsibility for, and expertise in, education
from each of the following agencies and departments:
(1) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(2) The Navy.
(3) The National Science Foundation.
(4) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
(5) The Department of Energy.
(6) The Environmental Protection Agency.
(7) The Coast Guard.
(8) The United States Geological Survey.
(9) The United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(10) The National Park Service.
(11) The Minerals Management Service.
(12) The Army Corps of Engineers.
(13) The National Institutes of Health.
(14) The Department of Agriculture.
(15) The Office of Science and Technology Policy.
(16) The Department of Labor.
(17) The Department of Education.
(18) The Smithsonian Institution.
(19) Such other Federal agencies and departments as the
chair and vice chairs of the task force deem appropriate.
(c) Chair and Vice Chairs.--The chair and vice chairs of the task
force shall be appointed every 2 years by a selection committee
composed of leaders of the departments and agencies represented on the
task force including, at a minimum, the Administrator and the Director
of the National Science Foundation. The term of office of the chair and
vice chairs shall be 2 years. A person who has previously served as
chair or vice chair may be reappointed.
(d) Responsibilities.--The task force shall--
(1) serve as the primary source of advice and support on
ocean and coastal science education for the Council and assist
in carrying out the functions of the Council as they relate to
such matters, including budgetary analyses;
(2) serve as the committee on ocean and coastal science
education for the Council and carry out Council functions under
section 401 of the National Science and Technology Policy,
Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6651) that
relate to ocean and coastal sciences;
(3) improve cooperation among Federal departments and
agencies with respect to ocean and coastal sciences and
education budgets, programs, operations, facilities and
personnel;
(4) stimulate collaborations among Federal departments and
agencies to allow more efficient and effective use of existing
Federal assets;
(5) provide a forum for development of the national
strategy for ocean and coastal science education and oversee
its implementation;
(6) establish standards for United States ocean and coastal
literacy, which may include development of ocean and coastal
science assessments or curricula to meet national or State
science standards in elementary and secondary education science
programs;
(7) establish standards for an ocean and coastal literacy
outreach program to link science and education programs to
broader communities, especially with respect to
underrepresented groups and urban coastal areas;
(8) foster the development of ocean and coastal education
and outreach programs that are integrated with and based upon
Federal ocean and coastal science programs and that link
educators and scientists, especially with respect to
underrepresented groups and specifically urban coastal issues;
(9) coordinate Federal programs to improve representation
of underrepresented groups and groups from urban areas in
ocean-related careers;
(10) coordinate Federal ocean and coastal education
activities for students at all levels, including funding for
educational opportunities at the elementary, secondary,
undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral levels;
(11) identify and work to establish linkages among Federal
programs and those of States, academic institutions, museums
and aquariums, industry, foundations, and other non-
governmental organizations;
(12) coordinate United States government ocean and coastal
science education activities with those of other nations;
(13) carry out such other activities as the Council may
require; and
(14) establish such interagency subcommittees and working
groups as necessary to support the functions of the task force
and develop comprehensive and balanced Federal programs and
approaches to ocean and coastal sciences and education needs.
SEC. 103. OCEAN AND COASTAL SCIENCE EDUCATION ADVISORY PANEL.
(a) Membership.--
(1) Appointment.--The task force shall maintain an Ocean
and Coastal Science Education Advisory Panel consisting of not
less than 10 and not more than 18 members appointed by the
chair.
(2) Qualifications.--Members of the advisory panel shall be
selected from among individuals representing ocean and coastal
industries and foundations, State governments, museums and
aquariums, non-governmental organizations, formal and informal
educators, ocean and coastal science educators, and such other
participants in ocean and coastal activities as the chair
considers appropriate, who have the requisite expertise under
paragraph (3).
(3) Expertise.--Members shall have expertise in fields of
endeavor including ocean and coastal sciences, ocean and
coastal science education, outreach, ocean and coastal
management and policy, and ocean engineering.
(4) Representatives of underrepresented groups.--
Representatives of underrepresented groups shall have balanced
representation on the advisory panel without regard to the
requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3).
