,i  #aah? ,,congress  #a/ ,session  ,h4 
,r4 #fhad  ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,(           
,,repres5tatives  ,decemb] #ad1         
#bjbc,mr4 ,graves ( ,l\isiana 7= himself
 & ,mr4 ,veasey7 introduc$ ! foll[+     
bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on   
,natural ,res\rces  ,a ,,bill  ,to      
require ! ,"u ,secret>y ( ,comm]ce =    
,oceans & ,atmosph]e to assess c]ta9    
(f%ore oil & gas plat=ms & pipel9es =   
pot5tial use z artificial reefs1 & = o!r
 purposes4  #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act   
may be cit$ z ! ,m>9e ,fi%]ies ,habitat 
,protection ,act4  #b4 ,use ( c]ta9     
(f%ore oil & gas plat=ms & pipel9es =   
artificial reefs  7a7 ,national ,fi%+   
,enhancem5t ,act ( #aihd ,! ,national   
,fi%+ ,enhancem5t ,act ( #aihd 7#cc     
,u4,s4,c4 #baja et seq47 is am5d$-- 7#a7
 by am5d+ section #bjf 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4   
#baje7 to read z foll[s3  #bjf4         
,def9itions ,9 ?is title3 7#a7          
,artificial reef ,! t]m artificial reef 
means a /ructure :i* is con/ruct$ or    
plac$ 9 wat]s cov]$ "u ?is title = !    

purpose ( enhanc+ fi%]y res\rces &      
comm]cial & recreational fi%+           
opportunities4  7#b7 ,decommission+ ,!  
t]m decommission+ mean end+ oil1 gas1 or
 sulphur op]ations on an (f%ore lease1  
"r-(-way1 or "r-(-use & easem5t &       
return+ ! area subject to su* lease1    
"r-(-way1 or "r-(-use & easem5t to a    
condition t complies ) applicable law1  
includ+ by remov+ caissons & idle       
/ructures4  7#c7 ,e/abli%$ reef ecosy/em
 ,! t]m e/abli%$ reef ecosy/em means an 
area ) id5tifi$ reef-associat$ species1 
includ+ species ( corals1 cru/aceans1 or
 fi% t are manag$ "u-- 7,a7 a fi%]y     
managem5t plan ( ! ,national ,oceanic & 
,atmosph]ic ,adm9i/ration2 or  7,b7 a   
,/ate managem5t plan = reef-associat$   
species4  7#d7 ,idle /ructure ,! t]m    
idle /ructure means-- 7,a7 an oil or gas
 pipel9e1 & associat$ equipm5t &        
infra/ructure1 t ! ,secret>y ( !        
,int]ior has det]m9$ is no long] useful 
= op]ations2 &  7,b7 an (f%ore oil & gas
 plat=m or simil> /ructure1 & associat$ 

equipm5t & infra/ructure1 t is no long] 
useful = op]ations1 z det]m9$ by !      
,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior4  7#e7 ,p>tial   
removal ,! t]m p>tial removal means--   
7,a7 ! sev]ance ( ! top portion ( a     
/ructure at a level appropriate to      
ma9ta9 navigational safety1 z det]m9$ by
 ! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior 9 consultation
 ) ! ,comm&ant ( ! ,coa/ ,gu>d2 &  7,b7 
optionally1 ! placem5t ( ! sev]$ portion
 ( ! /ructure on ! sea floor adjac5t to 
! base ( ! nonsev]$ portion ( !         
/ructure4  7#f7 ,reef 9 place ,! t]m    
reef 9 place means decommission+ ?r\gh  
topple 9 place or p>tial removal t--    
7,a7 attempts to maximize habitat =     
b5?ic & pelagic species ?r\gh\t !       
entirety ( ! wat] column2 &  7,b7 is    
appropriate to ma9ta9 navigational      
safety4  7#g7 ,/ate ,! t]m ,/ate means a
 ,/ate ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 ! ,di/rict (  
,columbia1 ,pu]to ,rico1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,virg9 ,isl&s1 ,am]ican ,samoa1 ,guam1 
,john/on ,isl&1 ,midway ,isl&1 & ,wake  
,isl&4  7#h7 ,topple 9 place ,! t]m     

