375 



Mr. Chairman, I rise to associate myself with the comments and 

 yiews of my colleagues on the Committee on Merchant Marine and 

 Fisheries and to strongly urge passage of H.R. 14146. 



The significance of the legislation under consideration by this body 

 lies neither in its approach nor in its organization, but, rather, in the 

 recognition of an overwhelming national need. 



The coastal zone of these United States is, indeed, a national treas- 

 ure, and the bill before us today, H.E. 14146, recognizes both its per- 

 manence and the emphasis which must be given to preserve it. We are 

 now wisely viewing the coastal zone portion of land as deserving sepa- 

 rata consideration in that it gives up its resources for our gain, often 

 replenishes those resources, and provides a lifestyle for a dispropor- 

 tionately large number of our people while asking little in return. But 

 we have begun to ask too much of our coastal zone. We ask it to assimi- 

 late our waterborne wastes from deep within the interior part of 

 our country including municipal, industrial, and agricultural refuse. 

 We ask the coastal zone to accept an overburden of recreational activi- 

 ties which lead to haphazard and uncontrolled development for eco- 

 nomic gain with associated social loss in the form of widespread de- 

 struction of valuable wildlife habitat. We ask it to assimilate larger 

 and larger populations with attendant urban problems without regard 

 for a carrying population enabling us to maintain a balance between 

 man and nature. 



Enactment of this comprehensive legislation will enable our States, 

 already deeply involved in coastal zone management through com- 

 mitment of State funds, resources, personnel, to develop a sound, 

 logical, and rational basis for coordination of competing uses of our 

 coastal zone areas and to insure that this valuable natural resoiii"ce is 

 preserved, protected, developed, and utilized to the benefit of both 

 man and nature. 



Mr. Lennon. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as he may consume 

 to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. GrifSn) . 



Mr. Griffin. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 14148, the 

 Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. Coming from a State that is 

 on our gulf coast line and as a cosponsor of this bill, I am vitally con- 

 cerned about the protection and development of our coastal areas. 



Our Nation's coastal zone shoreline consists of approximately 100,- 

 000 statute miles. Residing within the States bordering that shore- 

 line is almost 75 percent of our population. Further evidence of the 

 great importance of this areas is the $300 million annual worth of com- 

 mercial fish landings. Nearly $100 billion worth of imports and ex- 

 ports cross paths here. Several billion dollars are spent annually for 

 recreation. 



The popularity of our coastal zones for recreation, industry, and 

 housing development has created serious problems in achieving or- 

 derly economic growth. The attractiveness of our coastal areas to live 

 and play will not continue if the present situation is to remain un- 

 checked. The development and growth of these areas has unfortunately 

 contributed to the pollution and deterioration of our coastal waters. 

 As these pressures for growth and development run rampant we be- 

 come increasingly in danger of destruction of the living resources of 

 the coastal waters. 



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