§ 1952. NOAA Marine Debris Program

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1. 2006

   Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act

   Pub. L. 109–449 § 101 · 120 Stat. 3333

   Enacted · 33 U.S.C. § 1952

   Pub. L. 109–449, § 101, formerly § 3, Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3333

   Target inherited from the preceding amendment note.

   Source evidence

   Code source credit
   Pub. L. 109–449, § 101, formerly § 3, Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3333

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   SEC. 3. NOAA MARINE DEBRIS PREVENTION AND REMOVAL PROGRAM. (a) Establishment of Program.— There is established, within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Program to reduce and prevent the occurrence and adverse impacts of marine debris on the marine environment and navigation safety. (b) Program Components.— The Administrator, acting through the Program and subject to the availability of appropriations, shall carry out the following activities: (1) Mapping, identification, impact assessment, removal, and prevention.— The Administrator shall, in consultation with relevant Federal agencies, undertake marine debris mapping, identification, impact assessment, prevention, and removal efforts, with a focus on marine debris posing a threat to living marine resources and navigation safety, including— (A) the establishment of a process, building on existing information sources maintained by Federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Coast Guard, for cataloguing and maintaining an inventory of marine debris and its impacts found in the navigable waters of the United States and the United States exclusive economic zone, including location, material, size, age, and origin, and impacts on habitat, living marine resources, human health, and navigation safety; (B) measures to identify the origin, location, and projected movement of marine debris within United States navigable waters, the United States exclusive economic zone, and the high seas, including the use of oceanographic, atmospheric, satellite, and remote sensing data; and (C) development and implementation of strategies, methods, priorities, and a plan for preventing and removing marine debris from United States navigable waters and within the United States exclusive economic zone, including development of local or regional protocols for removal of derelict fishing gear and other marine debris. (2) Reducing and preventing loss of gear.— The Administrator shall improve efforts to reduce adverse impacts of lost and discarded fishing gear on living marine resources and navigation safety, including— (A) research and development of alternatives to gear posing threats to the marine environment, and methods for marking gear used in specific fisheries to enhance the tracking, recovery, and identification of lost and discarded gear; and (B) development of effective nonregulatory measures and incentives to cooperatively reduce the volume of lost and discarded fishing gear and to aid in its recovery. (3) Outreach.— The Administrator shall undertake outreach and education of the public and other stakeholders, such as the fishing industry, fishing gear manufacturers, and other marine-dependent industries, and the plastic and waste management industries, on sources of marine debris, threats associated with marine debris and approaches to identify, determine sources of, assess, reduce, and prevent marine debris and its adverse impacts on the marine environment and navigational safety, including outreach and education activities through public-private initiatives. The Administrator shall coordinate outreach and education activities under this paragraph with any outreach programs conducted under section 2204 of the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act of 1987 (33 U.S.C. 1915). (c) Grants, Cooperative Agreements, and Contracts.— (1) In general.— The Administrator, acting through the Program, shall enter into cooperative agreements and contracts and provide financial assistance in the form of grants for projects to accomplish the purpose set forth in section 2(1). (2) Grant cost sharing requirement.— (A) In general.— Except as provided in subparagraph (B), Federal funds for any grant under this section may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of such project. For purposes of this subparagraph, the non-Federal share of project costs may be provided by in-kind contributions and other noncash support. (B) Waiver.— The Administrator may waive all or part of the matching requirement under subparagraph (A) if the Administrator determines that no reasonable means are available through which applicants can meet the matching requirement and the probable benefit of such project outweighs the public interest in such matching requirement. (3) Amounts paid and services rendered under consent.— (A) Consent decrees and orders.— If authorized by the Administrator or the Attorney General, as appropriate, the non-Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under this Act may include money paid pursuant to, or the value of any in-kind service performed under, an administrative order on consent or judicial consent decree that will remove or prevent marine debris. (B) Other decrees and orders.— The non-Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under this Act may not include any money paid pursuant to, or the value of any in-kind service performed under, any other administrative order or court order. (4) Eligibility.— Any State, local, or tribal government whose activities affect research or regulation of marine debris, and any institution of higher education, nonprofit organization, or commercial organization with expertise in a field related to marine debris, is eligible to submit to the Administrator a marine debris proposal under the grant program. (5) Grant criteria and guidelines.— Within Deadline. 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall promulgate necessary guidelines for implementation of the grant program, including development of criteria and priorities for grants. In developing those guidelines, the Administrator shall consult with— (A) the Interagency Committee; (B) regional fishery management councils established under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.); (C) State, regional, and local governmental entities with marine debris experience; (D) marine-dependent industries; and (E) nongovernmental organizations involved in marine debris research, prevention, or removal activities. (6) Project review and approval.— The Administrator shall— (A) review each marine debris project proposal to determine if it meets the grant criteria and supports the goals of this Act; (B) after considering any written comments and recommendations based on the review, approve or disapprove the proposal; and (C) Notification. provide notification of that approval or disapproval to the person who submitted the proposal. (7) Project reporting.— Each grantee under this section shall provide periodic reports as required by the Administrator. Each report shall include all information required by the Administrator for evaluating the progress and success in meeting its stated goals, and impact of the grant activities on the marine debris problem.

