Overview
Title
Designating October 23, 2024, as National Marine Sanctuary Day.
ELI5 AI
S. RES. 862 is a plan to make October 23, 2024, "National Marine Sanctuary Day" to help people remember and support special ocean and lake areas that protect sea animals and nature. This special day hopes to make everyone, including the government, work together to care for these places better.
Summary AI
S. RES. 862 is a resolution proposed in the Senate to declare October 23, 2024, as "National Marine Sanctuary Day." This resolution highlights the importance of the National Marine Sanctuary System, which protects the oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes. It encourages people to visit and support these sanctuaries, and acknowledges their role in supporting biodiversity, recreation, and local economies. The resolution also calls on government agencies to work together to promote the goals of marine protection laws.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
The resolution, designated as S. RES. 862, proposes the establishment of October 23, 2024, as "National Marine Sanctuary Day." This initiative is intended to highlight the importance of the United States' national marine sanctuaries, which are designated areas aimed at conserving and protecting the nation's marine and Great Lakes environments. This effort is in line with broader conservation goals established under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972.
General Summary of the Bill
The bill celebrates the role of national marine sanctuaries in safeguarding biodiversity and supporting recreational activities, while acknowledging their contribution to local and national economies. Moreover, it encourages collaborations between federal agencies and communities to expand and manage these protected areas. The resolution seeks to raise awareness of the ecological value of these sanctuaries and the benefits they provide to society.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several issues emerge from the text of the bill, primarily linked to its implementation and the clarity of its directives. First, the bill does not provide specific details about budget allocations, raising questions about potential funding needs for new sanctuary designations or observance of the day. Additionally, the directive for federal agencies to balance priorities lacks specificity, which might result in varied interpretations and inconsistent implementation. The ceremonial nature of "National Marine Sanctuary Day" also remains somewhat ambiguous regarding any associated costs. Finally, the resolution encourages the completion of new sanctuary designations, implying additional resource needs, but does not address these requirements directly.
Impact on the Public
The resolution’s intent to foster public appreciation and understanding of marine sanctuaries could significantly benefit general awareness of environmental conservation issues. Broadly speaking, the establishment of a national day dedicated to marine sanctuaries could engage communities in conservation efforts and highlight their ecological and economic significance. Increased public awareness might also inspire more active participation in conservation activities, promoting environmental stewardship at the community level.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Stakeholders such as local communities, environmental organizations, and recreational industries may find direct benefits from the designation of "National Marine Sanctuary Day." Local economies could see positive impacts through increased tourism and recreational activities related to sanctuaries. Environmental organizations may gain support for their conservation efforts, helping them achieve broader ecological objectives. However, the lack of clear budgetary guidance or directives may pose challenges for federal agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), potentially straining resources or necessitating additional legislative action to support new sanctuary designations and management efforts effectively.
In summary, while the resolution offers a meaningful step toward recognizing the importance of national marine sanctuaries, clear guidance on implementation and resource allocation will be crucial for ensuring that the potential benefits are fully realized and sustained.
Issues
The text does not specify any particular budget or funding allocations, making it unclear whether additional spending will be needed or requested to implement the measures described. This may affect federal and local budgets if new designations or observances entail costs. [Section (1)]
Language regarding encouraging federal agencies to balance priorities is somewhat vague and may lead to differing interpretations regarding what actions are expected. The lack of clear directives might result in inconsistent support and implementation of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. [Section (1)]
The designation of October 23, 2024, as 'National Marine Sanctuary Day' seems to be ceremonial, but it is unclear if there are any associated costs planned or needed for its observance. This raises questions about the financial impact on federal and local governments. [Section (1)]
Encouraging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to complete designations of new marine sanctuaries could imply additional resources or staffing, which is not addressed within the bill. This omission might result in resource strain or require further legislative action to allocate necessary support. [Section (1)]
The call for federal agencies to support the priorities of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 without clear directives or measures may lead to inconsistencies in implementation. This could affect the efficacy of the conservation efforts and the intended goals of the act. [Section (1)]
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
(1) Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Senate designates October 23, 2024, as "National Marine Sanctuary Day" to promote awareness and support for the United States' national marine sanctuaries. The resolution emphasizes their value for recreation, economic contribution, biodiversity protection, and community resilience, and encourages collaboration among federal agencies and communities to enhance marine conservation efforts.