,i  #aah? ,,congress  #b;d ,session  ,h4
 ,r4 #ajdia  ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,(         
,,repres5tatives  ,decemb] #ah1         
#bjbd,mr4 ,huffman 7= himself1 ,ms4     
,bonamici1 ,ms4 ,norton1 ,ms4 ,p+ree1 & 
,ms4 ,matsui7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2  
:i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,natural
 ,res\rces1 & 9 addition to ! ,committee
 on ,sci5ce1 ,space1 & ,te*nology1 = a  
p]iod to be subsequ5tly det]m9$ by !    
,speak]1 9 ea* case = consid]ation ( su*
 provisions z fall )9 ! jurisdiction ( !
 committee conc]n$  ,a ,,bill  ,to      
require ! ,adm9i/rator ( ! ,national    
,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic ,adm9i/ration to 
e/abli% a ,blue ,c>bon ,program to      
cons]ve & re/ore blue c>bon ecosy/ems1 &
 = o!r purposes4  #a4 ,%ort title ,?is  
,act may be cit$ z ! ,blue ,c>bon       
,protection ,act4  #b4 ,blue ,c>bon     
,program  7a7 ,e/abli%m5t ,!            
,adm9i/rator %all e/abli% & ma9ta9 a    
,blue ,c>bon ,program = ! purposes (    
cons]v+ & re/or+ fi% & wildlife habitat 
& improv+ coa/al resili5ce1 includ+     

develop+ ways to incorporate ecosy/em   
s]vices f coa/al & m>9e c>bon /orage    
into dome/ic & int]national policies1   
programs1 & activities4  7b7 ,activities
 ,9 c>ry+ out ! ,program1 ! ,adm9i/rator
 %all c>ry out ! foll[+ activities3 7#a7
 ,collaborate ) ,f$]al ag5cies1 ,/ate   
ag5cies1 ,indian ,tribes1 &             
non-gov]nm5tal organizations ) reg>d to 
rese>*1 re/oration1 & protection ef=ts  
relat+ to blue c>bon ecosy/ems4  7#b7   
,develop a database ( blue c>bon /ocks1 
inputs1 & /orage pot5tial tr5ds 9 !     
,unit$ ,/ates4  7#c7 ,explore !         
feasibility ( us+ m>ket-bas$ f9anc+     
me*anisms1 su* z a blue c>bon cr$it     
m>ket1 z tools to support protection &  
re/oration initiatives = blue c>bon     
ecosy/ems1 includ+ rese>* on types ( su*
 me*anism1 developm5t ( protocols1 & !  
efficacy ( ea* su* me*anism z a tool =  
protect+ blue c>bon ecosy/ems4  7#d7    
,raise aw>5ess ( blue c>bon ecosy/ems z 
a tool to fur!r cons]vation objectives  
?r\gh education & ext5sion activities4  

7#e7 ,use exi/+ models or develop new   
models to assess ! blue c>bon /orage    
pot5tial ( ecosy/ems1 includ+ be/       
practices = quantification1 v]ification1
 /orage tr5ds1 & /orage p]man5ce4  7#f7 
,quantify curr5t total & net c>bon      
seque/ration & c>bon /orage 9 coa/al &  
m>9e areas4  7#g7 ,project future total 
& net blue c>bon /orage & seque/ration  
"u diff]5t sc5>ios influ5c$ by human    
population gr[?1 sea level rise1 & o!r  
sy/em-wide *anges4  7#h7 ,protect &     
re/ore habitats1 wat]s1 & organisms t   
are long-t]m c>bon s9ks & w be subject  
to habitat *ange z a result ( climate   
*ange & developm5t4  7#i7 ,quantify     
co-b5efits ( protect+ & re/or+ blue     
c>bon ecosy/ems1 includ+-- 7,a7 flood   
risk r$uction2  7,b7 habitat = & b5efit 
to-- 7i7 endang]$ & ?reat5$ species2 &  
7ii7 comm]cial & recreational fi%]ies2  
7,c7 improv$ wat] quality2  7,d7 cycl+ (
 nutri5ts o!r ?an c>bon2 &  7,e7 any o!r
 economic or societal b5efit !          
,adm9i/rator det]m9es appropriate4      

