[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1915-E1916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COASTAL AND ESTUARINE LAND CONSERVATION PROGRAM ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 22, 2008

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong support of the 
Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) Act, H.R. 1907.
  CELCP is a wonderful example of a public/private partnership. I 
believe strongly in protecting lands currently threatened by the rapid

[[Page E1916]]

development across the country and I am so pleased that CELCP is able 
to make such a valuable contribution to the protection of coastal and 
estuarine lands, which are considered important for their ecological, 
conservation, recreational, historical and aesthetic value.
  This program provides badly needed federal funds for the purchase and 
protection of sensitive coastal ecosystems with the goal of better 
ensuring the ecological and economic health of our coastal 
communities--this is critical in light of the fact that 60 percent of 
Americans will live along the coast by 2010.
  I have been privileged to work with Representative Saxton and applaud 
his dedication to formally authorizing this program that Congress has 
funded since 2003. By establishing a plan for the preservation of our 
coastal areas, authorizing CELCP will build on the successful Coastal 
Zone Management Act, and it will continue to encourage partnership 
programs among federal government, state agencies, local governments, 
private landowners and non-profits.
  CELCP has certainly provided the backbone for strong partnerships in 
Delaware, through the Nature Conservancy, and DNREC, and NOAA--and I 
look forward to the continued success of the program.
  As we all know too well, protecting open space is particularly 
important in Delaware, where rapid development is underway. Delaware's 
CELCP funding totals around $10 million; most recently it has helped 
ensure that Blackbird Creek, with wetlands, forest, and important 
species, remains ecologically valuable today and in the future.
  I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in 
supporting H.R. 1907.

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