topple 9 place means deta*+ a /ructure f
 ! seab$ & toppl+ ! /ructure onto its   
side on ! seab$ 9 ! same area :]e !     
/ructure 0 orig9ally atta*$4  7#i7      
,wat]s cov]$ "u ?is title ,! t]m wat]s  
cov]$ "u ?is title means ! navigable    
wat]s ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates & ! wat]s       
sup]jac5t to ! ,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf z 
def9$ 9 section #b ( ! ,out] ,cont95tal 
,%elf ,l&s ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #acca71  
to ! ext5t su* wat]s exi/ 9 or are      
adjac5t to any ,/ate4  2 &  7#b7 by     
am5d+ section #bjg to read z foll[s3    
#bjg4 ,reef 9 place  7a7 ,reef 9 place  
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #e ye>s aft] !
 date on :i* a lessee1 "r-(-way hold]1  
or own] ( an idle /ructure files a      
notice ( int5t "u section #e7k77#d7 ( ! 
,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf ,l&s ,act 7#dc   
,u4,s4,c4 #accd7k77#d77 ) respect to !  
idle /ructure1 su* lessee1 "r-(-way     
hold]1 or own] may reef 9 place ! idle  
/ructure if ! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior    
det]m9es-- 7,a7 ! idle /ructure is s\nd 
& secure2 &  7,b7 ! lessee1 "r-(-way    

hold]1 or own] has1 ) respect to ! idle 
/ructure-- 7i7 remov$ all hydroc>bons & 
o!r haz>d\s liquids2  7ii7 if requir$ by
 law or regulation1 in/all$ id5tify+    
m>k]s to protect & aid navigation2      
7iii7 no out/&+ responsibility or       
liability2 &  7iv7 transf]r$1 or has an 
agreem5t to transf]1 liability to a     
,f$]al or ,/ate ag5cy4  7#b7            
,designation ( reef plann+ areas ,!     
,adm9i/rator ( ! ,national ,oceanic &   
,atmosph]ic ,adm9i/ration-- 7,a7 may    
designate ! imm$iate vic9ity ( an idle  
/ructure t is reef$ 9 place "u p>agraph 
7#a7 z a reef plann+ area pursuant to ! 
,national ,artificial ,reef ,plan       
publi%$ "u section #bjd2 &  7,b7 ^u !   
reque/ ( ! head ( a ,/ate program to    
conv]t idle /ructures into artificial   
reefs1 may designate ! imm$iate vic9ity 
( an idle /ructure t is reef$ 9 place "u
 su* program z a reef plann+ area       
pursuant to ! ,national ,artificial     
,reef ,plan publi%$ "u section #bjd4    
7#c7 ,failure to reef 9 place ,not)/&+  

section #e7k77#d7 ( ! ,out] ,cont95tal  
,%elf ,l&s ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4          
#accd7k77#d771 if a lessee1 "r-(-way    
hold]1 or own] ( an idle /ructure does n
 reef 9 place ! idle /ructure )9 ! "t   
p]iod describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 = ! idle 
/ructure1 su* lessee1 "r-(-way hold]1 or
 own] %all resume decommission+ ! idle  
/ructure pursuant to ! ,out] ,cont95tal 
,%elf ,l&s ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #acca et 
seq47 ?r\gh means o!r ?an reef+ 9 place4
  7b7 ,/ate programs  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,a  
,/ate t has a program to conv]t idle    
/ructures into artificial reefs may ent]
 into an agreem5t ) any appropriate     
entity to assume responsibility &       
liability = an idle /ructure locat$ 9   
wat]s cov]$ "u ?is title 9 ex*ange = an 
am\nt ( funds t-- 7,a7 is det]m9$ by !  
,/ate2 &  7,b7 does n exce$ #ej p]c5t ( 
! am\nt requir$ to remove ! idle        
/ructure1 z det]m9$ by ! appropriate    
entity & approv$ by ! ,/ate1 unless !   
appropriate entity cons5ts to a great]  
am\nt4  7#b7 ,liability ,^u acceptance  

