Bill > HR8632

This bill - the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act of 2020 - aims to address climate change and its impacts on coastal communities and ecosystems through a number of key provisions: 1. It establishes a Blue Carbon Program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to further conservation and restoration of coastal and marine habitats that can store and sequester carbon, and to develop ways to incorporate the ecosystem services from carbon storage into policies and programs. 2. It requires the establishment of an Interagency Working Group to coordinate federal investments and strategic planning for coastal and marine blue carbon projects. 3. It directs the Secretary of Commerce to designate "coastal carbon areas of significance" and implement measures to avoid and mitigate adverse impacts to those areas from federal agency actions. 4. It authorizes funding for a Blue Carbon Partnership Grant Program to support state, local, tribal, and non-profit efforts to protect and restore coastal blue carbon ecosystems. 5. It establishes a national goal to protect at least 30% of ocean areas under U.S. jurisdiction by 2030 and requires the development of a plan to achieve this. 6. It prohibits new oil and gas leasing in the Outer Continental Shelf and sets national goals for offshore wind energy development. 7. It creates new programs to help fisheries adapt to climate change impacts, including a Climate and Fisheries Research and Management Program and a Climate-Ready Fisheries Innovation Program. 8. It amends the Coastal Zone Management Act to provide funding and guidance to states and territories for preparing for and responding to severe coastal flooding and other climate-related hazards. 9. It authorizes new funding and initiatives to support climate resilience and adaptation efforts in U.S. insular areas and territories. 10. It implements measures to reduce the impacts of vessel traffic and port operations on protected marine mammal species. The bill aims to leverage federal resources and authorities to help coastal communities, ecosystems, and industries adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/8632/all-info