Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 92 Part 1.djvu/282

 92 STAT. 228

PUBLIC LAW 95-273—MAY 8, 1978

Public Law 95-273 95th Congress An Act May 8, 1978 [S. 1617]

National Ocean Pollution Research and Development and

Monitoring ^Q^^°^ ^^ °^ ^^ lisr 1701 jj^jg 33 USC 1701.

33 USC 1702.

IJIQ establish a program of ocean pollution research, development, and monitoring, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may }QQ cited as the "National Ocean Pollution Eesearch and Development ^^^ Monitoring Planning Act of 1978". °

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SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. (^^ FINDINGS.—The Congress finds and declares the following: ^^^ Man's activities in the marine environment can have a profound short-term and long-term impact on such environment and greatly aifect ocean and coastal resources therein. (2) There is a need to establish a comprehensive Federal plan for ocean pollution research and development and monitoring, with particular attention being given to the inputs, fates, and effects of pollutants in the marine environment. (3) Man will increasingly be forced to rely on ocean and coastal resources as other resources are depleted. Our ability to protect, preserve, develop, and utilize these ocean and coastal resources is directly related to our understanding of the effects which ocean pollution has upon such resources. (4) Numerous departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Federal Government sponsor, support, or fund activities relating to ocean pollution research and development and monitoring. However, such activities are often uncoordinated and can result in unnecessary duplication. (5) Better planning and more effective use of available funds, personnel, vessels, facilities, and equipment is the key to effective Federal action regarding ocean pollution research and development and monitoring, (b) PURPOSES.—It is therefore the purpose of the Congress in this Act— (1) to establish a comprehensive 5-year plan for Federal ocean pollution research and development and monitoring pix)grams in order to provide planning for, coordination of, and dissemination of information with respect to such programs within the Federal Government; (2) to develop the necessary base of information to support, and to provide for, the rational, efficient, and equitable utilization, conservation, and development of ocean and coastal resources; and (3) to designate the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the lead Federal agency for preparing the plan referred to in paragraph (1) and to require the Administration to carry out a comprehensive program of ocean pollution research and development and monitoring under the plan. SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— (1) The term "Administration" means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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