710 



•quacies in tlie offshore leasing process itself, in the access of the public 

 to data concerning the extent of offshore oil and gas resources, in the 

 ability of citizens to bring suits against the oil companies and the 

 Federal Government for alleged violations of the OCS Act and in the 

 liability of oil companies for oil spills in connection with offshore 

 development. 



I urge my colleagues to support the Coastal Zone Management Act 

 Amendments of 1975 before us today, and to make a similar commit- 

 ment to active participation in the upcoming debate on the Outer 

 Continental Shelf Lands Act amendments. 



I ask unanimous consent that my letter to Secretary Hathaway be 

 printed in the Record. 



There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 

 Record, as follows : 



June 18, 1975. 

 Hon. Stanley Hathaway, 

 Secretary, Department of the Interior, 

 Washington, D.C. 



Dear Mr. Secretary : I am deeply disturbed over the Interior Department's 

 decision to call for nominations for oil and gas development on Georges Bank 

 in the absence of vital information requested by local, state and federal officials 

 from Massachusetts and New England. 



At the outset, I want to emphasize that I am convinced that the citizens and 

 public officials in the Northeast are prepared to give their support to a well- 

 planned offshore leasing program. No area of the country is more aware of the 

 need to develop new energy sources, or of the benefits which might come from 

 an offshore drilling program which ensures that full value will be received for 

 the tracts to be leased and which includes strong provisions for the protection 

 of coastal areas. 



I am concerned, however, that the lack of response by the Department to the 

 serious questions which have been raised will continue to be a major barrier 

 to public acceptance of offshore drilling. As you are aware, it was over two years 

 ago that members of Congress concerned over the impact of offshore development 

 urged the Administration to support an environmental impact assessment by 

 the Council on Environmental Quality and the National Academy of Sciences. 

 That study and critique were complete last year, and raised significant concerns 

 which must be addressed prior to any tentative tract selection. Since that time, 

 in hearings conducted by my Subcommittee on Administrative Practice and Pro- 

 cedure and in extensive testimony before a number of Senate Committees, wit- 

 nesses have emphasized the need for more information prior to a decision to 

 accelerate leasing in frontier offshore areas. 



A prime concern has been the lack of data on the extent and value of offshore 

 oil and gas deposits, and the need for a government survey of those resources, 

 the results of which would be available to the public. The need for such a survey, 

 as well as the advantages of separating the offshore exploration process from 

 that of development, is addressed in legislation now moving through the Con- 

 gress. This step would measurably improve the ability of the public to partici- 

 pate effectively in the offshore leasing process and contribute to public under- 

 standing of the risks and benefits associated with offshore development. An 

 accelerated offshore leasing program should not be initiated prior to resolution 

 of this issue. 



Other on-going concerns are : the need to initiate immediately environmental 

 base lines studies of the Georges Bank area : the designation of certain portions 

 of the outer continental shelf as a national strategic reserve ; an assessment of 

 the impact on fishery resources of offshore development ; and an agreement on 

 what share of bonus and royalty payments resulting from offshore development 

 will be shared by the states which lie adjacent to drilling sites. 



None of these concerns has been addressed satisfactorily by the Department — 

 and on some there has been no action at all. 



As a priority matter in carrying out your responsibilities as Secretary, I am 

 requesting that you take action to have these studies completed and to resolve the 

 concerns we have outlined, prior to any tentative tract selection on Georges Bank. 

 Winning public confidence and initiating a cooperative effort between local, state, 