7#aj7 ,assess regional & national       
environm5tal & socioeconomic impacts (  
blue c>bon seque/ration & /orage4  7#aa7
 ,rese>* innovative te*niques =         
effective1 long-t]m natural blue c>bon  
seque/ration & /orage1 includ+          
v>iability 9 effectiv5ess & risk (      
rev]sal4  7#ab7 ,id5tify coa/al & m>9e  
areas ( p>ticul>ly high pot5tial = c>bon
 seque/ration & high rates ( c>bon      
/orage4  7#ac7 ,assess legal issues (   
l&[n]%ip & leases 9 blue c>bon m>kets & 
develop guidel9es to help l&[n]s        
navigate ! requirem5ts ( blue c>bon     
m>kets4  7#ad7 ,assess ! impacts (      
protection & re/oration ef=ts 9 blue    
c>bon ecosy/ems on me?ane emissions4    
#c4 ,blue ,c>bon ,p>tn]%ip ,grant       
,program  7a7 ,e/abli%m5t ,!            
,adm9i/rator %all e/abli% a competitive 
grant program1 to be kn[n z ! ,blue     
,c>bon ,p>tn]%ip ,grant ,program1 to    
aw>d am\nts to eligible entities to c>ry
 out projects t protect1 re/ore1 or     
rese>* blue c>bon /ocks or blue c>bon   

ecosy/ems & increase ! long-t]m c>bon   
seque/ration & c>bon /orage ( m>9e &    
coa/al ecosy/ems4  7b7 ,requirem5ts ,9  
c>ry+ out ! grant program1 !            
,adm9i/rator %all develop-- 7#a7 crit]ia
 = ! selection ( eligible entities to be
 aw>d$ am\nts "u ! grant program2  7#b7 
guidel9es = ! use by eligible entities (
 aw>d$ am\nts & any contracts relat+ to 
! use ( su* am\nts2  7#c7 report+       
requirem5ts = eligible entities t are   
aw>d$ am\nts "u ! grant program2 &  7#d7
 metrics to evaluate ! effectiv5ess ( ! 
use by eligible entities ( any aw>d$    
am\nts4  7c7 ,applications ,to be       
eligible = a grant "u ?is section1 an   
eligible entity %all submit to !        
,adm9i/rator an application 9 su* =m1 at
 su* "t1 & conta9+ su* in=mation z !    
,adm9i/rator det]m9es appropriate4  7d7 
,priority ,9 aw>d+ am\nts "u ! grant    
program1 ! ,adm9i/rator %all give       
priority to applications f eligible     
entities t propose projects t !         
,adm9i/rator det]m9es w result 9        

long-t]m protection & seque/ration (    
c>bon /or$ 9 coa/al & m>9e environm5ts1 
& w\ld-- 7#a7 protect key habitats =    
fi%1 wildlife1 & ! ma9t5ance (          
biodiv]sity2  7#b7 provide coa/al       
protection f developm5t1 /orms1 flood+1 
& l&-bas$ pollution2  7#c7 protect      
coa/al res\rces ( national1 hi/orical1  
or cultural significance2  7#d7 b5efit  
communities ( color1 l[-income          
communities1 ,tribal or ,indig5\s       
communities1 or rural communities2 or   
7#e7 capitalize on public-private       
p>tn]%ips e/abli%$ be=e ! date ( !      
enactm5t ( ?is section4  7e7 ,acreage   
goal ,to ! maximum ext5t possible1 !    
,adm9i/rator %all aw>d am\nts "u ! grant
 program to eligible entities to c>ry   
out projects to protect & re/ore blue   
c>bon ecosy/ems on at lea/ #a1ejj1jjj   
acres ov] #aj ye>s4  7f7 ,report ,!     
,adm9i/rator %all annually submit to    
,congress1 & make available to ! public1
 a report reg>d+ ! grant program1       
includ+ an analysis1 by ,/ate1 ( !--    

