,i #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #eehi ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,january #ac1 #bjbj,ms4 ,bonamici 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,posey1 ,mr4 ,beyer1 ,mr4 ,mast1 ,mr4 ,huffman1 ,mr4 ,lowenthal1 ,mr4 ,fitzpatrick1 ,mr4 ,case1 ,mr4 ,casten of ,illinois1 and ,ms4 ,brownley of ,california7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,natural ,resources1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology1 and ,house ,administration1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to establish an ,interagency ,working ,group on ,coastal ,blue ,carbon1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,blue ,carbon for ,our ,planet ,act4 #b4 ,interagency working group 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,national ,science and ,technology ,council ,subcommittee on ,ocean ,science and ,technology shall establish an ,interagency ,working ,group on ,coastal ,blue ,carbon4 7b7 ,purposes ,the ,interagency ,working ,group on ,coastal ,blue ,carbon shall oversee the development of a national map of coastal blue carbon ecosystems1 establish national coastal blue carbon ecosystem restoration priorities1 assess the biophysical1 social1 and economic impediments to coastal blue carbon ecosystem restoration1 study the effects of climate change1 environmental1 and human stressors on sequestration rates1 and preserve the continuity of coastal blue carbon data4 7c7 ,membership ,the ,interagency ,working ,group on ,coastal ,blue ,carbon shall be comprised of senior representatives from the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration1 the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 the ,national ,science ,foundation1 the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration1 the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey1 the ,united ,states ,fish and ,wildlife ,service1 the ,national ,park ,service1 the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs1 the ,smithsonian ,institution1 the ,army ,corps of ,engineers1 the ,department of ,agriculture1 the ,department of ,energy1 the ,department of ,defense1 the ,department of ,transportation1 and the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency4 7d7 ,chair ,the ,interagency ,working ,group shall be chaired by the ,administrator4 7e7 ,responsibilities ,the ,interagency ,working ,group shall-- 7#a7 oversee the development1 update1 and maintenance of a national map and inventory of coastal blue carbon ecosystems1 including habitat types with a regional focus in analysis that is usable for local level protection planning and restoration2 7#b7 develop a strategic assessment of the biophysical1 social1 statutory1 regulatory1 and economic impediments to protection and restoration of coastal blue carbon ecosystems2 7#c7 develop a national strategy for foundational science necessary to study1 synthesize1 and evaluate the effects of climate change1 environmental1 and human stressors on sequestration rates and capabilities of coastal blue carbon ecosystems protection2 7#d7 establish national coastal blue carbon ecosystem protection and restoration priorities1 including an assessment of current ,federal funding being used for restoration efforts2 and 7#e7 ensure the continuity1 use1 and interoperability of data assets through the ,smithsonian ,environmental ,research ,center's ,coastal ,carbon ,data ,clearinghouse4 7f7 ,reports to ,congress 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,interagency ,working ,group shall provide to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,natural ,resources of the ,house of ,representatives1 and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate a report containing the following3 7,a7 ,a summary of federally funded coastal blue carbon ecosystem research1 monitoring1 preservation1 and restoration activities1 including the budget for each of these activities and describe the progress in advancing the national priorities established in section #d7;a77#d77;,a74 7,b7 ,an assessment of biophysical1 social1 and economic impediments to coastal blue carbon ecosystem restoration4 7#b7 ,strategic plan 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,interagency ,working group shall create a strategic plan for ,federal investments in basic research1 development1 demonstration1 long-term monitoring and stewardship1 and deployment of coastal blue carbon ecosystem projects for the #e-year period beginning at the start of the first fiscal year after the date on which the budget assessment is submitted under paragraph 7#a74 ,the plan shall include an assessment of the use of existing ,federal programs to protect and preserve coastal blue carbon ecosystems4 7,b7 ,timing ,the ,interagency ,working ,group shall-- 7i7 submit the strategic plan under paragraph 7,a7 to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,natural ,resources of the ,house of ,representatives1 and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate on a date that is not later than one year after the enactment of this ,act and not earlier than the date on which the report under paragraph 7#a7 is submitted to such