910 

 24 



Concern has been expressed that we should not lease any 

 new areas of the U.S. continental shelf until the coastal States 

 have completed detailed plans to accommodate the onshore 

 impact of offshore production. 



Coastal states have only begun to establish the mechanisms 

 for coastal zone planning, and that activity must proceed 

 rapidly. But the steps needed now to prepare for a leasing 

 program need not await completion of these detailed plans 

 by the states. 



In order to facilitate coastal State participation in this 

 effort, I plan to request an additional $3 million in the cur- 

 rent fiscal year for the coastal zone management program to 

 accelerate these planning efforts. I have also directed Secre- 

 tary Morton and Secretary Dent to consult with coastal state 

 Governors regarding any additional steps that might be re- 

 quired to plan adequately for onshore development associated 

 with offshore leases that are actually issued. 



In summary, the resources of the outer continental shelf 

 represent a potential contribution of major proportions to 

 the solution of our energy problem. I am confident that con- 

 cerns about leasing exploration and development on the outer 

 continental shelf can be addressed openly and fairly, that 

 planning can proceed in an orderly, cooperative way and the 

 problems confronting us in opening the new areas can be 

 resolved. 



I pledge the cooperation of my Administration in the task. 



The $3 million supplemental appropriation was subsequently 

 adopted by Congress as part of the overall supplemental appropria- 

 tion measure for fiscal year 1975 and made available to the coastal 

 zone program at the end of June. As of the begiiming of 1976, the 

 Office of Coastal Zone Management had processed applications from 

 nine states totalling $1,309,374. In addition, nine additional states had 

 applications for OCS supplemental funding pending. 



The Committee has followed closely the first stages of the effort 

 by NOAA to carry out the program initiated by Congress to arrest 

 the destruction of valuable coastal resources. We have been impressed 

 to date with the effective administration of the program by the Office 

 of Coastal Zone Management and its cooperative attitude in working 

 with state and local governments. It is our belief that the changes and 

 additions contained in H.R. 3981 will provide major additional incen- 

 tives to the states to carry out the aim of the original act. 



The total disbursements as of early 1976 to the states under the 

 program are shown in the attached table 1. 



