STUDY OF AREAS FOR DESIGNATION AS OR INCLUSION IN NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES.

SEC. 206. STUDY OF AREAS FOR DESIGNATION AS OR INCLUSION IN NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES. (a) Study.— (1) In general.— The Secretary of Commerce shall conduct a study of the areas described in subsection (c) for purposes of making determinations and findings in accordance with section 303(a) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1433(a))— (A) regarding whether or not all or any part of such areas are appropriate for designation as national marine sanctuaries in accordance with the Act; and (B) regarding whether or not all or any part of the areas described in subsection (c)(1) (2), and (3) should be added to and administered as part of the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary or the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. (2) Report.—Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall submit a report to the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate which sets forth the determinations and findings referred to in paragraph (1). (b) Designation or Expansion of Marine Sanctuaries.— If as a result of a study conducted pursuant to subsection (a) the Secretary of Commerce makes the determinations and findings set forth in section 303(a) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1433(a)) with respect to all or any part of the areas described in subsection (c), the Secretary of Commerce, in accordance with the procedures for the designation of national marine sanctuaries set forth in section 304 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1434)— (1) shall designate such areas or parts of such areas as national marine sanctuaries; or (2) shall, with respect to all or any part of the areas described in subsections (c) (1), (2), and (3), add such areas or parts of such areas to the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary or the Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary; as the Secretary of Commerce considers appropriate. (c) Areas Described.— The areas referred to in subsections (a) and (b) are the following: (1) American shoal.— The portion of the marine environment in the Florida Keys in the vicinity of American Shoal, including the part of such environment located generally between such shoal and the Marquesas Keys. (2) Sombrero key.— The portion of the marine environment in the Florida Keys in the vicinity of and surrounding Sombrero (3) Alligator reef.— The portion of the marine environment in the Florida Keys in the vicinity of and surrounding Alligator Reef, including the portion located generally between such reef and the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary. 102 STAT. 3219 (4) Santa monica bay.— The portion of the marine environment off the coast of California commonly referred to as Santa Monica Bay, consisting of an area described generally as follows: Beginning at the point known as Point Dome near the western extent of Santa Monica Bay, proceed generally southeast along the shoreline to the point known as Point Vincente near the southern extent of Santa Monica Bay; then west to the 900 meter bathymetric contour; then generally northwest along the 900 meter bathymetric contour to a point due west of Point Dume; then east to Point Dume at the point of beginning. (d) Definition of Marine Environment.— For the purposes of this section, the term “marine environment” has the meaning such term has in section 302(3) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1432(b)).