,,ii #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cici ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #aa1 #bjbj,ms4 ,murkowski 7for herself and ,mr4 ,whitehouse7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation ,a ,,bill ,to establish the ,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 ,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 ecosystems 7,a7 ,in general ,the term coastal blue carbon ecosystems means vegetated coastal habitats1 including mangroves1 tidal marshes1 seagrasses1 kelp forests1 and other tidal or salt-water wetlands1 that have the ability to sequester carbon from the atmosphere1 accumulate carbon in biomass for years to decades1 and store carbon in soils for centuries to millennia4 7,b7 ,inclusions ,the term coastal blue carbon ecosystems includes autochthonous carbon and allochthonous carbon4 7#c7 ,coastal ,carbon ,data ,clearinghouse ,the term ,coastal ,carbon ,data ,clearinghouse means the ,coastal ,carbon ,data ,clearinghouse operated by the ,smithsonian ,environmental ,research ,center4 7#d7 ,interagency ,working ,group ,the term ,interagency ,working ,group means the ,interagency ,working ,group on ,coastal ,blue ,carbon established under section #c7;a74 7#e7 ,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 #c4 ,interagency ,working ,group on ,coastal ,blue ,carbon 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,subcommittee on ,ocean ,science and ,technology of the ,national ,science and ,technology ,council shall establish an interagency working group1 to be known as the ,interagency ,working ,group on ,coastal ,blue ,carbon4 7b7 ,purposes ,the ,interagency ,working ,group shall-- 7#a7 oversee the development of a national map of coastal blue carbon ecosystems2 7#b7 establish national restoration priorities for coastal blue carbon ecosystems2 7#c7 assess the biophysical1 social1 and economic impediments to restoration of coastal blue carbon ecosystems2 7#d7 study the effects of climate change and environmental and human stressors on sequestration rates2 and 7#e7 preserve the continuity of coastal blue carbon data4 7c7 ,membership ,the ,interagency ,working ,group shall be comprised of senior representatives from-- 7#a7 the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration2 7#b7 the ,environmental ,protection ,agency2 7#c7 the ,national ,science ,foundation2 7#d7 the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration2 7#e7 the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey2 7#f7 the ,united ,states ,fish and ,wildlife ,service2 7#g7 the ,national ,park ,service2 7#h7 the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs2 7#i7 the ,smithsonian ,institution2 7#aj7 the ,army ,corps of ,engineers2 7#aa7 the ,department of ,agriculture2 7#ab7 the ,department of ,energy2 7#ac7 the ,department of ,defense2 7#ad7 the ,department of ,transportation2 and 7#ae7 the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency4 7d7 ,chairperson ,the ,interagency ,working ,group shall be chaired by the ,administrator4 7e7 ,responsibilities ,the ,interagency ,working ,group shall-- 7#a7 oversee the development1 updates1 and maintenance of a national map and inventory of coastal blue carbon ecosystems1 including habitat types1 with a regional focus in analysis that is usable for local-level protection1 planning1 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 change and environmental and human stressors on sequestration rates and capabilities of coastal blue carbon ecosystems protection2 7#d7 establish national protection and restoration priorities for coastal blue carbon ecosystems1 including an assessment of ,federal funding being used for restoration efforts2 and 7#e7 ensure the continuity1 use1 and interoperability of data assets through the ,coastal ,carbon ,data ,clearinghouse4 7f7 ,submissions to ,congress 7#a7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,interagency ,working ,group shall submit to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives1 and the ,committee on ,natural ,resources of the ,house of ,representatives a report containing the following3 7,a7 ,a summary of federally funded research1 monitoring1 preservation1 and restoration activities relating to coastal blue carbon ecosystems1 including-- 7i7 the budget for each such activity2 and 7ii7 a description of the progress made by each such activity in advancing the national priorities established under section #e7;a77#d77;,a74 7,b7 ,an assessment of biophysical1 social1 statutory1 regulatory1 and economic impediments to restoration of coastal blue carbon ecosystems4 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 on the date on which the first fiscal year after the date on which the report is submitted under paragraph 7#a7 begins4 7,b7 ,assessment ,the plan shall include an assessment of the use of ,federal programs existing as of the date of the enactment of this ,act to protect and preserve coastal blue carbon ecosystems4 7,c7 ,timing ,the ,interagency ,working ,group shall-- 7i7 on a date that is not later than #a year after the enactment of this ,act and not earlier than the date on which the report is submitted under paragraph 7#a71 submit to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives1 and the ,committee on ,natural ,resources of the ,house of ,representatives the strategic plan under subparagraph 7,a72 and 7ii7 submit a revised version of such plan not less frequently than once every #e years thereafter4 7,d7 ,federal ,register ,not later than #ij days before the date on which the strategic plan or any revised version of such plan is submitted under subparagraph 7,c71 the ,interagency ,working ,group shall-- 7i7 publish such plan in the ,federal ,register2 and 7ii7 provide an opportunity for submission of public comments for a period of not less than #fj days4 #d4 ,national map and inventory of coastal blue carbon ecosystems 7a7 ,in general ,the ,interagency ,working ,group shall 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 such ecosystems2 7#b7 the condition of such habitats1 including whether a habitat is degraded1 drained1 eutrophic1 or tidally restricted2 7#c7 the size of such ecosystems2 7#d7 the salinity boundaries of such ecosystems2 7#e7 the tidal boundaries of such ecosystems2 7#f7 an assessment of carbon sequestration potential1 methane production1 and net greenhouse gas reductions with respect to such ecosystems2 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#aj7 the conversion of such ecosystems to other land uses and the cause of such conversion2 and 7#aa7 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 such ecosystems4 7b7 ,data incorporation2 engagement ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 the ,administrator shall-- 7#a7 incorporate1 to the extent practicable1 existing data1 as determined on the date of enactment of this ,act1 collected through federally funded research by a ,federal agency1 ,state agency1 ,tribe1 or local agency1 including data collected from-- 7,a7 the ,coastal ,change ,analysis ,program of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration2 7,b7 the ,national ,wetlands ,inventory of the ,united ,states ,fish and ,wildlife ,service2 7,c7 the ,landcarbon program of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey2 and 7,d7 the ,national ,coastal ,blue ,carbon ,assessment of the ,department of ,agriculture2 and 7#b7 engage regional technical experts in order to accurately account for regional differences in coastal blue carbon ecosystems4 7c7 ,use of map and inventory ,the ,interagency ,working ,group shall use the national map and inventory produced under subsection 7a7-- 7#a7 to assess the carbon sequestration potential of different coastal blue carbon ecosystems 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-- 7,a7 regional1 ,state1 ,tribal1 and local government agencies2 and 7,b7 regional information coordination entities 7as defined in section #abcjc7f7 of the ,integrated ,coastal and ,ocean ,observation ,system ,act of #bjji 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #cfjb772 7#d7 to assess degraded coastal blue carbon ecosystems and the potential for restoration of such ecosystems1 including developing scenario modeling to identify vulnerable land areas where management1 protection1 and restoration efforts should be focused2 and 7#e7 to produce predictions relating to coastal blue carbon ecosystems and carbon sequestration rates in the context of climate change1 environmental stressors1 and human stressors4 #e4 ,restoration of 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 #c7;f77#b72 7#b7 coordinate monitoring and research efforts among ,federal agencies in cooperation with ,state1 ,tribal1 and local governments1 international partners1 and nongovernmental organizations2 7#c7 assess the feasibility and potential of-- 7,a7 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 goal2 and 7,b7 as appropriate1 setting targets for restoration of degraded coastal blue carbon ecosystems2 7#d7 in coordination with the ,interagency ,working ,group1 and as informed by the report under section #c7;f77#a71 identify-- 7,a7 national protection and restoration priorities for coastal blue carbon ecosystems that would produce the highest rate of carbon sequestration and greatest ecosystem benefits1 such as flood protection1 soil and beach retention1 erosion reduction1 biodiversity1 water purification1 and nutrient cycling1 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 ,tribal1 and local 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 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out subsection 7a77#e71 the ,administrator shall establish one or more integrated pilot programs that-- 7,a7 develop-- 7i7 best management practices1 including design criteria and performance functions for restoration of coastal blue carbon ecosystems2 7ii7 nature-based adaptation strategies2 7iii7 restoration areas that intersect with built