White House Interagency Task Force on Ocean Policy
On June 12, 2009, President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum that created an Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force, led by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), to develop guidelines for a National Policy for the Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes and a framework for marine spatial planning in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. The Foundation participated in meetings hosted by CEQ to provide input as they developed the national ocean policy.

The Task Force released an interim report in September 2009, which was open to public comment. In response to this report, the Foundation issued a letter to CEQ highlighting the fact that the National Marine Sanctuary System, including its statute, regulations, programs, and practices, provides a powerful guide for the development and implementation of the national ocean policy. In addition, as the Task Force worked on the second phase of its directive from the President in developing a marine spatial planning framework, the Foundation submitted formal comments regarding key characteristics and models, specifically highlighting the role that national marine sanctuaries do and should have in marine spatial planning.

Overall, the Foundation applauds President Obama and the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force for taking the steps to make ocean policy a priority, especially so early in the tenure of this Administration. As this process continues, the Foundation strongly encourages the Task Force to consider how the national marine sanctuaries, individually and as a system, can inform its work. We look forward to supporting the Administration in making effective ocean policy and governance a reality.

Department of Defense Authorization for Ocean for Life Program (H.R. 3294)
Introduced by Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-9) in July 2009, this legislation amends title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Department of Defense, including combatant commands and Regional Centers, to: (1) provide material and personnel support to assist in the planning and execution of the Ocean for Life Program of the National Marine Sanctuaries under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); and (2) pay all or a portion of the costs for citizens of the United States and foreign nationals to participate in the Program. The bill allows amounts available to the Regional Centers from the DOD "Voice" programs to be used to make those payments. There are currently five co-sponsors of the bill, which awaits action by the House Committee on Armed Services. As a primary collaborator for Ocean for Life in the 2009 pilot year, the Foundation continues to support legislative, fundraising, and outreach efforts to help ensure that this life-changing program remains active in the future.

Coral Reef Conservation Act Reauthorization and Enhancement Amendments of 2009 (H.R. 860)
The legislation reauthorizes and amends the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, establishes the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force to coordinate federal actions regarding such ecosystems, and amends the coral reef authorities of the Department of Interior. The Foundation provided support in seeking House passage of the legislation by encouraging Members to vote for the bill when it came to the floor.

Climate and Ocean Research and Coordination Act (H.R. 2685)
This act includes an organic act for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which codifies the agency and its leadership. It also includes a title for the National Climate Enterprise Act of 2009, which seeks to coordinate international, federal, and non-federal activity to provide scientifically based climate and climate impact data, information, products, and services to better forecast climate, climate change, and climate variability and to understand climate impacts at regional and local scales. The Foundation encouraged other organizations to support the legislation and submitted a supportive quote for a press release related to the legislation, as follows:

“I applaud Chairwoman Bordallo's continuation of many years of effort to codify the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), thereby helping to make this premier science and management agency more effective at fulfilling its many important mandates, including ocean and coastal research and protection, an increased and more directed role in producing and coordinating quality climate data and improved understanding of climate change, and education and outreach activities,” Joy Williams, Acting President & CEO, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. (June 2009)

Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Regional Program and National Environmental Literacy Grant Program Act (H.R. 3644)
Introduced by Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA-23), Co-Chair of the National Marine Sanctuary Caucus, this legislation directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish education and watershed programs which advance environmental literacy, including preparedness and adaptability for the likely impacts of climate change in coastal watershed regions. A hearing on the bill was held by the House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Wildlife and Oceans of the Committee on Natural Resources in October 2009, and it was later marked up and passed out of the full House Committee on Natural Resources in November 2009 with a new title—Ocean, Coastal, and Watershed Education Act. The Foundation has provided technical assistance on this effort and signed letters of support for both committee consideration and House passage.

Public Lands Service Corps Act of 2009 (HR 1612)
This legislation amends the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to expand the authorization of the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, and the Interior to provide service-learning opportunities on public lands, help restore the nation's natural, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, and scenic resources, train a new generation of public land managers and enthusiasts, and promote the value of public service. Within the purview of the Secretary of Commerce, in particular, the bill permits Corps participants to work in the National Marine Sanctuary System, coral reefs, and other coastal, estuarine, and marine habitats, and other lands and facilities administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The bill was introduced in March 2009 by Congressman Raul Grijalva and has 64 co-sponsors. The Foundation signed a letter in support of House passage of the bill.

House Resolution Honoring the Life of Jacques-Yves Cousteau (H.RES.518)
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-18), Co-Chair of the National Marine Sanctuary Caucus, introduced this resolution in June 2009 to honor this renowned explorer, researcher, and pioneer in the field of marine conservation. The Foundation provided drafting assistance for the resolution.