References in Text
This Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(4), is [Pub. L. 116–223], Dec. 18, 2020, [134 Stat. 1067], known as the Digital Coast Act. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2020 Amendment note set out under section 1451 of this title and Tables.
The Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act, referred to in subsecs. (c)(2) and (d)(3), is subtitle B of title XII of [Pub. L. 111–11], Mar. 30, 2009, [123 Stat. 1421], which is classified generally to chapter 48 (§ 3501 et seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3501 of Title 33 and Tables.
The Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), is title III of [Pub. L. 89–454], as added by [Pub. L. 92–583], Oct. 27, 1972, [86 Stat. 1280], which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1451 of this title and Tables.
The Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), is subtitle C of title XII of [Pub. L. 111–11], Mar. 30, 2009, [123 Stat. 1427], which is classified generally to chapter 49 (§ 3601 et seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3601 of Title 33 and Tables.
The Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), is title III of [Pub. L. 105–384], Nov. 13, 1998, [112 Stat. 3454], which is classified principally to subchapter IV (§ 892 et seq.) of chapter 17 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1998 Amendment note set out under section 851 of Title 33 and Tables.
Executive Order 12906, as amended by Executive Order 13286, referred to in subsec. (c)(4), is Ex. Ord. No. 12906, Apr. 11, 1994, 59 F.R. 17671, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13286, § 25, Feb. 28, 2003, 68 F.R. 10624, which is set out as a note under section 1457 of Title 43, Public Lands.
Findings
[Pub. L. 116–223, § 2], Dec. 18, 2020, [134 Stat. 1067], provided that: “Congress makes the following findings:“(1)
The Digital Coast is a model approach for effective Federal partnerships with State and local government, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector.
“(2)
Access to current, accurate, uniform, and standards-based geospatial information, tools, and training to characterize the United States coastal region is critical for public safety and for the environment, infrastructure, and economy of the United States.
“(3)
More than half of all people of the United States (153,000,000) currently live on or near a coast and an additional 12,000,000 are expected in the next decade.
“(4)
Coastal counties in the United States average 300 persons per square mile, compared with the national average of 98.
“(5)
On a typical day, more than 1,540 permits for construction of single-family homes are issued in coastal counties, combined with other commercial, retail, and institutional construction to support this population.
“(6)
Over half of the economic productivity of the United States is located within coastal regions.
“(7)
Highly accurate, high-resolution remote sensing and other geospatial data play an increasingly important role in decision making and management of the coastal zone and economy, including for—
“(A)
flood and coastal storm surge prediction;
“(B)
hazard risk and vulnerability assessment;
“(C)
emergency response and recovery planning;
“(D)
community resilience to longer range coastal change;
“(E)
local planning and permitting;
“(F)
habitat and ecosystem health assessments; and
“(G)
landscape change detection.”
Definitions
[Pub. L. 116–223, § 3], Dec. 18, 2020, [134 Stat. 1068], provided that: “In this Act [see Short Title of 2020 Amendment note set out under section 1451 of this title]:“(1)
Coastal region.—
The term ‘coastal region’ means the area of United States waters extending inland from the shoreline to include coastal watersheds and seaward to the territorial sea.
“(2)
Coastal state.—
The term ‘coastal State’ has the meaning given the term ‘coastal state’ in section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (
16 U.S.C. 1453).
“(3)
Federal geographic data committee.—
The term ‘Federal Geographic Data Committee’ means the interagency committee that promotes the coordinated development, use, sharing, and dissemination of geospatial data on a national basis.
“(4)
Remote sensing and other geospatial.—
The term ‘remote sensing and other geospatial’ means collecting, storing, retrieving, or disseminating graphical or digital data depicting natural or manmade physical features, phenomena, or boundaries of the Earth and any information related thereto, including surveys, maps, charts, satellite and airborne remote sensing data, images, LiDAR, and services performed by professionals such as surveyors, photogrammetrists, hydrographers, geodesists, cartographers, and other such services.
“(5)
Secretary.—
The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.”