by a ,/ate ( an idle /ructure into a    
,/ate program describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7--
 7,a7 ! appropriate entity %all h no    
responsibility or liability ) respect to
 ! idle /ructure2 &  7,b7 ! ,/ate %all  
be-- 7i7 responsible = ! cont9u$        
ma9t5ance ( ! idle /ructure1 includ+    
ma9ta9+ any id5tify+ m>k]s in/all$ to   
protect & aid navigation2 &  7ii7       
exclusively responsible & liable = !    
idle /ructure4  7#c7 ,use ( ,/ate funds 
,funds receiv$ by a ,/ate "u p>agraph   
7#a7 may be us$ by ! ,/ate = co/s       
associat$ )-- 7,a7 respect to ! idle    
/ructure-- 7i7 liability cov]age2  7ii7 
ma9t5ance & upkeep2 &  7iii7 !          
in/allation & op]ation ( passive        
te*nologies on ! idle /ructure to       
monitor ! heal? & size ( ! corals & fi% 
/ocks t use ! idle /ructure z a habitat2
  7,b7 coa/al re/oration projects2 &    
7,c7 coa/al enhancem5t projects4  7c7   
,assessm5t  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,!            
,adm9i/rator ( ! ,national ,oceanic &   
,atmosph]ic ,adm9i/ration %all conduct  

an assessm5t ( ea* idle /ructure1 :i*   
%all1 ) respect to ea* idle /ructure--  
7,a7 include an assessm5t (-- 7i7 !     
localiz$ corals & fi% species t use !   
idle /ructure z a habitat2 &  7ii7 !    
economic impacts ( reef+ 9 place1       
includ+ a comp>ison ( ! b5efits af=d$ by
 reef-associat$ species if ! idle       
/ructure is reef$ 9 place ) ! co/s ( lo/
 fi%+ opportunity if ! idle /ructure is 
remov$2 &  7,b7 det]m9e :e!r !re is an  
e/abli%$ reef ecosy/em on1 "u1 or 9 !   
imm$iate vic9ity ( ! idle /ructure4     
7#b7 ,det]m9ation conduct$ by o!r p>ty  
7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,^u ! reque/ ( a lessee1  
"r-(-way hold]1 or own] ( an idle       
/ructure1 ! ,adm9i/rator ( ! ,national  
,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic ,adm9i/ration    
%all ent] into an agreem5t ) su* lessee1
 "r-(-way hold]1 or own] "u :i*1 subject
 to ! approval ( ! ,adm9i/rator "u      
subp>agraph 7,b71 su* lessee1 "r-(-way  
hold]1 or own]-- 7i7 makes1 or ent]s    
into an agreem5t ) ano!r p>ty 7includ+ a
 ,/ate7 = t p>ty to make1 ! det]m9ation 

describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a77;,b7 = ! idle  
/ructure2 &  7ii7 submits su*           
det]m9ation to ! ,adm9i/rator4  7,b7    
,review ( det]m9ation ,n lat] ?an #ij   
days aft] receipt ( a det]m9ation "u    
subp>agraph 7,a77ii71 ! ,adm9i/rator ( !
 ,national ,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic       
,adm9i/ration %all review &-- 7i7       
approve ! det]m9ation2 or  7ii7 reject !
 det]m9ation & provide ! p>ty t submitt$
 ! det]m9ation ) a description ( !      
*anges1 includ+ specific action items1  
to ! reject$ det]m9ation t are necess>y 
= ! ,adm9i/rator to approve ! reject$   
det]m9ation4  7,c7 ,default treatm5t ,if
 ! ,adm9i/rator ( ! ,national ,oceanic &
 ,atmosph]ic ,adm9i/ration does n       
approve or reject a det]m9ation receiv$ 
"u subp>agraph 7,a77ii7 )9 ! p]iod      
describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,b71 su*        
det]m9ation %all be treat$ z if x 0     
approv$ by ! ,adm9i/rator "u subp>agraph
 7,b77i74  7#c7 ,(f%ore ,infra/ructure  
,da%bo>d in=mation ,^u ! reque/ ( !     
,adm9i/rator ( ! ,national ,oceanic &   