7#a7 total numb] ( acres ( l& & wat]    
protect$ or re/or$ ?r\gh fee title      
acquisition1 easem5t1 re/oration1 or o!r
 activities c>ri$ out "u ! grant        
program2  7#b7 /atus ( ea* project c>ri$
 out us+ am\nts aw>d$ "u ! grant        
program2 &  7#c7 am\nt ( blue c>bon     
captur$ or protect$ ov] a #ajj-ye> "t   
p]iod z a result ( ! grant program4  7g7
 ,au?orization ( appropriations ,!re is 
au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ to !         
,adm9i/rator to c>ry out ?is section    
#cjj1jjj1jjj = ea* ( fiscal ye>s #bjbe  
to #bjbi4  #d4 ,blue c>bon areas (      
significance  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,!           
,adm9i/rator %all1 bas$ on ! guidel9es  
e/abli%$ "u subsection 7b71 id5tify =   
designation z a blue c>bon area (       
significance "u subsection 7c7 ea* area 
t-- 7#a7 is )9 !-- 7,a7 coa/al zone2    
7,b7 t]ritorial wat]s ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2
 or  7,c7 exclusive economic zone ( !   
,unit$ ,/ates2  7#b7 conta9s wat]1 a    
sub/rate1 or an ecosy/em t provides =   
significant am\nts ( long-t]m c>bon     

seque/ration & c>bon /orage &-- 7,a7    
limits erosion & facilitates future     
l&w>d migration ( coa/al wetl&s2  7,b7  
provides a buff] aga9/ /orm surge1      
especially = communities ( color1       
l[-income communities1 & ,tribal &      
,indig5\s communities2 or  7,c7 provides
 a spawn+1 bre$+1 fe$+1 or ne/+ habitat 
= fi% or wildlife2 &  7#c7 is n         
exclusive ( coa/al or o!r res\rces t are
 significant 9 = mitigat+ or adapt+ to  
climate *ange4  7b7 ,guidel9es  7#a7 ,9 
g5]al ,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] ! date ( !
 enactm5t ( ?is section1 ! ,adm9i/rator 
%all1 by regulation & bas$ on ! be/     
available sci5ce1 e/abli% guidel9es to  
describe & id5tify-- 7,a7 blue c>bon    
areas ( significance2 &  7,b7 measures  
to ensure ! protection ( blue c>bon     
areas ( significance4  7#b7 ,review &   
update ,! ,adm9i/rator %all review &    
update ! guidel9es e/abli%$ "u p>agraph 
7#a7 n less frequ5tly ?an once e #e ye>s
 or :5 new in=mation w>rants su* a      
review & update4  7c7 ,designation  7#a7

 ,9 g5]al ,! ,adm9i/rator %all designate
 z a blue c>bon area ( significance ea* 
area id5tifi$ "u subsection 7a74  7#b7  
,initial designations ,n lat] ?an #a ye>
 aft] ! date on :i* ! guidel9es requir$ 
"u subsection 7b7 are e/abli%$1 !       
,adm9i/rator %all make initial          
designations ( any blue c>bon area (    
significance 9 ea* coa/al ,/ate4  7d7   
,s*$ule ,! ,adm9i/rator %all e/abli% a  
s*$ule-- 7#a7 = ! id5tification ( blue  
c>bon areas ( significance "u subsection
 7a72  7#b7 to review & update !        
guidel9es e/abli%$ "u subsection 7b72 & 
7#c7 to make designations "u subsection 
7c74  7e7 ,recomm5dations & in=mation ,!
 ,adm9i/rator %all1 ) respect to ea*    
blue c>bon area ( significance1 provide 
recomm5dations & in=mation reg>d+-- 7#a7
 adv]se impacts & ?reats to ! c>bon     
/orage1 ecosy/em s]vices1 & habitat     
capacity ( ! blue c>bon area (          
significance2 &  7#b7 ! actions t %\ld  
be consid]$ to avoid su* adv]se impacts 
& ?reats & ensure ! cons]vation &       

enhancem5t ( ! blue c>bon area (        
significance4  7f7 ,requirem5ts = ,f$]al
 ag5cies  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,a ,f$]al ag5cy 
t proposes an action t has ! pot5tial to
 cause an adv]se impact to ! c>bon      
/orage1 c>bon seque/ration1 ecosy/em    
s]vices1 or habitat capacity ( a blue   
c>bon area ( significance %all notify ! 
,adm9i/rator ( su* propos$ action4  7#b7
 ,det]m9ation ( adv]se impact ,^u       
notification "u p>agraph 7#a71 !        
,adm9i/rator1 9 consultation ) ! head ( 
! notify+ ,f$]al ag5cy1 %all det]m9e    
:e!r ! propos$ action t is ! subject ( !
 notification w cause an adv]se impact  
describ$ 9 t p>agraph to a blue c>bon   
area ( significance4  7#c7 ,alt]native  
action  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,if ! ,adm9i/rator
 det]m9es1 "u p>agraph 7#b71 t a propos$
 action t is ! subject ( a notification 
"u p>agraph 7#a7 w cause an adv]se      
impact describ$ 9 t p>agraph to a blue  
c>bon area ( significance1 ! head ( !   
notify+ ,f$]al ag5cy1 9 consultation ) !
 ,adm9i/rator1 %all det]m9e :e!r !re is 

an available alt]native action t w      
prev5t ! adv]se impact & fulfill !      
purpose ( ! propos$ action4  7,b7       
,alt]native action available ,if ! head 
( ! notify+ ,f$]al ag5cy det]m9es1 "u   
subp>agraph 7,a7 t !re is an available  
alt]native action describ$ 9 t          
subp>agraph1 ! notify+ ,f$]al ag5cy may 
n take ! propos$ action4  7,c7          
,alt]native action n available ,if !    
head ( ! notify+ ,f$]al ag5cy det]m9es1 
"u subp>agraph 7,a7 t !re is no         
available alt]native action describ$ 9 t
 subp>agraph1 ! notify+ ,f$]al ag5cy    
%all-- 7i7 9 consultation ) !           
,adm9i/rator1 take measures to mitigate 
! adv]se impact2  7ii7 take su* action z
 ! ,adm9i/rator det]m9es necess>y to    
create a m>9e blue c>bon & blue c>bon   
ecosy/em /orage (fset t1 tak5 9         
conjunction ) ! propos$ action1 w result
 9 a long-t]m net increase 9 c>bon      
/orage1 la/+ an equival5t "t p]iod z !  
c>bon /orage lo/ by ! adv]se impact2    
7iii7 demon/rate quantitatively1 us+ !  

be/ available sci5ce1 t ! c>bon /orage  
(fset creat$ "u clause 7ii7-- 7,i7 w    
result 9 a net increase 9 biological    
c>bon /orage2 &  7,,ii7 is locat$ 9     
close proximity to ! orig9al site to    
keep ! affect$ communities :ole2 &  7iv7
 ma9ta9 su* c>bon /orage (fset = a p]iod
 ( "t to be det]m9$ by ! ,adm9i/rator t 
is n less ?an #ajj ye>s4  7g7 ,requir$  
re/rictions ,a ,f$]al ag5cy may only    
ent] into a lease1 easem5t1 "r-(-way1 or
 sale t involves an area designat$ z a  
blue c>bon area ( significance if !     
,f$]al ag5cy atta*es su* re/rictions to 
! use ( ! area z ! ,adm9i/rator det]m9es
 appropriate to protect ! blue c>bon    
area ( significance4  7h7 ,requirem5t = 
au?orization or appropriation ,ea*      
reque/ = a new au?orization or          
appropriation f a ,f$]al ag5cy          
transmitt$ to ! ,(fice ( ,managem5t &   
,budget %all include1 if su*            
au?orization or appropriation may affect
 a blue c>bon area ( significance1 a    
c]tification t ! ,f$]al ag5cy w use su* 

