370 



Thirty-one of our States border on the coastal zone and contain 75 

 percent of the total national population. Pressures of population and 

 economic development threaten to overwhelm the balanced and best 

 use of the invalable and irreplaceable coastal resources in natural, eco- 

 nomic, and esthetic terms. 



To resolve these pressures — an administrative and legal framework 

 must be developed to promote balance and harmony among coastal 

 zone activities based on scientific, economic, and social considerations. 

 This is what the legislation before the House today will do. 



The concepts, objectives, and framework of the bill had received 

 the strong and vocal support of the Coastal States Organization, the 

 National Governor's Conference, IS^ational Legislati^^e Conference, in- 

 numerable individual State goverimaents, conservation organizations, 

 and other public interest groups. 



Basically, the bill vests regulatory authority for the coastal zone 

 management program on the Federal level in the National Oceanic 

 and Atmospheric Administration —NO AA — located in the Depart- 

 ment of Commerce; and on a State level, in the State agency desig- 

 nated by each State's Governor. 



The coastal zone, and thus the ultim.ate parameters of the legisla- 

 tive impact, is closely defined. Within this "zone"' the Secretary of 

 Commerce is authorized to make annual grants to the applying States 

 for financial assistance in actual development of a comprehensive 

 coastal zone management program and plan for the first 2 years after 

 enactment. Then, during the next 2 years, the Secretary may provide 

 additional assistance to the States in actual administration of the 

 plan subsequently developed. 



Other provisions of the bill provide appropriate requirements for 

 public hearings, review of approved State programs by the Secretary 

 of Commerce, recordkeeping procedures, establishment of an Advisory 

 Committee, annual report to Congress, authority for the Secretary of 

 Commerce to promulgate rules and regulations, and the following au- 

 thorization levels. 



Section 305 planning grants — $15 million for fiscal years 1973, 1974, 

 and 1975. 



Section 306 administrative grants — $50 million for fiscal years 1974 

 and 1975. 



Section 313 estuarine sanctuaries — $6 million for fiscal years 1973, 

 1974, and 1975. 



Total authorization level through 1975 is $172 million. Administra- 

 tion cost to the Federal Government is estimated to be $3 million per 

 year. 



Mr. Chairman, there currently exists a myriad of overlapping and, 

 at times, conflicting Federal, State, and local laws applicable to the 

 coastal zone area. Section 307 avoids potential duplication of these and 

 future legislative programs by requiring very close and continuing in- 

 teragency coordination and cooperation among Federal agencies and 

 between Federal and State agencies. 



This "coastal zone management" legislation is complementary to 

 other Federal programs and serves as a "coordinating mechanism 

 rather than one of "duplication," Specifically, section 307 states that 

 the measure does not diminish Federal or State jurisdiction, respon- 



