Section 1. Prohibition on requiring authorizations for undersea fiber optic cables previously authorized by Federal or State agencies
The National Marine Sanctuary Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 310 the following:
(a) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Secretary may not prohibit or require any authorization for the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary if a license, lease, or permit issued by a Federal or State agency authorizing such installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery is in effect.
(b) Interagency cooperation
The Secretary may direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to engage in interagency cooperation under section 304(d) in any Federal agency action described in that section and involving the installation, continued presence, operation, maintenance, repair, or recovery of undersea fiber optic cables in a national marine sanctuary.