STUDY OF THE EASTERN GRAY WHALE POPULATION.

SEC. 401. STUDY OF THE EASTERN GRAY WHALE POPULATION. (a) Study.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary of Commerce shall initiate a study of the environmental and biological factors responsible for the significant increase in mortality events of the eastern gray whale population, and the other potential impacts these factors may be having on the eastern gray whale population. 114 STAT. 2808 (b) Consideration of Western Population Information.—The Secretary should ensure that, to the greatest extent practicable, information from current and future studies of the western gray whale population is considered in the study under this section, so as to better understand the dynamics of each population and to test different hypotheses that may lead to an increased understanding of the mechanism driving their respective population dynamics. (c) Authorization of Appropriations.—In addition to other amounts authorized under this title, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section— (1) $290,000 for fiscal year 2001; and (2) $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2004.