environments as green-gray infrastructure projects2 and 7iv7 management practices for landward progression or migration of coastal blue carbon ecosystems2 and 7,b7 identify potential barriers to restoration efforts4 7#b7 ,locations ,the ,administrator shall ensure that pilot programs under paragraph 7#a7 cover geographically and ecologically diverse locations with-- 7,a7 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 conditions2 and 7,b7 maximum potential for greenhouse gas emission reduction4 7#c7 ,application review ,the ,administrator shall establish a procedure for reviewing applications for pilot programs under paragraph 7#a74 7#d7 ,communication ,the ,administrator shall ensure1 through consultation with the ,interagency ,working ,group1 that the goals and metrics for pilot programs under paragraph 7#a7 are communicated to the appropriate ,state1 ,tribal1 and local governments1 and to the general public4 7#e7 ,coordination ,the ,administrator shall coordinate with relevant ,federal agencies and departments specified under section #c7;c7 to prevent unnecessary duplication of effort among such agencies and departments with respect to restoration programs4 #f4 ,coastal carbon data clearinghouse 7a7 ,definition of ,secretary ,in this section1 the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the ,smithsonian ,institution4 7b7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 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 7c7 ,coastal carbon data clearinghouse duties ,the ,secretary1 in coordination with the ,administrator and members of the ,interagency ,working ,group1 shall1 through the ,coastal ,carbon ,data ,clearinghouse1 process1 store1 archive1 provide access to1 and incorporate 7to the extent practicable7 all data relating to coastal carbon collected through federally funded research by a ,federal agency1 ,state1 ,tribe1 or local agency1 an academic institution1 or another relevant entity4 7d7 ,global and national data assets ,the ,secretary1 in coordination with the ,administrator and members of the ,interagency ,working ,group1 shall ensure that existing global and national data assets1 as determined on the date of enactment of this ,act1 are incorporated into the ,coastal ,carbon ,data ,clearinghouse1 to the greatest extent practicable4 7e7 ,establishment of standards1 protocols1 and procedure ,the ,secretary1 in coordination with the ,administrator and members of the ,interagency ,working ,group1 shall establish-- 7#a7 standards1 protocols1 and procedures for the processing1 storing1 and archiving of1 and providing access to1 data in the ,coastal ,carbon ,data ,clearinghouse2 and 7#b7 best practices for sharing such data with ,state1 local1 and ,tribal governments1 coastal stakeholders1 non-,federal resource managers1 and academia4 7f7 ,dissemination2 digital tools and resources 7#a7 ,dissemination ,the ,administrator shall work to disseminate the data available through the ,coastal ,carbon ,data ,clearinghouse to the greatest extent practicable4 7#b7 ,digital tools and resources ,the ,secretary1 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 #g4 ,national ,academy of ,sciences assessments of carbon dioxide storage in deep seafloor environments and of coastal carbon markets ,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-- 7#a7 a comprehensive assessment of-- 7,a7 the long-term effects of containment of carbon dioxide in a deep seafloor environment on marine ecosystems2 and 7,b7 the integrity of existing storage technologies1 as determined on the date of enactment of this ,act2 7#b7 a comprehensive assessment of pathways1 methods1 and technologies able to directly remove carbon dioxide from the oceans by the removal of dissolved carbon dioxide from seawater through engineered or inorganic processes1 including filters1 membranes1 phase change systems1 or other technological pathways2 and 7#c7 a comprehensive assessment of the viability of using coastal macroalgae cultivation and sustainable coastal wetlands management and restoration for carbon sequestration1 which shall consider-- 7,a7 environmental and economic effects on coastal communities2 7,b7 durability and cost per ton of carbon dioxide sequestered using coastal macroalgae cultivation and sustainable coastal wetlands management in a variety of regions of the ,united ,states1 including ,alaska1 the ,gulf ,coast1 the ,mid-,atlantic1 and the ,pacific ,northwest2 7,c7 research1 data1 resource management1 monitoring1 reporting1 and verification improvements necessary to develop a carbon market around coastal macroalgae cultivation and sustainable coastal wetlands management or restoration2 and 7,d7 relevant successes and failures of carbon markets in agriculture1 forestry1 and wetlands and how such successes and failures might apply to a future coastal carbon market4 #h4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,administrator to carry out this ,act #ae1jjj1jjj for each of the fiscal years #bjba through #bjbe4