2. 2012

   Marine Debris Act Amendments of 2012

   Pub. L. 112–213 § 604(a)(1) · 126 Stat. 1540

   Struck · 33 U.S.C. § 1952

   Pub. L. 112–213, § 604(a)(1), struck out “Prevention and Removal” before “Program” in section catchline

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Pub. L. 112–213, § 604(a)(1), struck out “Prevention and Removal” before “Program” in section catchline.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (1) in the section heading by striking “prevention and removal”; and

3. 2012

   Marine Debris Act Amendments of 2012

   Pub. L. 112–213 § 604(a)(2) · 126 Stat. 1540

   1. Substituted · 33 U.S.C. § 1952(a)

      Pub. L. 112–213, § 604(a)(2), substituted “Program to identify, determine sources of, assess, prevent, reduce, and remove marine debris and address the” for “Prevention and Removal Program to reduce and prevent the occurrence and”

   2. Substituted · 33 U.S.C. § 1952(a)

      Pub. L. 112–213, § 604(a)(2), substituted “marine debris on the economy of the United States, the marine environment, and” for “marine debris on the marine environment and”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 112–213, § 604(a)(2), substituted “Program to identify, determine sources of, assess, prevent, reduce, and remove marine debris and address the” for “Prevention and Removal Program to reduce and prevent the occurrence and” and “marine debris on the economy of the United States, the marine environment, and” for “marine debris on the marine environment and”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (2) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking “Prevention and Removal Program to reduce and prevent the occurrence and” and inserting “Program to identify, determine sources of, assess, prevent, reduce, and remove marine debris and address the”; (B) by inserting “the economy of the United States,” after “marine debris on”; and (C) by inserting a comma after “environment”.

4. 2012

   Marine Debris Act Amendments of 2012

   Pub. L. 112–213 § 604(b) · 126 Stat. 1540

   Amended · 33 U.S.C. § 1952(b)

   Pub. L. 112–213, § 604(b), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) described components of the Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Program

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–213, § 604(b), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) described components of the Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Program.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (b) Program Components.— Section 3(b) (33 U.S.C. 1952(b)) is amended to read as follows: “(b) Program Components.— The Administrator, acting through the Program and subject to the availability of appropriations, shall— “(1) identify, determine sources of, assess, prevent, reduce, and remove marine debris, with a focus on marine debris posing a threat to living marine resources and navigation safety; “(2) provide national and regional coordination to assist States, Indian tribes, and regional organizations in the identification, determination of sources, assessment, prevention, reduction, and removal of marine debris; “(3) undertake efforts to reduce the adverse impacts of lost and discarded fishing gear on living marine resources and navigation safety, including— “(A) research and development of alternatives to gear posing threats to the marine environment and methods for marking gear used in certain fisheries to enhance the tracking, recovery, and identification of lost and discarded gear; and “(B) the development of effective nonregulatory measures and incentives to cooperatively reduce the volume of lost and discarded fishing gear and to aid in gear recovery; “(4) undertake outreach and education activities for the public and other stakeholders on sources of marine debris, threats associated with marine debris, and approaches to identifying, determining sources of, assessing, preventing, reducing, and removing marine debris and its adverse impacts on the United States economy, the marine environment, and navigation safety, including outreach and education activities through public-private initiatives; and “(5) Plans. develop, in consultation with the Interagency Committee, interagency plans for the timely response to events determined by the Administrator to be severe marine debris events, including plans to— “(A) coordinate across agencies and with relevant State, tribal, and local governments to ensure adequate, timely, and efficient response; “(B) assess the composition, volume, and trajectory of marine debris associated with a severe marine debris event; and “(C) estimate the potential impacts of a severe marine debris event, including economic impacts on human health, navigation safety, natural resources, tourism, and livestock, including aquaculture.” .

