[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11803-S11804]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES ACT

  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 543, which was received 
from the House.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 543) to reauthorize the National Marine 
     Sanctuaries Act, and for other purposes.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the bill?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, since the day I arrived in the Senate 
nearly twelve years ago, I have worked hard to address the many 
challenges confronting our ocean and coastal resources. After all, few 
states draw as much of their national and regional identity from their 
coastal areas and contiguous oceans as does Massachusetts.
  Often with my distinguished colleagues, the Senator from South 
Carolina, Senator Hollings, and the Senator from Alaska, Senator 
Stevens, I have worked to improve national marine resource management. 
My efforts have come through my membership on the Senate Commerce, 
Science and Transportation Committee, and particularly as ranking 
member on the Oceans and Fisheries Subcommittee and as co-chair of the 
subcommittee's predecessor, the former National Ocean Policy Study 
(NOPS).
  Over the past 25 years, Congress has worked to develop innovative 
policy solutions to enable the long-term protection, conservation, 
utilization and management of our vulnerable marine resources. We have 
acted to ensure strong coastal economies in Massachusetts and a clean, 
healthy coastal environment from the Gulf of Maine to the Gulfs of 
Mexico and Alaska.
  One of these innovative programs is the Magnuson Fisheries 
Conservation and Management Act, which in 1976 introduced the new 
concept of domestic fishery management councils to guide the 
development of commercial fishery management plans. In close concert 
with Senator Stevens, Senator Hollings and several other Senators, I 
have worked long and hard during this Congress to strengthen and 
reauthorize the Magnuson Act. I am delighted that this effort has been 
successful and that the bill is on its way to the White House for the 
President's signature. It will greatly aid us in ensuring ecologically 
and economically sustainable fisheries for future generations.
  Another successful innovation in marine resource protection has been 
the National Marine Sanctuary Program, created in 1972 and last 
reauthorized in 1992. Administered by the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Marine Sanctuary 
Program is a proven success and one in which we should all take pride. 
I strongly support the National Marine Sanctuaries Preservation Act and 
urge my colleagues to support this very important reauthorization bill.
  H.R. 543 represents another step toward fulfilling a national 
commitment to further protect our coastal oceans, sustain marine 
biological diversity and fishery stocks, and encourage comprehensive 
natural resource management that provides for appropriate recreational 
and commercial activities. The marine sanctuary program successfully 
demonstrates that environmental protection and economic opportunity can 
co-exist. We can have both jobs and environmental conservation.
  H.R. 543 is a straightforward reauthorization bill. It makes only 
minor changes to the Sanctuaries Act, and on balance, it strengthens 
the sanctuary program. The bill provides $45.5 million over the next 3 
fiscal years to fund the management of the 14 existing marine 
sanctuaries, including the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary 
off Massachusetts Bay. I am assured by NOAA that this amount is 
adequate to sustain present management activities at all existing 
sanctuaries. In addition, this bill provides important authority to 
NOAA to develop alternative funding sources to augment government 
spending and enhance marine sanctuary research and management 
activities.

  This bill makes permanent the temporary authority given to NOAA in 
1992 to market and license a sanctuary program logo developed as part 
of a pilot logo program. Not only will this revenue enhancement program 
broaden the recognition of the sanctuary program, it will provide 
opportunities to develop supplemental funding to support sanctuary 
management activities. Amounts generated from this new initiative are 
expected to be quite limited at first, but are an important step in the 
long-term development of the marine sanctuary program.
  H.R. 543 also addresses the current controversy regarding the 
designation of a new marine sanctuary in Washington state. The members 
of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation have worked 
closely with Senator Murray to address these concerns and we are 
pleased that this bill reflects those changes agreed upon.
  Finally, Mr. President, I would be remiss if I did not at this time 
recognize the dedication to the cause of ocean and coastal resource 
protection of my esteemed colleague and friend from Massachusetts, 
Gerry E. Studds, who has been an outstanding leader in the Congress on 
this issue.
  For the 20 years that Gerry Studds has served in Congress, he has 
demonstrated time and time again a responsiveness to the needs of his 
constituents. These needs understandably have been shaped very often by 
the important marine and coastal resources of Massachusetts. Through 
his close and constant association with the ocean, Gerry Studds has 
developed a