(b) Responsibilities.--The advisory panel will advise the task
force on--
(1) development and implementation of the national strategy
for ocean and coastal science education;
(2) matters relating to links between ocean and coastal
science education and ocean and coastal observing systems,
oceanographic facilities and laboratories, and national
oceanographic data requirements;
(3) issues pertaining to involvement of underrepresented
groups in ocean-related careers; and
(4) Any additional matters that the task force considers
appropriate.
(c) Funding.--The chair and vice chairs of the task force annually
shall make funds available to support the activities of the Advisory
Panel.
TITLE II--INTERAGENCY PROGRAMS TO ADVANCE OCEAN AND COASTAL KNOWLEDGE
SEC. 201. NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR OCEAN AND COASTAL SCIENCE EDUCATION AND
LITERACY.
(a) In General.--The task force shall develop a national strategy
for ocean and coastal science education and literacy. The chair shall
submit the strategy to the Congress within 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, and submit a revised strategy at least once
every 3 years thereafter. The initial strategy shall be based on the
recommendations of the United States Commission on Ocean Policy and
shall establish, for the 10-year period beginning in the year the
strategy is submitted, the goals and priorities for education that most
effectively support national workforce and professional development
needs and improve public understanding and ability to participate in
ocean policy decisions.
(b) Specific Actions.--The strategy shall--
(1) provide for increased Federal investment in ocean and
coastal science education over 5 years and for additional
investments in education and outreach, technology development,
and ocean exploration;
(2) make recommendations for the coordination of Federal
ocean and coastal science education activities with those of
States, regional entities, other nations, and international
organizations;
(3) consider and use, as appropriate, reports and studies
conducted by Federal agencies and departments, the National
Research Council, or other entities;
(4) establish a plan to improve representation of
traditionally underrepresented groups in ocean-related careers,
both policy and science;
(5) establish a plan to address specifically urban marine
and coastal issues, emphasizing the link between urban
communities and coastal issues including health, recreation,
open space, development, and resource use;
(6) build on and complement existing programs; and
(7) develop an evaluation and assessment strategy for
determining the most effective practices for existing and new
ocean and coastal science education programs.
(c) Elements.--The strategy shall include the following elements:
(1) Ocean and coastal science education coordination and
establishment of mechanisms to improve ocean literacy and
contribute to public awareness of the condition and importance
of the ocean.
(2) Partnerships among Federal agencies, States, academia,
industries, members of the ocean and coastal science community,
and underrepresented groups.
(3) Workforce and professional development including
traineeships, scholarships, fellowships, and internships.
(4) Information management systems that provide information
from varied sources to produce information readily usable by
ocean and coastal science educators, students, and the public.
(5) The development, adapted for ocean and coastal science
education, of technology and sensor development, including
adaptation of their products for ocean and coastal science
education.
(6) The development of information management systems and
new learning technologies for efficient delivery of Federal
marine science assets to students, teachers, and citizen
decision-makers.
(d) Public Participation.--In developing the strategy, the task
force shall consult with the Advisory Panel, academic, State, industry,
museums and aquariums, education, and conservation groups and
representatives. Not later than 90 days before the chair submits the
strategy, or any revision thereof, to the Congress, a summary of the
proposed strategy or revision and a response to comments shall be
published in the Federal Register for a public comment period of not
less than 60 days.
SEC. 202. OCEAN AND COASTAL SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--Consistent with the strategy, the President
shall establish an interagency ocean and coastal education program to
improve public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the role
of the ocean in meeting our Nation's economic, social, and
environmental needs. The program shall complement and build upon
existing efforts rather than duplicate such efforts. The ocean and
coastal education program shall include formal education activities for
elementary, secondary, undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral
students, continuing education activities for adults, and informal
education activities for learners of all ages. Under the program,
particular attention shall be paid with respect to--
(1) students from underrepresented groups, especially at
the elementary and secondary levels; and
(2) elementary and secondary students in urban areas, with
the goal of improving public awareness and literacy of urban
coastal problems.
