[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S12026]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           REAUTHORIZING THE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES ACT

 Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise today to commend Senator 
Stevens and Senator Kerry for their work in bringing this bill to 
passage. By reauthorizing the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, we 
reaffirm our commitment to the preservation and protection of marine 
resources and areas of great biological significance in the marine and 
coastal ecosystem.
  This bill also amends the Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary 
Act to reflect some of the concerns raised during the sanctuary review 
process. Most importantly, the Hawaii provisions of the bill prohibit 
the imposition of user fees in the sanctuary. The measure also 
incorporates amendments requested by the Kahoolawe Island Reserve 
Commission (KIRC) regarding any future efforts to include the island of 
Kahoolawe in the sanctuary. The bill provides the KIRC with the 
authority to request that Kahoolawe be included in the sanctuary. If 
the KIRC does not make this request, Kahoolawe will not be included.
  This bill represents bipartisan cooperation on an issue of great 
importance; the protection of the marine environment. I would like to 
thank the staff of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation, especially Lila Helms, for their role in making this 
reauthorization a reality.

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