Bill Overview
Title: Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021
Description: This bill addresses the conservation and sustainability of coral reef ecosystems. Among other things, the bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and revises the Coral Reef Conservation Program; directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide block grants to states to support state coral reef management and restoration; requires NOAA to establish standards for the formation of partnerships among government and community members for the stewardship of coral reefs; provides statutory authority for the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force to lead, coordinate, and strengthen federal government actions to preserve, conserve, and restore coral reef ecosystems; requires the Department of the Interior to provide grants upon the declaration of a coral reef emergency to implement emergency plans; authorizes Interior to provide scientific expertise, technical assistance, and financial assistance for the conservation and restoration of coral reefs; and establishes a National Coral Reef Management Fellowship Program.
Sponsors: Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals dependent on coral reef ecosystems
Estimated Size: 3000000
- Coral reefs are found in over 100 countries globally, and billions of people live in proximity to reef systems.
- Reef systems contribute to biodiversity, benefitting local fish populations that are essential for local and global food supply.
- Healthy reefs protect coastal communities from storms and erosion, directly impacting the people living near coasts.
- Tourism related to healthy coral reefs is a significant economic factor, influencing the livelihood of people dependent on the tourism industry.
Reasoning
- Coral reef restoration efforts will have varying impacts depending on how close people live to these ecosystems and their involvement with fishing or tourism economies.
- The policy's budget limits mean it cannot address every need, thus, only highly affected areas or partnerships will likely receive direct substantial benefits.
- People working directly in fields related to coral reefs like fisheries, diving, or coastal tourism will experience a higher impact than those indirectly related.
- Many individuals in affected areas might see no immediate changes in their daily lives, especially in the short term, due to the slow nature of ecological restoration.
Simulated Interviews
Diving Instructor (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope the policy will help bring back more tourists as healthier reefs attract more divers.
- We experienced a dip in business due to reef bleaching; restoration is critical for our livelihood.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Marine Biologist (Key West, Florida)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am optimistic about the potential advancements in reef conservation due to this policy.
- Increased funding and partnerships could significantly enhance our research capacity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 5 |
Fisherwoman (Miami, Florida)
Age: 44 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am unsure about how quickly this policy will restore fish stocks, but I am hopeful.
- Healthy reefs mean better fish and better income for us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Government Officer (San Diego, California)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will set standards that could influence other environmental legislations.
- However, I do not expect it to have a direct impact on my day-to-day work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Hotel Owner (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a positive move towards restoring what we have lost.
- Without a healthy reef, our tourism business suffers immensely.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 2 |
Financial Analyst (New York City, New York)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's great that there is focus on environmental issues like coral reefs, though it doesn't affect me directly.
- These actions might help us all in the long run by combating climate issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
School Teacher (Guam)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy gives hope that my students will learn about and see healthy reefs in their lifetime.
- There is community solidarity growing around these initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Charter Boat Operator (Chesapeake Bay, Maryland)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While my business isn't directly tied to coral reefs, enhancements there could lead to increased interest overall in marine tourism.
- Education and preservation usually feed back positively into our local economy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Research Scientist (Galveston, Texas)
Age: 33 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is crucial as it enhances funding mechanisms that support the scientific community.
- Collaboration with NOAA and other agencies could expand our research impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 6 |
Tour Guide (St. Thomas, Virgin Islands)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the reefs recover, my business could thrive and expand.
- I've had to decrease tours due to reef damage, so restoration is vital.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Year 2: $31000000 (Low: $26000000, High: $36000000)
Year 3: $32000000 (Low: $27000000, High: $37000000)
Year 5: $34000000 (Low: $29000000, High: $39000000)
Year 10: $38000000 (Low: $33000000, High: $43000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $55000000)
Key Considerations
- Costs of emergency responses to coral reef damage can vary significantly based on occurrence and severity.
- Long-term savings from healthy reefs in flood mitigation and coastal protection can be substantial.
- The success of the policy largely hinges on collaboration between states, local communities, and federal entities.