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at best. It is the coastal zone that the need for effective control has 

 been most clearly demonstrated. It is in the coastal zone that one can 

 readily recognize the resource of our lands is limited, that it is facing a 

 host of competing demands, that development has been disorderly and 

 -in many cases tragic, and that unless management jjrograms are devel- 

 oped, the demands of burgeoning populations and sprawling urban 

 systems will completely choke them off. It is of more than passing in- 

 terest to me to note that the State of Alaska lays claim to a coastline 

 which is equal to more than half of that boasted by what vv-e call the 

 "Lower 48", and that the passage of such legislation at this point in 

 our development is of the utmost importance. 



The need for Federal financial assistance, as well as Federal require- 

 ments for cooperation at all levels and the establisliment of criteria 

 for the development of adequate management plans, has been demon- 

 strated by the relative inability of most States and localities to proceed 

 without it. As stated by Mr. John Asplund, chairman of the Greater 

 Anchorage Area Borough, Anchorage, Alaska, when he appeared be- 

 fore the subcommittee on May 6, 1971, on behalf of the National Asso- 

 ciation of Counties : 



We at the county level know that we have made many mistakes and allowed 

 economic and other factors to override the requirements for more logical coastal 

 management. But, the State and Federal Governments must also assume part of 

 the blame for not taking a greater interest in coastline reservation, for not 

 providing the necessary broad guidance, and for not providing either financial 

 or technical support. The time, we believe, has come to correct these past failures 

 and take a positive approach toward coastline management and preservation. 



I, too, join the distinguished chairman of the committee, the Sena- 

 tor from South Carolina (Mr. Hollings) in believing that the time has 

 come. S. 3507 moves toward tliis goal by providing the financial assist- 

 ance necessary for the development and implementation of coastal 

 zone management programs. It furnishes to States and localities the 

 guidance and criteria necessary for them to manage these areas wisely. 

 It is my hope that the Congress will recognize the adequacy of its 

 response and the need which it promises to fulfill, and grant it favor- 

 able consideration. 



Mr. President, at an appropriate time, I should like to discuss with 

 the cliairman of the subcommittee an amendment which would insure 

 that where there are no statewide programs and plans consistent with 

 this act, if a local political subdivision of a State with area wide pow- 

 ers does have a workable plan, the Secretary of Commerce will be able 

 to cooperate with that area wide government. But I leave it to the Sena- 

 tor from South Carolina to determine when it would be an appropriate 

 time to discuss this amendment which I have suggested. 



I thank the chairman and will assist in any way I can in connection 

 with this matter. 



Mr. Rollings. Is that the amendment relative to the matter of the 

 Secretary's having the authority to go ahead should a particular area 

 of a State itself default in actually promulgating a plan authorizing 

 the Secretary to work with the local government or political sub- 

 division and approve one submitted by it — is that the amendment ? 



Mr. Stevens. Yes; that is the intent of the amendment. I have 

 provided the chairman of the subcommittee with a copy of it. It would 

 add a subsection "i" — let me check first, to make sure. 



