Marine Science, Technology and Policy Development Act of 1987

(Measure passed House, amended, roll call #337 (323-79))

Marine Science, Technology and Policy Development Act of 1987 - Amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to declare the need for a national ocean strategy and to revise definitions under such Act. Expands coverage of the Act to include Great Lakes resources. (Current law covers ocean and coastal resources.)

Authorizes the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to make grants and enter into contracts to carry out a sea grant strategic research plan. Requires the Under Secretary to develop and publish the plan every three years. Requires the plan to identify and describe a limited number of priority areas for strategic marine research. Requires consultation with Federal agencies, representatives of sea grant colleges, programs, and consortia, and other public and private interested parties. Requires the plan to be submitted to specified congressional committees.

Describes the priority areas on which the plan is required to concentrate, including: (1) critical resource and environmental areas of national, international, or global scope where adequate funding is otherwise precluded under other provisions of the National Sea Grant College Program Act; and (2) areas where sustained programmatic research and technology transfer can be utilized.

Describes graduate, postdoctoral, and other fellowships which the Under Secretary is required or permitted to support.

Adds to the duties of the sea grant review panel the responsibility of giving advice with respect to applications, proposals, performance, grants, and contracts awarded under the sea grant strategic research plan. Makes changes regarding membership and terms of the panel.

Authorizes the Under Secretary to provide annual grants to certain sea grant colleges, sea grant regional consortiums, or institutions of higher education having a sea grant program to improve and support curriculum offerings at the graduate level, support graduate students through scholarships and fellowships, and increase multidisciplinary research, all with regard to marine resource management. Limits the amount of any grant to any such institution in any year. Requires each institution receiving a grant to report annually and upon termination of the grant to the Under Secretary regarding the results of the activities to which the institution applied the grant.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990.

Amends provisions of the Sea Grant Program Improvement Act of 1976 relating to the purposes of the Sea Grant International program to authorize grants and contracts to enhance international research, promote marine activities with foreign universities, encourage technology transfer, promote foreign data exchanges, or enhance regional collaboration regarding marine research between foreign nations and the United States. Permits the following organizations to apply for and receive financial assistance under this provision: (1) any sea grant college, sea grant program, and sea grant regional consortium; and (2) any institution of higher education, laboratory, or institution which is located within a State. Requires the Under Secretary, before approving an application under this provision, to consult with the Secretary of State.

Great Lakes Shoreline Mapping Act of 1987 - Requires the Director of the Charting and Geodetic Services of the National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Director), to prepare as specified, in consultation with the Director of the United States Geological Survey, maps of the shoreline areas of the Great Lakes, including bathymetry, topography, geological conditions, and information on the recent geological past. Requires the Director to make the maps available to Federal, State, and local governments and the general public. Allows recovery of the cost of reproducing and distributing the maps.

Requires the Director to prepare a mapping plan for the U.S. portion of the Great Lakes shoreline, in consultation with the Director of the United State Geological Survey. Sets forth plan requirements. Requires copies of the plan to be submitted to the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries in the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in the Senate.

Authorizes the Director to enter into contracts or agreements with Federal, State, or local governments or private entities to carry out the map preparation provisions of this Act.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988.