,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bagf ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,november #cj1 #bjag,mr4 ,whitehouse 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,carper1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 ,mrs4 ,feinstein1 ,mr4 ,wyden1 and ,mr4 ,booker7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works ,a ,,bill ,to establish an integrated national approach to respond to ongoing and expected effects of extreme weather and climate change by protecting1 managing1 and conserving the fish1 wildlife1 and plants of the ,united ,states1 and to maximize ,government efficiency and reduce costs1 in cooperation with ,state1 local1 and tribal governments and other entities1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,safeguarding ,america's ,future and ,environment ,act or the ,,safe ,act4 #b4 ,findings1 purposes1 and policy 7a7 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 healthy1 diverse1 and productive communities of fish1 wildlife1 and plants provide significant benefits to the people and economy of the ,united ,states1 including-- 7,a7 abundant clean water supplies2 7,b7 flood and coastal storm protection2 7,c7 clean air2 7,d7 a source of food1 fiber1 medicines1 and pollination of the crops and other plants of the ,united ,states2 7,e7 outdoor recreation1 which is a source of jobs and economic stimulus2 7,f7 hunting and fishing opportunities and support for subsistence communities2 7,g7 opportunities for scientific research and education2 7,h7 world-class tourism destinations that support local economies2 and 7,i7 sequestration and storage of carbon to help mitigate changes to the global climate system2 7#b7 the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey1 ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration1 ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration1 and other agencies within the ,united ,states ,global ,change ,research ,program have observed that the fish1 wildlife1 and plants of the ,united ,states are facing increasing risks from changing patterns of extreme weather and climate1 including-- 7,a7 severe droughts and heatwaves2 7,b7 severe storms and floods2 7,c7 frequent and severe wildfires2 7,d7 more frequent and severe outbreaks of forest pests and invasive species2 7,e7 flooding and erosion of coastal areas due to rising sea levels2 7,f7 melting glaciers and sea ice2 7,g7 thawing permafrost2 7,h7 shifting distributions of fish1 wildlife1 and plant populations2 7,i7 disruptive shifts in the timing of fish1 wildlife1 and plant natural history cycles1 such as blooming1 breeding1 and seasonal migrations2 7,j7 increasing ocean temperatures and acidification2 7,k7 altered patterns of rain1 snow1 runoff1 and streamflow2 and 7,l7 habitat loss1 degradation1 fragmentation1 and movement2 and 7#c7 the ,federal ,government should provide leadership in preparing for and responding to the effects described in paragraph 7#b7 to ensure that present and future generations continue to receive the benefits of the abundant and diverse fish1 wildlife1 and plant resources of the ,united ,states4 7b7 ,purposes ,the purpose of this ,act is to establish an integrated national approach-- 7#a7 to respond to ongoing and expected effects of extreme weather and climate change by protecting1 managing1 and conserving the fish1 wildlife1 and plants of the ,united ,states2 and 7#b7 to maximize ,government efficiency and reduce costs1 in cooperation with ,state1 local1 and tribal governments and other entities4 7c7 ,national fish1 wildlife1 and plants climate change adaptation policy ,it is the policy of the ,federal ,government1 in cooperation with ,state and local governments1 ,indian tribes1 and other interested stakeholders to evaluate and reduce the increased risks and vulnerabilities associated with climate change and extreme weather events1 and to use all practicable means to protect1 manage1 and conserve healthy1 diverse1 and productive fish1 wildlife1 and plant populations4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,adaptation ,the term adaptation means-- 7,a7 the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and the effects of climate change2 and 7,b7 with respect to fish1 wildlife1 and plants1 protection1 management1 and conservation efforts designed to maintain or enhance the ability of fish1 wildlife1 and plants to withstand1 adjust to1 or recover from the effects of extreme weather and climate change 7including1 where applicable1 ocean acidification1 drought1 flooding1 and wildfire74 7#b7 ,center ,the term ,center means the ,national ,climate ,change and ,wildlife ,science ,center established under section #f7;a77#a74 7#c7 ,committee ,the term ,committee means the ,advisory ,committee on ,climate ,change and ,natural ,resource ,sciences established under section #f7;b77#a74 7#d7 ,ecological processes ,the term ecological processes means biological1 chemical1 or physical interaction between the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem1 including-- 7,a7 decomposition2 7,b7 disease epizootiology2 7,c7 disturbance regimes1 such as fire and flooding2 7,d7 gene flow2 7,e7 hydrological cycling2 7,f7 larval dispersal and settlement2 7,g7 nutrient cycling2 7,h7 pollination2 7,i7 predator-prey relationships2 and 7,j7 soil formation4 7#e7 ,habitat ,the term habitat means the physical1 chemical1 and biological properties that fish1 wildlife1 or plants use for growth1 reproduction1 survival1 food1 water1 or cover 7whether on land1 in water1 or in an area or region74 7#f7 ,habitat connectivity ,the term habitat connectivity means areas that facilitate terrestrial1 marine1 estuarine1 and freshwater fish1 wildlife1 or plant movement that is necessary-- 7,a7 for migration1 gene flow1 or dispersal2 or 7,b7 to respond to the ongoing and expected effects of climate change 7including1 where applicable1 ocean acidification1 drought1 flooding1 and wildfire74 7#g7 ,indian tribe ,the term ,indian tribe has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#h7 ,national strategy ,the term ,national ,strategy means the ,national ,fish1 ,wildlife1 and ,plants ,climate ,adaptation ,strategy released ,march #bf1 #bjac4 7#i7 ,resilience2 resilient ,the terms resilience and resilient mean the ability to anticipate1 prepare for1 and adapt to changing conditions and withstand1 respond to1 and recover rapidly from disruptions4 7#aj7 ,state ,the term ,state means-- 7,a7 a ,state of the ,united ,states2 7,b7 the ,district of ,columbia2 7,c7 ,american ,samoa2 7,d7 ,guam2 7,e7 the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands2 7,f7 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico2 and 7,g7 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands4 7#aa7 ,working group ,the term ,working ,group means the ,national ,fish1 ,wildlife1 and ,plants ,climate ,adaptation ,strategy ,joint ,implementation ,working ,group established under section #d7;a74 #d4 ,national fish1 wildlife1 and plants climate adaptation strategy joint implementation working group 7a7 ,establishment ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,president shall establish a ,national ,fish1 ,wildlife1 and ,plants ,climate ,adaptation ,strategy ,joint ,implementation ,working ,group composed of the heads of ,federal and ,state agencies or departments with jurisdiction over fish1 wildlife1 and plant resources of the ,united ,states1 and tribal representatives1 as follows3 7#a7 ,the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency4 7#b7 ,the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency4 7#c7 ,the ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration4 7#d7 ,the ,chair of the ,council on ,environmental ,quality4 7#e7 ,the ,chief of ,engineers4 7#f7 ,the ,chief of the ,forest ,service4 7#g7 ,the ,commissioner of ,reclamation4 7#h7 ,the ,director of the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs4 7#i7 ,the ,director of the ,bureau of ,land ,management4 7#aj7 ,the ,director of the ,national ,park ,service4 7#aa7 ,the ,director of the ,united ,states ,fish and ,wildlife ,service4 7#ab7 ,the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey4 7#ac7 ,the ,secretary of ,agriculture4 7#ad7 ,the ,secretary of ,defense4 7#ae7 ,state representatives from each regional association of ,state fish and wildlife agencies4 7#af7 ,not less than #b tribal representatives4 7b7 ,duties ,the ,working ,group shall serve as a forum for interagency consultation on1 and the coordination of1 the development and implementation of the ,national ,strategy4 7c7 ,co-,chairs ,there shall be #d co-chairs1 of whom-- 7#a7 two shall be representatives of the ,federal ,government2 7#b7 one shall be a representative of a ,state2 and 7#c7 one shall be a tribal representative4 #e4 ,national fish1 wildlife1 and plants climate adaptation strategy 7a7 ,in general ,the ,working ,group shall adopt the ,national ,strategy to protect1 manage1 and conserve fish1 wildlife1 and plants to maintain the inherent resilience and adaptability of fish1 wildlife1 and plants to withstand the ongoing and expected effects of extreme weather and climate change4 7b7 ,review and revision ,not later than #a year after each release of the assessment required under section #ajf of the ,global ,change ,research ,act of #aiij 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #bicf71 the ,working ,group shall-- 7#a7 use sound science to review and revise the ,national ,strategy to incorporate-- 7,a7 new information regarding the ongoing and expected effects of climate change on fish1 wildlife1 and plants2 and 7,b7 advances in the development of fish1 wildlife1 and plant adaptation strategies2 and 7#b7 in carrying out paragraph 7#a71 provide public notice and opportunity for comment4 7c7 ,contents ,a revised ,national ,strategy shall-- 7#a7 assess the vulnerability of fish1 wildlife1 and plants to climate change1 including short-term1 medium-term1 long-term1 and cumulative impacts2 7#b7 describe current1 observation1 and monitoring activities at the ,federal1 ,state1 tribal1 and local levels relating to the ongoing and expected effects of climate change on fish1 wildlife1 and plants2 7#c7 identify and prioritize research and data needs2 7#d7 identify fish1 wildlife1 and plants likely to have the greatest need for protection1 restoration1 and conservation due to the ongoing and expanding effects of extreme weather and climate change2 7#e7 include specific protocols for integrating fish1 wildlife1 and plant adaptation strategies and activities into the conservation and management of natural resources by ,federal agencies to ensure consistency across agency jurisdictions2 7#f7 identify opportunities for maintaining1 restoring1 or enhancing fish1 wildlife1 and plants to reduce the risks of extreme weather and climate change on other vulnerable sectors of society2 7#g7 identify ,federal policies and actions that may reduce resilience and increase the vulnerability of fish1 wildlife1 and plants to extreme weather and climate change2 7#h7 include specific actions that ,federal agencies shall take to protect1 conserve1 and manage fish1 wildlife1 and plants to maintain the inherent resilience and adaptability of fish1 wildlife1 and plants to withstand1 adjust to1 or recover from the ongoing and expected effects of climate change1 including a timeline to implement those actions2 7#i7 include specific mechanisms for ensuring communication and coordination-- 7,a7 among ,federal agencies2 and 7,b7 between ,federal agencies and ,state agencies1 territories of the ,united ,states1 ,indian tribes1 private landowners1 conservation organizations1 and other countries that share jurisdiction over fish1 wildlife1 and plants with the ,united ,states2 7#aj7 include specific actions to develop and implement coordinated fish1 wildlife1 and plants inventory and monitoring protocols through interagency coordination and collaboration with ,states and local governments1 ,indian tribes1 and private organizations2 and 7#aa7 include procedures for guiding the development of detailed strategy implementation plans required under section #g4 7d7 ,implementation 7#a7 ,in general ,consistent with other laws and ,federal trust responsibilities concerning ,indian land or rights of ,indians under treaties with the ,united ,states1 each ,federal agency shall integrate the elements of the ,national ,strategy that relate to conservation1 management1 and protection of fish1 wildlife1 and plants into agency plans1 environmental reviews1 and programs4 7#b7 ,public report ,the ,working ,group shall1 on a biannual basis1 between revisions to the ,national ,strategy1 make available to the public a report documenting any actions implementing the ,strategy4 7#c7 ,coordination ,the ,working ,group shall coordinate the implementation of the ,national ,strategy with ,federal agencies not represented on the ,working ,group to achieve the policy of the ,united ,states described in section #b7;c74 #f4 ,fish1 wildlife1 and plants adaptation science and information 7a7 ,national climate change and wildlife science center 7#a7 ,authorization ,the ,secretary of the ,interior1 in collaboration with the ,states1 ,indian tribes1 and other partner organizations1 shall establish a ,national ,climate ,change and ,wildlife ,science ,center4 7#b7 ,duties of center ,the ,center shall assess and develop scientific information1 tools1 strategies1 and techniques to support the ,working ,group1 ,federal and ,state agencies1 tribes1 regionally based science and conservation centers1 regional coordinating entities1 and other interested parties in addressing the effects of extreme weather and climate change on fish1 wildlife1 and plants4 7#c7 ,general authority to enter into contracts1 