WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 556, The Southern Sea Otter Recovery and Research Act

Comment by JLS (September 23, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The sea otters have not been doing well and need our help. We do not know exactly what is causing their decline,and they are a very important species to their habitat. We need to do a lot more research on these animals or they will not be around for too much longer. They eat the sea anemones, which kill the Kelp forests. Without the sea otters, there will be far less kelp forests which are habitats for many other animals as well and has a lot of biodiversity. The sea otter is a perfect example of a keystone species and is a very important animal to protect and research. If we do not save them now, then there will be a lot of other animals going extinct as well....

Revision by webmaster (July 31, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 556 would establish a program of research, recovery, and other activities to provide for the recovery of the southern sea otter.

Detailed Summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 23, 2009. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Southern Sea Otter Recovery and Research Act - (Sec. 2) Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), to carry out a Recovery and Research Program for southern sea otter populations along the coast of California that includes: (1) monitoring, analysis, and assessment of population demographics, health, mortality, and life history parameters; and (2) implementation of measures to reduce or eliminate potential factors limiting populations that are related to marine ecosystem health or human activities.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) appoint persons to a southern sea otter recovery implementation team as authorized under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 within a year; (2) establish a peer-reviewed, merit-based process to award competitive grants for research regarding such otters and for projects assisting the recovery of otter populations; and (3) establish a peer review panel to provide scientific advice and guidance to prioritize proposals for grants.

Authorizes research grant topics to include: (1) causes of sea otter mortality; (2) southern sea otter demographics and natural history; (3) effects and sources of pollutants, nutrients, and toxicants on such otters and sequestration of contaminants; (4) effects and sources of infectious diseases and parasites affecting such otters; (5) limitations on the availability of food resources for such otters and the impacts of food limitation on southern sea otter carrying capacity; (6) interactions between southern sea otters and coastal fisheries and other human activities in the marine environment; (7) assessment of the keystone ecological role of sea otters in southern and central California's coastal marine ecosystems; and (8) assessment of the adequacy of emergency response and contingency plans.

Authorizes funded recovery projects to include projects to: (1) protect and recover southern sea otters; (2) reduce, mitigate, or eliminate potential factors limiting southern sea otter populations that are related to human activities; and (3) implement emergency response and contingency plans.

Requires the Secretary, within 12 months, to report to Congress on: (1) the status of southern sea otter populations; (2) implementation of the research and grant programs; and (3) endangered species consultations regarding southern sea otters.

Requires the Secretary, within 24 months and every five years thereafter, to report to Congress and the public on: (1) an evaluation of southern sea otter health, causes of southern sea otter mortality, and the interactions of southern sea otters with California's coastal marine ecosystems; (2) an evaluation of actions taken to improve otter health, reduce mortality, and improve southern sea otter habitat; (3) recommendation for actions to improve otter health, reduce the occurrence of human-related mortality, and improve the health of such coastal marine ecosystems; and (4) recommendations for funding to implement this Act.

(Sec. 4) Authorizes appropriations for each of FY2010-FY2015.

(Sec. 5) Terminates this Act on the date the Secretary publishes a determination that the southern sea otter should be removed from the endangered species and threatened species lists.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 7/29/2009: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (July 30, 2009, 01:00:00)

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 556 would establish a program of research, recovery, and other activities to provide for the recovery of the southern sea otter.

Detailed Summary

(Sec. 4) Authorizes appropriations for each of FY2010-FY2015.

(Sec. 5) Terminates this Act on the date the Secretary publishes a determination that the southern sea otter should be removed from the endangered species and threatened species lists.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 7/29/2009: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (July 29, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 556 would establish a program of research, recovery, and other activities to provide for the recovery of the southern sea otter.

Detailed Summary

(Sec. 4) Authorizes appropriations for each of FY2010-FY2015.

(Sec. 5) Terminates this Act on the date the Secretary publishes a determination that the southern sea otter should be removed from the endangered species and threatened species lists.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 7/28/2009: Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 316 - 107 (Roll no. 651).

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of July 29, 2009

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

7/29/2009: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Revision by webmaster (July 28, 2009, 01:00:00)

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 556 would establish a program of research, recovery, and other activities to provide for the recovery of the southern sea otter.

Detailed Summary

(Sec. 4) Authorizes appropriations for each of FY2010-FY2015.

(Sec. 5) Terminates this Act on the date the Secretary publishes a determination that the southern sea otter should be removed from the endangered species and threatened species lists.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 7/27/2009: House floor actions. Status: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Hastings (WA) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of July 28, 2009

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

7/28/2009: Passed/agreed to in House. Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 316 - 107 (Roll no. 651).

Status as of July 27, 2009

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

7/27/2009: House floor actions. Status: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Hastings (WA) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

Revision by webmaster (July 1, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 556 would establish a program of research, recovery, and other activities to provide for the recovery of the southern sea otter.

Detailed Summary

(Sec. 4) Authorizes appropriations for each of FY2010-FY2015.

(Sec. 5) Terminates this Act on the date the Secretary publishes a determination that the southern sea otter should be removed from the endangered species and threatened species lists.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 6/23/2009: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 92.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (June 24, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 556 would establish a program of research, recovery, and other activities to provide for the recovery of the southern sea otter.

Detailed Summary

Southern Sea Otter Recovery and Research Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to carry out a Recovery and Research Program for southern sea otter populations along the coast of California that includes: (1) monitoring, analysis, and assessment of population demographics, health, mortality, and life history parameters; and (2) implementation of measures to reduce or eliminate potential factors limiting populations that are related to marine ecosystem health or human activities.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a peer-reviewed, merit-based process to award competitive grants for research regarding such otters and for projects assisting the recovery of otter populations; and (2) establish the Southern Sea Otter Scientific Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary on Program goals and priorities, recovery actions necessary to implement the Program, and grant proposals.

Requires the Secretary to report on: (1) the status of southern sea otter populations; (2) Program implementation; (3) endangered species consultations regarding southern sea otters; and (4) recommended actions to improve otter health, reduce mortality, and improve the health of coastal marine systems.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 6/23/2009: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 92.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of June 23, 2009

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

6/23/2009: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 92.

Revision by webmaster (June 11, 2009, 01:00:00)

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 556 would establish a program of research, recovery, and other activities to provide for the recovery of the southern sea otter.

Detailed Summary

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 6/10/2009: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of June 10, 2009

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT

6/10/2009: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Revision by webmaster (May 7, 2009, 01:00:00)

Thu, 07 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 556 would establish a program of research, recovery, and other activities to provide for the recovery of the southern sea otter.

Detailed Summary

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 5/5/2009: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of May 5, 2009

Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 EDT

5/5/2009: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Revision by webmaster (February 13, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

H.R. 556 would establish a program of research, recovery, and other activities to provide for the recovery of the southern sea otter.

Detailed Summary

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 2/4/2009: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of February 4, 2009

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST

2/4/2009: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife.

Revision by webmaster (January 30, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

H.R. 556 would establish a program of research, recovery, and other activities to provide for the recovery of the southern sea otter.

Detailed Summary

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 1/15/2009: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (January 16, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

H.R. 556 would establish a program of research, recovery, and other activities to provide for the recovery of the southern sea otter.

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

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Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (January 16, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

H.R. 556 would establish a program of research, recovery, and other activities to provide for the recovery of the southern sea otter.

Detailed Summary

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 1/15/2009: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

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Status as of January 15, 2009

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

1/15/2009: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.