Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act

Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act

This bill designates an ancient cypress forest in the Gulf of Mexico as the Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972.

In the sanctuary, the following activities are prohibited:

• cutting, removing, or any kind of subsurface salvage of the cypress trees;
• lowering certain devices (e.g., dredging) below the surface of the water;
• detonating explosives below the surface of the water;
• drilling or coring the seabed; and
• lowering, laying, positioning, or raising any type of seabed cable or cable-laying device.

However, the prohibitions do not apply to

• fishing, diving, mooring, or similar recreational or commercial activities;
• necessary operations of public vessels;
• construction or placement of artificial reef structures for the purpose of enhancing fishery resources, fishing opportunities, or recreational diving opportunities;
• exploration, development, or production of oil or gas projects authorized before this bill's enactment; and
• certain other activities authorized by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must develop a comprehensive management plan for the sanctuary. NOAA must also establish an advisory council for the sanctuary.