grants1 and cooperative agreements ,the ,secretary may enter into contracts1 grants1 or cooperative agreements with ,state agencies1 ,state cooperative extension services1 institutions of higher education1 other research or educational institutions and organizations1 tribal organizations1 ,federal and private agencies and organizations1 individuals1 and any other contractor or recipient1 to further the duties under paragraph 7#b7 without regard to-- 7,a7 any requirements for competition2 7,b7 section #faja of title #da1 ,united ,states ,code2 or 7,c7 subsections 7a7 and 7b7 of section #ccbd of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code4 7b7 ,advisory committee on climate change and natural resource sciences 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and pursuant to the ,federal ,advisory ,committee ,act 7#e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app471 the ,secretary of the ,interior shall establish an ,advisory ,committee on ,climate ,change and ,natural ,resource ,sciences4 7#b7 ,membership ,the ,committee shall be comprised of #be members who-- 7,a7 represent-- 7i7 ,federal agencies2 7ii7 ,state1 local1 and tribal governments2 7iii7 nongovernmental organizations2 7iv7 academic institutions2 and 7v7 the private sector2 and 7,b7 have expertise in-- 7i7 biology 7including fish1 wildlife1 plant1 aquatic1 coastal1 and marine biology72 7ii7 ecology2 7iii7 climate change 7including1 where applicable1 ocean acidification1 drought1 flooding1 and wildfire72 and 7iv7 other relevant scientific disciplines4 7#c7 ,chair ,the ,secretary of the ,interior shall appoint a ,committee ,chair from among the members of the ,committee4 7#d7 ,duties ,the ,committee shall-- 7,a7 advise the ,working ,group on the state of the science regarding-- 7i7 the ongoing and expected effects of extreme weather and climate change on fish1 wildlife1 and plants2 and 7ii7 scientific strategies and mechanisms for fish1 wildlife1 and plant adaptation2 7,b7 identify and recommend priorities for ongoing research needs on the issues described in subparagraph 7,a7 to inform the research priorities of the ,center described in subsection 7a7 and other ,federal climate science institutions2 and 7,c7 review and comment on each revised ,national ,strategy before that ,national ,strategy is finalized4 7#e7 ,collaboration ,the ,committee shall collaborate with climate change and fish1 wildlife1 and plant research entities in other ,federal agencies and departments4 7#f7 ,availability to public ,the advice and recommendations of the ,committee shall be made available to the public4 #g4 ,strategy implementation plan 7a7 ,development ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act and not later than #a year after the date of each revision of the ,national ,strategy1 the ,working ,group shall-- 7#a7 complete a strategy implementation plan2 7#b7 provide opportunities for public review and comment on the plan2 and 7#c7 submit the plan to the ,president for approval4 7b7 ,requirements ,the strategy implementation plan shall-- 7#a7 identify and prioritize specific conservation and management strategies and actions that address the ongoing and expected effects of extreme weather and climate change on fish1 wildlife1 and plants1 including-- 7,a7 protection1 management1 and conservation of terrestrial1 marine1 estuarine1 and freshwater habitats and ecosystems2 7,b7 establishment of terrestrial1 marine1 estuarine1 and freshwater habitat connectivity corridors2 7,c7 restoration and conservation of ecological processes2 7,d7 protection of a broad diversity of species of fish1 wildlife1 and plant populations2 and 7,e7 protection of fish1 wildlife1 and plant health1 recognizing that climate can alter the distribution and ecology of parasites1 pathogens1 and vectors2 7#b7 establish methods-- 7,a7 to assess the effectiveness of strategies and conservation actions implemented by the agencies to protect1 manage1 and conserve fish1 wildlife1 and plants2 and 7,b7 to update those strategies and actions to respond to new information and changing conditions2 7#c7 describe current and proposed mechanisms to enhance cooperation and coordination of fish1 wildlife1 and plant adaptation efforts with other ,federal agencies1 ,state and local governments1 ,indian tribes1 and nongovernmental stakeholders2 7#d7 include written guidance to resource managers2 and 7#e7 identify and assess data and information gaps necessary to develop fish1 wildlife1 and plant adaptation plans and strategies4 7c7 ,implementation 7#a7 ,in general ,on approval by the ,president1 