831 



and gas leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf. Such lack of partici- 

 pation in planning for development which is likely to have a major 

 impact on the States coastal areas has led to frustration on the part 

 of the States and has resulted in court actions seeking to delay such 

 development. 



The legislation which we are considering today reaffirms the part- 

 nership between the Federal Government and State governments in 

 dealing with coastal development. These amendments, however, recog- 

 nize for the first time that the coastal States and the coastal zones are 

 sharing disproportionately in the impact of national energy develop- 

 ment, and provide a mechanism for dealing with that impact at 

 essentially the local level with Federal assistance. 



We as a nation must definitely do everything possible to develop our 

 energy resources and consequently lessen our dependence on imports. 

 In my opinion, however, such development can only be done effectively 

 with the full participation and support of the State governments. This 

 legislation goes a long way toward assuring that participation. 



The bill we are considering today is the result of months of careful 

 deliberation and meticulous revision. The proposal embodies the re- 

 sults of a completely bipartisan effort throughout the months of sub- 

 committee and full committee work. It makes sense to the Merchant 

 Marine and Fisheries Committee to fully utilize already existing pro- 

 grams, so the bill's planning and financial assistance provisions closely 

 coordinate with the existing provisions of the Coastal Zone Manage- 

 ment Act. The proposal as a whole represents a responsible, well- 

 thought-out program by which the United States can protect its 

 natural resources while not restricting development. 



We definitely need at this point sufficient comprehensive planning 

 for the development of our coastal areas, including energy develop- 

 ment. This legislation proposes including energy facility planning 

 within present general program development and proposes 80 percent 

 Federal funding of planning for specific energy facilities. Such plan- 

 ning should reduce adverse social, economic, and environmental im- 

 pacts associated with such energy facility development. 



In the case of problems which have already developed, however, or 

 problems for which there is not sufficient time to develop alternatives, 

 we must also have funding available to soften present and future 

 adverse impacts on the coastal areas. The proposed two-tiered financial 

 assistance provisions of this legislation should go a long way toward 

 handling such adverse impacts associated with energy development. 



Above all, it is important that the States be involved in all aspects 

 of dealing with the development. This legislation affirms the Federal- 

 State partnership, and provides specific mechanisms to aid that part- 

 nership in achieving the crucial balance between protection and 

 development of our coastal areas. These amendments measurably 

 strengthen the Coastal Zone Management Act and represent a major 

 step in determining whether the United States can indeed achieve the 

 balance. I feel that this bill is one of the most important pieces of 

 legislation to come before this Congress and I hope it will receive the 

 support in the House that it so well deserves. 



Mr. Du Pont. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 

 from Alaska (Mr. Young) . 



