Provisions from Salazar’s REEF Act set to become law as part of larger appropriations bill

Language from a bipartisan bill led by María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) to spur marine life development is poised to be signed into law by the president after passing Congress as part of a larger bill.

The Reusing Equipment for Environmental Fortification (REEF) Act, H.R. 950, which Rep. Salazar sponsored in February alongside six original cosponsors, including U.S. Rep. Ed Case (D-HI), has been approved as part of the National Defense Authorization (NDAA) Act for Fiscal Year 2024, H.R. 2670.

The REEF Act would require the U.S. Department of the Navy to notify Congress of the pending retirement of vessels that are viable candidates for artificial reefing so that they may be intentionally sunk to promote marine life, according to the congressional record bill summary. Specifically, the Navy would have to provide such notice no later than 90 days before the vessel’s retirement from the Naval Vessel Register, the summary says.

“Representing a coastal district, I know the incredible environmental benefits artificial reefing can bring to marine ecosystems,” Rep. Salazar said. “With these new policies in place, states like Florida can recycle more decommissioned ships in a major win for our environment, our veterans, and our economy.”

Language from H.R. 950 is part of the larger H.R. 2670, which the U.S. Senate approved on Dec. 13. The U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 14 voted 310-118 to approve the measure, and presented it to President Joe Biden for his signature.

H.R. 2670 authorizes fiscal year 2024 appropriations and sets policies for U.S. Department of Defense programs and activities, military construction, the national security programs of the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Maritime Administration. It also authorizes appropriations for the Defense Nuclear Safety Board and the Naval Petroleum Reserves, the congressional record says.

The Conference Report accompanying H.R. 2670 included a section titled “Congressional notification regarding pending retirement of naval vessels viable for artificial reefing.” 

In the report, Congress recognizes the need to improve how the Navy interacts with states when transferring vessels that are viable for artificial reefing, identifies an annual mechanism to list naval vessels set for disposal, and directs the Navy to brief Congress on the Navy’s artificial reefing process, according to a summary provided by Rep. Salazar’s staff.

“Creating artificial reefs using excess naval vessels will help restore and preserve our fragile ocean ecosystem and create opportunities for those who want to explore the biodiversity that surround a sunken structure,” said Rep. Case. “Our provision will expand on these opportunities throughout our country.”