each ,federal agency shall1 consistent with existing authority1 implement the strategy implementation plan under subsection 7a77#a7 through existing and new plans1 policies1 programs1 activities1 and actions4 7#b7 ,consideration of effects ,to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with existing authority1 fish1 wildlife1 and plant conservation and management decisions made by each ,federal agency shall consider and promote resilience to the ongoing and expected effects of extreme weather and climate change4 7d7 ,revision and review ,not later than #a year after the ,national ,strategy is revised under section #e7;b71 the ,working ,group shall review and revise the strategy implementation plan under subsection 7a77#a7 to incorporate the best available science1 including advice and information pursuant to section #f and other information1 regarding the ongoing and expected effects of climate change on fish1 wildlife1 and plants4 #h4 ,state fish1 wildlife1 and plants adaptation plans 7a7 ,requirement ,to be eligible to receive funds pursuant to subsection 7d71 not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act and not later than #a year after the date of each revision of the ,national ,strategy1 each ,state shall prepare and submit to the ,secretary of the ,interior and the ,secretary of ,commerce1 a ,state fish1 wildlife1 and plant adaptation plan detailing current and future efforts of the ,state to address the ongoing and expected effects of climate change on fish1 wildlife1 and plants and coastal areas within the jurisdiction of the ,state4 7b7 ,review or approval ,the ,secretary of the ,interior and the ,secretary of ,commerce shall-- 7#a7 review each ,state adaptation plan2 and 7#b7 approve a ,state adaptation plan if the plan-- 7,a7 meets the requirements of subsection 7c72 and 7,b7 is consistent with the ,national ,strategy4 7c7 ,contents ,a ,state adaptation plan shall-- 7#a7 meet the requirements described in section #g7;b72 7#b7 include the adaptation provisions of any ,state comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy 7or ,state wildlife action plan7 that has been-- 7,a7 submitted to the ,director of the ,united ,states ,fish and ,wildlife ,service2 and 7,b7 approved1 or is pending approval1 by the ,director of the ,united ,states ,fish and ,wildlife ,service2 7#c7 include the adaptation provisions of a statewide assessment and strategy for forest resources required under section #b;,a of the ,cooperative ,forestry ,assistance ,act of #aigh 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #baja;a7 that has been-- 7,a7 submitted to the ,secretary of ,agriculture2 and 7,b7 approved1 or is pending approval1 by the ,secretary of ,agriculture2 and 7#d7 include the adaptation provisions of a ,coastal ,zone ,management ,plan or a ,coastal and ,estuarine ,land ,conservation ,program ,plan that has been-- 7,a7 submitted to the ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration2 and 7,b7 approved1 or is pending approval1 by the ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration4 7d7 ,distribution of funds to ,states ,any funds made available pursuant to this ,act shall be-- 7#a7 used to carry out activities in accordance with adaptation plans approved under this section2 and 7#b7 made available through-- 7,a7 the ,state and tribal wildlife grant program under title ,i of division ,f of the ,consolidated ,appropriations ,act1 #bjjh 7,public ,law #aaj-afa2 #aba ,stat4 #bajc72 and 7,b7 7i7 the grant program under section #cjf of the ,coastal ,zone ,management ,act of #aigb 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #adee72 7ii7 the ,coastal and ,estuarine ,land ,conservation ,program established under title ,,ii of the ,department of ,commerce and ,related ,agencies ,appropriations ,act1 #bjjb 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #adef;d72 and 7iii7 programs established under the ,cooperative ,forestry ,assistance ,act of #aigh 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #baja et seq474 7e7 ,public input ,in developing an adaptation plan1 a ,state shall solicit and consider input from the public and independent scientists4 7f7 ,coordination with other plans ,a ,state adaptation plan shall1 where appropriate1 integrate the goals and measures set forth in other climate adaptation1 hazard mitigation1 and fish1 wildlife1 and plant conservation strategies and plans4 7g7 ,updates ,each ,state adaptation plan shall be updated at least every #d years4 #i4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this ,act such sums as are necessary4