1043 



Mr. HoLLiNGS. Under our joint staff's estimate, and the 0MB figures 

 of the $400 million grant fund, $188 million, almost half of the grant 

 fund that we now have in dispute and discussion, could be eligible to be 

 granted under certain conditions to the State of Louisiana. 



So I think that while we did not write the bill to look out for a par- 

 ticular State, if we look at the result, someone could accuse us of that. 

 I hate to be in a position of being accused of not being aware or atten- 

 tive or rather in disregard of the concerns of the people of Louisiana 

 and their particular needs. 



I understand that the Senator from Louisiana differs somewhat with 

 that view\ But I only point that out and submit it for the Record. 



I yield now to the Senator from Alaska. 



Mr. Stevens. Mr. President, I join with the Senator from South 

 Carolina, and believe that we have not deviated from the Senate 

 instructions to the conferees. I differ with my friend from Louisiana 

 in terms of our interpretation of the bill. 



I share the feelings of the Senator from South Carolina that Louisi- 

 ana will receive almost half of the formula grant funds. Furthermore, 

 these grant funds could be used immediately for items such as environ- 

 mental control, correction of salt water intrusion and other things 

 which, I think, would be of great benefit to the State of Louisiana. 

 Senator Hollings points out tliat my State will also have some assist- 

 ance, and that is intended because we are a new Outer Continental 

 Shelf oil and natural gas development area. 



Seventy percent of the Outer Continental Shelf of the Ignited States 

 is located off Alaska. Within the time frame of this legislation Alaska 

 will have almost the same proportion of Outer Continental Shelf oil 

 and natural gas activity as Louisiana, yet we cannot look forward to 

 the kind of funds from this bill that the State of Louisiana can bec_ause 

 of the fact that Louisiana already has the production and landings. 

 Furthermore almost 20 percent of the area that is to be leased beUyeen 

 now and 1983 will be in the Gulf of INIexico, primarily in the Louisiana 

 area. 



In terms of employment, sizable employment is expected off of 

 Louisiana the next 2 or 3 years because of the 5.2 million acres leased 

 since 1972 which are only in the exploration stage, and which are just 

 now reaching the development stage. 



I think the financial assistance program we have in this l)ill is well- 

 balanced geographically. Having been the one who star-ted the concept 

 of this kind of non-revenue-sharing loan and grant tie-in for Outer 

 Continental Shelf funds, I believe the conference report should be 

 agreed to. 



Mr. Kennedy. Mr. President, the conference report on the Coastal 

 Zone Management Act Amendments which is before the Senate today 

 establishes a $1.6 billion assistance program for coastal States to assist 

 in the amelioration of the impacts which will result fi'om the proposed 

 acceleration of off'shoi-e leasing. It also recognizes the neecl of coastal 

 States for assistance in plaiming to absorb those impacts. It is the result 

 of 3 years of study, hearings, and investigations. It takes into account 

 the views of localand State officials, concerned public interest groups, 

 and representatives of business and industry — all of whom presented 

 testimony during the development of the legislation. 