(b) Elements.--
(1) In general.--The program shall use appropriate
interagency coordination mechanisms, build upon existing
programs, and shall, at a minimum, provide sustained funding
for--
(A) development of model instructional programs for
students at all levels, with special focus on
developing an urban unit;
(B) a regional education network to support
academic competition and experiential learning
opportunities for middle and high school students;
(C) a regional education network specifically to
enhance ocean literacy opportunities for minority
students and students in urban areas;
(D) teacher enrichment programs that provide for
participation in ocean and coastal sciences, research
expeditions, voyages of exploration, and the conduct of
scientific research;
(E) educator professional development and student
training and support to provide diverse ocean-related
education opportunities at the undergraduate, graduate,
and postdoctoral levels;
(F) mentoring programs and partnerships with
minority-serving institutions, building on elementary
and secondary minority programs, to ensure diversity in
the ocean and coastal workforce;
(G) a national network of Centers for Ocean and
Coastal Sciences Education Excellence to improve the
acquisition of knowledge by students at all levels
through enhanced collaborations between the scientific
and education communities;
(H) the National Ocean and Coastal Sciences Bowl, a
competition among high schools to promote knowledge of
the ocean and coasts, with evaluation of the potential
merits of a similar program for middle schools;
(I) the EstuaryLive program, a experiential
learning program focused on coastal resources and
issues; and
(J) an internet-based ocean and coastal science
portal to provide a centralized source of Federal,
State, academic, non-governmental, and other ocean and
coastal science education materials, programs, and
products.
(2) Evaluation.--The task force shall assess and evaluate
the elements of the program for success on a continuing basis.
(c) Interagency Funding.--The Administration, the National Science
Foundation, and other Federal agencies involved in the program are
authorized to participate in interagency financing and share, transfer,
receive, and spend funds appropriated to any Federal participant in the
program for the purposes of carrying out any administrative or
programmatic project or activity under this section. Funds may be
transferred among such departments and agencies through an appropriate
instrument that specifies the goods, services, or space being acquired
from another Federal participant and the costs of the same.
TITLE III--NOAA OCEAN SCIENCE AND COASTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
SEC. 301. NOAA OCEAN AND COASTAL SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--
(1) Authority to establish programs.--The Administrator
shall conduct, develop, support, promote, and coordinate formal
and informal educational activities authorized by this section
to enhance public awareness and understanding of the science,
service, and stewardship missions of the Administration, such
as the EstuaryLive program, the Bay Watershed Education and
Training Program, and the Teacher-at-Sea and Teacher-in-the Air
Programs. In conducting those activities, the Administrator
shall consult with the task force and build upon the
educational programs and activities of the National Sea Grant
College Program, the National Marine Sanctuaries Program, the
National Estuarine Research Reserve System, regional offices of
the Administration, and programs relating to ocean exploration,
undersea research, marine resources, marine observations, and
oceans and human health.
(2) Educational activities included.--In carrying out this
section, the Administrator shall include among the educational
activities education of the general public, teachers, students
at all levels (including primary and secondary levels), and
ocean and coastal managers and stakeholders, with particular
attention to addressing the lack of participation by
underrepresented groups in ocean and coastal sciences and
policy careers.
(3) Grant and contract authority.--In carrying out
educational activities under this section, the Administrator
may enter into grants, contracts, cooperative agreements,
resource sharing agreements or interagency financing with
Federal, State and regional agencies, tribes, commercial
organizations, educational institutions, non-profit
organizations or other persons.
(4) Goals; standards; periodic assessments.--The
Administrator shall establish goals and standards for assessing
the success of each of the Administration's educational
activities under this section and shall evaluate the success of
each such activity every 3-to-5 years.
(5) Strategies.--The Administrator, in consultation with
the appropriate program directors, shall ensure that
educational activities under this section will--
(A) integrate agency-conducted and agency-funded
science into high-quality educational materials;
(B) improve access to Administration educational
resources;
(C) support educator professional development
programs to improve understanding and use of agency
sciences;
(D) promote participation in agency-related
sciences and careers, particularly by members of
underrepresented groups; and
(E) leverage partnerships to enhance formal and
informal environmental science education.
