There is established an Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee to coordinate a comprehensive program of marine debris research and activities among Federal agencies, in cooperation and coordination with non-governmental organizations, industry, universities, and research institutions, States, Indian tribes, and other nations, as appropriate.
The Committee shall include a senior official from-
(1) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who shall serve as the Chairperson of the Committee;
(2) the Environmental Protection Agency;
(3) the United States Coast Guard;
(4) the United States Navy;
(5) the Department of State;
(6) the Department of the Interior; and
(7) such other Federal agencies that have an interest in ocean issues or water pollution prevention and control as the Secretary of Commerce determines appropriate.
The Committee shall meet at least twice a year to provide a public, interagency forum to ensure the coordination of national and international research, monitoring, education, and regulatory actions addressing the persistent marine debris problem.
The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in cooperation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall utilize the marine debris data derived under title V of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (33 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.) to assist-
(1) the Committee in ensuring coordination of research, monitoring, education and regulatory actions; and
(2) the United States Coast Guard in assessing the effectiveness of the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987 and the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships [33 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.] in ensuring compliance under section 2201 of the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987 [33 U.S.C. 1913].
Biennially, the Committee, through the Chairperson, shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that evaluates United States and international progress in meeting the purpose of this chapter. The report shall include-
(1) the status of implementation of any recommendations and strategies of the Committee and analysis of their effectiveness;
(2) a summary of the marine debris inventory to be maintained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
(3) a review of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration program authorized by section 1952 of this title, including projects funded and accomplishments relating to reduction and prevention of marine debris;
(4) a review of Coast Guard programs and accomplishments relating to marine debris removal, including enforcement and compliance with MARPOL requirements; and
(5) estimated Federal and non-Federal funding provided for marine debris and recommendations for priority funding needs.
(
The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, referred to in subsec. (d), is
The Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987, referred to in subsec. (d)(2), is
The Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships, referred to in subsec. (d)(2), is
Former section 1954(c)(2) of this title, which was transferred and redesignated as subsec. (e) of this section by
Section was formerly section 2203 of
A prior section 5 of
2018-Subsec. (b)(5) to (7).
2012-Subsec. (d)(2).
Subsec. (e).
2006-Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
1996-
"(1) identify and quantify the harmful effects of plastic materials on the marine environment;
"(2) assess the specific effects of plastic materials on living marine resources in the marine environment;
"(3) identify the types and classes of plastic materials that pose the greatest potential hazard to living marine resources;
"(4) analyze, in consultation with the Director of the National Bureau of Standards, plastic materials which are claimed to be capable of reduction to environmentally benign submits under the action of normal environmental forces (including biological decomposition, photodegradation, and hydrolysis); and
"(5) recommend legislation which is necessary to prohibit, tax, or regulate sources of plastic materials that enter the marine environment."
For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.