64 



be given for some crops: those which are ineligible for crop insurance because insuf- 

 ficient actuarial data are now available. Aquaculture "crops" are among those crops 

 that would be covered by such assistance. However, when sufficient actuarial data 

 are gathered, aquaculture crops would become eligible for crop insurance. 



Legislation that promotes widespread purchase of crop insurance rather than reli- 

 ance on disaster assistance is highly desirable for both fiscal and environmental rea- 

 sons. The Environmental Defense Fund does not now endorse S. 2095, which would 

 provide excessive federal subsidies for crop insurance premiums. However, even this 

 bill would be far preferable to a continued reliance on fiscally irresponsible and en- 

 vironmentally destructive ad hoc disaster assistance, as would be given to aqua- 

 culture under S. 1288. 



Letter From P.T. Rampy, Coordinator, Treasure Coast Coalition, Inc. 



June 17, 1994. 

 Senator HOLLINGS 

 U.S. Senate, 

 Washington. DC 20510 



Dear Senator Hollings: This letter is in response to actions on behalf of the 

 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's management of the Florida 

 Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Argument is based on the following points: 



1. Public law 101-605 designated the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in 

 1990. 



2. Section 7. (a) states that a management plan shall be completed "not later than 

 30 months after the date of enactment * * *" 



3. Section 7. (b) provides for "participation by the general public in development 

 of the comprehensive management plan for the Florida Keys Sanctuary." 



4. Section 5 (a) clearly states that the sanctuary shall be managed under title HI 

 of the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972. 



5. The MPRSA of 72 refers to the National Marine Sanctuary Program Develop- 

 ment Plan (PDP) for "policy and administrative framework for continued implemen- 

 tation of the Program." (pg. 9) 



6. "Sanctuary designation and implementation of the Management Plan enhances 

 and ensures long-term continuity of resource protection in the area." (pg. 14) 



7. Figure 1 clearly shows that implementation of the management plan comes 

 AFTER designation, (pg. 6). 



To this date no management plan has been completed. None the less the FKNMS 

 officials are enforcing policy contained within the Drafl Management Plan. The re- 

 sult is the taking of private property, the detention of taxpayers, the assessment of 

 exorbitant fines and the possible incarceration of U.S. Citizens. These actions clearly 

 reflect the implementation of rules prior to the completion and implementation of 

 the required management plan. This is a gross violation of our rights, and an obvi- 

 ous breach of procedure established in the laws cited above. 



Public participation was mandated in the formation of the Management Plan. The 

 majority of the residents in the Keys voiced their opposition to the very existence 

 of the Sanctuary Program. Their cry fell on deaf ears. Management options are pre- 

 sented to the Advisory Council by NOAA. They are not a product of the taxpayer. 



Myself, and the thousands of taxpayers I represent in Florida and through out 

 the nation, associated with the TREASURE COAST COALITION, INC., strongly 

 support proactive steps aimed at the reasonable and responsible management of our 

 natural resources to insure an equitable balance of environmental protection with 

 inevitable growth. However this is not achieved by the creation of a redundant bu- 

 reaucracy which issues volumes of confusing and conflicting rules and regulations 

 steadily undermining our rights and freedoms. 



Currently there exists dozens of formed, staffed and budgeted agencies which 

 have jurisdictional powers in south Florida. We do not feel that it is being a good 

 steward of OUR TAX DOLLARS to create or expand a costly, inefTective and redun- 

 dant bureaucracy such as the National Marine Sanctuary Program under the aus- 

 pices of NOAA. 



Therefore it is without reservation that we urge congress to refrain from funding 

 a program, which would have been described by John Locke as tyrannical, within 

 NOAA; specifically the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. 

 Sincerely, 



P.T. Rampy, 

 Coordinator, Treasure Coast Coalition, Inc. 