,atmosph]ic ,adm9i/ration or a lessee1  
"r-(-way hold]1 or own] ( an idle       
/ructure1 ! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior %all 
submit to ! reque/+ p>ty in=mation f !  
,(f%ore ,infra/ructure ,da%bo>d e/abli%$
 "u section #b7;c7 ( ! ,m>9e ,fi%]ies   
,habitat ,protection ,act t is relevant 
to ! completion ( an assessm5t or       
det]m9ation = an idle /ructure "u       
p>agraph 7#a7 or 7#b71 respectively4    
7#d7 ,report ,n lat] ?an #a ye> aft] !  
date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is subsection1 &   
annually !reaft]1 ! ,adm9i/rator ( !    
,national ,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic        
,adm9i/ration %all submit to ! ,secret>y
 ( ! ,int]ior a report reg>d+ ea*       
assessm5t conduct$ & det]m9ation approv$
 "u p>agraphs 7#a7 & 7#b71 respectively1
 :i* %all include an id5tification ( &  
map ea* idle /ructure t supports an     
e/abli%$ reef ecosy/em1 z det]m9$ "u    
p>agraph 7#a77;,b7 or subp>agraph 7,b7  
or 7,c7 ( p>agraph 7#b74  4  7b7 ,out]  
,cont95tal ,%elf ,l&s ,act ,section #e (
 ! ,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf ,l&s ,act 7#dc

 ,u4,s4,c4 #accd7 is am5d$ by add+ at ! 
end ! foll[+3  7k7 ,artificial reefs    
7#a7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is subsection3 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        
,decommission+ ,! t]m decommission+     
means end+ oil1 gas1 or sulphur         
op]ations on an (f%ore lease1 "r-(-way1 
or "r-(-use & easem5t & return+ ! area  
subject to su* lease1 "r-(-way1 or      
"r-(-use & easem5t to a condition t     
complies ) applicable law1 includ+ by   
remov+ caissons & idle /ructures4  7,c7 
,e/abli%$ reef ecosy/em ,! t]m e/abli%$ 
reef ecosy/em means an area ) id5tifi$  
reef-associat$ species1 includ+ species 
( corals1 cru/aceans1 or fi% t are      
manag$ "u-- 7i7 a fi%]y managem5t plan (
 ! ,national ,oceanic & ,atmosph]ic     
,adm9i/ration2 or  7ii7 a ,/ate         
managem5t plan = reef-associat$ species4
  7,d7 ,idle /ructure ,! t]m idle       

/ructure means-- 7i7 an oil or gas      
pipel9e1 & associat$ equipm5t &         
infra/ructure1 t ! ,secret>y ( !        
,int]ior has det]m9$ is no long] useful 
= op]ations2 &  7ii7 an (f%ore oil & gas
 plat=m or simil> /ructure1 & associat$ 
equipm5t & infra/ructure1 t is no long] 
useful = op]ations1 z det]m9$ by !      
,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior4  7,e7 ,p>tial   
removal ,! t]m p>tial removal means--   
7i7 ! sev]ance ( ! top portion ( a      
/ructure at a level appropriate to      
ma9ta9 navigational safety1 z det]m9$ by
 ! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior 9 consultation
 ) ! ,comm&ant ( ! ,coa/ ,gu>d2 &  7ii7 
optionally1 ! placem5t ( ! sev]$ portion
 ( ! /ructure on ! sea floor adjac5t to 
! base ( ! nonsev]$ portion ( !         
/ructure4  7,f7 ,program ,! t]m ,program
 means ! artificial reef program        
au?oriz$ "u ! ,national ,fi%+           
,enhancem5t ,act ( #aihd 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 
#baja et seq474  7,g7 ,reef 9 place ,!  
t]m reef 9 place means decommission+    
?r\gh topple 9 place or p>tial removal  