au?orization or appropriation 9         
compliance ) ?is section4  7i7          
,exception ,prep>ation1 revision1       
implem5tation1 or en=cem5t ( a fi%]y    
managem5t plan "u ! ,magnuson-,/ev5s    
,fi%]y ,cons]vation & ,managem5t ,act   
7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #ahja et seq47 t applies 
to an area t is subject to a prohibition
 on all bottom-t5d+ fi%+ ge> %all n be  
treat$ z a propos$ action t is subject  
to subsection 7f74  7j7 ,use ( c]ta9    
programs ,! ,adm9i/rator %all use       
programs adm9i/]$ by ! ,adm9i/rator to  
c>ry out ?is section & ensure !         
cons]vation & enhancem5t ( ea* blue     
c>bon area ( significance4  #e4 ,f$]al  
coa/al & m>9e re/oration & protection   
activities  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,director ( 
! ,unit$ ,/ates ,fi% & ,wildlife        
,s]vice1 ! ,director ( ! ,national ,p>k 
,s]vice1 & ! ,adm9i/rator %all ea*      
conduct coa/al & m>9e re/oration &      
protection activities on l& & wat]      
manag$ by ea* su* ag5cy suffici5t to    
a*ieve at lea/ #a ( ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,!   

seque/ration ( additional atmosph]ic    
c>bon dioxide ?r\gh-- 7,a7 ! re/oration 
( degrad$ blue c>bon ecosy/ems2 &  7,b7 
! protection ( ?reat5$ blue c>bon       
ecosy/ems4  7#b7 ,! halt+ ( ongo+ c>bon 
dioxide emissions )9 ! area 9 :i* !     
activities are c>ri$ out1 & ! resumption
 ( ! natural rate ( c>bon seque/ration (
 ! area1 ?r\gh ! re/oration ( dra9$     
coa/al wetl&s4  7#c7 ,! halt+ ( ongo+   
me?ane emissions )9 ! area 9 :i* !      
activities are c>ri$ out1 & ! resumption
 ( ! natural rate ( c>bon seque/ration (
 ! area1 ?r\gh ! re/oration ( imp\nd$   
wetl&s4  7b7 ,au?orization (            
appropriations ,!re is au?oriz$ to be   
appropriat$ to ea* ( ! ,director ( !    
,unit$ ,/ates ,fi% & ,wildlife ,s]vice1 
! ,director ( ! ,national ,p>k ,s]vice1 
& ! ,adm9i/rator to c>ry out ?is section
 #bjj1jjj1jjj = ea* ( fiscal ye>s #bjbe 
?r\gh #bjbi4  #f4 ,au?orization (       
appropriations ,!re is au?oriz$ to be   
appropriat$ to ! ,adm9i/rator to c>ry   
out sections #a ?r\gh #e ( ?is ,act     

#af1jjj1jjj = ea* ( fiscal ye>s #bjbe to
 #bjbi4  #g4 ,def9itions ,9 ?is ,act3   
7#a7 ,adm9i/rator ,! t]m ,adm9i/rator   
means ! ,"u ,secret>y ( ,comm]ce =      
,oceans & ,atmosph]e 9 ! ,"u ,secret>y's
 capacity z ,adm9i/rator ( ! ,national  
,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic ,adm9i/ration4   
7#b7 ,biological c>bon /orage ,! t]m    
biological c>bon /orage means ! /orage (
 atmosph]ic c>bon dioxide 9 vegetation1 
soils1 woody products1 & aquatic        
environm5ts4  7#c7 ,blue c>bon ,! t]m   
blue c>bon means atmosph]ic c>bon       
dioxide seque/]$ by ! ocean or a blue   
c>bon ecosy/em4  7#d7 ,blue c>bon area (
 significance ,! t]m blue c>bon area (  
significance means an area designat$ by 
! ,adm9i/rator "u section #d z a blue   
c>bon area ( significance4  7#e7 ,blue  
c>bon ecosy/em ,! t]m blue c>bon        
ecosy/em means a vegetat$ coa/al        
habitat1 includ+ mangroves1 tidal m>%es1
 seagrasses1 kelp =e/s1 & o!r tidal- or 
salt-wat] wetl&s1 t has ! capacity to   
seque/] atmosph]ic c>bon dioxide = a    

