712 



In my own State of Rhode Island, we are acutely aware of the value 

 of our coastal areas, and of the growing development pressures which 

 threaten those areas. I am proud to say that Rhode Island has been a 

 leader among the coastal States in its efforts to manage the burgeoning 

 development of coastal areas. 



Rhode Island was among the first States to qualify for Coastal Zone 

 planning funds under the Coastal Zone Management Act, and it is 

 among a handful of States that have enacted comprehensive coastal 

 zone management legislation. 



But even those States, such as Rhode Island, which have moved en- 

 ergetically and with foresight in coastal zone management, will need 

 added assistance. Foremost among the problems we confront is the 

 prospect of development of potential petroleum resources off the New 

 England coast. As the committee has noted in its report, the decision 

 to lease and develop those petroleum resources rests entirely with 

 the Federal Government. But it is the States and the State govern- 

 ments which must bear the burden of preparing for and relieving the 

 very severe onshore impacts of offshore development. 



I strongly support the establishment of a coastal energy impact 

 fund, from which grants and loans will be made to coastal States, as 

 provided in this legislation. Equally important are the provision of 

 funds for acquisition of lands to provide protection of and access to 

 public beaches and for island preservation, and the increase provided 

 in funds for State program development and management. 



Mr. President, the committee has noted in its report that effective 

 coastal zone management requires research to provide the information 

 needed to make informed decisions. The act provides $10 million an- 

 nually for such research and for training, including $5 million an- 

 nually for matching grants. 



I agree fully that additional research is needed to support effective 

 coastal zone management programs. At the present time, the most 

 significant and effective source of funds for coastal zone research is 

 the sea grant college program, which, like the coastal zone manage- 

 ment program is a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

 Administration. 



In my own State of Rhode Island, the research programs funded at 

 the University of Rhode Island by the sea grant college program func- 

 tion as the effective research arm of the State's coastal zone manage- 

 ment program. The URI sea grant program has responded positively 

 and effectively to the need for coastal zone information required by 

 the State's coastal zone management program. 



And this is not an isolated instance. It is no coincidence that these 

 States in the forefront of coastal zone management efforts also have 

 strong and effective sea grant college programs that are making signi- 

 ficant and indeed vital contributions to management programs. 



I would expect, therefore, that the additional coastal zone research 

 funds provided by this legislation would be coordinated with existing 

 sea grant college research programs, and would to the maximum ex- 

 tent possible be funneled through the existing sea grant college pro- 

 grams mechanisms. 



Mr. President, as a Senator from a coastal State, as a member of the 

 national ocean policy study, and as an original cosponsor of this legis- 

 lation, I urge its approval. 