t-- 7i7 attempts to maximize habitat =  
b5?ic & pelagic species ?r\gh\t !       
entirety ( ! wat] column2 &  7ii7 is    
appropriate to ma9ta9 navigational      
safety4  7,h7 ,topple 9 place ,! t]m    
topple 9 place means deta*+ a /ructure f
 ! seab$ & toppl+ ! /ructure onto its   
side on ! seab$ 9 ! same area :]e !     
/ructure 0 orig9ally atta*$4  7#b7      
,prohibition on removal  7,a7 ,9 g5]al  
,! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior may n require 
a lessee1 "r-(-way hold]1 or own] ( an  
idle /ructure to remove ! idle /ructure 
until ! date on :i* ! ,adm9i/rator      
submits a report "u section #bjg7;c77#d7
 ( ! ,national ,fi%+ ,enhancem5t ,act ( 
#aihd ) respect to su* idle /ructure4   
7,b7 ,exception ,subp>agraph 7,a7 does n
 apply ) respect to an idle /ructure t !
 ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior det]m9es poses a
 sub/antial ?reat to-- 7i7 navigational 
safety2 or  7ii7 ! m>9e environm5t4     
7#c7 ,susp5sion ( removal ,if1 dur+ or z
 ! result ( an assessm5t conduct$ or    
det]m9ation approv$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 or 

7#b7 ( section #bjg7;c7 ( ! ,national   
,fi%+ ,enhancem5t ,act ( #aihd1         
respectively1 ! ,adm9i/rator det]m9es t 
!re is an e/abli%$ reef ecosy/em on1 "u1
 or 9 ! imm$iate vic9ity ( an idle      
/ructure1 ! removal ( ! idle /ructure   
%all be susp5d$ until ! date on :i* !   
,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior1 9 consultation )
 ! ,adm9i/rator1 det]m9es :e!r-- 7,a7 ! 
cont9u$ pres5ce ( ! idle /ructure w\ld  
b5efit ! m>9e environm5t on1 "u1 or 9 ! 
imm$iate vic9ity ( ! idle /ructure z a  
habitat = fi%1 mollusks1 or corals or   
o!r m>9e life2  7,b7 ! removal ( ! idle 
/ructure w\ld h>m-- 7i7 ! e/abli%$ reef 
ecosy/em2 or  7ii7 be o!rwise detrim5tal
 to ! biodiv]sity ( ! m>9e environm5t   
on1 "u1 or 9 ! imm$iate vic9ity ( ! idle
 /ructure2  7,c7 ea* oil & gas well     
associat$ ) ! idle /ructure has be5     
tempor>ily ab&on$ ?r\gh zonal isolation1
 p]man5tly plugg$ & ab&on$1 or o!rwise  
secur$ & ea* involv$ pipel9e has be5    
flu%$ ( all hydroc>bons & fill$ )       
seawat]2 &  7,d7 ! idle /ructure poses  

no risk to ! m>9e environm5t on1 "u1 or 
9 ! imm$iate vic9ity ( ! idle /ructure4 
7#d7 ,exemption f removal ,if !         
,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior1 9 consultation )
 ! ,adm9i/rator1 makes an affirmative   
det]m9ation "u p>agraph 7#c71 !         
,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior may n require a  
lessee1 "r-(-way hold]1 or own] ( an    
idle /ructure to remove ! idle /ructure 
associat$ ) su* det]m9ation if ! lessee1
 "r-(-way hold]1 or own]-- 7,a7 files a 
notice ( int5t ) ! ,bureau ( ,safety &  
,environm5tal ,en=cem5t & ! ,unit$      
,/ates ,army ,corps ( ,eng9e]s 9 :i* !  
lessee1 "r-(-way hold]1 or own] commits 
to ent]+ ! idle /ructure 9 ! ,program2  
7,b7 initiates discussions ) a wildlife 
& fi%]ies ag5cy or o!r regulatory       
au?ority ( ! ,/ate ( :i* ! ext5d$ seaw>d
 b\nd>y ?r\gh ! exclusive economic zone 
includes ! idle /ructure reg>d+ pot5tial
 sites = ! artificial reef1 pursuant to 
! notice ( int5t fil$ by ! lessee1      
"r-(-way hold]1 or own] "u subp>agraph  
7,a72  7,c7 n lat] ?an #b ye>s aft] !   

