218 



In section 306(c) (6) tlie reference to subsection "(g)" should be to 

 subsection "(f)." Subsection "(h)" should be changed to subsection 



"(g)-" 



On page 11, "review and performance" should be "review or per- 



-F0R]VIANCES." 



On page 11, line 22, "aproved" should be "approved." 

 On page 13, line 6, "exceediing" should be "exceeding." 

 On page 15, line 15, "costal" should be "coastal." 

 The reference to section "313" in section 313(a)(5) should be to 

 section "312." 



Sincerely yours, 



Robert F. Keller, 

 Acting Comptroller General of the United States. 



U.S. Department of the Interior, 



Office of the Secretary, 

 Washington^ D.O.^ May 4, 1971. 

 Hon. Warpjcn G. Magnuson, 

 Chairman^ Committee on C ommerce 

 U.S. Senate., Washington., B.C. 



Dear Mr. Chairman : This responds to your recent request for our 

 comment on S. 582 and S. 638, similar bills to assist the States in es- 

 tablishing coastal zone management plans and programs. We offer 

 comment as well on those provisions of S- 632 and S. 992, pertaining 

 to the establishment of a national land use policy, which merit dis- 

 cussion in this context. 



Because we recognize a real and urgent need for comprehensive 

 land use planning, and because it now appears that the States are 

 prepared to move toward this objective, we recommend the enactment 

 of S. 992 in lieu of S. 582 or S. 638. 



S. 582 and S. 638 would both amend the Marine Resources and En- 

 gineering Development Act of 1966 (33 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) by adding 

 a new title III, the "National Coastal (and Estuarine) Zone Man- 

 agement Act of 1971". Consistent with a congressional declaration 

 that there is a national interest in the effective management, benefi- 

 cial use, protection and development of the Nation's coastal zone, the 

 Secretary of Commerce would be authorized to assist coastal States in 

 their development and administration of an approved management 

 plan and program. No such program could be approved without a 

 linding by the Secretary that the coastal State has legal authority and 

 institutional organization adequate for the management of its coastal 

 zone. S. 582 would authorize annual grants not to exceed 66%% of a 

 State's costs in developing its management program, provided that no 

 single grant exceeds $600,000, and a like percentage for costs of ad- 

 ministering the progi-am. S. 638 would establish the Federal share at 

 50%, and limit single development grants to $200,000. 



Both bills would authorize a program of bond and loan guaranties 

 to facilitate land acquisition, land and water development, and resto- 

 ration projects, provided that the aggregate principal amount of guar- 

 anteed bonds and loans never exceeds $140 million. In addition to 

 these general provisions, S. 582 would authorize cost-sharing for the 

 acquisition, development and operation of not more than 15 estuarine 



