Luria of Virginia Amendment No. 26

Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act This bill addresses provisions related to coastal zone management, waterfronts, climate change, fish habitats, the Great Lakes, coastal science and data, and the National Sea Grant College Program. TITLE I--COASTAL RESILIENCE AND ECONOMIC ENHANCEMENT (Sec. 101) This section authorizes the Department of Commerce to award grants to Indian tribes to further achievement of any of the following tribal coastal zone objectives: • protecting, restoring, or preserving areas in the zone that hold important ecological, cultural, or sacred significance for the tribes, or traditional, historic, and esthetic values essential to the tribes; • preparing and implementing a special area management plan and technical planning for important coastal areas; and • implementing any coastal or shoreline stabilization measure for the purpose of public safety, public access, or cultural or historical preservation. (Sec. 102) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must award grants to state or local governments, Indian tribes, or nonprofit organizations to (1) implement climate-resilient living shoreline projects; and (2) encourage innovation in the use of natural materials to protect coastal communities, habitats, and natural system functions. (Sec. 103) This section addresses the preservation and accessibility of waterfronts in coastal states. NOAA must establish a Working Waterfront Task Force that will be designed to identify and address critical working waterfront needs with respect to cultural and economic importance, environmental threats, and market conditions for water-dependent businesses. NOAA must also establish a Working Waterfront Grant Program. Under the program, NOAA may award grants to coastal states with approved working waterfront plans in place to preserve and expand access to coastal waters for people engaged in fishing, aquaculture, boat building, and other water-dependent businesses. In addition, NOAA is authorized to award grants to coastal states for the purpose of developing or revising working waterfront plans. States are allowed to allocate any grant money received to eligible local governments and other entities. Each state that is awarded a grant must contribute at least 25% of matching funds towards the total cost of the project carried out with the grant, subject to certain exceptions. (Sec. 104) This section establishes the Working Waterfronts Preservation Loan Fund to provide loans to coastal states for the purpose of implementing working waterfront plans. (Sec. 105) This section makes the District of Columbia eligible to receive federal coastal zone management funding, including flood mitigation and prevention funds. (Sec. 106) Commerce must establish a coastal climate change adaptation preparedness and response program to (1) assist coastal states with voluntarily developing coastal climate change adaptation plans, and (2) provide financial and technical assistance and training for coastal states to implement the adaptation plans. (Sec. 107) NOAA must update at least once every seven years its environmental sensitivity index products for each coastal area of the Great Lakes. An environmental sensitivity index product is a map or similar tool that is utilized to identify sensitive shoreline resources prior to an oil spill event. (Sec. 108) Commerce may carry out a program to award competitive prizes to advance certain coastal risk reduction and resilience measures, including natural features such as dunes, reefs, and wetlands. (Sec. 109) NOAA must identify and evaluate federal research activities regarding coastal risk reduction and resilience measures. TITLE II--FISHERY RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION Subtitle A--National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships This subtitle establishes the National Fish Habitat Board to (1) encourage partnerships among public agencies and other interested parties to promote fish conservation,…