p]iod ( n less ?an #ajj ye>s4  7#f7     
,blue c>bon /ocks ,! t]m blue c>bon     
/ocks means coa/al & m>9e vegetation &  
wildlife1 & und]ly+ s$im5t1 t h !       
capacity to seque/] & /ore atmosph]ic   
c>bon dioxide4  7#g7 ,c>bon seque/ration
 ,! t]m c>bon seque/ration means !      
process ( captur+ & /or+ atmosph]ic     
c>bon dioxide4  7#h7 ,c>bon s9k ,! t]m  
c>bon s9k means a natural or artificial 
sy/em t absorbs m atmosph]ic c>bon      
dioxide ?an x releases4  7#i7 ,c>bon    
/orage ,! t]m c>bon /orage means ! /or+ 
( seque/]$ atmosph]ic c>bon dioxide out 
( ! atmosph]e 9 biog5ic mat]ial or      
s$im5t4  7#aj7 ,coa/al ,/ate ,! t]m     
coa/al ,/ate has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m     
coa/al /ate 9 section #cjd ( ! ,coa/al  
,zone ,managem5t ,act ( #aigb 7#af      
,u4,s4,c4 #adec74  7#aa7 ,coa/al zone ,!
 t]m coa/al zone has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m 
9 section #cjd ( ! ,coa/al ,zone        
,managem5t ,act ( #aigb 7#af ,u4,s4,c4  
#adec74  7#ab7 ,ecosy/em s]vices ,! t]m 
ecosy/em s]vices means ! direct &       

indirect b5efits t ecosy/ems provide to 
humans4  7#ac7 ,eligible entity ,! t]m  
eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a private  
l&[n] or gr\p ( l&[n]s2  7,b7 a ,/ate   
ag5cy t manages natural res\rces or     
wildlife2  7,c7 an ,indian ,tribe2  7,d7
 a unit ( local gov]nm5t2  7,e7 a       
nonpr(it organization or l& tru/2  7,f7 
an in/itution ( high] education &       
rese>*2 or  7,g7 any gr\p ( entities    
describ$ 9 subp>agraphs 7,a7 ?r\gh 7,f74
  7#ad7 ,grant program ,! t]m grant     
program means ! ,blue ,c>bon ,p>tn]%ip  
,grant ,program e/abli%$ "u section     
#c7;a74  7#ae7 ,imp\nd$ wetl& ,! t]m    
imp\nd$ wetl& means an area t 0 a tidal 
wetl& b1 z a result ( a loss ( tidal    
connectivity1 has become a fre%wat]     
wetl&4  7#af7 ,indian ,tribe ,! t]m     
,indian ,tribe has ! mean+ giv5 ! t]m 9 
section #d ( ! ,indian                  
,self-,det]m9ation & ,education         
,assi/ance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74  
7#ag7 ,m>9e blue c>bon ,! t]m m>9e blue 
c>bon means c>bon dioxide seque/]$ 9    

pelagic & deep sea ecosy/ems1 includ+ 9 
s$im5ts & ?r\gh ! ecosy/em impacts (    
m>9e wildlife4  7#ah7 ,program ,! t]m   
,program means ! ,blue ,c>bon ,program  
e/abli%$ "u section #b7;a74