(b) Regional Education Program.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish a
regional elementary and secondary education program that--
(A) focuses on providing experiential learning
opportunities for students in the area of ocean and
coastal resources, based on the model of the Bay
Watershed Education and Training Program;
(B) is administered, wherever possible, at the
local and regional offices of the Administration or Sea
Grant College Program offices or offices of other
appropriate existing programs; and
(C) shall provide funding, on a competitive basis,
to organizations emphasizing experiential learning for
elementary and secondary students.
(2) Priorities.--The regional program shall give a priority
to--
(A) providing experiential ocean and coastal
education programs for elementary, middle, and
secondary school students that are aligned with
National or State standards of learning; and
(B) providing teacher training in ocean and coastal
education, including adequate training for teachers to
bring experiential learning into their classrooms.
(c) Ocean and Coastal Literacy in Urban Environments Program.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish an Ocean
and Coastal Literacy in Urban Environments Program (to be known
as the Ocean CLUE Program) that is designed to broaden
knowledge about the oceans and coastal areas among
underrepresented groups and in urban areas.
(2) Eligibility criteria.--In order to be eligible to
participate in the program--
(A) at least 50 percent of the student body of an
applicant school, or a school with which an applicant
group proposes to work, shall consist of members of
underrepresented groups; or
(B) the applicant school, or a school with which an
applicant proposes to work, shall be located in an
urban area.
(3) Grants.--
(A) In general.--Under the program, the
Administrator shall award grants to eligible elementary
and secondary schools, or groups proposing to work with
elementary and secondary schools selected through a
competitive process, on the basis of the merits of
their proposals.
(B) Term.--A grant under the program shall be
awarded initially for a period of 1 year, but may be
renewed annually for up to 3 additional years.
(C) Requirements.--As a condition of receiving a
grant under the program, a recipient shall demonstrate
to the satisfaction of the Administrator that--
(i) it will use a curriculum of ocean and
coastal science that complements or satisfies
National, State, or regional science
requirements;
(ii) activities funded in whole or in part
by the grant will focus on marine science,
marine policy, and other maritime social
sciences, with experiential teaching methods
explored;
(iii) it will contribute to a coordinated
Ocean CLUE website established by the
Administrator that is accessible by the public;
and
(iv) it will undertake to meet with other
grant recipients at least once during each year
for which it is receiving a grant to share
curricula and to discuss successful techniques
and challenges.
(d) Bay Watershed Education and Training Program.--The
Administrator shall expand the Bay Watershed Education and Training
Program by not more than 1 region per year.
(e) Educational Partnership Program.--The Administrator shall
establish a program of educational partnerships with minority-serving
institutions, providing financial assistance to these institutions to
support collaborative research and training of students in ocean,
atmospheric, and Earth sciences through competitive processes. The
program shall have include at least the following 4 components:
(1) Cooperative Science Centers will be established at
minority-serving institutions in partnership with other
institutions that have established programs and graduate
degrees in ocean, Earth, and atmospheric disciplines.
(2) An Environmental Entrepreneurship Program will provide
funding to eligible minority-serving institutions to attract
students who are members of an underrepresented group to pursue
academic study, careers, and entrepreneurship opportunities in
ocean, Earth, and atmospheric sciences.
(3) A Graduate Sciences Program will recruit and provide
graduate level training in ocean, Earth, and atmospheric
sciences to outstanding candidates who are members of an
underrepresented group.
(4) An Undergraduate Scholarship Program will be
established whose goal is to increase the number of students
who undertake coursework and graduate with degrees in fields
integral to the Administration's mission.
(f) Additional Elementary and Secondary Programs.--The
Administrator shall establish elementary and secondary ocean education
programs, exploring partnerships with non-governmental organizations
and exploring experiential or non-traditional education techniques,
such as the EstuaryLive and the Bay Watershed Education and Training
programs.
