[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 111 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8565-S8566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HOLLINGS (for himself and Ms. Snowe):
  S. 1104. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to make 
corrections in maps relating to the Coastal Barrier Resources System; 
to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.


      CORRECTING THE COASTAL BARRIER RESOURCES SYSTEM legislation

  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill aimed 
at correcting a mistake in the Coastal Barrier Resource System. Without 
this correction, a portion of Colleton County, SC, will remain in the 
Coastal Barrier Resources System even though the county never had an 
opportunity to voice their objection to their inclusion.
  In 1980 Congress directed the Secretary of the Interior to study and 
propose a Coastal Barrier Resources System. The aim was to create a 
system made up of relatively undeveloped low-lying coastal lands which, 
because of their susceptibility to flooding, would not be eligible for 
Federal flood insurance. Practically speaking, to be included in the 
CBRS means you face serious obstacles when selling or developing your 
property.
  Soon after the passage of the 1980 act, the Department of the 
Interior created a study group charged which promulgating an inventory 
of coastal properties--properties to be included in the CBRS. By the 
end of 1988, the study group had completed its work and the Department 
of the Interior submitted the CBRS proposal to Congress.
  This proposed inventory was the culmination of 8 years work and 
included suggestions made during two public comment periods. The first 
public comments were made following the release of an initial draft 
inventory in 1985. Additional comments were made following the release 
of a second draft in

[[Page S8566]]

the spring of 1987. The Department of the Interior received numerous 
comments on these draft inventories and incorporated many in their 
final report to Congress. This final report was the basis for the 
Coastal Barrier Resources System adopted in 1990.
  I recite this history because without an understanding of it, Mr. 
President, one can't understand the intent of my legislation.
  While the Department of the Interior was drafting this proposed 
system, a strip of coastal South Carolina was being annexed by Colleton 
County from Charleston County. Unfortunately, this annexation occurred 
in 1987 in the midst of the 1987 CBRA comment period. Unfortunately, 
the notice of this second draft inventory was not received by Colleton 
County. The county never received any notice. It appears the draft 
inventory was provided to Charleston County, not Colleton County. In 
fact, the maps currently on file at the Department of the Interior, 
still, incorrectly show this tract in Charleston County--not Colleton 
County. Thus, the citizens of Colleton County, never having had an 
opportunity to comment on these proposed changes, now find this tract 
included in the CBRS.
  I proposed legislation in 1995 to correct this mistake, but it was 
never reported out of committee. It failed to win the Environment and 
Public Works Committee's support because the Fish and Wildlife Service, 
at the time, felt that the area in question had been mapped properly.
  Mr. President, since the end of the 104th Congress, I have been 
working with the Fish and Wildlife Service to address this problem. 
They have now reevaluated this area and have come to the conclusion, 
``that the unprecedented procedural circumstances in this situation 
raise concerns of equity and fairness that warrant remapping.'' Mr. 
President, I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record a letter 
from John Rogers, Acting Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, dated May 1, 1997, that says just that.
  In short, this bill corrects a mistake made 10 years ago. It rights a 
wrong. It does not drastically redraft the Coastal Barrier Resources 
System nor does it withdraw any lands which were included in the 1982 
draft. It is narrowly drafted to address Colleton County's unique 
situation. My staff, working with the Fish and Wildlife Service, has 
not identified another area in the system which is similarly situated. 
That is, there are no other areas which changed jurisdictions at the 
time the Coastal Barrier Resources System boundaries were being 
developed and which never received notice of these changes, thus this 
bill would not prove a precedent for those seeking wholesale changes in 
the Coastal Barrier Resources System.
  In conclusion, the bill simply returns a small portion of Edisto 
Island, SC to its 1982 status. I urge my colleagues to support this 
bill.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I am pleased to join the ranking member of 
the Commerce Committee, Senator Hollings, in the introduction of the 
Oceans Act of 1997. This bill will establish a commission like the 
Stratton Commission of 1966 to review the many ocean and coastal issues 
facing the United States, and to develop a comprehensive, coordinated, 
national ocean, and coastal policy.
  Prior to introduction, I raised a few concerns with Senator Hollings 
on some provisions of the draft bill. Basically, I had recommended some 
language that made it clear that as we develop a new ocean and coastal 
policy for the Nation, we keep in mind the facts that our fiscal 
resources are limited, and that our Federal investments in ocean and 
coastal resources must be spent efficiently and wisely. I also raised 
some concerns about the fact that the original draft had the President 
appointing all of the members of this important commission.
  Mr. President, Senator Hollings has graciously agreed to make some 
changes to the bill pursuant to my recommendations. For instance, the 
bill now authorizes the Congress to appoint more than half of the 
Commission members, and the Commission is directed to identify 
opportunities to reform Federal ocean programs to improve efficiency 
and effectiveness. I commend Senator Hollings for his willingness to 
work with me and other Republican Senators before introduction of the 
bill. After introduction, I look forward to working with the 
distinguished Senator from South Carolina, a Senator who worked on the 
original Stratton Commission bill 30 years ago and who is a true 
champion of ocean protection, in the Oceans and Fisheries Subcommittee 
on any further refinements along these lines that might be 
constructive.
  Again, I thank Senator Hollings and commend him upon introduction of 
this bill.
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