[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 20, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12931-S12932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CHAFEE (for himself, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Moynihan, and Mr. 
        Lieberman):
  S. 1752. A bill to reauthorize and amend the Coastal Barrier 
Resources Act; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.


       the coastal barrier resources reauthorization act of 1999

 Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I am here today to introduce a bill 
to reauthorize the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA). Most people do 
not realize that coastal barriers are the first line of defense 
protecting the mainland from major storms and hurricanes, and this 
extremely vulnerable area is under increasing developmental pressure. 
From 1960 to 1990, the population of coastal areas increased from 80 to 
110 million and is projected to reach over 160 million by 2015. 
Continued development on and around coastal barriers place people, 
property and the environment at risk.
  To address this problem Congress passed CBRA in 1982. This extremely 
important legislation prohibits the Federal government from subsidizing 
flood insurance, and providing other financial assistance such as beach 
replenishment within the Coastal Barrier Resources System. Nothing in 
CBRA prohibits development on coastal barriers, it just gets the 
Federal government out of the business of subsidizing risky 
development.
  The law proved to be so successful that we expanded the Coastal 
Barrier System in 1990 with the support of the National Taxpayers 
Union, the American Red Cross, Coast Alliance and Tax Payers for Common 
Sense, to name just a few. The 1990 Act doubled the size of the System 
to include coastal barriers in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, 
the Great Lakes and additional areas along the Atlantic and Gulf 
coasts. We also allowed the inclusion of areas that are already 
protected for conservation purposes such as parks and refuges. 
Currently the System is comprised of 3 million acres and 2,500 
shoreline miles.

  Development of these areas decreases their ability to absorb the 
force of storms and buffer the mainland. The devastating floods of 
Hurricane Floyd are a reminder of the susceptibility of coastal 
development to the power of nature. The Federal Emergency Management 
Agency reports that 10 major disaster declarations were issued for this 
hurricane, more than for any other single hurricane or natural 
disaster. In fact, 1999 sets a record for major disaster declarations--
a total of 14 in this year alone. As the number of disaster 
declarations has crept up steadily since the 1980's, so has the cost to 
taxpayers. Congress has approved on average $3.7 billion a year in 
supplemental disaster aid in the 1990's, compared to less than $1 
billion a year in the decade prior.
  Homeowners know the risk of building in these highly threatened 
areas. Despite this taxpayers are continually being asked to rebuild 
homes and businesses in flood-prone areas. The National Wildlife 
Federation came out with a study that found that over forty percent of 
the damage payments from the National Flood Insurance Program go to 
people who have had at least one previous claim. A New Jersey auto 
repair shop made 31 damage claims in 15 years.
  At a time when climatologists believe that Floyd and other major 
hurricanes signal the beginning of a period of turbulent hurricane 
activity after three decades of relative calm, safety factors of 
continuing to develop coastal barrier regions must also be considered. 
As roadway systems have not kept up with population growth, it will 
become increasingly difficult to evacuate coastal areas in the face of 
a major storm.
  Beyond the economic and safety issues, another compelling reason to 
support the Coastal Barrier Resources Act is that it contributes to the 
protection of our Nation's coastal resources. Coastal barriers protect 
and maintain the wetlands and estuaries essential to the survival of 
innumerable species of fish and wildlife. Large populations of 
waterfowl and other migratory birds depend on the habitat protected by 
coastal barriers for wintering areas. Undeveloped coastal barriers also 
provide unique recreational opportunities, and deserve protection for 
present and future public enjoyment.
  The legislation which I am introducing today would reauthorize the 
Act for eight years and make some necessary changes to improve 
implementation. A new provision would establish

[[Page S12932]]

a set of criteria for determining whether a coastal barrier is 
developed. Codifying the criteria will make it easier for homeowners, 
Congress and the Fish and Wildlife Service to determine if an area 
qualifies as an undeveloped coastal barrier. The legislation would also 
require the Secretary of the Interior to complete a pilot project to 
determine the feasibility of creating digital versions of the coastal 
barrier system maps. Digital maps would improve the accuracy of the 
older coastal barrier maps, and make it easier for the Department of 
Interior and homeowners to determine where a structure is located. 
Eventually, we hope that the entire System can be accessed by the 
Internet.
  I believe that Congress should make every effort to conserve barrier 
islands and beaches. This legislation offers an opportunity to increase 
protection of coastal barriers, and at the same time, saves taxpayers 
money. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
                                 ______