323 



intent that "coastal zone management" be complementary to other 

 Federal and State programs and that it serve in the coastal zone as a 

 coordinating rather than duplicating mechanism. 



Subsection (a) requires the Secretary to Trork closely with all other 

 Federal agencies "which are involved in coastal zone activities. The 

 consultation and cooperation required under this subsection will insure 

 that the Secretary carefulh/ considers the viewpoints of those other 

 agencies when their interests are involved. In addition, in those in- 

 stances where it is possible to do so, the Secretar3^ shall coordinate his 

 activities with those of other agencies. It is intended that this coordi- 

 nation be accomplished, where possible, through existing mechanisms. 

 For instance, your committee would anticipate that the Secretary 

 would utilize, as feasible, the interagency activities of NOAA's Asso- 

 ciate Administrator for Interagency Relations, the advisory commit- 

 tee established under section 311 of this title, or the National Advisory 

 Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere, and the departmental observ- 

 ers provided in the legislation establishing that committee, or all of 

 these. In subject areas falling within their expei-tise, the Water Re- 

 sources Council and the various River Basin Commissions could also 

 furnish valuable assistance. 



Subsection (b) provides that, prior to approving anv State pro- 

 gram, the Secretary must insure that the State, in developing those 

 programs, has adequately considered tlie views of any Federal agency, 

 the activities of which would be affected by the State program. Should 

 serious disagreement between a State ancl an agency pei'sist, the Sec- 

 retary will seek to resolve the disagreement, with the assistance of tlie 

 Executive Office of the President, as might be appropriate. To the 

 extent that the disagreement is not completely resolved, it could result 

 in a decision by the Secretary not to approve the State program or, 

 where appropriate circumstances existed, the Secretary could approve 

 the program and the provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of subsection 

 (c) would thereafter govern the Federal agency actions. 



Subsection (c) provides that once a State management program has 

 been approved pursuant to the procedures set forth in the bill, it is 

 expected that each Federal agency in conducting and supporting ac- 

 tivities in the coastal zone will see that those activities are consistent 

 with the program. Under the procedures established, the Secretary is 

 required to consult with all cognizant Federal agencies prior to ap- 

 proval of a program. It is anticipated that during this process any 

 aspects or phases of the proposed program which are deemed by any 

 agency to be impractical to carry out or support will be brought to the 

 attention of the Secretar}^ and steps will be taken at that j^oint to iron 

 out v.'hatever difficidties appear to be established. There may, however, 

 arise, after the approval of the program, some circumstances not fore- 

 seen at the time of its approval which may present a Federal agency 

 with an obstacle or situation which as a practical matter may prevent 

 complete adherence to the approved program. For that reason, the 

 committee felt that some leeway should be written into the statute 

 with respect to activities of Federal agencies in connecion with ap- 

 proved programs. 



It is not anticipated that there will be any considerable number of 

 situations whei'e as a practical matter a Federal agency cannot conduct 

 or support activities without deviating from approveil State manage- 

 ment progi-ams. 



