16 USC 6408 - Emergency assistance

U.S Code last checked for updates: Apr 29, 2024

§ 6408.

Emergency assistance

(a)

In general

(b)

Coral reef exigent circumstances

The Administrator shall develop a list of, and criteria for, circumstances that pose an exigent threat to coral reefs, including—

(1)

new and ongoing outbreaks of disease;

(2)

new and ongoing outbreaks of invasive or nuisance species;

(3)

new and ongoing coral bleaching events;

(4)

natural disasters;

(5)

industrial or mechanical incidents, such as vessel groundings, hazardous spills, or coastal construction accidents; and

(6)

such other circumstances as the Administrator determines appropriate.

(c)

Annual report on exigent circumstances

On February 1 of each year, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees, the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report that—

(1)

describes locations with exigent circumstances described in subsection (b) that were considered but declined for emergency assistance, and the rationale for the decision; and

(2)

with respect to each instance in which emergency assistance under this section was provided—

(A)

the location and a description of the exigent circumstances that prompted the emergency assistance, the entity that received the assistance, and the current and expected outcomes from the assistance;

(B)

a description of activities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that were curtailed as a result of providing the emergency assistance; and

(C)

an assessment of whether further action is needed to restore the affected coral reef, recommendations for such restoration, and a cost estimate to implement such recommendations.

(Pub. L. 106–562, title II, § 209, as added Pub. L. 117–263, div. J, title C, § 10001(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3940.)

cite as: 16 USC 6408