CRS-130 



for the decline. The House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries reported 

 that between 1962 and 1977 the average price per acre of these lands doubled. 

 Thus, the 1978 amendments were needed, if the Federal Government's land acqui- 

 sition program was to be completed. 182 / 



One issue debated in connection with this legislation was the authority 

 under the existing program for a Governor to veto Federal wetland acquisition. 

 This had occurred in two States, Texas and North Carolina (in the latter case, 

 acquisition had been blocked by a State statute requiring an affirmative recom- 

 mendation from the appropriate County Board of Commissioners prior to the Gov- 

 ernor's final approval). 183 / The Administration recommended that Congress 

 eliminate this veto power. The House of Representatives, however, adopted a 

 modified approach, as recommended by the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee 

 in its bill. That approach would have waived the Governor's veto of Federal 

 wetland acquisition if the land transaction were being made voluntarily between 

 a willing seller and the Secretary of the Interior. 



The Senate refused to endorse the House-approved change regarding State 



approval. In remarks during floor debate, Senator Stevens stated his opposition. 



This situation is simply unacceptable to Western States. We 

 cannot tell at this time what pressure might come to bear on a 

 private landowner who possesses lands that the Department of the 

 Interior wished to buy. It is not hard to imagine the Depart- 

 ment restricting a private landholder's use so greatly that he 

 would be forced to be a "willing seller." I do not foresee 

 the Department of the Interior going into my State and trying 

 to strong-arm the private landowners or native corporations who 

 have their land titles into selling their lands. But I do feel 

 we must preserve the checks and balances that now exist in the 

 law. The Governor of a State must continue to have the right 

 to coordinate migratory waterfowl protection with the Federal 



182 / U.S. Congress. Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. Duck 

 Stamp Act Amendments. Report to accompany H.R. 13372. House Report No. 95- 

 1518, 95th Cong., 2d Sess. Washington, U.S. Govt. Print. Off., 1978. p. 6-7. 



183/ Ibid., p. 8. 



