Oceans Act of 1997

[AI summary unavailable — showing source text] Oceans Act of 1997 - Directs the President to develop and maintain a coordinated, comprehensive, and long-range national policy on ocean and coastal activities and, regarding Federal agencies and departments, to review ocean and coastal activities, plan and implement an integrated program of ocean and coastal activities, designate responsibility for funding and conducting ocean and coastal activities, and ensure cooperation and resolve differences arising from laws and regulations. (Sec. 5) Establishes the Commission on Ocean Policy, requiring it to report to the President and the Congress on a comprehensive national ocean and coastal policy to carry out the purpose and objectives of this Act. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 6) Directs the President to report to the Congress biennially, describing ocean and coastal activities of all independent agencies and departments and evaluating those activities in terms of the purpose and objectives of this Act. Requires each department or independent agency to include with its annual appropriations request a report identifying budget elements relating to ocean and coastal activities and specifying how each element contributes to implementat…