123STA T . 1 4 3 7PUBLIC LA W 111 – 11 —M A R .3 0, 200 9(4)res e a r ch a d a pt at ion strate g ies and techni qu es f or effec - ti v e ly conserving m arine ecosystems as they cope w ith increased ocean acidification .SEC.12403 . D E FIN I T I O NS. I n this su b title
( 1 ) OCEAN AC ID I F ICA T I O N. —T he term ‘ ‘ocean acidification ’ ’ means the decrease in p H of the E arth’s oceans and changes in ocean chemistry caused by chemical inputs from the atmosphere , including carbon dio x ide. ( 2 ) S EC R ETAR Y .—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of C ommerce, acting through the A dministrator of the N ational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. ( 3 )S UB CO M MITTEE.—The term ‘‘Subcommittee’’ means the J oint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology of the National Science and Technology Council. SEC. 12404. INTE RAG ENC Y S UB CO M MITTEE. (a) D E S I G NATION.— (1) IN GENERA L .—The Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology of the National Science and Technology Council shall coordinate F ederal activities on ocean acidification and establish an interagency wor k ing group. (2) M EMBERS H I P .—The interagency working group on ocean acidification shall be comprised of senior representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the U nited States G eological Survey, the United States Fish and W ildlife Service, and such other Federal agencies as appropriate. (3) CHAIRMAN.—The interagency working group shall be chaired by the representative from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (b) DUTIES.—The Subcommittee shall— (1) develop the strategic research and monitoring plan to guide Federal research on ocean acidification required under section 124 05 of this subtitle and oversee the implementation of the plan
(2) oversee the development of— (A) an assessment of the potential impacts of ocean acidification on marine organisms and marine ecosystems; and ( B ) adaptation and mitigation strategies to conserve marine organisms and ecosystems exposed to ocean acidifi- cation; (3) facilitate communication and outreach opportunities with nongovernmental organi z ations and members of the stake- holder community with interests in marine resources; (4) coordinate the United States Federal research and moni- toring program with research and monitoring programs and scientists from other nations; and (5) establish or designate an Ocean Acidification Informa- tion Exchange to make information on ocean acidification devel- oped through or utilized by the interagency ocean acidification program accessible through electronic means, including information which would be useful to policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders in mitigating or adapting to the impacts of ocean acidification. 3 3 USC 3 70 3 . 33 USC 370 2 .
