Executive Order 13089, Coral Reef Protection (PDF)(3 pp, 173 K, About PDF) calls for all federal agencies whose activities may affect coral reef ecosystems to:
- identify such actions;
- use their programs and authorities to protect and enhance coral reef ecosystems; and
- ensure that any actions they authorize, fund, or carry out will not degrade the condition of coral reef ecosystems.
b) Exceptions to this section may be allowed under terms prescribed
by the heads of Federal agencies:
(1) during time of war or national emergency;
(2) when necessary for reasons of national security, as determined by
the President;
(3) during emergencies posing an unacceptable threat to human health
or safety or to the marine environment and admitting of no other feasible
solution; or
(4) in any case that constitutes a danger to human life or a real threat
to vessels, aircraft, platforms, or other man-made structures at sea, such
as cases of force majeure caused by stress of weather or other act of God.