date ! lessee1 "r-(-way hold]1 or own]  
files a notice ( int5t "u subp>agraph   
7,a7-- 7i7 p]man5tly plugs1 ab&ons1     
secures1 & seals ea* well associat$ ) ! 
idle /ructure2 &  7ii7 flu%es ea*       
involv$ pipel9e ( all hydroc>bons &     
fills ea* su* pipel9e ) seawat]2 &  7,d7
 agrees to accept all liability )       
respect to ! idle /ructure until-- 7i7 !
 idle /ructure is reef$ 9 place "u      
section #bjg7;a7 ( ! ,national ,fi%+    
,enhancem5t ,act ( #aihd2 &  7ii7 !     
lessee1 "r-(-way hold]1 or own] has     
transf]r$ liability = ! idle /ructure to
 a ,f$]al or ,/ate ag5cy4  4  7c7       
,(f%ore oil & gas plat=ms & pipel9es    
database ,! ,secret>y ( ! ,int]ior1 act+
 ?r\gh ! ,director ( ! ,bureau ( ,safety
 & ,environm5tal ,en=cem5t1 %all create 
& ma9ta9 an ,(f%ore ,infra/ructure      
,da%bo>d = ! ,gulf ( ,mexico region t   
%all-- 7#a7 be updat$ n less frequ5tly  
?an e #f mon?s2  7#b7 be made available 
to ! public2 &  7#c7 conta9 in=mation   
reg>d+ ! decommission+ ( oil & gas      

plat=ms & pipel9es & ! pot5tial ( su*   
oil & gas plat=ms & pipel9es = reef 9   
place 7z def9$ 9 section #e7k77#a7 ( !  
,out] ,cont95tal ,%elf ,l&s ,act 7#dc   
,u4,s4,c4 #accd7k77#a771 z add$ by ?is  
section7 includ+-- 7,a7 ! numb] ( oil & 
gas plat=ms 9 ! ,gulf ( ,mexico region2 
7,b7 ! numb] & approximate location (   
ea* oil & gas plat=m t-- 7i7 is eligible
 = decommission+ pursuant to ! ,out]    
,cont95tal ,%elf ,l&s ,act 7#dc         
,u4,s4,c4 #acja et seq472 &  7ii7 has an
 approv$ decommission+ plan & a plann$  
disposition pursuant to su* ,act1       
includ+-- 7,i7 if ! oil & gas plat=m w  
be ent]$ into ! artificial reef program 
au?oriz$ "u ! ,national ,fi%+           
,enhancem5t ,act ( #aihd 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 
#baja et seq47 7ref]r$ to 9 ?is section 
z ! ,program72  7,,ii7 if ! oil & gas   
plat=m w n be ent]$ into ! ,program1 a  
reason = n do+ s2 &  7,,iii7 ea* oil &  
gas plat=m grant$ an exemption f removal
 "u section #e7k77#d7 ( ! ,out]         
,cont95tal ,%elf ,l&s ,act 7#dc         

,u4,s4,c4 #accd7k77#d771 z add$ by ?is  
section2 &  7,c7 ! l5g? 9 miles &       
approximate location ( ea*-- 7i7 section
 ( oil & gas pipel9e t is eligible =    
decommission+ pursuant to ! ,out]       
,cont95tal ,%elf ,l&s ,act 7#dc         
,u4,s4,c4 #acja et seq472 &  7ii7 oil & 
gas pipel9e ) an approv$ decommission+  
plan pursuant to su* ,act4