January 13, 2025
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez (for herself and Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
To direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Oyster Reef Restoration and Conservation Program.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Oyster Reef Recovery Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Oyster Reef Restoration and Conservation Program
(a) Oyster Reef Restoration and Conservation Program
(1) In general
The Administrator shall establish a program for the conservation of oyster reefs, to be known as the Oyster Reef Restoration and Conservation Program
.
(2) Program duties
In carrying out the Program, the Administrator shall provide technical and financial assistance to covered entities to—
(A)
identify priorities for oyster reef restoration, including existing oyster reef sites and locations of historically significant oyster reefs with the potential for restoration;
(B)
evaluate the health of and threats to oyster reefs, including through mapping and water quality monitoring, and identify conservation actions to address such threats;
(C)
conduct voluntary planning, construction, assessment, protection, monitoring, restoration, and enhancement projects with respect to oyster reefs;
(D)
work to ensure the health and resilience of existing and restored oyster reefs through adaptive management procedures based on the best available science;
(E)
build partnerships and capacity to carry out environmental conservation and stewardship measures with respect to oyster reefs;
(F)
develop and implement monitoring protocols to ensure the success of conservation, restoration, and enhancement measures with respect to oyster reefs;
(G)
collaborate and share information with other covered entities and the public with respect to best management practices for the conservation, restoration, and enhancement of oyster reefs; and
(H)
support workforce training focused on coastal resilience and restoration concepts, principles, techniques, and implementation, especially to benefit underserved communities.
(3) Grant program
(A) In general
The Administrator shall establish a competitive grant program to award amounts to persons that submit an application under subparagraph (B) for the purposes of conducting research, planning, construction, assessments, management, building capacity, monitoring, collaborating and sharing information, or workforce training with respect to the conservation, restoration, enhancement, or management of oyster reefs.
(B) Applications
To be eligible for a grant under this paragraph, a person shall submit to the Administrator an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information, including a sufficient demonstration that the project will not reasonably interfere with commercial or recreational fishing or other water-related uses of the relevant area, as the Administrator determines appropriate.
(b) Rule of construction
Nothing in this section may be construed to preempt or limit the authority of a State or an Indian Tribe to manage oyster reefs or species of oysters.
(c) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
(d) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Administrator
The term Administrator means the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(2) Covered entity
The term covered entity means—
(A)
a unit of the Federal or a State, local, or Tribal government;
(B)
a nongovernmental institution;
(C)
a nonprofit organization;
(D)
an institution of higher education;
(E)
the shellfish industry; and
(F)
a private individual or entity.
(3) Nonprofit organization
The term nonprofit organization means an organization—
(A)
described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
(B)
exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code.
(4) Program
The term Program means the Oyster Reef Restoration and Conservation Program established under subsection (a)(1).
(5) Shellfish industry
The term shellfish industry means shellfish growers and shellfish harvesters.