714 



I am also concerned about the costs State and local governments 

 will face if oil and gas are discovered in commercial quantities off our 

 coast. The provision in S. 586 for a coastal energy facility impact fund 

 with automatic grants based on OCS production or landing will help 

 satisfy State and local officials that they will be compensated for on- 

 shore impacts of drilling. It is my understanding that this provision 

 would include Federal assistance for the impacts from landing im- 

 ported oil as well as energy produced offshore. 



There will be some difficulty in being able to evaluate some of the 

 impacts accurately. For example, how do we assess the cost of altering 

 the nature of an agricultural community for a 30-year period. This 

 will occur if oil comes ashore in southern New Jersey. We must pre- 

 pare to deal with the issue now. 



There are other improvements in this bill. The additional funds to 

 States for the coastal zone management program will be very helpful 

 to New Jersey and the other participating States. The formula pro- 

 viding a larger Federal share in the funding is also most welcome. 



This legislation is an important step in assuring the States that 

 energy facilities on the coasts will be made to conform to State coastal 

 zone programs, and the costs which the States must bear will be ade- 

 quately compensated. It is an improved mechanism for the coastal 

 States to prepare adequately for the environmental, economic, and so- 

 cial impacts of offshore drilling on neighboring lands. I am pleased to 

 support this congressional commitment to preserve the environment 

 and protect the quality of life in our coastal areas. Most importantly, 

 this legislation will not unduly burden the search for new energy sup- 

 plies, but it will help to conduct that effort, in a rational manner. 



The administration has exhibited an unproductive and irresponsible 

 haste in its headlong rush to expand offshore leasing. Serious problems 

 exist in the current leasing practices. There are widespread doubts 

 about what the industrial capabilities for development are. Incon- 

 sistent practices of Federal agencies are weakening the decisionmak- 

 ing process. 



In view of the administration's failure to demonstrate a willingness 

 to protect our coastal environment, I am pleased that Congress has 

 assumed a leadership role in properly assessing the critical questions 

 regarding the onshore effects of the development of possible oil sup- 

 plies on the Outer Continental Shelves. This attitude is more responsi- 

 ble, and I am sure will prove to be more productive in the long run. 



Mr. HoLLiNGS. I yield to the Senator from Montana. 



Coastal Zone Management Act Amendments of 1975 



The Senate continued with the consideration of the bill (S. 586) to 

 amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to authorize and 

 assist the coastal States to study, plan for, manage, and control the 

 impact of energy resource development and production which affects 

 the coastal zone, and for other purposes. 



Mr. Hollings. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Sec- 

 retary of the Senate be authorized to make technical and clerical cor- 

 rections in the engrossment of the Senate amendments. 



The Presiding Officer. Without objection, it is s6 ordered. 



Mr. Rollings. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the dis- 

 tinguished Senator from Delaware be added as a cosponsor. 