committees of ,congress2 and 7ii7 submit a revised version of such plan not less than quinquennially thereafter4 7,c7 ,federal ,register ,not later than #ij days before the strategic plan under this paragraph1 or any revision thereof1 is submitted under subparagraph 7,b71 the ,interagency ,working ,group shall publish such plan in the ,federal ,register and provide an opportunity for submission of public comments for a period of not less than #fj days4 #c4 ,national map of coastal blue carbon ecosystems 7a7 ,national map ,the ,interagency ,working ,group shall-- 7#a7 produce1 update1 and maintain a national level map and inventory of coastal blue carbon ecosystems1 including-- 7,a7 the types of habitats and species in the ecosystem2 7,b7 the condition of such habitats including whether a habitat is degraded1 drained1 eutrophic1 or tidally restricted2 7,c7 the size of the ecosystem2 7,d7 the salinity boundaries2 7,e7 the tidal boundaries2 7,f7 an assessment of carbon sequestration potential1 methane production1 and net greenhouse gas reductions2 7,g7 an assessment of cobenefits of ecosystem and carbon sequestration2 7,h7 the potential for landward migration as a result of sea level rise2 7,i7 any upstream restrictions detrimental to the watershed process and conditions such as dams1 dikes1 and levees2 7,j7 the conversion of coastal blue carbon ecosystems to other land uses and the cause of such conversion2 and 7,k7 a depiction of the effects of climate change1 including sea level rise1 environmental stressors1 and human stressors on the sequestration rate1 carbon storage1 and potential of coastal blue carbon ecosystems2 and 7#b7 in carrying out paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 incorporate1 to the extent possible1 existing data collected through federally funded research and by a ,federal agency1 ,state agency1 local agency1 ,tribe1 including data collected from the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration ,coastal ,change ,analysis ,program1 ,u4,s4 ,fish and ,wildlife ,service ,national ,wetlands ,inventory1 ,united ,states ,geological ,survey ,land,carbon program1 and ,department of ,agriculture ,national ,coastal ,blue ,carbon ,assessment2 and 7,b7 engage regional technical experts in order to accurately account for regional differences in coastal blue carbon ecosystems4 7b7 ,use ,the ,interagency ,working ,group shall use the national map and inventory-- 7#a7 to assess the carbon sequestration potential of different coastal blue carbon habitats1 and account for any regional differences2 7#b7 to assess and quantify emissions from degraded and destroyed coastal blue carbon ecosystems2 7#c7 to develop regional assessments and to provide technical assistance to regional1 ,state1 ,tribal1 and local government agencies1 and regional information coordination entities as defined in section #abcjcj7f7 of the ,integrated ,coastal and ,ocean ,observation ,system ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #cfjb72 7#d7 to assess degraded coastal blue carbon ecosystems and their potential for restoration1 including developing scenario modeling to identify vulnerable land areas where management1 protection1 and restoration efforts should be focused2 and 7#e7 produce future predictions of coastal blue carbon ecosystems and carbon sequestration rates in the context of climate change1 environmental stressors1 and human stressors4 #d4 ,restoration and protections for existing coastal blue carbon ecosystems 7a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall-- 7#a7 lead the ,interagency ,working ,group in implementing the strategic plan under section #b7;e77#b72 7#b7 coordinate monitoring and research efforts among ,federal agencies in cooperation with ,state1 local1 and ,tribal government and international partners and nongovernmental organizations2 7#c7 assess the feasibility and potential of establishing a national goal of conserving at least #cj percent of the ocean and coastal blue carbon ecosystems within the territory of the ,united ,states by #bjcj1 including the effects of climate change and sea level rise on such goal1 and as appropriate setting targets for restoration of degraded coastal blue carbon ecosystems2 7#d7 in coordination with the ,interagency ,working ,group and as informed by the report under section #b7;e7 on current ,federal expenditures on coastal blue carbon ecosystem restoration1 identify-- 7,a7 national coastal blue carbon ecosystem protection and restoration priorities that would produce the highest rate of carbon sequestration and greatest ecosystem benefits such as flood protection1 soil and beach retention1 erosion reduction1 biodiversity1 water purification1 and nutrient cycling in the context of other environmental stressors and climate change2 and 7,b7 ways to improve coordination and to prevent unnecessary duplication of effort among ,federal agencies and departments with respect to research on coastal blue carbon ecosystems through existing and new coastal management networks2 and 7#e7 in coordination with ,state1 local1 and ,tribal governments and coastal stakeholders1 develop integrated pilot programs to restore degraded coastal blue carbon