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Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act

HABHRCA called for the reestablishment of the Interagency Task Force, who will oversee the production of several mandatory assessments and reports. The Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (JSOST) established the Interagency Working Group on Harmful Algal Blooms, Hypoxia, and Human Health (IWG-4H) to assume the role of the Interagency Task Force. Representatives of the Department of Commerce and the Department of Human and Health Services serve as co-chairs of the IWG-4H.

Interagency Task Force (as described in HABHRCA 2004)

  • Department of Commerce, Co-Chair
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • National Science Foundation
  • National Aeronautics & Space Administration
  • Department of the Navy
  • Department of Agriculture
  • Department of Interior
  • Department of Health & Human Services
  • Food & Drug Administration
  • Office of Science & Technology Policy
  • Council on Environmental Quality
  • Other Federal agencies as the President considers appropriate

Interagency Working Group on HABs, Hypoxia and Human Health

Lorraine C. Backer (co-chair)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Paul A. Sandifer (co chair)
National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration

Paula Bontempi
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Herbert T. Buxton
United States Geological Survey

Stacey M. Etheridge
US Food & Drug Administration

David Garrison
National Science Foundation

Sherwood Hall
US Food & Drug Administration

Rob Magnien
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Tim Ragen
Marine Mammal Commission

Teri Rowles
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Juli Trtanj
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Frederick L. Tyson
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Usha Varanasi
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Barbara T. Walton
Environmental Protection Agency

Mark Weltz
Department of Agriculture