PUBLIC LAW 105-383 —NOV. 13, 1998 112 STAT. 3449 examines the ecological and economic consequences of h3T)oxia in United States coastal waters, alternatives for reducing, mitigating, and controlling h3rpoxia, and the social and economic costs and benefits of such alternatives. (2) The assessment shall— (A) establish needs, priorities, and guidelines for a peer-reviewed, inter-agency research program on the causes, characteristics, and impacts of hypoxia; (B) identify alternatives for preventing unnecessary duplication of effort among Federal agencies and depart- . ments with respect to hypoxia; and (C) provide for Federal cooperation and coordination with and assistance to the States, Indian tribes, and local governments in the prevention, reduction, management, mitigation, and control of hypoxia and its environmental impacts. (e) DISESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FoRCE.The President may disestablish the Task Force after submission of the plan in section 604(d). SEC. 604. NORTHERN GULP OF MEXICO HYPOXIA. 16 USC 1451 (a) ASSESSMENT REPORT.Not later than May 30, 1999, the Deadline. Task Force shall complete and submit to Congress and the President an integrated assessment of hypoxia in the northern Gulf of Mexico that examines: the distribution, dynamics, and causes; ecological and economic consequences; sources and loads of nutrients transported by the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico; effects of reducing nutrient loads; methods for reducing nutrient loads; and the social and economic costs and benefits of such methods. (b) SUBMISSION OF A PLAN.— NO later than March 30, 2000, the President, in conjunction with the chief executive officers of the States, shall develop and submit to Congress a plan, based on the integrated assessment submitted under subsection (a), for reducing, mitigating, and controlling hypoxia in the northern Gulf of Mexico. In developing such plein, the President shall consult with State, Indian tribe, and local governments, academic, agricultural, industry, and environmental groups and representatives. Such plan shall include incentive-based partnership approaches. The plan shall also include the social and economic costs and benefits of the measures for reducing, mitigating, and controlling hypoxia. At least 90 days before the President submits such plgin to the Congress, a summgiry of the proposed plan shall be published in the Federal Register for a public comment period of not less than 60 days. SEC. 605. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 16 USC 1451 There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce for research, education, and monitoring activities related to the prevention, reduction, and control of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, $18,250,000 for fiscal year 2000, and $19,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, to remain available until expended. The Secretary shall consult with the States on a regular basis regarding the development and implementation of the activities authorized under this section. Of such amounts for each fiscal year—
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