(g) Teacher-at-Sea; Teacher-in-the-Air.--The Administrator shall--
(1) establish a program, to be known as the Teacher-at-Sea
Program, to bring teachers from elementary, middle, and
secondary schools, and from institutions of higher education to
sea aboard Administration research and survey ships to work
under the tutelage of scientists and crew;
(2) establish a related program, to be known as the
Teacher-in-the Air Program, using Administration aircraft for
the purposes of marine observations and studies of links
between the atmosphere and the ocean; and
(3) consider establishing a counterpart program to the
Teacher-at-Sea Program in coastal areas using smaller
Administration ships.
(h) NOAA Science Education Plan.--The Administrator, in
consultation with the Ocean Education Council and representatives of
the Marine Sanctuaries Program, the Sea Grant Program, the National
Estuarine Research Reserve System, the Office of Exploration, the
National Undersea Research Program, and other appropriate
Administration programs, shall develop a science education plan setting
forth education goals and strategies for the Administration, as well as
programmatic actions to carry out such goals and priorities over the
next 20 years. The plan shall--
(1) set forth the Administration's goals, priorities, and
programmatic activities for ocean and coastal science education
in 5-year phases;
(2) identify links between the Administration's ocean and
coastal science education activities and its programs and
missions;
(3) consider the recommendations of ocean and coastal
science and education experts, as well as those of professional
education associations or organizations;
(4) be developed in consultation with programmatic offices,
ocean and coastal sciences and education experts, and
interested members of the public; and
(5) be evaluated and updated every 3-to-5 years.
SEC. 302. AMENDMENT TO THE NATIONAL SEA GRANT COLLEGE PROGRAM ACT.
Section 212(a) of the National Sea Grant College Program Act (33
U.S.C 1131(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Marine and aquatic science education.--In addition to
the amounts authorized for each fiscal year under paragraphs
(1) and (2), there are authorized to be appropriated for marine
and aquatic science education in each of fiscal years 2006
through 2011--
``(A) $6,000,000 in funding for the educational
activities of sea grant programs;
``(B) $4,000,000 for competitive grants for
projects and research that target national and regional
ocean and coastal science literacy; and
``(C) $3,000,000 for competitive grants to support
educational partnerships under the national Coastal and
Ocean Education Program to be funded through an
appropriate interagency mechanism.''.
SEC. 303. AMENDMENT TO THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1972.
Section 318(a) of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16
U.S.C. 1464(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon in paragraph
(1)(C);
(2) by striking ``1999.'' in paragraph (2)(C) and inserting
``1999; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) for estuarine science education, there are authorized
to be appropriated, in addition to the amounts authorized for
each fiscal year under paragraphs (1) and (2), in each of
fiscal years 2006 through 2011--
``(A) $3,000,000 in increased funding for the
educational activities of National Estuarine Research
Reserves; and
``(B) $1,000,000 for competitive grants for
projects that use National Estuarine Research Reserve
System system-wide monitoring program data to advance
ocean and coastal science literacy.''.
TITLE IV--AUTHORIZATIONS
SEC. 401. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) National Ocean and Coastal Education Program.--Of the amounts
authorized annually to the Department of the Navy, the National Science
Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other agencies that
are members of the National Ocean and Coastal Science Education Task
Force for fiscal year 2006 through fiscal year 2011, up to $25,000,000
from each agency may be made available for the National Ocean and
Coastal Education Program under section 202.
(b) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.--In addition
to the amounts authorized to be made available by subsection (a) of
this section and under section 212(a)(3) of the National Sea Grant
College Program Act (33 U.S.C 1131(a)(3)) and section 318(a)(3) of the
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1464(a)(3)), there are
authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator--
(1) $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011
for educational activities under section 301(a);
(2) $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011
for educational activities under section 301 (c);
(3) $8,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011
for educational activities under section 301(d);
(4) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011
for educational activities under section 301(e);
(5) $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011
for educational activities under section 301(f); and
(6) $200,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2011 for
educational activities under section 301(g).
(c) Availability.--Sums appropriated pursuant to subsection (b)
shall remain available until expended.
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