Official Summary

6/15/2006--Introduced.Coral Reef Conservation Legacy Act of 2006 - Amends the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 to extend the award of remaining coral reef conservation program grant funds, in addition to projects addressing emerging priorities or threats, to other appropriate projects,

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Official Summary

6/15/2006--Introduced.
Coral Reef Conservation Legacy Act of 2006 - Amends the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 to extend the award of remaining coral reef conservation program grant funds, in addition to projects addressing emerging priorities or threats, to other appropriate projects, as determined by the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including monitoring and assessment, research, pollution reduction, education, and technical support. Establishes as additional coral reef conservation project approval criteria the:
(1) minimization of the likelihood of damage to coral reefs; and
(2) promotion and assistance of entities to work with local communities, and appropriate governmental and nongovernmental organizations, to support community-based planning and management initiatives for the protection of coral reef systems.
Authorizes the Administrator and the Secretary of the Interior to undertake emergency response actions to prevent or minimize the destruction or loss of, or injury to, coral reefs or coral ecosystems from vessel impacts or other physical damage to coral reefs, including damage from unforeseen or disaster-related circumstances. Authorizes the Administrator to make community-based planning grants to certain persons to work with local communities and appropriate federal and state entities to implement plans for increased protection of high priority coral reefs.
Establishes the United States Coral Reef Task Force to coordinate federal actions to better preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems.
Reauthorizes the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 and authorizes appropriations through FY2010 for:
(1) the coral reef conservation program; and
(2) community-based planning grants.


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