Union Calendar No. 385
116th CONGRESS 2d Session |
[Report No. 116–481]
To establish an integrated national approach to respond to ongoing and expected effects of extreme weather and climate change by protecting, managing, and conserving the fish, wildlife, and plants of the United States, and to maximize Government efficiency and reduce costs, in cooperation with State, local, and Tribal Governments and other entities, and for other purposes.
May 15, 2019
Mr. Cartwright (for himself, Ms. Jayapal, Mr. Connolly, Ms. Norton, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Lowenthal, Mr. Pocan, Mr. Cohen, Ms. Eshoo, Ms. Lee of California, Ms. Meng, and Mr. McGovern) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
September 1, 2020
Additional sponsors: Mr. Rouda, Mr. Huffman, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Raskin, Ms. Haaland, Mr. DeSaulnier, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mrs. Kirkpatrick, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Case, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Quigley, Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire, Mrs. Napolitano, Ms. Velázquez, Mr. Grijalva, and Mr. Casten of Illinois
September 1, 2020
Reported with an amendment; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on May 15, 2019]
To establish an integrated national approach to respond to ongoing and expected effects of extreme weather and climate change by protecting, managing, and conserving the fish, wildlife, and plants of the United States, and to maximize Government efficiency and reduce costs, in cooperation with State, local, and Tribal Governments and other entities, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
This Act may be cited as the “Safeguarding America's Future and Environment Act” or the “SAFE Act”.
SEC. 2. Findings, purposes, and policy.
(a) Findings.—Congress finds that—
(1) healthy, diverse, and productive communities of fish, wildlife, and plants provide significant benefits to the people and economy of the United States, including—
(2) the United States Geological Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other agencies within the United States Global Change Research Program have observed that the fish, wildlife, and plants of the United States are facing increasing risks from changing patterns of extreme weather and climate, including—
(b) Purposes.—The purpose of this Act is to establish an integrated national approach—
(c) National fish, wildlife, and plants climate change adaptation policy.—It is the policy of the Federal Government, in cooperation with State and local governments, Indian Tribes, and other interested stakeholders to evaluate and reduce the increased risks and vulnerabilities associated with climate change and extreme weather events, and to use all practicable means to protect, manage, and conserve healthy, diverse, and productive fish, wildlife, and plant populations.
In this Act:
(1) ADAPTATION.—The term “adaptation” means—
(B) with respect to fish, wildlife, and plants, protection, management, and conservation efforts designed to maintain or enhance the ability of fish, wildlife, and plants to withstand, adjust to, or recover from the effects of extreme weather and climate change (including, where applicable, ocean acidification, drought, flooding, and wildfire).
(2) CENTER.—The term “Center” means the National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center established under section 6(a)(1).
(3) COMMITTEE.—The term “Committee” means the Advisory Committee on Climate Change and Natural Resource Sciences established under section 6(b)(1).
(4) ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES.—The term “ecological processes” means biological, chemical, or physical interaction between the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem, including—
(5) HABITAT.—The term “habitat” means the physical, chemical, and biological properties that fish, wildlife, or plants use for growth, reproduction, survival, food, water, or cover (whether on land, in water, or in an area or region).
(6) HABITAT CONNECTIVITY.—The term “habitat connectivity” means areas that facilitate terrestrial, marine, estuarine, and freshwater fish, wildlife, or plant movement that is necessary—
(7) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term “Indian Tribe” has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304(e)).
(8) NATIONAL STRATEGY.—The term “National Strategy” means the National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy released March 26, 2013.
(9) RESILIENCE; RESILIENT.—The terms “resilience” and “resilient” mean the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to changing conditions and withstand, respond to, and recover rapidly from disruptions.
SEC. 4. National fish, wildlife, and plants climate adaptation strategy joint implementation working group.
(a) Establishment.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall establish a National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy Joint Implementation Working Group composed of the heads of Federal and State agencies or departments with jurisdiction over fish, wildlife, and plant resources of the United States, and Tribal representatives, as follows:
SEC. 5. National fish, wildlife, and plants climate adaptation strategy.
(a) In general.—The Working Group shall adopt the National Strategy to protect, manage, and conserve fish, wildlife, and plants to maintain the inherent resilience and adaptability of fish, wildlife, and plants to withstand the ongoing and expected effects of extreme weather and climate change.
