[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 99 (Monday, July 14, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7423-S7424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. LAUTENBERG (for himself and Mr. Torricelli):
  S. 1016. A bill to authorize appropriations for the Coastal Heritage 
Trail Route in New Jersey, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources.


 legislation to reauthorize the new jersey coastal heritage trail route

  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation 
reauthorizing the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route. The New 
Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail is the crown jewel of the Jersey Shore 
and my bill will provide the necessary funding to complete the trail 
and preserve it for future generations of New Jersey residents and 
visitors.
  The Coastal Heritage Trail Route was first authorized in 1988 through 
Public Law 100-515, legislation authored by former Senator Bill 
Bradley. I was proud to cosponsor. The legislation allowed the 
Secretary of the Interior to design a vehicular route that would enable 
the public to appreciate, enjoy, and work to protect, the nationally 
significant natural and cultural sites along the New Jersey coastline 
and the Delaware Bay. When completed, the trail system will include 
five self-discovery theme trails which travel along the coast of New 
Jersey. The 275 miles of the trail which will travel through eight 
counties, will begin north in Perth Amboy, continue down the Atlantic 
Coast to Cape May in the south, and head northwest along the Delaware 
Bay shoreline to Deepwater. The trail will be accessible from the 
Garden State Parkway and Route 49, and well-marked routes will lead 
from the corridors to regional welcome centers which will include 
interpretative information.
  The National Park Service, through a partnership with the State of 
New Jersey, the Pinelands Commission, and local communities, recorded 
nearly 400 sites and developed alternative concepts for trail 
protection and interpretation. These activities were documented in the 
``Resource Inventory and Study of Alternatives'', released in November 
1990. In April 1991, after public review and comment of this document, 
the Park Service established an overall trail concept.

[[Page S7424]]

  The Maritime History Trail, which opened in 1993, celebrates and 
explores the coastal trade, defense of the Nation, and the fishing and 
ship building industries. Visitors to this trail can stop, for example, 
at the Belford Seafood Co-op, a cooperative commercial fishing 
operation located on the shores of Sandy Hook Bay. The community of 
Belford is over 200 years old and is reported to be the oldest fishing 
port on the east coast, with many third- and fourth-generation fishers.
  The Coastal Habitats Trail, which opens this year, explores barrier 
islands, wetlands, estuaries, and other habitats from sandy beaches to 
maritime forests that provide homes to many plants and animals. Also 
opening this year is the Wildlife Migrations Trail, which explores 
places along the Atlantic Flyway, a critical nesting and feeding area 
for many species of birds. It also celebrates the habitat of the 
horseshoe crab along the Delaware Bay.
  The Historic Settlements Trail explores historic communities whose 
economies were based on local natural resources such as the bog iron 
community at Allaire State Park, the cranberry and timber industry 
located at Double Trouble State Park, and the glassmaking communities 
in Cumberland and Salem Counties.
  The Relaxation and Inspiration Trail will explore how people used 
their leisure time, and includes the religious retreats of Ocean Grove 
and Cape May's historic district and boardwalks, and visits the artists 
who were inspired by the Jersey shore.
  Mr. President, the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail Route 
exemplifies how successful the National Park Service has been in 
forging partnerships with State and local governments, and private 
individuals and organizations. Since its beginning in 1988, the Park 
Service has received less than $1 million in Federal assistance. The 
authorizing legislation appropriately called upon the Park Service to 
match 50 percent with non-federal funds. The Park Service has gone well 
beyond that target, raising over $818,000 in non-federal funds. Yet in 
fiscal year 1998, the authorization ceiling of $1.25 million will have 
been reached. My bill would increase the authorization level for the 
trail to $4 million, and extend the authorization to the year 2004, 
which would give the Park Service the additional time it needs to 
complete the trail. This is a small investment, I believe, to preserve 
the richness of New Jersey's and the Nation's history.
  The Coastal Heritage Trail Route has brought national recognition and 
stature to many of New Jersey's special places, and helps to contribute 
to New Jersey's second largest industry, tourism. I invite my 
colleagues to join me in support of this legislation which will ensure 
that many more of these gems of New Jersey and the Nation are 
understood, celebrated, and protected.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be included in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1016

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 6 of Public Law 100-515 (16 U.S.C. 1244 note) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``$1,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$4,000,000''; and
       (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``five'' and inserting 
     ``10''.

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