Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Act

Summary

Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Act - Amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program, to examine marine mammal health and effectively coordinate responses to strandings and unusual mortality events. Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) as part of the Program, a stranding response program; and (2) an emergency response group (ERG) of marine science and conservation experts, which the Secretary shall utilize to respond to marine emergencies or unusual mortality events (emergencies). Requires the ERG to: (1) assist the Secretary in determining when an emergency is occurring; (2) develop contingency plans for responding to such emergencies; (3) assist the Secretary in formulating a response plan for particular emergencies; and (4) identify individuals or organizations at a regional or local level who could, in times of such emergencies, assist the Secretary in implementing a coordinated and effective response. Directs the ERG to develop, and the Secretary to issue, contingency plans for responding to such emergencies. Establishes in the Treasury the Marine Mammal Emergency Response Contingency Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to accept, solicit, and use the services of volunteers, and accept and use gifts, devises, and bequests to carry out the stranding response and emergency response programs. Directs the Secretary to: (1) coordinate facilities for the storage, preparation, examination, and archiving of marine mammal tissues, to be known as the National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank; (2) establish criteria for access to such tissues; (3) issue guidance for marine mammal tissue collection, preparation, and archiving, tissue analysis, and quality assurance protocols to ensure uniformity in techniques and data reporting for such analysis; (4) monitor and determine the levels, and if possible the effects, of potentially harmful contaminants present in representative species and populations of marine mammals in U.S. coastal waters, using the most effective and advanced diagnostic technologies and tools practicable; and (5) develop and maintain a central data base for tracking and assessing data on marine mammals. Authorizes appropriations.

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Documents

4 official files

• Reported to Senate (text)

  Reported to Senate · EN

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• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN

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• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 30 September 1992

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 31 October 1991

  Open at official source

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