Can we get excited now?

President Barack Obama signed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 into law yesterday, authorizing sustained funding for ocean exploration, mapping, coastal and ocean observation, ocean acidification research and monitoring, coastal and estuarine land conservation, and… shipwrecks! They’re in there somewhere. I just know it. ; )

An astute commenter pointed out this is authorizing language, not appropriation, so don’t get too excited. Not sure what that means exactly, but it sounds like a reference to teh Budget. Sheril has the scoop over at the Intersection.