509 



My statements are based largely on the premise that the scientific 

 facts are at the very base of the public and private planning and 

 decision-making process. In other words, there is a whole chain of 

 events that is set into motion by the leasing process. The 

 administration. Congress, the states, the industry, and various opinion 

 groups all play important roles. But, the decision and planning all 

 depend on consideration and evaluation of essential facts and 

 information. Much of this information comes from the studies and 

 monitoring programs. 



It is my view that environmental studies and monitoring here in the 

 northeast have been exemplary. My comments are directed toward 

 continuing this record: 



1. The Department of the Interior notes that it has invested more 

 than $300 million in Outer Continental Shelf studies since 1973. 

 At first glance, this may seem like quite a lot. On the other 

 hand, when this figure is divided by ten years (since the program 

 was initiated in 1973) and again by the five regions of the U.S. 

 (Alaska, California, Gulf of Mexico, Southeast, Northeast) , the 

 size of the number decreases. This is further true when one 

 considers that individual lease sales commonly generate more 

 revenues than this, and that in several instances the monies 

 received from the sale of individual tracts have approached this 

 figure. 



While the lease sales generate considerable revenues for the 

 federal government, the utilization of those revenues should be 

 considered. The environmental and monitoring studies should be 

 firmly and squarely established as a central component of the OCS 

 leasing and exploration process. Apppropriations from the Congress 

 to DOI should reflect a concern for, and a commitment to, this 

 item. Certainly there should be no decrease in the commitment of 

 the Congress to environmental concern and study. I am also in 

 favor of the revenue-sharing plan directed to support of Coastal 

 Zone Management activities of coastal states. 



