House Approves $8.2 Billion Coast Guard Authorization Bill
Several Alaska Provisions Included In Coast Guard Legislation
Washington, D.C. - Legislation that authorizes $8.2 billion for U.S. Coast Guard operations and new equipment and several provisions for Alaska was overwhelmingly approved by the U.S. House of Representatives.
The conference report on H.R. 2443 - The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Authorization Act for 2004 - was approved by a 425 to 1 vote and is now awaiting action by the U.S. Senate.
The $8.2 billion for Fiscal Year 2005 was an increase above the $7.0 billion appropriated for the Coast Guard in FY 2004.
Young Wants Balance In Coast Guard's Missions
"I believe that through our negotiations with the other body, we have crafted legislation that will give the Coast Guard the resources and authorities necessary to protect the safety and security of lives and property on U.S. waters," said Alaska Congressman Don Young, the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, during the floor debate on the bill.
"In addition to authorizing levels of funding, this agreement includes a number of provisions that will result in a safer, more efficient system of maritime transportation.
"As this body's only licensed mariner and the elected representative for all of Alaska, I am extremely interested in making sure the Coast Guard has the tools necessary to carry out its many and varied missions.
"My state of Alaska contains nearly one third of this nation's exclusive economic zone, the nation's largest fishery, and significant cruise ship and oil tanker traffic. Therefore, I am concerned about the ability of the Coast Guard to carry out its traditional search and rescue, fisheries law enforcement, and vessel inspection missions.
"There are continuing concerns that some of these missions may be suffering as a result of the new emphasis on homeland security. I remain optimistic that this legislation will provide the Coast Guard with the resources and legal authorities necessary to get the service back to an acceptable state of mission balance.
"All of us recognize the exceptional work performed by the Coast Guard, often under dangerous circumstances. I urge all of my colleagues to support this conference report which authorizes sufficient resources for the Coast Guard to carry out its many missions, and makes necessary improvements to the laws governing maritime transportation."
Major Alaska Provisions In H.R. 2443
Alaska comprises the 17th Coast Guard District and Kodiak is home to the Coast Guard's largest base. The major Alaska provisions in the bill include:
- Expanding the Coast Guard housing demonstration project in Alaska;
- Authorizing funds to equip a new C-130J for use in Alaska;
- Continuing funding for the Prince William Sound Oil Spill Recovery Institute;
- Conveying the Sentinel Island Light Station to a local historical society;
- Authorizing a technology demonstration project in Alaska to modernize the processing and issuance of Merchant Mariners Documents to mariners who engage in seasonal work far from a Coast Guard licensing centers;
- Requiring notification before any changes to existing Coast Guard Districts;
- Naming of a cove in Alaska for NOAA seaman who died while surveying the area.
In addition, the legislation also restores cuts proposed by the administration in capital programs. Restoration of these cuts will assure the safety of the equipment used by Coast Guard personnel and help deal modernize shoreside facilities, including those in Alaska.
The legislation also accelerates the acquisition of the Coast Guard's new integrated system of ships, boats, planes, helicopters and communications equipment. Once acquired, this new system will help the Coast Guard more efficiently, and effectively carry out its traditional missions like search and rescue, and fisheries law enforcement that are important to Alaska, and its new homeland security missions throughout the nation.
Major National Provisions In Conference Report
Some of the major provisions include (a complete list of the provisions can be found on the Committee website):
- Authorizes $8.17 billion for the Coast Guard in Fiscal Year 2005, including $1.1 billion for the Integrated Deepwater System, the Coast Guard's asset recapitalization program;
- Authorizes the Coast Guard to settle certain financial claims resulting from oil spill prevention or cleanup activities;
- Enhances port and facility security by authorizing members of the Coast Guard to carry firearms and make arrests at shoreside facilities for violations of port maritime security regulations;
- Requires the development of a long-range vessel tracking system and a plan to improve the collection, collaboration, coordination, and dissemination of maritime intelligence and information by Federal agencies;
- Requires the establishment of a grant program to allocate funds to implement facility and area maritime security plans;
- Authorizes the establishment of a National Coast Guard Museum in New London, CT;
- Requires certain vessel classes to be equipped with and be able to operate electronic navigational charts;
- Enhances safety of towing vessels by requiring towing vessels to be regularly inspected by the Coast Guard;
- Authorizes funding levels for the Federal Maritime Commission for Fiscal Years 2005-2008.