(b) Review and revision.—Not later than 1 year after each release of the assessment required under section 106 of the Global Change Research Act of 1990 (15 U.S.C. 2936), the Working Group shall—
(c) Contents.—A revised National Strategy shall—
(1) assess the vulnerability of fish, wildlife, and plants to climate change, including short-term, medium-term, long-term, and cumulative impacts;
(2) describe current observation and monitoring activities at the Federal, State, Tribal, and local levels relating to the ongoing and expected effects of climate change on fish, wildlife, and plants;
(4) identify fish, wildlife, and plants likely to have the greatest need for protection, restoration, and conservation due to the ongoing and expanding effects of extreme weather and climate change;
(5) include specific protocols for integrating fish, wildlife, and plant adaptation strategies and activities into the conservation and management of natural resources by Federal agencies to ensure consistency across agency jurisdictions;
(6) identify opportunities for maintaining, restoring, or enhancing fish, wildlife, and plants to reduce the risks of extreme weather and climate change on other vulnerable sectors of society;
(7) identify Federal policies and actions that may reduce resilience and increase the vulnerability of fish, wildlife, and plants to extreme weather and climate change;
(8) include specific actions that Federal agencies shall take to protect, conserve, and manage fish, wildlife, and plants to maintain the inherent resilience and adaptability of fish, wildlife, and plants to withstand, adjust to, or recover from the ongoing and expected effects of climate change, including a timeline to implement those actions;
(d) Implementation.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Consistent with other laws and Federal trust responsibilities concerning Indian land or rights of Indians under treaties with the United States, each Federal agency shall integrate the elements of the National Strategy that relate to conservation, management, and protection of fish, wildlife, and plants into agency plans, environmental reviews, and programs.
SEC. 6. Fish, wildlife, and plants adaptation science and information.
(a) National climate change and wildlife science center.—
(1) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary of the Interior, in collaboration with the States, Indian Tribes, and other partner organizations, shall establish a National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center.
(2) DUTIES OF CENTER.—The Center shall assess and develop scientific information, tools, strategies, and techniques to support the Working Group, Federal and State agencies, Tribes, regionally based science and conservation centers, regional coordinating entities, and other interested parties in addressing the effects of extreme weather and climate change on fish, wildlife, and plants.
(3) GENERAL AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS, GRANTS, AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary may enter into contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements with State agencies, State cooperative extension services, institutions of higher education, other research or educational institutions and organizations, Tribal organizations, Federal and private agencies and organizations, individuals, and any other contractor or recipient, to further the duties under paragraph (2) without regard to—
(b) Advisory committee on climate change and natural resource sciences.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), the Secretary of the Interior shall establish an Advisory Committee on Climate Change and Natural Resource Sciences.
(3) CHAIR.—The Secretary of the Interior shall appoint a Committee Chair from among the members of the Committee.
(4) DUTIES.—The Committee shall—
(A) advise the Working Group on the state of the science regarding—
SEC. 7. Strategy implementation plan.
(a) Development.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act and not later than 1 year after the date of each revision of the National Strategy, the Working Group shall—
(b) Requirements.—The strategy implementation plan shall—
(1) identify and prioritize specific conservation and management strategies and actions that address the ongoing and expected effects of extreme weather and climate change on fish, wildlife, and plants, including—
(2) establish methods—
(c) Implementation.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—On approval by the President, each Federal agency shall, consistent with existing authority, implement the strategy implementation plan under subsection (a)(1) through existing and new plans, policies, programs, activities, and actions.
(2) CONSIDERATION OF EFFECTS.—To the maximum extent practicable and consistent with existing authority, fish, wildlife, and plant conservation and management decisions made by each Federal agency shall consider and promote resilience to the ongoing and expected effects of extreme weather and climate change.
(d) Revision and review.—Not later than 1 year after the National Strategy is revised under section 5(b), the Working Group shall review and revise the strategy implementation plan under subsection (a)(1) to incorporate the best available science, including advice and information pursuant to section 6 and other information, regarding the ongoing and expected effects of climate change on fish, wildlife, and plants.
SEC. 8. State fish, wildlife, and plants adaptation plans.
(a) Requirement.—To be eligible to receive funds pursuant to subsection (d), not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act and not later than 1 year after the date of each revision of the National Strategy, each State shall prepare and submit to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce, a State fish, wildlife, and plant adaptation plan detailing current and future efforts of the State to address the ongoing and expected effects of climate change on fish, wildlife, and plants and coastal areas within the jurisdiction of the State.
(c) Contents.—A State adaptation plan shall—
(1) meet the requirements described in section 7(b), except that the requirements of that section relating to marine habitats or ecosystems shall not apply to a State in which those habitats or ecosystems do not exist;
(2) include the adaptation provisions of any State comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy (or State wildlife action plan) that has been—
(3) include the adaptation provisions of a statewide assessment and strategy for forest resources required under section 2A of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101a) that has been—
(d) Distribution of funds to States.—Any funds made available pursuant to this Act shall be—
(1) used to carry out activities in accordance with adaptation plans approved under this section; and
(2) made available through—
(A) the State and Tribal wildlife grant program under title I of division F of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110–161; 121 Stat. 2103); and
(B) (i) the grant program under section 306 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1455);
(ii) the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program established under title II of the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 (16 U.S.C. 1456d); and
(iii) programs established under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.).
(e) Public input.—In developing an adaptation plan, a State shall solicit and consider input from the public and independent scientists.
Union Calendar No. 385 | |||||
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[Report No. 116–481] | |||||
A BILL | |||||
To establish an integrated national approach to respond to ongoing and expected effects of extreme weather and climate change by protecting, managing, and conserving the fish, wildlife, and plants of the United States, and to maximize Government efficiency and reduce costs, in cooperation with State, local, and Tribal Governments and other entities, and for other purposes. | |||||
September 1, 2020 | |||||
Reported with an amendment; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed |