367 



waited too long to take the offensive. We dare not listen to those dis- 

 senting voices who — after all these years of procrastination and study 

 and indecision — now tell us that we should wait a bit longer. 



I must warn my colleagues, Mr. Chairman, that nothing better than 

 H.R. 14146 is in the works. The basic concepts embodied in the legis- 

 lation we are considering today was first conceived almost a decade 

 ago, 10 years ago, when the problems and possible programs relating 

 to the coastal zones were considered by the Marine Science Council 

 and the Marine Science Commission, created by the Marine Eesources 

 and Development Act of 1966. Now we are in 1972. Detailed studies 

 and recommendations followed, and a number of subsequent Federal 

 studies examined the coastal zone problem in depth, recommended 

 rapid action and warned of the ever-increasing threat to the con- 

 tinued healthy existence of these vital areas. The now-famous 1969 

 Stratton Report of the JMarine Science Commission, known as "Our 

 Nation and the Sea" made pertinent recommendations which resulted 

 in legislation being introduced in both houses of the Congress. 



On the House side our Subcommittee on Oceanography sponsored a 

 Coastal Zone Management Conference in October 1969. I do not re- 

 call another time wlien a committee of the Congress has ever spon- 

 sored a national conference. That is usually done by an executive 

 branch of the Government. 



We brought together in Washington people from all of the coastal 

 States of the Union, from Puerto Rico, from the Virgin Islands, and 

 from Samoa, people sent here by the respective governors who were 

 knowledgeable about this problem. Seven panels were created. And 

 from this came this legislation. 



Our Subcormnittee on Oceanography also held 8 full da3^s of hear- 

 ings on coastal zone problems in 1971, when a total of 24 witnesses 

 representing every possible area of interest and expertise testified,. 

 and departmental reports were received from nine departments and 

 agencies. Our Subcommitte'e on Oceanography also held 3 long and full 

 days of executive sessions. The bill we are considering today is the 

 final product of that long and extensive inquirj^ into the problem of 

 coastal zones. 



The legislation reflects the concepts and recommendations of the best 

 minds in the business, not ]Members of Congress but governors, con- 

 sei-vation experts, and agencies at every level I am speaking of. I da 

 not think the bill could be much improved even if we might take an- 

 other decade, and I hope we will not. 



Mr. Chairman, the States of our great Nation cannot save theii 

 coastal areas without help. We know that. We may as well face up to it. 

 They need Federal aid and they need the vote of every Member of this 

 House here today in support of this vital legislation. 



I hope the INIembers here today respond to the urgent message con- 

 tained in the legislation and not in what I have said and overwhelm- 

 ingly vote for its passage here today so that the Record will indicate 

 that this vote is a vote for the preservation of our country's economic 

 and environmental health, because it is now abundantly clear that one 

 cannot survive without the other. 



Mr. Chairman, let me close my remarks by making this brief com- 

 ment. You say that this has been under consideration over a number 