5. 2012

   Marine Debris Act Amendments of 2012

   Pub. L. 112–213 § 604(c)(1) · 126 Stat. 1540

   Substituted · 33 U.S.C. § 1952(c)(1)

   Pub. L. 112–213, § 604(c)(1), substituted “section 1951” for “section 1951(1)”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 112–213, § 604(c)(1), substituted “section 1951” for “section 1951(1)”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (1) in paragraph (1), by striking “section 2(1)” and inserting “section 2”;

6. 2012

   Marine Debris Act Amendments of 2012

   Pub. L. 112–213 § 604(c)(2) · 126 Stat. 1540

   1. Redesignated · 33 U.S.C. § 1952(c)(5)(7)

      Pub. L. 112–213, § 604(c)(2), (3), redesignated pars. (6) and (7) as (5) and (6), respectively

   2. Struck · 33 U.S.C. § 1952(c)(5)(7)

      Pub. L. 112–213, § 604(c)(2), (3), struck out former par. (5) which required the Administrator to promulgate necessary guidelines for implementation of the grant program within 180 days after Dec. 22, 2006

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (c)(5) to (7). Pub. L. 112–213, § 604(c)(2), (3), redesignated pars. (6) and (7) as (5) and (6), respectively, and struck out former par. (5) which required the Administrator to promulgate necessary guidelines for implementation of the grant program within 180 days after Dec. 22, 2006.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (2) by striking paragraph (5); and

7. 2018

   Save Our Seas Act of 2018

   Pub. L. 115–265 § 101(1) · 132 Stat. 3742

   Added · 33 U.S.C. § 1952(b)(6)(8)

   Pub. L. 115–265, § 101(1), added pars. (6) to (8)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (b)(6) to (8). Pub. L. 115–265, § 101(1), added pars. (6) to (8).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (1) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (4), by striking “; and” and inserting a semicolon; (B) in paragraph (5)(C), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (C) by adding at the end the following: “(6) work to develop outreach and education strategies with other Federal agencies to address sources of marine debris; “(7) except for discharges of marine debris from vessels, in consultation with the Department of State and other Federal agencies, promote international action, as appropriate, to reduce the incidence of marine debris, including providing technical assistance to expand waste management systems internationally; and “(8) in the case of an event determined to be a severe marine debris event under subsection (c)— “(A) assist in the cleanup and response required by the severe marine debris event; or “(B) conduct such other activity as the Administrator determines is appropriate in response to the severe marine debris event.” ;

8. 2018

   Save Our Seas Act of 2018

   Pub. L. 115–265 § 101(2) · 132 Stat. 3742

   1. Added · 33 U.S.C. § 1952(c); 33 U.S.C. § 1952(d)

      Pub. L. 115–265, § 101(2), (3), added subsec. (c)

   2. Redesignated · 33 U.S.C. § 1952(c); 33 U.S.C. § 1952(d)

      Pub. L. 115–265, § 101(2), (3), redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 115–265, § 101(2), (3), added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d);

9. 2018

   Save Our Seas Act of 2018

   Pub. L. 115–265 § 101(4)(A) · 132 Stat. 3742

   Substituted · 33 U.S.C. § 1952(d)(2)(A)

   Pub. L. 115–265, § 101(4)(A), substituted “subparagraphs (B) and (C)” for “subparagraph (B)”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (d)(2)(A). Pub. L. 115–265, § 101(4)(A), substituted “subparagraphs (B) and (C)” for “subparagraph (B)”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking “subparagraph (B)” and inserting “subparagraphs (B) and (C)”; and

10. 2018

    Save Our Seas Act of 2018

    Pub. L. 115–265 § 101(4)(B) · 132 Stat. 3742

    Added · 33 U.S.C. § 1952(d)(2)(C)

    Pub. L. 115–265, § 101(4)(B), added subpar. (C)

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (d)(2)(C). Pub. L. 115–265, § 101(4)(B), added subpar. (C).

