1998 Year of the Ocean Impacts of Global Climate Change 



Congressional Findings: SEC. 302. The Congress finds that... 



(1) Because global warming may result in a substantial sea level rise with serious adverse 

 effects in the coastal zone, coastal states must anticipate and plan for such an 

 occurrence. 



Congressional Declaration Of Policy: SEC. 303. The Congress finds and declares that it 

 is the national policy 



(2) to encourage and assist the states to exercise effectively their responsibilities in the 

 coastal zone through the development and implementation of management programs 

 to achieve wise use of the land and water resources of the coastal zone, giving full 

 consideration to ecological, cultural, historic, and esthetic values as well as the needs 

 for compatible economic development, which programs should at least provide for... 



(B) the management of coastal development to minimize the loss of life and property 

 caused by improper development in flood-prone, storm surge, geological hazard, 

 and erosion-prone areas and in areas likely to be affected by or vulnerable to sea 

 level rise, land subsidence, and saltwater intrusion, and by the destruction of 

 natural protective features such as beaches, dunes, wetlands, and barrier islands,... 



(K) the study and development, in any case in which the Secretary considers it to be 

 appropriate, of plans for addressing the adverse effects upon the coastal zone of 

 land subsidence and of sea level rise; and... 



(3) to encourage the preparation of special area management plans which provide for 

 increased specificity in protecting significant natural resources,., improved protection 

 of life and property in hazardous areas, including those areas likely to be affected by 

 land subsidence, sea level rise, or fluctuating water levels of the Great Lakes, and 

 improved predictability in governmental decision making... 



Many state Coastal Zone Management programs have used federal funds to conduct studies and 

 develop policies to this end. 



In addition to its role as a regulator and financial and technical assistance provider, the 

 federal government also has the legal authority to address sea-level rise in its role as a property 

 owner. Numerous parks and wildlife refuges are found along the coast. Under both federal and 

 state law, the federal government has the authority to purchase easements to enable ecosystems 

 to migrate, and to construct coastal protections structures to protect government property from 

 the effects of erosion and storms. 



G-39 



