§ 1442.
Research program respecting possible long-range effects of pollution, overfishing, and man-induced changes of ocean ecosystems
(a)
Secretary of Commerce
(1)
The Secretary of Commerce, in close consultation with other appropriate Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities shall, within six months of October 23, 1972, initiate a comprehensive and continuing program of research with respect to the possible long-range effects of pollution, overfishing, and man-induced changes of ocean ecosystems. These responsibilities shall include the scientific assessment of damages to the natural resources from spills of petroleum or petroleum products. In carrying out such research, the Secretary of Commerce shall take into account such factors as existing and proposed international policies affecting oceanic problems, economic considerations involved in both the protection and the use of the oceans, possible alternatives to existing programs, and ways in which the health of the oceans may best be preserved for the benefit of succeeding generations of mankind.
(2)
The Secretary of Commerce shall ensure that the program under this section complements, when appropriate, the activities undertaken by other Federal agencies pursuant to subchapter I and
section 1443 of this title. That program shall include but not be limited to—
(A)
the development and assessment of scientific techniques to define and quantify the degradation of the marine environment;
(B)
the assessment of the capacity of the marine environment to receive materials without degradation;
(C)
continuing monitoring programs to assess the health of the marine environment, including but not limited to the monitoring of bottom oxygen concentrations, contaminant levels in biota, sediments, and the water column, diseases in fish and shellfish, and changes in types and abundance of indicator species;
(D)
the development of methodologies, techniques, and equipment for disposal of waste materials to minimize degradation of the marine environment.
(3)
The Secretary of Commerce shall ensure that the comprehensive and continuing research program conducted under this subsection is consistent with the comprehensive plan for ocean pollution research and development and monitoring prepared under section 1703
1
See References in Text note below.
of this title.
([Pub. L. 92–532, title II, § 202], Oct. 23, 1972, [86 Stat. 1060]; [Pub. L. 94–62, § 2], July 25, 1975, [89 Stat. 303]; [Pub. L. 96–381, § 3], Oct. 6, 1980, [94 Stat. 1524]; [Pub. L. 96–470, title II, § 201(f)], Oct. 19, 1980, [94 Stat. 2242]; [Pub. L. 99–272, title VI, § 6062], Apr. 7, 1986, [100 Stat. 131]; [Pub. L. 100–627, title I, § 101], Nov. 7, 1988, [102 Stat. 3213].)