§ 1511c. Estuarine Programs Office

• (a) Establishment

  The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (hereinafter in this section referred to as the "Administrator") shall establish within the Administration an Estuarine Programs Office.

• (b) Functions

  The Estuarine Programs Office shall -

  • (1) develop and implement a national estuarine strategy for the Administration that integrates the research, regulatory, and trusteeship responsibilities of the Administration;
  • (2) coordinate the estuarine activities of the various organizations within the Administration, including activities in estuarine research and assessment, fisheries research, coastal management, and habitat conservation;
  • (3) coordinate the estuarine activities of the Administration with the activities of other Federal and State agencies; and
  • (4) provide technical assistance to the Administrator, to other Federal agencies, and to State and local government agencies in -
    • (A) assessing the condition of estuaries;
    • (B) identifying estuaries of critical national or regional importance;
    • (C) identifying technical and management alternatives for the restoration and protection of estuarine resources; and
    • (D) monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of estuarine management plans.
• (c) Authorization

  There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administration not to exceed $500,000 for fiscal year 1987, $530,000 for fiscal year 1988, $560,000 for fiscal year 1989, and $600,000 for fiscal year 1990 to carry out the provisions of this section.