[[Page S11804]]

sensitivity and insight into the complexity of the marine and coastal 
environment that few members could challenge. This insight has served 
him well as a Chairman of the former House Merchant Marine and 
Fisheries Committee, and in his present capacity as ranking member on 
the House Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans. Let there be 
no mistake: Gerry Studds' mark on national environmental policy, 
especially in the marine environment, has been profound.
  Section 11 of H.R. 543 formally changes the name of the existing 
Stellwagen Bank sanctuary off the coast of Massachusetts to the ``Gerry 
E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.'' I realize after 
having worked closely with Congressman Studds on the designation of 
Stellwagen Bank in 1992 how deeply he feels about this very special 
place. It is a fitting tribute that this unique marine resource, which 
he worked so hard to protect for future generations, should bear his 
name. His knowledge, his expertise and his humor will all be missed. I 
will miss him as a friend and colleague in the Congress. But the Gerry 
E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary will remain a 
constant reminder of his impressive environmental legacy.
  In closing, Mr. President, I have worked closely this Congress with 
my friend, the Chairman of the Oceans and Fisheries Subcommittee, 
Senator Stevens, to pass strong, positive marine resources legislation 
that reflects and reaffirms the importance of ocean and coastal 
resources to our Nation and ensures they are treated as the priceless 
and essential natural resources they are. Not unlike the Sustainable 
Fisheries Act (S. 39), the Antarctica bill (H.R. 3060), and the 
reauthorization of the Coastal Zone Management Act (H.R. 1965), this 
bill is another positive step toward ensuring that our Nation's vital 
marine and coastal resources are conserved and sensibly managed for the 
benefit of all. I wholeheartedly support this bill and urge my 
colleagues to do the same.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I thank the distinguished chairman and 
ranking member of the Commerce Committee, as well as Senator Gorton and 
Congressman Metcalf, for their work on this bill.
  We have reached an agreement on the provisions regarding the 
Northwest Straits of Washington State which I think will serve 
everyone's best interest. My amendment to the House passed bill deletes 
language establishing a local advisory committee under the control of 
NOAA, while retaining the requirement that final designation of a 
marine sanctuary in the Northwest Straits occur only via congressional 
authorization.
  I was concerned that the creation of a NOAA-controlled advisory 
committee would undermine the very intent of bringing local community 
members together to consider the resource protection needs of the 
Northwest Straits in an objective and open forum. Many members of the 
local communities have serious concerns about the performance of NOAA 
over the last several years with regard to the proposed sanctuary. To 
establish a new advisory committee under NOAA's control would only 
perpetuate those concerns. I think it is much better if such local 
commissions or committees develop on their own, independent from the 
NOAA process, much as the Marine Resources Committee in the San Juan 
Islands has done.
  It is my understanding that as NOAA continues with its assessment of 
the resource protection needs of the Northwest Straits, it will provide 
personnel and technical expertise and information to any local advisory 
committees or commissions that may develop and will include any 
recommendations put forward by such committees or commissions in NOAA's 
assessment.
  My amendment will allow us to move this important bill forward with 
bipartisan consensus. I appreciate the significant role the Marine 
Sanctuaries Program plays in the protection of our Nation's ocean 
resources. The protection of marine life and marine habitat is a worthy 
goal. Marine sanctuaries may not only protect the marine environment 
but may also support regional economies by creating recreational and 
tourism opportunities and enhancing commercial fisheries and associated 
industries by providing refuges for fish and other marine life. I fully 
support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support our 
agreement.
  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be 
deemed read a third time, passed, the motion to reconsider be laid on 
the table, and any statements relating to the bill be placed at the 
appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 543) was deemed read the third time and passed.

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