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (B) by adding at the end the following: “(C) Severe marine debris events.— Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Federal share of the cost of an activity carried out under a determination made under subsection (c) shall be— “(i) 100 percent of the cost of the activity, for an activity funded wholly by funds made available by a person, including the government of a foreign country, to the Federal Government for the purpose of responding to a severe marine debris event; or “(ii) 75 percent of the cost of the activity, for any activity other than an activity funded as described in clause (i).” .

11. 2025

    Pub. L. 119–65 § 6(a) · 139 Stat. 1986

    Substituted · 33 U.S.C. § 1952

    Pub. L. 119–65, § 6(a), which directed substitution of “Under Secretary” for “Administrator”, was executed by making the substitution wherever appearing, to reflect the probable intent of Congress

    Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–65 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Pub. L. 119–65, § 6(a), which directed substitution of “Under Secretary” for “Administrator”, was executed by making the substitution wherever appearing, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

12. 2025

    Pub. L. 119–65 § 2(b)(1) · 139 Stat. 1986

    Substituted · 33 U.S.C. § 1952(d)

    Pub. L. 119–65, § 2(b)(1), substituted “contracts, and other agreements” for “and contracts” in heading

    Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–65 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 119–65, § 2(b)(1), substituted “contracts, and other agreements” for “and contracts” in heading.

13. 2025

    Pub. L. 119–65 § 2(b)(2) · 139 Stat. 1986

    Substituted · 33 U.S.C. § 1952(d)(1)

    Pub. L. 119–65, § 2(b)(2), substituted “, contracts, and other agreements” for “and contracts”

    Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–65 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 119–65, § 2(b)(2), substituted “, contracts, and other agreements” for “and contracts”.

14. 2025

    Pub. L. 119–65 § 2(b)(3)(A) · 139 Stat. 1986

    Substituted · 33 U.S.C. § 1952(d)(2)(B)

    Pub. L. 119–65, § 2(b)(3)(A), substituted “part of a matching requirement under subparagraph (A) or (C)” for “part of the matching requirement under subparagraph (A)”

    Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–65 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 119–65, § 2(b)(3)(A), substituted “part of a matching requirement under subparagraph (A) or (C)” for “part of the matching requirement under subparagraph (A)”.

15. 2025

    Pub. L. 119–65 § 2(b)(3)(B) · 139 Stat. 1986

    Inserted · 33 U.S.C. § 1952(d)(2)(C)

    Pub. L. 119–65, § 2(b)(3)(B), inserted “and except as provided in subparagraph (B)” after “subparagraph (A)” in introductory provisions

    Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–65 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (d)(2)(C). Pub. L. 119–65, § 2(b)(3)(B), inserted “and except as provided in subparagraph (B)” after “subparagraph (A)” in introductory provisions.

16. 2025

    Pub. L. 119–65 § 6(f) · 139 Stat. 1986

    Substituted · 33 U.S.C. § 1952(d)(4)

    Pub. L. 119–65, § 6(f), substituted “Tribal Government” for “tribal government”

    Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–65 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 119–65, § 6(f), substituted “Tribal Government” for “tribal government”.

17. 2025

    Pub. L. 119–65 § 2(b)(4) · 139 Stat. 1986

    Added · 33 U.S.C. § 1952(d)(7)

    Pub. L. 119–65, § 2(b)(4), added par. (7)

    Unresolved: Pub. L. 119–65 was not found in the local Statutes at Large index.

    Source evidence

    Code amendment note
    Subsec. (d)(7). Pub. L. 119–65, § 2(b)(4), added par. (7).

13 of 20 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 7 unresolved