ecosystems in accordance with subsection 7b74 7b7 ,integrated pilot programs ,to restore degraded coastal blue carbon ecosystems ,in carrying out subsection 7a77#e71 the ,administrator shall-- 7#a7 establish integrated pilot programs that develop best management practices1 including design criteria and performance functions for coastal blue carbon ecosystem restoration1 nature-based adaptation strategies1 restoration areas that intersect with the built environments as green-gray infrastructure projects1 management practices for landward progression or migration of coastal blue carbon ecosystems1 and identify potential barriers to restoration efforts2 7#b7 ensure that the pilot programs cover geographically and ecologically diverse locations with significant ecological1 economic1 and social benefits1 such as flood protection1 soil and beach retention1 erosion reduction1 biodiversity1 water purification1 and nutrient cycling to reduce hypoxic conditions1 and maximum potential for greenhouse gas emission reduction2 7#c7 establish a procedure for reviewing applications for the pilot program2 7#d7 ensure1 through consultation with the ,interagency ,working ,group1 that the goals and metrics for the pilot programs are communicated to the appropriate ,state1 ,tribe1 and local governments1 and to the general public2 and 7#e7 coordinate with relevant ,federal agencies on the ,interagency ,working ,group to prevent unnecessary duplication of effort among ,federal agencies and departments with respect to restoration programs4 #e4 ,coastal ,carbon ,data ,clearinghouse 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of the ,smithsonian1 in coordination with the ,administrator and members of the ,interagency ,working ,group1 shall provide for the long-term stewardship of1 and access to1 data relating to coastal blue carbon ecosystems and national mapping1 by supporting the maintenance of the ,coastal ,carbon ,data ,clearinghouse4 7b7 ,coastal ,carbon ,data ,clearinghouse duties ,acting through the ,coastal ,carbon ,data ,clearinghouse1 the ,secretary of the ,smithsonian in coordination with the ,administrator and members of the ,interagency ,working ,group shall process1 store1 archive1 provide access to1 and incorporate to the extent possible1 all data collected through federally funded research by a ,federal agency1 ,state1 local agency1 ,tribe1 academic scientist1 or any other relevant entity4 7c7 ,global and national data assets ,the ,secretary of the ,smithsonian in coordination with the ,administrator and members of the ,interagency ,working ,group shall ensure that existing global and national data assets are incorporated into the ,coastal ,carbon ,data ,clearinghouse to the greatest extent possible4 7d7 ,establishment of standards1 protocols1 and procedures ,the ,secretary of the ,smithsonian in coordination with the ,administrator and members of the ,interagency ,working ,group1 shall establish standards1 protocols1 and procedures for the processing1 storing1 archiving1 and providing access to data in the ,coastal ,carbon ,data ,clearinghouse and best practices for sharing such data with ,state1 local1 and ,tribal governments1 coastal stakeholders1 non-,federal resource managers1 and academia4 ,the ,administrator shall work to disseminate such data to the greatest extent practicable4 7e7 ,digital tools and resources ,the ,secretary of the ,smithsonian1 in coordination with the ,administrator and members of the ,interagency ,working ,group1 shall develop digital tools and resources to support the public use of the ,coastal ,carbon ,data ,clearinghouse4 #f4 ,,nas assessment of containment of carbon dioxide in deep seafloor environment ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall seek to enter into an agreement with the ,national ,academy of ,sciences to conduct a comprehensive assessment on the long-term effects of containment of carbon dioxide in a deep seafloor environment on marine ecosystems and the integrity of existing storage technologies4 #g4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration to carry out this ,act #ae1jjj1jjj for each of the fiscal years #bjba through #bjbe4 #h4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,administrator ,the term ,administrator means the ,under ,secretary of ,commerce for ,oceans and ,atmosphere in the ,under ,secretary's capacity as the ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration4 7#b7 ,coastal blue carbon ecosystem ,the term coastal blue carbon ecosystem refers to vegetated coastal habitats including mangroves1 tidal marshes1 seagrasses1 kelp forests1 and other tidal or salt-water wetlands1 and their ability to sequester carbon from the atmosphere1 accumulate it in biomass for years to decades1 and store it in soils for centuries to millennia4 ,coastal blue carbon ecosystems include both autochthonous carbon and allochthonous carbon4 7#c7 ,state ,the term ,state means each ,state of the ,united ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 ,american ,samoa1 ,guam1 the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 the ,virgin ,islands of the ,united ,states1 and any other territory or possession of the ,united ,states4